Prophecy Update Newsletter
April 5, 2017
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Judgements to Receive a Crown - By pastor Mike Taylor - http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2017/03/judgments-to-receive-crown.html
26 "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrew 9:26-28) While reading your Bible, you will happen on a central theme that is throughout the Word of God. Beginning in Genesis, the judgment of Adam and Eve begins a story of judgment when our common parents transgressed against God and partook of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Moving through the pages, you come to the flood of Noah's day, the judgment of an unfaithful generation during the Exodus and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness till every last member of that generation had died. Then other judgments, such as Sodom and Gomorrah, a multitude of judgments against Israel for their idolatry, and finally the ultimate judgment for sin paid for by the only Person who could pay it's price, Jesus Christ at Calvary...This is just to name a few of the judgments you will find in Holy Scriptures. THE ULTIMATE JUDGEMENT There is coming an ultimate judgment that those who live during this generation we are now in, will experience the 21 judgments outlines in the Book of Revelation during the coming Tribulation period. The Bible outlines five individual judgments that differ in five general aspects; the subjects, the time, the place, the basis of that judgment, and the results of the judgment passed. There are two judgments for believers. The first judgment was for sinners, and the time of this judgment was roughly 33 AD. The place was the cross at Calvary. The basis for the judgment was the finished Work of Christ. And the result was the justification for the believer. For the believer, this first judgment is in three parts. First as a sinner, second as a son, and thirdly, as a servant. The "sin" part for the sinner was settled at the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The 'son' question is an ongoing process called sanctification through personal judgments the Bible calls 'chastisement'. I call it the 'wood shed' experience that God will use to discipline those who step outside of His will. This judgment is designed to bring the believer back in line with God's Will.6 "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:6-9) Finally, there is the judgment that comes for being God's servants, which brings us to the Judgment Seat of Christ, or the Bema Seat. The Subjects are believers in Jesus Christ. The time is after the removal of God's true church from this planet, some call the 'rapture'. The basis for this judgment is our works that we have performed for service in the Name of God our Savior, Jesus Christ. The results will either be rewards, or the loss of rewards. 9 "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11) 11 "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1st Corinthians 3:11-15) Those that appears before this judgment seat, are not to be judged worthy of entering heaven, or God's Kingdom. That question has already been settled at the cross. Here we will be judged for what we have done, or not done in the service as servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a 'rewards banquet' and will reveal what sort of works we have done for Jesus and in His Name. Think about that for a moment! Everything you ever did will be analyzed and scrutinized openly by the Lord Jesus Christ. Every good thing. . . and every bad thing. We'll be called on to give account of every word, every deed, every thought. I don't know about you, but the bad part that I've done in my life, I don't relish the idea of Jesus piercing gaze cover all the things I've done in my life. I was not always following the Lord, and it makes me sad that I wasted any amount of time not following Him, as a servant that has received a pardon from a death sentence. For all believers, the Judgment Seat of Christ will be an excruciating experience. "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men . . ." As Paul wrote: If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1st Corinthians 3:14-15)...I can see what He meant by wiping away all tears from our eyes...even now it breaks my heart to know that in my past, I failed my Lord in something I did out of His will. REWARDS FOR SERVICE FROM OUR LORD There are five possible rewards, or "crowns" that believers can earn for their works at the Bema Seat. The Crown of Life. This is the Martyr's Crown. You get this one the hard way; 10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death".(Revelation 2:10-11) The Crown of Glory. This the the 'Pastor's Crown' given by the Chief Shepherd when He shall appear to those who serve; "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." (1st Peter 5:2-3) I readily admit that I am working to earn this crown. Salvation is a gift of grace through faith, and that not of yourselves -- crowns you have to work for. "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1st Peter 5:4) The Crown of Rejoicing. This is the Soul-winners crown. Those brought to Jesus by us will be our "crown of rejoicing" at His Coming. Our Lord will give us this crown because of our witness to others about the Gospel message, and we will rejoice over who we have led away from the jaws of hell. 19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy."(1st Thessalonians 2:19-20) The Crown of Righteousness. This is the crown earned by the Watchmen on the Wall who give the warning of His soon appearing. 18 "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest 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. 19 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." (Ezekiel 3:18-19) 7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2nd Timothy 4:7-8) The Incorruptible Crown. This is a tough one to earn. This is the "Victor's" Crown, which is set aside for those who master temperance in this lifetime. 24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (1st Corinthians 9:24-25) Those who don't yield to the lusts of the flesh, saturate themselves with alcohol and drugs, and keep themselves separate from the world can expect to be rewarded with the Incorruptible Crown. TRIBULATION ON EARTH The judgment seat of Christ takes place simultaneously with the Third Judgment identified by scripture as taking place on the earth. God's judgment is falling on a rebellious world. Revelation speaks of horrors that only one can imagine and never would want to experience. The Jewish people who are going through intense persecution will make the holocaust pale in comparison. The subject of this Tribulation period are the Jews, the place is Jerusalem, the time is called the "Time of Jacob's Troubles. God will refine the nation of Israel as gold or silver is refined in a hot, fiery furnace. 2 "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. 4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto theLord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." (Malachi 3:2-4) But God will save a remnant of His people through the fire of purification: 7 "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. 8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them." (Jeremiah 30:7-9) The basis for this judgment is the continued unbelief and rejection of their Messiah, until they cry out as Jesus prophesied they would and will bring national redemption of Israel: 37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Matthew 23:37-39) The fourth judgment identified in Scripture also takes place during the Tribulation. The subjects are the Gentile nations. The place is the Valley of Jehoshaphat. The basis for this judgment will be their treatment of the Jews. 11 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great." (Revelation 19:11-18) Those who survive the battle at the plains of Megiddo or from around the world, will be gathered before the King of kings... 31 "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left."(Matthew 25:32) The nations will be divided into the "Sheep nations" and the "Goat nations". The result is the Sheep nations will be permitted to enter into the Millennial Kingdom. The "Goat nations" will be destroyed. This judgment takes place at the conclusion of the Tribulation Period. 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" (Matthew 25:40-41) We have a resurrection that takes place at the end of the Tribulation, as Jesus has come and raised those who have experienced martydom during this period being of the 1st resurrection...Jesus was the beginning of that resurrection, those raised to life when Jesus came for His church, and those now, are all of the first resurrection..Jeus the First Fruits. "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4) The fifth and final judgment identified in Scripture is the Great White Throne Judgment. It will take place at the close of the Millennium a 1000 years after the judgment of the Nations, and before the "Great White Throne." and the books were opened: "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13, The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his work 14, Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15, And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:12-15) I want you to notice something. This entire outline only works if the Rapture takes place before the Tribulation. If the Church is on the earth during the Tribulation Period, the entire outline falls apart. I've often made mention of this and it bears repeating here....if Jesus comes and destroys all rebellion on this earth and only those who are found in Christ are changed into immortal beings according to Paul's writing, then who goes into the Millennium as mortal? ..the answer, NO ONE. 50 " Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1st Corinthians 15:50-55) BUT -- and this is the important part -- this is the only outline there is! There is only one Bible from which to work, and it doesn't give an alternative scenario. It is the key to understanding the outline of Bible prophecy as it unfolds before this generation. The Bible identifies five judgments and five crowns. The judgments are as I've outlined them, by those who are subject to them, when, where, why, and how. WHERE WILL YOU BE? Now for you who are reading this message, where will you fall when Jesus comes? What judgment will you partake of? What crown will you inherit as a reward, or will you be so unfortunate to be cast out into eternal darkness? This time is fast approaching as we bump right up to the end of this Dispensation, or the Age of Grace. Jesus is coming soon, Make your calling and election sure. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" (2nd Peter 1:10)...what thing? "16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18) This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you are standing with me at the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ awaiting your crown...if you need prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear, email me at realteam1999@sbcglobal.net , God bless you all.... TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET 
Condemnation will not stop Assad's chemical war - http://www.debka.com/article/25996/Condemnation-will-not-stop-Assad's-chemical-war
Seven nations maintain elite military units in Syria - the US, Russia, Britain, Germany, France, Jordan and Israel. American, Russian and Turkish troops are backed by air support. Had those powers decided to destroy the Syrian dictator Bashar Assad's poison chemical arsenal, they could have combined to do so and finished the job in a few days - and this week's horrific tragedy possibly been averted. The death toll from the Syrian chemical warfare bombardment of the rebel-held town of Kkhan Sheikhoun Monday, April 3, is now estimated at 150 with several hundred injured, cared for in totally inadequate medical facilities. The number of child victims has raised the pitch of world condemnation The total figure fluctuates according to source. But the most tragic truth of all is that no one in Moscow, Washington or Ankara is ready go ahead with this operation, any more than they are focused on ending the six-year old Syrian war, which has claimed a death toll of more than 600,000 - most civilians - and the displacement of 12 million refugees. Instead, they are calling the UN Security Council into another emergency (useless) session. The most cynical aspect of this international wringing of hands is the sorry record of the way Assad's toxic warfare record has been handled. On May 3, 2014, the US military reported that efforts to bring about the dismantling of the Syrian army's chemical weapons had come to naught after Bashar Assad refused to hand over the 27 tons of sarin precursor chemicals, so long as the UN disarmament agency (OPCW) insisted on his destroying their underground storage sites.. According to debkafile's sources, 12 of those bunker facilities are still operational and barred to access by UN inspectors. Five months later, OPCW reported that Assad's chemical weapons stocks had been liquidated. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shook hands in Geneva to flashing cameras to celebrate the successful outcome of their negotiations on the subject. This turned out to a charade, staged to cover up President Barack Obama's decision to dodge his own red lines and abstain from action against the Assad regime if he resorted to chemical warfare. Careful reading of the final OPCW report gives the game away: "To date, nearly 95 percent of all chemical weapon stockpiles declared by the possessor states have been destroyed under OPCW verification." For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Prize for Peace. So 5 percent of the poisonous substances remained intact. In the interim four years, the Syrian ruler was able to substantially build up his depleted stocks of poison gas, the use of which also spread to the war in Iraq. The Syrian air force meanwhile began unbridled air strikes with chlorine bombs. They were replenished by Iranian freight planes landing at the Damascus military airfield and the T4 military air base near Palmyra with fresh consignments of chlorine bombs custom-made at Iran's military industry factories. Neither the Obama administration in Washington nor the Kremlin in Moscow lifted a finger to stop these deliveries. In the opposition camp, certain Syrian rebel groups, ISIS and Al Qaeda's Nusra Front branch started tests on homemade chemical weapons, some of them successfully building up stocks of primitive poison weapons. Other rebel groups simply purchased Syrian chemical weapons from Syrian army officers. Today, no international inquiry commissions would be able to establish beyond doubt the source of the chemical substances that poisoned hundreds of people in Idlib this week or determine who was ultimately responsible for this atrocity. It must be said that only the Syrian military had the ability to carry out an aerial attack like the one that struck the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun. The Russians will certainly try to use as a pretext for vetoing a condemnatory UN Security Council resolution the claim that Syrian warplanes had only struck an insurgent storehouse containing toxic substances. The task of locating destroying Assad's stocks of pernicious weapon of war can only be performed by troops on the ground. And that is unlikely to happen. 
Israeli Officials Claim Assad Ordered Attack, warns of Syria's Chemical Weapons Plants - by Anna Ahronheim - http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Israeli-officials-claim-Assad-ordered-attack-warn-of-Syrias-chemical-weapons-plants-486165
Following Tuesday's deadly chemical attack at Syria's Idlib province, Israeli officials strongly believe the Syrian regime has begun to rebuild Sarin manufacturing plants. uesday's chemical attack in the Idlib province of Syria is suspected to be the deadliest chemical weapon attack in Syria in years. Israeli officials believe that the attack, which claimed the lives of close to 100 civilians and wounded hundreds more in the town of Khan Sheikhon, was a sarin gas attack order by President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin, head of the Institute for National Security Studies think-tank and former head of Military Intelligence, speaking to Army Radio, urged direct military action by Israel to deter the Assad regime from carrying out further chemical weapons attacks, calling the strike in Idlib a "crime against humanity." So will this attack prompt any military action? Israel's security services have prepared a "situational assessment" of the attack, to see what potential risks Israel could face, but it is unlikely that Israeli citizens will be lining up to receive gas masks in the near future, as the army sees almost no chance of a chemical attack by Syria against Israel. The Syrian military has denied responsibility, blaming the rebels and stating that it would never use chemical weapons. Israeli security officials, however, believe that the attack was likely approved by senior officials in the Assad regime, if not by Assad himself. The Assad regime agreed to dismantle the country's chemical weapons stockpiles in a 2013 deal brokered by the United States and Russia following the deadly regime attack on East Ghouta near the capital of Damascus where over 1,400 people were killed, including 426 children. While the regime did comply with destroying much of their stockpiles as well as the infrastructure to produce them, removing over 1,290 metric tons of chemical weapons - including sarin, VX and sulfur mustard, a precursor to mustard gas - according to former Defense Minister Moshe Boogie Yaalon, Israel is under the impression that the regime cheated international inspectors and kept residual amounts of sarin. Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, Yaalon said "we cannot turn our heads aside to what happened but we cannot intervene militarily. One of the smarter things that Israel has decided was not to intervene in the war but there are other things that we can do to stop the butchering of the people of Syria. We must learn lessons from what happened yesterday, its clear that we can only rely on ourselves, we cannot rely on the international community or international bodies such as weapons inspectors. Yaalon added that, "they [Assad] know how to lie and know how to conceal and they did that with the international bodies of the weapons inspectors." Yaalon also said he hopes that the US will play a more positive role in the region, a reference to the Obama administration that did nothing when Assad crossed the 'red line" in the Ghoutta attack, stating it was a strategic loss by the Americans when they did that. He added that the Assad regime most likely gained the confidence to carry out this type of attack after the Trump administration said that getting rid of Assad was no longer a priority for them last week. Since the 2013 deal, Western intelligence agencies and Syrian opposition figures have accused the Syrian Army's secretive Unit 450, a branch of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center that is at the center of the Assad regime's chemical weapons program, of dispersing chemical weapons stockpiles around the country. Israeli security officials also believe that the Assad regime has been rebuilding and reopening Sarin manufacturing plants, albeit in a smaller amount than they had before in 2013. In December 2016 Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, in a rare comment about an Israeli airstrike in Syria, said that Israel struck the presumed base of Unit 450 north of Damascus, stopping the transfer of chemical weapons to Hezbollah. The regime has been accused of having used chemical weapons (mostly mustard or chlorine gas) several times since the deal but if Tuesday's attack is confirmed to be sarin, it would be the first time in several years that sarin has been used and the deadliest chemical weapons attack since the Ghouta attack which prompted then-US President Barack Obama to ask Congress to authorize military action against Syria in 2013. The dozens of videos circulating on social media sites said to be from the town showed victims, including dozens of children, struggling to breath, while many others are seen unresponsive. Rescue workers who came to the scene were reported to have suffered from severe respiratory distress and hospitals treating the wounded came under additional airstrikes. The attack was condemned by activists and world leaders around the globe, including by Israeli politicians and officials from all sides of the political specter who called on the international community to act. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "strongly" condemned the attack and said that it "underscores the great imperative of the State of Israel to defend ourselves," and Education Minister Naftali Bennett requested a special emergency security cabinet session regarding the attack, saying that there is a "systematic genocide being carried out in Syria." And so while Israel has provided aid and medical care to thousands of wounded Syrians, it is unlikely that the Jewish state and it's army, which remembers the 6 million Jews who lost their lives to Nazi gas chambers and death camps, will do much more than shed tears and call on the international community to stop the carnage in Syria, unless the threat does at one point impact Israel and its citizens. 
Passover Temple Sacrifice Could Be Ready 'Within One Hour' if Necessary - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/86177/rabbis-agree-today-jewish-people-required-bring-passover-sacrifice/#DipiA1UxXr144tO6.99
"Then Moshe called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them: 'Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover lamb.'" Exodus 12:21 (The Israel Bible™) Jews are required by the Torah to bring the Passover sacrifice today and failure to do so is one of the worst sins possible, asserted Temple expert Rabbi Chaim Richman in his most controversial video yet. As provocative as this sounds, there is no rabbinic authority that disputes this, and everything stands ready to make this 2,000-year dream of the Jewish people materialize. The strongest argument, notes Rabbi Richman, co-founder and International Director of the Temple Institute, is that the Torah specifically designates this mitzvah (Torah commandment) as being eternal. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. Exodus 12:24 There are only two mitzvot for which non-compliance receives the most severe punishment mandated by the Torah, karet (being cut off from the community, or excommunicated): brit milah (circumcision) and the korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice). Despite various issues of Jewish law, such as ritual impurity, lack of a high priest, and lack of an altar, Jews are still required - and able - to bring the sacrifice, the rabbi declares. "Today, under the present circumstances, all this could actually be done," Rabbi Richman concluded. "Let's get serious about fulfilling our eternal obligation." Bringing the Passover Sacrifice Though Rabbi Richman's call for the reinstatement of the official sacrifice may sound extreme, Rabbi Hillel Weiss, spokesman for the nascent Sanhedrin, assured Breaking Israel News that there is no Torah authority that rules otherwise. "I am surprised this subject still comes up," Rabbi Weiss said. "This was settled by Jewish law over one hundred years ago, when it was decided that the requirement still existed." Though non-fulfillment of this important mitzvah bears a harsh punishment, Rabbi Weiss explained that since the Jewish people were being prevented from performing the mitzvah, according to Jewish law, the Jews are exempt. "All of Israel should receive the punishment," Rabbi Weiss said. "But since they are being prevented, against their will, the judgement is not against them." In this case, the sacrifice is stopped by Israel's government. The Jerusalem police recently rejected a petition from the Sanhedrin from holding a reenactment of the Passover sacrifice in Davidson Center, an archeological park adjacent to the Western Wall. The area has no significance to Islam, but police are concerned that this open display of the Temple ceremony will lead to Islamic violence. The man responsible for preparing the Temple Mount for the sacrifice is Yaakov Hayman, head of the Friends of the Temple organization. He stated that everything stands ready to perform the Passover sacrifice. "If the government gave us permission 24 hours in advance, it would be difficult but I am sure we would find a way to make it happen," Hayman told Breaking Israel News. "The main difficulty is that the altar has to be built from the correct stones in the correct place." Hayman noted that the stones for the altar may not be quarried, or shaped by iron instruments. And if thou make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast profaned it. Exodus 20:21 "I am working on a project of gathering together stones and numbering them so they can be assembled immediately, within one hour," Hayman said. "It won't be ready for this year, though. Monday is the day the sacrifice should be brought, and that seems unlikely, but for next year, we certainly need to be prepared." 
Nearing Midnight: The Economy Is Starting to Roll Over - Todd Strandberg - http://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/
Even since the financial crisis of 2009, the U.S. economy has been said to be in a period of "positive growth." We are regularly reminded of our good fortune by the Dow Jones hitting a fresh new all-time high. In February, the Dow recorded its longest "winning streak" since 1987. It closed 2,000 points above its 200-day moving average for the first time ever. The boom in financial assets on Wall Street is not a true reflection of what is happening on Main Street. The price of stocks and bonds has gone up because the Federal Reserve has promised Wall Street bankers an endless supply of money. Record low rates have allowed Washington to ignore the consequences of deficit spending. Over the past eight years, our national debt has gone from $10 trillion to $20 trillion, and we have nothing to show for our indebtedness. A credit driven boom has always ended in a crash. The Austrian economist, Ludwig von Mises said it best: There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. There is no way to tell when the cycle will come to an end. What makes this current boom particularly difficult to forecast-is the government's willingness to do anything to avoid the bust. Since it's not possible to live on credit forever, the day of reckoning will eventually come when the government can no longer hold back the flood waters. Here are six possible warning signs that the economy is starting to buckle: Sears, once the monolith of American retail, said in a recent report that there is "substantial doubt" that it will be able to keep its doors open. Sears is selling off the last of its brand names to raise cash. Payless Shoes is set to file for bankruptcy. The chain announced it will close 500 stores. The huge electrical and nuclear energy giant Westinghouse has filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors. The firm's Japanese parent company Toshiba will issue a loss of $9.8 billion in relation to the bankruptcy. The number of loans being created by banks has started to decline. Year over year loan growth by the 25 largest U.S. banks fell to around 3.35% in early March, down from 7.18% a year earlier. In New York city, commercial real estate lending was down 17% last year. The default rate for auto loans has soared back to "Great Recession" levels. In 2009, they peaked out at 14.6% for the subprime market. That rate is now at 11.9%. Global Art Sales Fall 11% to Lowest Point Since Recession. Sales of art and antiques dropped 11 percent to $56.6 billion, according to a report released by UBS Group AG and Art Basel. We also have long-term problems that are about to overtake us. The biggest of these is the cost of health care. After it became clear that Congress would not be able to come up with a replacement for Obamacare, President Trump warned that the current system would soon implode. The nation's health care tab is around $11,000 per person, and it's growing at 9% per year. With the government on the hook for a large portion of this expense, there is simply no permanent fix that will not bankrupt the country. Along with these unintended pressures on the economy, we now have planned efforts to hamper growth. Despite the GDP numbers declining with every new revision, the Federal Reserve has moved twice to raise interest rates. The only logical explanation for this move is that the Fed realizes the economy is headed for a recession, and they are raising rates to give themselves room to lower them once the economy starts to contract. I can only point to divine intervention for how the U.S. economy has managed to avoid a crash. We currently have the third longest period of positive growth in American history. Because Jesus said he would come at a time of "peace and safety," I think the Rapture is the explanation for why we have a Goldilocks economy. Since there is no room for a soft landing, the next few months may prove to be very interesting. "For when they shall say, 'Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape'" (1 Thessalonians 5:3). 
My Review of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Over the last 35 years, I have literally read hundreds of books on Bible Prophecy and End Time signs. I especially enjoy books on the Rapture, and I have read almost every Rapture-related book published. In all those years, devouring thousands of pages, and millions of words, I have not read a better book on the Rapture than, Rapture Ready...Or Not? Terry James might be physically blind, but he is spiritually sharp and well discerning beyond most authors. In "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Terry has nailed the pre-trib Rapture, and removed any doubt what so ever about the Church going through the Tribulation. With great insight and Godly discernment, Terry explains with simple, yet profound words, why and how that he has come to believe the ways he does about the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the End Times scenario. I think after reading "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" you too will believe as Terry does, and be Ready for the Rapture like never before! - Randy Thomas - Publisher / Editor - Prophecy Update For more information and or to get your copy of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" use this link: http://www.raptureready.com/terry/book35.html 
An Open Door Closes - By Jan Markell - www.olivetreeviews.org
When I began Olive Tree Ministries years ago, I ministered in hundreds of churches, home fellowships, women's groups, and even some men's groups. Every week I would pile my small vehicle with a 12-string guitar, sound and audio-visual equipment, books, and a map, and head toward destinations large and small. My audiences were enthusiastic as I shared messages focusing on Bible prophecy, Israel, Israel in prophecy, Christ in the Passover, Jewish evangelism, and current events. I could not keep up with the demand. I could have ministered 5-6 times a week. This was more than a decade after Hal Lindsey's Late Great Planet Earth. That book opened the eyes of a lot of people and caused them to want more insight. Many thought end-time issues were irrelevant until John Darby in the 1800s. The one-third of the Bible that referenced prophecy was for real and could no longer be ignored. It was for today. If church pulpits didn't want me to talk about it, then I was invited to classes and retreats sponsored by churches from every denomination. How Times Have Changed Today about 90% of these doors have slammed shut. It is not just indifference, it is outright hostility towards topics that a few years ago generated great enthusiasm. Yes, there are small pockets of interest that remain but opportunities continue to shrink. We are now in the days of 2 Peter 3:3: The mocking and scoffing generation as to end-time events. We are in a time when Israel has been so maligned that even within evangelicalism, she is seen as an "apartheid occupier" more than God's Chosen People. Anti-Israel sentiment is global. Anti-Semitism is raging. Entire denominations are engaging in the Boycott, Divest, Sanction Movement that harms Israel economically. If I were to still make my living by visiting churches across America tapping into these very same topics, I would be out of business. How Did This Happen? I've reported on Pastor Tom Hughes' excellent article before about church indifference to eschatology. He pastors the Calvary Chapel 412 Church in San Jacinto, CA. Tom writes that many pastors refuse to touch the topics of Bible prophecy and Israel because (1) They don't understand it; (2) They fear offending members; (3) They are concerned about scaring people; (4) They fear losing the tithes if they talk about end-time events; (5) They are afraid of being identified with the "loony fringe" such as Harold Camping. Consequently, 90% of our church pulpits today are totally silent on the good news that the King is coming. The Cry of the Young: Social Justice!! As a young person, I loved these topics. Bible prophecy ignited my spiritual life which was slipping into complacency. My trip to Israel at age 30, plus my Jewish heritage, allowed me to have an all-new worldview that was actually Israel-centric because the Bible is Israel-centric! The Pre-Trib Research Center has an excellent article written by Dr. James Showers on the eroding evangelical support for Israel. He addresses one major area that is problematic: Young people are more troubled by injustice than they are inspired by Bible prophecy. They perceive some injustice and consider the "occupation" of the Palestinian territories. They have bought into the propaganda that Israel is an abuser of the Palestinians. I will list the Pied Pipers who have taught them this in a moment. He suggests that the old adage that we support Israel "because the Bible tells me so" is over As a result, there is a trend among younger people to leave the evangelical nest previous young adults occupied to fit into their new postmodern worldview. Postmodern/Emergent leaders only reinforce this as across-the-board they are anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian, pro-Islam. He accurately states that young adult evangelical events such as the Justice Conference, Empowered 21 and Catalyst have become pulpits for pro-Palestinian groups to come in the name of peace and blame the lack of peace on Israel. The Justice Conference emphasizes Leftist politics and features the likes of Marxist Cornell West. The annual Catalyst event will not have one Israel-friendly or prophecy-oriented representative. Evangelicals Who Influence We expect the postmoderns and the religious Left to distort truth, but in the last 20 years, evangelicals have been in the forefront of discouraging believers on these topics. I will now name some names that will cause many to unsubscribe from these emails. I am not attacking these individuals. I am just reporting on what they say. Popular blogger Tim Challies wrote back on January 31 that there are seven "false teachers" in the church today. One category of false teacher he labels as "the Speculator." He says that, "Today, as in every age, the 'Speculator' obsesses about end-times and somehow his failed predictions dissuade neither himself nor his followers." Dr. John Piper wrote in 2002 and again in 2014, "Israel has no warrant to a present experience of divine privilege when she is not keeping the covenant with God. Israel has no divine right to be in the land of promise when she is breaking the covenant of promise. For now, the people are at enmity with God in rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ, their Messiah." Lynne Hybels, wife of Willow Creek's Bill Hybels, has been an outspoken proponent of Palestinian issues and a prominent critic of Israel's wall of partition. This was built some years ago to stop the slaughter of innocent Israelis by the Palestinians. She states, "I believe that the ongoing military occupation of the West Bank and the continuing blockade of Gaza is a violation of human rights; as such, it deeply harms the security, freedom, and dignity of both peoples." First, she states she is both "pro-Israel and pro-Palestine," but then she suggests there be a one-state solution. She is deceived thinking that the Palestinians want to live in a peaceful co-existence with Israel. Her one-state solution would only be for the Palestinians. Hybels softened her tone after a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial. Pastor Brian Brodersen, son-in-law of Calvary Chapel's founder Chuck Smith, recently told Calvary Chapel pastors to avoid the "gloom and doom" of eschatology. Calvary Chapel may be the last denomination in the world that has maintained an eternal perspective with an emphasis on end-time issues. Now they are encouraged to dump the topic and cater to younger people. Pastor Rick Warren writes in his Purpose Driven Life book, "When the disciples wanted to talk about prophecy, Jesus switched the conversation to evangelism. He wanted them to concentrate on their mission in the world. Jesus said in essence, 'The details of my return are none of your business. What is your business is the mission I have given you. Focus on that.' If you want Jesus to come back sooner, focus on fulfilling your mission, not figuring out prophecy." (See pages 285-286) Author and columnist Jim Fletcher reached out to Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He asked him about his views on eschatology and Israel. Moore declined and later blocked Fletcher on Twitter. I have previously written that the Bible Answer Man, Hank Hanegraaff, states often on his call-in radio program that God's Chosen People are only Christians. He says God is not a land-broker and suggests Israel does not belong to the Jews. Hank says the Rapture is "nonsense" and is forced into the biblical text. His listeners have had a nearly 30-year diatribe of error in these areas. Many have been turned off on these issues for life. Space does not permit me to quote many other leading evangelicals and evangelical organizations who take negative positions on these topics. World Vision is just one organization that has been anti-Israel for decades. They were recently caught funneling their humanitarian funds to Hamas though they denied it. Postmoderns and The Religious Left Jim Fletcher also writes about leftists like Shane Claiborne. Fletcher writes, "Typically pro-Palestinian activists like Shane Claiborne portray Israelis as Nazi-like oppressors of the downtrodden Palestinians. It's all a toxic stew of political and religious claptrap designed to turn more Millennials against the Jewish state." Every other year the patriarchs of the religious Left such as Jim Wallis and Tony Campolo, as well as ardent anti-Israel speakers and writers such as Wheaton's Gary Burge and the U.K.'s Stephen Sizer, gather at the Christ at the Checkpoint conference for a solemn assembly of Israel-bashing. Lynne Hybels is also a frequent speaker at this pretty shameful event. Emergent Church leaders are far more interested in yoking with Rome than considering the things to come or looking at Israel-related issues. This is preparing them to receive a counterfeit Christ. Dispensationalism Declines Eschatology and pro-Israel sentiment have always found a home within Dispensationalism. Twentieth Century teachers John Walvoord, Dwight Pentecost, Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsey, Chuck Missler, Mark Hitchcock, Ron Rhodes, Dave Reagan, Thomas Ice, Ed Hindson, and many more, have educated millions. The rise of Amillennialism, Preterism, Dominion/Kingdom Now Theologies - and what often comes with them, Replacement Theology - are crowding out Dispensationalism. Dr. Jim Showers says, "Dispensationalism has become a dirty word in many corners of Christian higher education." Showers continues, "The next generation of ministry leaders, at best, sees no value in studying future prophecy and, at worst, views it with disfavor or as something to be avoided entirely." He suggests even those who hold to Dispensationalism and a Christian Zionist view of Israel, born out of a literal interpretation of the Bible, are distancing themselves from these topics. At a time in history when headlines are at best maddening and bleak, the very theologies that make sense of them are declining in favor of theologies that fill pews and offering plates. This ministry encourages you to tell the inconvenient truth as it concerns our times no matter how unpopular it makes you. God will honor you some day. But the conclusion here is that the days are gone when to be an evangelical Christian was nearly synonymous with being pro-Israel and pro-prophecy. It's a new day and not a happy one. Yes, the Bible states that Israel will be on her own someday (Zechariah 12:3), but watching the process unfold remains heartbreaking. In spite of this, the King is still coming, stage-setting signs are escalating, a trumpet is about to sound, the Church will vanish, and the hoofbeats of the Four Horsemen will be heard in the distance. Let your voice be heard! 
Daily Jot: Deny, deny, deny, lie, lie, lie - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
National Security Advisor for the ex "president" Susan Rice denied seeking the names of, spying on and releasing the names of President-elect Donald Trump's transition team to various intelligence agencies. Rice told MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell, "Let me be absolutely clear. Absolutely not for any political purposes, to spy, to expose, for anything." She also denied ordering intelligence officers to produce detailed spreadsheets involving Trump and his aides, saying, "Absolutely false. No spreadsheet, nothing of the sort." But then she said, "The notion that which some people are trying to suggest that by asking for identity of an American person is the same as leaking it is totally false." A little nuance goes a long way. She also said, "I leaked nothing, to nobody, and never have and never would. The allegation is that somehow [sic] the ex "president's" Administration officials utilized intelligence for political purposes. Absolutely false." Rice denies spying on the Trump transition team, but seems to admit that she asked for an identity of an "American person," in this case, several members of the President-elect's team. She also said that the ex "president's" Administration officials would not have utilized such intelligence for political purposes. However, the information in question showed no relevance to any of the investigations being conducted by FBI, CIA, NSA, etc. Is Rice therefore saying that any American citizen can be spied on and then revealed to the public as if they did something wrong? Or was it just the Trump Team. Not political, right? The Daily Caller, Fox News, and Bloomberg cited multiple intelligence sources that Rice had specifically ordered the intelligence on the Trump team and that the names of Trump aides were given to the ex "president's" officials at the NSA, Department of Defense, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and CIA Director John Brennan. Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Evelyn Farkas admitted March 2, "I was urging my former colleagues and, frankly speaking, the people on the Hill - it was more actually aimed at telling the Hill people, get as much information as you can, get as much intelligence as you can, before [sic] the "president" leaves the administration." At the same time The Daily Caller, Fox News and Bloomberg are raising questions, MSNBC, CNN and the Washington Post are reporting Rice denials. Rice's reputation precedes her. She was the one who said that climate change was responsible for the war in Syria; She said that Bowe Bergdahl, who was charged with treason after deserting his post in Afghanistan causing the deaths of six US soldiers, "served the United States with honor and distinction"; She also drove the false narrative that the deaths in Benghazi were caused by a spontaneous reaction to an anti-Islamic movie. An inventory of facts at this point shows that the ex "president" and his people spied on Trump and his team as they transitioned into the presidency. So far there is no evidence of any wrong-doing on the part of Trump, leaving only that the ex "president" wanted to politically undermine the President-elect and his ability to govern. On February 11, Paul Sperry wrote in the New York Post that the ex "president" was using his Organizing For Action group as an army of agitators 30,000 strong who will fight President Donald Trump at every turn of his presidency. A check of the OFA website and other nonprofits that are working with it backs up Sperry's position. We are also seeing how the media and spy agencies are being used to undermine our government. Speaking of the end times, the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1-3, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be...without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good." Indeed, perilous times are upon us and our nation. 
Daily Devotion: The God Who Suffers - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief . . . Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows. -Isaiah 53:3-4 When we think of God, we usually consider the fact that He is righteous, holy, loving, and good. But here is something else to consider about God: He is the God who has suffered. We don't tend to think that a perfect Creator would experience such a human trait as human pain and suffering. After all, why would you suffer if you did not have to? But God has suffered, and more deeply than any of us could ever imagine. In his book The Cross of Christ, John Stott said, "Our God is a suffering God." And I think he is right. Listen to Isaiah's description of what Jesus (who was God) went through at Calvary: "He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs . . . Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:3-5) "A man of suffering." That was Jesus. But why did God suffer? Because He loved and loves. That means He also enters into our suffering as well. Hebrews 2:17-18 tells us: "Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted" (NLT). You are not alone in your suffering today. Jesus has been there and walked in your shoes and He is here for you right now. Call out to Him. 
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 
|
|