Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
The End-Times Landscape - By Sally Law -
http://www.raptureready.com/2018/02/22/end-times-landscape-sally-law/ Is it just me, or does the world seem to be overflowing with daily events heralding the return of Jesus Christ? Just as the scriptures have foretold, it is getting spiritually dark in this world prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. Sometimes doubt creeps in and I feel like I will be overcome with discouragement. The news is so depressing. Evil glorified - again. Satan is one-upping the Christians. The propaganda arm of Satan-the main stream media, is functioning just fine. Someone asked me a few weeks ago if the tribulation period had already started. I said no, this is the end times prior to the tribulation; and, according to the scriptures, Christians are removed before the tribulation in an event called the rapture. She went on to say, because of how horrible and violent the earth was becoming, that surely we were living during the apocalypse. I gave her one quick example from Revelation 6:7 as proof that this was not the case on the earth - just yet. Revelation 6:7-8 "When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, 'Come and see.' So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the field" (NKJV). I really understood where my friend was coming from, but she was not seeing clearly where she was in time. We all are overwhelmed with the increase in violence and moral decline happening right now. However, during this prophetic time described in the future, 1/4 of the earth dies. As of 2017, the estimated population of the entire earth was 7.5 billion. If that seal was broken, and the fourth horse of the apocalypse was released today, approximately 1.875 billion would die. That's mind boggling! She agreed that this future prophecy was much, much worse than anything going on right now. I reassured her that we would be leaving to be with the Lord before his judgment is poured out on the earth. I reminded her, and myself, that we have dark days in this world right now, as we are living in the end times. But also, Jesus will rescue us from the judgment coming upon this earth and take us to where he is - a place prepared for us. "...And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3). It helps me to study scripture and see what to expect now and what great things, I believe, await all of us who have trusted in Jesus for our salvation. It is a huge encouragement to my faith. I would like to pass on some encouragement to you today, as sometimes it may appear that evil is winning and we are losing. Like maybe it's never gonna happen or it happened and we missed it. Nothing could be further from the truth! I did read the end of the book and we win - and win BIG! Here is a great verse: 1 Peter 1:3-5 "Blessed be our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded by faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." I love the part "ready to be revealed in the last time" as if it is waiting, ready to be unwrapped like a gift, and given to us at the exact moment in the last time. How awesome is that? I am aware that I live in a special time in history, the last time or the end times. I may be raptured at any moment and behold Jesus Christ, never to be parted from him! Immediately, I will get a new, glorified body and new eyes (I really need those new eyes badly). To be with my God, Jesus, my family and all the saints is just about the grandest thing I could ever imagine. That thrills me to no end! On the other hand, the world grows more wicked, lost, and clueless to the fact of God's love and redemption plan for them in Christ. I've noticed a rise in God hatred, Christ hatred, Jew hatred-and really anyone that has a moral stance on any issue is hated. As a matter of fact, this hatred of good, or godliness, is esteemed in the mainstream media. This is the hard part about living during this time, as Christian persecution is on the rise. The lost world hates us, too. Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18). End-times hatred: "Then, they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name" (Matthew 24:9). What is coming forth in the days ahead has already been predicted long ago; and we have a guidebook, the Bible, as our source of help and strength. God shows us in there what it will look like prior to his return; and the entire end is there in graphic detail in the book of Revelation. (Daniel is an excellent book on the end times and the nation of Israel, specifically.) The Bible also describes the people living during this time, comparing the end times to that of Noah and his family (the only righteous man of that day) and preparing his family of eight, along with all the animals, to escape the worldwide flood in the ark. And there was Lot and his family during a similar time of judgment. Lot was the only righteous man in two adjacent cities filled with homosexual sin. If you remember the story in Genesis 19, Lot was Abraham's nephew and was some sort of city official, since he sat at the city gate. It was dark, wicked and morally depraved in Sodom and Gomorrah just before God's judgment fell. God sent two angels and removed Lot and his family before fire and brimstone fell upon the twin cities. These two stories are pictures in scripture foreshadowing what things will look like in the end times, the spiritual landscape so to speak. It's bad! It's spiritually dark and void of anything good. And now, very soon, Christ is coming to remove the righteous dwelling on the earth before he executes judgment upon the earth. "But, as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:37-39). We live in the days of grace, or the church age. We now have a way to be declared righteous! This is the good news of the gospel! This is our hope for now and to be rapture ready: *"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). *We have received salvation and righteousness through our belief and confession of Jesus Christ as risen Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9-10). *We are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). *We receive, in Christ, the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17). *We receive forgiveness, as Jesus paid fully for our sins; and we are justified freely by his grace (Romans 3:24-26). *We are filled with the Holy Spirit of God and bear good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). *The Holy Spirit is the abiding presence of God in us (John 14:6). *The Holy Spirit seals us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). What's ahead? The landscape will change completely the day of the rapture of the church! The earth will plunge into a very bad state of affairs. The restraining influence of the Holy Spirit will be taken away at that time, allowing for full-blown satanic rule (2 Thessalonians 2:6). I believe at this point the antichrist and false prophet come to power very quickly, as they want to deceive, kill and take over the world. Satan is their boss. I don't think this entire trio of evil will waste a second. They have only seven years to squeeze in their horrible agenda. I'm just saying..... God's judgment will begin also. This time is called "the day of the Lord" or "great tribulation." It will be seven years divided into two three and a half year periods, with the second part being the most severe of God's judgments, combined with the antichrist's desecration of the Jewish temple where he claims himself to be God. From there, he goes after the Jewish people with a vengeance. Jesus said there has never been a time like it, or ever will be. "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of this world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:21). It's so bad during this time that the days are shortened so that the elect of God will survive. "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened" (Matthew 24:22). To believe in Jesus during this time means almost certain martyrdom. A large number do come out of this terrible time with great reward for their belief in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. "And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their foreheads or their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4). I am hopeful that you, dear reader, are rapture ready and awaiting the glorious rapture event, being light in a dark world. Stay strong and hold to your faith. Be watchful of the Lord's return. We will be caught up (raptured) soon. Don't let go of your blessed hope. Remember, we win big because Jesus is victorious! He will do all he has promised! I leave you now with these amazing verses: "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. And we who are alive and remain will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). And... "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him" (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). Keep looking up! King Cyrus and President Trump, Israel's 70th, Peace Plan, Third Temple...Wake Up Church! - James Nash - [email protected] Very recently, Israel's Sanhedrin announced minting a new Coin with images of Trump and King Cyrus (Persian King, who facilitated the building of the Second Temple that ended the Babylonian Exile in 538 BCE), this to honor his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital (and moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem on the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel in May) and to promote rebuilding of the 3rd Temple. Numerous articles have been written about the uncanny similarities between US President Donald Trump and Cyrus the Great, together with Isaiah Chapter 45, trigger the question: Was Trump's ascension to power Divinely orchestrated? "This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor. And to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut. I will go before you and level the mountains. I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures and riches that are stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me." - Isaiah Chapter 45:1-4 Isaiah's prophesy takes place a full 150 years before Cyrus is even born. Notice the beginning and end of this passage. First, Cyrus, a non-Israelite king, is called God's anointed, a term previously used only for Jewish leaders. Second, Cyrus, although called by the God of Israel, doesn't actually know the God of Israel. Instead, like the vast majority of people in the ancient world, he either worshipped different deities in the form of idols or worshipped none at all. In verse 3, the prophet tells us that God will lavish him with tremendous wealth, "so that you may know that I am the Lord who calls you by name." The 19th-century Torah commentator Rabbi Meir Leibush Wisser, known as the Malbim, gives an amazing explanation to this verse, according to which God is telling Cyrus: I've given you the key to the treasury of Babylonia - in order for you, Cyrus, to understand that your rise to the pinnacle of power has come about in an obviously unnatural way, so that the nations of the world will recognize My great name, and that you will be a salvation for the people of Israel. In other words: You don't deserve all the good that is happening to you, you are but a vessel to bring out my Great name. Seventy years after the Jews are in exile, the new pagan Babylonian king encourages them to go back to Jerusalem - go back to their homeland and rebuild their Holy Temple, also helping to finance their endeavor to boot. Does Isaiah Chapter 45 perhaps prophesize more than one "Cyrus"? After all, it was written almost two centuries before his birth. Well, let's see. The State of Israel is in its 70th year, awaiting the rebuilding of the Third Temple in Jerusalem, with an American president - number 45 confirming Jerusalem as Israel's capital! All this from a president who certainly had more than just a little help from Above in obtaining the presidency. Source: https://unitedwithisrael.org/trump-a-modern-day-cyrus/ Love Trump or hate him, one thing for certain "God removes kings and raises up kings" (Daniel 2:21) and "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes" Proverbs 21:1 President Trump has also been in the news of late concerning his soon to be reviled Middle East Peace Plan. Revelation 11:2 "And leave out the court which is outside the temple (this will be the upcoming Third Temple), and do not measure it, for IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE NATIONS, AND THEY WILL TREAD UNDER FOOT THE HOLY CITY (Jerusalem) for forty-two months" The Trump administration's plan for peace in the Middle East may include US and international recognition of a Palestinian state and acceptance of East Jerusalem as its capital...The plan, the report said, calls for placing the Old City of Jerusalem under "international protection." Reports Times of Israel this week (https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-peace-plan-would-recog.../) The current "peace plan" (actually FALSE peace) is to divide Eretz Israel (the land of Israel) and create a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem (the Old City) as its capitol. And this plan encompasses allowing East Jerusalem to come under INTERNATIONAL CONTROL. In other words, the nations will rule over East Jerusalem exactly as prophesied in Revelation 11:2 above! Before some think that Trumps Peace Plan is Daniel 9:27 and Trump is the Antichrist - no this will not be the prophesied "Confirming of the Covenant." It however could set the stage for that later fulfillment of Daniel 9:27 by another who will be the Antichrist. With Israel's 70th anniversary being celebrated this May 14th, a renewed push is on for building the 3rd Temple. In recent years, some very good research has been done on the actual location of the 1st and 2nd Temple. The following is a recent article worth reading on THE REAL LOCATION OF THE 1st and 2nd TEMPLES AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/mar2018/james34.htm My good friend Ken Klein, who produced "JERUSALEM AND THE LOST TEMPLE OF THE JEWS" a profound 1½ hour documentary on the true location of the first two Temples, has recently provided access to the film for FREE on his website - see https://kenkleinproductions.net. After registering for the film link, you can then bookmark it and return later to watch it when you have time...the incredible and profound evidence will be VERY convincing! If the Jews get the proper location right, and build the Temple off the site of the Dome of the Rock, at the true location, it would diffuse a lot of the (decades of) unrest of the Arab nations and take some of the heat off pressing Israel into a compromising plan for peace - time will tell, and Revelation 11:2 is going to occur regardless, so keep aware of what's happening with Jerusalem (the Center of the World) and turn your hearts toward God - "Encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near" Hebrews 10:25b As you already know, we live in VERY interesting and prophetic times, and I believe we are the last generation before the return of Christ. At Billy Graham's Funeral this week, his daughter Anne Graham Lotz stated her father's death was "a shot across the bow from heaven"..."I believe God is saying, 'Wake up Church! Wake up world! Wake up Anne! Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming" ...MARANATHA! The Middle East Peace Plan and The Prince That is to Come..... - A.V. Rauf - http://bibleprophecyfortoday.com/2018/03/05/the-middle-east-peace-plan-and-the-prince-that-is-to-come/ There is no shadow of doubt in my mind as I see prophetic events unfolding in rapid succession and as we enter just the third month of 2018 it never ceases to amaze me how God's Word is true and that the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the Church age is clearly upon us. There are now reports surfacing that President Trump and Jarrod Kushner have been working on an Israel-Palestinian peace plan that will call for an independent Palestinian state with eastern Jerusalem as its capital. Although as of now they appear to be rumors but have been leaked to the press, an upcoming conference scheduled in Cairo, Egypt this year is where this announcement will be made. In order to sway Mahmoud Abbas into receiving this offer, the U.S. government would fund the development of the Palestinian State to the tune of $40 billion. Under this peace plan, the United States will recognize an independent Palestinian state with eastern Jerusalem as its capital on condition that the disputed old city, home to sites holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is administered by an international custodian. Could that international custodian be the Vatican? The primary financial agent and secular control center for the Vatican is the City of London, which is also the Rothschilds' banking epicenter. The Rothschilds have been the 'official' bankers for the Catholic Church since 1823. This will very interesting to see... Now let me carefully say that I am not naming dates or claiming certain political figures represent key figures mentioned in Biblical eschatology, but what are the odds of this happening: "Prince" William will be the first British royal to ever make an official visit to the country of Israel this year. The Prince of Cambridge will be visiting both Israel, Jordan and the occupied Palestinian territories this summer, not long after Israel's 70th anniversary. Israeli media have reported many invitations offered by Israeli officials to British royals but none, until now, have been accepted. The British government, condemns Israeli settlement building in the West Bank and has not approved any royal trips to Israel for the last 70 years! Remember, modern day Israel emerged out of Britain when the British military 'won' Israel around 1917, and then turned it over to Jewish authorities in 1948. So it was the Brits that controlled Israel before 1948. President Reuven Rivlin mentioned that he looks forward to welcoming Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, on an official visit to the State of Israel later this year. A very special guest, and a very special present for our 70th year of independence. Furthermore, the office of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said it welcomes this important visit, and they hope it will contribute to strengthening ties of friendship between the two peoples. The British monarchy emerged directly out of the same Roman empire that was responsible for the crucifixion the Messiah. This happened when Britain became a Roman colony in approximately 55 B.C. (although warring with Rome continued well into the 2nd century). The name "Britain" is derived from "B'rith-ain" which means "covenant land," and "British" means "covenant man." The British empire eventually exceeded even the Roman empire in size, which is the reason for the infamous colonialism expression, "the son never sets on the British empire". Currently, there has been a huge movement called 'British-Israelism,' which claims the lost tribes of Israel are scattered throughout the globe and primarily located in modern-day Europe. Mere coinicidence you say? Either way, look up for your redemption draweth Nigh! Global Support for Third Temple Coin - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/103700/global-support-third-temple-coin/#TTHrcSkWbkZ1YjBD.99 "This is what everyone who is entered in the records shall pay: a half-shekel by the sanctuary weight-twenty giera to the shekel -a half- shekel as an offering to Hashem. Exodus 30:13 (The Israel Bible™) A newly minted coin featuring President Trump, King Cyrus, and the Third Temple has been featured in media around the world, graphically illustrating that support for the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount is now a global phenomenon that is transcending political and religious boundaries. Three weeks ago, the nascent Sanhedrin and the Mikdash (Temple) Educational Center, a non-profit organization for education about the Temple, partnered in a risky venture to mint a commemorative medallion with an image of President Donald Trump and the Persian King Cyrus. The flip side features a stylized image of the Third Temple. Both signed a contract to mint 1,000 coins in the hope that the message on the coin that calls out to the US president to support the Jewish claim to the Temple Mount, would resonate with enough people to cover the total expense of the coins. They offered the coins to the public for a minimum donation of $50, and the response has exceeded all their expectations. Breaking Israel News first broke the story about the coin, which quickly became a sensation in the Israeli press and then followed by stories in The New York Times, Newsweek, Reuters, Associated Press and other major international media. The organizers are also being interviewed by the Swedish, British, and Chinese press. "It is clear that interest in the Temple is much stronger and much more universal than previously thought," Mordechai Persoff who established the Mikdash Educational Center, told Breaking Israel News. "This goes beyond political boundaries." Persoff said that on Sunday, they began shipping coins to Hong Kong, Ireland, Poland, China, Brazil, Australia, Germany, Belgium, although most of the orders have been from the United States. Rabbi Hillel Weiss, the spokesman for the Sanhedrin, was surprised by the overwhelming response, but the message was clear to him: Support for the Third Temple is growing. "This is enormously popular among America's friends and very unpopular among the people who hate America," Rabbi Weiss told Breaking Israel News. "Obama hated Israel and Jerusalem, and as a result, America's enemies became stronger while he was president, many acquiring or developing nuclear weapons. It is important to realize that the most powerful and enduring hope America has is to side with Hashem. The only hope for this is to support Jews taking their place as a Nation of Priests and a Light Unto the Nations." The source for the concept behind the coin is the Biblical silver half-shekel that was collected in Temple Times from every Jewish man. The Trump medallion does not adhere to the requirements of this Biblically mandated coin but proceeds from sales of the coin will go towards projects educating the public about the Jewish Temple. Persoff told Breaking Israel News that if the demand grows, they will consider minting a larger limited special edition Temple Coin based on the current design. The next project that the two organizations will cooperate on is a reenactment of the Paschal Sacrifice on March 26. At that time, Kohanim (Jewish men of priestly descent) will recreate the Temple service in a manner resembling the Temple service as much as possible. They will be dressed in the priestly garments and using silver vessels intended for use in the Third Temple. A lamb will be sacrificed and roasted in a Biblically authentic manner. Nearing Midnight: The Coming Third Lebanon War - Terry James - http://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ The nation of Israel has had two major wars with its northern neighbor Lebanon. In 1982 the first Lebanon war was launched to neutralize Palestine Liberation Organization forces. After PLO leader Yasser Arafat found himself surrounded on all sides, he graciously agreed to a ceasefire that had him and his forces retreating from Beirut to Tunisia. The second Lebanon War occurred in 2006, and was the result of Israelis responding to shelling from Hezbollah forces. The Israel air force inflicted heavy damage on buildings in Lebanon's capital. Due to unparalleled Iranian military support to Hezbollah before and during the war, some consider it the first round of the Iran-Israel proxy conflict. It now appears that all along the Israeli-Lebanon border, round two is about to break out. That is what Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told reporters last week. He had just returned from a bipartisan trip that included Democratic Sen. Chris Coons. Graham said that Israeli officials made it clear to visiting lawmakers that the IDF will need to launch a military action in Southern Lebanon if Hezbollah continues work on a guided-rocket factory being built in the region - a factory that's purportedly being funded by Iran, according to Bloomberg. "They've told us in no uncertain terms that if this threat continues - they keep making rockets that can hit the airport and do a lot of damage to the state of Israel - they are going to have to go in," Graham said. The reason why Iran is directly funding the factory is a result of America's lack of a strategy in dealing with Iranian influence in Lebanon and Syria. Because of the intense focus on destroying what is left of ISIS, US military commanders have ignored the growing threat from Iranian agents. In the Middle East, we are always a step behind in fighting the greater adversary. Graham said that the top request from Israel, in a meeting with that country's leaders, was "ammunition, ammunition, ammunition" and for future diplomatic support when Israel is forced to strike civilian areas where Hezbollah has heavily imbedded itself. History shows that Israel will always respond to the need for self-preservation. Iran has repeatedly promised to destroy the Jewish state. The situation is so urgent that a partnership between former foes, Saudi Arabia and Israel, has been formed to push back against Iranian influence in the region, including the implicit threat of military violence. There has been a typical response from the Lebanese government. Lebanon President Michel Aoun condemned the Israeli regime's repeated violations of Lebanon's sovereignty, saying Beirut is prepared to counter any potential Israeli threat or violation. "Lebanon is keen on maintaining stability and calm in South Lebanon, but it is also ready to defend itself shall Israel carry out an assault," Aoun said in a meeting with UN Under-Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix. The number of missiles Hezbollah has amassed has nothing to do with basic defense. This terrorist group has an estimated rocket count of around 200,000 which is considerably more than most countries. Hezbollah is clearly planning for World War III. The standoff between Israel and Hezbollah shows the staying hand of God. In any other setting, it would be inconceivable for a Muslim force to have so many missiles aimed at Israel and resist the urge to fire them at their foe. Hamas in Gaza only has access to the most crude projectiles and they have fired dozens of times in Israel's direction. Hezbollah has missiles that can hit almost any city in Israel. There is such a profound hatred of the Jewish race in the world today that any conflict involving Israel is bound to inflame this demonic rage. Bible prophecy seems to indicate that some event will act as a catalyst to turn all nations against Israel. I believe we are living in the only time that could produce such a universally evil mindset. "For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land" (Joel 3: 1-2). Daily Jot: Be Encouraged - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com The loud daily din of the news media opining away about the evils of anyone who doesn't agree with their form of liberalism takes a toll. The constant stream of fake news leaves people with confusion over what to believe. The visceral emanating from the mouths of elected representatives of the people characterizing those who disagree with them in foul terms, wounds the nation. Celebrities have gone wild in portraying as outcasts those who disagree with their humanist ideals. We are living in a time where civility has become rare. In the midst of this, be encouraged. We as Christians have a mission and a purpose. Take heart. We are to overcome evil with good and not grow weary in doing it. Every phone call you make. Every letter you write. Every email you send. Every word you speak. Be encouraged. The Lord said in Isaiah 55:10-12, "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Neither be offended. The Lord says in Ezekiel 3:17-19, "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." No matter how long, no matter how difficult things become, do what the Lord tells you to do. As you do these things unto the Lord, you have made a transfer, so to speak, from yourself to others. It is now on them to act responsibly with the information. You have done your part. God sent his only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins that we might have life everlasting. It's up to us to share the many facets of living out our salvation. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 exhorts: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." Keep going. Keep doing. You never know when your action may be that last full measure needed to advance God's plan. Never give up. Daily Devotion: An Opportunity for Growth - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. -James 1:12 Have you ever had one of those times when you were walking with Lord, trying to do all the things that should encourage you in your Christian faith, and out of nowhere, you're being hit with heavy-duty temptations? In fact, it often happens at the worst conceivable times, such as when you're praying or you're in church. You wonder why it's happening to you. Without a doubt, none of us enjoy being tempted, but there are some valuable lessons that come through those times that God allows in our lives. Someone has said that Christians are a lot like tea bags; you don't know what they're made of until you put them into hot water. Sometimes we think we're doing pretty well spiritually. Then the Lord puts us in some hot water. He lets us go through a time of trial and temptation in our lives. It helps to strengthen us spiritually. James wrote, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2). He was not saying that we necessarily should be experiencing an all-encompassing emotion of joy or happiness in our times of hardship. Nor was he demanding that his readers enjoy the trials of life. James was not saying that trials are joy. They are not. In fact, Hebrews 12:11 says, "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it's painful!" (NLT). James was saying, "Consider it joy. Make a deliberate choice to experience joy in your troubles." Why? They are accomplishing something in your life. It may hurt now, but what will come as a result will be so much better. You will be able to look back and say, "It wasn't easy, but it was worth it." In the Christian life, God will allow trials. Count it joy and rejoice. 
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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