Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
What is Coming Upon the Earth? - By Pastor Mike Taylor -
https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2020/04/what-is-coming-upon-earth.html "And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. 3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword" (Revelation 6:1-4) Prophecy writers have been preaching the soon return of Jesus Christ and we wonder how soon? The indicators of the soon return of our Lord are all around us, but it has been fuzzy, but grows much clearer as time passes. Much like a picture developed in a dark room, as we see the image slowly coming into view. News reports have been coming fast and furious in the last few weeks, and from this perspective, I see the puzzle of end time events growing much more into focus with each passing day. WORLD WAR LOOMS Let's examine a few of these indicators that the time is short for the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Start with the economic troubles of most of Europe that has even affected our economy, as the world economy has become closely tied to one another. Especially, as we have had the Coronavirus spreading world-wide and even our own economy has taken a drastic hit. People wonder if this nation will ever recover to what is was before this so called "pandemic" spread its evil tentacles to all nations. I've heard sermons that believe this will be the run-up to the coming of our Lord Jesus in the rapture. Is it? First, let us look at a news flash that it's been reported that the Vatican has taken a stance of encouraging a One World Authority for peace and posterity as an answer to the economic turmoil gripping the globe. It was reported on the website Catholic News Service the following: "A Vatican document called for the gradual creation of a "world political authority" with broad powers to regulate financial markets and rein in the "inequalities and distortions of capitalist development. The document said the current global financial crisis has revealed "selfishness, collective greed and the hoarding of goods on a great scale." A supranational authority, it said, is needed to place the common good at the center of international economic activity." The logical start offered up by the Catholic Church is the United Nations with one central authority to regulate the world economy. Then recently, their beloved Pope Francis has come against traditional views over homosexuality and abortion and that there are many ways to God, just by being good. Say what? Isn't Jesus the ONLY WAY? Yes, He is. Second news flash is there has been a push by the Roman Catholic Church to unite all religions into a One World Religious authority and I submit will be headed by the Catholic Church and it's pope. This is reported that this coming May on the anniversary of the formation of Israel as a nation, this same "pope" will call for that creation of a one world religion. Rome has brought , in the past, all the world religions including pagan religions to the Italian town of Assisi in front of the St. Francis Basilica to set the groundwork of a one world religious movement. Many writers are starting to write about this push that began with the groundwork being laid by Pope John Paul II and continued by Pope Benedict XVI, and now Pope Francis. This is a part of the prophetic puzzle that is growing clearer with each passing day. These two pieces of the end time puzzle are growing more into reality. Then let's take a look at the growing unrest in the Middle East. Iran, Russia and Turkey are attempting to surround Israel on all sides, even with their Muslim proxies preparing for the coming prophesied invasion in Ezekiel 38-39. Another piece of this end time puzzle is being played out on our news cast nightly. Instability in the region has been gaining steam, since the so called Arab spring. I submit that it had nothing in common with spring, as spring brings new life, but more like winter, as winter brings death and destruction. The nations that surround Israel have been in revolution overthrowing their leaders. Starting in Tunisia, it spread to the other neighboring Arab countries, such as Egypt, then Libya, and unrest growing in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Syria has been in an almost never ending war in the region that has claimed millions of lives. What this has accomplished is the solidarity of these Muslim nations being changed from dictatorships, and transforming them into religious theocracies ruled by Sharia Law and the Koran have been fueled by known terrorist groups with world conquest on their minds. These new governments will pattern themselves along the lines of the greatest threat in the Middle East, Iran. As we know, Iran has been working feverishly to develop nuclear capabilities and the Western world has been impotent to stop them. Threatened sanctions and diplomatic maneuvers have not slowed the government of Iran from building what the free world fears, a nuclear bomb. It is reported that they are within reach from having enough enriched uranium to develop their first bomb. Couple that with Iran's ranting of wanting to destroy Israel and wipe them off the face of the map from their leaders, and "Death to America" only intensifies the fears the world feels and Israel's rightly perceived threat to their sense of security and peace. WAR AND RUMORS OF WAR What could tip the fragile economic condition of the world we live in? What one word would send our world into a tail spin? What's that word? It is WAR! It is especially true when you use it in context with the Middle East. If you have been following the developments in the area it is reported that Iran, if they made an all out push for a nuclear weapon could achieve it in 1 month. For several years, I have been wondering not if, but when, Israel would either with help from the USA, or unilaterally on its own, attempt to destroy the nuclear installations of Iran. It appears that new saber rattling is being reported coming from Israel. In the Asia Times written by Victor Kotsev, he reports the following news flash: "Through a number of leaks and well-publicized war exercises, the Israeli government has dramatically increased its threats against Iran in the past days. Since the Israeli military likes to act by surprise, it seems this specific escalation is a bluff designed to help pass tougher diplomatic measures against the Islamic Republic at the United Nations Security Council, specifically following the anticipated publication of an important report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) next week." "However, given the exceptionally high and rising regional tensions (not all of which involve Israel directly), a larger war in the Middle East is a distinct possibility. Thus, the Israeli rhetoric can be interpreted in two additional ways (all three are not mutually exclusive): as an attempt to deter a possible first or second strike by Iran and its allies, and as a campaign to prepare public opinion, both at home and abroad, for hostilities. " Psalm 83, the next war? When Israel does attack, not if, but when, Iran will pull out all stops to attempt to make Israel pay and facilitate their belief that their mission is to bring about an Islamic Caliphate. Of course, we know that Iran will rely on it's proxies to do it's dirty work, as they may be crippled militarily and have been preparing for just such a scenario via Hezbollah, Hamas, and now with the uprising and the fall of dictatorships all over the Middle East, using these nations for a coordinated attack. I see a possible fulfilling of Psalms 83, the next war on the horizon. 83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.:2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and theHagarenes;7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;8 Assur also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot. Selah.9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: (Psalm 83:1-9) Who are these people that make these plans that are noted in the above verses? These are the ancient names of the people of the Muslim nations that surround Israel this day. THE CLOCK IS TICKING I'm not saying this attack by Israel will happen anytime soon, but it could happen this summer, as Israel when they attacked the atomic reactors in Iraq under Saddam Hussein, or Syria a few years ago, or the convoy attacks of missile shipments to Hezbollah, it was in total surprise. You didn't know about it, till it was over. Only thing I see different right now, is the flight path of direct line attack over Iraq being opened up, as the USA has withdrawn all our troops. It will be a direct flight path to their intended targets. Let's also couple that with new stealth capabilities that Israel has developed to make their attack virtually unseen on radar until it's too late. This will be a massive campaign and Israel has been preparing for this event for years. Iran has no air defense except from the ground, as their air force is from the time the Shah was in power and is inferior to Israel's modern force. Ground to air missiles will be shooting in the dark with Israel's stealth capabilities and evasive maneuvers to become invisible targets. President Perez made it known that Israel has weapons never before revealed and can defend itself in any scenario. We know that the intelligence of the Israeli government is much more sophisticated than any news report, and they know when the window of opportunity will close for a successful strike. When Iran is suddenly struck with Israeli lightening speed, their only reprisal, I envision, will be through their proxies surrounding Israel. God has promised Israel that He would give them the land from the great river of Egypt to the River Euphrates, north to and including Syria, and south to the Arabian Peninsula. What will be the outcome of this battle? I suggest that the God given promise of the land promised to Abraham will be redeemed by the help of Almighty God fighting on the side of Israel, much like the 1948, 1967, and the 1973 wars that they should have lost, but God was with them. WAR OF EZEKIEL 38-39 Why do I think this? If you look at the Battle of Ezekiel, which I believe follows on the heels of the afore-mentioned Islamic defeat, you find in chapter 38, we read the following:2 Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, of Meshech, and of Tubal, and prophesy against him,3 And say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince (ruler) of Rosh, of Meshech, and of Tubal.4 And I will turn you back and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords--5 Persia, Cush, and Put {or} Libya with them, all of them with shield and helmet,6 Gomer and all his hordes, the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north and all his hordes--many people are with you." Ezekiel 38:2-6) Notice that you find none of the names of the peoples mentioned in Psalm 83 in the neighboring nations as they have been destroyed and also, note that the verses speak of a city without walls, a city living in peace as noted in this passage of Ezekiel:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,"(Ezekiel 38:10-11) When has Israel in all of its modern history since 1948 been as Ezekiel describes them in the verse 11? Never you say? You would be right, never. God will be their champion in both fights. It is more evident in Ezekiel than in Psalms 83, as it is revealed that God is doing the fighting and destroys Israel's enemies on the mountains of Israel by using signs that are rendered only Divine in nature. Read the full chapter and digest the quick end to the enemies of Israel that dare come down upon God's people or His Land. God will destroy 5/6 of their army only leaving a sixth of their defeated soldiers to return to the their homeland, only to bring the plague to their own country to continue the slaughter. On the heels of this huge defeat by the Gog-Magog coalition, a man of great public stature will bring about a treaty for 7 years of peace. I believe that country, headed by this man is what we call the Anti-Christ! HOW LONG??? How many years will be between Psalm 83 and the war in Ezekiel? We don't know, but the focus of this message is that the next war that leads to the unveiling of the Anti-Christ could be close at hand. Israel will own all of the vast oil and gas fields of most of the entire Middle East after this next war and what better prize than for the armies of Gog-Magog to come down and take the riches of the Middle East from this upstart called Israel and their God. Now here is the exciting part for you and me. When this Ezekiel war is quickly fought and lost by this Gog-Magog coalition secured by the power of Almighty God, I believe it will bring to the forefront a man with the number of his name adding up to the number 666. My bible says that he will be revealed according to God's Word, II Thessalonians chapter 2:2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."(2nd Thessalonians 2:6-12) If you have been following my messages for any length of time, you know the answer to who and what is being talked about here. Verse 9 speaks of one who has the power of Satan with signs and lying wonders. Who is that man? Correct, the Anti-Christ is who Paul is speaking of. But there is one thing that must happen before he can be revealed. What is that? Verse 7: " For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."(2nd Thessalonians 2:7) Who is being taken out of the way? There is something holding back this unspeakable evil, a force that keeps the full power of Satan at bay, and prevents Satan from doing as he would like to do, that is destroy mankind. What is that Force? It clearly is the Holy Spirit. God will remove all hindrance for Satan doing unimaginable evil. Since the time of Job in your Bible, the power that hindered Satan to do anything to mankind, was God Almighty. Satan can't do anything, save deceive, unless he is given authority from God to do what he wills. That deterrence will be removed when Gods Holy Spirit is drawn back to allow evil to have full sway on this earth. " And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."(Revelation 12:9) And skipping down to verse 13:12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. (Israel) Let's make a clear statement here. If the Holy Spirit is being removed and Satan is being cast down to the earth, never to be allowed back into the heavens, then if our Comforter, our Spiritual Counselor, and our deposit of God's Holy Spirit within our spirit is being removed from this earth, then we who have that promise of redemption will be removed at the exact same time. Understand one thing, my reader. The tribulation is designed for one thing, the complete removal of sins of evil men from this earth and for refining Israel as gold is refined in the furnace. When Israel understands that the Messiah that came to them over 2000 years ago, they will cry out, as Jesus said in Luke chapter 13: 35 "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."(Luke 13:35) Then Israel will realize what they have done to the Lord of Glory, their prophesied Messiah who they killed in anger, but happened to fulfill God's plan: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10) CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY Now let's take a quick summary of where this puzzle is showing what may be on the horizon in the near future. The economies of this world are collapsing, number one as "world powers" have plotted for the last 100+ years how to bring about a One World government and a New World Order.. The beginning for the push for a One world Religion and Government are being designed right before our eyes. Number two. Unrest in the Middle East will eventually explode into possibly WWIII at the greatest, or a Mid-East war in the least because of an attack by the Israelis on Iran's nuclear installations or an attack on and total destruction of Damascus as spoken of in Isaiah that could be happening at any moment in the future. Puzzle piece number three. Follow this on it's heals of the conquering of the Middle East oil producing economies by Israel in Psalm 83 war, a battle for control of this vast wealth by the Gog-Magog invasion and the revealing of the Anti-Christ to the world. But before the final puzzle piece is revealed, scripture says that the Church is removed along with the Holy Spirit. How much time in this scenario do you think it would take for all these events to being fulfilled? My friend, it could take several years, it could take even more than several years, but the point is, signs are saying that man's history of self rule is drawing fast to a close. The revealing of the Anti-Christ will start the beginning of the Tribulation where peace will be illusive as smoke is in the wind. When this 7 year treaty has been signed, and if you witness it, then you will have most likely missed the calling of the church to the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ, which is a reward banquet for those things built upon the only foundation that will stand, Jesus Christ and the Bride of Christ being joined as a family to our King of Kings and Lord of lords, the Messiah. The next 3.5 years from that time will be bad, economically, socially, spiritually and probably physically. But that is just the start of all things evil and destructive. It will get exponentially worse in the Great Tribulation, when God's wrath falls on this planet in undiluted anger and righteous wrath. When this man who speaks (the Anti-Christ) of peace and looks like a saint trying to bring peace to the world, then without warning this man will approach the Temple in Jerusalem that he has allowed to be built as a part of this 7 year treaty and will stand in the Holy of Holys in Jerusalem and proclaim himself, to be God. Then all of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all of the land held by Israel will realize that they have made a treaty with the devil as they see the abomination that causeth desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet and the Great Tribulation will have begun where if God allowed it, no man would be spared because of war, famine, and the wrath of Almighty God being poured out on an unrepentant mankind. My reader, I assure you that you do not want to be witness to the beginning of a 7 year treaty, much less a man standing in the Temple of God, proclaiming that he is God. It will be hell, quite literally, on earth. Let me make one thing abundantly clear, if you think that a Christian must endure the Tribulation and that Jesus Christ sacrifice didn't finish the job, and we , the church saints, must be purified right along with Israel who is in spiritual rebellion and darkness, then my friend, you have more of a problem than the timing of the rapture of the church, as in your mind, Jesus and His blood sacrifice was insufficient to purchase your redemption. The Tribulation is designed to purify Israel and to remove sin from the earth in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ to rule with a rod of Iron for a thousand years, called the Millennium. It would be the same as the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, that Jesus just didn't get the job done IF the Bride of Christ, the True Church of the Living God is not removed beforehand. I don't advocate or believe in purgatory, neither do I affirm believers in Jesus going through the 7 year Tribulation, as it flies in the face of the Saving Grace of our Lord and Savior. My friend, do not be counted with the spiritual rebellion of Israel not accepting their Messiah. The nation of Israel are God's people and He will save them out of this awful time and save them all, not losing one spiritually, but what about you? If you're not Jewish, you have no idea that you will even have the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If war breaks out in the Middle East in the near future, your chance for making eternity with God may be very short. Make that decision today, as the Holy Spirit wishes to bring you home with our Lord and Savior. Want to know how to make that decision, which is the most important decision that you will ever make? Read the Gospel of John slowly and let God's Holy Spirit reveal who this Man, Jesus was and is today. He is wishing to come into your life. Won't you answer the call? 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) 8 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."(Romans 10:8-13) This is Pastor Mike Taylor, wishing God's salvation for your life. If there is anything I can help you with, pray with you about, or show you the way to salvation, give me an email to pastormiketaylor@yahoocom . God bless you, till we hopefully meet at Jesus feet. Coronavirus: Another 9/11 Moment for the West - by Richard Kemp - https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/15915/coronavirus-west-911-moment The coronavirus pandemic is a 9/11 moment. Al Qaida had been at war with the West for years before the destruction of the twin towers. But it took that barbarism to galvanize its largely supine prey into action. Now we have Covid-19. Unlike 9/11 we have seen no evidence so far that China deliberately unleashed this virus on the world. There is certainly evidence, however, that it resulted from the policies of the Chinese Communist Party and that Beijing's habitually duplicitous and criminally irresponsible actions allowed it to spread around the globe, leading to tens of thousands of deaths that could have been avoided. Commentators and politicians today worry that the current situation might trigger a new cold war with China. They fail to understand that, in a similar but much more far-reaching pattern to the jihadist conflict, China has been fighting a cold war against the West for decades, while we have refused to recognize what is going on. The reality, in Beijing's book, is that the cold war between China and the West, which began with the communist seizure of China in 1949, never ended. Despite the Sino-Soviet split and subsequent US-China rapprochement in the early 1970s, for the Chinese leadership the US was still the implacable enemy. Like 9/11, Covid-19 must now force the West to wake up and fight back. China today is by far the greatest threat to Western values, freedom, economy, industry, communications and technology. It threatens our very way of life. China's objective is to push back against the US and become the dominant world power by 2049, a century after the creation of the People's Republic. Dictator for life Xi Jinping has no intention of doing this through military conflict. His war is not fought on the battlefield but in the boardroom, the markets, the press, universities, cyberspace and in the darkest shadows. Those who argue China's right to compete with the West in free markets and on a level playing field seem not to comprehend that Beijing has no free market and no intention of playing on a level field. The world's leading executioner, China is an incomparably ruthless dictatorship that tortures, disappears and imprisons its people at will and controls its massive population through a techno-surveillance infrastructure that it's busy exporting around the world to extend its political and economic control to us. For decades, China has been working on its three-pronged strategy: building its economy and fighting capability, including intelligence, technology, cyber and space as well as hard military power; developing global influence to exploit resources and secure control; thrusting back and dividing the US and its capitalist allies. China has built its economy on Western money and at Western expense, by industrial-scale theft of intellectual property and technology, copyright violation, illicit data mining, cyberwar, deceit, duplicity, enslavement and uncompromising state control of industry and commerce. It continues to expand its already immense influence through a Belt and Road Initiative that marches across the globe; massive investment in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australasia and north and south America; and direct aggression in the Pacific including the South China Sea (where Beijing's artificial island program has created one of the greatest ecological disasters in history). All of this is supported by a multi-million dollar propaganda operation, in President Xi's words: "to tell China's story well" -- in other words: to advance the ideology of the CCP everywhere. This includes buying support or silence from global media outlets, threats and coercion. Just one high profile example of this influence occurred last year when the US National Basketball Association was forced to make a groveling public apology after the Houston Rockets' general manager tweeted in support of pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong. Although military conflict is not China's preferred strategic instrument, Beijing has not neglected fighting capabilities, spending an estimated $230 billion annually, second only to the US. Xi has been rebuilding his forces on an unprecedented scale, with particular emphasis on a naval war with America. Planned military contingency options also include moves against Taiwan and other territories it intends to control directly. China has also now become the second biggest arms seller in the world, including to countries subject to UN sanctions such as North Korea and Iran. This month, 15 armored vehicles were delivered to Nigeria, including VT-4 main battle tanks, already in service with the Royal Thai Army and, like most of China's defense equipment, incorporating technology stolen from the West. China's arms exports are not motivated primarily by revenue generation, but as a means to impose influence and control, create proxies and challenge the US. Chinese investment penetrates every corner of the United Kingdom, giving unparalleled influence here as in so many countries. Plans to allow Chinese investment and technology into our nuclear power program and 5G network will build vulnerability into our critical national infrastructure of an order not seen in any other Western nation. Even the BBC, which receives funding from China, has produced and promoted a propaganda video supporting Huawei, to the alarm of some of its own journalists. All this despite MI5's repeated warnings that Chinese intelligence continues to work against British interests at home and abroad. The Chinese government has spent billions of dollars establishing Confucius Institutes around the world, mainly at universities. There are over 500 globally, including 29 in the UK and over 70 in the US. Ostensibly aimed at promoting Chinese culture, these bodies are used to infiltrate universities and high schools to indoctrinate students in communist ideology, as well as for espionage activities. More than 100,000 Chinese are studying in the UK. Last year, MI5 and GCHQ warned universities their research and computer systems are under threat from Chinese intelligence assets among these students. The Director of the FBI , Christopher Wray, said recently that China was aggressively exploiting US academic openness to steal technology, using "campus proxies" and establishing "institutes on our campuses." More broadly he concluded that "no country poses a greater threat to the US than Communist China." A senior CCP official unguardedly admitted the Confucius Institutes are "an important part of China's overseas propaganda set-up". Increasingly reliant on foreign funding, Western universities have been pressured by Chinese officials to censor debate on politically explosive issues such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet and Tiananmen Square. Few in the West fully recognize the threat to our own economies, security and liberty. Many who do refuse to speak out for four reasons. First, fear of coming into China's crosshairs, provoking economic harm or character assassination. Second, fear of accusations of racism, a concern readily exploited by the Chinese state whose own egregious racism is only too obvious. Third, belief that our liberal values can change those that oppose us. The hope that Chinese exposure to free trade, including entry into the WTO in 2001, would have this effect has proven woefully misguided and served only to strengthen Beijing's oppressive regime. Fourth, many political leaders, businessmen, academics and journalists have been bought and paid for by Beijing whether by financial incentive or blackmail. How can the West fight back? Although still militarily and economically inferior to the US, China is a formidable and growing economic power, interwoven with Western economies to an unprecedented degree. We must begin to divest from and sanction China, repatriate and use alternative sources of manufacturing and technology, restrict capital investment there and curb Chinese investment here, especially in our infrastructure. We must re-invigorate and develop our own technology, much long abandoned to the Chinese juggernaut. We must enforce the norms of international trade and act vigorously to prevent and penalize China's orgy of industrial theft that has gone largely unchallenged for decades. We must push back globally against Beijing's imperialism and propaganda wherever it occurs. We must also prepare for military conflict, with an emphasis on deterring Chinese aggression. America will have to lead the fightback as it did previously in the cold war, but success will require Europe and our allies around the world to stand with them for the long term. This is not a party political issue, but must become a fundamental element of enduring Western grand strategies. This is the task of decades and will be high-risk and costly. The alternative is to remain on the hook and in hock to the Chinese communist state and let future generations suffer the incalculable consequences of our continued purblind inaction. Banishing God - By Terry James - https://www.raptureready.com/2020/04/23/banishing-god-by-terry-james/ The question at the top of my list is what's this pandemic all about? As a matter of fact, the many emails I get and conversations I engage in seem to indicate that, in one way or another, this question is chief among topics on the minds of others. And why not? The pandemic struck with swiftness and devastation to our way of life, the likes of which nothing in our scope of experience has equaled. Things have been turned upside down because of the coronavirus. I know it's the same for you who have been readings these posts lately. We have a deep desire to know exactly what is going on, in light of everything else that's been happening, in consideration of possible biblically prophetic meanings. I, like you, have heard many different reasons this world-changing virus has been unleashed. It's all about setting the stage for Antichrist is one thought. I, myself, have expressed a number of times that I believe this is one element of the reason for things shifting so dramatically at this late hour. God is judging this nation because of the murder of more than sixty-five million babies through abortion is another theory. Certainly, a scriptural argument can be made for this. God is invoking the Genesis 12 curse on America because the Trump administration included dividing up Israel's land in its Deal of the Century peace plan. This proposition is a growing speculation among some. There are many more postulations coming forth in the quest to have the answer to the question: What's this pandemic all about? It's a question I believe God wants His people to ponder. Another possibility proffered is that God is wanting to get our attention-not only the attention of the lost souls who are headed down the broad way to destruction, but the attention of true believers. My own thinking is that there might be some degree-perhaps a large degree-of credence in this thinking. The whole world continues to be stunned by the blow struck by this microscopic entity we call COVID-19 or coronavirus. The staggering occurrence, certainly allowed by God to happen, has diverted our attention from the moment-by-moment activity of living life. Everyone with the capability to get information on what is happening with the disease is paying attention. People, particularly in America, now hunker down in their homes and wear masks when venturing out for-well, for toilet paper in particular, it seems. The churches now sit empty seven days a week instead of six. This, in itself, speaks something significant to the question: What's this pandemic all about? The world banishes God from public places. Has God now banished people from church sanctuaries? I jest only to a degree. The second-most-televised governmental authority, just behind President Trump in numbers of hours on camera, seems to have weighed in on God and His place in the nation. Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, who is given substantial national television time every day to brief the world on the state of the battle against COVID-19, has weighed in on his view of God's status in all of this. He's the Democrat governor who just recently signed the Reproductive Health Act into law, a law that allows for abortion up to the due date and removes all protections for any baby who somehow lives through the abortion procedure. Cuomo said about the battle against the pandemic: It [the plateau in the number of new cases] is directly a result of what you do today.... The number is down because we brought the number down. God did not do that, fate did not do that, destiny did not do that, a lot of pain and suffering did that. One must at least wonder if such an attitude by the governor might be part of why New York City is ground zero for the coronavirus. To banish the God of all creation is a most serious-might I say "dangerous"?-matter for any people. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. (Psalms 2:2-4) When God Speaks, We Need to Listen - Nathele Graham - [email protected] God wrote Scripture. Inspired men held the writing implement and recorded His words, but it was the Holy Spirit who breathed those words. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Some people think that God doesn't want us to understand everything in the Bible, but this verse disputes that claim. God gives us facts, but through the years, people...mere humans...have decided what God really means in certain passages, even though it's clear what God said and their interpretations are at odds with God's words. We can either believe what men say God means, or we can take a close look at Scripture and understand what God says. I choose to trust God. Much of prophecy has been interpreted by people using the knowledge they have during their lifetime. That's understandable. For instance, up until the early 1900's who could have dreamed that weapons would be something other than swords, spears, and guns? Who could have ever thought that technology would have advanced from hand carrying a message, to telegraph, to internet communication? It has, so now we need to take a fresh look at prophecy based upon knowledge of today. Daniel was given an amazing prophecy and saw things he didn't understand, but recorded the prophecy just as it was given to him. He didn't try to interpret it based upon his knowledge, but knew it would come to pass just as it was given to him. "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4. In other words, Daniel couldn't understand it all, but through the ages, people would gather knowledge and begin to understand. Daniel desired to know the meaning. "And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Daniel 12:8-10. We're at a time in history when knowledge has increased and if we study Scripture without allowing human logic to blind us to the truth, we can see how close we are to the Rapture. Let's take a look at a warning from Jesus. "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:37. Some of the disciples had asked about the end of the age, and Jesus gave many indicators, including this one. He didn't have to go into great detail, because the men He was talking to knew their history and what it was like in the days prior to the Flood of Noah. It would be the same if I was describing a time of protest, free love, and LSD, all I would need to say is "Just like the '60's". It was the same with the audience whom Jesus directed His words. They knew that Jesus was referring to the fallen angels mating with human women. This may be a new idea to you, but it's the reason God had to send judgment. Through the centuries, people have made up stories about what was happening in Noah's day, but there's only one interpretation that's based upon Scripture. One of the silliest interpretations is that God really meant that Seth's lineage was good and Cain's was bad. So, God destroyed all of creation because Cain's sons married Seth's daughters. Really? Do you have that low of an opinion of God? Let's take a closer look at Scripture. Unless you understand what was happening in Noah's time, you'll be blind as to what Jesus meant and what's happening today. "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose." Genesis 6:1-2. Wickedness was on the earth and people weren't obeying God, but the wickedness went beyond people lying, cheating, stealing, and killing. The fallen angels were mating with human women. The normal response to that is "How can that happen? It doesn't feel right". Well, it shouldn't feel right but it was happening. Let's get a few definitions straight. Let's start with "sons of God". In Hebrew the phrase is ben 'elohiym. "Ben" means son and "'elohiym" means God. If this meant sons of Seth, the phrase would be ben sheth. Other places in Scripture where this phrase appears it refers to angels. The phrase "daughters of man" comes from bath 'adam, "bath" meaning daughters and "'adam" meaning man. If it had meant Cain's daughters it would have said "bath qayin". So, this verse says that angels took human wives. Angels who followed Satan in rebellion are evil and their intent was to destroy what God had created. The offspring of this ungodly union were neither human nor angel. The corruption didn't stop with humans. "And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have mad them." Genesis 6:7. God had to destroy everything because everything had been corrupted by the fallen angels. By corrupting the human genome, people were no longer human. The human soul could return to God, but a hybrid soul is no longer human. By corrupting all that God had created, a human could no longer get proper nutrition as God intended and nature could not work together properly. Think of that next time you buy genetically modified food. Scripture says that Noah was perfect in his generations. "These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:9. Noah was a good guy and listened to God, but that's not what's meant here. The Hebrew word "tamiym" is translated "perfect" and means unblemished and without spot. It means that Noah's genome was uncorrupted by the fallen angels; he was genetically unblemished. He was fully human...as were his wife, his sons, and his son's wives. The animals which entered the ark were also untainted. So, creation was rebooted. Now you know what Jesus meant when He said that in the end it will be as in the days of Noah. God's creation will be genetically corrupted. So, before the judgment of God, Satan will also be manipulating the genetic purity of God's creation. Do we see anything like that happening today? Yes. If you don't believe genetic corruption is happening then you haven't been listening to the news. Mad scientists have been splicing and dicing genes for a number of years now. Do you think the movie about Captain America is just science fiction? Look into super-soldiers and the genetic tampering that's creating them. Science fiction is science fact and Satan is behind it. Pastor Billy Crone has just published a book and CD set that goes into great detail about this subject. Listen to the Prophecy Watchers interview with Pastor Crone at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfjawButmsQ . Many others have also written about this, including Tom Horn and LA Marzulli. We are living in the end of days and unless you pay attention to what God says in Scripture, you will be befuddled and deceived. Another truth God reveals in Scripture is that Christians will be called Home prior to God's wrath being poured out upon those who've rejected him in favor of following Satan. The Rapture will happen prior to God's judgment, just as Enoch was Raptured prior to the Flood. "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." Genesis 5:24. Enoch was Noah's great-grandfather and is a picture-type of Christians. Christians are not appointed to God's wrath and will be called Home in the Rapture prior to the beginning of Daniel's 70th week, also known as the Time of Jacob's Trouble and the Tribulation. This final seven-year period of time will be horrendous. We're seeing a glimpse of the future with this coronavirus. This pestilence has caused a lockdown where nobody is allowed freedom. We can't freely worship together, we can't freely go shopping, we can't touch each other, and we've willingly allowed these things to be taken from us. Let me be clear, we must be cautious by washing hands, eating properly, and staying home if feeling sick. This pestilence is very bad, but the barrage of misinformation has caused a panic. Again, be cautious but be sure you're following the voice of the Good Shepherd and not the voice of the wrong leader. There are even some world leaders who say we need one man to lead the world and get us through this crisis. Yes, brothers and sisters, the prophecy of Revelation is closer than ever to being fulfilled. Paul tells us that the man of sin, aka the Anti-Christ, cannot be revealed until after the Rapture. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. When studying Revelation, you'll see that Christians are called Home at the beginning of chapter 4. It isn't until chapter 6 that the judgments begin, and in chapter 13 we read about the mark of the beast. "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." Revelation 13:16-18. In order to buy food, sell merchandise, or do anything else, a person will have take the mark. Christians will have been Raptured long before that, but today the stage is being set for it to become reality. For many years people have been vaccinated against various diseases. This seems like a good thing, but if you read the ingredients in these vaccines, you'll be shocked. Formaldehyde and DNA are in them. Here's a list of "ingredients" that we allow to be shot into us and our children: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf . These vaccines are behind many health problems today and compromise our own body's immune system. Today, scientists are in a frenzy to get the cure for this coronavirus. Of all people, Bill Gates has come up with a solution: ID2020. If you haven't heard about this, you need to look into it. Basically, it's a "vaccine" with a tracking chip. It will track you wherever you are. Sounds a lot like something the Anti-Christ will use. Every vaccine today is nothing God intended for people to shoot into themselves. It's ironic that Bill Gates' Microsoft products can be corrupted by a virus that destroys your computer, but he's come up with a chip to go inside you. "And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark in his name." Revelation 14:9-11. Be careful what you allow to enter your body. Please note that I'm not at all saying that Bill Gates is the Beast (Anti-Christ), but just noting that the stage is being set. Brothers and sisters, study Scripture so you can have answers. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" 1 Peter 3:15. When God speaks, we need to listen. If we don't then we can only blame ourselves for the consequences. God bless you all, Nathele Graham [email protected] www.straitandnarrowministry.com [email protected] Ron and Nathele Graham's previous commentaries archived at http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html All original scripture is "theopneustos" God breathed. If you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know. Daily Jot: Lashon hara and the talebearers - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com Christians and conservatives get riled up pretty easy over the deliberate weaponization of the news, the falsehoods, half-truths, lies, insinuations, agenda pushing and just plain political intolerance and ideological bigotry by the news media and the liberals. We are living in a nation where the meanest, most outrageous, and inaccurate things can be said about people and there is little to no accountability. Willful ignorance amongst the population then spreads this terrible misinformation throughout the internet, and the stories get bigger and lore grows greater and soon the lie becomes the fact as it is repeated. But it is not only the liberal media, Democrats and leftist Hollywood elites who are guilty of this. This week's Torah reading-that's the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament-is in Leviticus. It discusses a leprosy-like condition called tzara'at. Further study reveals that those who spoke evil of another would break out in tzara'at. They had to go to the priest for repentance and healing. Called lashon harah, meaning "evil tongue," speaking evil of someone, slandering them, libeling them, passing gossip, were all forbidden by the Lord God. Moses, when he told God that the people wouldn't believe that God had sent him, turned white with tzara'at for speaking evil about God's people. Miriam was also stricken with tzara'at when she spoke evil against Moses. This is very serious. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." James compared the tongue among the members that defile the whole body and in James 3:2 said, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37, "But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned." It is from this perspective that we as Christians should view the current visceral national rhetoric. Words mean things and mean words have legs that, as James said, set the course of nature on fire-a fire of hell. Gossip is also a sin. There are a number of verses that discuss the talebearer. Proverbs 18:8 says "The words of a talebearer are as wounds." Leviticus 19:16 says, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people." So here is the point of today's Daily Jot: Christians and conservatives should not partake in spreading gossip, false reports and fake news, similarly to the very criticism we lay on the news media, politicians or actors. When anonymous sources, whose track records on facts and the truth are unreliable, and in fact abysmal, are used just because they support a conservative narrative or belief, they are no better than the lies of the left and ungodly. Verify your sources. Don't participate in lashon hara. Daily Devotion: Don't Be the Straggler - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. -1 Peter 5:8 Have you ever watched one of those wildlife shows where predators such as lions or alligators lie in wait for an unsuspecting animal? They just sit there waiting for the prey that separates from the pack, the slow one. There go all the gazelles, but the one in the back is lagging behind. The lion thinks, "That looks like lunch to me" and grabs the lone victim and pulls it down. That is what can happen to us as followers of Christ. When we're fellowshipping with God's people, we move in harmony. Social distancing doesn't mean social isolating. We still need to pray for one another and encourage one another, even if that means a text message or a phone call. But when you're the straggler, when you neglect contact with other believers, you're "following at a distance." And that's where you can get into trouble. Peter was walking close to the Lord, but he ultimately denied Him and began to self-destruct. The Bible tells us that after Jesus' arrest, "Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest" (John 18:15 NKJV). Peter kept his distance from Jesus-not just physically, but spiritually. He was close enough to see what was going on, but he was far enough away to get into trouble. When you get involved with your church family, you develop friendships with Christian brothers and sisters. What's more, you have accountability and people to pray for you and help you through life. So, engage. Be a part of what God is doing. Don't be the person who isolates, the one that has too much of the world to be happy in the Lord but too much of the Lord to be happy in the world. That's a miserable no-man's-land. Don't be the straggler. 
FROM THE HEART
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