 TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
We Are Not Ignorant of Satan’s Schemes: Part 1 - By Ron Ferguson - https://www.raptureready.com/2024/01/06/we-are-not-ignorant-of-satans-schemes-part-1-by-ron-ferguson/
[A]. Introduction Satan is the enemy who sneaks into the field freshly sown to plant his seeds of destruction. He is the pernicious master of the tares. In recent months, if you watched some of the footage from Israel on the cruelty, barbarism, and complete hate and evil from Hamas, then you gain the slightest insight into what Satan is like. Our minds cannot understand such concentrated evil that belongs to the whole demon world. We can only see a fleeting glimpse, such as what Hamas stands for. In the parable of the tares, the enemy crept in at night. Satan’s malicious work belongs to the night, to this world’s darkness. The world is night, and it is easy to slip these seeds of Satanism into what is thought of as good in the world, though none is good according to Romans 1. Just a few days ago, I had the experience of the evil that lurks at night. I used to keep and breed finches, but it was so difficult to keep one breed of snake out of the aviaries. The brown tree snake (night tiger) is a cunning, aggressive sneak that is vicious among birds. It came at night. I have just recently done up the aviaries after 20 years of not having birds. I used a fine mesh wire and did everything for 4 months to make the aviaries snake-proof. It wore me out, in fact, with so much to do. Just 3 weeks ago, I bought 2 pairs of tricolor finches at $100 a pair, and to my horror, a few days ago, three were missing. I found the culprit: a four-foot brown tree snake curled up in a nesting box. I was devastated and still am. It affected me. If that is not bad enough, a few hours ago, before sending these 12 Parts to Rapture Ready, I saw another finch missing and then discovered another snake. My devastation continues. I have no idea how two of Satan’s agents got into the cage. The damage is done. That is how Satan works – the master of destruction, a worker of the darkness. Take note of these verses – 2Corinthians 2:10-11 “But whom you forgive anything, I forgive also, for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan, FOR WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF HIS SCHEMES.” [B]. CHRISTIANS, ISRAEL AND GOVERNMENTS That is a bold statement of Paul’s to say we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices. How come? How can we have knowledge of them, of his schemes? The Bible reveals some of these schemes – the temptation of Eve reveals the power of the hidden lust in our old natures, though Eve did not have an old nature just then. A similar set of temptations was used with Jesus after 40 days fasting. The parable of the house swept clean and then worse demons coming in tells us self-reformation and standing on our own merit will not work. Satan “owns the world” and uses the world against us. Everything, though, is in the permissive will of God. The devil makes sure the top position/s in every human organization are in his control. That is what he aims to do. When you institute the evil agenda from the top and let it filter down through evil people, it will take over. This is now true of all institutions. It is the way leaven works, but you must start at the top. I saw that in education when still teaching. We saw appointments of people with set agendas to key positions, the agendas Government wanted. Then appointments were made by those instrumental people in key positions until all down the line, the evil schemes were completed (for example, the sexualization of children). That is just one of Satan’s schemes/devices – aim at the top! When we look at the present world, we see almost every nation opposed to Israel. At the UN, maybe only 7 nations have supported Israel, and always all the rest side with Israel’s enemies or, like Australia, they abstain from support. For decades, Australia has never opposed a condemnation of Israel in the UN. That is what socialism/Marxism does – it HATES Israel. I think American society is becoming corrupt; the leadership of the nation is corrupt – President, FBI, Judicial system (an outsider speaking, so maybe I can get away with saying that). Some may wonder why God has allowed the USA to continue and not fall into His judgment and disapproval. I have wondered that, and I think it might be because, over the years, the USA has been a solid friend of Israel – Genesis 12:3 “I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU and the one who curses you I will curse. In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Don’t you think it is unusual that so much attention is placed on this small Middle East nation? Don’t be. To the Tribulation saints, Jesus is saying in Matthew 24:9, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you, and YOU WILL BE HATED BY ALL NATIONS on account of My name.” Satan leads the constant condemnation of Israel in the UN. He hates Israel all through history because the Redeemer was to come from Israel, and now the future King of the whole earth will return at the Second Coming. Satan hates that. He hates all God’s people, both the earthly people of God and the heavenly people of the Church. I am convinced those who hate the Jews and Israel are inadequate in explaining their reasons for their hate. It is not a surprise. Those who are not with Christ are against Him. Demonic delusion is rampant. Those who oppose Israel are demonically moved to do so. They may not know why they feel that way themselves, but they are under the control of the puppet master. Those “do-gooders” who are marching with the Palestinians and the general Islamic rabble in the streets opposing our democracy and Israel and supporting terrorism, those not of Islam themselves but think they must march in support of them and in opposition to Israel, are sent there by Satan. We don’t split hairs here. You are either for or against Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Why should the State oppose and arrest Christians? It is another of Satan’s schemes. There is supposed to be a separation of Church and State, yet on the authority of the State, now Christians can be arrested for speaking or writing against homosexuality or being within 100 meters of an abortion clinic. So many more restrictions are being placed on Christians and Jews. In Australia, recently, Jews were strongly advised by authorities to stay away from a number of places while Islamic supporters took to our streets to oppose our very own democracy and fill the area with anti-Semitic hate. Who is responsible for that? Well, it was the police and Government. Who controls the police and Government? Why it is Satan’s scheme, Satan’s evil devices. Division is what Satan always causes. In considering Satan’s schemes (AV – “devices”), I quickly jotted down a number of examples, and I will now list them. [1.] TARES OF SATAN HE HAS PLANTED It is my opinion that the most incompetent, dangerous, and corrupt man to lead the Western world right now is the head of the United States. The free world at this point in time needs leadership, and this man betrays the office. Satan will attack at the top and from the top, and he does so there. What is even sadder is that a generally deluded nation voted the Democrats in. In fact, it is said that the United States is under Obama’s third term as President, and I think that is true, with Clinton as Vice-President. (This is now November 2023, just to set the dating). Don’t get me wrong; I am not suggesting the Republicans are Christians. It is outcome I speak of. I keep out of the American politics. One huge worrying thing about every nation now is the reporting of the News, or is that the fake News? Satan is the prince and power of the air, and someone has said “of the airways,” as the majority of media outlets in the Western world are supportive of the left or keep the people ignorance of the truth. The people of the USA do not generally hear the happenings with Biden and his son and of the utter corruption from the FBI and the American judiciary, and so much more. Neither are these matters confined to the USA. Why is that ignorance crowns the media? Education and information is deliverance, but suppression of information and of the facts, and the deliberate distortion of facts, is deluded blindness and is what Satan does and loves. Jesus declared this – John 8:31-32 Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine, and YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.” We know the truth of the gospel sets men free, but the false news and suppression of the truth from television, radio, newspapers, social media, and the internet will hold men in bondage. I have seen many comments from Americans saying that they watch SkyNews Australia, also on YouTube (the subscription to it is free) to see what is actually happening in the USA. Satan knows when the truth is withheld, it means the gospel is bound. Always strive for the truth, and educate your families in the truth. John 8:43-45 “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES. Because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.” One of the subversive schemes of Satan is to withhold truth for his own lies. We know that. We are not ignorant of it. [2.] SATAN CAUSES DIVISION, HATE, AND FACTIONS ALL OVER One terrible scheme playing out right now in most Western democracies is the undermining of national security through mass migration of people who don’t, never will, and refuse to share the values and beliefs of our nations that have taken them in. It is not surprising to see great rallies against our nations’ cultures by the hordes of Islamic immigrants/invaders. It is leading to great divisions nationally, and governments seem incapable of fixing it; they worsen it by continued Islamic migration. In fact, it won’t be fixed but will lead to great problems as the Church age draws to a close. Added to this, the USA has another problem on the southern border: a disgraceful decision to destroy security by a man who certainly is not God’s own. Satan divided heaven through pride and ambition, so he is a master at division. There is division, resultant hate, and factions in every aspect of mankind’s existence. Try to think of one area where division does not occur – family, marriage, church, workplace, sporting clubs, neighborhood, government (it is huge there)…. There is a saying, “Divide and conquer,” and Satan knows that very well. We must not succumb to that, for it is of the devil. God knew how difficult it is for us in that area, so He wrote through Paul – Ephesians 4:1-3 “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, ENTREAT YOU to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all HUMILITY AND GENTLENESS, with PATIENCE, showing FORBEARANCE to one another IN LOVE, being DILIGENT TO PRESERVE THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT in the bond of peace.” We know the devil’s wiles, those devious and hellish schemes to destroy unity, so let us do what Paul just said. [3.] THE RUINATION OF GOD’S SEXUALITY IS OF SATAN The rise of the sexual revolution, perhaps beginning in the 1960s, is Satan’s means of corrupting the younger generations. Free love and infidelity remind one of some of the awful examples of licentiousness in the Old Testament. The corruption of all flesh is allied to the corruption of all eternal souls. What happened at the time of Noah, God has withheld from us, but this is stated– Genesis 6:2 “that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.” Genesis 6:4 “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.” I won’t explore the various thoughts here, but something was not normal. Deviant sexuality was always part of paganism with its open orgy behavior and the cult prostitutes, male and female. As a nation becomes more pagan, then deviant sexual practices and behavior are more and more accepted and become widespread, and can I go as far as to say, encouraged. The flower people and the hippies were seekers; they were seeking meaning in life and rejecting of commercialization and greed. The sexual expression they ascribed to was where they saw meaning. The world has always had prostitution. I don’t condemn the prostitute, for Jesus did not, but reached out to help them. This example now is sordid for when one departs from the proper relationship between man and woman, then Satan embraces it. Genesis 38:13-23 “And it was told to Tamar, ‘Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.’ So she removed her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. “When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, for she had covered her face. So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, ‘Here now, let me come in to you,’ for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, ‘What will you give me, that you may come in to me?’ He said, therefore, ‘I will send you a kid from the flock.’ She said, moreover, ‘Will you give a pledge until you send it?’ He said, ‘What pledge shall I give you?’ And she said, ‘Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.’ So he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. Then she arose and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments. “When Judah sent the kid by his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her, and he asked the men of her place, saying, ‘Where is the temple prostitute who was by the road at Enaim?’ But they said, ‘There has been no temple prostitute here.’ So he returned to Judah, and said, ‘I did not find her, and furthermore, the men of the place said, ‘There has been no temple prostitute here.’ Then Judah said, ‘Let her keep them, lest we become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this kid, but you did not find her.'” It is amazing that God did not push the sins of His own people away in a cupboard but opened them to the world. I reckon Judah did not want that on record. And what about David and Bathsheba? We don’t condemn the harlot, but we do condemn those who are sexualizing children under the corrupt education systems we have today. Balaam brought sexual corruption upon Israel. Legislators are doing it to our nations. Satan destroys younger generations. Matthew 19:14 “But Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone and do not hinder them from coming to Me for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” BUT Satan says, ‘I will take all steps to bring the children unto me.” God instituted marriage and sexual relations within that – Satan says no and destroys it. God said marriage is between man and woman – Satan arranged his homosexual perverted “marriage.” If you think about it, in every avenue, the devil has overturned God’s stated order to corrupt and distort what God instituted. [email protected] Revelation 19: The ominous shadow of Armageddon - By Mark Creech - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/revelation-19-the-ominous-shadow-of-armageddon.html Read or hear the word, Armageddon, and most people are struck with a sense of fear, dread, and anxiety. This is primarily due to its association with the apocalyptic imagery in the Book of Revelation. Additionally, popular culture and movies have contributed to the intense emotional response that this word elicits. In 1998 Michael Bay’s box office hit in theatres, “Armageddon,” grossed over $553 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of that year. The film revolves around a group of oil drillers recruited by NASA to go on a space mission to prevent an asteroid the size of Texas from colliding with the Earth. They had to drill a hole into the asteroid and place a nuclear bomb inside to destroy it and save humanity from extinction. “Armageddon” by Alkaline Trio is a song featured on their album “Agony & Irony,” which was released in 2008. Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band known for their emotionally charged and often dark lyrics, and “Armageddon” is no exception. Developed by Midway Games and later by NetherRealm Studios, “Mortal Kombat: Armageddon” is a very popular video game that creates a sense of impending disaster and a world on the brink of destruction. “Armageddon” is sometimes used metaphorically in political debates and discussions to emphasize the potential dire consequences of certain policies or actions. Politicians and commentators often invoke the term to warn of severe and negative outcomes. Perhaps one of the most pointed moments in American history took place in 1945 at the end of World War 2, when General Douglas MacArthur, supreme commander of the Allied forces in the Pacific, stood with other dignitaries aboard the USS Missouri for the formal surrender of the Japanese Empire. That day, General MacArthur made an ominous announcement: “Men since the beginning of time have sought peace. We have had our last chance. Military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all, in turn, failed, leaving the only path to be the crucible of war. The utter destructiveness of war now blots out this alternative. If we do not devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door.” In recent decades the frequency of large-scale interstate wars has indeed decreased compared to earlier periods of history. The end of the Cold War and the relative decline of superpower conflicts have contributed to fewer international wars. However, intrastate conflicts, civil wars, and regional conflicts continue to occur, leading to significant destruction and loss of life in various parts of the world. Moreover, heightened tensions between major world powers, such as the United States, Russia, and China, and other hot spots such as the Middle East (Hamas and Israel War), have been growing and leading to concerns about the potential for World War 3. Disputes over territory, failing economies, resources, trade, and international influence create much uncertainty. The fear of Armageddon is growing and indeed it could be at our very door during these explosive times. What is “Armageddon”? The term “Armageddon” is derived from the Bible, where it is associated with the final battle between the forces of good and evil (Revelation 14:14-20; Revelation 16:12-16; Revelation 19:17-21). It marks the culmination of the apocalyptic events described in the Book of Revelation, and it leads to the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ on Earth. In chapter 19 of Revelation, there is a vivid and majestic portrayal of the return of the Savior. It depicts him as a triumphant supreme world figure with divine authority, riding on a white horse, and with the armies of Heaven following him. He is dressed in a robe stained with the blood of his enemies. He is identified as the “Word of God,” and named “King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.” In his mouth, the Scriptures say there is a sharp sword. The sword is symbolic of the Word of God or Holy Writ, which has immense power. It was by the utterances of Christ’s word that creation came into existence. It was by His Word that he performed miracles of healing, exorcised demons, subdued nature, multiplied provisions, and literally raised people from the dead. It will be by his word that he will utterly defeat all opposition to God’s will and inaugurate his infallible justice. After the apostle, John described what he saw concerning Christ’s Second Coming in verses 11-16 of Revelation chapter 19, the subsequent verses in 17-21 foretell the following events: Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast — miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies. John said he looked and saw an angel standing in the sun. At first reading of this text, it may seem what’s being described is an angel standing in front of the sun with its ball of blazing fire behind him. But Henry Morris in The Revelation Record says: “More likely, the angel was actually in the sun. Angels are commonly identified with stars in the Scripture, and it is not far-fetched to suppose this angel has his own assignment, in God’s great dominion, on the sun itself. As such, he would have special concern for the Earth, since it is energy from the sun that maintains the physical and biological processes taking place on Earth. It may well have been this same angel who was responsible (see Revelation 16:8,9)) for causing the sun to heat up so severely during the later days of the Tribulation period.” This angel makes an extraordinary summons of cosmic proportions. This celestial herald cries out in a voice that reverberates across the heavens, beckoning the winged denizens of the air, the eagles, crows, hawks, seagulls, ravens, and vultures, to assemble for a mystical and momentous banquet like no other. Beforehand, the saints of God who made up the Church were invited to join in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. But sinners, those who defiantly reject God’s gracious offer of peace and reconciliation, whose hearts make war against him, shall become the supper of winged necrophagous. While rare, there have been instances when certain birds like those previously mentioned, scavengers and carrion-eating fowl, have been witnessed consuming human flesh. However, this generally occurs only in exceptional circumstances, such as exposure of a deceased body in an isolated region, extreme environmental conditions, or when a bird’s typical food sources are scarce, all of which likely will be involved with Armageddon. The developing scene is one terrible foreboding. The haughtiness of humanity is at its highest as world-renowned prominent rulers, great military leaders, formidable warriors, mounted cavalry, and individuals from every stratum of society, regardless of social status and station, gather in league with the anti-Christ and his false prophet, to do battle with the coming Christ and his heavenly army. They gather together in Megiddo, what some scholars reference as the cockpit of this vast global conflict. The geography of this plain is such that it can be entered from all points of the compass. Megiddo has also been the scene of numerous historic battles in the life of the nation Israel. Deborah and Barak prevailed against the Canaanites here (Judges 4-5). Gideon defeated Midian here (Judges 7). Saul died in battle against the Philistines here (I Samuel 31:8). Ahaziah was killed by Jehu here (2 Kings 9:27). Josiah was slain by an invasion from the Egyptians here (2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chronicles 35:22). In this location, tremendous battles between Egyptians and Assyrians, Babylonians and Greeks, Seleucids and Ptolemies, Romans and Arabs, and the Crusaders and Turks occurred. Napoleon, certainly one of the most prominent military geniuses of all times, called this area “the world’s greatest natural battlefield” because of its ideal terrain for armies to maneuver. It is here the masses of humanity assemble with the best of their military might to challenge Almighty God. However, above them, the sky starts to darken, the branches of the trees become bowed, and the hills are thickly dotted as far as the eye can see, with birds, birds, birds everywhere, awaiting the eminent show of incomparable death and their moment to descend upon the feast of incalculable carcasses of dead bodies left in the aftermath. Thus, the Psalmist wrote of this day, saying: “Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.‘ Let us break their chains,’ they cry, ‘and free ourselves from slavery to God.’ But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them” (Psalm 2:1-4). Could there be anything so futile as to defy God? Certainly not! One of the most distinguished Southern Baptist preachers, the late W.A. Criswell wrote concerning these passages: “There they are, the beast and the false prophet and the dupes who follow them. They are the product of godless government and godless religion. There they stand all together. You just put this down as an axiom in human history: When a people, when a nation turns aside from the truth and obedience to the mandates of God, they turn to the most unimaginable oppressions that the mind can think of. They do not turn from God and the Word of God and the blessed Christ into other great truths and other great revelations and other great moral and spiritual obedience. They turn to slavery, oppression, and all things evil, sordid, damning and terrible. There is no exception to that axiom in history. Look at it today. Anywhere you find a government that repudiates God, and a people who say ‘No’ to our Lord, they are in the morass and the miasma of misery. That is where revolution and war come from…These terrible things come out of the evil spirits that find lodgment in the hearts of men who repudiate God. This is the beast and the false prophet.” The epitome of human industry, ingenuity, inclusivity, initiative, innovation, insightfulness, and involvement are no match for war with God and his Christ, individually or corporately. Unless it is for reasons that serve his higher purposes, there is no need for a protracted engagement, he may only speak the Word from his mouth and the fight is over. His judgment is declared and evil leaders and their cohorts are ultimately thrown into hellfire, and the vultures feed on the multitude of corpses. In his book, Exploring Revelation, the late John Phillips concludes: “Thus ends the battle of Armageddon! For a thousand years, there will be peace on the earth after that. Men will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, their tanks into tractors, and their missiles into silos for grain. The ages will roll by, and the words for war in human speech will become archaic fragments of a language dead to mankind. “One can picture a schoolboy reading an ancient book sometime during the second half of the millennium. ‘Say, Dad,’ he says, ‘what is an intercontinental ballistic missile?’ To which the father replies, ‘Go and ask your mother.’ The mother, being questioned, answers, ‘Some kind of cabbage, I expect. Go and ask your dad.’ What a day that will be.” Unquestionably, the word “Armageddon” precipitates emotions of alarm. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. In the Bible, watchmen were stationed at key vantage points, such as city walls or towers, to observe the surrounding area. Their primary responsibility was to keep a lookout for approaching threats, such as enemy armies, invaders, or other dangers. Every faithful watchman was an alarmist. To be a watchman was a sacred vocation woven into the very fabric of civilization. With unwavering devotion and a steadfast gaze, the watchman stood as a guardian of safety. From his lofty perch, he would keep a vigilant watch over the subtlest shifts in the winds of fate. His tireless vigilance was a testament to an unyielding dedication to the preservation of the cherished existence of his people, a beacon of hope in the face of uncertainty, and a reminder that even in the darkest hours, there existed a sentinel whose vigilance would not waver. Today, there are Christian messengers, and watchmen on the wall, in nearly every place where most people live. These watchmen from every social position of life, warn people to flee from the wrath to come. They witness of Jesus Christ and share the Gospel story with earnest hope and prayer that they may persuade some to be saved before it’s too late, before their rebellion against God is permanently fixed by a strong delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:11), and there is no hope. Here is the truth — the irrefutable, inevitable promise of God, the Father: Jesus Christ will reign over this entire Earth and everything above it and underneath it. Nothing can resist his benevolent sovereignty. We either bow and confess in humility and surrender to his Lordship now, or we shall be forced to do so in judgment, when God finally decrees that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). DOWNLOAD THE PROPHECY UPDATE APP Prophecy Update Videos Must Watch Videos! Videos You Can Trust
RECOMMENDED READING & LINKS
Your Support is Important to this Ministry - We Could Not Do This Without Your Support! Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift! II Corinthians 9:15 Worthy of Your Support? It has been said, 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. I genuinely believe that Prophecy Update and many other like-minded ministries, are needed now more than ever! The world is getting darker daily, almost hourly, but never has the light of the Word of God shone so brightly. Never in our history has there been such a thirst for Truth and a need for a Savior! The Prophecy Update website, newsletter, and Video Channels are all dedicated to providing the truth, encouraging and informing believers, and prayerfully opening the eyes and hearts of non-believers with the Gospel, but none of it would be possible without your prayers and support. DONATE HERE Your can also mail your support to: Prophecy Update PO Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384 3 Extremely Alarming Developments Which Could Have Enormous Global Implications - by Michael Snyder - https://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/3-extremely-alarming-developments-which-could-have-enormous-global-implications/ Global events are moving very rapidly now, and rumors are flying all over the place. I am going to share some very alarming developments with you in this article, but it is important for me to note that each of these stories is still developing. So as we get more information these stories may move in different directions. We have already seen so much happen during the initial days of 2024, and I am entirely convinced that things will get even more chaotic as this year rolls along. Just within the past 24 hours, several more bombshell stories have appeared in the news cycle. The following are 3 extremely alarming developments which could have enormous global implications… #1 Hospitals In Northern Israel Are Being Ordered To Prepare For “Thousands Of Casualties” We have seen a series of escalations on the northern front in recent days, and that includes the assassination of the brother-in-law of the leader of Hezbollah. Now, Israeli media is telling us that hospitals in the north are being ordered to get ready to receive large numbers of war casualties… Israeli media reports IDF ordered preparation for the expansion of the fighting in the north (Lebanon). Israeli Ministry of Health ordered the hospitals to be prepared to receive “thousands of casualties” in a short time. Why would such an alert get issued now? Is something major about to happen? According to a prominent Israeli news source, one hospital has actually been instructed to prepare for a “desert island” situation… The Israeli Health Ministry ordered hospitals in the north to be ready to receive thousands of wounded, under extraneous conditions, as fighting intensifies on Israel’s border with Lebanon, according to a report by Kan. The Ziv Hospital in Safed and the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya started preparing for what has been described as a “desert island” situation, meaning days without equipment, medicines or food in the event of a massive Hezbollah attack. The hospitals in Safed and Nahariya have also been instructed to prepare for the transfer of patients to other medical centers. Furthermore, the Health Ministry advised an increased vigilance and preparedness in all hospital systems and health insurance funds across the country. To me, it certainly sounds like Israeli authorities are anticipating that a full-blown regional war could soon break out, and that would have massive global ramifications. WATCH: https://twitter.com/i/status/1744805886114107809 #2 A Deadly New Variant That Is 100% Fatal In Mice “Due To Infection Of The Brain” I don’t even know what to make of this story. Apparently, a team of scientists has been messing around with a coronavirus variant that has killed all of the mice that have been exposed to it… The research group of former PLA scientist Yigang Tong has published a new paper showing a “pangolin” coronavirus (GX_P2V) variant is 100% fatal to hACE2 mice likely due to infection of the brain. You can see the research paper for yourself right here. Needless to say, any variant that can cause “100% mortality” in human ACE2-transgenic mice should deeply concern all of us… SARS-CoV-2-related pangolin coronavirus GX_P2V(short_3UTR) can cause 100% mortality in human ACE2-transgenic mice, potentially attributable to late-stage brain infection. This underscores a spillover risk of GX_P2V into humans and provides a unique model for understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses. Hopefully someone doesn’t make a “mistake” that results in this new variant getting “accidentally” released. WATCH: (Here) Meanwhile, it is being reported that Dr. Peter Daszak has discovered “a never-before-seen virus with ‘almost’ as much potential to infect humans as Covid”… A zoologist whose organisation funded controversial experiments in Wuhan which some fear started the pandemic has presented the discovery of a never-before-seen virus with ‘almost’ as much potential to infect humans as Covid. Dr Peter Daszak, head of the New York based non-profit EcoHealth Alliance, detailed his finding in bats at an event held by the World Health Organization (WHO) on future pandemic research preparedness. EcoHealth had its funding pulled and projects to find viruses in China cancelled due to concerns about its ties to the Covid lab leak theory — but it has continued to operate in Thailand and other parts of Asia with millions of dollars in US government grants. As I have repeatedly warned my readers, we live in an era when great pestilences will erupt quite frequently all over the globe. It is just a matter of time before the next global pandemic arrives, and so I hope that you have been getting ready. #3 Civil War In Ecuador Have you heard about what is happening in Ecuador? We are being told that a “civil war” has erupted, and at this point the entire nation has descended into a state of complete and utter chaos… Ecuador is descending into civil war after a bunch of masked thugs stormed a television station in the port city of Guayaquil yesterday while taking prison guards hostage and murdering civilians. Viewers watched in horror last night as the men threatened presenters and workers with automatic weapons and explosives on live television, with the sound of gunshots and terrified hostages begging for mercy audible in the background. Of course the incident at that television station was only a small part of the widespread violence that we witnessed on Tuesday… The terrorist actions committed by Ecuador’s criminal gangs on Tuesday — which included kidnappings, prison riots, and the use of explosive devices against civilian and police vehicles — left at least ten dead, including two policemen. On early Wednesday morning, police authorities found a burned vehicle with three burned people inside in a Guayaquil neighborhood. The internal conflict decree designates over 20 of Ecuador’s most dangerous criminal gangs as military targets, allowing the nation’s armed forces to conduct operations to “neutralize” them. The decree goes hand in hand with a 60-day state of emergency declaration and curfew President Daniel Noboa approved this week. Over the past few years, we have seen a series of pro-western governments fall around the globe. Will Ecuador be the next domino to tumble? Let us hope not, but at this point the tight grip that the U.S. and the EU once had on so much of the planet is starting to falter. We really have entered a period of tremendous worldwide chaos, and I fully expect things to get even more wild during the months ahead. Why Saying Jesus Is Currently Reining Over The Nation Dishonors Our Savior – By Jonathan Brentner - https://harbingersdaily.com/why-saying-jesus-is-currently-reining-over-the-nation-dishonors-our-savior/ The claim that Jesus is already reigning over the nations is extremely popular in churches today. Its pastors preach that Jesus is fulfilling the words of Psalms such as 2, 46, 96, and 110 at this moment. In light of the prevalence of such beliefs, we must ask several questions. Does what we see in our world reflect the character of what we would expect from Jesus’ reign upon the earth? Is our current experience of a kingdom the one to which the New Testament says we are heirs? Does Scripture support the widespread belief that Jesus has already received the nations as His inheritance from the Father as Psalm 2:8 says will happen? Please don’t dismiss this as a theological discussion with no significance for you. The nature of Jesus’ rule over the nations has profound implications for us. Is our current experience the promised kingdom that the New Testament says we will inherit? Or, does Jesus’ reign over the nations of the earth await a future fulfillment? I believe we can refute the claim that Jesus now reigns over the nations on the basis of the answer to one critical question: Does what we see in our world at this moment match what Scripture tells us about the character of the Messiah’s rule? No, it most certainly does not. For us as believers, this is wonderful and joyous news; it signifies that our inheritance will be spectacular and amazing. But first, let’s examine what the Bible tells us will characterize Jesus’ future reign in fulfillment of the Messianic Psalms (i.e. 2 and many others). Jesus Will End All Wars When He Reigns Those who claim that Jesus now reigns over the nations by implication tell us that He now rules over a world filled with wars, violence, and unending ethnic strife. Such a belief not only contradicts what the Bible says about the character of the Savior’s realm, but also dishonors His glorious Name to no small extent. Psalm 46 tells us that when Jesus rules over the nations, wars will no longer exist on the earth. Psalm 46:9-10 reveals that although the nations will “rage” against the Lord (v. 6), warfare will not exist in His realm: “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Isaiah 2:4 emphasizes that Jesus’ reign over the nations will be one of absolute peace. Jesus is indeed the “Prince of Peace” and that will characterize His coming kingdom. Be very sure that when the government rests upon the “shoulder” of the child born in Bethlehem (Isaiah 9:6), wars and ethnic violence will most certainly cease to exist upon the earth. Jesus Will Rule in Righteousness During the past fifty years, the worldwide total number of children murdered via abortion exceeds one billion. Sex trafficking has a yearly income of $32 billion and is promoted by pedophiles ruling in governments around the world, including that of the U.S. The explosion of worldwide support for the vile LGBQT+ agenda is far beyond anything I could ever have imagined just a decade ago. Those demanding a Palestine state fill the streets of our world with demonstrations of murderous and demonic hatred toward the Jews. How, by any stretch of the imagination, can one say that we are now living under the righteous rule of our Savior? Such a suggestion is absurd at best. How is it possible that Jesus is ruling over such vile wickedness with a “rod of iron” as Psalm 2:9 tells us He will do when He inherits the nations? Does not the suggestion of this sully Jesus’ character? How could a wholly righteous King such as Jesus permit such vile wickedness and rampant bloodshed to flourish within his domain? He would not, and He will not do so when He truly reigns over the nations! Here are a couple of verses that define Jesus’ rule as righteous: Isaiah 32:1 KJV – “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.” Isaiah 11:3-5 KJV – “And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” (emphasis added) The current condition of our world does not in any way align with the biblical descriptions of Jesus’ righteous rule. The claim that Jesus is now fulfilling the full extent of Psalm 2 is preposterous, contradicts the words of Scripture, and most certainly dishonors our Savior. Justice Will Prevail In The World When Jesus Reigns When Jesus rules over the nations, justice will prevail throughout the entire planet. In Isaiah 32:1, the prophet states that “princes will rule in justice” during the time that Jesus is King. Isaiah 11:1-8 tells us that when our Lord rules over the nations of the earth, He will act as a righteous judge deciding all cases truthfully and with “equity.” The words of Jeremiah 33:15 emphasize the Savior’s just rule: “In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.” The cries of our world for justice are heard in the screams of pain from the unborn, the suicidal grief of trafficked children, and the horrors of genocide taking place in many places in our world. Be very sure that our Lord hears these cries for justice and will someday soon administer justice through His outpouring of wrath upon this wicked (see Revelation chapters 6-18). During Jesus’ one-thousand-year rule upon the earth, justice will surely prevail. Jesus’ Glory Will Fill The Earth The Bible also tells us that someday “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea’ (Habakkuk 2:14, see also Isaiah 11:9). I think we can all agree that this is not today. Although as believers we participate in the new covenant because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, it still awaits a greater fulfillment for Israel. Pay close attention to the words of Jeremiah 31:31-34: Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV – “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” The Lord declares in Ezekiel 36:22-38 that through the future restoration of a kingdom to Israel, He will declare His holiness to the nations so that “they will know that I am the Lord.” When Jesus reigns, the entire world will know that He is God. Some will not like it and many will rebel at the end of His rule, but everyone on earth will both see and recognize Jesus’ great glory and power. The Fact That We Are Heirs To The Kingdom Assures Us Of Its Future Reality The New Testament reveals that we also have a stake in Jesus’ rule upon the “throne of David” in that we are heirs to His kingdom (Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 1:11-14; Colossians 1;12; James 2:5). This assures us of two vital realities: It’s a future experience for all who know the Savior. Heirs, by definition, do not already possess the fullness of their inheritance. Typically, death has to occur before the inheritance becomes a reality. Hmmm, that second point doesn’t sound like good news. However, 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 reveals that it’s an extremely welcome truth for us! 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 KJV – “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” Paul says that in our current form, with bodies patterned after that of Adam, we cannot take part in God’s future kingdom (see 1 Corinthians 15:47-50). It’s impossible; we cannot inherit our kingdom in our current mortal condition. However, the over-the-top joyous reality is that when Jesus comes for us, He will make us fit for His kingdom by giving us bodies just like His. This is the exciting news that Paul also writes about in Philippians 3:20-21. In short, what the New Testament describes as our inheritance of a kingdom will be both amazing and joyous far beyond anything we have experienced on earth. Please do not let anyone damper this wonderful expectation by saying the church is the kingdom and that Jesus is now reigning over the nations. The news for us is beyond spectacular. Through Paul, the Lord tells us that we will experience our inheritance in incorruptible bodies that will never age, get sick, or die (1 Corinthians 15:50-55). We will reign with Jesus for a thousand years and then forevermore with immortal bodies. Wow!! I will close with words of Isaiah 9:7 where the prophet distinctly reveals the nature of the future rule of the Christ: “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (emphasis added) This is the kingdom to which we are heirs and will forever enjoy. Daily Jot: Democracy, supreme authority, and the one true God - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com Joe Biden’s campaign kickoff speech was designed to establish that Joe Biden is Democracy and Donald Trump is authoritarianism. A vote for Biden is a vote to save Democracy. Those who vote for Trump are anti-Democracy extremists. That’s how his speech shaped up. A democracy is defined as: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. The United States, however, is a Constitutional Republic where voters elect representatives to govern by rule of law. The difference is subtle, but important. One is majority rule as supreme power. The other is representatives governing by rule of law. So often, democracies turn into tyrannies. We have seen it in Iraq, Egypt, Nicaragua, Cuba, China, Russia, Gaza, Turkey, Venezuela and so on. The majority is elected then they move away from established laws into tyranny. Elections are held, but the electorate is only allowed to vote for candidates that represent the brand of democracy because all dissenting candidates are eliminated. Propaganda campaigns are conducted by the party-owned press. Endless investigations and trials against dissenters are guided by a weaponized “legal” system. People are oppressed by heavy handed government administrators that target dissent. Constant rhetoric of freedom and benevolence is aimed at the population. Biden mentioned Democracy some 30 times in his speech. He wrapped his brand of Democracy in the American flag and the values of freedom. Yet, the very things that he said he supported—the freedom to vote, to speak out, to have opportunity, to be equal—he acts against. He is using the court system to oppress the vote, government-corporate media to censor dissent, administrative law to elevate special interests above the common good, and snuffing out opportunity with his economic policies. He said, “We’re living in an era where a determined minority is doing everything in its power to try to destroy our democracy for their own agenda. The American people know it, and they’re standing bravely in the breach.” This is true. But it is a minority of the extreme left that is destroying America. And a few of us are trying to stop it. Biden’s brand of Democracy is built on supreme authority and lawlessness. You must comply with this tyranny or face the bullying, name calling, agency and court harassment, and labeling that accuses you of doing exactly what they are doing. The American Ideal has been hijacked. The government is god in the Democratic leadership’s eyes, and the party elite are this god’s vicars. As followers of Christ, we know that we are to have no other gods before God Almighty. The Democratic Party and the administrative state mocks God with their assumption of supreme authority. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Question is: how long will Americans allow themselves to be mocked by a tyrannical, immoral mob that elevates itself above the highest authority? Daily Devotion: After Man’s Own Heart - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. —Galatians 6:7 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/after-mans-own-heart/ - Listen Saul, the first king of Israel, had tremendous potential. He started out very well in the race of life, and if he had paced himself and played by the rules, he could have been one of the great heroes of the Bible. As we read his story, he looks like one of the good guys. But suddenly and almost unexpectedly, he changed course. He began his reign in victory but ended it in humiliating defeat. He lost his character, his power, his crown, and his very life. Saul’s life is a powerful example of what not to do. Up to that point in Israel’s history, the nation had judges like Samson who fought for them and led them. Then they had the prophets who revealed the will of God to them. But the people wanted a king. Other nations had kings, and they wanted one too. So, God gave the people what they asked for. He gave them Saul. If David was a man after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14), then Saul was a man after man’s own heart. This reminds us that we should be careful what we pray for, because God just might give it to us. It’s wise to follow the example of Jesus when He said, “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9–10 NLT). God knows best. And if the Lord says no, then it is for our own benefit. As for Saul, in many ways he had some fine qualities. He had everything he needed to be a good leader. The Bible gives us these details about Saul and his family: “There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. . . . His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land” (1 Samuel 9:1–2 NLT). We know that Saul came from a good family because his father, Kish, was well-known and influential. Not only that, but the Bible says the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul, and “God gave him a new heart” (1 Samuel 10:9). Everything was going Saul’s way. The Spirit of God came upon him, and he was ready to do what God had called him to do. However, Saul squandered his resources and opportunities. He summed up his life with these words: “I have been a fool and very, very wrong” (1 Samuel 26:21 NLT). Saul had a tremendous beginning but a tragic ending. He stands as an example of what happens when someone rebels against God. His life reminds us of the fact that sooner or later, our sins will find us out. It may not happen today or a week from now. It may not even happen a month or a year from now. But the Bible teaches that ultimately, we will reap what we sow. PROPHECY UPDATE NEWS HEADLINES Yesterday's Prophecies - Today's Headlines HEADLINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRACKING BIBLE PROPHECY 1/11/24 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
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
September 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed