Prophecy Update Newsletter
February 21, 2017
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Grace is a Gift of God, not of Works (Part 1) - By Pastor Mike Taylor - http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2017/02/grace-is-gift-of-god-not-of-works.html
8"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2nd Timothy 1:8-9) The concept of grace is so glorious, that it's implications just escape the average man who cannot accept something so simple. Jesus said that unless you come as a little child: 3 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4) But right away, men who view the simplicity of the concept of God's Grace can not logically process how simple the concept really is, that even a little child can understand it, as they receive it by faith. 5"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." ( Titus 3:5-7) One must ask themselves what is grace? Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. Meaning there is nothing we can do to earn it..It is a free gift. Free for the asking. Whole denomination have come into existence trying to define something that is so simple and elementary, they feel they must define it , because some find it so hard to believe and for some, it is impossible to believe. So they complicate it until they can find it believable. 24 "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence." (1st Corinthians 1:24-28) To the dying world, this concept is foolishness. In the previous passage, the word translated in Greek for foolish is musterion meaning 'a mystery'. "Confound" is from kataischuno, meaning to 'bring shame.' Those being confounded are "the wise" (Greek; "sophos" meaning, wise, worldly, sophisticated) to whom the simple concept of grace remains a mystery, even after being saved. Grace is a mystery to those who are wise in their own eyes. Paul elaborated in his epistle to the Corinthians, but it is little more than the obvious found in Proverbs when Solomon wrote this 1000 years earlier: 15"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 16A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. 17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit." (Proverbs 12:15-17) The biggest obstacle that a person who is logically trying to process this concept and trying to understand the simplicity of "grace" is they tend to see it from their perspective. But we are the recipients of grace, not the Author of it. When viewed from God's perspective, it doesn't look the same. To receive such a blessing, a person must have wisdom. But how does one get wisdom? The Bible defines wisdom as thinking God's way and reminds us that it is through wisdom that one gains understanding. "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6) "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7) Do you see what those verses say? The Lord gives us wisdom...we can't be wise on our own. He gives us the ability to come to faith through wisdom which HE SUPPLIES...and give us the faith to believe WHICH HE SUPPLIES.... "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)... That is God supplied wisdom and faith to see our need for a Savior. THE END OF THIS AGE So why is there so much discord among different denominations of brethren over this one simple, single topic? I believe men look unto themselves and fall into what must be labeled the pride of man. 3 "For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. 4The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seekafter God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Psalms 10:3-4) "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." (Proverbs 13:10) I believe this is a sign of the end of the days we live in. We are living in the latter days before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is prophecied it would be so. 1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" (1st Timothy 4:1-2) Two of the most seductive spirits to a Christian is the spirit of legalism, and another is beholding to the "doctrines of men" they call them "traditions". To put them both in the most simplest form of definition, the first being legalism, it the attempt to live a life pleasing to God by keeping the principles found in the Laws in the Old Testament. The second is to adhere to a set of man-made doctrines that put a person in bondage to their denomination by keeping certain works of traditions to maintain your salvation. Both are based on salvation by works, not upon grace. This is to say, we are saved by grace through faith, but now in the former we must keep certain laws to maintain our salvation by adhering to the same law by which we were condemned. And on the flip side of the coin, those who hold to traditions of men, feel they must keep man made laws to keep their salvation intact. I have actually had people tell me, "I can't be saved unless I belong to this church" ..or that church, or this denomination. These "churches" that foster this type of doctrines, demand allegiance to them, instead of to God. For without doing what your church says is of God, in their minds, makes them a cast away from God's grace and the blessings of this "church" . It is seductive because it sounds true. It suits our logic. It follows our own understanding. It redirects our trust towards something more tangible than in an invisible God and an ancient Sacrifice. We look to works, traditions, and human based endeavors. First, speaking of the law, we know the law -- look at the list of things that are forbidden to Christians. Everybody's list is different, but we ALL have a list. You don't think so? Ever hear of a Christian being arrested for some heinous crime and wonder if the guy was really a Christian? "How could he be a Christian and do that?" (So whatever that was, it is on your' forbidden to Christians' list.) Note that I am dealing with two sets of laws here...the law of God, and the law of man made doctrines. In traditions of the "Early Church Fathers" you will find man made laws that are not found in scripture anywhere, but are held in equality with scripture to even being lifted up over and beyond scripture that when they conflict, then traditions of the church take precedence. REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE FIRST SAVED? If you are reading this and you are a believer in Jesus Christ, this part is for you. There is nothing that can compare with how we feel the first moments after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord of your life. It is a bright, shining moment when are sins are first forgiven and washed away. We have never felt cleaner in our own eyes than we do at the moment of salvation. But as time goes on and we continue to run this race called life, we run into entanglements and temptations of this world. We try to recapture that incomparable moment....but as we fail, time and time again because we are mortals still in this body of flesh, we start to doubt our continued cleanliness or our being even saved. The more we are tempted, the harder we try. The harder we try, the more we are tempted. EXPLANATION OF TEMPTATIONS I read a story once of a luxury hotel built on a pier with ocean front balcony windows. On opening day, the manager, a fisherman, worried that people would be tempted to fish off the balconies. He feared the windows in the lower rooms might get broken when they cast their weighted lines into the wind. So he ordered signs posted in all the rooms strictly forbidding fishing from the balconies. People fished anyway. Windows got broken. In a staff meeting called to discuss the problem, somebody suggested simply removing the signs. As soon as the signs were gone, so was the temptation to fish off balconies. There is an old saying that "forbidden fruit is the sweetest" which means that laws made are meant to be broken, and a source of temptation fit this little story.. Another illustration that proves the point, is that people on a diet are always tempted to cheat. If you are allowed to eat anything you want then there is not temptation. What you are told something is forbidden, then you are tempted to do what is forbidden. There is a old Abbot and Costello routine about chocolate cake diet. "A chocolate cake diet?" says straight man Bud Abbot. "You can't lose any weight on a chocolate cake diet!" "I know," Costello says, before delivering the punch line, "But I'm never tempted to cheat." Same theory can be applied to those who are convinced they must keep the laws of their church, or traditions. Because like a fat man who wants that piece of chocolate cake, they are tempted from those that hold them in bondage to hold them to a work based salvation. And in both cases, they feel they must keep these man made traditions to be saved, even if it goes against what their Bible plainly says is not true. The Spirit of God expressly labels them both "seducing spirits" because both doctrines are so seductive, that they are both doctrines of demons, that seduce you into forging your own chains to replace the old ones that fell off when you first got saved. The more things you have on your forbidden "Christian list" from whatever law you are trying desperately to keep, the more you feel unclean and dirty, because you can't keep either perfectly and the more temptations you have to fight off. Nobody can keep anything perfectly all the time. So that wonderful feeling you had grows more distant and seemingly unattainable. It doesn't matter if you are a "law keeper" that depends on keeping the Laws of God that cannot be followed perfectly, because if you sin in one point, you have sinned in all points of the law. So that it becomes impossible. Men who hold to traditions, think if they do this ritual or say this chant, or follow the doctrines of their church perfectly, are saved. They take their eyes of the grace that was applied to their lives in a simple act of faith, and complicate it with the laws of men. Some people feel that this constant struggle with either, wears down your spirit. You wonder if you were saved at all. Or worse, that you have lost your salvation. 43"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation" (Matthew 12:43-45) One law is unattainable as God knew that you could not keep them perfectly, is the reason God provided a substitute to free us from the bondage of being unable to keep His law. The second laws of traditions does nothing to save the individual, but gives them a false sense of piety that causes them further bondage as being chained to their church, for without their church there is no salvation, at least in their minds. Both are a departure from grace. Sad fact that most who follow the traditions of men, know nothing about grace. They put their trust in man-made doctrines that their church will save them. They rely on their pastor or priest to guide them into truth, but never see the Light of Christ to shine on their hearts. So obviously, if you are reading this and think your church can save you, then without grace of God through Jesus Christ, you are entirely wrong. 
Iran's supreme leader backs 'holy intifada' to destroy 'cancer' Israel - by Raphael Ahren - http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-leader-hails-holy-intifada-against-cancer-israel/
At conference backing violent uprising, Khamenei says no people in history ever suffered as badly as Palestinians Calling Israel a "cancerous tumor," Iran's supreme leader on Tuesday expressed support for a "holy intifada" to eradicate the Jewish state, arguing that the international community is headed toward confrontation with the "Zionist regime." In the opening address of the regime's sixth international conference in support of the Palestinian violent uprising against Israel, Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the "resistance" against the "cruel occupation," which he described as the worst case of oppression against one particular people recorded in history. He also accused Israel's founders of being responsible for the current upheaval in the wider Middle East. "The people of Palestine have no option other than keeping the flames of fighting alight by relying on Allah the Exalted and by relying on their innate capabilities, as they have genuinely done so until today," said Khamenei, according to a translation of his speech posted on his website. A wave of terrorism some called a third intifada, which began last year and manifested itself mainly in stabbings and vehicular attacks against Israelis troops and civilians, is "moving forward in a bright and hopeful manner," the ayatollah declared. "And by Allah's permission, we will see that this intifada will begin a very important chapter in the history of fighting and that it will inflict another defeat on that usurping regime." "From the beginning, this cancerous tumor has been developing in several phases until it turned into the current disaster," he went on. "The cure for this tumor should be developed in phases as well." While the "resistance" so far failed to achieved its ultimate objective - "the complete freedom of Palestine" - it has made important inroads, he said. "The Palestinian intifada continues to gallop forward in a thunderous manner so that it can achieve its other goals until the complete liberation of Palestine." Addressing some 700 delegates in a Tehran conference center, the supreme leader denounced what he called "compromise strategies" - referring to the Palestinian Authority's endorsement of a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines - and called instead for "all-out resistance." Protecting Palestinian identity "is a necessity and a holy jihad," he said in the presence of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. "The paradigm of heroic and continuous resistance and holy intifada stands against the compromise paradigm." "The problem with 'compromise' is not only that it legitimizes a usurping regime by violating the rights of a nation," he said. "Rather the problem is that it is completely at odds with the current condition of Palestine and that it does not take into account the expansionist, oppressive and greedy characteristics of the Zionists." The supreme leader declared the Palestinian plight as "the most important issue in the world of Islam and as the pivot of unity for all Muslims and all liberated individuals in the world." No other people has ever suffered as much as the Palestinians, he said. "An intelligent quest in history shows that no people in any era of history have ever been subject to such pain, suffering and cruelty. ... It has never been witnessed that a real entity is ignored and that a fake entity takes its place." The "Zionist regime" was created to harm the stability and progress of the Middle East by imposing a long-term conflict, Khamenei posited. These same forces are now responsible for the "seditions that exist in the present time as well," he said. Hinting at the clandestine yet solid cooperation between Israel and some Sunni Arab states, the Iranian leader called on all Islamic and Arab countries to support the Palestinian cause. "Supporting the resistance is the responsibility of all of us," he said. The Muslim world and the rest of the international community have different viewpoints but should rally around the liberation of Palestine, Khamenei said. "With the emergence of signs of the collapse in the Zionist regime and the weakness that has dominated its main allies - in particular the United States of America - it is witnessed that the global environment is gradually moving towards confronting the hostile, illegal and inhuman activities of the Zionist regime," he declared. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening, during a visit in Singapore, highlighted his recent trips to two Muslim countries - Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan - citing their religious tolerance and friendship to Israel as a model to be emulated by other states. "I think there's an opportunity to do this today because I sense a great change in the Arab world in many Arab countries, and I hope ... to be able to use that newfound attitude towards Israel to help to solve the Palestinian Israeli conflict as well," he said. The two-day conference is attended by delegates from 80 countries, including some allied with Israel, such as Kazakhstan and Uganda. The Jewish anti-Zionist group Neturei Karta also sent a senior representative to Tehran for the event. A year and half after six world powers signed a landmark nuclear agreement with Iran, the regime has in recent weeks stepped up its provocative activities, including launching ballistic missile tests in violation of UN Security resolutions and threatening an attack on Tel Aviv. Netanyahu discussed the nuclear deal and Tehran's increasingly belligerent rhetoric with US President Donald Trump last week in Washington. The new US administration has indicated that it would take a more aggressive position on Iranian provocations than its predecessor, having already imposed additional sanctions on the regime mere days after coming into office. 
Is Iran Preparing for War in The Middle East? Russia To Send $1B In Weapons to Tehran - by Bruce Wright - http://www.ibtimes.com/iran-preparing-war-middle-east-russia-send-1b-weapons-tehran-2494993
Russia was set to send Iran about $1 billion worth of missile defense systems, Russian news agency Tass reported Monday. The deal was the result of a contract Iran signed with Russian defense manufacturer Rostec Corporation in 2007, but it was put on hold by Russia in 2010. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently ended the delay and paved the way for the contractual obligation for the S-300 air defense systems to be met in full starting this past November. "The S-300 cost about one billion dollars," Rostec Corporation CEO Sergey Chemezov said. "We were through with the supplies of S-300. No plans for anything are on the agenda." The timing of the resumption of the contract perhaps could not come at a better time for Iran, which Yemen has accused of trying to incite war with itself and countries in the region, Arab News reported. Iran has indeed been posturing militarily in the region recently. Tehran's Revolutionary Guard launched a series of rockets Monday, though their capabilities and intended destinations were not announced. The apparent test firing, which was touted as a major accomplishment by military officials, came amid a three-day military exercise in the country, according to Sputnik News. "Today, various classes of smart rockets with pinpoint accuracy were successfully test-fired, which showed the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour said after the launches took place. Iran also conducted a different test-launching of missiles earlier this month, which prompted the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to hit the country with a set of new sanctions. That came just weeks after Iran was one of the seven Muslim-majority countries named on Trump's executive immigration order banning travel from those countries to the U.S. While that executive order was eventually struck down by the courts, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced Monday that a new, revamped version of the executive order would be revealed Tuesday. 
New Hamas Leader Signals Shift to Iran, Conflict with Israel - By Yaakov Lappin - http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=1031
The election of Yahya Sinwar to lead Hamas in Gaza represents the completion of a lengthy takeover by Hamas' military wing at the expense of its political wing. And it could signal an imminent confrontation with Israel. Hamas' military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has been gradually pushing aside the terror group's political wing, seeing it as an impediment to its jihadist war efforts against Israel. Sinwar and his military wing comrades want to reestablish their alliance with Iran and boost their tactical partnership with ISIS in the Sinai Peninsula. Sinwar's rise likely means that Hamas and Iran will grow close once again, after years of turmoil over their opposing stances on the Syrian war. In fact, Sinwar's rise to power is being described by veteran analyst Pinhas Inbari as Iran taking back power in Gaza. Inbari believes that the move was "Iran's way of conveying a message before the Trump-Netanyahu talks" that took place last week in Washington. Sinwar, who served 22 years in an Israeli prison for murdering Palestinians he accused of being Israeli collaborators, is a trigger-happy senior Hamas member who does not hesitate to shoot Gazans he perceives as being disloyal. He was released from Israeli prison during the 2011 Shalit prisoner swap, and quickly rejoined his comrades in the Hamas military wing, under the command of Muhammad Deif, who were feverishly preparing rocket and tunnel attacks against Israel. Last year, Sinwar ordered the execution of a Gaza City Hamas battalion commander, Mahmoud Eshtwi, who was seen as being too openly critical of his superiors. According to a recent report by Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Sinwar and his brutal track record might signal the rise of a Hamas dictatorship. That could spell trouble for the Palestinian Authority, which Sinwar views as an enemy, and wants to topple in the West Bank. It could also spell problems for Hamas' other neighbors, Egypt and Jordan, both of which have their own domestic Islamist and jihadist problems. Traditionally, Hamas' Shura Council has included the military and political wings, as well as the Hamas overseas politburo. But Sinwar, a charismatic and dominant figure, has been working to undermine this system. Backed by Hamas' "chief of staff," Muhammed Deif, and another high ranking leader, Marwan Issa, who acted as a 'bridge' between the two wings, Sinwar and his military wing have been consolidating power. Sinwar did not consult with the political wing before having the Gaza City battalion commander murdered, and he will likely not consult with it when he moves to establish closer bonds with Tehran. But Sinwar might be thwarted by a more aggressive Israeli approach in any future confrontation with Hamas. This potential change in strategy was hinted at by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who said last year that Israel would destroy Hamas "completely" in the next war. Israel's recent breakthroughs in tunnel detection capabilities, precision air power and the revamping of its Armored Corps could mean that a mistake by Sinwar might prove to be the most costly yet for Hamas. 
Nearing Midnight: Peace and Security Anxiety - Terry James - http://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/
Paul the apostle clearly laid out prophecy concerning the Rapture of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, it is clear to me and a multitude of believers. Paul's words could not be more precise in letting us know that all who have believed in Christ for salvation will be lifted in one majestic moment of time to be with Christ in the air. This will happen before the day of the Lord (Tribulation) begins. However-as human minds often think in contrarian ways-this great truth of the pre-Tribulation Rapture has thereby been muddled. Therefore, in addition to the Pre-Trib Rapture, we have the mid-Trib, post-Trib, partial, and other derivatives of this matter of Rapture-including no Rapture at all. In consideration of the Rapture, which I and other pre-Trib proponents believe is truth as expressed by Paul, timing is key to understanding how near we might be to that great event. We are, for the most part, convinced the apostle gave a most significant prophetic clue as to world conditions that will be prevalent. Paul, in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, gave the Rapture prophecy. He, with the next line, wrote the following: "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) We are told through this epistle, then, that there will be a specific lament by the world in general at the time of the event-the Rapture-Paul had just prophesied. "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." The "they" here refers to the lost or unsaved of the generation who are crying "peace and safety." We have examined many times in these commentaries the long-running attempts at peace making in the Middle East. The "Roadmap to Peace" is the diplomatic document that has been at the center of this attempt to bring about peace-for the region and for the world. Throughout the entire process over the years, Israel's prime ministers, whether Begin, Rabin, Netanyahu, or whomever, have included in their speeches the desire to assure peace and security for their people. Paul's prophecy in this 2 Thessalonians account includes Israel and the whole world. All will be calling for peace and safety. In the case of Israel, anxiety over peace and security has come to a head with the insertion of President Donald Trump into the Jewish state's dilemma. The dilemma, of course, involves the pressure being exerted on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a two-state solution. That is, the world diplomatic community demands that the Palestinians be given part of Israel's land to form a Palestinian state. Netanyahu is feeling equal and opposite pressure from within his own government. The opposition members of the Knesset insist that such a two-state situation will compromise Israel's peace and security to an unacceptable degree. The Israeli prime minister and the new American president met in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to talk over, among other things, the possible pathway to peace for Israel. Netanyahu endorsed a Palestinian state in a speech in 2009 at Bar-State University. Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett and Likud activists urged Netanyahu to give up his support for a Palestinian state, in advance of the meeting with Trump. Bennett declared, "The earth will shake" if Netanyahu and Trump discuss a Palestinian state. With Trump now the United States president, leaders on the right within the Israeli government are hopeful the prime minister will give up talk of a Palestinian state as part of securing the peace and safety of Israel. Bennett promised in a Facebook post titled "The Test of Netanyahu's Life" that the Right will support the prime minister if he tells Trump he no longer is in favor of a two-state solution. However, Bennett said it would bring "national nightmare" if Netanyahu continues to support a Palestinian state. He wrote: "The earth will shake. International pressure, boycotts, reports against Israel, missiles, freezes, tying the hands of our soldiers in the fight against terrorism - all this will continue and intensify." He went on to say that he and others of the right in the Israeli political milieu consider the election of Donald Trump an historical opportunity that cannot be missed. Netanyahu, in the press conference held last Wednesday, in fact, indicated strongly that Israel will accept no Palestinian state. This, he indicated, is because the Palestinian Authority refuses to even officially acknowledge Israel's existence. Plus, he said with strong emphasis, he will never accept the Palestinian declaration that Israel must be forever removed from the land. The Israeli prime minister also brought up the terms peace and security a number of times during the press conference held upon his arrival at the White House. Israel's call for peace and security and the international community's cry for peace will be front and center as never before the deeper we move into the Middle Eastern tempest. This is perhaps the most dramatic signal of just how close is the Rapture of the Church. 
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 
Could Genetic Engineering Lead to Unholy Mixing of Man and Beast? - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/83976/genetic-engineering-recreating-sin-noahs-generation/#zvFJKp1Im8OWEvmz.99
"Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which He hath made crooked?" Ecclesiastes 7:13 (The Israel Bible™) New technology enabling scientists to manipulate genes, mixing human genes and organs with those of animals, is a disturbing trend in science which one rabbi believes mirrors the sin that led to global destruction in the generation of Noah. Last week, the National Academies of Sciences and Medicine released a new report including recommendations to ensure genetic research done in the United States is performed responsibly and ethically. In essence, this report gave the greenlight to gene research, even though funding for such research is currently banned by the government because of the ethical dilemmas it raises. The new technology bears with it practical risk. Genetic research can take two forms: gene editing to cure or prevent disease, and gene editing to enhance humans. Genetics is uncharted territory and scientists could accidentally introduce a dangerous mutation that will harm future generations, or, in an attempt to create vaccines, inadvertently create a superior form of the disease which could threaten mankind. Rabbi Moshe Avraham Halperin of the Machon Mada'i Technology Al Pi Halacha (the Institute for Science and Technology According to Jewish Law) stated in response to the report that there are clear Torah guidelines for this new technology. Rabbi Halperin referred to the Biblical law concerning mixing of species. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. Leviticus 19:19 "It is forbidden to create a creature that is a mixture of species, but as long as they are not producing a new creature that has a different form, it is permitted," Rabbi Halperin told Breaking Israel News. However, he noted, "Improving species, even the human race, is not forbidden by Jewish law. Changing the color of the skin or hair is permitted, even more so when it concerns removing genetic maladies. But the process certainly needs oversight." Rabbi Yosef Berger, rabbi of the Tomb of King David on Mount Zion, stressed that the issue of mixing species had serious Biblical ramifications, noting that the verse forbidding mixing breeds of animals directly preceded a section of the Torah dealing with sexual impropriety. And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. Leviticus 19:20 The rabbi explained the connection between the two distinct commandments. "This is also expressed in the sin of the generation of Noah, which, according to Jewish tradition was the forbidden mixing of animals and man," Rabbi Berger told Breaking Israel News, quoting Genesis. And Hashem said: 'I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and creeping thing, and fowl of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.' Genesis 6:7 "Noah's generation sinned sexually, but it was expressed in the mixing of species," he explained. "This sexual sin could prevent the coming Messianic era as the connection between man and woman is a holy part of the process of bringing geula (redemption). This is the basis of the requirement to be fruitful and multiply: to bring Moshiach (Messiah)." Rabbi Berger stressed that this mitzvah (Torah commandment) requires a proper level of purity. Mixing of species is an improper manifestation of procreation that led to the destruction of the generation of Noah. Thus, even when saving lives, one of the most important mitzvot, one must be mindful of dangers and limits, Rabbi Berger cautioned. The limits of science and ethics are indeed being expanded and tested in remarkable ways. In 2015, several groundbreaking experiments took place in genetic engineering. A herd of cloned cattle, genetically engineered with human DNA, were used to incubate antibodies against the Ebola virus. In the same year, scientists at Duke University announced that they had successfully boosted brain size in mice by using human DNA as a catalyst. Also at Duke, kidneys from aborted human fetuses were transplanted into rats in order to determine if human organs could be grown in animals, solving the problem of organ donations. In one particularly disturbing case, geneticists in China modified the DNA of human embryos, concentrating on the gene responsible for β-thalassaemia, a potentially fatal blood disorder. However, in their final report, the researchers said they found a surprising number of unintended mutations. These experiments illustrate just some of the astounding areas researchers are exploring. The science involved is staggering, but the ethical considerations are even more perplexing, and less likely to receive clear-cut answers. Certain areas of research in the United States are stalled until the issue of abortions is resolved, establishing once and for all the legal status of fetuses and embryos. Manipulating genes in utero to eradicate genetic disease can alleviate great suffering, but brushes up against eugenics, the intentional improving of the human race. Negative eugenics were first espoused by the Nazis and other racist ideologies as a method of creating a master race. The research takes on dark spiritual overtones in the context of the growing transhumanism movement, which believes that the human race can evolve beyond its current physical and mental limitations by means of science and technology. 
Daily Jot: Godless left and the Lord's Prayer - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
The leftists are the ones who promote love, peace, tolerance, diversity, equality, but often do so spewing hateful and disrespectful, sarcastic words and actions. Such is the case when First Lady Melania Trump recited the Lord's Prayer before a Trump rally at the Orlando-Melbourne Airport, which by the way, was attended by nearly 10,000 people. Social media users and the liberal press hurled insults at Mrs. Trump, saying that she plagiarized the Lord's Prayer; that they could read the prayer in Slovene better than she read it in English; and that if you need to read this prayer, you are not a Christian. Others said this is not a Christian nation and she shouldn't have done it. Once again the left exposes its hatred. Many years ago, I was asked to share at the church in Wayland, Ohio where I grew up. Our aging pastor opened the service with a welcome and he asked the congregation to join him in the Lord's Prayer. Somewhere along the middle of it, I noticed he had forgotten the words-probably one of those brain moments that we all have from time to time. At that point, I spoke just a little louder and no one knew the difference. Did our pastor not know the Lord's Prayer? After all, he recited it every Sunday. No, he knew it. It was just a lapse of thought. It's not something that would call into question his salvation, but it did remind me to be ever vigilant in knowing what I was saying. I guess the leftist would have fired him. But that's not even the case. Most of these people who are writing and saying these horrible things about the First Lady's recital of the Lord's Prayer, probably could not recite it themselves. They have such vitriol against God and Jesus that they would loathe to repeat such sweet words of love, encouragement, and hope. Their words and actions expose their lack of character and overdose of hypocrisy. Making fun of her accent and questioning her faith because she read the prayer. Really? This is uncalled for, over the top, and offensive. Melania Trump is a classy and extraordinary woman who is successful, speaks several languages fluently, and is everything the left says a woman should be-except for her politics-upon which is the real standard these foul-mouthed, sarcastic, mean-spirited people stand. Shame on them. Melania Trump always should be encouraged to bless us, and our nation, with the Lord's Prayer, whether she reads it or recites it from memory, and in whatever language she chooses. Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." Don't let your good be evil spoken of and stand with those who are trying to do the right thing. 
Daily Devotion: People of Purpose - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. -Acts 11:23 Psychologist William Moulton Marston surveyed 3,000 people and asked them, "What do you have to live for?" He was shocked to find that of the people who responded, 94 percent were simply enduring the present while they were waiting for the future. They described this as waiting for something to happen. They were waiting for children to grow up and leave home, waiting for next year, waiting for another time to take a dreamed-about trip. They were waiting for tomorrow. We can spend our whole lives waiting for something to happen, and meanwhile, our lives are passing by. We have no purpose. We have no direction. We're throwing them away. As someone has said, "Some men die by shrapnel, and some go down in flames, but most men perish inch by inch, playing at little games." Purpose is vital. It's an anchor in storm. It's a base in battle. We read in the New Testament that when Barnabas visited the believers in Antioch, he "encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord" (Acts 11:23). Ephesians 2 describes us before our commitment to Christ: "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (verses 1-2). That's how we lived. But then we found out there was a God. We discovered His Word. We found there were absolutes to live by in life-right and wrong, true and false, black and white. We became men and women of purpose. Do other people know what you stand for? If you don't stand for something, you are liable to fall for anything. 
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 
|
|