Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
An Hour Ye Think Not - By Pete Garcia - http://rev310.com/2019/02/an-hour-ye-think-not
Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" Matthew 24:1-3 One of the most common rebukes used to discourage people from studying prophecy or the Rapture of the Church is a passage taken from Jesus in the Olivet Discourse. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus states but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. On the surface, it appears that Jesus was trying to dissuade His disciples from trying figure out when exactly all these fantastical things He had just shared with them would occur. Yet, if Jesus was really trying to dissuade them from knowing, why explain in such great detail all the things He does concerning the original three questions they asked? At the time of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus had not been arrested, tried, crucified, or resurrected so even the events surrounding even that very week was not fully clear to the disciples. At His arrest, the disciples scattered, Peter would go on to deny Christ three times, and they would watch in agony as their Messiah is publicly and humiliatingly nailed to a cross. Even after His resurrection and subsequent forty days amongst them, the disciples were still in confusion as to what was to happen next. Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:6-8 Assessment We have the luxury today of reading all these events in our neatly chaptered and versed Bibles with a great deal of theological, historical, and archeological hindsight. We often read into the text this idea that the disciples should have known what was is clearly plain to us. They did not have a New Testament explaining all this to them. It would not be for some time after Christ ascended in which these future things would be revealed to them. After Pentecost, God the Holy Spirit was now showing the Apostles all the things, which would take place for them then and in the days to come. This knowledge was not all given to Peter or James, but to each according to their ministry and to what God wanted them to know at the appropriate time. It was to the Apostle Paul that Christ revealed the mystery of this new creation known as the Church. Pulling from an ever growing Gentile audience and consisting of both Jew and Gentile converts, the Church would become in Christ neither Jew nor Gentile. The Church would become a hybrid and unique entity conceived at Pentecost by the giving of the Holy Spirit and would continue to grow until some future point when the fullness of the Gentiles is complete. God's mechanism for transferring His attention and purposes from the Church back to Israel, is known as the Rapture of the Church. This event accomplishes several things, the first of which is fulfilling a promise Christ made to them (and us) in the Upper Room Discourse (John 14:1-3). That if He went away (He did), that He would return and take us to be where He is (He will). Then God would return His focus solely back upon the nation of Israel to finish that final week of Daniel's Seventy Weeks of which He determined (chathak) to them that He would complete the six items listed below. "Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, (1) To finish the transgression, (2) To make an end of sins, (3) To make reconciliation for iniquity, (4) To bring in everlasting righteousness, (5) To seal up vision and prophecy, (6) And to anoint the Most Holy. Dan. 9:24 (emphasis mine) These things HAVE to happen. As mentioned in my article last week, God does not shrink away from revealing specific things to us and for us. On one hand, we have God revealing via the Angel Gabriel to Daniel the exact timing of Christ's First Advent to the earth as the God-Man. This ended exactly at the 69th week with the Messiah being cut off. On the other, what is not revealed to Daniel (or later to the disciples), is the 2,000-year gap in time we now refer to as the Church Age or the Dispensation of Grace. This is a unique time for a body of believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation who are brought into the singularly corporate body of Christ. This global drawing is what Paul referred to as the fullness of the Gentiles in Romans 11:25. It is a summation of what Jesus stated in two passages within Matthew's gospel. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matt. 28:17-19 Having now two thousand years of church history behind us, we can see with crystal-clear clarity that the Gospel has indeed gone out into all the nations. This is not to say that the Gospel has been embraced by every nation and taken root, but you can bet there are believers in every nation on earth and believers of every major tribe and tongue. This is why Satan has worked so diligently to blanket the earth with as many antichristian governments and religions as possible (e.g....Communism, Islam, atheism, etc.). However, this brings me back to the original issue regarding Matthew 24:36; can we know when Christ will return at His Second Advent? The answer absolutely yes. It will be seven years from the start of that final 70th Week. What we cannot know is when that final week will start. That final week will not commence until after the Church is removed at the Rapture. The Rapture is indirectly tied to the covenant by way of sequential events. The Rapture will trigger the geopolitical reordering of the power on earth, allowing a covenant to be made at a future point by Israel with the many (Dan. 9:27). Both the Church and subsequently the Church Age were a mystery both to Daniel and the other Old Testament Prophets as well as to the disciples. The disciples, as mentioned previously, asked Christ when He would restore the Kingdom to Israel. They were still thinking in terms of the Old Testament prophecies and promises, which had been made to Israel. It would not be until the Apostle Paul later reveals that the Church has a different timeline and destiny than that of national Israel. Speaking to the believers at the church at Ephesus Paul writes... ...having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-in Him. Eph.1:9-10 Paul had shared with the church in Rome... 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. Romans 11:25 Conclusion We cannot know the day or hour of the Rapture simply because the Church as an extension of Christ Himself (we are His body), adopted heirs, and an object of His affection will continue to grow and mature until this fullness of the Gentiles comes to a culmination point. Will that culmination point be in 2017? It might be...but I do not know for certain. However, I do believe 2017 will be significant to Israel if the historical pattern holds true (1897, 1917, 1947, 1967, 1977, and 1987). [As it turns out, it was!] This fullness of the Gentiles serves as a bookend of sorts, capping the age of the church from Pentecost until Rapture. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to earth in spectacular fashion (Acts. 2:1-4). At the Rapture, those Spirit-sealed believers are also removed from the earth in spectacular fashion (Ephesians 1:11-14; 1 Cor. 15:51-55). The Church is the singular, corporate, multi-membered body of Christ. I am not saying that no other person (Jew or Gentile) will be saved after the Rapture. We know that they do according to Rev. 6:9-11 amongst other Revelation passages. In truth, the Gospel will continue into the Tribulation by the 144,000 Jewish male virgins and with the angelic proclamations in the Heavens (Rev. 14:6-7), but those who come to faith after the Rapture are not Church-Age saints. Some might argue this point, but considering all the variations, we plainly see within humanity, within the angelic ranks, and within creation itself, speaks volumes to the idea that within the redeemed, there is also variation and distinctions. The Church-Age saints are as distinct from the Old Testament saints (or pre-Christ saints), as they will be from the post-Rapture saints. The main distinction itself coming from the knowledge of Christ. The OT Saints knew a Messiah would come, but they did not know exactly who, when, or how. They had faith that One would come and this time of waiting was completed with John the Baptist. You yourselves bear me witness that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:28-30 The Church's knowledge of Christ and His first coming but were not eyewitnesses to it (except for those in Christ's day). We have to take things by faith and by God's word. Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 Those who come to faith after the Rapture will be plunged into the darkest period of human history replete with supernatural signs, wonders, and judgments, as well as having witnessed the Rapture event itself. This fullness of the Gentiles is not to be confused with the times of the Gentiles which does not find its completion until the end of the seven-year Tribulation (Luke 21:24). Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matt. 24:32-36 (emphasis mine) We often get hung up with the identity of the fig tree. But whether we attribute it to the nation of Israel (Judges 9:10-11; Jeremiah 24:1-10; Hosea 9:10; Mark 11:12-14; etc.), or not, we understand the intent of the parable. Christ said when its branch has become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. He didn't say you may know, or you might know, but He said, you know. Christ spent His precious time and energy conveying to His disciples (and to us) these signs of the times so that we will know that the season is near, even at the doors! If 2017 holds true to historical patterns, then something significant should happen as it regards to Israel (i.e....the fig tree). That means God is getting ready to conclude this current Church Age, and return His focus back to the nation of Israel. He did not bring her back out of national extinction and diaspora, to continue on indefinitely with both her and the Church in play. That overlap will come to an end just as it did before and He will finish what He started with her regarding Daniel's 70 Weeks. Like a countdown, we have seen 120, 100, 70, 50, 40, and 30 year-markers as well as three Jubilee cycles (two of which overlap) happening in the same period of time. Perhaps 2017 does come and go without a peep and we are still here. At this point, then I would really be looking up. Either 2017 comes and goes, or we do, but therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matt. 24:44). Russia, Iran and Turkey Plot Syria's Future, Will This Lead to Ezekiel 38? - Bill Salus - http://www.prophecydepotministries.net/2019/russia-iran-and-turkey-plot-syrias-future-will-this-lead-to-ezekiel-38/ Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Sochi in November of 2017 and renewed their commitment to Syrian sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity. They reconvened again in Tehran on September 7, 2018 and in Sochi on February 14, 2019 to plot their respective roles in the reshaping of Syria's future in the aftermath of the 8-year Syrian civil war. Russia, Turkey and Iran are members of a coalition identified in the prophecy of Ezekiel 38. According to Ezekiel 38:1-13, an alignment of nine populations come together in the latter days to invade Israel to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder. This coalition is sometimes referred to as the "Magog Coalition." The fact that these strange bedfellow countries of Sunni Turkey, Shia Iran and multi-faith Russia are coming together as Syria's 'guarantor countries' has some of today's popular Bible prophecy teachers sounding the "Ezekiel 38 is coming soon" alarm! Could this be a premature assessment, considering neither Syria or any of Iran's proxies such as Hezbollah, Hamas or the Houthis are identified in the Ezekiel prophecy? Is Ezekiel 38 as imminent as some of these teachers would have you believe? In addition to warning about the soon coming of Ezekiel 38, most of these teachers are predicting the soon fulfillment of the destruction of Damascus, Syria, which is prophesied to happen in Isaiah 17. For the most part, these warnings about the nearby fulfillment of Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38 are based upon the major and minor premises below. 1. A minor premise is that Israel conducted 2000 airstrikes into Syria in 2018 alone, and more will follow. This will eventually lead to Syrian retaliation and ultimately the destruction of Damascus in fulfillment of Isaiah 17. Isaiah 17:9 declares that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are responsible for the destruction of Damascus. In that day his, (alluding to Syria in the masculine pronoun), strong cities will be as a forsaken bough And an uppermost branch, Which they left because of the children of Israel (IDF); And there will be desolation. (Isaiah 17:9, NKJV) 2. Another minor premise is that these three Ezekiel 38 nations are in Syria and convening about Syria's future, which implies that they are one huge step closer to forming the Magog coalition. 3. The MAJOR premise is that the formation of the Magog coalition means that Ezekiel 38 is coming soon. On the surface these premises seem logical, but do the details of these two biblical prophecies support this teaching? What Does Isaiah 17 Predict for Syria's Future? According to predictions in Isaiah 17, Jeremiah 49:23-27, Psalm 83 and elsewhere modern-day Syria's nearby future looks very grim. This is not good news for Russia, Turkey and Iran. These three guarantor countries plot an entirely different future for Syria than the Bible does. Isaiah 17:1 predicts that Damascus will cease to be a city, which is a like theme echoed in Jeremiah 49:23-27. Isaiah 17:9 foretells that not only Damascus, but other "strong cities" in Syria will be desolated by the "children of Israel," the IDF. Isaiah 17:14 says that the destruction of Damascus, and perhaps other Syrian cities, happens overnight. Read a couple of different descriptive translations of this verse below. "In the evening Israel waits in terror, but by dawn its enemies, (at least in Damascus), are dead. This is the just reward of those who plunder us, (Israel), a fitting end for those who destroy us." (Isaiah 17:14 NLT) "In the evening-sudden terror! Before morning-it, (Damascus), is gone! This is the fate of those who plunder us, (Israel), and the lot of those who ravage us." (Isaiah 17:14, HCSB) If Isaiah 17:1-14 happens soon, which some including me, believe will be the case, then this will be extremely disruptive for these three guarantor countries future plans for Syria. In fact, it's hard to imagine that Russia, Turkey and Iran would allow these Syrian cities to be destroyed. Rather, it would seem logical to assume that they would maintain their current military support within Syria to war against Israel to protect their respective interests. However, Isaiah predicts that Syria will be conquered by Israel, which implies that at the time Russia withdraws, Turkey steps aside and Iran retreats or perhaps also gets defeated by the IDF, which might be a fulfillment of Jeremiah 49:34-39. Also, it's important to note that neither Russia, Turkey or Iran are identified anywhere in Isaiah 17. So it seems safe to say, that according to the Bible, modern-day Syria has no future and that Russian, Turkish and Iranian involvement with Syria is likely to be short-lived. Presuming that these guarantor countries are about to abandon their interests in Syria, would that pose a potential problem for the minor premise #2 and major premise #3 above, at least temporarily? If Isaiah 17 happens before Ezekiel 38 would this create distance or further cohesiveness with these Syria's guarantor countries? At the very least, this possibility should give some of these Ezekiel 38 now teachers some pause to ask the question; What if the fulfillment of Isaiah 17 happens soon and these countries leave Syria and no longer meet together to discuss the future of Syria, would that suggest that maybe the formation of the Ezekiel 38 coalition could be somewhat hindered and delayed? Could that mean that Ezekiel 38 isn't necessarily an imminent event? What Does the Bible Predict About Ezekiel 38? Is it Imminent? Ezekiel 38:8-13 provides details about the condition of Israel when Ezekiel 38 happens. If all of these prerequisite circumstances don't exist presently, then Ezekiel 38 can't be considered an imminent event. These conditions are; 1. The prophecy happens in the "latter years," 2. Many Jews will be regathered from the diaspora into an existing nation of Israel, 3. These regathered Israelis must be a peaceful people that are dwelling securely in unwalled villages (cities), 4. The Jewish state will be lacking partition walls and security fences, (all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates). (Ezekiel 38:11), 5. The economy of Israel will be thriving, because the Ezekiel 38 invaders are coming, (to take plunder and to take booty). (Ezekiel 38:12). I explain how Israel does not currently meet the perquisite conditions of #3 and #4 in the article linked HERE that is entitled, Is Ezekiel 38 a NOW or NEXT Prophecy? After you read this Ezekiel article, you might agree me, that although Isaiah 17 could be considered an imminent event, it is doubtful that Ezekiel 38 could also be classified as such. Signs That the Church Will Soon Go Up - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2019/02/17/signs-church-will-soon-go-daymond-duck/ This week, a reader sent me a link to a 2 min. 38 sec. video of the opening ceremony of Super Bowl 39, and it plainly shows how far our nation and the NFL have fallen in the last 14 years and how much we need to pray for America. It is inspirational, and here is a link for those that want to see it. http://wallythekat.tripod.com/A_Pages/AA-Videos-YOU-Tube/NFL.html On Feb. 4, 2019, Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, perhaps the most important Imam in Sunni Islam, met in Abu Dhabi to sign "A Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together" in the presence of leaders from all of the religions of the world. The document encourages people of all beliefs to shake hands, embrace one another, kiss one another, and to pray with one another. The document encourages peace between all religions and says all religions are the will of God. The document repeatedly uses the word God to refer to both Allah and the God of Christians (Jehovah) as though Muslims and Christians worship the same God. Sadly, the document never mentions Jesus. The document says all religions are acceptable to God (think Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth). On Feb. 5, 2019, in his State of the Union address, Pres. Trump said, "The United States will never become a socialist country." Consider what the president said in light of the fact that many in the UN, EU and U.S. want to establish a socialist world government by 2030. Pres. Trump said, "America was founded on liberty and independence - not government coercion, domination, and control." "We are born free, and we will stay free." Consider this in light of the fact that the Bible teaches that a world government will use the Mark of the Beast to coerce, dominate and control everyone on earth. Pres. Trump's "America First" (anti-globalist) views are a major reason why he is hated so much and, lest we forget, he will eventually be replaced. On Feb. 6, 2019, Pope Francis was back at the Vatican where he said the Islamic world and the Christian world will work together to promote common values (jointly promote one-world religious values). He said, "We commit ourselves to spreading authentic values (some call it a global ethic) and peace throughout the world" (they want peace and safety). A non-Christian (anti-Jesus) one-world government and a one-world religion will exist simultaneously during the Tribulation Period. If world leaders are able to establish a one-world government by 2030, there will be a one-world religion by 2030. On Feb. 7, 2019, socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (the woman that recently said, "The world is gonna end in 12 years if we don't address climate change") and Sen. Ed Markey introduced a resolution laying out their Green New Deal for the U.S. that will supposedly achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. If passed, their resolution will spend trillions of dollars, replace airplanes with high-speed electric trains, replace gas-burning vehicles with electric vehicles, upgrade every house and building in the U.S. to make them more energy efficient, drastically cut America's use of nuclear power, raise taxes on the rich to 70%, use only solar energy, do something about livestock passing gas, and more. Several experts, including some Democrats, quickly said this resolution would ruin or destroy the U.S. Question: "Why would a socialist introduce a resolution that will ruin or destroy the U.S. by 2030?" Could it be that this media darling is a puppet of those that want a socialist one-world government by 2030? On the same day that Ocasio-Cortez's resolution was released, it was reported that Maurice Newman, chief business advisor to Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, called climate change part of a UN plot to take over the world. He called climate change a "hook" to expand UN global control, and he said it is about a New World Order under the control of the UN. At this point, I think it would be good to point out something from a previous article that I wrote in July 2018 titled "According to the Bible." It can be found on raptureready.com under "Featured End Times Writers," but this is what it says: "According to the Bible, the False Prophet will head up a global religion and conspire with ten political leaders (Ten kings) to enrich themselves, persecute and kill those who become believers during that time (Rev. 17:1-6). "A writer named Baxter Dmitry recently reported that a Bishop that lives at the Vatican (Athanasius Schneider) told a newspaper (La Repubblica, date not given, but around July 10, 2018) that the Vatican has been infiltrated with globalist leaders that are determined to eradicate Christianity in Europe and the West. "According to Bishop Schneider, 'One of their key tactics involves flooding European countries with migrants in order to dilute the Christian base and radically change national culture and identity.' "The article said Pope Francis is one of those leaders, and Bishop Schneider suggested that the globalists at the Vatican are being paid by George Soros. "Pope Francis and the religious globalists at the Vatican are conspiring with New World Order Political leaders to establish an antichrist world religion." I think I remembered writing the above because the struggle over immigration and a wall on America's border with Mexico is about changing America's national culture and identity to establish a one-world government and religion. In a sense, it seems over the top to ask, "Why would a socialist introduce a resolution that will ruin or destroy the U.S. by 2030," but that is what the 2018 article said globalists in the Vatican want to do in Europe and the West (U.S., etc.). The struggle (the UN, the Catholic Church and George Soros are involved) over a wall on America's border with Mexico is actually a struggle over changing America's culture. Finally, on Feb. 10-12, 2019, The World Government Summit held its annual meeting in Dubai, UAE. It was attended by political leaders from all over the world that are interested in world government. Technology and innovation were discussed among other things. Pope Francis addressed the group by video. He called for global unity (global religious unity) and support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (world government goals). Think about it: A meeting called The World Government Summit to discuss three things that are major signs of the Tribulation Period (technology, world religion and world government). These are signs that the Church will soon go up in the Rapture. Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc. Daymond & Rachel Duck [email protected] Watchman Warning: Days Most Excellent! - By Hal Lindsey - https://www.hallindsey.com/ww-2-17-2019/ In a recent newsletter, Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries, spoke of a woman calling in to a Christian radio program. She told the minister hosting the show that the prophetic implications of current events terrify her. The host said, "For over 50-years, ever since the establishing of the State of Israel every six months we hear, it's all coming down this week, and to me, it's a just a huge distraction.... I would stop listening to and watching that, and just get into your Bible, and that will make you happy." I didn't hear the program and have no idea of the radio minister's identity. That's not what's important here. What's important is that evangelical leaders across America are encouraging people to stop studying prophecy. And in times like these, that's a terrible mistake. In many cases, their reasoning sounds like the people in 2 Peter 3:4. "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.' Peter gave a profound answer, including this statement in verses eight and nine. "But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." The radio preacher encouraged the woman to stop looking at signs of the times. But God put those signs in His word. Jesus pointed out many of them, and with great specificity. He told them to us because He wants us to pay attention to them. If the man on the radio wants the caller to avoid prophecy, telling her to "get into your Bible" is poor advice. At least a quarter of the Bible is prophecy. One of the primary messages of Jesus is that He will come again. Old Testament prophecies foretell a suffering Messiah and a Messiah coming in glory to rule and reign forever. It's the same Messiah, but two advents. Jesus suffered the first time, but He will return in glory to rule and reign. We cannot give a full account of the Lord's purpose on earth if leave out His second coming. When the preacher says that in the fifty years since Israel's re-establishment, we've been told to watch for the Lord's return, he's understating it. We've been hearing that for two thousand years. Philippians 3:20 says, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Joyful expectation of the Lord's return is not a distraction. 2 Timothy 4:8 says, "In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." I'm concerned when Christian ministers tell people to stay away from the topic of prophecy. But I'm also concerned when precious brothers and sisters in Christ look at prophecy with terror. Notice the words of Paul in the verses above. How do we wait for the Lord? Eagerly! How do we feel about the Lord's appearing? We love it! Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come." A kingdom must have a king. In other words, when we earnestly pray the Lord's prayer, we're earnestly praying for the return of Jesus. We know from the signs that this age is near its end. That's good news! We live in days most excellent! The next to the last verse in the Bible says, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" We pray that prayer still. We pray it with joyful expectation! "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Daily Jot: A message from George Washington on Presidents Day - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com America's first President, George Washington, articulated a vision for the United States in his farewell address given in September 1796 that did not include political parties or class warfare--two ingredients that have culminated in a divided nation just as Washington prophesied 223 years ago. Washington said, "Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles." How far have "We the People" strayed from this statement? In the name of progress, we have become a nation without pride of patriotism. We have so many religions and versions of religions that we have barely any religion at all. We are actually celebrating perverse manners and habits. We are a divided nation where some cling to Constitutional principles and others undermine it with their justification that man progresses and so, too, should the Constitution. By Washington's standards, we have lost our bearing on what it is to be an American--that citizens assimilate the national properties of religion, manners, habits and political principles rather than becoming a melting pot of diverse beliefs and practices. Washington believed that allowing political parties would be a divisive and dangerous act to liberty and limited government. He warned, "You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection...they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion." Washington held that an inoculation against the undermining of political parties was electing moral and religious leaders. He said, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them." As Exodus 18:21 says regarding good government: "provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness..." How can men who believe they are god, fear God? How far have we progressed to even be forced with that choice? Daily Devotion: Ordinarily Useful - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 David was the most unexpected man to ascend the throne of Israel. The people had chosen a man named Saul. He stood taller than everyone else and was somewhat charismatic. People liked him. At first it looked as though Saul would be a good king. But it wasn't long before he was filled with pride and began blatantly disobeying God. The Lord warned him, yet Saul kept disobeying. Finally, the Lord said in effect, "You're done. I'm going to replace you." Along came David, with reddish hair and probably some freckles. The people who watched Samuel anoint him as the next king of Israel perhaps thought that Samuel was going senile. Are you kidding me? Him? You're choosing David of all people? Yet God sees things differently than we do. David was just an ordinary shepherd boy, yet he was chosen by God. Why do you think God seems to go out of His way to choose the most unqualified people? It's a very simple answer: so He'll get the glory. As 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 tells us, "God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God" (NLT). You have nothing to say about the circumstances you're facing right now. But you have a lot to say about how you will react and what you will live for. God isn't looking for talented people, gifted people, or handsome people. I'm not saying that He won't use those people. But God is looking for available people, and He can do a lot with a little. He can do extraordinary things through very ordinary people. God uses ordinary people to change the world. 
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 
|
|