Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
The Seven Churches - Pete Garcia -
http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=8604 We often speak about the imminent return of Christ, as if it could have happened at any point in these last two millennia, without really considering if that were really possible. Could Christ have returned at any point in the past 2,000 years? Or is there a specific time when God the Father will send His Son, Jesus Christ, to return and receive His Bride the Church? Why wasn't Christ's First Coming in 165 BC, during the Maccabean Revolt? Rome had yet to rise as a great world power and Christ could have easily claimed His throne right then and there with little trouble...so why the wait? Maybe the Jews were just as divided on when they thought the Messiah would come then, as we are divided today? Maybe this is why the Jews weren't expecting Yeshua Hamashiach when He did arrive around 4 BC. All we know is that by the time Christ did come...no one but a handful of people were still eagerly anticipating Him. (The first and most surprising of which, were Gentiles from the East!) I'm continually drawn back to the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches found in Revelation 2-3. If these letters do speak to the unfolding ages of the Church, then surely, one of them would be identified as the time when Christ would return a second time to claim His Bride the Church. And if that is the case, the issue isn't so much with the Imminent return of Christ throughout the last 2,000 years, but the Imminent return during one specific time period during the last 2,000 years. Understanding that not only were these literal churches in John's day, but because of the order they are placed in and how this has played out over the centuries, we can be fairly certain that these seven (out of the thousands of churches then in John's day) were chosen for a more specific reason then just the problems they were having back then in the 1st century. So lets look specifically at Christ's promise of return and how they applied to each of these churches. Ephesus: There is no promise to return and remove these Believers from earth, only to remove their candlestick, which is to remove them from being a church for leaving their first love. Smyrna: The letter to the beloved Smyrnan church offers no promise of escape; only to endure, and suffer through with patience, and their reward would be the Crown of Life. Pergamos: The promise to return here is not a good promise, but a threat, that if they don't repent, the Lord Himself would come and fight against them. What had been the deeds of the Nicolaitan's in Ephesus became to Pergamos, their doctrine. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Thyatira: To the Church of Thyatira, Jesus spent most of this letter criticizing them for many things. The promise to return is limited to only those within this church, who does not hold to the Jezebel doctrine nor have sought out the depths of Satan. Sardis: The promise to return to the church at Sardis was a warning. They no longer watched for His return. That has as much to do with its historical background as it does its with the theological reality of today. Most orthodox churches today do not teach pre-millennial eschatology. IF they do teach it, its become corrupted by centuries of false teaching that either all the prophecies have already been fulfilled, or that we have to take 'dominion' of the world before Christ 'can' return. Philadelphia: Out of all the letters, only this one has a promise to remove the Church altogether from this world. The rest of the letters', when taken in context, offer no such promise. Laodicea: No promise is made by Christ to come, only a severe rebuke and chastening to repent. Christ stands outside this church knocking on the door. [The dividing line above delineates that the last four churches would in fact overlap each other.] The Eventuality of Apostasy If history is any guide, every denomination ultimately ends up in the theological gutter. The key issue always involves a turning away from the literal understanding of the Word of God, and a turning towards embracing the world. Church services went from heartfelt worship to loud, gaudy, theatrical worship productions followed by a sugary message to comfort the masses. The preachers went from preaching the Word, to preaching about Social Justice. A growing number of churches have become Seeker Sensitive services trying their very best to please everyone, and not trying to offend anyone. Mainline churches are bending in all areas of contention with respects to where the biblical standards and modern society clash. The culture war has been heating up on every level of society, and churches all across the fruited plain are falling left and right in order to avoid receiving the heavy handed media criticism and political abuse that comes to those who take a stand for biblical standards. Would this have been applicable even 50 years ago? American's then, were a lot more respectful to God's Word than they are today. While there was sin back then, (as in every Age) there wasn't this wholesale embracing of the cultural toilet bowl of decadence that we see today. It's really only been the last 40 years, that we've seen a relentless, systematic assault on all things Christian beginning with the late, angry-atheist Madelyn Murray O' Hare attackof God in the public schools. Then it was on to the "Sexual Revolution" followed quickly by the war on the unborn. The race is now on in redefining terminology with political correctness in such words as: fundamentalist, hate, bigot, and choice. There Can Only Be One It is the Philadelphian Church alone who has to endure this rapidly unraveling nature of civilization. While I believe in the Imminency of Christ's return, logically I can only deduce that it would have to be during this window of time that makes up the Philadelphian Age of the Church. Some believe this began at the First Great Awakening, while others believe it started during the Second. This is when the missionaries were sent out around the world to spread the Gospel. Yet, prophetically, in Christ's own words, the least receptive of the Gospel of Jesus Christ have always been the Jews. But more and more Jews are coming to recognize that Christ was the Messiah and this were not even possible until 1948 (well into the Philedelphian Age) when Israel became a nation again. "...For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes." (Matt 10:23 NKJV) At no time in western history has more governments worked harder to discredit the Biblical account of creation than today, thanks now to the widely accepted "Theory of Evolution". At no time in history have governments worked harder to remove any mention of the Biblical God from the public arena of ideas as it has today. At no time in history has more societies worked harder to take the fundamentalism out of Christianity through legislation that it deems as 'hate speech'. At no time in history has more the mass media worked harder than it has now, to silence and belittle the Christian. At no time in mankind's history has the pressure ever been greater, in more places, for the Christian to compromise their beliefs to appease non-Christian religions. At no time in history, has Christendom been as divided as it is today. At no time in history has the pressure ever been greater for all of Christianity to embrace 'ecumenicalism' under the banner of 'peace' and 'Social Justice'. These are part of the devil's battle tactics, in which he would first cause the Bride of Christ to divide over doctrine and principles. Satan is the author of confusion, and he's been busy doing that for the last 2,000 years. Then, in using cultural flash points such as gay marriage and abortion...he can not only unite Christianity with non-Christian religions, but he can unite the divided denominational churches together under the banner of Ecumenicalism to combat the current social ills. Just remember; homosexual marriage for example, is just a symptom of the underlying cultural rot that is just now starting to bubble up to the surface. Why would Satan unite the Churches? In order for Christians to come together, they would have to set aside their differences...(ie...the things that make them different). So when you set your principles aside to unite over some cultural battle ...over time and repeatedly enough, you blur the lines and water down your message to the point of luke-warm irrelevance so not to offend those your working together with. No longer is your focus on evangelism, but on whatever the new decadent injustice of the month is. If you notice the order of the Churches in Revelation 2-3, you see that after the Gospel began to spread (Ephesus), Satan immediately began to crush it violently through men like Caligula, Nero, Domitian, and Hadrian. That brought in the Smyrnan Age of persecution...and yet they were told to endure. Satan's lavish use of violence only caused the church to spread more rapidly. He then changed his tactics, and instead of using brute force, he began to corrupt the church through pagan ritualism and false doctrine. Pergamos, Thyatira, and Sardis all had issues with their doctrine. Philadelphia alone remained faithful in their love of Christ and His Prophetic Word. For Satan, if you can't win by divide and conquer, you must unite and corrupt. That is what this Philadelphian Church is commended for...for not taking their eyes off of Christ. It is to them, and them alone that the Promise is made, that they be kept from mankind's darkest hour. "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." (Revelation 3:10) God + 1 = THE MAJORITY! - A.V. Rauf - http://bibleprophecyfortoday.com/2018/03/10/god-1-the-majority/ Joel 3:2-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. I mentioned in the previous post that there have been recent reports indicating that 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. If this does indeed come to fruition this means that it will happen at the expense of Jerusalem being divided, hence, God's land being parted as mentioned in Joel 3:2. God is very adamant about His spoken Word. Isaiah 55:11- So shall my word be that goeth 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. Furthermore, Scriptures tell us that God exalts His word above His name: Psalm 138:2- I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. As the psalmist turns to the temple to worship he writes in Ps. 138:2: "For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name name." God's Word is His communication, His promise, the revelation of Himself to His people. It is to be a lamp to our feet in a dark and fallen world, without it we would have no way to know God or how to do God's will. In reference to the very first Scripture on this post, God's Word is very clear: the Lord Almighty will judge all nations who divide the Land of Israel. Nevertheless, international pressure on Israel to carve up the Holy Land like Edward Scissor-hands on a soft pumpkin continue as the nations are calling for Israel to withdraw to the 1967 borders. Nearly every world leader - and certainly every American president since 1967, when Jerusalem was recognized as the capital of Israel - has demanded Israel give up significant amounts of territory within Judea, Samaria, and the Golan Heights in order to create a sovereign Palestinian state side by side with Israel and make peace with Syria. Keep in mind that we are a part of the generation that has seen Jerusalem come to international significance being recognized as the city in Israel by all nations. If the plan is approved, it will ultimately force Israel to give up more of its land, to divide Jerusalem, and eventually return it to indefensible borders. This would be a grave mistake. It would severely jeopardize Israeli national security. It would do so in direct defiance of the Holy Scriptures. And it may draw the judgment of the Lord Almighty against the United States and all other countries involved in the process. Zechariah 12:1-9- The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. 4 In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. 5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God. 6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. 7 The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. 8 In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Historically, we know that the nations have repeatedly divided the Land of Israel. Prophetically, we know they will continue to do so until the Day of the Lord comes. (Please see my previous posts on "The Day of the LORD") The Lord is going to gather all the nations - not some of the nations....not a few of the nations....the text says "all" of the nations...He will gather them to the Valley of Jehoshaphat....the valley of judgment...what we know today as the Kidron Valley which is located in......... Jerusalem. Joel 3:2-5; 19-21-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. 3 And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. 4 Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompense? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head; 5 Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things; Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. 20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. 21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion. The Lord is going to judge the nations for at least four reasons: 1. For scattering Israel and the Jewish people among the nations (Joel 3:2) 2. For dividing up the land of Israel, which the Lord describes as "My land" (Joel 3:2) 3.For stealing treasures from the Lord (perhaps from the 3rd Temple which will be built in the very near future), and from Israel. (Joel 3:5) 4. For murdering Jews and shedding Jewish blood. (Joel 3:19, 21) When it comes to the fourth reason , you may want to add 57 nations to the list. What do I mean by this: A Turkish newspaper close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party is urging 57 Islamic nations to build a joint army specifically to attack Israel. The Middle East Media Research Institute reports the article appeared on the paper's website under the title "What If an Army of Islam Was Formed against Israel?" It was published shortly ahead of a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which has 57 members, MEMRI reported. The article also mentioned , MEMRI said, "that such a joint army will greatly exceed the Israeli army in manpower, equipment and budget, and presents statistics to prove this." It also advocates establishing joint bases for the army's ground, air and naval forces that will arrive from all over the Muslim world to besiege Israel. Special status was given to Pakistan, which happens to be the only country of the 57 with nuclear weaponry. Keep in mind that Turkey already has penetrated northern Syria. Iran has also been reported to have established several military bases in Syria. Historically speaking, whenever Israel was besieged in the Bible, the opposing forces always came from "the north." The article states: "It becomes evident that the member states' [joint] military might greatly exceeds that of Israel. Moreover, in a possible military operation, this superiority [can] be realized on the ground by [setting up] joint military bases for ground, air and naval forces." It says that if the OIC member states "unite and form a joint military force, it will be the largest army in the world." "These countries' total population is 1,674,526,931. The number of soldiers in active service in these countries is at least 5,206,100." The newspaper calls Israel "significantly inferior" and says that "this country, which attempted to occupy Jerusalem while surrounded by Muslim states" has a population of only about 8 million, while Istanbul alone exceeds 14 million. Furthermore, the frightening scenario that will most likely play out according to the Scriptures is that the only friend that ultimately reaches out to her, will be the Antichrist. He will give Israel a temporary peace. 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. But, three and a half years later (Mid-Trib), the Antichrist replicates what the Jews well remember in their history from the days of Antiochus concerning the desecration of the Temple. At that point the Antichrist betrays them. God's Word must be taken in to consideration here: Currently, there is a growing disparity between the nations of the world and Israel. It's most unfortunate that our own country is going to grow in its disparity from Israel as well. Currently in existence are policies going back several administrations that have forced Israel to do things that they didn't want to do, things such as the giving up of land that God has directly said that no one is to force them to relinquish. The United Nations, the United States, the European Union ,the Arab League, the Palestinian Authority, heck even the Government of Israel must clearly take heed to what God's Word is clearly stating. It is CLEARLY evident and PAINSTAKINGLY obvious now that Israel is being set to take center stage concerning Bible prophecy and the end times. She will be alone. But God + 1 = The Majority. And if Israel is about to take center stage, where does that put the true Church in God's timetable? Luke 21:28-36-And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Will Turkey Lead an End-of-Days Global Islamic Jihad Against Israel And The US? - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/104068/will-turkey-lead-an-end-of-days-global-islamic-jihad-against-israel-and-the-us/#04YKQziGKkbZ7bYI.99 "He shall be a wild ass of a man; His hand against everyone, And everyone's hand against him; He shall dwell alongside of all his kinsmen." Genesis 16:12 (The Israel Bible™) A recent study by a Middle East analysis organization based in Washington DC revealed that the Turkish president's call for 57 nations to join together to form an anti-Israel army of Islam could create the most formidable military force on the planet. One Israeli expert on Islam stated emphatically, "make no mistake; this is war," and lest the message is missed, he also emphasized that this call for jihad includes a direct threat against the US. A report on Wednesday by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) investigated an article that was published in December in the Turkish daily Yeni Şafak, a media outlet which is closely affiliated with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling AKP party. The article titled, "A Call for Urgent Action," which also appeared on the paper's website under the title, "What If an Army of Islam Was Formed against Israel?" called on the 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to form a joint "Army of Islam" to besiege and attack the state of Israel. The article went into specifics, describing in detail how such an army would overwhelm the Jewish State. Once warm, relations between Turkey and Israel have been shaky in the last decade. But this call for a religious war against Israel is a relatively new development. The political differences between the two countries took on global religious overtones last May when Erdogan called for Muslims to flood the Temple Mount. "Each day that Jerusalem is under occupation is an insult to us," Erdogan had said from the International Forum on al-Quds Waqf in Istanbul. The article in Yeni Şafak explained how Erdogan's Islamic military campaign against Israel would play out, citing logistical details that portrayed this theoretical Army of Islam as being formidable. "If the OIC member states unite and form a joint military force, it will be the largest army in the world," the article said. "These countries' total population is 1,674,526,931. The number of soldiers in active service in these countries is at least 5,206,100. Their [overall] military defense budget, of $174,728,420, is also worthy of emphasis." "As for Israel, it is significantly inferior," the article continued. "The population of this country, which attempted to occupy Jerusalem while surrounded by Muslim states, is 8,049,314. Note that the population of Istanbul alone exceeds 14 million. The number of soldiers in active service in the [Israeli] occupation forces is 160,000, and [Israel's] defense budget is approximately $15, 600,000,000. In comparison, the US military has 1,281,900 active soldiers, less than one quarter of the proposed Army of Islam. The US military budget, which is the largest of any single country in the world, is approximately $580 billion and over 30 times that of the proposed Army of Islam. The article also described the details of the battle plans, with Turkey being the headquarters, and emphasized that Turkey's army is the seventh largest in the world and the second largest in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Rabbi Pinchas Winston, a prolific end-of-days author, said that according to Jewish mystical sources, Erdogan's Islamic alliance is more of an immediate threat to the US. "The Zohar states that the end-of-days conflict will begin with a confrontation between Ishmael, represented today by the world of Islam, and Esav (Esau), represented today by aspects of America and parts of Europe." Rabbi Winston told Breaking Israel News. "Unfortunately, the Zohar states that Esav will lose this war, which will then become a war between Ishmael and Yaakov, represented by Israel." As a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Turkey is technically a US ally, but recent developments in Syria have made a US-Turkish confrontation seem more likely. In January, Turkey launched an incursion into Syria, which Istanbul claimed was targeting the anti-Turkish Kurdish forces on the Syrian border. This offensive pushed eastward, putting Turkish forces in uncomfortable proximity with US forces in Manjib. The very real risk of an armed confrontation between these two NATO armies is being handled in a noticeably aggressive fashion that is not normally seen in a relationship between allies. The situation is further complicated by the US military's support for Kurds militias in the past. Two weeks ago, the White House warned Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that should US troops in Syria be threatened, they would return fire. Erdogan responded, ""those who say that they would respond if they are hit have never tasted an Ottoman slap." The "Ottoman slap" is a legendary Turkish fighting technique involving an open handed blow that if properly executed, is claimed to be fatal. Dr. Mordechai Kedar, a senior lecturer in the Department of Arabic at Bar-Ilan University, believes that Erdogan's threats should be taken seriously. "In the language of Islam, the message is embedded in codes," Dr. Kedar told Breaking Israel News. "Right now, there is no such thing as the Army of Islam. But a call to form an army was a call for Jihad against anyone who opposes their views, which, for now, are focused on Jerusalem. This includes a call against America. He didn't call explicitly for war against America because that would open the Gates of Hell on his head." Nonetheless, Dr. Kedar said the message to the world of Islam was clear. "It doesn't matter what he says," Dr. Kedar said. "The Muslims heard the message that they are at war with America, and he was very clear on how this threat should be handled. "If anyone succumbs to the threats of Islam, they are doomed," he continued. "They take you seriously only if you are too dangerous to mess with. And they know that Trump is dangerous." The plans described in the Turkish article for an Army of Islam are already progress. "In a statement, Malaysian Defense Minister [Hishammuddin] Hussein described Trump's recognition [of Jerusalem as Israel's capital] as a blow to Muslims," the article stated, adding, '"the Malaysian armed forces are ready to fulfill their duty regarding Jerusalem." "In recent years, Turkey has launched a series of collaborations with [OIC] member states. The joint military drill with our Iraqi neighbors conveyed a clear message to the terrorists, and Turkey is [also] engaging in new collaborations with Qatar, Somalia and other Gulf and African countries. In this context it should be underlined that Turkey is taking steps to realize the model of the 'Army of Islam,' forging alliances with many Muslim countries to increase its military mobility." Dr Efrat Aviv, a specialist in Turkey and lecturer in the department of Middle Eastern Studies at Bar Ilan University, sees Turkey's conflict with the US as being separate from its conflict with Israel. "As a Muslim leader, Erdogan supports the Palestinian claim to Jerusalem, but the problem Turkey has with America goes much deeper than Trump's support of Jerusalem as Israel's capital," Dr. Aviv said. She referred to a case in 2014 in which US servicemen who were visiting Turkey were beaten by crowds in the streets of Istanbul. "Anti-American sentiment goes as deep as anti-Israel sentiment." "Today, there is also the difficulty of US support for Kurdistan, which is entirely disconnected from Israel," she added. Dr. Aviv also noted that the US has resisted Turkish requests to extradite Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish Muslim preacher living in exile in Pennsylvania. Formerly a close ally of Erdogan, Gülen is now on Turkey's most-wanted list for terrorism, a claim which the US government rejects. "Israel and Turkey have managed to overcome their religious differences in the past," Dr. Aviv said. "But the differences between the US and Turkey, and the resulting anti-American sentiment in Turkey, no one knows how to move past that. And it is in danger of just getting bigger." Disturbing Reports - By Daymond Duck - http://www.raptureready.com/2018/03/11/disturbing-reports-daymond-duck/ In the last week of February and the first three days of March 2018, several supposedly reliable foreign newspapers ran stories on Pres. Trump's upcoming Peace Proposal. Be aware that a White House spokesperson quickly dismissed the stories as rumors, and they may be rumors, but it is also a well-established fact that members of the Trump administration have discussed Pres. Trump's Peace Proposal with the UN Security Council, the EU, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and others. To be honest, it is too early to positively know if we are hearing facts, or rumors, or rumors based on facts. But a comparison of these stories to what the Bible says is disturbing if they are true. Notice these five things: One, it has been reported that Pres. Trump intends to recognize the creation of a Palestinian State with part of Jerusalem as its capital on the condition that East Jerusalem is administered by an international custodian (presumably the UN). This would divide Jerusalem, but no less than God Himself said He will drag the nations into the Battle of Armageddon for dividing His land and scattering His people (Joel 3:2). This would also put East Jerusalem under the control of Gentiles [an international custodian], and the Bible teaches that the Holy City [Jerusalem] will be trodden down by Gentiles during the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation Period (Rev. 11:2). Two, it has been reported that some of the Palestinian areas of Judea and Samaria will be included in the gradual creation of a Palestinian state. There are Jewish settlements in some of those areas which will have to be dismantled. Lest we forget, Israel was pushed to give Gaza to the Palestinians. Then, the Palestinians used Gaza as a base to launch rockets and terrorist attacks against Israel. There is no reason to believe that it will be any different this time other than the fact that the Palestinians will be closer to the Israeli population centers and they will have many more areas to launch their rockets and terrorist attacks from. Notice the term "gradual creation of a Palestinian state." The covenant that the Antichrist will confirm that begins the Tribulation Period will be for seven years (Dan. 9:27). One must wonder if the word "gradual" means seven years. Be aware that the Bible teaches that the Jews in Judea will be at risk during the last half of the Tribulation Period. Jesus told the Jews in Judea to flee into the mountains when the Antichrist defiles the Temple at the Tribulation Period mid-point (Matt. 24:15-16; Dan. 9:27). Also, know that dismantling Jewish settlements in Palestinian areas will be the same thing as scattering God's people, and that is a second reason for the Battle of Armageddon that is mentioned above (Joel 3:2). Three, it has been reported that Pres. Trump will use a conference in an Arab country (perhaps Cairo, Egypt) to release and push his Peace Proposal. Recall that the Apostle Paul said that when they say "Peace and Safety" then sudden destruction cometh upon them (I Thess. 5:3). Pres. Trump's Peace Proposal is not the covenant that will be confirmed by the Antichrist (Dan. 9:27), but it could morph into that over an unknown period of time. The covenant that is confirmed by the Antichrist will be after the Rapture, and those that declare "Peace and Safety" will be unbelievers that have been left behind. If Pres. Trump's Peace Proposal morphs into the covenant that will be confirmed by the Antichrist, the U.S. will most surely pay a terrible price. Four, it has been reported that Pres. Trump intends to raise 40 billion dollars to help the Palestinians build their Palestinian state. Know that the Palestinians have always used much of the money that was given to them to fund attacks on Israel. $40 billion dollars is not enough to overcome God's protection of Israel, but why would we do it? Five, it has been reported that Pres. Trump's proposal will allow freedom of worship for all religious groups at all of the religious holy sites. This would allow Jews, Muslims and Christians to worship on the Temple Mount. Granting Jews freedom of worship on the Temple Mount will open the door for the Temple to be rebuilt, the Antichrist to defile the Temple, the Antichrist to stop the animal sacrifices, etc. I am not saying that the fulfillment of God's Word is bad, but I am saying that the thought of what is coming upon the world is disturbing. Frankly, I wish the whole thing would fall through and Pres. Trump's Faith Advisors could convince him to abandon his quest for a peace treaty. That could delay things. When Pres. Trump's team first started working on a Peace Proposal, there were reports that it would be automatically approved. Since recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, there seems to be some doubt about the approval. Know also, that I am not predicting that the Two Witnesses will appear soon, but I am reminding our readers that God promised to send Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5-6). Then people can truthfully sing "These are the Days of Elijah." Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc. Daymond & Rachel Duck [email protected] Watchman Warning: Gloom and Glory - By Hal Lindsey - https://www.hallindsey.com/ww-3-9-2018/ Someone recently told a member of my team, "Tell Hal not to have so much gloom and doom." I've heard things like that before. The truth is, like most people, I don't like gloom and doom. I prefer good news. In fact, a major emphasis of my ministry has been on the grace of God. And, believe me, the news of grace is as good as news gets. The person who told me to cool it with the gloom and doom was probably referring to my ministry as a "watchman." (Isaiah 21:6) I look at world events in light of Bible morality and Bible prophecy. I warn the world that God's judgment is coming. I give these warnings because they are God's word, and they are true. But, with the warnings, God's word also presents the Answer. Telling the truth to the world of our day will inevitably sound like gloom and doom. The prophet Jeremiah warned the people of Jerusalem that their city was about to be overrun by Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar. As a result, some powerful people petitioned Judah's King Zedekiah to have Jeremiah executed. They said the prophet was undermining morale. But Jeremiah was only telling the truth. Things are bad today, and they will get worse before they get better. But when we see Bible prophecy being fulfilled, it doesn't just mean the coming of judgment and Armageddon. It means that Jesus will soon return. And that's wonderful news! His rule will bring peace and plenty to Planet Earth. Remember, too, that even with things looking bad for earth's immediate future, God still wants to bless you. He wants you to have abundant life now, and He wants that life to last forever! But to receive eternal life, we have to recognize some bad news. We are sinners. 1 John 1:8 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (NASB) Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Most people know intuitively that they fall short of God's standards. But society fights that understanding as hard as it can. It starts by trying to define sin away. It teaches that our actions are purely the result of environment and genetics. It says we are only the products of our programming, and that for human beings, real choice doesn't exist - or, if it does, it has no meaning. Alternatively, society teaches that sin is a mere cultural construct - that it has no objective basis. They teach that evil only exists in those who point out that right and wrong are real. Irrationally, they see intolerance of sin as the only real sin. Christian teacher and philosopher, Francis Schaeffer, was once asked, "What would you do if you met a really modern man on a train and you just had an hour to talk to him about the Gospel?" Schaeffer answered, "I would spend 45-50 minutes on the negative, to really show him his dilemma - that he is morally dead - then I'd take 10-15 minutes to preach the Gospel. I believe that much of our evangelistic and personal work today is not clear simply because we are too anxious to get to the answer without having a man realize the real cause of his sickness, which is true moral guilt (and not just psychological guilt feelings) in the presence of God." The Good News starts with bad news. We are sinners. We have nothing in us worthy of salvation. We deserve hell, not heaven. Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5 NASB) God is not lucky to have you. You are blessed if you know Him. Sin is a fact. Death is a fact. That sounds like gloom and doom, but here's some good news. Romans 5:20-21 says, "Where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Holman Christian Standard Bible) We who know Christ have a lot of good news to tell. That's what "Gospel" means. We aren't going to please everyone with our message - not if we're faithful to God's word - but we should never be ashamed of the truth. According to the Bible, the truth is glorious! It surpasses imagination! It starts with this. God exists! He is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth." (Exodus 34:6 NASB) God loves us so much "that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NASB) The blessings from this gift go beyond our ability to imagine. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) says, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." Earlier, I quoted Jesus saying, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5 NASB) Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) looks at the other side of the equation. It says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That's beyond gloom and doom. That's awesome! Daily Jot: The wicked heart and encouragement - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com There is consistency in what is written in the Bible about the heart of man. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" In Mark 7:21-23, Christ says, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within and defile a man." Christ also said in Matthew 12:35, "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." The hearts of America's citizens define much of our society. If wickedness prevails in the heart, what then can good men do to legislate good? There is no end to the evil men do to one another. School shootings, nursing home killings, abortions, murders, racism, bigotry, sexual crimes and domestic violence are commonplace in our society. Politicians try to solve the problems with symbolic window dressing, but no matter their intentions, the problems remain. All we have to do to see where things stand is turn on the big three television networks in prime time. Sexual innuendo, violence, crime, gunplay is about all you see unless you are watching reality programs that also promote deceit, sexual immorality, coarse humor and human turmoil. You see, we live in a society that has become very dark. But what did Christ say about our responsibility as his disciples? He said in Matthew 5:13-16, "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Ephesians 5:1 says, "Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children." Verses 8-10 say, "For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." In quoting these scriptures, I want you to see that though the heart is wicked and the world is a dark and evil place, light overcomes darkness. You heart, words and actions are examples for others to have a change of heart, to accept the gift of salvation. In a sense, we are the warriors of heart to heart combat that others might have eternal life and also become a light unto the world. Daily Devotion: A Vision of Heaven - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. -Revelation 21:4 Have you ever tried to explain something to someone and couldn't quite find the words? Have you ever tried to describe something complex to a child? For God to describe Heaven to us in a way we could understand would be like trying to describe the beauty of Hawaii to a three-month-old child. We're not able to comprehend, in our finite human understanding, all the infinite glories of Heaven. In fact, the apostle Paul, who had the unique experience of dying and actually going to Heaven, said that he heard things so astounding that they couldn't be told (see 2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Paul was essentially saying that he couldn't put his experience into words. Heaven is beyond our comprehension. While there aren't many verses in the Bible that tell us about it, Scripture does tell us a few things. It says that in Heaven there will be no night. There will be no fear. There will be no suffering or death. All of the pain and disabilities that we face in this life will be gone in Heaven. But the glory of Heaven is even more than having new bodies-and even more than the absence of darkness and sorrow and pain and death. The fact that Jesus Christ will be there is better than all the beauty and all the answers to all our questions. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar (Isaiah 33:17, NIV). 
FROM THE HEART
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