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Impossibly Long Odds or Prophecy Fulfilled? Many Christians Are Too Ignorant Of Prophecy To Know The Difference – By Tim Moore - https://harbingersdaily.com/impossibly-long-odds-or-prophecy-fulfilled-many-christians-are-too-ignorant-of-prophecy-to-know-the-difference/
All of us have specific memories that are indelibly impressed in our minds. Our wedding. The birth of a child. Or perhaps a moment of tragedy. Whole societies can experience significant emotional events that become seared into collective memory. The World War II generation never forgot Pearl Harbor. Their children would long remember where they were when they learned of JFK’s assassination. I vividly remember watching the Challenger explosion and later the coverage of the 9/11 attacks. Other historical events have altered the trajectory of nations and the world. That is why the Battle of Lexington and Concord (that initiated the American Revolutionary War) became “the shot heard around the world.” In 1948, events in a remote corner of the world marked the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and hastened the approach of the End Times. Israel was reborn. A Long-Awaited Promise Beginning in AD 66, the Jews of Judea were decimated, exiled, or scattered. Mercilessly putting down the revolt that originated in the Galilee, the Roman Empire resolved to answer the “Jewish question”—at least as it involved the stiff-necked Jews in Palestina. So, at great expense Rome made an example of the Jewish rebels, besieging Jerusalem and even stomping out the last band of resistance at Masada. During Herod the Great’s heavy-handed reign, Jewish resistance to Roman rule was squelched. When he died, his kingdom was divided, and the Roman garrison soon found itself opposed openly. Of course, the Jewish Messiah appeared during that same period offering true and eternal liberation—but the corrupt Jewish authorities ensured that He was executed by Roman hands. Jesus had foretold the devastation that would fall upon Jerusalem. Because most Jews did not recognize the time of their visitation and embrace Him, God rejected them for a long and painful season. Rejected, but not forsaken. The Lord was not the first to prophesy the destruction and Diaspora (dispersion of the Jews). Moses was very clear about the alternative to God’s continued blessing on His chosen people. Deuteronomy 28 records his extensive warning about the consequence of disobedience. Instead of an unending stream of blessing, he said, “the LORD will scatter [the Children of Israel] among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth… Among those nations you shall find no rest, and there will be no resting place for the sole of your foot; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and despair of soul” (28:64-65). He went on to describe the curse that would fall upon the land itself—the Promised Land that his people were about to go and possess for the first time. When God scattered the people, the Land itself would become “brimstone and salt, a burning waste, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows in it” (Deuteronomy 29:23). All of these curses would fall on Israel (people and Land) because the Jews forsook the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers (Deuteronomy 29:25). But Moses also foresaw beyond that great calamity, promising, “If your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you back. The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers” (Deuteronomy 30:4-5). That steadfast hope of that promise is why every Jew throughout the diaspora has ended the Passover seder with a hopeful prayer: “Next year in Jerusalem.” A Flickering Hope For over 1800 years, that glimmer of hope dwindled and grew increasingly faint. As Jews attempted to assimilate to living in strange societies and took on attributes of the people among whom they lived, the aspiration to return to the Land was more an unrealistic ideal than a motivating aspiration. Because the curse on the Land was so overwhelming, there was little appeal to returning to a desolate wasteland. And, despite low-grade Antisemitism that occasionally burst into overt and violent persecution, Jewish people were relatively comfortable in places like Germany, Poland, and Russia. This should come as no surprise. Human beings quickly adapt to new circumstances and accept the normality of their situation. That is why many Jews chose to remain in Babylon even when Nehemiah led some to return to Israel 2500 years ago. Quite a number of them still lived in Iraq until very recently, when Saddam Hussein drove them out. And, it is why there remains a large contingent of Israel-condemning Jews in Iran to this day. To an outside observer, the idea that a widely dispersed people would uproot themselves once again and return to the God-forsaken place where they once lived seemed ludicrous. It would be as if people calling themselves Trojans decided to regroup after 3000 years and rebuild the lost city of Troy. However, unlike the Trojans, the Jewish people maintained their identity through the long years of the diaspora. They honored ancient customs—although not always revering the God of their Fathers—in a way that unified them across the years and the miles. Passover, Hanukkah, Purim, and other Jewish holidays ensured a collective memory and shared hope. By the late 1800s, the embers of that hope were stirring back into flame. In 1878, Jewish-Polish poet Naftali Herz Imber penned the words to “Hatikvah” (The Hope): As long as in the heart, within, The soul of a Jew still yearns, And onward, towards the ends of the east, An eye still gazes toward Zion; Our hope is not yet lost, The hope of two thousand years, To be a free nation in our land, The land of Zion and Jerusalem. Shmuel Cohen, a 17-year-old musician from Eastern Europe whose parents had immigrated to Palestine set the words to a Romanian melody in 1887. It became well-known throughout Zionist circles into the early 20th century and was adopted as the anthem of the Zionist circle in 1933. Although banned from public broadcast by the British Mandate government, “Hatikvah” would later become the national anthem of Israel. As prophesied and promised, Israel’s Hope indeed springs eternal. Odds Too Long to Wager On Throughout the period of Diaspora, the Church took on an overwhelmingly Gentile flavor. Paul spoke of the Jewish rejection of the Gospel as the “reconciliation of the world” because it led to the Gospel itself being scattered far and wide over the earth (Romans 11:11-15). Tragically, many Gentile Christians assumed the Jewish obstinance was evidence that they had been cast aside, even though Paul insisted that was not the case (Romans 11:1-5). But, witnessing the fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy regarding the wandering, outcast, despairing Jew, Gentiles too readily accepted the lie that God had washed His hands of the Jewish people. That was the attitude of “Christian” crusaders who streamed to the Middle East from 1050 to 1300—killing Jews with as much glee as they dispatched Muhammadans who had seized the Holy Land. So, when Jews began to return to the Land that Mark Twain had testified was desolate and devoid of people, beasts, or vegetation, there was little popular support for their dream. Even Great Britain reneged on its Balfour Declaration promise to support the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. When push came to shove—and there was much pushing and shoving from the Arab world when Jews began to grow in number and influence—the British Mandatory authorities were decidedly pro-Arab and anti-Jewish. Perhaps the greatest example of the inconceivability of Israel’s reestablishment is the counsel offered by America’s Secretary of State in 1948, George C. Marshall. General Marshall, whose strategic and geopolitical acumen was proven in World War II, was convinced that the overwhelming superiority of the combined Arab armies would mean a death sentence for the Jews. Marshall warned Harry Truman that if the President dared support Israeli independence, he would resign his position and then campaign and vote against him in the next election! Thankfully, Truman had paid attention in Sunday School, and knew that while man sees only impossibilities, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). And, when it comes to the prophecies of Scripture, a promise of God is an ironclad surety. Impossibly long odds, or prophecy fulfilled? Many Christians were too ignorant of Bible prophecy to know the difference. Armageddon’s Trigger – Terry James - https://terryjamesprophecyline.com/2023/12/03/armageddons-trigger/ My first book had the title Storming Toward Armageddon. It was released during the assault termed “Desert Storm” by the George H. W. Bush administration. It seemed at the time—more than thirty years ago—that all attention was directed back to the Middle East and things regarding God’s warning about humankind’s most horrific war: Armageddon. My attention, in thinking on that military operation, was drawn to the prophet Zechariah’s vision, given him by an angel: Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base. (Zechariah 5:5–11) My thinking was—and continues to be—that the Desert Storm action was the beginning of the wrap-up of the Armageddon scenario. In other words, that action was turning the attention of history to the arena where humankind’s final war this side of the Millennium will be fought. God’s Word is quite specific about where and why it will be fought. It will be fought because that is where all the wickedness of anti-God forces will be gathered by God, Himself. Here is the prophecy about that gathering: For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. (Joel 3:1–2) The way God deals with wickedness will be ultimately based upon how the nations of the world deal with His chosen people and nation. There is one specific element of that wickedness among this prophecy that will serve as the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back: God will bring all of the nations’ armies to Armageddon and to their complete devastation, as His Word says, because, “they have scattered [His people and His heritage Israel] among the nations, and parted my land.” The matter of parting God’s land is the constant effort by all involved to force Israel into accepting a “two-state solution” in order to have peace. To get right to the heart of the matters involved, Satan’s purpose is to break God’s promise to the nation He has chosen as His heritage. Lucifer is thus doing all he can to stir the world against Israel to convince that tiny nation to fall for this devil-inspired plot. (That plot has especially ramped up after Israel’s coming into modernity as a nation in 1948, and even more specifically since Desert Storm.) The Hamas attack of October 7 is but another part in the implementation of Satan’s plan to cause God’s promise to His chosen nation to be broken. Lucifer is totally reprobate in terms of Romans 1:28, but his insanity drives him to nonetheless carry out the plan that is infinitely greater than his own. That is, he is providentially forced to carry out the plan of the omniscient and omnipotent God of Heaven. Thus preparation is in process for the wrapping up of all of history before Christ’s Second Advent, in focusing back on the Middle East. Wickedness has returned to that region, more violent and with greater viciousness than ever before. It is prophetically destined to become much more violent and vicious, thus convincing Israel’s leadership to accept some form of dividing God’s land for peace—the land He promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob forever. We are witnessing the entire world system beginning to build pressure against Israel. The United States’ presidential administration, not just the hate-filled Islamic states, is implicit in helping build this pressure. We see this in the fact that the resolute Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to not agree to any ceasefire until the hostages are released. Yet the negotiations, directed by the US and other powers that be, have forced this strong-willed champion of Israel to acquiesce to their demands. They are thereby allowing Hamas terrorists to regroup. Satan, his evil, supernatural genius on display, presently puts Israel’s leadership in the position of looking like heartless villains themselves if they don’t agree to the cease-fire so that two hostages per day are released. Thus as long as the cease-fire holds. Eventually, the Israeli government will be dealt with in a similar way by Antichrist himself, as he, through satanic inspiration, maliciously negotiates a division of Israel’s land in order to achieve peace (Daniel 9:26–27). Of course, it will be a false “peace that destroys many,” as Scripture puts it. It will be an agreement made with death and hell, Isaiah foretells (28: 16, 18). The “covenant” (dividing of God’s land as part of that agreement) will be “disannulled,” as God has said. But the attempt to bring about the division of His land will be the trigger to Armageddon. God will deal with all nations that come against the returning King of all kings—the Lord Jesus Christ. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11–16) With all raptured believers and the armies of Heaven following closely behind you on heavenly white Steeds, even so, come, Lord Jesus! PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR CHRISTMAS AND END OF THE YEAR GIVING - THANKS!!! We have created a special fund on our donations page just for the End of the Year Support, so that we can keep track and keep you updated. If you mail in a check or money order, please write End of the Year, thanks! End of the Year Giving Goal $14,850, as of 12/6/23 = $5916 New Monthly Supporters wanted 30, as of 12/6/23 = 0 (You can donate to our General Fund or enter our End of the Year donation drawing for a brand new iMac computer!) I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Please give a generous end of the year gift. DONATE HERE Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 (Please mark for End of the Year Support) 2023 End of the Year Support Donation Drawing Like most ministries, a large amount of our support comes from people giving during the last couple of months of the year. This year has been challenging for all of, but I believe that Prophecy Update and other like minded ministries are needed now more than ever! Please consider entering our drawing, not only might you win this brand new iMac, but more importantly, you will be helping to support Prophecy Update - thank you so very much!!! A Chance to Win a Brand New 24-inch iMac with Retina 5K display -- most importantly, you will be helping to Support Prophecy Update! With the following configuration: · 3.8GHz 8-core 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz · 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory · Radeon Pro 5500 XT with 8GB of GDDR6 memory · 1TB SSD storage · Gigabit Ethernet · Magic Mouse 2 · Magic Keyboard - US English This system is valued at $2,499, and you might win, for a little as $25!!! It's already that time of the of the year when we have to start budgeting and planning for the coming new year! 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Nearing Midnight: The Epic Battle Between God and Satan Is Heating Up – Jonathan Brentner - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ The Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, resulted from Satan’s hatred of the Jewish people. The horrors of that day are a sign of what lies ahead as the battle between God and Satan intensifies. Since then, Palestinians and their supporters have marched through many of the world’s large cities demanding the elimination of Israel as a nation and, in some cases, advocated death for all the Jewish people. I never imagined I would see such demonic hatred on full display and accepted by so many. What’s becoming increasingly obvious to those of us who understand Scripture is that we are now witnessing the preliminary skirmishes that point to the epic confrontations between God and Satan during the seven-year Tribulation. During this time, the Lord will destroy the kingdom of the antichrist in preparation for His rule over the nations. Satan Seeks to Kill the Jewish People God’s strategy has always been to work through His chosen people, the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through their prophets, He revealed His saving purpose for sending the Messiah, the One who would die for the sins of the world. Satan, aware of God’s redeeming purposes, did all he could to stop the coming of the One who would one day defeat and destroy him (Genesis 3:15). His opposition culminated with putting Jesus on the cross (1 Corinthians 2:8). What the devil and his hosts failed to understand was that His death would become the means of salvation for us and that the Lord would rise victoriously from the dead. At the present time, Satan mistakenly believes He can stop the fulfillment of Scripture that tells us Jesus will one day return to a repentant Israel and set up His worldwide kingdom. The devil operates under the mistaken illusion that he can thwart God’s promise to place His Son on the throne of David in Jerusalem (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33) and stop Him from ruling over all the nations on the earth. In order to stop Jesus’ thousand-year reign, the devil knows he must eliminate the Jewish people. Since the time of Christ, he has stirred up murderous hatred toward God’s chosen people. He tried to destroy them with Hitler but fell short. Now, radical Muslims factor into his ongoing deadly agenda. As evidence that Hamas and Hezbollah will fail in their determination to wipe out Israel as a nation, the Bible tells us that the antichrist, empowered by Satan, will continue the deadly agenda. The coming “lawless one” will implement a covenant of peace with Israel with the intent of using the guise of peace to destroy them (Danial 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10). Israel’s leaders, exhausted with the many wars and ongoing threats of terrorism, will readily agree to his terms. I believe the antichrist will allow the building of the third temple to sweeten the deal for the nation. God Will Prevail Just as nothing prevented the Lord from fulfilling His saving purpose through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God will prevail over the devil’s deadly agenda. One would think by now, Satan realizes he cannot thwart God’s redemptive plans for Israel and the world. Just as the Lord used Pharoah at the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, so now He is using a deluded devil to fulfill His promises to Israel. The antichrist’s persecution of the Jews during the second half of the Tribulation, combined with the judgments that God pours out on the earth during this time, will cause the surviving one-third of the Jewish people to welcome Jesus as their true Messiah (see Zechariah 12:10-13:1). Jesus, during the week leading up to His crucifixion, prophesied that He would return to a repentant Israel: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'” (Matthew 23:37-39). According to our Savior, there’s coming a time when those living in Jerusalem will welcome Him as their Messiah, saying, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Although the Jewish people will suffer terribly in the years to come, a sizeable remnant will recognize Jesus as their Messiah and turn to Him in saving faith at the end of the Tribulation. This isn’t simply my opinion; it’s what the prophet Zechariah foresaw and Jesus said would happen. Case closed. At the moment, Satan dominates the kingdoms of this world (Ephesians 2:1-3). However, there’s another agenda at work behind the scenes, even though most do not yet recognize it. Once the Rapture happens, many will recognize God’s wrath and seek to hide from it (Revelation 6:15-17). Multitudes will turn to Jesus during the Tribulation, but most will perish holding on to their vain hope that the devil can stop the Lord’s purposes for His people. Poll Finds UK Young Adults Are Open To Banning That Bible For ‘Hate Speech’ - By Featured - https://harbingersdaily.com/poll-finds-uk-young-adults-are-open-to-banning-that-bible-for-hate-speech/ In John 15:18, Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” But why? Jesus provides the answer in verse 19, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Can this be avoided? According to Jesus, I’d say no. He said, “If they persecuted me,” which they did, “they will also persecute you” (v. 20). Scripture repeatedly informs us that we will be hated, rejected, and persecuted for our faith, so we shouldn’t be surprised. Following Jesus means to counter all of man’s natural desires, making it both controversial and offensive to the unconverted. And the Bible, authoritative and eternal, does not change with the times. So, as the times evolve further away from adherence to biblical mandates, Christians can only expect pushback to intensify and become more common. The world doesn’t necessarily hate you, but it hates the Truth you proclaim. A recent poll conducted by Whitestone Insights asked 2,088 U.K. adults if they agreed with this statement: “Unless the offending parts can be edited out, books containing what some perceive as hate speech should be banned from general sale, including if necessary religious texts such as the Bible.” The results showed a substantial amount of Brits agreed with the statement above, with 18 to 34-year-olds making up 23% of those who agreed and 35 to 54-year-olds making up 17%. These statistics reflect what we already see in the U.K. Street preachers preaching the Bible and pro-life advocates silently praying have been arrested. Päivi Räsänen, former Minister of the Interior, was acquitted of hate speech charges for posting a Bible verse on X. Hate crimes against Christians have increased throughout Europe, and persecution remains widespread in other parts of the world. So, an uptick in the Bible being classified as “hate speech,” to the point of people being open to banning it, only follows suit. But the larger issue are the Christians folding under the pressure of these claims. Romans 12:2a states, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Yet, we see the church conforming to the world to avoid offense. Aaron Renn, a senior fellow at American Reformer, wrote, “Where once there was a culture war between Christianity and secular society, today there is a culture war within evangelicalism itself.” Most clearly seen among LGBT and abortion activists, modern secular “morality” demands the church needs to change, lest it be “canceled.” While a flimsy threat to the strong in faith, the tidal wave of criticism has, indeed, caused many churches to fall away from Truth and modify their doctrine. I believe it goes without saying that a modified doctrine (such as with same-sex marriage) is no doctrine at all. If anything, it’s self-governance, which is really just chaos. In comments to The Washington Stand, David Closson, director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at Family Research Council, argued that the results in the U.K. poll are an example of where America is heading. “We live in a world that is increasingly post-Christian, by which I mean a world that increasingly does not take its cues from the Bible,” he said. “I think Europe is further ahead than we are in their post-Christian culture. But I think it’s many of the same trends.” For Closson, when the U.K. poll referenced “hate speech” in the Bible, it was considering the social norms around LGBT ideology. “What’s interesting, though, is the Bible has always been really offensive to modern sensibilities,” he added. “The Bible, in claiming the exclusivity of Christ, is an exclusionary message.” However, in a Christian world, even where people don’t bow their knee to Jesus, the Bible is viewed as a moral guidebook. Yet the post-Christian world, where we are now, sees the Bible as “hate speech.” Many modern unbelievers (as the poll indicated) see a better world without the Bible in it. The modern church (as seen in progressivism) sees a better world with a modified Bible to suit the times. But, really, through the eyes of a worldly mindset, the true Bible will always be a threat. Yet even when the world tries to tamper with or ban it altogether, the true biblical message will always prevail. As Closson emphasized, it’s not worth sugarcoating the reality that, for the faithful, persecution is increasing around the world and in America. “Now is the time to prepare for it,” he said. Closson added, “We should acknowledge that things could get really difficult, and England is an example. The fact that people are getting arrested for silently praying, for thought crimes. Yeah, that’s a warning to us.” But whether it be challenges from outside the church or from within, we are called to stand firm. 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” Rather, we are to “rejoice” as we share in Christ’s sufferings. “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (v. 14). Daily Jot: Stupidocrisy: The chilling tyranny upon us - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com The recent revelation of the January search warrant issued by Barack Obama-appointed Judge Beryl Howell to obtain all user information associated with former President Trump’s Twitter account is no less a chilling sign of tyranny upon every American. That Democrat-appointed Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, who is investigating Trump, colluded with Howell to get such a widespread warrant clearly indicates it’s more than Trump they are pursuing—its every American citizen who may dissent from the leftist-controlled government and administrative system. This is setting a standard of tyranny against you that those who disagree with you can and will prevent you from exercising your Constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms. In his book Democracy in America, Volume II (1840), Alexis de Tocqueville defines soft tyranny: “It [the government] covers the surface of society with a network of small, complicated rules, minute and uniform, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd. The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence: it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.” This is his definition of soft tyranny. If you are hindered from speaking your mind due to concern of unforeseen consequences that may invite some government investigation, or social scoring, or ruination, you are a victim of soft tyranny. Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” A free people can only exist by adhering to the precepts of God. Bondage is bondage, whether it is sin or tyranny. We live in a society where a very vocal minority is using corporations and government to usurp your Constitutional rights. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness…” These evil minions are using darkness to extinguish the light of liberty. We must speak boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel. Even though many respond with hatred and accuse you based on the very intents of their own hearts, they will not know the truth unless someone tells them. We would not know sin had we not known the laws of God. Don’t be a victim of soft tyranny. Right is greater than might. As Ephesians 6:12-13 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Soft tyranny is evil. If we don’t stand against it in this country of God-given liberty, we become victims of, say it with me…Stupidocrisy Daily Devotion: A Surrendered Heart - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. —Philippians 1:6 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/a-surrendered-heart/ - Listen If you were involved in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, would you be tempted to brag about it a little? Mary easily could have gone to her friends and said, “Hey, have you checked out Isaiah 7:14 lately? You know, the part where it says, ‘The virgin will conceive a child’? Well, you’re looking at her!” Mary, however, didn’t do anything of the kind. She was amazed, even flabbergasted, that God had chosen her to be the one to bear the Messiah. But then she had a question, which was a logical one considering the circumstances: “But how can this happen? I am a virgin” (Luke 1:34 NLT). Now, Mary was not doubting or questioning the angel Gabriel. This had more to do with methodology. And Gabriel answered her because it was a legitimate question. He said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God” (verse 35 NLT). In the same way, sometimes we look at what God asks of us and wonder how we can possibly accomplish it. We think, “How can I live a godly life in this culture?” Or “How can I, as a single person, be sexually pure and wait for the right person that God will bring to me?” Or “How can I, as a married person, remain faithful to my spouse, honest in my work, and uncompromised in my principles?” The answer that Gabriel gave to Mary applies to us as well: “For with God nothing will be impossible” (verse 37 NKJV). God will complete the work He has begun in our lives. The angel promised that the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary, and the Holy Spirit comes upon us as well. God will give us the power to do what He has called us to do. Although Mary didn’t fully understand, she was obedient to God’s will for her life. In essence she said, “It’s a done deal, Lord.” She didn’t ask for a detailed explanation. She simply said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (verse 38 nlt). Often we want to know God’s will before we submit to it. But if we want to know God’s will for our lives, we first need to surrender ourselves to Him. As Alan Redpath said, “The condition of an enlightened mind is a surrendered heart.” The apostle Paul wrote, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him” (Romans 12:1 NLT). We want to know the perfect will of God. But God is saying, “Submit yourself to Me, and I will tell you. First, give yourself over to Me.” Mary did that. She submitted her will to God. Have you surrendered your heart to Jesus Christ? PROPHECY UPDATE NEWS HEADLINES Yesterday's Prophecies - Today's Headlines HEADLINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRACKING BIBLE PROPHECY 12/6/23 http://trackingbibleprophecy.org/birthpangs.php
FROM THE HEART Let Us Make the Short Time We have Left, Count for ALL of Eternity! IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WORTHY OF YOUR SUPPORT? One of the most reliable ways to determine if a ministry is worthy of your financial support is to examine its fruits. If Prophecy Update is keeping you informed, and if that information inspires you, and causes you to draw closer to the Lord, if Prophecy Update equips you with valuable information and knowledge to share with and encourage other believers, and open the eyes of non-believers, and if Prophecy Update keeps you connected to current events relating to Bible Prophecy, then you are partaking of the fruit produced through this ministry. None of this would be possible without the Lords blessings and your support. I believe where the Lord guides, the Lord provides, and most of the time He provides through the willing and generous hearts of believers just like you and me. Humbly Seek Your Support Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 We are very pleased to offer all our readers this FREE download on Bible Prophecy from the Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia - Just download and enjoy and be blessed! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family members. Click below to download! "AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING" If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven? Find out, visit: www.thegoodtest.net www.gotquestions.org www.wayofthemaster.com How to know God DID YOU KNOW? You can submit an article, leave a comment or praise report at email: [email protected] Maranatha! (Lord Come Quickly) "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand." "Let Us make the short time we have left count for all eternity!" YBIC-Randy
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