Prophecy Update Newsletter
January 12, 2017
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Ezekiel Countdown - Wendy Wippel - http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=8369
The Book of Ezekiel, though considered one of the most difficult (and therefore least-read) books in the Old Testament) is really an amazing book, providing (albeit sometimes in fairly confusing imagery) a pretty straightforward timeline of Biblical prophecy starting with the nation's being taken to Babylon in chains and ending with its future restoration. You might wanna read it now. Because Israel's already busy fulfilling Ezekiel's visions. The prophet Ezekiel was part of the second group of captives taken to Babylon (members of the Royal family, including Daniel were first, and priests and skilled laborers were second). Chapter one describes an event shortly after his arrival in Babylon: 1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month, which was in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, 3 the word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was upon him there. (Ezekiel 1:1-3) The River Chevar was near current day Nippur in Iraq. It was at this place and time, that God began to show Ezekiel His plans for him. The fact that Ezekiel points out that he arrived in Babylon in his thirtieth year confirms that he recognized the significance of God's timing. Ezekiel was a priest, the son of a priest, and at thirty, he should be starting his priestly duties. But he had a problem. The Temple was a pile of rubble. But God had a different priesthood in mind for Ezekiel. He was called to act as priest to all of future Israel, by faithfully reporting to God's people what lay in their future and faithfully reporting what God would show him. The first vision was God in His glory: (Notice that Ezekiel says that on this day he saw visions of God). 4 Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. 6 Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves' feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. 8 The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. 9 Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward....As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. 12 And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went.13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire. The four living creatures appear surrounding God's throne in Isaiah, here presented in the rolling consuming fire that represents his justice. (Hebrews 12:29) 15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold, a wheel was on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workings was like the color of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. The appearance of their workings was, as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went. 18 As for their rims, they were so high they were awesome; and their rims were full of eyes, all around the four of them. 19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures[c] was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures[d] was in the wheels. ...26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; .... 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. This passage, though the imagery is difficult to process, clearly means to represent to us earth-dwellers the unfathomable glory of His presence. But it's only difficult because we get lost and fail to realize the significance of the final sentence, which summarizes for us: "It was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." 'Nough said. Then Ezekiel gets his marching orders: And He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you." 2 Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me. 3 And He said to me: "Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. 4 For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God.' 5 As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse-for they are a rebellious house-yet they will know that a prophet has been among them. So he does. For six years he prophesies against Judah. (This takes us through chapter 24.) For the next two he concentrates on God's judgment of the nations who gloat over Judah's troubles.(Chapter 25-32.) And finally he comforts God's people by reminding them that God has promised that he would never forsake, and uses Chapters 33-39 to affirm to Israel that their land would be reclaimed, the temple would be rebuilt, and God's people, ultimately, would return to their God. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit[a] of grace and supplication. They will look on[b] me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, 13 the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, 14 and all the rest of the clans and their wives.(Zech 12:10) The whole nation (what remains) will grieve for their sin and not realizing who He was. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him,And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' 11 For the Lord has redeemed Jacob... .... 14 I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord. (Jeremiah 31:10-11, 14) "I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance." God will again win the heart of his priests. `For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved,[g] as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."[h] God will cleanse His people, inside and out. Because that is the covenant He made with them. And All Israel will be saved. The thing is, that Ezekiel defines a timeline portrayed in a metaphor of bones: The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord God, You know." 4 Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord." 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. 9 Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."'" 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. What exactly is this metaphor supposed to describe? Fortunately, God explains: 11 Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. The bones represent Israel's history. The bones were scattered over a very large valley (the entire world), and they were very dry (they had been there quite a long time.) Then the bones speak: Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' After 2000 years of dispersal since their exile from their native land, they are a fragmented people. Scattered through every nation of the world. Ezekiel then speaks to the bones, and the bones stir, then come together, bone to bone, to make a whole man. Followed by sinews, and then skin. Finally, the newly formed body began to breathe. In case we missed the analogy, God makes it clear. in verse 11: Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Scattered throughout all the world, their "body dead" for 200 years, the nation of Israel was literally resurrected in 1948, as promised: I will bring you back to the land. (Ezekiel 37:12-14) He would make them one permanently one country. (Ezekiel 38:1) A coalition called Gog and Magog would come against that fledgling country. (Ezekiel 38:22) God's destruction of His people's enemies sanctifies Himself in the sight of the nations and they will know that He is Lord. (Ezekiel 38:23) And, finally, So the house of Israel that I am the Lord their God from that day forward. (Ezekiel 38:22) And, it would seem, the firstfruits of that redemption may be accumulating right under our noses. The combined efforts of Christian and Messianic Jewish ministries are yielding significant fruit, particularly a Messianic movement that provides free videos to Israelis interested in knowing more about Jesus, "I met Messiah". One for Israel reports that 14 million video testimonies were viewed by seeking Jews just last year. And estimates are that upwards of 500 Jews did meet their Messiah just over one Feast of the Tabernacles event. The Lord is calling His Chosen people to return: Shout for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it; For the Lord has redeemed Jacob And in Israel He shows forth His glory. And that can only mean one thing. He's about to call us graftees home. Wait for the Lord! 
What Does Donald Trump and the Two Witnesses of Revelation Have in Common? - David Pepe - http://www.theignorantfishermen.com/2017/01/what-does-donald-trump-and-two.html
It is absolutely amazing to watch the abominable lying liars of the secular godless mainstream media doing their best to politicize, destroy, advance their secular agenda and take advantage of any news story or headline that opposes their lawless bent (Rom.1:18-32, Jude 1:10). These have absolutely no conscience and are quite willing to state whatever it takes to maintain and achieve total power. These totalitarians of lawlessness - to provide cover for their masters - do what they do best: that is to exploit any occasion, enrage the lawless mind and to slander as many of their "enemies" as humanly possible; all to advance their lawless and godless agenda. One name now in particular that absolutely stands out on their "public enemy number one list is Donald Trump. Trump who is now America's new president in waiting has been a lightning rod for criticism from both political parties. Trump's ideology is that of an evolving social relativist, who believes in free market capitalism and US sovereignty. Trump has shown the backbone to go after the media and Washington D C establishment, which has rallied many to his side. Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan is very popular with many Americans but highly delusion because Americans cannot "Make America Great Again" when the majority of Americans outright reject moral absolutes including many who voted for Mr. Trump. The Left and its State-Run Media minions are extremely busy and united even now plotting and seeking how to destroy and discredit the non conservative Donald Trump. This past election, these demonics partook in an unparalleled and an unprecedented smear campaign to derail any hope of a Trump presidential victory in 2016, which included protecting, promoting and supporting the most corrupt American politician ever (Hillary Clinton). Trump has his issues and was not the first choice, second choice or even the third choice of many, but even someone extremely moderate on social issues like Donald Trump to these legions of darkness is as a burning light in their eyes and has to be destroyed to keep the darkness moving forward (John 1:19-21). This in itself is absolutely astounding to me! As we move as a nation deeper and deeper into the abyss of moral depravity and darkness - straight into the Day of the Lord (Rev. 6-19) - even the most moderate of individuals shines as a beacon of truth and must be eliminated by the forces of darkness at any cost (John 8:44, Eph. 2:1-2, 6:12). Remember how the Left loathed and eschewed George W. Bush? Their daily bombardments and slander of this man's character utterly destroyed his reputation and achievements. It didn't help that he sat by and took it and never went after his political enemies. The New Tone destroyed Bush and weakened the Republican Party so to strip it of any power. The end result is that we have seen the Republican party totally embrace the Lefts godless anti Judeo/Christian platform on many social issues. One thing which many Americans like about Donald Trump is that he is not afraid to give it back to his anti American opponents and that he means business when he states that he wants to drain the swamp in Washington and get the Leftist (Democrats and some Republicans) fiscal policies and globalist out of Washington. President Bush's compromise and lack of fight opened the door to EXPONENTIAL social, national and fiscal damage under President Obama which we as a nation can never get back. Now my friends, let's look at ALL this objectively in light of ETERNITY and apply a Biblical world view. There is a hint of biblical moral absolutes, values and accountability that Trump possesses that the godless Obama, the Left and Hillary DO NOT have as their voting record against God ordained moral absolutes testifies! These are absolutely terrified of even Trumps 1 % conservatism because even that threatens their critical theory reprobate and darken progressive mindset. The reprobate mind utterly abhors and rejects any of these traits and they must destroy even a fraction of light if they are ever to survive (John 3:19-21). These live in a "relative," pluralist reality and any threat to their delusional world and darkness must be attacked and destroyed. There are no depths of the destructive slander, no depths of baseless acquisitions, no lawsuit too frivolous, and no tactic beyond the hate-filled secular-leftist, "Democrat" organization that they will not use to hold their power base and autocratic position of national leadership. This is an all-out war to them and any threat must be exterminated. It is a lawless Leftist trait. Look at the past Leftist of history including Marx, Lenin, Mao, Stalin, Hitler and the Nazis, Castro etc... and in the future to come, the Beast and his 10 nation global power base; and even Satan and his fallen angels (2 Thess. 2:3-12, Rev. 13, Rev. 17:11-18). All these must seek and destroy to preserve the position of darkness, power and godless delusion at any cost. Most tragically in doing so for these will only come ETERNAL damnation (Rev. 20:10-15). The Bigger Picture One only needs to think "outside the box" of this world system today and believe Almighty God and His Word to see more clearly the big picture of where all of this is heading. The Word of God teaches: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). It's much bigger than just us! Here is the heart of the matter. There is now ensuing a GREAT spiritual war for the hearts, minds and souls of men which the majority of humanity are oblivious to (2 Cor. 4:2-4, Eph. 2:1-2, 6:12). At this time, Satan's GREATEST desire is to remove the United States from the world stage along with its post Judeo/Christian heritage and Gospel outreach from its believers and seek a global (globalist) united nation under him (2 Thess. 2:3-12, Rev. 13). Also included in his diabolical plan for this country's demise are any believing remnant of Christian testimony and support of Israel. At the present time, Satan's Minions abound everywhere in the American Mainstream Media. They unknowingly do his will (see 2 Corinthians 4:4) . Satan's goal is to destroy any semblance of "Rightness" and that which threatens his evil agenda. The vicious attacks made against Donald Trump are just a small microcosm compared to the coming all out global war against Almighty God's Word and His Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:2-17; 13). In the first half of the Great Tribulation period which is coming upon the whole world (see Luke 21:35), Almighty God's Two Mighty Jewish Witnesses (Rev.11:3-13) will speak with great authority, in RIGHTEOUSNESS and rebuke the inhabitants of the world for their EXPONENTIAL godlessness. They will also preach repentance and faith in Jesus Messiah for salvation (Rev. 11:3-7). The Bible says that their Words will absolutely torment the inhabitants of the World with REALITY and TRUTH (John 3:18-21, 2 Thess. 2:2:10-12, Rev 11:10). Satan will at this time seek to destroy these Two Witnesses of Almighty via the remaining media, national governments, assassination attempts, etc. - all to NO avail until the allotted time (Rev. 11:3,7). These Two will preach Almighty God's Word in RIGHTEOUSNESS and it will absolutely torment all of those who outright despise and reject it. If we can see today the Lefts rage against a moderate/ social progressive president to be, can you even imagine the full demonic rage against the Two Witnesses of Almighty God in the near future who represent the RIGHTEOUS spiritual and moral absolute of time and ETERNITY?. Jesus said, ."And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (John 3:19-21). How real and how true is this truth! Dear friends, if you have been exercised in evangelizing for the Lord you have come to see and personally experience that people run for the hills, change the subject, run for cover, hide their children, tremble and shake whenever the TRUE Gospel message of Jesus Christ is declared unto them (John 3:16-21,36; John 16:7-11, Acts 17:30-31, Rom. 10:2-4). Conservatives to hard core Marxist hate the Word of Almighty God and its RIGHTEOUS PERFECTION because they do not want to be delivered from the wrath to come on ALL ungodly men (Rev. 20:11-15). It is pure torment to their fallen estate and have chosen a darkened delusion, rebellion and works with NO RIGHTEOUSNESS over REALITY, RIGHTEOUSNESS and REDEMPTION (Gen. 3:15, Psalm 2:1-3, Rom. 8:5-8, 10:4, 1 Cor. 1:30). No wonder why Hell is the final abode of the unrepentant fallen and a place of TRUE TORMENT and weeping a gnashing of teeth (John 3:19-21, Rev. 20:10-15). TRUE light absolutely torments ALL darkness. My friend, Almighty God loves you and sent his Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior, and to save us (rescue us) from the wrath which is to come on ALL the ungodly (conservative to lawless) - Rev. 20:11-15). You don't have to hide from Him. He is there to receive you as you receive Him, and to love you and deliver you from the RIGHTEOUS judgment and consequences of your transgression against His RIGHTEOUS ETERNAL PERSON (John 1:12, 3:16-17, Rom. 10:2-4). Dear friends, I do not know anything more wonderful to share with you than what I just stated! Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, trust Him today! Quit hiding in fearfulness and receive Him today. Only Christ will CHANGE your life and you will never be the same! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! 
Why Has the White House Suddenly Released a Strategy for Dealing with The Threat of a Catastrophic Meteor Impact? - By Michael Snyder - http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/why-has-the-white-house-suddenly-released-a-strategy-for-dealing-with-the-threat-of-a-catastrophic-meteor-impact
Does the White House know something that the rest of us do not? As the Obama administration draws to a close, the White House has suddenly released a major document that details a multi-pronged strategy for dealing with the threat of a catastrophic meteor impact. Most of us remember movies such as "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon" that attempted to depict what such a crisis would look like, but up until fairly recently the U.S. government has never seemed to take this kind of threat very seriously. So what has changed? Of all the things that the White House could be focusing on, why this? And this new report is just the latest in a series of measures that the government has taken over the past couple of years to help prepare us for incoming meteors and asteroids. The following is an excerpt from a recent Gizmodo article... Concern over an apocalyptic asteroid strike has risen all the way to the top: The White House released a document this week detailing a strategy for National Near Earth Object (NEO) preparedness. Morgan Freeman would no doubt be proud, although honestly, the nation might have more pressing apocalypse concerns closer to home. Last year brought renewed interest in handling humanity-ending impact events. After a 2014 audit showed that NASA had a cruddy NEO preparedness system, the agency founded a new Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) last year to detect all of our potentially nasty NEO neighbors. The office quickly escalated talk to action, running preparedness drills with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), launching spacecraft to gather asteroid information, and even drawing up plans to nuke the bad boys out of the sky if things get dicey. NASA continues to assure us that no threat is imminent, so why spend so much time, energy and resources on a non-existent crisis? If you want to read the 25 page document that the White House just released, it is entitled "National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy" and you can read it for yourself right here. The document was put together by the Interagency Working Group for Detecting and Mitigating the Impact of Earth-bound Near-Earth Objects, and it outlined seven key objectives that the authors believe are important... 1. Enhance NEO detection, tracking, and characterization capabilities 2. Develop methods for NEO deflection and disruption 3. Improve modelling, predictions, and information integration 4. Develop emergency procedures for NEO impact scenarios 5. Establish NEO impact response and recovery procedures 6. Leverage and support international cooperation 7. Establish coordination and communications protocols and thresholds for taking action And without a doubt, we definitely do need to enhance our detection abilities. Just the other day, a very large asteroid barely missed us, and we had only discovered it two days earlier... Early Monday morning, while the US East Coast was pouring coffee, dropping kids off at school, and cursing in traffic, a space rock as big as a 10-story building slipped past Earth. The asteroid, dubbed 2017 AG13, was discovered only Saturday by the University of Arizona's Catalina Sky Survey, according to an email from Slooh, a company that broadcasts live views of space. We were very fortunate this time, but the truth is that our planet crosses paths with other giant space rocks on a very regular basis. In fact, a near-Earth object that is being called "a cross between an asteroid and a comet" will come fairly close to our planet in February... The latter "object", dubbed the 2016 WF9, was detected by NASA in late November and has left scientist's scratching their heads. They have described the celestial rock as a cross between an asteroid and a comet. It's in the middle of its of.9 year orbit between Jupiter and Earth and will approach us on February 25, flying by at a distance of 32million miles from the planet. Currently, approximately 10,000 major near-Earth objects have been identified by scientists, and about 10 percent of them are one kilometer or larger in size. If one of those monsters directly hit our planet, we truly would be facing an extinction-level event. For example, just imagine the kind of devastation that would happen if a large asteroid or meteor hit the Atlantic Ocean. Tsunami waves hundreds of feet tall would be sent racing toward the coasts of North America, South America, Africa and western Europe, and millions upon millions of people would die. This is something that scientists have actually studied. According to a study conducted at the University of California at Santa Cruz, if a giant meteor did strike the Atlantic Ocean we could potentially see tsunami waves as high as 400 feet slam into the east coast of the United States... If an asteroid crashes into the Earth, it is likely to splash down somewhere in the oceans that cover 70 percent of the planet's surface. Huge tsunami waves, spreading out from the impact site like the ripples from a rock tossed into a pond, would inundate heavily populated coastal areas. A computer simulation of an asteroid impact tsunami developed by scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, shows waves as high as 400 feet sweeping onto the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Depending on where the meteor strikes, we could potentially see New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Charleston, Miami and countless other major coastal cities all wiped out on a single day. Right now, 39 percent of all Americans live in a county that directly borders a shoreline. To say that we are vulnerable to a massive tsunami caused by a meteor impact would be a massive understatement. And scientists assure us that it will happen someday. In fact, I don't know if you have noticed, but our area of space seems to have a lot more "traffic" in it these days. NASA tells us that there is nothing to be worried about, but others are concerned that something may be coming toward us or that we are moving toward something. Ultimately, we need to remember that we are essentially a speck of dust hurtling through a massive galaxy at incredibly high speeds, and our galaxy is only an extremely small part of an absolutely enormous and ever changing universe. But instead of turning to the author and creator of this incredible universe for blessing and protection, we continue to defy Him and His ways. In the end, that is going to turn out to be a tragic mistake. 
Watchman Warning: Trump and the Russians - By Hal Lindsey - http://www.hallindsey.com/ww-1-12-2017/
On Tuesday, CNN lit the fuse, and Buzzfeed dropped the bomb. CNN reported, "Classified documents presented last week to President Obama and President-elect Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump, multiple US officials with direct knowledge of the briefings tell CNN." A two-page summary of allegations was supposedly presented to the President and incoming President in their respective daily intelligence briefings. CNN left the allegations vague, focusing instead on unnamed sources saying that several government agencies are now investigating. Later in the day, Buzzfeed published the entire 35-page classified dossier on which the allegations are based. The salacious reading included stories of spies, hackers, and bizarre sex. It became an instant sensation. Here's the problem. The dossier barely rises to the level of gossip. The Wall Street Journalsays that the reports are the work of a former British intelligence operative named Christopher Steele and his firm, "Orbis Intelligence Ltd." The dossier itself is a compilation of unsigned memos. This is all still breaking news, and can change quickly. But I think it's important to see a summary of what we know as of now. Media reports say that during the Republican presidential primaries, one or more of the candidates hired a firm led by the former British intelligence officer to do opposition research on Donald Trump. Later, the Clinton campaign apparently hired the same firm. However, according to the Wall Street Journal, "No presidential campaigns or super PACs reported payments to Orbis in their required Federal Election Commission filings." In the second half of 2016, the dossier on Donald Trump began spreading among Washington elites. We don't know exactly what it consisted of at that time because most of the reports released by Buzzfeed were written between August and October. The reports, unsigned and without a business name, allege that the Russians have audio and visual evidence of Trump taking part of what the dossier calls "sexual perversions." It gives some repulsive details, and says the Russians hope to use their evidence in a blackmail scheme to force Trump into doing their bidding. Both Trump and the Russians have denied the whole thing. The sexual accusations in particular, would be almost impossible to prove. But the President-elect's innocence can't be proven either. Of course, legally, you're innocent until proven guilty. But in the court of public opinion, unproven allegations still tend to taint the accused. While that part of the story adds sensationalism, it's not the main thing. The heart of the story is that Russia has been cultivating Trump for at least five years (one of the reports claims eight years) and that his team worked hand in hand with the Russians to defeat Hillary Clinton. Those allegations are so serious that the FBI must investigate. But that's something they initiated before August. Why did it come out a little more than a week before Trump's inauguration? Is it another preemptive strike against the Trump Administration before it even enters office? This story raises a host of disturbing questions. Might the Russians really have information that could compromise Donald Trump? Are they blackmailing other leaders around the world? And then there's a question that doesn't require you to believe unsubstantiated rumors. Can Donald Trump ever come to trust the US intelligence community after what looks like their open warfare against him? Imagine a president who must get his inside information about Russia by reading Kremlin press releases! If Trump can't trust the CIA and others, that's about what he's stuck with. It leaves the US Commander in Chief blind and deaf regarding the actions and intentions of other world governments. Why would the leakers in the intelligence community be willing to destroy vital trust between their agencies and the incoming President? The answer seems to be either extreme partisanship or petty revenge because Trump dismissed some of their past conclusions. For many years, I have pointed out that the United States is not mentioned in Bible prophecy. That means it will not be a world superpower by the time the events of the Tribulation take place. We can hope that this weakening comes because so many Americans will go up in the rapture. But so far it doesn't look that way. It looks like a nation disintegrating before our eyes. This bizarre story and the mainstream media's new obsession with it, serves as further evidence of the dangerous levels of division, rancor, and partisanship now permeating Washington. The US military remains strong, and the county is still the driving force of the world's economy. But the United States is vulnerable. Our growing moral decay represents our true weakness as a nation. Washington's dysfunction is a by-product of the nation's moral collapse. We need to pray as never before that we can start a Spiritual renewal while there is still a chance of success. May the LORD give us a miracle that only He can do! 
They Just Don't Get It - By Grant Phillips - http://raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips357.html
The election process has ended (Thank you Lord), but there are still plenty of those folks around blaming FBI Director James Comey, fake news, the deplorability of the average American, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the bunny rabbit and who knows what else. They just don't get it. The election of 2016 was so lopsided against the Democratic Party; the wizards of the media are still trying to determine where they went wrong. Hillary is still trying to squeak out another vote; even though she made it clear she would be a gracious loser. Of course, she never dreamed it would come to that. This person is so far out in left field, she'll never get it. Harry Reid is retiring (Thank you again Lord) but still defending the Democratic Party and delivering his own set of excuses. The Minority Party of the House of Representatives has again elected the California wingnut to lead them. They still don't get it. Donald Trump, and all those who rode into office on his coattail, won the election for one reason, and one reason only. The one and only God of Heaven said this is the way it's going to be. You thought I was going to say it's because the American people were fed up didn't you? That's okay. That is part of the reason. The other reason is because we were so fed up; we called out to Almighty God for deliverance and He chose to give us another chance. It's called "grace." We don't deserve another chance, but nevertheless, we got it. I just pray we don't blow it. What I have stated thus far, and will throughout the remainder of this article, is my opinion, so don't get your drawers in a wad, if I see things differently. From what I have heard and read from the American people who actually live in the real world, there are several issues going on in this country that need to be changed, and we are fed up with having perversion and garbage shoved down our throat. Many of our governmental leaders, both then and now, have been lousy, while others have excelled in their respective office. None have been perfect, probably because of a thing called "being human." However, the leaders, primarily Democratic, we have had for the last fifty years have done more damage, most of it intentional, than all those before them. They have raped our Constitution, taken us back to the 60s in race relations, put us at great risk with our enemies by crippling our military, made us an enemy of God by our treatment of Israel, doubled the national debt, attacked Christianity, befriend terrorists and welcomed them to our homeland for an easy kill, endorsed and pushed down our throats sexual perversion, assisted in the removal of God from every venue of American life, supported and encouraged the murder of thousands upon thousands of our citizenry in the wombs of their mothers, and the list could go on and on. Obama can be credited for much of the inept and tyrannical governmental 'leadership' we have endured. This is what we, the average deplorable ignorant Americans, are fed up with. Our homeland is turning into a battlefield and a whorehouse both at the same time. Many of those who have led us, and those who influence them, have no character. They are indulged in sin of every type, and their only desire is to continue in their sin and remove any reminder of their responsibility to a holy God. We may have the best leader in the White House since Ronald Reagan, and we may not. That isn't the issue. The real issue is "me." What am I doing about "me" in respect to God's clear provision of a 'second chance?' Am I as a Christian in 'true' repentance toward my Savior and Lord? Am I spending time praying for the new leaders of our country? They're going to need it. Am I praying for my fellow Americans who are not Christian, but want to see this mess cleaned up? Am I praying that perhaps God will send a revival upon our land before He closes out the Church age? Our greatest weapon against Satan and those who follow him in the debauchery that has befallen us is prayer. Don't think for a minute that we can now sit back and relax while Donald Trump, et al will clean up this mess we have found ourselves in. He needs our prayers, as do the Vice-President elect, Congress, the Supreme Court, the Governors, etc. We need to become prayer warriors. I've been as guilty as the next person in sometimes saying, "What can I do? I'm just one person." Again, pray. Set aside a time every day for prayer. The most powerful weapon is a child of God on their knees in prayer. As we do that, the Spirit of God opens up our hearts in how to pray and what to pray. He takes our prayers to the throne of God and they are heard, every one of them. When was the last time you tried to get some personal time with a high-ranking politician, or any politician for that matter, just to talk? We all know what a hopeless cause that would be. The door is always open however to God. Even though God is King of kings and Lord of lords He is always ... ALWAYS ... available for us ... one on one. The political and media pundits just don't get it, but God does. He has heard our prayers, but let us not stop praying now at this critical junction of our country's life. I can assure you the battle is not over. Those who hate the name "Jesus" will not let up, and neither should we. Let us pray for our leaders daily and for the souls of those who do not know Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord. This respite God has given us may be the last call before He comes for His bride, the Church, and all hell breaks out from God's judgment upon this earth in the Tribulation. Grant Phillips Email: [email protected] Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com Rapture Ready http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html 
My Review of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Over the last 35 years, I have literally read hundreds of books on Bible Prophecy and End Time signs. I especially enjoy books on the Rapture, and I have read almost every Rapture-related book published. In all those years, devouring thousands of pages, and millions of words, I have not read a better book on the Rapture than, Rapture Ready...Or Not? Terry James might be physically blind, but he is spiritually sharp and well discerning beyond most authors. In "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Terry has nailed the pre-trib Rapture, and removed any doubt what so ever about the Church going through the Tribulation. With great insight and Godly discernment, Terry explains with simple, yet profound words, why and how that he has come to believe the ways he does about the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the End Times scenario. I think after reading "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" you too will believe as Terry does, and be Ready for the Rapture like never before! - Randy Thomas - Publisher / Editor - Prophecy Update For more information and or to get your copy of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" use this link: http://www.raptureready.com/terry/book35.html 
Taking Thoughts Captive - Nathele Graham - [email protected]
Every day of our life we make choices. For instance we choose what to wear, how we spend our money, who we are friends with, and so forth. Many choices seem routine, but the most important choice a person can make is whether or not to accept Christ's free gift of salvation. When we ask Him into our life, the way we make decisions should change. Rather than using the standards accepted by the world, our choices should reflect a biblical point of view. Instead of carnal choices encouraged by the god of this world (Satan), we need to make choices that reflect our walk with Jesus. Our actions are guided by our thoughts. If you control your thoughts then you can control your actions. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5. It's easy to allow pride to get in the way of our relationship with Jesus, but if you humble yourself before Him, your thoughts will be a reflection of His will. Prideful and carnal thoughts (which are not Scriptural) need to be taken captive in obedience to Christ. Most people have a habit of dividing life into categories. There's the work category, the home category, the "what I do on Friday night" category, and way in a remote corner is the Sunday morning category. The Sunday category is small because it only requires an hour or two out of the week. Different rules are applied to each category. You certainly wouldn't tell a dirty joke or cuss at Sunday school, but it's OK for work or Friday night. There should only be one category in a Christian's life called "I Live for Christ" and the rules for each category in life should only be Christ centered. When you're at work, dress appropriately and take your thoughts captive so that your co-workers can see Christ living in you. The same applies to your free time. Are your friends Christians? It's easier to keep thoughts under control if we don't spend time with people who ignore Jesus. What do you look at on television or on the computer? Anything that's opposed to a Godly way of life only serves the enemy. You may think that you're sitting there alone looking at pornography or a movie filled with violence and hate, but Jesus is there too. He knows your thoughts. If every thought is taken captive you won't need to be embarrassed before Him or anyone else. When Jesus walked this earth He spent time with many people. Even then people would try to hide their thoughts from Him but He always knew what they were thinking. One time He healed a sick man and said the man's sins were forgiven. The scribes took offense and thought He had committed blasphemy. Jesus knew what they were thinking. "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" Matthew 9:4. Does He have that same question for you? We teach our children at a young age to think like the world. Public school is not a place to find Christian values. Add to that the influence of secular music, television, and the internet and both you and your children have satanic messages continually inundating all thoughts. News headlines reflect the state of mind of too many people. We read stories of school shootings, groups of people beating up other people, murder within families, road rage, and many more atrocities that stem from the god of this world. These are just a few of the violent manifestations that happen when a person does not take their thoughts captive unto the obedience of Christ. There is no sane reason for such violence. Not all evil thoughts are violent but they all need to be put out of our minds. Lust of the flesh is the basis of most sinful thoughts which result in sinful actions. Does someone you know have a nicer car than you? Do you lust after your neighbor's spouse? Many people don't honor marriage at all and have no problem jumping into bed with their latest "flame". This might be understandable, though not acceptable, for secular people who don't know Jesus. Sadly many Christians allow sinful thoughts into their minds and let them grow to fruition and show in their actions. Pray about the thoughts that come into your mind that don't reflect Christ. Temptations come our way, but they are not from God and He will help you to overcome the lust. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:13-15. Wrong thoughts don't have to turn into wrong actions. Take them before God and ask Him to help you to resist temptations. When you accept Christ as your Saviour your life should be changed. Instead of continuing to serve the god of this world and the evil he encourages, your desire should be to serve Jesus. It's not easy to suddenly stop the bad habits we formed while living worldly lives and thinking worldly thoughts. Take those thoughts captive and turn them over to Jesus. Once you get your mind thinking right it becomes easier to serve our Lord. "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. A living sacrifice is just that. You live in this world, but not according to its ways. Every choice you make should be filtered through God's word and your thoughts should center upon Him. The Bible is the guide to Christian living. Once you consciously turn away from the bad habits of the world new habits will replace them. You'll choose clothing that's modest, you won't get angry at things that people do, you'll feel more comfortable when you're surrounded by Christian friends than with people who drag you into sin. You'll realize that God only permits sexual relations within a one man/one woman marriage and you will honor that truth. What about choosing a career? Ask God to lead you into one that He knows is best for you. Don't base any choice on what the world dictates, but keep your thoughts tuned to God in order to take guidance from Him. When you serve Christ you put Him first and seek His will in your life. You become a living sacrifice. It may not seem important today, but one day soon you will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Every Christian can look forward to that day. It won't be a judgment of condemnation, but one where rewards are given for various works we did in our life. Works don't save us, but everything we do for Christ will matter on that day of judgment. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12. If you learn to take every thought captive and do all things for Christ, you will earn a crown of life. That crown will be worth turning away from any temptation that comes your way while walking through this world. Jesus knows your thoughts and sees your actions. Be sure that what He sees in you is worthy of the crown of life. Many times we forget that whatever we do is a reflection of Christ. How often do you get angry with someone over a minor wrong, but forget the forgiveness you found when you came to the Cross? Jesus forgave the people who condemned Him and those who nailed Him to the cross. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34. Jesus chose to go to the cross and shed His precious blood for you and for me. As a Christian you need to choose to follow Him. Take every thought captive and let His love rule your life. God bless you all, Nathele Graham [email protected] www.straitandnarrowministry.com [email protected] Ron Graham's previous commentaries archived at http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html All original scripture is "theopneustos" God breathed. If you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know 
Daily Jot: A perilous time for discernment - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
I received a tweet two days ago from CNN saying that the Russians had compromised President-elect Donald Trump's personal files. The story grew as news organizations picked it up and ran with it without collaborating the facts. It's how fake news rolls. Soon NBC, CBS, MSNBC and others were airing their variations of how the Russians had information about Trump having prostitutes urinate on a bed that the current lame duck "president" and his wife had slept on at the Moscow Ritz Carlton. As it turned out, the entire premise for the story was false and, even further, the CIA was involved in developing and placing it. Donald Trump is up against some of the darkest powers on earth, and so are we. On January 10, Buzzfeed reported: "The dossier, which is a collection of memos written over a period of months, includes specific, unverified, and potentially unverifiable allegations of contact between Trump aides and Russian operatives, and graphic claims of sexual acts documented by the Russians. BuzzFeed News reporters in the US and Europe have been investigating various alleged facts in the dossier but have not verified or falsified them." In other words, it's not news. The story was fabricated to be the October surprise that would topple Trump's campaign. It was passed by anti-Trump operatives to the CIA, which in turn oversaw contrived reports written and leaked to the news media. Now even Rick Wilson (no relation), the #nevertrump operative who passed the story to the CIA, says It was a made up hoax. It's an example of fake news and CNN and the mainstream media fell for it. But there is even a deeper point. Trump is saying that there are leaks in our intelligence community at the highest level-those who are briefing him. Trump set a trap to find out if he was right by holding a meeting that only he and the intel mugs knew about. After the meeting, the media reported on it. Trump knows. The problem here is deep and dangerous: The CIA, the Democratic Party, and various tools of the globalist cabal are using every tactic at their disposal to undermine the Trump Presidency. Glenn Greenwald, investigative reporter and editor of The Intercept, writes: "All of these toxic ingredients were on full display yesterday as the Deep State unleashed its tawdriest and most aggressive assault yet on Trump: vesting credibility in and then causing the public disclosure of a completely unvetted and unverified document, compiled by a paid, anonymous operative while he was working for both GOP and Democratic opponents of Trump, accusing Trump of a wide range of crimes, corrupt acts and salacious private conduct. The reaction to all of this illustrates that while the Trump presidency poses grave dangers, so, too, do those who are increasingly unhinged in their flailing, slapdash, and destructive attempts to undermine it." There is a clear and present danger facing Trump and the American people. Globalists, in various shades of Marxists, Islamists, and capitalists, are attempting to overthrow, or at the very least, undermine the Trump presidency. They are seeing that he will not play nice like the Bush's, Clinton's and the current occupant of the White House. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1 about the end times, "perilous times shall come." We must not retreat against these powers. We must stand as Ephesians 6:12 people, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." These are times for great discernment, prayer and supplication, and speaking boldly as we ought to speak. Our national liberty depends on it. 
Daily Jot: See You in the Morning - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. -1 Thessalonians 4:13 I heard the story of a Christian man who was on his deathbed and called his three sons into his room. To his two sons who were believers, he said, "Good-bye, my sons. I will see you in the morning." Then he turned to his other son, who wasn't a Christian. With sadness in his voice, he said, "Good-bye, son." The son answered, "Father, why did you say, 'I will see you in the morning' to my brothers, yet you said 'Good-bye' to me?" "Because you haven't put your faith in Christ," his father told him. "I can't say I will see you in the morning. I'm just saying good-bye, because I don't think I'll ever see you again." The son began to weep. "But I want to see you again," he said. "You have to put your faith in Christ. Then we will be reunited," his father told him. So his son became a believer that day. The hope of the Christian is that we'll see our loved ones again. Death is not the end. It doesn't mean that we aren't sad when a loved one dies. We grieve like any person grieves. We cry. The depth of our sorrow is an indication of the depth of our love. If you love someone and they're gone, then of course you grieve deeply. But as believers, we also have hope. We know we'll be reunited with our loved ones who have died in Christ. I believe that thinking about heaven is one of the best things we can do when we're grieving. In fact, heaven becomes much more real to us when we have loved ones there. We don't grieve hopelessly; we grieve hopefully. For the Christian, life on earth is as bad as it gets. Better things are coming. 
FROM THE HEART
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 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 Prophecy Update is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt - non-profit organization, and all your donations are tax deductible. 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 Visit our website: http://prophecyupdate.com/donations/ Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 
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