Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Watch Israel for Signs of the Times: Part 2 - By Gene Lawley - https://www.raptureready.com/2019/02/28/watch-israel-signs-times-part-2-gene-lawley/
(Continued from Part 1). Whatever may be the content of the Rapture, Old Testament saints and/or New Testament saints, it does not concern the nation of Israel. It results in the exclusive concentration of prophetic attention on Israel for the seven years identified by the seven-year covenant that is confirmed, according to Daniel 9:27. "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." The person mentioned in the verse is one who comes out of the heritage of the old Holy Roman Empire, and he confirms a covenant with many who are nations confirming a peace plan for the nation of Israel with her neighbors. The only authoritative body now evident which can do this is the United Nations. It is a covenant imposed upon Israel and her enemies for a short period. In Ezekiel 37:26-29, God's message and promise to Israel is an everlasting covenant of peace, in contrast to that of the secular world. Comparing Ezekiel's and Daniel's accounts shows no mention in either one of the Rapture, which is an interesting point. Ezekiel writes to the Jewish people, and his prophecy concerning the Jews-their revival, God's promise of their restoration to the land, His promise of an everlasting covenant, the invasion of Gog, then the reconstruction of the temple. It is so spelled out in the Ezekiel chapters 36, 37, 38-39, then 40 and following with the instructions for the temple. Daniel 9:27, then, opens with the imposed covenant, no mention of the Rapture or of the Gog-Magog war, then the Antichrist defiling a temple that had not been there before the covenant. Why is there no mention of the Rapture in either account? Could it be because these accounts in Daniel and Ezekiel are of Jewish content and the Rapture is of Gentile content, for the most part? The Rapture is of mostly Gentile content because the Jews have been set aside until this time of the Gentiles is ended. Daniel also identifies a temple of the Jews which is not now present. It will be in place, however, by the halfway mark of the seven years, for this one who is mentioned at the first and apparently has been given world leadership authority cancels the Jewish temple sacrifices and activities and declares himself God, demanding their worship. This will happen at the midpoint of the seven years. At the beginning of the seven years, the "time of Jacob's trouble" begins with the Gog-Magog war described in Ezekiel 38-39 shortly afterward, when Russia sees that the state of Israel is lulled into a false sense of safety under that imposed, seven-year covenant prophesied by Daniel in Daniel 9:27, and the US is no longer able nor willing to defend therm. Also shortly after that, Israel, possibly at the time of the Feast of Atonement, will recognize Jesus as their true Messiah and Atonement. According to the prophet Zechariah, it will be like this: "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn" (Zechariah 12:10). That will change everything! Selection of 144,000 Jewish evangelists, 12,000 from each named tribe, will happen according to Revelation 7, and their results of conversions are shown standing as souls in white robes before the throne of God, numbering in the millions! Three prophetic events come together at this point: Zechariah 13:8 says two-thirds of the Jews will be killed, while one-third will be protected and saved from destruction. The 12th chapter of Revelation tells of Satan's rage at the 'Woman [Israel] and the Son born to her" over the centuries past, and now he is cast out of heaven as a raging red dragon, destroying all whom he can, and finally, the remaining Jews were hidden from him in the wilderness. Though he, the dragon, huffed and puffed at them viciously, he could not go in after them! The multitude who appear before the throne of God in Revelation 7 are said to have come out of the Great Tribulation, that is, the last half of the tribulation period. That is the time when the Mark of the Beast is applied to all who will receive it, and those who do not are killed. No doubt that multitude is the result of the ministry of the 144,000 evangelists and the two witnesses in Jerusalem during that first half of the period. Quite possibly, the two-thirds of the Jews who are killed are in that number before the throne. They are identified as "souls in white robes," not resurrected bodies, thus they are not from the Rapture. Jesus will return in physical form, as recorded in Revelation 19, and will occupy the throne of David, so-called, in Jerusalem once He has overcome all of Satan's efforts to destroy Him and His followers and has bound Satan in chains in the bottomless pit for the coming thousand years. There is the possibility that the remaining one-third of the Jews will be those who will be the beginning number who will re-populate the earth during the thousand years. Read the end of Revelation 20 for the final wrap-up of mankind's history, and then, in Revelation 21-22, how eternity begins for mankind. As for signs of the times, at this point regarding Israel, there is no peace covenant in place; but that process has been bubbling constantly for at least a decade. It has become more of a swirling froth in these current months. Will Israel soon cry out, "Peace and safety?' Parallel to the trail of the Jews as "signs of the times" are signs of equal significance. Look at the major domination in the news of any day the turn to more openly embracing of sexual immorality with demands that all should look favorably upon them. The truth is, and I think common sense calls for it, that the demand for acceptance of perversion is an attempt to gain social approval as an erasure of their sense of guilt. It will never work, for God has implanted in mankind a conscience that is responsive to moral law, written in them since the fall of Adam who then acquired the knowledge of right and wrong. Another significant sign of the times is the trip of the Catholic Pope Francis to the Middle East with the goal of arriving at a unity of faiths. A worldwide religion is in the future, and who is best to want to lead that entity? A second beast like a lamb with two short horns, of course (Revelation 13:11). Contact email: [email protected] Tension Amongst the Kings of the East?? - A.V. Rauf - https://bibleprophecyfortoday.com/2019/03/01/tension-amongst-the-kings-of-the-east/ As I write this post, India and Pakistan are both rushing troops, heavy armor and artillery to the flash point Line-of-Control in the formerly princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. The term Line of Control (LoC) refers to the military control line between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir-a line which does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary, but is the de facto border nonetheless. This area has been considered to be one of the most dangerous places in the world. Both Indian and Pakistani Fighter aircraft are literally flying combat air patrols non-stop along their common border and the Jammu Kashmir Line of Control. Most reports have it that India has lost two aircraft and Pakistan one aircraft in hostile actions. On February 14, 2019, a suicide bomber took the lives oaf at least 40 Indian troops in a convoy traveling through Kashmir. A militant group based in Pakistan called Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack. India responded by launching airstrikes against Pakistan- the first in roughly 50 years - and Pakistan has said it shot down two Indian fighter jets and captured one of the pilots. Both countries possess close to 150 Nuclear weapons EACH! Although nuclear conflict is unlikely, Pakistani leaders have said their military is preparing for "all eventualities." The country has already assembled its groups responsible for making decisions on nuclear strikes. A research group at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research, conducted a study in 2014. Their model depicted the aftermath of a Nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan revealing the following: In one scenario, if each country exchanged 50 weapons, less than a third of its arsenal, with each of those weapons being capable of triggering a Hiroshima-size explosion, or about 15 kilotons' worth of TNT, the model suggested those explosions would release about 5 million tons of smoke into the air, triggering a decades-long nuclear winter. Most of this smoke in the scenario the researchers considered would come from firestorms that would tear through buildings, vehicles, fuel depots, vegetation, and more. This smoke would rise through the troposphere (the atmospheric zone closest to the ground), and particles would then be deposited in a higher layer called the stratosphere. From there, tiny black-carbon aerosols could spread around the globe. The fine black soot in the stratosphere would prevent some sun from reaching the ground. The researchers calculated that average temperatures around the world would drop by about 1.5 degrees Celsius over the five years following the nuclear blasts. In populated areas of North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, changes could be more extreme. Winters there would be about 2.5 degrees colder and summers between 1 and 4 degrees colder, reducing critical growing seasons by 10 to 40 days. Expanded sea ice would also prolong the cooling process, since ice reflects sunlight away. The change in ocean temperatures could devastate sea life and fisheries that much of the world relies on for food. Such sudden blows to the food supply and the "ensuing panic" could cause "a global nuclear famine," according to the study's authors. Revelation 8:5-10-And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; The effects of this nuclear conflict would eliminate 20% to 50% of the ozone layer over populated areas. Surface temperatures would become colder than they've been for at least 1,000 years. This type off an aftermath clearly parallels what the disciple John saw in his apocalyptic visions in the Book of Revelation. What we do know is that during the 7 year Tribulation period, a vast army nearing 200 million troops will march towards the Middle East, killing 2.5 billion of the world's population, in making war on the Antichrist and his beast empire. Revelation 9:13-19-And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. India is a nation located in lower Asia. Its population is one that easily exceeds over one billion people. They have a large military, but they also have nuclear weaponry. East of India lies Pakistan. Another country not as large but also with a military and nuclear weaponry. Historically speaking, we need to remember that India and Pakistan were once one country. Let me also mention here that India is mentioned in the Bible. It is only mentioned by name twice in the Bible: Esther 1:1-Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) Esther 8:9-9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language Interestingly enough, it is mentioned in the same sentence with Ethiopia. This is may not be by coincidence. The Hebrew word "Kush" or "Cush" is typically thought of as referring to Ethiopia. Another related country, Libya, is usually thought of as being the Hebrew word "Put" or "Phut." When used together, these two Hebrew words can refer to India. With this in mind, the historian Herodotus notes that there were two types of Cushites: curly-haired and straight-haired. He notes that some of the straight-haired Cushites migrated into the area of India (Herodotus 3:94, 7:70). Their hair was the only difference in appearance between them. Josephus makes note of this (Antiquities of the Jews Book 1, Chapter VI). The same can be said of Put (Smith's Dictionary of Roman and Greek Geography, "India"). The Bible tells us that the Assyrians even took Ethiopians captive to this area of the world (see Is. 20). This might explain why the Hindu Kush Mountains are right next to India. There are also other territories carrying the "KSH" sound in them. Kashmir is an important province in India. Cushul is another city in India. As the Cushites migrated to this area, they left their mark. The word "Put" is routinely used in the Bible for war. The best warriors in India and even the ruling class for centuries were called the Rajaputs (or Rajput: see 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica "Rajput"). Rajaput means king or ruler of put. When Cush and Put are used together, it actually refers to India. Also keep in mind that Cush and Put are also mentioned in the prophesied war of Ezekiel 38: Ezekiel 38:1-5--And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,3 And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Cush and Put are mentioned right beside Iran (identified as Persia). This could perhaps confirm Cush and Put as India. Often when I studied this passage I always found it difficult to see Ethiopa and Libya which are in Africa to be a part of this coalition. Now if what I am alluding to is correct, it immediately intensifies and enhances the scale and scope of the coming war in Ezekiel 38-39!! There are very few connections between Ethiopia, Libya and Persia, mainly due to distance. The connections between Persia and India are numerous. First of all, India is closer to Persia geographically. These nations have had close economic ties in recent years because Iran is the nearest nation to India that can provide oil and natural gas. Discussions have been ongoing to build a pipeline between the two nations. Guess what country is between these two nations??? Pakistan! In 2015, India agreed to invest nearly $200 million into the port city of Chabahar in Iran (Pearson). Iran has the highest population of Shia' Muslims in the world. In 2009, India had the 3rd highest Shia population in the world. India's immediate neighbor to the northwest is Pakistan, who they have had major issues with over the years. Pakistan is also a Sunni Muslim nation. This gives Iran another reason to ally with India. Another interesting historical note is that the Persian language was spoken in the royal court of India until the 1800s. God forbid if there was a nuclear exchange between these two nations, just east of them awaits China, whom many Bible scholars believe may be a part of the Kings of the East. East of Jerusalem. It goes without saying that the timing of these events are not by surprise. A major Land for peace deal is about to be presented in the Middle East. (see my last post) Jerusalem has now become center stage and all of the prophetic pieces are rapidly falling into place. Could this current skirmish ultimately pave the way for the Kings of the East to march towards Jerusalem as the time of Jacob's trouble gets set to commence. India and Pakistan separated just over seventy years ago. Israel became a nation just over seventy years ago. As they say "Coincidence" is not a kosher word. Stay tuned..... News from Hal Lindsey Media Ministries - Hal Lindsey - www.hallindsey.com The Bible predicts that in the future Israel will be subject to the rage of the nations as never before. In fact, it predicts that one day "all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it." (Zechariah 12:3 NASB) In that same passage of scripture, the prophet warns that there will be a "siege... against Jerusalem...." (Zechariah 12:2b NASB) The world has not yet laid siege against Jerusalem, but the anger that will culminate then is already building now. Throughout modern history, there has been much antisemitism. However, from AD 70 to 1948, there were Jews, but no Israel. As in other prophetic scenarios, the reestablishment of Israel makes antisemitism a meaningful sign of the end of the Age of Grace. After the Nazis murdered six million Jews, most of the non-Muslim world retreated from antisemitism. Or institutionally suppressed it. That lasted several decades. King Solomon once wrote: "...there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9c NASB) Today, the echoes of Nazi hate are again being heard in the western world. Recently, eight prominent members of Britain's Labour Party resigned from their party. They did so in protest of the new rise of antisemitism within the party. Luciana Berger is one of the Members of Parliament (MP) who resigned. She wrote: "I cannot remain in a party that I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic." Other Labour members called her a "disruptive Zionist" who supported a "murdering government." A well-known Labour leader, Margaret Tyson, called the Israelis, "...murdering Zionest (sic) bastards. Their NAZI masters have taught them well." Joan Ryan is another MP who resigned in protest. She said, "The Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn has become infected with the scourge of anti-Jewish racism." Corbyn is the Labour Party leader. He is a fierce critic of all things Israel. He has a long history with antisemitic groups. The Guardian newspaper reported: "Some of Labour's most influential figures are urgently warning Jeremy Corbyn to change his approach to antisemitism... as more senior politicians reveal they have already decided to quit the party." But Corbyn says he plans to change nothing. Since his rise to power in 2015, long hidden antisemitism within the Labour Party has been coming out of the woodwork. One member of Corbyn's "shadow cabinet" has suggested that the world relocate Israel to the United States. Another, the former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, defended that proposal by declaring that Hitler had been a Zionist! Some of these MPs are obviously nut jobs, but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. In fact, with the deep political troubles facing the Conservative Party because of Prime Minister Theresa May's lousy handling of Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn may be within reach of becoming Britain's next prime minister! And that scares many British Jews. Last year, three major Jewish newspapers published a joint article. They warned of "the existential threat to Jewish life in this country that would be posed by a Jeremy Corbyn-led government." But that existential threat is not limited to the United Kingdom. Last week, The Atlantic published an article headlined, "Europe's Ubiquitous Anti-Semitism." Even the long-running "yellow vest" protests in France have been usurped by radicals who are trying to infuse them with hatred for French Jews. Last year, the number of antisemitic acts in France surged by 74%. And on February 19, vandals defaced 80 graves in a Jewish cemetery with painted swastikas. Since 2006, almost 50,000 Jews have fled France because of growing antisemitism. A few days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Anti-Zionism is the new form of anti-Semitism." Irwin Cotler, the former Attorney General of Canada, believes that Israel itself has become "the collective Jew among the nations." In other words, Israel as a nation is being treated the way individual Jews have traditionally been mistreated. Like the Jews of history, Israel is held to a different standard of conduct. And it is the continuing target of unreasonable hatred and violence. Just as the Bible predicted. It seems impossible that Christians could hold contempt for the people from whom our Lord arose. But millions do. Throughout history, many church leaders believed that Jews as a race were guilty of "Deicide." That is the killing of God the Son. Some prominent figures in the church held horrible views of the Jew. Those views ignored the Jewish identity of Jesus. Some asserted that Jews could not even be saved. They seemed to forget that Peter, John, Paul, and other first century Apostles were Jews! In fact, the early church was Jewish! But the Bible makes it clear that the Jews did not kill Jesus. Love did. It was His love for us that caused Jesus to willingly lay down His life as the atoning sacrifice for all mankind. Should we hate Jews for their national role in all of this? NO! Not for a minute! Should we throw them away? NO! In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (NASB) That was Paul's pattern. Even though he was an apostle to the Gentiles, when he entered a city with the gospel, he first went to the Jews. That shows ongoing love and honor. Has God thrown Israel away? The context of Romans 11:1 leaves no doubt that he is talking about the Jews. It asks the question, then emphatically answers it: "Has God cast away His people? Certainly not!" (NKJV) On this week's program, I will discuss the origins of Christian antisemitism. I'll explain how it has assisted the rise of "Replacement Theology" in today's church world. I will also discuss the roles of various views such as Amillennialism, Premillennialism, and Postmillennialism, and explain how the different covenants of God with Israel impact the prophetic scenario. Don't miss The Hal Lindsey Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com . Please check your local listings. Will America Learn from The Collapse Of The Roman Empire? - By Michael Snyder - http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=3012 Every great civilization throughout human history has eventually collapsed, and if we want to have any hope of escaping the same fate, we need to be willing to learn some lessons from the past. Because many of the same factors that caused the collapse of previous civilizations are weighing very heavily on the United States of America today. According to the BBC, the average lifespan of a great civilization is 336 years from beginning to end. But that doesn't mean that America will make it that long. Our nation is currently 242 years old, and there are signs of advanced social decay all around us. If we remain on the road that we are currently on, there are many that believe that complete and utter collapse is not too far away. Ultimately, what does a "society" consist of? According to Luke Kemp of the University of Cambridge, societies are "just complex systems composed of people and technology"... Societies of the past and present are just complex systems composed of people and technology. The theory of "normal accidents" suggests that complex technological systems regularly give way to failure. So collapse may be a normal phenomenon for civilizations, regardless of their size and stage. We may be more technologically advanced now. But this gives little ground to believe that we are immune to the threats that undid our ancestors. Our newfound technological abilities even bring new, unprecedented challenges to the mix. It is not easy to keep an extremely complex society running, and there have been so many factors that have played a role in collapsing previous civilizations. War, natural disasters, environmental shifts, social degradation, economic problems and disease are just a few examples. And as Kemp has pointed out, sometimes societies simply collapse "under the weight of their own accumulated complexity and bureaucracy"... Collapse expert and historian Joseph Tainter has proposed that societies eventually collapse under the weight of their own accumulated complexity and bureaucracy. Societies are problem-solving collectives that grow in complexity in order to overcome new issues. However, the returns from complexity eventually reach a point of diminishing returns. After this point, collapse will eventually ensue. Even if America wasn't deteriorating in so many other areas, would our nation eventually collapse under the weight of our own bureaucracy as well? We have the biggest government in the history of the world, and when you total up all levels of government we literally have millions of laws, rules and regulations governing our lives today. It is a horrible system, and it is definitely not what our founders intended. To me, it makes sense that someday it could ultimately collapse as people simply stop believing in it. In order for a civilization to function smoothly, there must be something that bonds it together. When the United States was originally established, we were united by a common set of values, but that is no longer true. Today, America is more divided than it has been in my entire lifetime, and one of the biggest reasons is because there is no agreement about what our values should be. Personally, I am a strong advocate for returning to the values that our nation was founded upon, and Mac Slavo echoed this sentiment in one of his recent articles... We now have the unique advantage of being able to learn from the wreckages of societies past, but instead of doing so and freeing mankind from government, many who are enslaved continue to push for shorter chains, more violence, control, domination, and theft by the ruling class - not just of themselves, but of all others too. Collapse is imminent in our opinion, as those in control will not willingly give up their stranglehold over the tax cattle slaves. Unfortunately, many in our society want us to go in the exact opposite direction. As a result, the fabric of our society is literally coming apart at the seams, and this is something that Jim Quinn commented on in one of his recent articles... Our society is now infinitely more materialistic, narcissistic, and greedy than it was in the 1950s. Moral degeneration has reached new lows, unthinkable during the relatively innocent 1950s. But the common theme is human failings, foibles, and fallacies. Whatever a culture values you get more of. Our culture values achievement, wealth and power, at any cost. To illustrate his point, Quinn lamented the growing power that "social media influencers" now have in our society... Rather than make up our own minds about what we like, what we wear, where we eat, or what entertainment we enjoy, we need to be influenced into our decisions by famous people who are famous for being famous. These "influencers" generate their influential power through the number of social media followers they have accumulated by posting pictures of themselves in their underwear, leaked sex tapes, nude selfies, or generally being attractive. Most of them are low IQ mouth breathers who can't do basic math or write a comprehensible paragraph. But those 36DD breasts and pouty lips classify them as a grade A influencer. I can't decide whether these narcissistic icons are more pathetic or the feeble-minded wretches who are actually influenced by these vacuous bimbos. Moral degeneration of society seems to have reached a new low. We truly are becoming a real-life version of "Idiocracy", and it is getting worse with each passing day. But I can think of no better example of the decline of our society than Jussie Smollett. Here is a guy that seemingly had everything. He was on a hit show, he had lots of money and he had hordes of devoted fans that loved him. But he threw it all away because he believed that he was entitled to more, and he was willing to do anything to get it. Apparently he was not happy that he was making just $65,000 an episode, and so he created one of the most despicable hoaxes in American history in a desperate attempt to get his salary raised. Piers Morgan has described him as "the most hideous, reprehensible, disgusting, snivelling little liar in America", and I think that is about right. But you know what? He represents the true state of our society better than anyone else that I know. Just like Smollett, we continue to insist that we are "the good guys", but in reality our nation has become a cesspool of just about every sort of evil that you can possibly imagine. If we will change our ways and return to the values that the first Americans embraced, we could turn things around. But if we continue doing the things that we are currently doing, collapse is inevitable. And it can happen very quickly. In 390 AD, the Roman Empire covered nearly 2 million square miles and it seemed unstoppable. But by 476 AD it was gone. As many have said, if we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. Please wake up America. Daily Jot: Exposed: Congressional Leadership's planned obstruction - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com Romans 13:1-3 says, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same." This is an interesting passage because it has been open to interpretation in many ways. Facing unjust leaders who were repressing the apostles from religious free speech in Acts 5:29, Peter and the other apostles said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." So what gives? We must obey God over men. We also must understand that government is necessary to protect people from evil. In America, we give up a little liberty for this protection. George Washington explained in his 1796 farewell speech that respect for authority and compliance with its laws are enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty. He said, "The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposed the duty of every individual to obey the established government." He said, "All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency." He said these obstructions "serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests." Let's fast forward to today's Congress where the Democrats are trying to force socialist measures on Republicans, and are trying to silence moderate Democrats who oppose this extreme socialism. Politico reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) held a meeting with House Democrats to not allow Republicans to use procedural votes to water down or hinder the progressive (interpret: communist) agenda. It appears that moderate Democrats have voted with Republicans to add common sense provisions to a gun control bill and an anti-Semitism bill. Politico says Pelosi, echoing her communist comrade Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), told reporters that she thinks Democrats should simply vote against the GOP motions, saying to do so otherwise gives Republicans "leverage." In a time where America faces tremendous challenges, this is an example of obstructionism and how faction is so destructive to liberty. They are doing exactly what Washington warned against. They are like the Sadducees in Acts. Who do we obey? Daily Devotion: For Righteousness' Sake - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:10 The persecution of Christians is pervasive around the world today. Our Christian brothers and sisters suffer in nations like North Korea, China, and Russia. They suffer in Islamic nations where they're treated horribly-even executed if they profess faith in Christ. ISIS is known for committing atrocities on the level of what Old and New Testament believers faced. Persecution can show itself in many ways. It can be physical. It can be the taking of a life. It can be the threatening of a life. It can be verbal. It can be people mocking you, marginalizing you, or insulting you because of your faith in Jesus Christ. It can come in other ways. But it's going to come. The Bible says that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV). That's a promise I think we rarely claim. When is the last time you asked for that promise to be fulfilled? We lay claim to promises of protection or promises of provision. But when is the last time you said, "Lord, you promised that if I live a godly life, I will be persecuted. So bring it on." No, you don't pray that. Nor do I. We don't determine what challenges, what hardships, or what difficulties come our way. All we determine is how we will react to those things when they come. Jesus said this about persecution: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10 NKJV). But far too often we're persecuted for the wrong reasons. Jesus did not say, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for being obnoxious and mean." Let it be because you're a godly man, a godly woman. Let's make sure it is for the right reasons. 
FROM THE HEART
IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 Prophecy Update is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt - non-profit organization, and all your donations are tax deductible. If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or Visit our website: http://prophecyupdate.com/donations/ Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 
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