Prophecy Update Newsletter
January 30, 2017
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
The Rapture According to Jesus Christ - Pete Garcia - http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=8380
Not many years ago, famed Reformist and Partial-Preterist theologian R.C. Sproul authored a book entitled "The Last Days According to Jesus Christ". In it he states that "I am convinced that the substance of the Olivet Discourse was fulfilled in AD 70 and that the bulk of Revelation was likewise fulfilled in that time period" (page 158). Unfortunately, his view is not unique within Christendom. From the fourth century onward, the dominant eschatological view within Christendom had been built upon Augustine's teachings that the Kingdom was a spiritual one which was already in effect. By the time Augustine had come to some renown, Israel had not existed as a nation for the better part of 300 years. Much of Augustine's teachings were used as the foundation stones for the budding amalgamation between pagan Rome and Roman Christianity...which later came to be formally known as the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). With the decline of the Roman Empire, the RCC became the prevailing force dominating Europe and parts of the Middle East for the next thousand years. It wouldn't be until the 14th century that an awakening began to take hold for those who wanted out from underneath the oppressive Roman Catholic regime. Men like Jan Hus, Peter Waldo, John Wycliffe, and later Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Huldrych Zwingli did much too course-correct Roman Catholicism's abusive and errant stray from true, biblical Christianity. But one of the leftover doctrines that did not get reformed was that of Christian Eschatology. The Reformers all but kept the same teachings that were first propagated by Augustine that the Kingdom was now. Unfortunately, Augustine's influence continued to have a significant impact on Martin Luther and John Calvin who were the fathers of the newly flourishing Protestant movement. The only major difference between the Reformers and the RCC Papists was who actually was running 'the Kingdom'. Obviously, the RCC thought they were since the Pope himself was supposed to be the 'Vicar of Christ' on earth. The Reformers later began to view that if anything, the Pope was not the 'Vicar of Christ', but rather the 'Antichrist'. What they did agree on was that the Kingdom was already in effect, the Jewish people were no longer God's chosen, and that most of prophecy had already been fulfilled. Given their time-frame (circa 14th-17th centuries), who could blame them? Christendom had just emerged out of the Dark Ages. Israel hadn't existed as a nation for over a 1,000 years. Life moved at the speed of horse. Technological advancements had just given the world the printing press. The Ottoman Turks were the rising power in the Middle East. Roman Catholic domination over the politics in Europe was fracturing, and a whole new world was being discovered and exploited. The early Protestant Reformers may have had cause to think the way they did eschatologically speaking...but what excuse does the R.C. Sproul types have today? The world went through two great wars and a Nazi Holocaust causing six million Jewish deaths. Israel became a nation again miraculously after almost 1,900 years. The world has progressed faster technologically and educationally speaking, than the previous twenty centuries combined. Pestilences, earthquakes, wars, national and ethnic strife, violence, and starvation are increasingly amplifying. The world population has reached over seven billion, while at the same time the world is teetering on economic collapse...but somehow the first century was worse than the twentieth? (Matt. 24:21-22) Assessment Christian theology is chock full of doctrines, teachings, insights, and various other topics that have seemingly become more and more controversial over the past two millennia. It doesn't matter if you're talking about spiritual gifts, eternal security, the Trinity, Sabbath day worship, baptism, Communion, tithing, etc...If there is a topic-Christians of every stripe and flavor have found a way to argue and divide over it. But perhaps none have been as controversial as the doctrine of the Rapture of the Church. The Apostle Paul didn't invent the doctrine, (Gal. 1:11-12) rather he simply expounded upon what the Lord had already said concerning it. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep (1 Thess. 4:15). So regardless of denominational history, church dogma, creeds, early church father views, etc....Jesus has a theological position on both the Rapture and the Second Coming, and I promise you it's not Augustinian. The Rapture of the Church vs. the Second Coming The first thing we have to realize is that Christ's Second Coming is broken up into two parts...the Rapture (Harpazo-catching up) of His bride the Church (1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-56)...and His return to earth with His bride the Church...at the Triumphal Return as chronicled in Zech. 14:3-5, Matt. 24:29-31; 26:64, Jude 1:14-15, Rev. 1:7; 19:11-14. These cannot be the same event because of the numerous and glaring distinctions juxtaposed against each other. (Differences chart) Critics of my aforementioned statement (Second Coming in two parts) fail to recognize that the Jews of Jesus's day had that exact same problem concerning Christ's First Coming as these critics now have with His Second Coming. They (first century Jews) thought the Messiah would come kick the Romans out and usher in the Kingdom right then and there. What they failed to see in the Old Testament (but what we Christians now clearly see with Scriptural hindsight) is the two separate comings of the Messiah...first as the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, and later as the conquering King. (Isaiah 53, Dan. 9:24-26, John 1:29, Psalm 2, Zech. 10, 14) Critics of the Pre-Tribulation view, fail to see that Christ's Second Coming is also in two parts. We (proponents of the Pre-Tribulation view) recognize that Jesus does talk extensively about the events leading up to and including His Triumphal Return, but that does not diminish nor deny that He also talks about His return for the Church first. Days of Noah vs. the Olivet Discourse The first mention of the concept of the Rapture in the Gospels is found in Luke 17:26-30. In it Jesus likened the time of His return to that of the days of Noah and Lot-a world which was largely carrying on as if it didn't have a care in the world. In fact, He went out of His way to emphasize the sense of normalcy surrounding these events despite their OT pinning's. Were they in massive tribulation prior to the flood, or prior to Sodom and Gomorrah's fiery hailstorm? No...life was normal. Incessantly wicked and violent yes, but normal in the sense that a frog cooking in a pot doesn't realize the water it's in is being boiled until it's too late. (Gen 6, 19) People were going about their normal lives...and then calamity struck. Jesus could not be possibly referring to the events inside the 70th Week of Daniel primarily because after 21 divine judgments are unleashed, the world is forever changed. Those judgments cause half the world's population to die, large percentages of the ocean and fresh water to turn to blood, the sun has a 'nova' like event, then goes dark, people are struck with sores, and the Two Witness's perform unbelievable signs and wonders, etc., so there leaves little possibility for 'normal' inside the seven-year Tribulation. The Olivet Discourse on the other hand is what most people automatically default to when they want to get Jesus's view on the last days. The Synoptic Gospels-Matthew, Mark, and Luke all carry a variant of the Olivet Discourse. What often gets overlooked, is that each of the Gospels, provide a different perspective on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus because they were geared toward different audiences. Matthew: portrays Christ as the rightful Heir of 'David's Throne' and has very Jewish overtones throughout the book...and it contains the Olivet Discourse. (Written circa 50AD) Mark: portrays the servanthood of Christ and is written with a Gentile audience in mind...and has the Olivet Discourse. (Circa 68AD) Luke: portrays the humanity of Christ and is written with a Greek audience in mind...has the Olivet Discourse. (Circa 60AD) John: portrays the deity of Christ...is the last gospel written well into the Church era and does not have any version of the Olivet Discourse. (Circa 85AD) Wait...did John forget to put his version of the Olivet Discourse in there? He was one of the attendees after all (Mark 13:3). Maybe he knew he was going to write the book of Revelation later in life (95AD) and decided to save it till then...oh wait...he didn't know that either. (Did he know he was going to get banished to the Isle of Patmos under Domitian?) Hmmm...I wonder why John didn't record a variant of the Olivet Discourse? Why would John leave out one of his Lord's longest and most prolific discussions? Perhaps it is because the Holy Spirit instructed him not to. Instead, he records the Upper Room Discourse (John 14-16)...which was taught exclusively to the eleven disciples the night before His crucifixion. Instead of recording wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilences, etc....John records the comforting words that Christians of every generation could take solace in. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3 Jesus (being God in the Flesh) knew before He ever came the first time that His second coming would not be a singular event. Rather it would be two events, both of which bestow a special place of honor for His bride the Church. It is not that we the Church are deserving of any such honor, but only because Christ shed His own divine blood for us and that we are the Church He built (Matt. 16:18-19). We are the pearl of great price in the parable in which the merchant sold all He had to purchase it (Matt. 13:45-46). Conclusion Now R.C. Sproul and many other subscribers to the Amillennial, Post-Tribulation Rapture, and Preterist views consider the Olivet Discourse to be the be-all, end-all description of the last days, but they do so neglecting many other passages that fill in the gaps of Jesus's macro-view of the last days. While they might disagree on when those last days actually occur (Post-Trib sees future while Amillennialist and Preterist look to past fulfillment circa 70AD), what they miss are the clear distinctions between the two future comings. The conundrum is this; if it's already all happened, why the instruction to watch and be ready? Or, if I'm destined to go into the worst period of human history and I can't change anything about it...why am to take comfort in that? Some reason that we need purification...so why aren't they missionaries in North Korea at this very moment boldly proclaiming the Gospel? My response is that there is plenty of purification going on there these days...so why wait? Watching and waiting in and of itself has a very purifying effect not only on our lives, but on our theology as well. It keeps us grounded by not becoming so focused on building our own little kingdoms in the here and now. Being earth-focused is what led us to the Dark Ages in the first place. If Christ didn't want us to understand and learn Bible prophecy, He wouldn't have given John the Revelation to give to us. Furthermore, when Jesus revealed Himself glorified to John on Patmos, He had some choice words to say for the early church...and by extension us-he who has an ear, let him hear. Speaking to the Church with her Vicar, her political machinations, and her "Kingdom" He says- And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. Rev. 2:21-22 Speaking to the Christian Church who does not watch and understand prophecy- Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Rev. 3:3 Speaking to the Christian Church who does- Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Rev. 3:10-11 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly."Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelation 22:20-21 Watchman Warning: Jerusalem, Jerusalem - by Hal Lindsey - http://www.hallindsey.com/ww-1-27-2017/
Throughout the 2016 campaign, President Donald Trump said he would move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. But we've heard that before. In 1996, the Republican Party platform said, "A Republican administration will ensure that the U.S. Embassy is moved to Jerusalem by May 1999." The Republicans lost that year, so we don't know if they would have kept their promise. However, in 1995, Congress passed the "Jerusalem Embassy Act." The bi-partisan bill stated, "Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel; and the United States Embassy in Israel should be established in Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999." The act also contained a provision allowing the president to leave the embassy in Tel Aviv if he deemed it important "to protect the national security interests of the United States." President Clinton chose to not to move it. Would a Republican president choose a different course? The party platform of 2000 promised, "Immediately upon taking office, the next Republican president will begin the process of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel's capital, Jerusalem." Republican George W. Bush was elected, but nothing happened. Despite the inactivity of their president in the preceding four years, the 2004 Republican platform said, "Republicans continue to support moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel's capital, Jerusalem." But in his second four years, President Bush again kept the embassy in Tel Aviv. Nations place embassies in the capitals of countries because they want their ambassadors near the centers of power. The "Jerusalem Embassy Act" said, "The city of Jerusalem is the seat of Israel's President, Parliament, and Supreme Court, and the site of numerous government ministries and social and cultural institutions." The point of having an embassy and an ambassador is to have a local representative of one government to another. That means, the embassy needs to be located in the center of power. But the nations of the world have decided to make a political statement by not recognizing Israel's right to name its own capital. In 2008, then-candidate Obama proclaimed unequivocally that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel. But as a president, he acted just like Presidents Bush and Clinton. In 2012, his White House spokesman at the time, Jay Carney, wouldn't say whether Jerusalem was Israel's capital or not. He just said, "our position hasn't changed," and "you know the answer." What will President Trump do? He said throughout the campaign that he would move the embassy. For instance, he told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in March, "We will move the American embassy to the eternal capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem." But now his administration has begun to equivocate. In his first full press briefing, new White House spokesman Sean Spicer was asked, "What is the U.S. strategic interest in moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?" Spicer answered, "Well, I don't - as I noted yesterday through several press inquiries, we haven't - there's no decisions. We're at the very early stages of that decision-making process." Wait a minute. We thought the decision had been made. We were given a promise, but now he tells us they're at the "early stages of that decision-making process." Isn't this bait and switch? Isn't this an example of the very swamp of Washington politics Donald Trump promised to drain? Later, Spicer repeated, "It's very early in this process. We are at the beginning stages of this decision-making process and his team's gonna continue to consult with stakeholders as we get there." Later still, a reporter asked the question point blank. "At the end of the next four years, will the United States embassy be in Jerusalem?" Spicer answered, "Well, I - I think I've answered it twice now. I - we are at the early stages in this decision-making process." The questioner then said, "But it's not whether, it's when and how?" Spicer said, "I - I - there's a reason you go through a decision-making process. And that's what we're in the process of starting right now. So, I just don't want to get ahead of - it would - if it was already a decision, then we wouldn't be going through a process." But if the decision hasn't been made and they are in the early stages of the process, why would candidate Trump make a promise, then repeat it again and again? The 5th chapter of 2 Samuel tells how David made Jerusalem Israel's capital. Dozens of scriptures from that point forward, show that God inspired and blessed that idea. Isaiah 14:32 says, "The Lord has founded Zion, and the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it." (NASB) A sovereign nation gets to choose the location of its capital, and Israel chose Jerusalem - three thousand years ago. One of the most important things to watch for over the next few weeks is whether the United States chooses to respect that choice. Trump-Putin deal on Syria bears on Israel security - http://www.debka.com/article/25907/Trump-Putin-deal-on-Syria-bears-on-Israel-security
It would be a mistake to take it for granted that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's talks with President Donald Trump in Washington early next month will be plain sailing or produce an automatic shower of benefits for the Jewish state. It is understood in Jerusalem that a new order is unfolding close to Israel's borders, which is not yet fully in the sights of its government, military and intelligence leaders. This process is going forward at dizzying speed in Syria, currently the central Middle East arena, where Presidents Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Tayyip Erdogan have agreed to cooperate. The British Prime Minister Theresa May picked up fast on the new power equation. After standing before the media with the US President Friday, Jan. 27, and declaring hopefully, "Britain and the US can once again lead the world together," she decided to fly straight from Washington to Ankara Saturday, before returning home. The outcome of her first meeting with President Erdogan was one of the fastest defense collaboration pacts ever negotiated for trade and the war on terror. The British leader lost no time in getting down to brass tacks on how British military and intelligence can be integrated in the joint US-Russian-Turkish military steps for Syria. Erdogan did not exactly receive her with open arms. He did not afford his visitor the courtesy of placing a British flag in the reception room in his palace. Israel is in much the same position. Israel stayed out of military involvement in the Syrian civil war, according to a policy led by Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and OC Northern Command Maj. Gen. Avivi Kochavi (then Direct of Military Intelligence). This policy has left Israel out of today's decision-making loop on Syria's future. Towards the end of 2015, shortly after Russia embarked on its massive military intervention in the Syrian conflict, Netanyahu took steps for safeguarding Israel's security interests by setting up a direct line with the Russian president. It was translated into a military coordination mechanism between the Russian air force command in Syria and the Israeli air force, with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia's Chief of General Staff, and Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, Israel's Deputy Chief of Staff, in charge of this direct military link. Any problems that could not be solved at the military level were promptly turned over to be addressed at meetings or in phone calls between Netanyahu and Putin. In one example, the prime minister obtained an undertaking from the Russian president to keep Iranian forces and Iran's Shiite surrogates, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, away from the Syrian-Israeli border, or allow them to use borderlands to send terrorists into Israel. Shortly after Trump's election victory (Nov. 8, 2016), the spadework on his collaboration with Putin was quietly begun by their national security advisers, Michael Flynn, in New York and Nikiolai Platonovich Patrushev in Moscow. Jerusalem knew what was going on, but was taken aback by the speed at which those close understandings ripened into US-Russian deals on the ground. Before Trump had finished his first week in the White House, US warplanes had escorted a Russian air strike against ISIS in Syria. This rush of events injects further urgency into Netanyahu forthcoming talks with the US president. Whereas in the second term of the Obama presidency, the Israeli leader was wont to travel to Moscow or Sochi to sort out security problems relating to Syria, henceforth he must directly engage Donald Trump as the lead player. So when the Israeli premier travels to the White House next month, he will have to address four pressing concerns, all relating to the fast-moving Syrian scene: 1. Will Washington and Moscow go through with the expulsion from Syria of Iranian forces and their proxies, including Hezbollah - and take it all the way until it is accomplished? 2. After they are gone, who will take over the areas they evacuate? 3. Will Bashar Assad stay on as president, or has his successor been nominated? 4. The most burning question of all is the level of Hezbollah's armament. Not only must Hezbollah forces be pushed out of Syria, but it is essential to strip them of their sophisticated new weaponry, including missiles. Israel's military and security chiefs assess Hezbollah's arsenal as having been upgraded in recent weeks to a level that directly impinges on Israel's security. Half-Shekel Tithe for Building Temple Reinstated by Sanhedrin After 2,000 Years - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com
"Everyone who is numbered, from twenty years old and over, shall give the contribution to the Lord. The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than the half shekel, when you give the contribution to the Lord to make atonement for yourselves." Exodus 30:15 (The Israel Bible™) After a 2,000 moratorium, it is now possible for a Jew anywhere in the world to perform the mitzvah (commandment) of paying the half-shekel, a Biblically-mandated tax incumbent on every Jew to finance the day-to-day operations of the Temple. There are now two ways to perform this commandment: one method for people who can hand-deliver their offering, and another for those who can't. While the Temple was standing, every Jewish man was required to give one half-shekel weight of silver, approximately eight grams of silver (worth about $4 today), as a mandatory tax to support the Temple. Each man was obligated to give the same amount, regardless of his economic condition. The coins, once deposited in the Temple courtyard, were hekdesh (sanctified) and not permitted to be used for any other purpose. The nation of Israel continued to observe the commandment even after the First Temple was destroyed until the practice was outlawed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in the year 135 CE. Even Jews who lived outside of Israel continued to donate the half-shekel, despite the Roman Senate forbidding the export of gold and silver. Twenty years ago, Reuven Prager revived this mitzvah. He began minting silver coins that adhered to the Biblical requirements, producing a new and unique design every year. Those who wish to perform the mitzvah buy the silver coins from Prager, and then deposit them with Otzar Hamikdash (Treasury of the Temple), an organization set up to collect these coins. Otzar Hamikdash duly deposits them with Brinks Security to await the Third Temple. To date, the organization has collected more than 200,000 coins. In Temple Times, when it was incumbent on every Jew to make a triannual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, depositing the half-shekel tax was a simple matter. Today, when most Jews live in the Diaspora (outside of Israel), it is much more difficult. For Jews outside of Israel, performing this mitzvah can be inconvenient or even impossible. The coin must be deposited with Otzar Hamikdash in their Jerusalem location. Currently, American law forbids the shipment of these coins to Israel. Prager has arranged collection points in the US but it is not always convenient. The nascent Sanhedrin has instituted a way to revive the mitzvah to rebuild the Temple. Last September, in honor of counting the first complete year of the 50-year Jubilee cycle on Rosh Hashanah, the Sanhedrin issued a medallion which can be used in place of the actual silver coin to perform the mitzvah. The biggest advantage of the Sanhedrin coin is that the medallion represents the half-shekel and is not considered sanctified. It therefore does not have to be physically deposited, but the funds are still dedicated for use in the Temple. The Sanhedrin and the Temple Movement hold reenactments of the ceremonies, training Kohanim, men of the priestly class, to accept the tithes. Funds raised from the Sanhedrin medallions are dedicated to priestly training and the recreating of special vessels and utensils for Temple use. The Sanhedrin approves of Prager's version of the half-shekel but saw a need that led to the creation of the medallion. "The half-shekel was a tax intended to be used for a specific purpose," Rabbi Hillel Weiss, spokesman for the Sanhedrin, explained to Breaking Israel News. "As such, it was dynamic and not simply stored away. As the preparations for the Temple move forward, the need for that tax is reemerging. "The medallion itself is not sanctified to the Temple, but any money raised by the medallion is sanctified and cannot be used for any other purpose." Rabbi Weiss described the Biblical precedents for such an arrangement. There were several cases of sanctified items, like tithes, that could be redeemed for 120 percent their value. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. Leviticus 27:31 Similarly, people who could not bring their own sacrifices bought tokens in the Temple which were redeemed for the animal or grain that were actually used in the sacrifice. Until the return of the three yearly pilgrimage festivals in Jerusalem makes it possible to reinstate the practice of the half-shekel tax being hand-delivered by every Jew to the Temple, the Sanhedrin's medallion is helping the Temple become a reality. Potluck Prophecy - by Daymond Duck - http://www.raptureready.com/2017/01/29/potluck-prophecy-daymond-duck-2/
Rachel and I have been invited to a potluck meal tonight to celebrate the retirement and 65th birthday of one of my former church members. As I understand it, a potluck meal occurs when different people prepare what they want to take to a meal and everyone takes a chance on what they are going to get. There is no menu and people share what each other takes. Having said that, I need to leave for that meal in about four hours, but first I need to prepare a meal for those who read this (the Word of God is spiritual food: bread, meat, etc.), and I don't have a clue about what to write. So here comes the potluck. First, Jesus was talking about the time of the end when He said, "Ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake (Matt. 24:9). In Volume IV of his Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee commentary the great preacher (now deceased) stated his opinion that this verse is about Israel after the Rapture. He stated that all nations won't hate Israel before the Rapture because true Christians don't hate Israel. They love Israel. My thoughts turned to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's address at the UN on Sept. 22, 2016. He strongly criticized the UN General Assembly for passing 20 resolutions against Israel and only 3 against the rest of the world. The UN is a world body that treats Israel worse than they treat all of the other nations on earth. That isn't just the opinion of Mr. Netanyahu or this writer. In early Dec. 2016, UN Sec. General Ban Ki-moon said there is an anti-Israel bias in the UN. He said, "Israel doesn't get the same fair treatment that other nations get." It is an amazing thing that Jesus knew 2,000 years ago that Israel would be hated at the end of the age. And it will get worse after the Rapture because Israel won't have Christians to stand up for her. Second, don't misunderstand what I am about to say because I don't have words to describe my satisfaction with the way Pres. Trump is starting out. Up to this point, I am thinking that he is a Christian's dream come true. But I find his desire to make peace in the Middle East troubling. Since 1948 every President of the U.S. has had this disease and all of them have failed. But all students of Bible prophecy know that there will eventually be a treaty; the signs indicate that the end of the age could be very and a treaty could be very close; Mr. Trump doesn't give up or back down; and his otherwise attitude toward Israel (which I totally agree with) is making him very popular with many Israelis. They might sign a treaty that is supported by this man or his Jewish son-in-law Jared Kushner. Third, I am not a prophet, but Babylon keeps rising up in my mind. Right or wrong, I am one of those that believe the ancient city of Babylon (Rev. 18 calls it a city 7 times and there are many more reasons) will be rebuilt and a global false religion and economic system will be located there before the end of the Tribulation period. Saddam Hussein started rebuilding Babylon in the 1980's, but he didn't accomplish much and he stopped and got caught up in the Persian Gulf War. About that time, the UN World Monument Fund was financing several projects there. Pres. Obama gave $700,000 to the Future of Babylon Project there. And he gave $800,000 to Iraq to repair damages U.S. soldiers supposedly did there. For several years, Iraqi and UN groups have wanted to build more, but they have been held back by a lack of stability in Iraq. Pres. Donald Trump has come along and promised to completely destroy ISIS. He said it is time to eradicate radical Islamic terrorism off the face of the earth. At the same time, the U.S. Senate is upset with the UN Security Council over its Dec. 23, 2016 Resolution 2334 that calls East Jerusalem and the West Bank "Occupied Territory." Several senators are even so upset that two of them (Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Ted Cruz) have drafted the "The Safeguard Israel Act" that will cut off U.S. contributions to the UN until Pres. Trump certifies to Congress that Resolution 2334 has been repealed. Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, humorously suggested that Donald Trump should kick the UN out of New York and build condos on the property. This may seem far-fetched, but Pres. Trump has made it plain that he doesn't think the U.S. is getting its money's worth from the UN. We might need to chew on this some more. Bon Appetite. Prophecy Plus Ministries Daymond & Rachel Duck ![]()
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 Heaven's Illegal Immigration Policies - David Pepe - http://www.theignorantfishermen.com/2017/01/heavens-illegal-imagration-policies.html
With the election of Donald Trump, we have seen in the first week of his presidency that he is not wasting any time seeking to secure our U.S. border and stop the flood of illegals and pawn refuges into the United States. Our nation was founded on the rule of law and founded on the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God. Many Americans today despise any rule of law and seek a narcissistic form of life, which is out worked in lawlessness (Rom. 1:18-32). This topic of immigration is not a hard topic to understand when one sees this topic through the prism of our founding, the rule of constitutional law and moral absolutes. It is when lawless men and women seek to work outside of this realm and push a lawless agenda along with a delusional moral relativism that this topic of immigration becomes so confusing to many. This topic of immigration has divided many Americans because - to many Americans - they despise our U.S. sovereignty as a nation and our American way of life established by our founders. Americans for many decades have moved further and further away from our founding; only to reap upon our nation the fruits of lawlessness with its tsunami of social devastation. Is it any wonder that such a simple topic can be so distorted by many today, where emotions and moral relativistic thinking seek to make decisions for many. Socialism, Marxism, Communism, moral relativism, critical theory and the abhorrence of moral absolutes is the mindset of many Americans today and to try to communicate and educated such individuals with objective principles and common sense is like trying to swim or drive a boat up Niagara Falls in the spring. Obama and the Marxist Democrats care absolutely nothing about illegal immigrants nor refuges. These snobs and elitist would never lift a finger nor go out of the way on their own for any of these apart from the theft of American tax dollars. Their ideology is one of self-serving, which in result produces the tyranny and oppression of minorities in order to keep their status and position. These illegal immigrants and pawn refuges are nothing more to these than pawns and tools in their attempt to secure power, destroy our American founding and Constitution, promote godless Marxism and divide America. Their hypocritical desires have absolutely nothing to do with helping children, refuges or individuals as all of American history testifies. In the light of Almighty God's Word, this lawless agenda by ex-president Obama and the Left is just a very small picture of what godless men and women seek to do on a daily basis led by Lucifer and his demonic host; as they seek to illegally enter into and assault the very Gates of Heaven in their godless quest to overthrow their ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS CREATOR. In this realm my friends it is VERY safe to say that absolutely NO "illegal aliens of Adam's fallen race" (i.e., unrighteous sinners) will EVER enter into Almighty God's Holy and RIGHTEOUS (Perfect) Heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Let's take a look see! Multitudes of individuals today practice a pluralistic, relativistic and lawless form of apostate "Biblical Christianity" (a.k.a. religious Christendom) that contradicts the basic and fundamental teachings of the Holy Scriptures. In addition, the world's inhabitants practice all different forms of spiritual ideologies and Babelologies (religions) that are godless and lawless (Romans 1:18-32). Such individuals who reject Almighty God's salvation and righteous remedies for their lost (unregenerate) condition will die in their sins and trespasses unless they repent. Their fate awaits them in Almighty God's ETERNAL prison house called the Lake of Fire in ETERNITY (Rev. 20:14-15). This reality is a hard pill to swallow, is it not? This is so sobering and devastating that multitudes choose not to confront it (John 3:18-21). Instead, these "Babelites" attempt to establish their own absolutes and delusional fantasies about Almighty God and his Heaven, which is actually and factually in direct opposition to it (Romans 1:18-32, Jude. 1:10). In his vain attempt, Lucifer attempted to do just that in attempting a Heavenly coup. This only produced his ETERNAL "ouster" from Heaven to be condemned FOREVER in Almighty God's ETERNAL prison - the Lake of Fire (Isa. 14:12-16, Ezek. 28:14-18; John 8:44; Rev. 20:10). Multitudes of fallen humanity seek also to break down the gates of Almighty God's RIGHTEOUS Heaven and enter in illegally and unlawfully (Rev. 21:8, 27, 22:11-16),. Unlike America's failing immigration problems, Almighty God will have none of these problems (cf. Matt. 22:11-13)! His ETERNAL Person and RIGHTEOUSNESS will be upheld FOREVER, and none shall override or alter His ETERNAL absolutes and standards one single bit. This is a comforting truth for the redeemed of God and a horrific reality for those who choose to remain lost (Rev. 22:11). I Knew You Not! Read what Jesus will share with those in that Day when He comes to set up His Kingdom on earth (Matt 25:31-46). "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (or lawlessness, Matt 7:21-23). Read what also the Bible teaches about what will NOT be in God's Holy Heaven. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood (imperfect, unregenerate humanity) cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor. 15:50). "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9-10). "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Rev. 21:27). "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" (Rev. 22:14-15). Nothing that violates or transgresses Almighty God's RIGHTEOUS ABSOLUTES will enter into God's eternal abode. My friend, we are doomed if left to our merits and godless unregenerated state. The Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus) cried out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24). The Apostle Peter cried, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8b). Isaiah exclaimed, Then said I, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5). However real and bad the condition of man is, dear reader, the Bible contains this wonderful promise: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17). "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" (Gal. 1:4). "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18). "And he is the propitiation (satisfaction for the righteous demands of Almighty God) for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Romans 10:4). Why call Me Lord, Lord and do not the things I say? You call Me the Way and walk Me not! You call Me the Life and live Me not! You call Me Master and obey Me not! You call Me Bread and eat Me not! You call Me Truth and believe Me not! You call Me Lord and serve Me not! If I condemn you blame Me not!! Only in Christ is found the RIGHTEOUSNESS that we so desperately need to enter into Almighty God's Holy and Perfect Heaven. We can NEVER illegally enter into Almighty God's holy Heaven. It is only through God's Son that we have forgiveness of sins and fellowship with God the Father. It is in Christ that we have true son-ship (John 1:12; Gal. 3:26) and citizenship (Eph. 2:19; Philip. 3:20) in God's glorious righteous Heaven FOREVER (Rev 22:5). That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:29-30). Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? It is through Christ alone that we have bold access into the presence of God and gain valid citizenship in Heaven. My friend, be sure that you are trusting in Almighty God's Son as taught in the Holy Scriptures, for your ETERNAL destiny depends on it. Place your trust in Him today. You will NEVER be the same! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Daily Jot: Enforcing the law causes outrage - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
President Donald Trump, true to his word, is temporarily banning entry into the US of people originating from countries with known terrorist activity. He also is preventing entry of those who do not have a valid visa or green card from other nations such as Mexico. In short, Trump is enforcing the immigration laws on the books, which have not been enforced for the better part of a decade. This has sparked outrage. Protests at international airports located in the US; protests at the US-Mexican border; the ACLU going to court to stop the executive orders; a federal judge blocking part of the order that is not allowing people with visas or green cards to enter the US. People are angry because the law is being enforced. The news media immediately went into "globalist" group-think and interviewed immigrant travelers who were stranded by the Trump E-Os and telling the good they were doing for America--heart specialists, doctorial candidates, people who had saved to get their education in America, etc.-painting a picture that these folks were unfairly being singled out by this nasty president who insists on enforcing the law. There has not been one mention of the terrorist attacks in the US-one per year since the previous "president" took office, involving those who had immigrated to this country or were homegrown products of not enforcing immigration laws or carefully vetting those coming from terrorist-sponsoring countries. The Center for Immigration Studies analyzed data released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. From 2010 to 2016, ICE released 124 aliens who have been charged with 135 new homicides--some have been released multiple times. In 2014, ICE released a total of 30,558 criminal aliens. These aliens had already been convicted of 92,347 crimes before they were released by ICE. As of July 25, 2015, a total of 1,607 aliens had been convicted of a crime after being freed by ICE. The total number of new crimes for which these aliens were convicted after ICE released them was 2,560, including: 298 dangerous drug offenses, 185 assaults, 40 weapons offenses, 28 sex offenses, 10 sex assaults, four kidnappings, two arsons, and one homicide. The numbers have escalated since the study. The Bible is very clear about how to handle immigrants. Exodus 22:21 says, "You shall neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him." This is repeated in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. In context, Exodus 12:49 says, "One law shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the foreigner who sojourns among you." This is also repeated in Numbers and Leviticus. One law for all. In this context it is God's law, but these people neither want to submit to the laws of the nation or to God's laws. If they are here illegally, they have broken the law as their first act. Hard as it is, policymakers must address this, otherwise our country is in danger. Trump is taking the first step. It's not pretty enforcing laws that have not been enforced for a long time. But it is necessary to protect the rest of the population from the predators and terrorists. Daily Devotion: A Mob Mentality - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. -Matthew 26:49 Some people question why Jesus would choose Judas to be His disciple, knowing that Judas would do what he did. If someone had to condemn Jesus, if it was written in the Scriptures that Jesus would be condemned by a friend, then why condemn Judas? Wasn't he just a pawn? Not at all. It's important to realize that the Lord's selection of Judas as one of the Twelve did not seal his fate. Rather, it gave him an opportunity to observe Jesus closely. As Judas properly concluded later, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). God, in His sovereignty, had determined that His Son would be betrayed by a friend. But divine foreknowledge does not destroy human responsibility or accountability. Judas made a decision freely and would be judged accordingly. In that dramatic moment when Judas identified Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" (Matthew 26:50). Then we're told, "They came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him." The Bible says a multitude came to arrest Jesus, and this would have included the officers of the temple, who were granted limited powers by the Romans in matters concerning Jewish religion and society. They were moving together as a mob. That is so typical of the mob mentality. Many of the people who joined in on this probably had no idea of what they were doing or why. The same is true today. To a large degree, a vast majority of people do not reject Christ because they have looked into it or because they have some honest questions about the Bible or Christianity. They reject Christ because they let others do their thinking for them. They mock because others mock. And they become willing victims of someone else's prejudice. FROM THE HEART
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