Prophecy Update Newsletter
April 18, 2017
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
To Be with Christ, Is Far Better - Pastor Mike Taylor - http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2017/04/to-be-with-christ-is-far-better.html
1 " If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4) Have you ever been to a funeral of a loved one and felt so sad, almost to the point of total depression because of the cold, unnatural looking person who you loved lies in a perpetual state of unawareness? Most people have, and I really don't like going to them, as I would rather remember them in life, than have that last image of them in their casket burned into my memory. But you can understand that many people believe that death is the end of our existence, that your loved one is completely gone and never coming back. The Godless world believes that death is the end of our thoughts, our memories and the end of our consciousness. Think about your loved one for a moment that has passed on. When they were with you, they were warm, animated and engaged with life. Now they are cold and still and totally disconnected from this life. Have you ever reached out and maybe just touched their hand or finger, how it feels like a piece of a stick? All that you knew them to be if gone, and your loss and pain of the unbeliever is overwhelming. One, you have to face your own mortality, as that will be you in the future, should the Lord tarry longer than your date of death, which only He knows. MAN IS DESTINED TO DIE I read where man is the only creature that knows he is going to die. Even though everything on this planet at some point dies, man knows that it also includes him. So why do we fear it so much? What you're looking at, in that casket, is the mortal remains full of embalming fluid to preserve the flesh till you get it in the ground. It knows nothing, feels nothing and the life force has left its shell. But what of the consciousness? What happens to it? Do you have a body, or is the body you? Is your body your possession, or as the song goes "is this all there is?" Someone who is not a believer in Jesus Christ and has no relationship with God, called an Atheist would argue that the body and the consciousness are one and the same. When the body dies, so does the consciousness of the person. They reduce mankind to some kind of roadkill that was runover in the road and doesn't go to heaven. In this viewpoint, you ARE your body. There is no "ghost in the machine" ..no spirit, nothing that goes on and continues to live. Your brain produces your mind and your mind is what makes you think that you are YOU. An Atheist credits reason for reaching this "enlightened" perspective. But to qualify as an atheist, that person must know EXACTLY what happens to the mind, their will and their emotions. And if they entertain the possibility that death is the great UNKNOWN, then they are not atheist, but now are agnostics...They just don't know for sure. For the worldview that claims "reason" as it's father, it's not very reasonable. WHAT DID THE ANCIENTS BELIEVE ABOUT DEATH? As early as Job's time, God had revealed the existence of the Redeemer Christ, and the PHYSICAL resurrection of the dead. Job not only expected to see Christ with his PHYSICAL eyes, but he expected his physical body to be changed. 25 " For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." (Job 19:25-27) The prophet Daniel also wrote of what we would be, those who have the Hope of the resurrection to a new life. 2 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:2-3) Job awaited the call of a Trumpet that would raise the departed souls from their sleep and raised in a new body. This change was believed a thousand years before it was generally known as the resurrection of the saints, some call the rapture. 12 "So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. 13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. 16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?" (Job 14:12-16) Our Lord Jesus expressed this same concept when He spoke in John: 28 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29, and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (John 5:28-29) Many point to the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes where Solomon referred to the PHYSICAL boy which is "asleep" and not the spirit. Solomon addressed the eventual end of both body AND sprit. 7 " Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12:7) But note what Paul the Apostle said concerning the body that dies. It is not the end of all consciousness. Yes, the body dies, but the consciousness lives on. 8 "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 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." (2nd Corinthians 5:8-10) May we point to the parable that Jesus gave when He spoke of Lazarus and the rich man? Some say this is just an analogy, but did Jesus lie when He gave parables? No, He spoke them of truth, but many could not hear them, or understand them, as it was not meant for them to understand. Because if they remained ignorant of the point, they would not be guilty of sin of unbelief. 19 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31) Jesus spoke truth and never lied when He spoke of such a case that makes the reader heart sick for one so unable to change his destiny. And maybe those who read that identify with that man. It brings a sense of dread to the unbeliever. If you or your loved ones were in such a condition, would you not pray for another chance as this rich man did in the story Jesus told? Jesus told us in plain truth what the person experiences upon physical death. Lazarus died physically, but the angels carried him into Abraham's bosom which is another word for Paradise. The rich also died and was totally conscious of his fate while looking up from the flames of hell. Let us look at the facts that I believe Jesus was relaying to His listening audience: 1. Lazarus, Abraham and the rich man were all there, and they were all conscious of their surroundings. 2. the rich man was conscious of his torment and was able to speak with Abraham and was aware of Lazarus whom he knew also. Abraham was also conscious of his surroundings as well and able to give reply to the rich man's questions. Note that the rich man was in Hell, not in the Lake of Fire, which establishes the story playing out in real time at some point before the resurrection of Jesus. It was not a scene of the penalty imposed on those at the Great White Throne Judgment. The rich man had memories not only of his life on earth, but the memories of his family as well. The rich man cared for his family, his father and five brothers, so all of his earthly memories remained intact. And also his emotions which are entirely human. His physical body was dead in the grave, or asleep as Solomon puts it, but his soul, what made him who he was, was very much alive in the sense of his consciousness and his mind. So taking this parable and knowing it was an actual event Jesus was telling the people around Him, the question remains, what happens when we die? Answer: We are absent from the body, but there is no cessation of our consciousness until the resurrection of the dead. Our dead bodies will be changed and we will rejoin them and be united and stand before the God of the Universe and give an account of our lives. Some will receive rewards and eternal life at the 1st resurrection, and those raised in the 2nd Resurrection will be raised to judgment and condemnation. The Apostle John wrote of this judgment of the unrighteous in Revelation: 5 "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:5-6) Note that John speaks of those raised in the 1st Resurrection, but the rest lived not until the end of the 1000 years. He separates the two resurrections. Those who are raised before the Millennium with those Tribulation saints are of the 1st resurrection, beginning with Jesus, the first fruits of those born of the dead. And the second resurrection is not where anyone wants to be, as it will be condemnation, judgment and the penalty of separation from God for all eternity. John addresses the PHYSICAL resurrection of the dead whose consciousness remain awake and very much alive in hell with the rich man until final judgment after the 2nd resurrection of the lost. 11 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:11-15) As to the 'dead in Christ' -- they are also conscious, but in Heaven in the presence of the Lord from the moment of physical death until the Rapture. Furthering Job's theme of 'the change' Paul writes, "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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". (1st Corinthians 15:51-52) At the coming of Jesus for His church, some believer will not have experienced physical death. They will be instantly changed in to their incorruptible bodies, and those who have experience physical death will be raised prior to those found alive, and they will receive their resurrection bodies first. And then we will all be united in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. THE GREAT DEBATE, WHAT OF THE SPIRIT? The is a great debate on what the spirit of those who have died experience when their spirit returns to the Lord. Does the Bible give us a description of what we will be? No, it does not...but I am of the mind, we are not some disembodied spirits floating on clouds playing harps, as the imagery fostered by a major world religion. The Bible doesn't come right and say what we will be between here and the coming of the Lord for those departed, but Paul makes this statement in his epistle 20 "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:" (Philippians 1:20-23) Did you catch that? "I desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better" If Paul was desiring to be with Christ, is it in his grave, or his spirit with the glorified Savior whom he saw with his own eyes? The God who blinded him, and was taught by Him in the wilderness for threee years prior to coming to see the other Apostles, and the man who was translated (raptured) into the third heaven and heard words that are not lawful for a man to hear? Paul knew our Savior almost as intimately as the other Apostles, but He knew Him as the glorified Savior in His power and glory. That is who Paul wanted to leave this life and join and he has been with Him, in whatever form of spiritual expression that God has deemed fit, for now over 2000 years. So we await what is promised those who have died and those who are alive that are found in faith and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ At the return of our Lord for His church, the Bible says that; "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise (physically incorruptible) first: Then we which are (physically) alive and remain (in our natural bodies) shall be caught up together with them (changed and incorruptible) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17) Our loved ones who have gone home to the Lord are ALREADY in His Presence, enjoying Heaven and its unimaginable joy and riches in wha form, we are not told. . They are NOT mouldering in the grave, unconsciously awaiting the call of the Trumpet. They are alive and aware and eagerly anticipating the opportunity to meet with us in the air and embrace us once more. LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION? Where do you see yourself on this great debate. Are you the rich man waiting for his demise in an eternal hell? Or are you the beggar who is not rich, but rich in the power of the Holy Spirit? Do you see yourself in the arms of your Savior, or destined to be cast out? It is a question that everyone of us must make a decision over, and it is why everyone that has ever been born has to decide. "what will you do with the God/man, Jesus Christ? Will you accept His free offer of mercy and grace, or will you enjoy your sin and unrighteousness, being deceived but for a short while? This world is coming to an end. Maybe quicker than you even imagine. But the bible says we all die. Are you ready to die? "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:." (Hebrews 9:27) In this life, you only get one chance to get it right. No second chances. No passing GO and collect $200...when you die, you have two places to end up...with Christ, or in hell....or the Lake of Fire. Don't wait, as we are not promised even tomorrow. Tonight might be the beckoning call of death that awaits us all. Look to Jesus, as He will save you only if you ask Him. "For God so loved the Word, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved" (John 3:16-17) Make that decision right now...Your eternal destiny depends on it.. This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for your salvation. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected] , God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET. 
Imminent War? - By Jim Towers - http://www.raptureready.com/2017/04/14/imminent-war/
Christians know that Daniel prophesied that war was going to happen in the Last Days. Jesus also said that there would be wars and rumors of war. To the skeptic I would say these prophecies coupled with many other prophesied events happening everywhere and increasing in intensity is convincing enough for me. Today, our president called out president Assad of Syria, for using chemical weaponry on his own people, including children. Russia and Iran (Gog and Magog?) who are friends of Assad are angered. North Korea continues building ballistic missiles and testing them. We've sent warships to North Korea and negotiated with China to keep Kim Jong Un from inciting war through nuclear arms production. War ships are on the way there and China is threatening to bomb their nuclear bunkers as well. War and rumors of war abound. The U.S. Embassy may be moving to Jerusalem. Isis, with help from Iran, is advancing on Israel, while some in Israel are intent on building the third and final temple. They have trained all the temple priests, made the sacrificial implements and are breeding the red heifers for sacrifice. All systems are go. All around the world people are using their smart phones to videotape strange sightings and sounds in the skies. Witches and would be witches are springing up everywhere, some trying to put a hex/curse on our president. Homosexuals and transvestites rule the day, with other weirdoes backing them up. Black lives matter - cops lives don't. Isis is terrifying the world and seems to be unstoppable. Outside the church walls unbelievers are going mad, becoming paranoid and committing suicide because of fear of what's coming upon the world. I recently had to deal with a new Facebook "friend" who is showing signs of paranoia. Her post began with the big block words, "PEOPLE ARE EVIL." I didn't know what she was referring to with that extreme statement. So I wrote back, "Yes Peggy, we are all sinners, but 'There is none righteous, no not one, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God....But God has laid upon Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.'" She responded with incoherent blather, finishing with, "Who are you to judge, Mr. Towers?!" Needless to say, I was astonished and I wrote back saying, "I was only agreeing with you, Peggy." Instantly she wrote back. "Well I'm staying inside and locking the door!" My final comment was, "I'll be praying for you, Peggy." Her words were words indicative of paranoia. Pedophilia is on the rise. Is Pizzagate real or just some tall tale? Anthony Weiner's laptop may reveal more than we want to know. He will soon have to appear in court, and chances are he will spill the beans on many others high up in government. That is if he isn't assassinated first. The Democrats are suffering many casualties as the new administration continues to probe evidence of extreme misbehavior. Divorce is prevailing even in Christian circles and is on par with the rest of the country's divorce rate. All the while, well respected church leaders are falling because of adulterous affairs. Televangelists with the prosperity gospel continue to rob millions from their gullible followers. In the meantime, the falling away from the Church is happening, especially in England, Canada and the U.S.A. Mosques are popping up where churches once stood. Sharia law is being propagated in various parts of our country. Muslims are taking over everywhere they set foot. If your church feels sorry for these devil worshipers then please let them send missionaries to their home countries to convert them. The Muslims who are already here have no intention of assimilating into our Judeo-Christian culture and many of their leaders are demanding Sharia law in places like Dearborn Michigan while Lansing, my hometown continues to be a sanctuary city. Muslims are also making demands in Minnesota. Public schools in some places are teaching our young students how to worship Allah in class. In New York City the body of the first female Muslim judge was found floating in the Hudson River today. This may spark retaliation on the part of fellow Muslims. How will we respond? Persecution of Christians in other lands continues rising, with Christian men, women and children being slaughtered wholesale; this while we here in the United States live a life of plenty without a care in the world. We need to wake up and smell the coffee. But from the look of things we may live to see these atrocities reach our shores; and it may already be here waiting to strike. It is said that there are over forty radical Islamic compounds in the United States and more on our north and south ready to pounce on us when the time is right. As big and strong as our country is it appears to be crumbling from within; there are various reasons for this happening. First is the apostasy taking place within in various Christian denominations, and then come the apathy and/or complete spiritual blindness of many others. We have built our houses on sinking sand. We only desire the acquisition of money and things it will buy. Some may be anticipating the persecution of the Christian church and are getting out of dodge while they still can. But these are the ones who only came to play church and never took these spiritual things seriously anyway. On another front some church leaders are saying that everyone goes to heaven. But Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me." No shades of grey in those spoken words by the King of kings-Jesus. As for demons and demon possession; is there really demon possession out there? Are demons real or just a figment of our imagination? Is the paranoia many are experiencing drugs, or the extreme fear of what we are facing today, or due to demonic influence? Jesus used to cast out demons, which are proof enough for me that they exist and there is evidence of it everywhere you look. Today, the Catholic Church is in need of exorcists. Would you care to volunteer? Seeing all these things happening we would have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to think that these are the last of the last days. The one thing that hasn't come to pass yet are the plagues and pestilences that are sure to come in the very near future if prophecy is to be fulfilled fully. However, Aids, Zika and sexually transmitted deceases are rampant around the world already with 42 percent of Americans infected with the papillomavirus. Perhaps a deadly contagion is getting ready to make it's appearance as promiscuity and infidelity get out of hand. Now about movies; the documentary The Devils Miners was made several years ago with the intent of show the suffering of fatherless Bolivian boys, who beginning at the age of ten, work in the silver mines. While doing so they chew cocoa leaves throughout the workday for strength and stamina. They are taught to worship the devil upon entering the mines and make offerings to him. While in town others worship Christ! Walt Disney must be rolling over in his grave with the new gay-friendly animated fairy tale, Princes, featuring gays kissing and who knows what else. And this was made for children? The movie The Stoning of Sorayam M. can be rented from your local library and is based on a true story that took place in the Muslim country of Iran. How the filmmakers were able to accomplish this is beyond me, since everything in it appears to be authentic and very well staged. The stoning was an actual event where the young woman was stoned because of trumped up charges by her husband who wanted to marry a younger woman for the dowry he would receive upon marrying her. Even Sorayam's father and two sons participated in the stoning! I know this is not news to some of us, but it happens on a nearly daily basis around the world. What an evil "religion." And to think that many liberal women want to see Sharia law in this country! They must be suicidal or nuts-maybe both. I went to see the movie The Case for Christ. There were at most, forty people in the audience. What does that say about effectiveness of such "Christian movies?" For me it was a good testimony, but it was as if a preacher were preaching to the choir. YBIC Jim Towers Contact me with your thoughts at [email protected] or www.thepropheciesmovie and book. 
Iran vows 'Death to Israel' as it unveils its latest missiles during National Army Day parade - Gareth Davies - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4421410/Iran-vows-Death-Israel-unveils-latest-missiles.html
Iran held a huge military parade this morning which featured a missile in front of a sign reading 'Death to Israel' as well as a number of other deadly weapons. The ceremony was held in the capital Tehran and troops from all units took part to mark National Army Day in the country, but some of the weapons looked a lot like a North Korean missile which critics said was a fake. President Hassan Rouhani delivered a speech as a conveyor belt of military might was displayed to the gathered high-ranking officials and commanders. The parade included missiles, tanks, armored vehicles, rifles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), fighter jets, radar systems and air defense missile systems as well as soldiers in the latest camouflage gear. National Army Day parades are used to celebrate the military's latest achievements and despite insisting no threat is posed to regional countries, the intimidating missile with the Israel banner raised questions. The ceremony passed near the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, and representatives from Ground Force, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense Force were on the march. According to Tasnim News, Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, Army Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari, and ranking commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) attended the ceremony. Iran an and Israel are bitter enemies and in February Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to follow the American administration and impose new sanctions on Iran over a missile test earlier this year. Netanyahu vehemently opposes the 2015 international agreement that imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. US President Donald Trump is also a critic of the Iran deal and his administration imposed sanctions on more than two dozen companies and individuals after Tehran tested a ballistic missile at the end of January. In pointed remarks at the start of his meeting with May, Netanyahu said he wished other countries would follow the US lead. 'Iran seeks to annihilate Israel, it seeks to conquer the Middle East, it threatens Europe, it threatens the West, it threatens the world,' he said. 'And it offers provocation after provocation. 'That's why I welcome President Trump's assistance of new sanctions against Iran. I think other nations should follow suit, certainly responsible nations.' The Trump administration is also perceived as sympathetic to Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, an issue that caused friction between Netanyahu and former President Barack Obama. The Palestinians claim the West Bank and east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as parts of a future state. They say the settlements, home to 600,000 Israelis, are making it increasingly impossible to partition the land into two states - a position that has wide international backing. Iran an and Israel are bitter enemies and in February Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to follow the American administration and impose new sanctions on Iran over a missile test earlier this year. Netanyahu vehemently opposes the 2015 international agreement that imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. US President Donald Trump is also a critic of the Iran deal and his administration imposed sanctions on more than two dozen companies and individuals after Tehran tested a ballistic missile at the end of January. In pointed remarks at the start of his meeting with May, Netanyahu said he wished other countries would follow the US lead. 'Iran seeks to annihilate Israel, it seeks to conquer the Middle East, it threatens Europe, it threatens the West, it threatens the world,' he said. 'And it offers provocation after provocation. 'That's why I welcome President Trump's assistance of new sanctions against Iran. I think other nations should follow suit, certainly responsible nations.' The Trump administration is also perceived as sympathetic to Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, an issue that caused friction between Netanyahu and former President Barack Obama. The Palestinians claim the West Bank and east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as parts of a future state. They say the settlements, home to 600,000 Israelis, are making it increasingly impossible to partition the land into two states - a position that has wide international backing. 
US Tomahawk cruise missiles for ISIS-Sinai HQ - http://www.debka.com/article/26014/US-Tomahawk-cruise-missiles-for-ISIS-Sinai-HQ
The US Mediterranean fleet is moving into position ready for a decision to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles for a crushing assault on the Islamic State's mountain strongholds in central Sinai, debkafile's military and counterterrorism sources report. This would be the second American strike in a month against a Middle East target, after 59 cruise missiles destroyed one-fifth of the Syrian air force at the Shayrat air base on April 7 in response for Assad's chemical attack on Syrian civilians. The prospective American missile attack in Sinai would raise the war on ISIS in the Middle East to a new plane. It would have been discussed during the Egyptian President Abdul-Fatteh El-Sisi's visit to the White House on April 3. He explained to his host, President Donald Trump, the immense difficulty of overcoming the Islamic State's affiliate when its headquarters were dug into an interconnected web of tunnels and caves in the central Jabal (Mount) Halal of the peninsula. Nicknamed the "Tora Bora of Sinai," approach roads to this mountain fastness are few and far between, in common with the Afghan cave network near the Pakistan border destroyed on April 13 by the biggest non-nuclear bomb, the GBU-43/B, in the American arsenal. The last Egyptian assault on ISIS' towering mountain stronghold took place on April 2, shortly before El-Sisi travelled to Washington. The Egyptian military announced that 31 terrorists had been killed and a number of caves holding arms and ammunition destroyed. But the damage was not devastating enough to disrupt the Islamist terrorists' operations, debkafile's military sources report. Most of the terrorists escaped with the help of allied Bedouin tribesmen who, familiar with every nook and cranny in the desert peninsula, guided them to safety in new caves in Jabal Halal that were even more inaccessible to Egyptian troops. Their new headquarters can only be destroyed by cruise missiles capable of exploding underground. The Egyptians and Americans believe that if the Jabal Halal cave system sheltering the ISIS-Sinai core command center is destroyed, its long campaign of terror will be curtailed. The flow of terrorist manpower, arms and explosives from the mountain to the networks which terrorize the population and Egyptian forces of northern Sinai will dry up. Jabal Halal is also the hub of the ISIS smuggling networks, through which fighters and arms are moved from southern Libya into Sinai and Egypt. Knocking it out will also deliver a resounding blow to that traffic. A final decision to go ahead with a US missile assault on central Sinai rests with Defense Secretary James Mattis. He is due to arrive in Cairo on Wednesday, April 19. 
Nearing Midnight: Case of the Missing Millions - Terry James - http://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/
Erle Stanley Gardner, creator of Perry Mason, the fictional criminal defense attorney, had nothing on the apostle Paul. Gardner reported on the great lawyer as he solved all his cases, winning acquittal for his clients at every turn. But Paul, the former Saul of Tarsus, brought the world the story of resolution to what will be the greatest mystery of all time-that wrapped up in the case of the missing millions. There is some interesting interplay to be found here, believe me. While Perry's mysteries were to entertain us as he got his innocent clients off the proverbial hook within human courtrooms, Paul's "mystery" involves us as the subjects of all being guilty in God's Court of Righteousness. Paul explains how each of us-each human being-can be gotten off that hook, even though we are already proven guilty! Perry always carefully defined the crime of which his client was accused. We knew the client was innocent...well...because of the very fact that Perry Mason was defending him or her. Paul places the crime of which we-all human beings-are accused within one, simple statement: "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work" (2 Thessalonians 2:7a). We know that we are all guilty as charged under this "mystery of iniquity" because of Paul's words that report condemnation by the God of Heaven: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). So, "sin" is at the heart of this "mystery." That mystery is working in the world today as it has always been active. It is scheduled to get much worse as the Dispensation of Grace (Church Age) nears its end. "But evil men and seducers shall [become] worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13). So, whereas the fictional Mr. Mason's clients were presumed innocent, each of us-you and I-is, in fact, guilty as charged. This is because of original sin. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). The original man, Adam, partook of the fruit of the forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That act of rebellion started that mystery called "iniquity" upon planet earth. Apparently that mystery was already present in Lucifer, one of the Lord's most majestic angels. This is what God says about that long ago mystery: Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. (Ezekiel 28:13-17) This magnificent creature became full of pride (read Isaiah 14:14). He came to the planet prepared for God's creation called man. Lucifer-now called Satan-did his iniquitous work effectively and continues to do it effectively. Man is therefore as guilty in the court of God's righteousness as are the fallen angels (those who rebelled with Lucifer all those eons ago). Paul the apostle-a mere man, fallen like the rest of us, until he was declared "not guilty"-is only the Supreme's Court reporter. He tells us of the one and only Attorney who can successfully handle each case involving the mystery of iniquity before the eternal bench of God the Judge. Here are John the apostle's words on that Great Advocate: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2: 1-2) Our Attorney is far superior to Perry Mason or any earthly attorney. He is Jesus Christ-the very Son of the Supreme Judge-God, the Father. When Jesus defends, it is a guaranteed "Not Guilty" verdict! Our defense rests upon our plea that we believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul, the court reporter, says of that plea, a plea each of us must make as we turn our desperate case over to our Attorney, whom we trust completely: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10: 9-10) Jesus, the Christ, stands between us and eternal punishment. He is our only hope. And He never fails to win our acquittal. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5) Paul expounds on a further "mystery" that will be handled by the Lord Jesus Christ. This eternal legal action will not only keep us from God the Judge's courtroom of condemnation; the action will get all of Jesus Christ's clients-those who believe as described above-completely off this condemned planet at some stupendous moment just ahead! Paul the court reporter tells us of this all-important action: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. (1 Corinthians 15:15-16) He states further: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) Thus the case of the missing millions will conclude. Mystery will be solved. Comforting words indeed! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 
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 Push to rebuild Jerusalem Temple has earth-shaking implications - http://www.wnd.com/2017/04/push-to-rebuild-jerusalem-temple-has-earth-shaking-implications/
Many Christians consider it 'a sure sign of the last days about to be fulfilled' There is probably not a more disputed parcel of real estate than the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. A portion of the land there is occupied by an Islamic mosque, yet there are developing plans to rebuild the prophesied third Jewish Temple. That leaves the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a political situation that offers no easy way out. One American pastor now is telling Christians they need to pay careful attention to what happens next. During Passover, Jewish activists held a ritual sacrifice in view of the Temple Mount as part of a larger effort to encourage the rebuilding of the Temple. Attending the ceremony was Yehuda Glick, an American-born Knesset member of Netanyahu's Likud Party. The ceremony was held outside the Hurva Synagogue in what was widely perceived as a prestigious location that gave the ritual a certain amount of legitimacy. One of the activists involved predicted it would only be "a few more years" before sacrifices were held on the Temple Mount itself. But even attempts by Jewish activists to begin hosting sacrifices on or even near the Temple Mount have led to increased tensions with the Muslim community, and the Muslim authorities who govern the Temple Mount have forbidden any sacrifices on the Temple Mount itself. Israeli police recently arrested five Jewish men who were attempting to pray on the Temple Mount, as well as 17 people in a separate incident who were trying to smuggle goats onto the site to offer a sacrifice. Netanyahu cannot afford to antagonize religious Jews or the Orthodox parties, as they form an important part of his political coalition. And he's already having a hard time keeping his coalition together, as the leaders of the ultra-Orthodox Israeli political parties have publicly announced their opposition to any unilateral attempt by the prime minister to dissolve the government. At the same time, the nascent Sanhedrin, a group attempting to revive the ancient Jewish legal institution, is also attempting to promote a rebuilding effort. In response to a conflict between Netanyahu and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, the group invited Iran to rebuild relations with the Jewish state by endorsing a rebuilding of the Temple. Netanyahu points out that Iranian leaders have vowed to wipe out the Jews. In response, Zarif reminded the Israeli leader it was Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, who had helped to build the Second Temple. Mark Biltz, author of "God's Day Timer" and "Blood Moons" and a passionate advocate of renewing biblical Jewish traditions within Christian worship, says the political conflicts within Israel are standing in the way of reconstruction. "The biggest problem for Israel in building the Temple is not needing Iran to somehow give permission or assistance but for the nation of Israel itself to make it happen," he told WND. "It's Israeli politics that stands in the way, for good or ill, depending on your position about whether we should see the Third Temple. It's a matter of separation of synagogue and state. Do you really think the politicians want the ultra-Orthodox or a new Sanhedrin determining what laws all Israelis must follow?" As Biltz explained, though many religious groups and some activists associated with the Jewish right are eager to build the Third Temple, there is passionate theological debate within the Jewish community itself about whether the Temple should be constructed. "Within the Orthodox Jewish community, some hold that they must wait for their Messiah, whose name is the Branch, to build the Temple based on the verse in Zechariah 6:12-15, which says 'He shall build the temple of the Lord,'" he said. "Others say the situation now is similar to when the prophet Haggai complained about how some were content without a Temple. He argued they needed to get to work and rebuild the Temple that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. If you believe God wants the Temple rebuilt, why would you stand idly by and not be doing all you can to bring God's presence back, especially if we really want true peace on earth?" One group, the Temple Institute, has been actively pushing to create or acquire the elements needed to build the Third Temple. It re-created the holy altar, drew up architectural plans to actually build the Temple and even began raising the sacred red heifers needed for ceremonial purposes in Israel. Biltz says Christians need to be closely following these developments. Though he cautions "of that day and hour no one knows," the reconstruction of the Third Temple would be a critical sign the last days are actually at hand. "In the Christian community many are waiting for the Temple to rebuilt as a sure sign of the last days about to be fulfilled," he said. "One thing we know for sure is history keeps repeating itself. We don't know the form yet. Whether it's a full-blown Temple or just a prefab one that can be thrown together quickly, we will have to wait and see. It may not be anything more than an altar doing Passover sacrifices. "But one thing is for sure. If the Temple is rebuilt and sacrifices are resumed, hold on to your shorts as the time is short!" 
Daily Jot: Stupid is as stupid believes - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
There is a lot written about fools in the Bible. Proverbs 13:20 says, "He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." And Proverbs 1:22 asks, "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scoffers delight in their scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?" Proverbs 16:22 says, "Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that has it: but the instruction of fools is folly." Ecclesiastes 7:5 tells us, "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools." The Bible is down on fools. With that as a backdrop, it is amazing how society tolerates foolishness brought on by fools. Of course, many of them are well educated, but that doesn't make them wise. There are so many headlines in the news these days about crazy stuff. Take for example that the Russians influenced the elections. First the narrative was that the Russians had hacked the election and changed the result. It has now moved to the idea that President Trump and the Russians collaborated to beat Hillary Clinton. In reality, Hillary Clinton beat Hillary Clinton. She was a horrible candidate, unlikable, and a crook. The voters recognized this and they voted. The rest is history. The terrible thing is that over half the voters believe in the same foolish things that Clinton believes. And that is a problem when it comes to the future of our nation. We are raising up foolish children to be foolish adults. Global warming, for example, now called climate change. The scientists fudged the study data to support the narrative. It was exposed, yet people like Al Gore and other environmentalists still go around saying that we are melting. It is a proven scientific and historic fact that weather is cyclical. I remember when I was in high school that Time and Newsweek were writing alarming cover stories that we were all going to be destroyed by the coming ice age. Same fools, different gig. Other fools say that illegal aliens don't commit any more crimes than citizens. This is factually untrue. By virtue of being illegal, they start out with committing more crimes than the average person. Add in rape, murder, armed robbery and you have real statistics that only a fool can deny. Islam is a religion of peace-another foolish folly. What other organization enslaves, abuses, and trades in women, children and drugs? What other organization blows up themselves and others in the name of some non-existent god? Where in the world is there this type of violence that is not connected to Islam? Yet the fools think none of this is true. How many times have you discussed these things with someone only to have them say 'I don't think that is true'? Encourage people to seek the truth for themselves. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." People need to have mature understanding of life, the Holy scriptures, and of God. They need to learn how to put away foolish things because stupid is as stupid believes. 
Daily Devotion: Jesus and the Skeptic - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." -John 20:27 After Jesus rose from the dead, the Bible tell us that "He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen" (Mark 16:14). These disciples, hearing of the risen Lord appearing to Mary, did not believe. The most vocal of the bunch was Thomas. He said, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." (John 20:25). Eight days later, when the disciples (including Thomas) were meeting behind locked doors, Jesus showed up. And He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." (verse 27). To Thomas' credit, he declared, "My Lord and my God!" (verse 28). That day, Thomas the skeptic became Thomas the believer. God can take a skeptical person and turn him or her into a believer. How do I know? Because He did it for me. There was no person more skeptical than I was. After all that I had seen and been exposed to, I was very skeptical when I first heard the promises and claims of Christ. The skeptic thinks, "Show me, and I will believe." But I say, "Believe, and He will show you." The one who is willing to take that step of faith and believe will be amazed at what God will do. God can change skeptics-if they will come to Him. 
FROM THE HEART
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