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Where are we in Bible Prophecy? - By Susan Mouw - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/12/24/where-are-we-in-bible-prophecy-by-susan-mouw/
The questions I get asked the most these days are, “Where are we now in eschatology?” and “How do you know we are in the end times?” For that first question, I like to use a rather simple analogy. Every day, you drive past this empty lot with a For Sale sign posted in front. One day, you notice the For Sale has a “Sold” banner pasted across it, and you think, “Oh good, now someone will do something with that empty lot.” Time passes – weeks or perhaps even months – and nothing changes. The For Sale sign with its “Sold” banner still stands, but nothing seems to be happening. After a while, you start to believe the new owners have no plans to improve the property. Then, one day, you pass the empty lot, and there is activity! A foundation has begun, and there are piles of construction material everywhere – stacks of bricks and lumber – with heavy construction equipment idling nearby and crews of workers bustling about. It is obvious that something is finally being built on that vacant lot. This is not unlike where we are with Bible end-times prophecy, or eschatology. All that time you saw nothing going on at that vacant lot, there was actually a lot of activity behind the scenes: contract negotiations, transfer of title and registration of that new title, designing the new building that will go on that lot, more negotiations with the builder, and so much more – all behind the scenes. But you weren’t a party to all those transactions, so you didn’t know they were happening. Sound familiar? While much has been happening behind the scenes in preparation for what will happen in the Tribulation, it is only in the last few years that much of that “behind the scenes” work has been revealed. The real difference between this vacant lot analogy and where we are in prophecy? We are well beyond the laying of the foundation. For the answer to that second most commonly asked question, “How do you know we are in the end times?” let’s review what we have seen happening in the world arena over the last few years. In my previous book, the focus was primarily on Jesus’ response to the Apostles, in what is known as the Olivet Discourse. “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:1-8, KJV). In Go Set A Watchman, we examined each of those items listed: wars and rumors of wars, false prophets, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes and saw the rise in frequency for many of them. “In summary, what Jesus told his disciples to look for as signs of “the beginning of sorrows” are indeed happening all around us. While the number of famines has not increased from over the last 3 centuries, experts predict we are headed for a famine “of biblical proportions,” partially due to the impact of the Covid-19 virus. Pestilences have increased notably since the turn of this century, with some new diseases, all of which are a type of corona virus. Lastly, the number of earthquakes has dramatically increased, and now we have the additional hazard of “man-made” earthquakes in areas not previously known to be at risk.” We looked at the prophecy concerning the Nation of Israel and the rebuilding of the temple in Go Set A Watchman. “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:32-34, KJV). The nation of Israel was formed on May 14, 1948. The third temple is not yet built, but plans for it have been underway for quite a while. As of the release date of Go Set A Watchman, many of the preparations for worship in that temple had already been completed, mostly by the Temple Institute:
Since the publication of that book, the Temple Institute has been busy adding more to that list of items ready for the third temple:
So, plans and preparations for the third Temple in Jerusalem are in place and ready for construction to begin. Indeed, since the publication of Go Set A Watchman, much has happened, and much of that is no longer behind the scenes. One of the big challenges, though there were many, in writing As In the Days of Noah is that as quickly as I would get one chapter written and start on the next, things relative to that previous chapter would occur, and I would have to re-write parts of that chapter. In fact, even since I finished chapters 7 and 8 particularly, much more has happened, and we’ll take a look at some of that. If you’ve read the book of Revelation, you know there is much that happens during the Tribulation – the 7 seals, the 7 trumpets, the 7 vials, the Abomination of Desolation, the Two Witnesses, and of course, the Glorious Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those events are supernatural and require no preparation or “groundwork” to achieve – at least not by man. They will happen just as the prophecies have foretold. There are other things that happen, however, that do require some preparation. The Mark of the Beast would, arguably, be one of those, as well as the One-World Church and the One-World Government. The Mark of the Beast The big question I most often hear about the Mark of the Beast is, is the Covid-19 vaccine how the Mark of the Beast will be implemented? Perhaps. All 27 nations of the EU have instituted a “vaccine passport” system, plus Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. These vaccine passports permit those who have been vaccinated to travel and to purchase goods and services. The UK has not fully implemented a similar system but has stated plans to do so in the future. France and Israel have a fully implemented system. There are more countries that have accepted and implemented some form of the “vaccine passport,” but many of these are printed documentation or, as in China, a scannable QR code. Most of these passports are restrictive to travel, not necessarily preventing those without the passport from purchasing their weekly groceries at the local grocery stores. At least, until recently. Sweden was perhaps the first to introduce the implantable microchip that includes the vaccine and is scannable – by smartphone or other device – to prove they are vaccinated and allowing them access to restaurants, movie theaters, travel venues, and other public facilities. (“People Get Microchips Implanted That Include Vaccine Records Amid New COVID Restrictions,” Meghan Roos, https://www.newsweek.com/people-get-microchips-implanted-that-include-vaccine-records-amid-new-covid-restrictions-1655916 , 12/3/21) In New Brunswick, Canada, grocery stores may now ban unvaccinated shoppers. (“No jab, no food: New Brunswick grocery stores can now ban unvaccinated shoppers,” Harry Johnson, https://eturbonews.com/3010904/no-jab-no-food-new-brunswick-grocery-stores-can-now-ban-unvaccinated-shoppers/, 12/21) So – no “mark,” no food – sound familiar? If you want to learn more about the Covid-19 vaccine and its impact, I recommend watching Billy Crone’s series of videos on the subject. You can find links to his series on his website, Get A Life Ministries, Inc at https://getalifemedia.com. “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: 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 13:16-17, KJV). One-World Church One of the toughest writing assignments I’ve ever had was writing “Chapter 8 – One World Religion.” It was tough because it was hard reading and learning about what is happening in our churches today. It was tough because it was difficult seeing so many Christians, my brothers and sisters in Christ, literally sticking their heads in the sand and not wanting to hear about the times we are in. It was tough because I suspect some of those will not be Raptured with the Church and I will not see them seated at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. How did the Church get to this place? Well, there are a lot of reasons, primarily that it is as God ordained it to be. A contributing factor might be that our educational centers – our seminaries – for preparing our church leaders do not teach eschatology, and many preachers, ministers, and shepherds of the churches today fear teaching it. I recently listened to a radio broadcast put out by Olive Tree Ministries (https://olivetreeviews.org/ ), where Jan Markell, along with Pastor Tom Hughes and Pastor Mark Henry, discuss the remnant. In that radio broadcast, Jan Markell reads multiple emails she has received from people searching for churches where the whole counsel of God is taught, including eschatology. In one email, the writer states it has taken her many months, years even, to find a church that would teach from the whole counsel of God. (“The Loneliness of the Remnant Believer, Jan Markel, Pastor Tom Hughes, Pastor Mark Henry, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNWqOUonHwo , 11/24/18) If you are a Pastor, Minister, or church leader and you are not teaching eschatology in your church today, you might want to listen to that radio broadcast. That broadcast was from 3 years ago, but that desire by so many to learn more about God’s Word is stronger today than it was then, and God’s people are still searching for answers. If you are not well-learned in that area of God’s word, then pray about it. God will send the necessary resources to you. One-World Government “Chapter 7 – One World Government” is probably the most re-written chapter in my latest book. Things are changing so fast, and the pathway to that One-World Government is being laid so quickly, it is difficult to keep up with all the changes and advances. But this one-world government, or new world order, is not new. As far back as 1950, the banker James Warburg testified before the United States Senate, proclaiming, “We will have a world government, whether you like it or not. The only question that arises is whether this world government will be established by consensus or by force.” (“Infamous James Paul Warburg Quote,” LibertyTree, http://libertytree.ca/quotes/James.Warburg.Quote.BC08, 2/17/1950) Plans and decisions have been made to foster and bring about this concept of a one-world government. In 1994, David Rockefeller was quoted at a UN dinner, “We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the ‘right’ global crisis, and the nations will accept the New World Order.” (“What the New World Order Would Look Like,” Kalee Brown, https://bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica//sociopol_rockefeller14.htm, 3/21/17) There can be no question that the Covid-19 pandemic, or “planned-demic,” was created and is being used as that “right” global crisis. “The United States of Europe, uncontrolled immigration, the reduction of wages, the cancellation of trade union guarantees, the renunciation of national sovereignty, the single currency, the control of citizens under the pretext of a pandemic, and the reduction of the population through the use of vaccines with new technologies are not recent inventions, but the result of a planned, organized and coordinated action — an action that clearly shows itself perfectly adhering to a single script under a single direction.” (“Considerations on the Great Reset and the New World Order,” Stephanie Shepard, https://www.theburningplatform.com/2021/09/06/considerations-on-the-great-reset-and-the-new-world-order/, 9/6/21) Even the global map, dividing the world into 10 regions as prophesied by Daniel in his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, has been laid out since 1973 when The Club of Rome first published a proposed division of the world into 10 “economic trading blocs” (“The 10 Regions of the New World Order”, End Times Truth, https://endtimestruth.com/ten-global-regions/, nd) Today, the European Commission has also divided the globe into 10 regions, which looks eerily similar to the earlier one. These 10 regions represent the 10 “kingdoms” that will all cede their power and authority to the Anti-Christ in the Tribulation, giving him total dominion over the entire world. Remember that analogy at the beginning of this chapter about the vacant lot? Well, the big difference between that analogy and where we are with End Times prophecy is this: in eschatological terms, the foundation is complete, the walls are up, the roof is on, and they are starting to move the furniture in. All that is needed now is to occupy. Susan Mouw, Author The Road to the Cross Go Set A Watchman (newly released on Amazon) As in the Days of Noah Website: roadtothecross.org Top Ten Biblical Prophecies of 2021 – David Sidman - https://www.israel365news.com/264738/top-ten-biblical-prophecies-of-2021/ A star rises from Yaakov, A scepter comes forth from Yisrael; It smashes the brow of Moab, The foundation of all children of Shet. Numbers 24:17 (The Israel BibleTM) The Gregorian year 2021 brought a lot of chaos and world-changing events. Israel365 has kept its finger on the pulse to both track and identify world events that are either connected to the Bible or are a direct prophecy. So, without further ado, the following are the top ten Biblical news stories of 2021. 10. The tenth most first prophetic news story of 2021 was the fact that the Euphrates River, the longest river of Western Asia, is drying up. The prophet Jeremiah described how the waters of Babylon, the region currently including Syria and Iraq, would dry up as a punishment for their idolatrous practices. A drought against its waters, that they be dried up! For it is a land of idols; They are besotted by their dread images. Assuredly, Wildcats and hyenas shall dwell [there], And ostriches shall dwell there; It shall never be settled again, Nor inhabited throughout the ages. Jeremiah 50:38-39 9. In March, a reenactment of the Korban Pesach (the Passover Temple service) was held near the Shaar HaAshpot (the dung gate) near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The date, the tenth day of the first month, was significant in many ways. 8. Also in March, a new algorithm has allowed scientists to declare that the earth beneath our feet has a fifth layer, coming closer to the order originally described in Jewish mysticism. Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum, director of the Azamra Institute explained, noting that Sheol is described by Isaiah as literally a deep hole in the earth’s crust. 7. In May, a fire broke out on the Temple Mount that was ominously reminiscent of many of the fires from the sacrifices from the first and second Temple eras. Rabbi Yosef Berger, rabbi of King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion weighed in saying: “This is prophecy precisely as described in the Bible.” 6. In July, renowned Israeli Rabbi Daniel Asor warned of a globalist takeover happening as we speak. “If Hitler is the Third Reich, then the New World Order is the fourth Reich. It is Amalek’s last meeting with us before the Messiah’s arrival” he said. Based on the Kabalah teachings written by Italian Jewish rabbi and doctor Rabbi Moshe David Vali, who was a student and confidant of the prominent Jewish Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (RaMCHaL), Rabbi Asor reveals the dates that the Messiah will reveal himself. 5. Last month the Sanhedrin moved to prepare enough oil to anoint the Messiah from the House of David who, when he returns, will rule over Israel in the Messianic era. The anointing oil was described in the Bible to be used in the consecration of the Tabernacle: 4. A statue with Biblical implications was erected this month outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The statue, entitled the ‘guardian for international peace and security, is situated on the Visitor’s Plaza outside UN Headquarters. According to the UN, the ‘guardian’ is a “fusion of jaguar and eagle.” 3. In February, Amazon has unveiled the plans for its new corporate headquarters that will stand in Arlington, Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Washington DC. The announcement inaccurately describes the design as a “double helix” but scholars of ancient history and the Bible will readily recognize the ancient model for the design: the Tower of Babel. 2. In May, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a media conference in which he called on the world, including the UN, UN Security Council, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other international organizations to take action focusing on wrestling Jerusalem away from Israel. Rabbi Pinchas Winston, a prolific end of days author, noted that the current situation with Turkey fits the pre-Gog and Magog prophecy described in Zechariah, but he added that this was only the beginning of the Biblical implications. 1. And the number one Biblical story of the year took place in July when Rabbi Yitzchak Batzri, a noted kabbalist from Jerusalem, reacted to the recent revelation of the first three letters of the four-letter ineffable name of God appearing on the eastern retaining wall of the Temple Mount by affirming that according to Jewish tradition, this is indeed a sign that the final redemption is imminent. There you have it, the top ten prophetical stories of 2021. Israel365 will continue t track Biblical prophesy as it unfolds. And for those celebrating…Happy ‘new year.’ The one resolution you should make this year - By Greg Stier - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/the-1-resolution-you-should-make-this-year.html It’s at about this time every year that millions of people around the world start thinking about next year. They imagine the habits they will start…next year. They think about the weight they will lose…next year. They dream about the money they will make and save…next year. But, more often than not, our New Year’s Resolutions give way to the delicious cake, the soft couch and the credit card. It’s usually not that much different when it comes to our spiritual resolutions. We commit to having our time with the Lord every morning, to do more praying, to give more generously, and to share Jesus more often. But then, well, life happens. We get busy. We forget. Far too many Christians leave a trail of broken resolutions behind them come February (or, sometimes, by January 2nd!) Actually, for years and years, I was the worst (or the best, depending on how you look at it) at making unrealistic annual resolutions. I would make lists of detailed resolutions in late December and resolve not to break them. But, like a bull in a china closet, I’d soon leave shards of broken promises all across the floor of my once-again-disillusioned soul. My annual ritual of resolutions reminds me of Peter’s bold resolution to Jesus in Matthew 26:31-33, “Then Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’ Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.'” Peter shattered his bold resolution in less than 12 hours of making it. When Peter realized that he had broken his promise to Jesus “he went out and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75.) Flash forward a few months to the book of Acts and you see a totally different person. Peter is articulate and daring (Acts 4:13.) He is both a humble servant and a confident leader (Acts 4:8-12.) He would never fall away, disown or deny Jesus again (Acts 5:29.) He is a promise keeper, not a promise breaker. What was the difference between the Apostle Peter in the Gospels and the Apostle Peter in the book of Acts? What was the difference between the one who sank in doubt in the waves on the Sea of Galilee and the one who stood in victory against the Sanhedrin in the Temple of Jerusalem? What was the difference between the one who broke his resolution to Jesus in Matthew 26 and the one who refused to deny Jesus and was, according to church tradition, crucified upside down? The answer is rooted in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus spoke these words between the Last Supper and his 3 hour-long pray-a-thon in the Garden of Gethsemane, mere hours before His crucifixion. I can imagine Jesus walking down the road to the Garden of Gethsemane and pointing His disciples to a vineyard along the way. I can picture Jesus pausing on that road to share with His young followers His most important lesson when it came to living the Christian life: Like a branch has no power to produce fruit apart from the vine, we have no power to produce spiritual fruit apart from Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Apart from Him, we are dead branches on the ground. But, in Him and through Him, we are a vibrant vehicle for spiritual transformation (our own and others.) It was Major Ian Thomas, founder of Torchbearers International (a gap year Bible teaching and evangelism program that has 25 centers around the world, one of which my son attends), made this prayer famous, “I can’t. You can.“ The Major, as he was affectionately called during his life, was tired of all the broken promises and resolutions he had made to himself as a young evangelist. He was tired of being tired of doing the work of the ministry. That’s when he stumbled on this key truth in John 15:5, Galatians 2:20 and so many other passages of Scripture. Here’s how The Major described his own spiritual transformation, “As a young evangelist, my love and enthusiasm for Christ as my Saviour kept me very, very busy until out of sheer frustration, I finally came to the point of quitting. That was the turning point which transformed my Christian life. In my despair I discovered that the Lord Jesus gave Himself FOR me, so that risen from the dead He might give Himself TO me, He who IS the Christian Life. Instead of pleading for help I began to thank Him for all that He wanted to be, sharing His Life with me every moment of every day. I learned to say ‘Lord Jesus, I can’t, You never said I could; but You can, and always said You would. That is all I need to know’. From that moment life became the adventure that God always intended it to be.” – Major W. Ian Thomas A work glove on its own does not actually do any work. The glove needs the hand to fill it and do the work through it. In the same way we need Jesus, through His Spirit, to fill us and do the work through us (thanks for the illustration Zane Black!) Instead of making endless lists of resolutions may we make a moment-by-moment, day-to-day declaration of dependence on the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of us. When we do that, the life of Christ Himself flows through us. He produces the fruit in us. He does the work through us. Our effort is relentless reliance on Him that leads to complete obedience to Him! Does this mean that we never make commitments, resolutions or promises to ourselves? Of course not! But, what it does mean, is that we “put no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3.) It means the one resolution we must keep is a constant reminder to ourselves to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) and to allow the life of Christ to flow through us. As we learn to do that, the lists will take care of themselves because Jesus will be living through us and He never breaks His promises! “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 New Year, Same God - By Holly Spate - https://www.raptureready.com/2021/12/29/new-year-same-god-by-holly-spate/ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). As we enter another new year, be encouraged. Keep this truth close to your heart and on your mind: We may not know what 2022 holds, but we do know WHO holds 2022. Are you smiling yet? The world may change, policies may change, people’s views may change, laws may change, but rest assured, Almighty God never changes! That is a guarantee! It is this truth that should bring peace to both your mind and heart as you enter into a new year. It is the truth in knowing that your heavenly Father sees all, knows all, owns all, and takes care of His children. It is the truth in knowing God will provide for all your needs and that He will make a way where there may not seem to be a way. He will open new doors of opportunity and will take care of you. He will bring justice to injustices in His perfect time and in His perfect way. As sons and daughters of the King of Kings, we need to remember and cherish daily the reality that we have a blessed hope because of Christ. We need to keep focused on such truths as we enter the new year, and we need to hold onto and remember those truths as we journey each day in 2022. As we begin to see events take place and hear things on the news, we must stand on scripture, read our Bibles, pray, share our hope with others, and resist fear. 1 John 4:18 reminds: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Matthew 10:28 further reminds: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” With each step we take, with each new day the Lord gives, we must walk in faith, not in fear. We must keep praising, keep believing, keep trusting, and keep walking closely… relying on our Savior for everything … everything! We must not be moved by what we see but by what scripture promises. We must trust and begin to armor up by putting on the full armor of God as is stated in Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” We must not give in, give up, or grow weary, but rely on our heavenly Father for strength and all we need each day till He calls us home. Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13 “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” We must remind our minds and hearts that this world is not our home and to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). John 14:2-3: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 states: “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ the things God has prepared for those who love him.” We have so much to look forward to and so very much to be thankful for… all because of our wonderful Savior! As you take your first steps into a new year, remember: God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good! We may not always understand His ways, but we can fully trust that He sees the full picture and all of His ways are perfect… for our good and His glory. Deuteronomy 7:9 states: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Ephesians 3:16-19: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” We have every good thing because of Jesus! We have every reason to rejoice. As you venture into 2022, put your complete faith and trust in His capable hands and stay close to Him. Take His hand and walk with Him, never letting go. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy or to paralyze you in fear. When you’re tempted to look around, look up. When you feel weary, let Jesus give you rest. When you feel like you want to surrender, stand firm on God’s Word, holding tight to His promises. Be at peace, and be comforted in knowing your Savior is faithful and will never leave you or forsake you… ever! Just like 2021 and all the years prior, there will be changes, BUT our great God is always the one constant that will never change. So, take His hand, stand on His Word, and find your serenity and rest in Him. Let His light guide you, His love encompass you, His Word encourage you. May your heart be joyful and at peace as you journey with Jesus into another new year. Happy 2022! [email protected] Daily Jot: The Farm Chronicles: The great Christmas Fire – Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com As many of you know, I grew up on our family farm in Northeastern Ohio. It was part of a land grant in payment to my grandfather seven generations back for fighting in the Revolutionary War. At the time my grandfather sent two of his sons to claim the land, it was wilderness, the most western part of the new America, and most certainly Indian country. They had to carve out their inheritance while defending themselves and learning how to farm fertile, but rather low land. The house they built was a sturdy two room structure with a loft above, with two inch planks pegged together as walls and large beams, also pegged together, held the house up over the crude cellar. The house was added on to in 1840. The entire farm was handed down from Wilson to Wilson from around 1800 till even today, when my son will take over the property. We all were raised on this farm since then. When my father went on to be with the Lord in 1989, my mother continued living at the farm until she was unable to do so and moved in to our Maryland home. During those times before, we would pack up the family and “go home” for Christmas. Sometimes, my mother didn’t make the best decisions at Christmas time, especially since it was my dad’s birthday, and the anniversary of his death was just a few days after my mother’s birthday, also in December. Mother, however, never wanted to admit that her decisions might not be the best. We were finished opening presents and all the paper from the gifts was stuffed into a couple of trash bags. There was no garbage pick up at the farm. We burned everything in an old sawed-off 50 gallon drum out about 30 feet from the milk house. Now this drum was old and had charred and rusted down to about half its height. On this Christmas morning, the wind was blowing pretty hard and there was no snow on the ground. I protested that it was not a good idea to burn these wrappings, but mom insisted–she was a neat-kin to the max and didn’t want the trash in her house another second. So I reluctantly complied. I set the wrappings on fire and soon they blew all over the pasture, setting tiny fires as they landed. These tiny fires grew into bigger fires and soon about half an acre of pasture was on fire with the wind shifting toward the barns. I was fighting the fire with a shovel and an old gunny sack while everyone else was in the house enjoying the morning, unaware of the fiasco outside. I finally prevailed over the fire. I came in the house with smoky clothes, smudges on my face, arms and hands, and my eyebrows were singed. My mother calmly sat across the kitchen table and without any hesitation said, “You shouldn’t have burned that trash with that wind blowing like it was.” Ephesians 6:2,3 says, “Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” You can, if you survive the fires <wink>. Daily Devotion: Pivotal Moments - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. —Hebrews 11:24–25 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/pivotal-movements/ - Listen Hebrews 11, what we call the Heroes Hall of Faith, tells us about the faith of great men and women of God who made a huge difference because of the stand they took. This includes Moses, who, through his godliness and personal integrity, effectively kept two-and-a-half million people from turning to full-tilt idolatry. What a difference his life made. Moses made important decisions at the beginning of his life. Here’s what Hebrews 11 says about him: “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (verses 24–26 NKJV). Moses ended up in Pharaoh’s palace because Pharaoh had given the decree that all the Hebrew baby boys should be put to death. But Moses’s mother saved his life by putting him into a little basket and placing it in the Nile River. As though on cue, baby Moses let out a cry, and Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses, took him into her home, and raised him as her own son. Moses effectively was the prince of Egypt, and potentially he could have been the next pharaoh. But Moses made a principled stand in his life. We all come to forks in the road that will lead to another fork in the road and then to another. These pivotal moments in our lives can make all the difference as to how we end up. Know this: The evening of your life is determined by the morning of your life. The end of your life is determined by the beginning. How important it is to make the right decisions. FROM THE HEART Let Us Make the Short Time We have Left, Count for ALL of Eternity! IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WORTHY OF YOUR SUPPORT? One of the most reliable ways to determine if a ministry is worthy of your financial support is to examine its fruits. If Prophecy Update is keeping you informed, and if that information inspires you, and causes you to draw closer to the Lord, if Prophecy Update equips you with valuable information and knowledge to share with and encourage other believers, and open the eyes of non-believers, and if Prophecy Update keeps you connected to current events relating to Bible Prophecy, then you are partaking of the fruit produced through this ministry. None of this would be possible without the Lords blessings and your support. I believe where the Lord guides, the Lord provides, and most of the time He provides through the willing and generous hearts of believers just like you and me. Humbly Seek Your Support Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 We are very pleased to offer all our readers this FREE download on Bible Prophecy from the Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia - Just download and enjoy and be blessed! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family members. Click below to download! "AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING" If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven? Find out, visit: www.thegoodtest.net www.gotquestions.org www.wayofthemaster.com How to know God DID YOU KNOW? You can submit an article, leave a comment or praise report at email: [email protected] Maranatha! (Lord Come Quickly) "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand." "Let Us make the short time we have left count for all eternity!" YBIC-Randy
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