The Coming Tribulation Draws Closer

IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER... 
 
 

• Featured Article: The Coming Tribulation Draws Closer 
• Blaming the Victim 
• It Took Just A Couple Of Days For Madness To Descend Upon America Once Gas Shortages Began 
• Put on the New Man 
• Daily Jot: Of insurrections and coups 
• Daily Devotion: The Commission of the Church 

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The Coming Tribulation Draws Closer - By Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-coming-tribulation-draws-closer.html
 
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” (Revelation 13:1-5)
 
Many people see the signs of the times and wonder when will the Tribulation be beginning in earnest. Many see the economic problems of this age, and the lawlessness unfolding at greater depths of sinfulness than in any previous years. Many of them are old timers like me, who remembers a more peaceful time, but note that the peace is slowly being taken away. Young people who have not been taught by their parents who were, in return, those parents were not taught by their own parents, have come to see what is happening with blindfolds on their eyes wanting a peaceful time, but note again that peace is slowly being taken away. They haven't got their eyes open to what is actually happening and will be prime candidates for the coming One World religion and the “mark of the beast”.
 
Folks see the cashless society that is being pushed in foreign countries like Sweden, and worry about having to take an implant or a tattoo on their bodies, especially with RFID chip that some businesses are offering their employees. Amazon now having a way to wave your palm over a computer and payment is made without cash. With this going on even in the USA, some wonder can the mark be taken without repercussions to their spiritual lives. They ask, “so what do we do?”
 
We know that this world we live in, is one step away from this NWO (New World Order) and the Anti-Christ is standing just off stage right waiting for the right crisis to reveal himself. Many people email me with questions that only show that they are frightened with what is coming at them at near “warp speed” and their anxiety grows even more prevalent in their everyday lives.
 
CAN I TAKE THE MARK UNWITTINGLY?
 
I had a person ask me, as I have explored the possibility that we are in the Tribulation already (which we are not) but she asked me, which I explain this to all who may have the same question “Can a person take the Mark of the Beast without meaning to?” The short answer is “NO” you cannot. Reason being that the coming Mark of the Beast is not only designed as an economic mode of exchange like we see with chips on credit and debit cards used on the world market that will soon be under control of one central authority, but it is also a “worship system” that you have agreed to be a member of the Church of the Anti-Christ/Satan. If it were just an economic mode of being a part of the buy/sell of this coming end time world, then it wouldn't be as dangerous to one's spiritual health, but you have embraced the Anti-Christ as a god on earth.
 
The penalty of refusing the coming Mark of the Beast is a refusal to worship the abomination of a beast called the Anti-Christ, and no one will escape the attention of the false prophet who will be able to monitor every person on the planet for compliance or their refusal which will lead to the ultimate penalty of death by whatever means available, but the bible speaks of being “beheaded” as the most severe form of this punishment.
 
14 “And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:14-17)
 
WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW?
 
But the bible makes it perfectly clear that you cannot serve two masters:
 
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
 
You can't serve in the Church of the Anti-Christ and claim to love God or serve Him. Being a symbol of membership in the “beast” end time one world religion, it gives the person a few short years of privileges under its rule to life, liberty and the right to pursue some form of economic happiness, but it is a lie of Satan and the ruling authorities. It will end in eternal doom. It is a complete sign of your desire to live in sin and unrighteousness towards God.
 
But in order to accept this Mark, there must be a false prophet that demands worship of the Beast. (And we are beginning to wonder and determine who the man might be) . The demand to worship rewards the person with this Mark that they have agreed to worship at the altar of a false god on earth who elevates himself, proclaiming himself to be God.
 
Those who refuse to accept this mark will be rounded up like so much cattle and marked for extermination. This was unheard of 50 years ago, but with the advancement in computer technology, everyone in this planet is being monitored even now, even if you don't know it. So no one can take the mark “by accident”. It will be a conscious decision that will be imposed on everyone, and even if they take the mark under duress or fear for their family, the Mark will be their doom to destruction in the Lake of Fire. It will be similar that everyone had to come once a year in ancient times and stand before a statue of Caesar of Rome and burn incense before it, and proclaim Caesar to be "god".
 
WHAT HOLDS THIS EVIL BACK?
 
But to Christians in this Age of Grace, the revealing of the Anti-Christ cannot be revealed as long as the Holy Spirit is upon the earth as a restraining force against evil.
 
6 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:6-10)
 
The He is a personal pronoun in verse 7. It is not a thing, or something on earth in the physical realm, but can only be God's Holy Spirit that is withholding evil at bay, until He allows Satan to have full sway over all the inhabitants that are still living on this planet, or as the bible calls, the nations, or “earth dwellers”.
 
It is designed by God to bring judgment by using Satan to do his dead level best to pervert mankind and bring them to destruction. And Satan will be very successful in deceiving those who only want to continue in the evil lifestyle and continue to enjoy their unrighteous acts of lawlessness.
 
But concerning the coming Mark of the Beast, the bible is very specific of what the penalty will be for taking this mark, for whatever reason:
 
9 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:9-11)
 
Some Christians find it difficult to reconcile the grace of God with such a harsh penalty - something I've always found baffling, since those same Christians have no problem with the concept of eternal damnation.
 
But what about salvation by grace through faith? Who are the Tribulation Saints? And if the Holy Spirit has been withdrawn, how did they get saved? 
 
People will still be getting saved, but the Age of Grace with the sealing of those who accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior will be withdrawn, and it will be much as it was in Old Testament times. This Age of Grace ends with the rapture of the Church to proceed with Daniel's 70th week, or the final week of the Age of the Law which was cut off when Jesus was crucified.
 
Many come to repentance, but are not sealed save the 144,000 Jewish Evangelist from the 12 tribes of Israel. It is so important that Jesus devotes an entire chapter that John writes down to make clear this special sealing of the “servants of God in their foreheads”
 
2 “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” (Revelation 7:2-4)
 
BEING SEALED IN THE TRIBULATION
 
The Greek word translated in Revelation 7:3 as "sealed" is sphragizo meaning, "to stamp for security or preservation."
 
This is the same seal that is given those of us who believe in the Church Age and are sealed, but this seal is given to them only (the 144,ooo Jewish Evangelist), and no one else received this “deposit” of God's Holy Spirit, so each man and woman must guard their repentance and accepting Jesus as Savior to the very end. It is why it is written:
 
21 “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” (Matthew 10:21-23)
 
That enduring to the end, are those who guard their salvation and DO NOT give into the deception of the Anti-Christ, his false prophets, or end time goons that work for them, even under duress and fear for their lives, or loved ones lives.
 
Note that the message of Matthew 24 is directed to the nation of Israel, or the Jews at the time of Jesus? The Church had not been formed yet, and the focus of the ministry of Jesus was the Lost Sheep of Israel. Not until the day of Pentecost, did the ministry of the apostles, especially Paul focus on the Gentiles.
 
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NEVER LEAVE US.
 
God told us that He would send us a Comforter that would abide with us forever, and would NEVER leave us alone.
 
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)
 
So the obvious interpretation in the verses I have quoted in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 and the one just above, if the Holy Spirit is withdrawn, so will those who He indwells, as He will never leave us and our God cannot lie. A clear sign of the rapture of the Church.
 
TWO PURPOSES OF THE TRIBULATION
 
There is a prevailing conceit without warrant, that God loves the Gentiles more than He loves Israel and therefore His attention will be focused on the Gentiles after the Church is gone from this earth which concludes at the rapture of the Bride of Christ.
 
But the Bible paints an entirely different portrait. The purpose for the Tribulation is two-fold. As I have spoken of many times in the past, the coming Tribulation is designed for two objectives in God's plan. First, God will try Israel proper as silver is refined in the fire through much persecution that will remove the “dross” from their hearts.
 
2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:2-4)
 
Second, the tribulation and the Great Tribulation is designed to destroy all rebellion upon this earth, as God sets out to nearly wipe this planet clean of all human life. Jesus told us that unless those days were shortened:
 
21 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22)
 
Again, this is from Matthew 24, the chapter that speaks directly to the nation of Israel and God will shorten the days of total destruction of all mankind, save for their survival of the Jewish people into the coming Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ.
 
The time of the Tribulation is for JUDGMENT on all mankind. I had a lady that was emailing a brother in Christ of mine on the internet, that proclaims a Post-Tribulation rapture of the church and is adamant that the Church will endure the same persecution as everyone else. But I had to point out to her, these two reasons. I will call her name “Mary”. She could not see that the Church is being judged now. We have been washed in the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and clothed with His righteousness and that not of our own. The bible clearly tells us:
 
17” For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1st Peter 4:17-19)
 
If the two reasons I have given are for the refinement of Israel and destroy all rebellion, then what purpose does the church have in this horrific time? To purge those who have already been forgiven, and subject the Bride of Christ to the same persecution of the rest of the Gentiles on earth, to me, smacks of Catholic purgatory, which I categorically deny. We have been washed and made white by the blood of Jesus from the time of Calvary. There is no purpose for the Church to endure the two reasons I have given. Especially, my reader, when there is amble proof that God's wrath is reserved for the unrighteous, not those who have been forgiven.
 
Paul makes it pretty plain in his epistles that we are not the focus of the wrath of God during this seven years of Age of the Law, but it is reserved for the two groups mentioned
 
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:25)
 
Is not that pretty clear to you who just read that verse. That speaks of the Gentile Church who have come into a relationship with Jesus Christ...which also covers believing Messianic Jews and anyone else that believes, Jew or Gentile.
 
The musterion that Paul spoke of in his epistles (mystery; previously unrevealed truth) is that God allowed the Jews to reject the Messiah in order to provide a limited opportunity for the Gentiles to be saved. It is limited to that period UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
 
So after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in..(that would be me, and maybe that would be you), then God turns His full attention back to Israel....it is clear in black and white when Paul wrote in Romans
 
"26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes. (Romans 11:26-28)
 
REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY A LIE
 
The Church does not replace Israel, even as Israel has been set aside for the last 2000 years until the Lord takes “ a people who were not His people”...
 
9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1st Peter 2:9-10)
 
A person can be blinded by the Satanic doctrine of Replacement Theology, either one believes it or not. The New Covenant is with the Church of the Living God during the Age of Grace, or called also, the Church Age. But this is not directed at all Gentiles of all ages, but for a specific group since Calvary who believe by faith in the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and come to repentance and follow Him, much as a docile lamb follows a Shepherd out of love and obedience and knowing that Shepherd has his best interest at heart. The New Covenant will be completed at the Rapture of God's Church and we join Jesus our Lord at the Marriage supper of the Lamb, after we are adopted into the family of God by being betrothed to our Husband, Jesus the Christ.
 
ONE WEEK OF DANIEL'S PROPHECY LEFT
 
God has yet to fulfill the prophecy of Daniel's 70 weeks of restoring Israel in righteousness. God fulfills His promises, and the last week that was set aside, and the prophetic clocked being stopped when the Messiah was cut off, but not for Himself, but to save the whole world, that clock will begin again at the rapture. To those who trust in Him by faith and accept the mercy and grace afforded by a selfless love that can only be deemed amazing. Amazing that God would love us so much that He would even die for us, though we deserved none of it. The coming Tribulation is God's plan to do just that. To save Israel as a remnant people unto Himself.
 
As was said, the Tribulation and especially the Great Tribulation is designed to refine Israel and remove the scales from their eyes and they realize that Jesus was their long sought for Messiah, not some dictator of the end time world who promised them peace and safety. They will cry from their persecutions when they seek Jesus with their whole hearts...Zechariah prophesied they will call out to their Messiah, much as Jesus said they would...
 
8 “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” (Zechariah 13:8-9)
 
Jesus proclaimed.
 
34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Luke 13:34-35)
 
The persecution will bring all of Israel to their senses and they cry out to God for deliverance. Jesus comes to save the remnant of His people and they are the ones who will enter the Millennial Kingdom alive and mortal. The rest of mankind who have been in rebellion will either be destroyed, or judged at the sheep and goat judgment and cast into the lake of fire.
 
This is not dual-Covenant theology. There is only one Covenant by which men are saved. They are saved by faith that the shed Blood of Christ is sufficient to cleanse them of all sin. That does not change during the Tribulation Period.
 
But the focus of God's attention after the conclusion of the Age of Grace turns back to the Jews. During the final Week of the Age of the Law, the universal ministry of the Holy Spirit is withdrawn. (2nd Thessalonians 2:7)
 
Going back to how I opened this message, there will be believers in the Tribulation who will succumb to the Antichrist's coercion and accept his mark to save their families. And Scripture is clear that those who do are forever lost.
 
Tribulation believers will be saved by faith in Christ and enduring until the end, as in the Church Age, but without the guarantee of eternal security or the automatic indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
 
Jesus described the tribulation as, "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."
 
It is the job of a watchman who sees the sword coming to provide a warning. I cry the warning to all who will see the light of Truth found in God's Word.
 
3 “If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.” (Ezekiel 33:3-6)
 
Our blessed hope is found in the Scripture's promise that Jesus comes for His Church first. But after that, there is no guarantee of a second chance.
 
Better a blessed hope than a false one.
 
THE DECISION IS YOURS.
 
So what about you? Do you have hope in the Savior of this world? Does the Lord Jesus live in your heart, or are you playing Russian Roulette with your immortal soul? Will you be found ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus, as what Paul called the HARPAZO in 1st Thessalonians and 1st Corinthians, or the removal of His Church by force, without warning? If you are not ready for His soon appearing, now is the time to make that decision for the salvation of your immortal soul, that will spend eternity in blessed peace and glory, or spend in eternal torment and separation from God and all that is good, joyful, or Holy. Let me assure those that scoff at such a destination, thinking Hell is one big party. I even had some deceived individual say that “hell is where all the cool people go”...and one big party. Let me set you straight, the Lake of fire will be no party. It will take all your time for all eternity to just endure the suffering that Jesus said, the flame is not extinguished, or the worm dieth not, and there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Seek the Lord Jesus in belief and embrace these two passages that are the microcosm of what the whole of the Love Letter to the world from our Savior....
 
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:15-18)
 
Seek His face and He will be right there for you when you fall on your knees and proclaim that you repent of your sins and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life.
 
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:8-11)
 
Know that you may only get one chance this side of the coming Rapture of the Church, as you may or may not get another chance, especially this side of your own death, which in the Tribulation is almost a guaranteed of either subjected to martyrdom, or doomed in the lake of Fire for taking the dreaded Mark of the Beast. Don't take that chance that you will survive either. Make that confession of faith and cry out to Jesus. He is as close as a prayer...
 
This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying your salvation through the only Way back to God found in my Lord Jesus Christ...If you need prayer, counseling, or just a friendly listening ear, email me at [email protected], or visit me online for more messages about the coming Pre-tribulation rapture and those who will be thrown into the coming Tribulation to be damned, God bless you all with His love and salvation. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET

 


 
Blaming the Victim - By Hal Lindsey - https://www.hallindsey.com
 
On May 10th, amid hundreds of rocket attacks against Jerusalem, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the following statement. “We call on the international community to condemn the rocket fire and Palestinian terrorism targeting Israeli citizens in the strongest manner, as well as to support Israel’s right of self-defense.”
 
Why should they even have to make a statement? If any other country received a massive, unprovoked rocket attack aimed at its civilian population, the world would be outraged. Leaders would be stepping all over one another in their rush to condemn such barbarity.
 
But in this case, the world mostly condemns Israel. Some nations and international organizations have given tepid acknowledgement of Israel’s right to defend its civilian population. But they always call on Israel to “show restraint.” None of them — not one other nation — would show restraint in its response to such a hideous attack on the civilians of its national capital. They would attack with ferocity. Israel, on the other, does show restraint, often compromising their military response in order to avoid civilian casualties. Remember that Hamas loves to put its military operations in the middle of civilian population centers.
 
Israel’s critics would have us believe that this started with Israeli “interference” on the Temple Mount. US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, tweeted, “Al Aqsa… [is] a sacred site for Muslims. This is equivalent to attacking the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, or the Temple Mount for Jews.”
 
But, for several reasons, that makes no sense. Muslims frequently attack Jews on the Temple Mount. It’s a regular thing. Muslim authorities and Palestinian police forbid Jews to pray on their most sacred ground, and that’s been going on for decades. Even after taking back East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel put their holiest site, the Temple Mount, in the control of Muslims. They did it in the interest of peace.
 
In anticipation of “Jerusalem Day,” Palestinians gathered at the site, collecting rocks, bottles, Molotov cocktails, and other makeshift weapons. When they started to riot, Israeli police entered the area. Today, Muslims use this “sacred site” as a place from which to plan and launch violent attacks on Israeli civilians and police.
 
The recent rocket barrage from Gaza has been different from earlier attacks. This time, Hamas is targeting the old city of Jerusalem itself — Islam’s so-called “third holiest city.” Why are they bombing their holy city? Why not bomb other Israeli cities? Maybe it’s not so holy to them after all.
 
The immediate beneficiary of all this has been Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas. In a May 10th opinion piece for the New York Post, Jonathan S. Tobin wrote, “Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas wants to divert attention from his decision to postpone elections again as he serves the 17th year of a four-year term to which he was elected in 2005.”
 
Imagine the world outcry if any other leader carried on a four-year term for 17 years. Imagine the anger if any other leader kept setting dates for elections, then postponing them year after year. Abbas’s Palestinian Authority regime is corrupt through and through.
 
Meanwhile, UN and various leaders around the world continue to attack Israel… for defending itself!

 
 


 
It Took Just A Couple Of Days For Madness To Descend Upon America Once Gas Shortages Began - by Michael Snyder - http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/it-took-just-a-couple-of-days-for-madness-to-descend-upon-america-once-gas-shortages-began/
 
Did you react calmly when you learned that a cyberattack against one of our most important pipelines was causing thousands of gas stations to run out of gasoline? Sadly, lots of Americans didn’t. There was yelling, there was screaming, there was lots of hoarding, vehicles were waiting in line for hours at stations that still had gas, and there were reports that brawls were even breaking out between frustrated motorists. Even though we knew that the shortages were just going to be temporary, people were “panic buying” gasoline as if the apocalypse had arrived. In fact, one energy expert said that this was “the worst panic buying for gasoline since the Carter Administration”…
 
“This is the worst panic buying for gasoline since the Carter Administration,” said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Service.
 
Kloza said outages at more than 10,000 gas stations are spreading “like a bad rash” on the East Coast. Much of the problem is people are buying gasoline at twice the normal rate in the Florida peninsula, as well as in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
 
For some individuals, just filling up their tanks with gasoline was not enough. Motorists began to fill up any containers that they had on hand with gasoline, and some of the things we witnessed were incredibly stupid. For example, you should never, ever try to fill up plastic bags with gasoline.
 
I know that sounds obvious, but apparently so many people were doing this that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission felt that it had to send out a tweet telling people to stop.
 
The more gas stations that ran dry, the worse the panic buying frenzy became.
 
At first we were told that 1,000 stations were out of gas, and then it was 2,000 stations, and finally we were told that more than 10,000 stations were out.
 
In certain major cities, nearly all of the gas stations have run dry. Just check out these numbers…
 
The supply crunch appears to be much worse in some major metro areas. GasBuddy reported outages Wednesday morning impacting 71% of the stations in metro Charlotte, nearly 60% in Atlanta, 72% in Raleigh and 73% in Pensacola.
 
All of this happened because a single pipeline got shut down by a cyberattack.
 
The Colonial Pipeline is 5,500 miles long, and it supples approximately half of the gasoline for the east coast. On Wednesday evening, the company finally announced that operations were restarting, but they warned that it is going to take several days for things to “return to normal”…
 
Colonial Pipeline initiated the restart of pipeline operations today at approximately 5 p.m. ET.
 
Following this restart, it will take several days for the product delivery supply chain to return to normal. Some markets served by Colonial Pipeline may experience, or continue to experience, intermittent service interruptions during the start-up period. Colonial will move as much gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as is safely possible and will continue to do so until markets return to normal.
 
But something doesn’t add up here. The pipeline is being restarted, but the company has announced that it has absolutely no plans to pay the ransom to the hackers…
 
Colonial Pipeline reportedly has no plans to pay rumored $5 million-plus ransom to Russian hackers who have paralyzed the key gas pipeline, as President Joe Biden vows to get the fuel crisis ‘under control’ with pressure mounting on his administration to do more.
 
Do the hackers no longer pose a threat to the pipeline?
 
I don’t understand.
 
Either the pipeline never needed to be shut down in the first place, or the hackers are still in a position to cause major damage if they carry through on their threats.
 
Someone needs to explain which of those alternatives is true.
 
Meanwhile, we just learned that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is trying to shut down another important pipeline…
 
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says Enbridge Inc. has until Wednesday to shut a huge crude pipeline that crosses the Great Lakes. The Canadian company says it’s got the law on its side, and the oil will keep flowing.
 
The standoff is the latest milepost in the increasingly tense dispute over Line 5, a 540,000 barrel-a-day line that supplies half of the oil and propane used by parts of the U.S. Midwest and Ontario.
 
Is she crazy?
 
Needless to say, we have had the answer to that question for quite some time.
 
But what she is trying to do now is beyond insane. Why in the world would anyone try to shut down a pipeline when there are gas shortages happening all over the country?
 
Well, Governor Whitmer is apparently concerned that the pipeline “is too exposed to potential accidents”…
 
Whitmer argues the pipeline, built in 1953, is too exposed to potential accidents where it crosses at the Straits of Mackinac in the northern part of the state. But the two sides are in a court-ordered mediation, and Enbridge plans to keep the line running while that plays out — prompting Whitmer to threaten to sue to take any profits it makes.
 
Are you kidding me?
 
She could have waited until this current crisis has passed, but Whitmer has decided that action must be taken immediately before any “potential accidents” are allowed to happen.
 
Is Whitmer really this incompetent, or is another agenda at work?
 
We really don’t know what is going on behind the scenes. We are told that a “ransomware gang” attacked the Colonial Pipeline, but it actually could have been anyone.
 
It could have been terrorists, it could have been another county, it could have been an attack from inside our own country, or it could have been the work of some smelly overweight guy chomping down Oreo cookies in his mother’s basement.
 
We just don’t know.
 
But this just shows us how deeply vulnerable we are.
 
If disrupting a single pipeline for just a few days can cause this much chaos, what in the world is going to happen when we are facing multiple long-term national emergencies?
 
To me, this is another major league wake up call.
 
Global events are starting to spiral out of control, our enemies know where our weak spots are, and this crisis has once again shown how easy it is to push American citizens into a state of utter madness.

 


 
Put on the New Man - Nathele Graham - [email protected]
 
When we put on a new shirt or blouse it can change our whole outlook on life. Instead of dingy and tattered clothes, new clothes can just make us feel good. Scripture tells us of something we need more than we need new clothes…our life needs to be made new. As we look around this fallen world, most people see no need for Christ. They may think He was a nice man who taught wise lessons. He was a nice and very wise Man, but He is much more. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. In Him we find new life, so the sinful life of worldly ways becomes dingy, worn, and needs to be renewed. Nicodemus, a Pharisee seeking truth, came to Jesus and confessed that he knew Jesus was a teacher come from God, but it’s not enough to know that Jesus’ teachings are good. In order to find salvation through Him, there’s more required than just head knowledge about who Jesus is. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:5-7. Nicodemus was confused, but Jesus explained the truth to him by explaining an incident recorded in Numbers chapter 21. The Israelites had spoken against God, forgetting that He had brought them out of dismal slavery in Egypt. God sent fiery serpents that would bite the people and bring death. The people finally admitted that it was their sin that had caused this and the Lord told Moses to make a serpent of brass (a symbol of sin) and put it on a pole. When someone looked to that symbol of sin on the pole, they would be healed. That seems like a strange story, until Jesus fully explained it. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15. The Israelites admitted their sin, repented, and God sent the cure for sin. The ultimate cure for sin and the eternal death it brings, is looking to Jesus who became sin for us and died on the cross at Calvary. The world holds many temptations and struggles. It’s human nature to sin, and that separates us from God. Sin is burdensome and it takes a toll on us. We grow weary of the unfulfilling life of sin. It may seem that there’s no point in living. Then, you look to the cross and realize that God truly loves you. He gave His life so you can live. You may think that sounds like a nice pie-in-the-sky hope, but when you look at your life and see all the sinful things you’ve done, you only see your sin. Don’t be discouraged. There is no sin you’ve ever committed that God won’t forgive. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17. Jesus said that, so you know it’s the truth. The only thing that will condemn you to eternal death is if you choose to reject the free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ. If you do that then He hasn’t condemned you, but you’ve condemned yourself.
 
Once you have seen your need for salvation through Christ and accepted His sacrifice for your redemption, you need to put on the “new man”. Just like an old garment, the old man (or woman) needs to be changed. When you repent, you don’t need to go through your entire life and telling God (or any man) every sin you’ve ever committed. You’ve probably committed more sin than you can even remember. Repentance is changing your mind about the sin you once embraced and turning away from it. Once you’ve changed your mind, begin living life in a new way. Turn away from the ways of the world. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Ephesians 4:17-19. People who haven’t come to the saving grace of Christ, don’t understand how lost they are. We can see the results of this lasciviousness, which is unbridled lust and moral impurity, in many lives today. Abortion, homosexuality, child abuse, cold hearted murders, and more are signs that the world is in the clutches of Satan’s power. When you come to a saving knowledge of Christ, the immorality of the world should no longer appeal to you. You put on the new man who follows Christ. “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24. Friends and family may not understand your new attitude and try to pull you back to the life of sin you once embraced, but don’t turn back. You have a new life in Christ. You are a new creation.
 
John was one of the men who was closest to Jesus when He walked this earth. He must have been amazed to learn of being born again and the Holy Spirit living inside of believers. He knew that Jesus first brought His Good News to the nation of Israel. Though the nation as a whole rejected Him, a few Jewish men and women chose to follow Him. Because the leaders rejected their Messiah, salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus is open for all people. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:11-13. This is a spiritual rebirth. The word translated “son” actually means a child, son or daughter. Being a child of God is a privileged place. By faith we accept His death, burial, and resurrection, and that means we are reborn into a new life in Christ. As newborn children we need to learn of God’s ways. Scripture is our textbook and the Holy Spirit is our teacher. Measure your life by Scripture and put on the new man instead of holding onto the old. “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:8-10. Our works won’t save us, but once we claim Christ for salvation, we need to work on our way of life. Our new life in Christ should show to everyone around us. The old man should be gone and the new man should be an example to the world.
 
Jesus Christ came into this fallen world to become the final sacrifice for our redemption. His death was not a tragedy, but a victory. His blood wasn’t tainted by sin and only our faith in His death, burial, and resurrection will bring eternal life. Only God’s pure blood could pay the price of our redemption. When we truly accept Him our life is no longer our own. We need to live for Him. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. That isn’t asking too much. Jesus shed His blood for you, you accepted His sacrifice, so now you need to put aside the sin that the world accepts and live for Christ. Apply Scripture to your daily life and walk in His ways. Put on the new man and let the world know that you’re a Christian.
 
It’s important for you to have answers ready for anyone who wants to know about the changes they see in you. People will want to know why you prefer to spend time with Christian friends rather than partying with old acquaintances. Your old friends may have some cruel words to say to you, but don’t be discouraged. Witness to them and help them come to salvation through Christ. “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” 1 Peter 3:13-16. The word “conversation” is the King James way of saying “way of living”. If your life reflects Christ, don’t be ashamed, but show love and have answers for those who only mock Christ who lives in you. The first Christians faced violent persecution, but they would not deny Christ even if it meant death.
 
Brothers and sisters, the world is in a mess. This mess is caused by the evil workings of Satan. We represent Christ to this fallen world and the new man needs to be put on and left on. Christ was crucified to purchase our redemption. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6. Christians belong to Christ and our sins that brought eternal death were nailed to the cross. Our salvation is secure when we accept Christ’s blood sacrifice. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10:27-30. That’s a very secure place to be. You can only show your appreciation by living for Christ.
 
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. When you give your life to Christ, don’t let your past sin control your new life in Christ. Put off the old man and put on the new man. Live for Him who died for you.
 
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
[email protected]
[email protected]
                        
All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed.
 
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Daily Jot: Of insurrections and coups – Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com
 
Democrats in Congress are considering erecting a statue, complete with their narrative, honoring the Capitol Hill police officer that died during the “violent insurrection” of January 6. The officer, however, tragically died of natural causes, not because of the “violent rebellion.” To hear the extreme leftist media and Democratic Party leadership tell it, there was a violent attempt to overthrow the United States government when unarmed protesters got out of hand, broke into the Capitol and were taking selfies with the statues in the rotunda. Yeah, a real violent insurrection that was. While it was ill-advised and in poor judgment, it is nothing like the coup that is being done before your very eyes.
 
After four years of hammering President Donald Trump with every accusation possible from election collusion with Russia to violating the ethics of the office with Ukraine to just about every wrongdoing possible—all of which was proven false after spending millions of taxpayer dollars and wasted time with hearings and investigations, the Democratic Party got a break. COVID caused a lockdown of businesses and people like never before in history. Quarantining healthy people for the first time in history. Using fear to destroy a booming economy, sending elderly to their early deaths, and allowing anarchists and race rioters to burn and loot major cities at will, the extreme left stood in the breech to foment a socialist coup.
 
Every time they accused their opponents of something horrible, it was revealed that it was the accuser doing exactly what they were accusing others of doing. Trump spying on Democrats/Democrats actually spied on Trump; Trump mistreating women/Democrats actually sexually assaulting women; Republicans are racists/Democrats actually demonstrating racism; False accusations about the election/Democrats actually trying to pass legislation to institute the very things that make it easy to cheat. If January 6 was a violent insurrection, the actions of the Democratic Party leadership are no less a deceptive coup to remake America into a socialist nation. Let it also be said that many Republican leaders are participating. It is a disgrace and a betrayal of not only the American ideal, but also the intent of the Constitution.
 
There is a tremendous redistribution of wealth going on right now because of the policies of the Biden Administration. Paying people to not work, and by doing so, essentially establishing a guaranteed minimum income; Using COVID to justify school closings, population control, and record government spending and government growth; Trying to institute reeducation programs in public schools that change history and demonize white children; the list goes on and on. This is a distinct coup against God and God’s principles by replacing them with humanism. The first commandment in Exodus 20:3 says “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” America was not designed to survive with government as god and a political party acting like god. It is time for all of us to take a stand for God and country. Just saying.

 


 
Daily Devotion: The Commission of the Church - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org
 
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. —1 Corinthians 1:21
 
https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-commission-of-the-church/ - Listen
 
One thing that both believers and nonbelievers have in common is they’re uptight about evangelism. Nonbelievers are uptight about being evangelized, and believers are uptight about evangelizing nonbelievers.
 
However, if we want to grow as Christians, then we must go into all the world and preach the gospel. We call this the Great Commission, and we find two variations of it in the New Testament.
 
Mark’s gospel states it this way: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (16:15 NKJV). And in Matthew 28 we read, “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (verses 19–20 NKJV).
 
So where is Jesus calling us?
 
He’s calling us into the world. He’s calling us to go to all people everywhere. Because the primary way people come to Jesus is through hearing the gospel.
 
Who is supposed to do this?
 
All of us. Jesus directed these words to all of His followers. Everyone is supposed to do this—not just the so-called professionals such as pastors, evangelists, and missionaries.
 
And what are we supposed to do?
 
We’re supposed to preach the gospel.
 
So here’s my question for you: Are you doing your part to fulfill the Great Commission?
 
Jesus commands us as His followers to share our faith. But honestly, for some Christians, this has become the Great Omission instead of the Great Commission.
 
The commission of the church isn’t to wait for the world to show up. Rather, the commission of the church is to go to the world.

 



 
FROM THE HEART
    
Let Us Make the Short Time We have Left,
Count for ALL of Eternity!

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