Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
The Last Eight Days, Part 1 - A Bible Study by Jack Kelley -
https://gracethrufaith.com/topical-studies/holidays-and-holy-days/the-last-eight-days-part-1/ 10 Nisan, Palm Sunday Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again." (Luke 18:31-33) The time had come for the Lord to make His official appearance in Jerusalem. Having spent the bulk of His ministry in and around the Galilee, He now set His sights on the Holy City for what He knew would be His final showdown with the religious leaders. It was a long walk and would require most of the day. Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) As they came to the twin villages of Bethpage and Bethany on the Eastern slope of the Mt. Of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead to fetch the donkey He knew would be waiting there, and as He crested the Mount of Olives, he saw the beautiful city spread before Him. Large crowds were arriving for the Passover, and many of them had already heard He had raised Lazarus from the grave. Surely this was the long awaited Messiah. Some spread their cloaks on the road while others cut palm branches and laid them in front of Him as He rode down the western slope, across the Kidron valley, and into the city. There were large joyful crowds both in front of and behind Him spontaneously shouting the portion of Psalm 118 that was reserved for the entrance of the Messiah into the city. "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (Mark 11:9-10) A contingent of the ever-present Pharisees was there, and some of them instructed Jesus to rebuke His followers. If Jesus was not the Messiah-and they didn't think He was-the crowds were committing blasphemy. "I tell you," He replied, "If they keep quiet the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:40) It was 483 years from the day Persian King Artaxerxes had issued the decree authorizing the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem after the 70-year Babylonian captivity (Nehemiah 2:1-10). It was the day ordained in history for the Messiah King to officially present Himself to Israel (Daniel 9:25), and instead of rebuking His disciples He rebuked the Pharisees for not knowing this. As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Luke 19:41-44) It was also the 10th day of Nisan, the day when God commanded the Jews to select the Passover lamb. Then for three days, they were to carefully inspect it to make sure it had no spot or blemish that would prevent it from being used in the Passover celebration on the 14th. (Exodus 12:3,6). Over the next three days, Jesus would be subjected to the most intense scrutiny of His ministry as the Jewish leadership tried to find some proof against Him. Matthew and Luke take us right into their accounts of the Temple clearing, leaving the impression that it might have happened on that first Palm Sunday. But Mark makes it clear when Jesus finally entered Jerusalem He went to the Temple and looked around at everything, but since it was late, He took the disciples and went back to Bethany where they were staying (Mark 11:11). Monday 11 Nisan. Clearing The Temple. In the morning, Jesus left Bethany in the company of His disciples. He was hungry and seeing a fig tree went to pick some of its fruit, but there was none. He cursed the tree saying, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again" (Mark 11:14). Much has been made of this, the only negative miracle Jesus ever performed. Some scholars see it as a prophecy that Israel would soon wither and die, never again bearing fruit for the Kingdom. History has given evidence supporting the validity of their interpretation. Upon reaching Jerusalem, the Lord headed straight for the Temple, and when He got there, He began driving out those who were buying and selling, overturning the tables of the money changers. He said to them, "It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7), but you have turned it into a den of robbers." (Jere. 7:11) He was referring to the fact that the pilgrims who traveled a great distance found it safer to buy animals for their sacrifices in Jerusalem than try and bring them from home. The priests would only accept Temple coinage in payment for these animals and for offerings the people made. Some say they charged exorbitant prices for the animals and also maintained an unfavorable exchange rate for foreign currency. Most likely, this is what prompted the Lord's accusation. Word that Jesus was at the Temple spread quickly. The blind and lame came to Him, and He healed them. The children who had also gathered around began shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David," a Messianic reference. The chief priests and teachers of the Law were indignant, but Jesus said, "Have you never read, 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise' (Psalm 8:2)? Then He left the city and returned to Bethany. (Matt. 21:14-17) Tuesday 12 Nisan. A Long Day Of Teaching And Confrontation. The next morning Jesus set out early for the Temple. After being challenged by the Pharisees again, He launched into a series of parables. A parable is a fictional story placed in an Earthly context that's designed to convey a Heavenly truth. Every character or event is symbolic of something else. Understanding what they symbolize helps us discover the Heavenly truth. He began with the parable of the two sons, one obedient and other not. One son said he would obey then didn't. He represents the Pharisees. The other son said he would not obey but then did. He represents the tax collectors and prostitutes. Jesus said to the Pharisees, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him" (Matt. 21:28-32). Then came the Parable of the Tenants. It's about a landowner (God) who rented his vineyard (His Land) to tenants (Israel). But when harvest time came they refused to give him his share of the fruit (the salvation of mankind). They killed the servants he sent (prophets) and even killed his son (Jesus) to keep everything for themselves. Jesus asked them what they thought the landowner should do to them when he returns. They said he should bring them to a wretched end and rent his vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share. Jesus agreed and said, "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit" The chief priests and Pharisees understood that Jesus was talking about them (Matt. 21:33-46). In the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, which came next, Jesus spoke of the invited guests refusing to attend a banquet celebrating the marriage of a king's son. The banquet represents the Kingdom, the King is God, His Son is Jesus, and the invited guests are Israel. Enraged, the king sent his army and burned their city (Jerusalem). Then, as the time for the banquet approached he sent his servants to collect anyone they could find to attend as his guests. At the banquet, the king found a guest who was not properly attired and had him ejected. (Matt. 22:1-14) Many Christians have misinterpreted this group of guests as representing the Church. But the Church is the bride, not a random group of last minute guests. And the guest ejected from the wedding is not a backsliding believer. Clothing is symbolic of righteousness, and our righteousness is by faith (Romans 3:21-22), not by works. The last minute guests are Tribulation Survivors, and the ejected guest is an unbeliever trying to gain entrance to the Kingdom in his own righteousness, which is woefully inadequate. At the time of the 2nd Coming Jesus will gather all Tribulation survivors together. Believers will be clothed in the righteousness of the Lord and ushered into the Kingdom, while unbelievers will be escorted off the planet to eternal punishment. In an effort to trap Him, the Pharisees asked Him if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. Responding with a question of His own, Jesus took a coin and asked them whose portrait and inscription were on the coin. When they said it was Caesar's Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's". They were amazed at His answers, so they left Him and went away (Matt. 22:15-22). Then another group, Sadducees this time, asked Jesus about marriage in the resurrection. Sadducees didn't believe in a resurrection but told Jesus a story of a woman who sequentially married seven brothers, each marriage following the death of the preceding brother. It was an outlandish exaggeration of the law of levirate marriage, which provided that the brother of a deceased Israelite marry his brother's widow and have a child with her to produce an heir for the dead brother's inheritance (Deut. 25:5-6). Jesus accused them of not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God. In the resurrection, there will be no marriage. Then He attacked their denial of the resurrection. He reminded them that in the Book of Moses (the Torah) God called Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. "He is not the God of the dead but of the Living," He said. The people listening were astonished at His answers (Matt. 22:23-33) Then they asked Him which of the commandments is the most important. He replied, quoting Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt. 22:37-40) The first four commandments explain how we are to love the Lord, and the last six tell us how to love one another. Together they summarize all of God's word. Then He asked the Pharisees a question. "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, "'The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet"' (Psalm 110:1) If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Matt. 22:42-46) His examination was complete. They had found no fault in Him. He was qualified to be the Passover Lamb. Now It's My Turn Having defended Himself against all their tricks and traps, the Lord now went on the offensive with a scathing indictment of their religious practices. It was payback time for all the resistance they'd shown, all the criticism they'd leveled at him. He called them hypocrites who told the people to obey what they say but not to do what they do. He said all their actions are just for show to make themselves look pious and important. Not only would they not enter the Kingdom, but they prevented others from entering as well. He called them false teachers and blind guides, saying they were obsessed with little things but neglected the more important matters of the Law. He said they were like whitewashed tombs, all clean on the outside but full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. He called them snakes, a brood of vipers (seed of the serpent) and held them responsible for the blood of all the prophets their predecessors had killed (Matt. 23:1-36). "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem," He cried, "You who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" (Matt. 23:37-39) Then He left the Temple and walked out of the city. But His day was not over. On the way back to Bethany the Lord gave four of His disciples a critical lesson on End Times prophecy. We'll pick it up there next time. 'Deal of the Century' will not include Palestinian statehood - By Ilanit Chernick - https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Report-Deal-of-the-Century-will-not-include-Palestinian-statehood-586887 The Trump administration's peace plan, known as the "deal of the century" will reportedly include "practical proposals" for improving the lives of Palestinians, but it will probably stop short of recommending the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, The Washington Post reported Monday night. The deal is expected to be published soon, following more than two years in which it was formulated by a small group of special envoys of US President Donald Trump's, including special representative Jason Greenblatt and senior advisor Jared Kushner. According to the Post report, comments from Kushner and other US officials suggest that "the plan does away with statehood as the starting premise of peace efforts" as it has been over the last 20 years or so. The report goes on to quote several people who have spoken to Kushner's team as saying that "Kushner and other US officials have linked peace and economic development to Arab recognition of Israel and acceptance of a version of the status quo on Palestinian 'autonomy,' as opposed to 'sovereignty.'" "What we've tried to do is figure out what is a realistic and what is a fair solution to the issues here in 2019 that can enable people to live better lives," Kushner said in a rare interview with Sky News Arabia, as he sought Arab support on a visit to the region in February. "We believe we have a plan that is fair, realistic and implementable that will enable people to live better lives," a senior White House official said Friday. "We looked at past efforts and solicited ideas from both sides and partners in the region, with the recognition that what has been tried in the past has not worked. Thus, we have taken an unconventional approach founded on not hiding from reality, but instead speaking truth." Although Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said that the US is biased, one of his chief advisers reportedly said they would not reject Trump's plan outright. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to consider the plan, which Trump emphasized "will ask concessions of both sides," The Washington Post reported. Kushner has described the plan as having four pillars: freedom, respect, security and opportunity for all parties involved. In an interview with Army Radio on Tuesday, Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan responded to the Post's report about the deal of the century, saying that "if the American administration understands that the idea of a Palestinian state has no justification, feasibility, or chance, this is significant news." Meanwhile, a letter published in The Guardian by former EU officials, including six prime ministers and 25 foreign ministers, called for postponing the "deal of the century" because it is unfair to the Palestinians. In the letter, which was sent to the European Union and EU governments, the former leaders argue that Europe must stand by the two-state solution and condemn the Trump administration's policy, which they claim is unilaterally in favor of Israel. Nearing Midnight: Bad News/Good News - Terry James - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ Our news as Christians today is filled with trepidation. It seems all is bad news. Every aspect of life at present appears on the brink of contributing to the bringing forth of the dreaded Tribulation predicted by God's Word. Geopolitically, the world is on the verge of war and freedom seems on the cusp of being snuffed. Even the great bastion of freedom-the United States of America-appears subject to a future of such oppression. Sociologically and culturally, evil men and seducers are growing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Paul's 2 Timothy chapter 3 "perilous times" are front and center in the news during our every waking moment. Religiously, even the evangelical body of believers seems to be defecting-moving at breakneck speed into the apostasy of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and beyond. Economically, while the national situation in fiscal matters is pointed out by "experts" as going "great guns," one doesn't have to look too deeply beneath the surface of financial/monetary matters to know there is serious trouble brewing. With a national debt of $22.1 trillion and climbing exponentially, how can future prospects be described as looking other than bleak? In every direction we look on the future's horizon, we see the last seven years of human history quickly approaching. So, the news is bad for the most part; there is no other way to put it. It is with this fact in view that it was brought to mind the good news/bad news plethora of jokes that have assaulted the ears through my life. Here are a few of the clean ones just to give an idea of those similar to the ones I'm sure you've heard, too. These are jokes aimed at pastors for the most part. Good News: You baptized seven people today in the river. Bad News: You lost two of them in the swift current. Good News: The Women's Guild voted to send you a get-well card. Bad News: The vote passed by 31-30. Good News: The Elder Board accepted your job description the way you wrote it. Bad News: They were so inspired by it, they also formed a search committee to find somebody capable of filling the position. Good News: You finally found a choir director who approaches things exactly the same way you do. Bad News: The choir mutinied. Good News: Mrs. Jones is wild about your sermons. Bad News: Mrs. Jones is also wild about the "Gong Show", "Beavis and Butthead" and "Texas Chain Saw Massacre." Good News: Your women's softball team finally won a game. Bad News: They beat your men's softball team. Good News: The trustees finally voted to add more church parking. Bad News: They are going to blacktop the front lawn of your parsonage. Good News: Church attendance rose dramatically the last three weeks. Bad News: You were on vacation. Good News: Your deacons want to send you to the Holy Land. Bad News: They are stalling until the next war. Good News: Your biggest critic just left your church. Bad News: He has been appointed the Head Bishop of your denomination. Good News: The youth in your church come to your house for a surprise visit. Bad News: It's in the middle of the night and they are armed with toilet paper and shaving cream to "decorate" your house. When people approach with these good news/bad news matters, they usually ask: "Do you want the good news first, or the bad?" Most, I believe, answer: "Give me the bad news first." -At least that's most often my answer. So, looking through Rapture Ready news recently, I found these headlines that fit in the bad news category. We will have a brief gander at these first. * Diplomats at the U.N. commit anti-Semitic acts Global anti-Semitism can best be observed at the General Assembly of the United Nations. * Mystery E. coli outbreak sickens 72 people in 5 states, CDC says A multistate outbreak of E. coli has raised alarms and questions: As of Thursday, 72 people in five states have become ill, yet the cause of their infection remains unknown, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. * China is 'threat to world' says dissident writer A dissident writer...said...that his homeland is a "threat for the whole world". Liao Yiwu, who was jailed for writing a poem called "Massacre" about the Tiananmen Square protests, told AFP that it would be better for mankind if the economic superpower "splits up." * Sources: UN nuclear watchdog inspects Iran ‘warehouse’ Netanyahu pointed to The UN atomic watchdog policing Iran's nuclear deal has inspected what Israel's prime minister called a "secret atomic warehouse." * Convention at major U.S. hotels showcases extreme sexual depravity That weekend, major Cleveland hotels will host CLAW, the Cleveland Annual Leather Weekend It's a large orgy of homosexual males focused on "sado-masochism." Well, we could have found even more significant signs of the approaching apocalypse. But you get the picture. Bad news is everywhere we look-and in every area of life. Now for the Good News! Good News, of course, is the definition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is that Jesus came to die for the sins of mankind so that all people, if they individually accept God's grace offer of redemption, will not die apart from God, but will have abundant life for all eternity. Those same Christians are promised that they will not have to endure the Tribulation that is sure to come. They will be kept out of that time of God's wrath (Revelation 3: 10). -And that's the entire seven years of Daniel's seventieth week (Daniel 9: 26-27). 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. (John 3: 16) Who Are You? - by Pete Garcia - http://rev310.com/2019/04/who-are-you I have had an epiphany last night. For the longest time, I believed that God has called me to be writer, to convey His truth in these last days. However, I have also taught and preached, and both of these things I loved also. What God brought to my mind last night was that although I used those things as a platform that is NOT why He chose to spare me. He called me to be a disrupter, or a change agent, whose sole purpose was to get believers off the fence they have become so accustomed to sitting on. Given this new understanding of my intended role and that we are in the final stage of the Church, I am beginning to see my role very clearly now. Although I was raised in church, I was not always like I am today. In fact, for a good number of years, I was what you would call, an active member of the backslidden congregation. I was more interested in being in the world, and having the world accept me, then I was about spiritual matters. By the time I joined the Army in my late teens, I was virtually a CINO (Christian in Name Only). I can tell you with 100% authority, that there is no more miserable person on the planet, than a CINO. It makes you bitter, envious, and angry, because you want the best of both worlds, but cannot have either. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Matt. 6:24 My readers from back in the Omega Letter days will remember that I have spoken previously about that time in my life where the schism first occurred. I have no intent on rehashing all of that now, but for context, it began back in 2007. At that time, a series of events occurred all in close proximity and it really turned my life upside down and spun me around. Since then, my life has been a journey of intense personal growth, exploration, and spiritual development like no other. This is also not to say that it has all been roses since. When I sit down and count the cost of what this calling has taken from me, I have come to realize it has been significant. I have lost relationships, friends, career paths, job opportunities, and most importantly, contentment (contentment in the form of accepting my status quo). However, I also realize (as did Job) that I have gained more than I have lost. I have a beautiful wife and family, I have a career and a roof over my head. Most importantly, I know who I am in Christ and what I have to do. Some might attribute being a dissenter or change agent as to one who is simply causing dissent, strife, or division in churches (Prov. 29:22, Romans 16:17, 1 Tim. 6:3-5). That is not what I am called to do. In the each of those references, the context of the passage is centered on an individual (or group) who seeks strife and dissension for the sake of strife and dissension. Furthermore, the scenario (particularly in the NT) is that the dissenter comes into a church who is already teaching sound doctrine and seeks to disrupt it. I am not called to sound churches, but to the dead ones, and to Luke-warm Christians for the sole-purpose of waking them up, to show them the lateness of the hour, in whatever manner I can do that. When I first began this journey, I have to admit that I did this in an unbiblical manner, because I did not apply the most important ingredient of declaring the truth in love. I was like the proverbial hammer in a world full of nails. My message was correct, but my delivery was terrible. It took the love and patience of my wife and children to temper that fire that was roaring inside of me. Although I do not claim to be a prophet by any stretch of the imagination, I believe the principle below is equally appropriate to my situation. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Cor. 13:2 Therefore, I am today, a much gentler version than I was when I began this journey. That is not to say my understanding and acceptance of Biblical truth is lesser, because that remains carved in iron. What has been tempered, however, is God taking that hammer (me) and forging me into a useful instrument. In the forging process as you know, you superheat the metal and then hammer it until it reaches the shape you want it to become. I suppose part of that epiphany is finally recognizing that the hammering was not arbitrary, but purposeful to God's plan. He was not torturing me for the sake of it as if He delighted in my pain and discomfort. There was a rhyme to His reason. This is also not to say that I have arrived, far from it. He is still shaping me daily to become the man He has called me to be. To The Luke Warm Church "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:14-22 Therefore, even in my understanding of what my role is in this day and age as a change-agent, there is no current-consolation or benefits to the task at hand. People do not like their status quo challenged. Moreover, since churches are filled with people, and these people are connected by making the church an organization or worse, a business, it should be understood that churches like their status quo being challenged even less. In Jesus's day, He only had one temple and three religious groups to contend with (Sadducees, Pharisees, and Scribes). Today, we have thousands of temples, thousands of equally divergent groups, and millions who worship everything from Allah to Jedi knights. We live in a post-modern (denies absolute truth), post-Christian era, which is attempting to fill the gap formerly provided by Biblical Christianity, with anything and everything else. Conclusion When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind. - C. S. Lewis Evangelical Christianity used to be the last stronghold of western Christendom. Even now, this is increasingly being replaced with a growing number of unorthodox, pseudo-Christian offshoots in the form of Emergent, Seeker-Sensitive, Prosperity Gospel churches. These have taken the orthodoxy (and orthopraxy) of biblical Christianity, and increasingly blurred the lines to accommodate a culture in rapid decline. In these groups, it has become increasingly popular to promote a false narrative and image of Jesus Christ. Instead of being God in the Flesh, their Jesus has been relegated-down to the quintessential SJW (social justice warrior). Their Jesus never asks them to look at absolute truth, or make personal changes to their lifestyles; he seemingly only cares about socialist issues such as gender equality, open borders, and global warming. Their Jesus is a COEXIST kinda guy. Just powerful enough to be an icon, but not powerful enough to actually save anyone. This is why the dominant church in this era is the Laodicean church; they have become the church who caters to the will of the people. Therefore, if the people live in a culture where homosexuality and transgenderism becomes the new norms, it can be expected that, that this is also reflected in the pulpits. Therefore, as one appointed by God to unapologetically point out theological and doctrinal error, I realize that this must be done in love with meekness and gentleness, in order to have any effect for good. I also realize that this comes at a cost. If I am a voice for Biblical truth, in an age when truth is subjective, I will always appear the crazy, foolish, tin-foil hat wearing "doomsday" Christian always going on about the coming judgment of the Lord. I will be perpetually be the outcast at the denominational church as well as the object of ridicule by the secular world. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. 1 Cor. 1:27 Although the worries and cares of this life are fleeting and momentary, as are its elusive definitions of right and wrong, do not worry if I choose not to conform. Do not worry about me if I appear the dissenter or disruptor to the status quo. Do not worry about me if I remain obstinate to accepting sliding morality, or shifting cultural norms. Do not worry about me if I am ever against the grain, and choose not to 'go with the flow.' Worry about me if I no longer care, or I appear accepting or tolerant to the things of this world. Because... ...the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17 I understand that I am in this world, but I do not have to be of this world. I understand why my life was frequently wrought with trials and tribulations, and why the things of this world cannot satisfy me, nor anything else other than that which the Lord has provided. I finally understand now who I am, but who are you? Daily Jot: Standing against human trafficking Part 2 - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com The horrors of human trafficking are real and occur every day. As Pastor William Agbeti in Ghana points out, much of the human trafficking, the sex slave trade, and, yes, even the human body part market are centered in Islamic countries in the Middle East. We left off in yesterday's Daily Jot saying that victims of the sex slave trade often do not know who their captives are or where they are being kept. Agbeti writes: "When they become sick, they are not treated. When they die, their bodies are dumped." The human trafficking story in Ghana is also part of the similar story that is occurring right now on the US-Mexican border because leftist politicians refuse to address the issue. But it gets even worse, according to Agbeti. Agbeti writes: "A much more heart-rending offshoot of this business that we are learning about of late involves a booming trade in human parts! In this business, operators deliver girls to slaughter houses abroad and their vital parts are harvested and sold for top dollars! We hear an organ like the heart fetches over $100,000! Our young girl has been very fortunate and thanks to the DAILY JOT, she happens to be the very first girl in her entire village to attend school. Her siblings and several girls in her home town have no hope and opportunity like she has had. She is the talk of the village! She knows what it means to receive help and education. Already, she has dreams of working to help young girls go to school or have vocational training. "We have purposed to help her achieve this dream - to become a beacon of hope for girls in her village! As stated in Isaiah 58:6-7: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" Through this one girl and others we are helping, young girls in the whole village and communities around her would hopefully be saved from modern-day slavery! Truly, it takes only an individual to make a huge difference in many lives! Be that individual!! To God be the Glory!" There is no end to the evil that is in the world. Slavery in any form is a detestable evil. Taking young girls, however, and selling them into sex slavery, then not treating them when they are sick, or sending them to slaughter houses to harvest their organs is beyond the imagination of most of us. What we have done in our Ghana ministry by helping just one escape this fate is monumental. There are many people that are risking their lives each day to rescue youngsters from the evil that befalls them in these slave syndicates. But who funds and benefits from these slave markets? It is repeatedly reported that Islam organizes, grows and profits from human trafficking and slave trade. It has for centuries and it continues. I just don't get it when politicians and even religious leaders like the Pope say Jews, Christians and Muslims serve the same God. Daily Devotion: The Lord's Supper - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. - 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 Matthew 26 contains one of the most well-known events in human history and certainly the most famous meal ever eaten, the Last Supper. As the disciples sat together, Jesus said, "Take it and eat it, for this is my body" (verse 26). He then gave thanks and offered them the cup and said, "Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many" (verses 27-28). Jesus, as He often did, was speaking symbolically. To say He was speaking literally here does not fit with the word pictures He often used. After all, Jesus said He was the Bread of Life. And didn't He say that He was the Door? So, do we insist that Christ is an actual loaf of bread or a door? Of course not. Nor should we insist that the bread and the contents of the cup are actually Christ's body and blood. There is no evidence of a supernatural process that transforms the cup's contents into Jesus' blood and the bread into His flesh. Therefore, as we participate in Communion, we don't want to overly mystify what it represents. We don't want to think of the bread as flesh and the cup as containing blood. On the other hand, we don't want to devalue Communion by thinking it means nothing. Clearly, the Scriptures warn us about taking part in Communion without recognizing its significance (see 1 Corinthians 11:23-30). The bread and the cup are not holy elements in and of themselves. But they do represent something that is very holy. So it is with great respect and reverence that we come to the Communion table, recognizing it is a symbol of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross. 
FROM THE HEART
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