Prophecy Update Newsletter
April 27, 2017
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
It's Time to Take Shelter - By Tim Cameron - http://www.raptureready.com/2017/04/20/its-time-to-take-shelter-by-tim-cameron/
"A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished" (Proverbs 22:3). One stormy spring night at 2:30 a.m. in the Ozarks of Missouri, I was stirred awake by a loud crack of thunder. Looking out from the bedroom window; I could see the rain was moving sideways. I ran and turned on the TV to see that our area was under a tornado warning. My heart raced realizing that I had slept through any warnings that might have been given. The next morning talking with other local friends we all asked the same question, "Did you hear the sirens?" In the Ozarks, in tornado alley, we take tornado season seriously. Six years ago this May, Joplin Missouri was hit with the deadliest tornado to hit the USA since 1947; 158 people died in the EF-5 Multiple Vortex Tornado. On May 22, 2011, I stood outside getting ready to go to a friend's house for dinner and said, "I better call my parents and ask if it's okay for the kids to stay at their house, just in case." The reason? My parents have a storm shelter and the clouds in the sky to the west of us looked very OMINOUS. It was 4:30 in the afternoon when my wife and I dropped off our three kids and headed to a friend's house. We were all eating and talking when I quickly glanced at the radar on my phone and my friend saw my countenance. "Is something wrong?" "You should see the radar," I replied. "It looks TERRIBLE, and man, it's right on top of Joplin!" My friends' wife hurried and turned on the TV in the other room, and all of our phones were buzzing with texts: "Home Depot in Joplin got hit, Walmart too!" It was very sobering and all of our "watching and praying" eyes were lifted-up. We all prayed and then my wife and I made a mad dash to my parent's house to be with our kids. In the next few hours after having watched the storm lift and pass over our area we would learn that one of the deadliest storms in recent American history had just taken place. Many lives were lost and countless others would NEVER be the same. Many stories came forth from those who heard the warnings and believed them, and ran for shelter. But at the same time we heard stories of those who turned a deaf ear, "Heard them all my life," they said and just kept grilling burgers. "I heard the sirens, but they go off a lot around here this time of year." And of course we also heard the devastating stories of those who had heard the warnings but were not in a safe place to weather the storm, and lost their lives. Some were even snatched out of loved ones arms. It was gut wrenching and I pray as you continue to read, that this disaster can be used as a major wake-up call to those who have been blinded to something coming that is much more ominous. You see, many people died, but some were prepared to die. They had taken shelter from an eternal storm by placing their faith in Jesus Christ, and even though their physical bodies perished, they did NOT truly die. For in an instant, the moment their bodies were struck by that devastating F-5 tornado, because they belonged to God, their souls were transported into His very presence to their eternal home, which they would in no way would want to leave. On the other hand, there are those who were not prepared for that tornado. More important, they were not prepared for that which would come after that storm. The Bible says it is appointed unto all people once to die and then later, at the Great White Throne judgment, they will stand before God as Judge. During this horrendous tornado, a local doctor reported hearing people "wail and scream" inside the twister and how it haunted him. But what is even more daunting is that there are those who are even now wailing and screaming from a storm that will NEVER STOP because after being propelled through that tornado, out of a Home Depot or Walmart they arrived in hell. After the 1000-year Millennium they will stand in God's courtroom, stand before Him because they refused to believe in Him and refused to take shelter in Him. They will hear a terrible decree, "Depart from Me I know You Not." Those who died and had rejected the free gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ are now in HELL with NO HOPE, no chance to escape. When they stand before the Lord at the Great White Throne judgment they will be sentenced to an eternity in the lake of fire. But if you are reading this you still have hope. Here is the deal: There is a storm brewing of biblical proportions and it's even at the door. You have to have eyes to see and ears to hear. The radar is screaming for you to PLEASE TAKE SHELTER. In God's Word He foretold of a time such as this, and said when you see certain things, to "take shelter!" What are those certain things? Here are just a few: Israel is being pressured on every side to "divide her land." When love waxes cold, when the love of pleasure (self gratification) is greater than love for God. There will be wars and rumors of wars. When global economies shake; when knowledge increases and people travel rapidly "to and fro." Okay, everyone would surely concede that there has been a significant increase in "wars and rumors of wars," right? (North Korea, Syria, Russia, China, the USA, Iran in recent days and weeks are taking significant steps showing a war footing.) Would everyone also agree, that Israel's existence and its claim upon a certain parcel of land as its capital (Jerusalem) is growing in prominence as a global talking point? Would anyone disagree that debt is a global epidemic that continues to spiral out of control? The USA's debt alone is swiftly approaching 20 TRILLION DOLLARS. Anyone over the age of 40 can argue that homosexuality was in the closet for most of your life. NOW it is in our faces demanding not only be accepted, but normalized, and that those who oppose it should be marginalized. What about the prophesied increase of travel and knowledge by the prophet Daniel? "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) For thousands of years, mankind traveled by horse but in the last century we've seen travel go to where you can ship anything worldwide in three days (Federal Express). You can talk instantaneously to others anywhere via text, instant messenger, and email. Just as Daniel forewarned: When you see these things, it's like an ominous storm warning shouting something very terrifying: "The Day of the Lord is at hand." "Look! The Lord's anger bursts out like a storm, a whirlwind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not diminish until it has finished all he has planned. In the days to come you will understand all this very clearly" (Jeremiah 23:19-20). We are approaching a time of God's undeniable wrath being poured out upon this place we've called home. He, in His mercy is warning all who will listen. Look with open eyes and pay attention. Governments are advocating the killing of babies that survive abortion, after they are ripped out of their mother's wombs. Now that is criminal enough in light of the fact that it pulls our heartstrings with, "That is a baby!" But also remember that those helpless little lives are God's intricate handiwork being destroyed-murdered. He authored those lives. To kill those babies is to point a self-righteous finger at God's saying, "Not your will God, but ours be done." I suggest that everyone should read the book of Habakkuk and realize that God is no respecter of persons, and the very thing He allowed to happen to Israel is playing out right before our eyes-as evil and wicked people are reaping a perilous harvest. I tremble at what I'm seeing take place and how rapidly it's all happening. Do you not pay attention to those who are planning YOUR VERY OWN DESTRUCTION? The Jihadists-including the Muslim Brotherhood are screaming, "Americans MUST die." Even now these enemies are working around the clock to see that this is accomplished through their planning of tremendous violence, and demanding Sharia law (slavery). We have entire nations to reference for what looks like the ravages of radical Islamists, demanding submission as they train little kids to strap bombs to themselves and walk into crowds and blow themselves up. Even now they are planning massive attacks on the place we have called home (USA). They do this believing they are under a "divine" mandate to usher in their "messiah" by way of horror and chaos. These radicals have erected training facilities all over the United States and yet most people are sleeping right through it, "Eating, drinking and being merry..." People are NOT paying attention to the fact that governments are enabling this terrorist ascension by providing billions of dollars, F16s and high-powered weapons. The U.S. government has been handing out visas and free entrance into this country via special exemptions, often with no background checks required. In relation to a stormy night, your TV should be blaring with this warning: BREAKING ALERT. As it was in the days of Noah and as it was in the days of Lot so shall it be. And what about gay "Christians?" The kicker of these so-called gay "Christians" is that they are the only group claiming to follow Christ and continue to hang onto, and love their sin. There is no other group or individual that claims so proudly to be sinful; not an adulterous Christian, a fornicating Christian, a lying Christian, a gambling Christian or a murdering Christian. They all would add the word "repentant." A "repentant" adulterer, a "repentant" fornicator, etc. Every true born-again believer does wrestle with their carnal sin-nature having to take up his or her own cross dying daily and die to self, but would never subscribe to hanging onto sin-which caused Jesus to die on the cross. If the Holy Spirit is living inside a person, that person will be at war with the sin nature. The Spirit of God would be pruning, rooting out and tearing down everything exalting itself against the knowledge of God. Christian means to be "Christ-like". To say being gay is "Christ-like" is tragically trendy and becoming politically correct. BUT the Bible is the only true measure of truth and it says that it is an abomination (perversion) to the very purpose for which mankind was created. We were ALL born wrong the first time, we all have a sin nature and that is why Jesus said we must be "born-again." Yet, godless lawlessness is screaming: "TURN OFF THE LIGHT!" There is a STORM WARNING, but they are having a picnic anyway. So many pastors stand at their pulpits presenting ear-tickling sermons, at a time when preachers should be in the deepest travail crying out for people to: "Make ready!" To me, it would be like a group of people watching the news and hearing that an F5 Tornado, hurricane, volcano or earthquake is about to happen. Instead of crying out for safety these clueless people go into denial planning a picnic. Seriously, get a picture of this: You are sitting in your house, the TV blares the sound of a siren with this banner running across the screen: A SEVERE WEATHER REPORT WARNING You would now know that a tornado has been spotted on the ground and it's headed right toward your town, but at the same time you're getting a call from a local pastor or church member talking about having a picnic as if all is well-when you know its not. The prophet Jeremiah showed us that there is a dividing line drawn-that God becomes very angry with those who claim to speak for Him and yet aren't sharing the truth of what He would be saying: "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord. They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The Lord has said, "You shall have peace"; and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, "No evil shall come upon you." (Jeremiah 23:16-17) This type of chicanery is happening all over this planet. And it's being done "in Jesus' name." Pastors in pulpits are using the spotlight NOT to point to the only hope for such a stormy time, but rather they use Jesus' name to shine a spotlight upon themselves-to make money, build buildings, grow "feel good" ministries (that are all going to be consumed by fire). I'm convinced there would be a tremendous harvest in churches if pastors would repent and start preaching the true gospel to their "seeker friendly" attendees who've been falsely led through a "repeat after me" mantra instead of being told they need to "repent or perish." But sadly, they parrot words from the latest trendy "best seller" to fleece their way up the blasphemous chain of "churchianity," instead of getting on their faces before a Holy God and asking, "What do You want to say today?" That should be a warning to us all, to be about our Father's business. Not to earn salvation but because of what Jesus already accomplished on our behalf to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Hatred is boiling. True born-again Christians are becoming the scourge of the earth. You can plan for your best life now if you want to, but based on God's Holy Word I've read that this planet is much more like the Titanic, and we are admonished to get people to life boats-not to build a better earthly world; but help rescue those who are His. We have heard this many times but I will say it again, "As it was in the days of Noah." Noah did NOT change his world. He didn't win his culture's favor and he didn't try to be culturally relevant. He just faithfully believed God and built an ark for the saving of souls. Please hear the heart of this message. It is not to condemn, but to stir an urgency to sound the alarm to your friends and family while there is still time. I tell you, the storm clouds are ominous. Are you prepared? Have you taken shelter with Jesus? Hate has replaced love. The love of self has replaced God. "Whatever makes you feel good, just do it." Run up credit cards, who cares that the debtor is enslaved to the lender? Even now our nation in America is selling its individual citizens into debt slavery by destroying our national sovereignty through spending not billions-but trillions, and yet the masses of kool-aid drinkers are trusting that these blind "leaders" know where they are going. We have a man named Pope Francis who has been lobbying Israel to give up land for peace, referring to the 1967 borders as the starting point of negotiations striving for a "Two-State Solution." The Pope is asking for all faiths to unite so we can all COEXIST. That is ominous I tell you! PLEASE TAKE SHELTER. In Joplin, the warnings went out and many heard and believed. They ran and hid in safe places. That is what I'm about to ask you to do. You see, you can scoff at what I'm saying and say, "I've heard this all my life," and as one lady testified in Joplin, "I've heard tornado warnings all my life." They mocked Noah in his day... Thousands of people mocked Noah to the very end, and you can too. You can mock the warnings of this time. You can say, "Ah, the government will 'fix it' or 'we've seen this before.'" OR you can take a serious and sober look at the many things that have taken place in recent days, months and years and say, "Maybe I need to wake-up to what is really happening and TAKE SHELTER." Did you know the great damage a tsunami can do before the Asian Pacific Tsunami that struck ten years ago? Over 250,000 people died. That storm will pale in comparison to a time that the Bible warns, "Unless God shortens the days no flesh will survive." What must you do to be safe from the wrath to come? What is the wrath to come? That is the time of the seven-year Tribulation when God pours out his judgment (wrath) upon an unbelieving world. In a storm warning for that time, if we turned on our televisions there would be a scrolling message telling us what to expect: Strong winds in excess of 100 mph, golf ball sized hail, dangerous lightning. Ninety to one-hundred pound hailstones (Revelation 16:16-20). A great earthquake, leaving NO ISLANDS on earth, also taking down every mountain on earth. One-third of the earth will be burned up, one-third of trees and all the grass (Revelation 8:7). One-third of the sea will be turned into blood (Revelation 8:8-9). The abyss (bottomless pit) will open and locust-like scorpion creatures will arise (Revelation 9:2-3). Evil angels will be released to kill one-third of mankind (Revelation 9). Painful sores will break out on people that have taken the mark of the beast (Revelation 16). The sun will scorch people with fire (Revelation 16). And even worse: Lost souls who die without Christ will be cast into hell, and later into the lake of fire for all eternity. Stop and think. Please! Knowing the terror of the Lord, I beg of you to hear this warning. Right now if a tornado warning was sounding and you "believed it" you would run to find shelter. How can we do that in relation to the choices we must make in this life: We either repent or perish. Repentance is simply a change of mind; it is to "stop and think" differently than you are now. In its simplest application...in order for one to be saved, he or she must BELIEVE upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Get on your knees and humbly place your faith/trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Believe that He is your only hope, that He is your Lord and Savior and that He is your Storm Shelter and He will be your Refuge. If you do that, I have great news: You will NOT die but you will have everlasting life. Will you hurry up and take shelter with the Lord? Don't you hear the warnings? Tim Cameron [email protected] Golan tension: Pro-Iran troops move on Quneitra -
http://www.debka.com/article/26026/Golan-tension-Pro-Iran-troops-move-on-Quneitra Early Thursday, April 26, a mixed Syrian-Iranian-Hezbollah force embarked on a general offensive in southern Syria ready for a leap on Israel's Golan border. They moved forward in the face of Israeli warnings that were relayed from Moscow to Tehran and Hezbollah. This latest warning was issued by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is visiting the Russian capital this week to attend an international security conference. After meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Gen. Sergey Shogun, the Israeli minister stated clearly on Wednesday: "Israel will not allow the concentration of Iranian and Hezbollah forces on its Golan border." By Thursday morning, it was evident that a decision had been taken in Moscow, Tehran, Damascus and Beirut to ignore Lieberman's warning. debkafile's military sources report that early Thursday, Shiite militias under the command of Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers, alongside Hezbollah troops, organized as the Southern Shield Brigade, launched their offensive at Mt. Hermon southwest of Damascus, on their way to the Syrian-Israeli Golan border in the region of Quneitra. The Syrian contingents taking part in this push are the Syrian army's elite 42nd Brigade and elements of the 4th Mechanized Division. Their first objective is to capture a string of villages held by Syrian rebel groups in the region of Hadar on the Hermon slopes. They are advancing towards the Golan along the Beit Jinn route. There is no word yet on whether the warning issued by the defense minister from Moscow has produced a direct Israeli response to the provocation. Very possibly the five explosions and ball of fire they set off at Damascus international airport Thursday morning may prove to be connected to that response. Israel strikes Iran-supplied arms depot near Damascus airport -
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israel-strikes-iran-supplied-arms-depot-near-damascus-airport/ar-BBAq851?li=BBnb7Kz Israel struck an arms supply hub operated by the Lebanese group Hezbollah near Damascus airport on Thursday, Syrian rebel and regional intelligence sources said, targeting weapons sent from Iran via commercial and military cargo planes. Video carried on Lebanese TV and shared on social media showed the pre-dawn airstrikes caused a fire around the airport east of the Syrian capital, suggesting fuel sources or weapons containing explosives were hit. Syrian state media said Israeli missiles hit a military position southwest of the airport, but did not mention arms or fuel. It said "Israeli aggression" had caused explosions and some material losses, but did not expand on the damage. Israel does not usually comment on action it takes in Syria. But Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, speaking to Army Radio from the United States, appeared to confirm involvement. "The incident in Syria corresponds completely with Israel's policy to act to prevent Iran's smuggling of advanced weapons via Syria to Hezbollah," he said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "said that whenever we receive intelligence that indicates an intention to transfer advanced weapons to Hezbollah, we will act", he added. An Israeli military spokeswoman said: "We can't comment on such reports." Two senior rebel sources in the Damascus area, citing monitors in the eastern outskirts of the capital, said five strikes hit an ammunition depot used by Iran-backed militias. Lebanon's al-Manar television, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, said early indications were that the strikes hit warehouses and fuel tanks. It said there no casualties. RUSSIA AND IRAN BACK ASSAD Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is backed in his six-year-old civil war by Russia, Iran and regional Shi'ite militias. These include Hezbollah, a close ally of Tehran and enemy of Israel, which describes the group as the biggest threat it faces on its borders. The two fought a month-long war in 2006. Syrian military defectors familiar with the airport say it plays a major role as a conduit for arms from Tehran. Alongside military planes, there are a number of commercial cargo aircraft that fly from Iran to resupply arms to Hezbollah and other groups. The flights go directly from Iran to Syria, passing through Iraqi airspace. As well as weapons, hundreds of Shi'ite militia fighters from Iraq and Iran have been flown to Damascus international airport. Intelligence sources put their numbers at 10,000 to 20,000 and say they play a significant role in military campaigns launched by the Syrian army. Israel has largely kept out the war in Syria, but officials have consistently referred to two red lines that have prompted a military response in the past: any supply of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah, and the establishment of "launch sites" for attacks on Israel from the Golan Heights region. Speaking in Moscow on Wednesday, where he was attending a security conference, Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman reiterated that Israel "will not allow Iranian and Hezbollah forces to be amassed on the Golan Heights border". During his visit, Lieberman held talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as part of efforts by Israel to coordinate with Moscow on actions in Syria and avoid the risk of confrontation. A statement from the Defense Ministry said Lieberman had expressed concern to the Russian ministers over "Iranian activity in Syria and the Iranian use of Syrian soil as a base for arms smuggling to Hezbollah in Lebanon". A Western diplomat said the airstrikes sent a clear political message to Iran, effectively saying it could no longer use Iraqi and Syrian airspace to resupply proxies with impunity. Speaking to Reuters in an interview in Washington on Wednesday, Katz, the intelligence minister, said he was seeking an understanding with the Trump administration that Iran not be allowed to establish a permanent military foothold in Syria. Israeli officials estimate that Iran commands around 25,000 fighters in Syria, including members of its own Revolutionary Guard, Shi'ite militants from Iraq and recruits from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Israel has also said that Hezbollah has built up an arsenal of more than 100,000 rockets, many of which would be capable of striking anywhere within Israel's territory. The last conflict between the two left 1,300 people dead and uprooted more than a million Lebanese and 300,000 to 500,000 Israelis. Military Intelligence Analyst Identifies ISIS as Ancient Nemesis Amalek - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz -
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com "Wherefore then didst thou not hearken to the voice of Hashem, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst that which was evil in the sight of Hashem?'" I Samuel 15:19 (The Israel Bible™) The violent, ongoing conflict between Egypt and the Islamic State currently raging in the Sinai is a reenactment of the Biblical confrontation between Israel and Amalek, even taking place on the same battlefield, pointed out a military analyst who has turned to the Bible to make sense of current events. Exodus tells of the legendary battle between Amalek, the ancestral enemy of the Jewish people, and the Israelites, which took place in a place called Rephidim, located in the Egyptian desert. Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. Exodus 17:8 Two thousand years later, a new battle against Israel's enemies is being staged in exactly the same place: an Egyptian airfield in Bir Gafgafa, which is located precisely on the Biblical site of Rephidim in the Sinai Peninsula. The connection was made, surprisingly, by Debka Files, an Israeli military intelligence website. Giora Shamis, the editor of the website, immediately saw the Biblical context as the framework for understanding a situation that pits ISIS-affiliated fighters against Egypt, considered an ally of Israel in this conflict. "I am not religious, but the correlation between ISIS and Amalek is clear and should be taken into account when considering modern events," Shamis told Breaking Israel News. "What happened thousands of years ago is simply being played out again, a continuation of what already happened there historically." Shamis, who is secular, sees the Bible as a source that has a great deal to contribute in understanding the modern political forum. "The stories in the Bible not only have a religious side, but they also have a political aspect we would do well to learn from," Shamis said. Shai Ben Tekoa, another journalist who views current events from a Biblical perspective, also sees Amalek as an archetype for ISIS, explaining in detail how ISIS can trace its military and ideological heritage from the Biblical nemesis. "ISIS in particular and Islamic terrorism in general are clearly incarnations of Amalek," said Tekoa, former head broadcaster for Arutz Sheva, to Breaking Israel News. "Like Amalek, they seek out gratuitous cruelty." Ben Tekoa noted the tactical similarities in Israel's Biblical confrontation with Amalek and how it translates to modern problems with Islamic terror. "Amalek's main tactic was to avoid head-on confrontation," Ben Tekoa explained. "They were sneaky, coming up from the rear to attack the weakest in society, just like ISIS and Islamic terrorists today. "Our problem is not with Islamic armies. Islamists are congenital ambush artists, inheriting this from their Biblical forefathers." Ben Tekoa feels that the Biblical perspective is the most accurate lens for perceiving the regional politics and other journalists would do well to follow suit. "The Bible is true, and its timeless brilliance is the best source for understanding the world today," Ben Tekoa said. He related how, after learning about religion and Islam at Columbia University, he turned to the Bible for more insight. "I learned more about the Arabs and Islam from the few sentences in the Bible concerning Ishmael than from all the academic sources I studied." It appears that the political analysts are just now catching on to what religious experts have known all along. Rabbi Matityahu Glazerson, an expert in Bible codes, posted a video in 2015 in which he noted that the word 'Amalek' is composed of two words: 'Am' (nation) and 'Malek' (behead), hinting at ISIS's signature brutality. Rabbi Glazerson went on to show the gematria (numerology) of Amalek equals 240. Every nation has a ruling angel, and Amalek's angel is the evil Samael. The gematria of Samael equals 136. Rabbi Glazerson then combined the two names and arrived at a total of 376, which equals the numerology of Daesh, the Arabic acronym for ISIS. Continue in Sin or Live for Christ? - Nathele Graham -
[email protected] Most Christians know Paul's life story. His family was well-to-do and he was a brilliant man who studied under the most respected teacher of the time. Paul was known for his zeal in persecuting Christians and he could have been a great Jewish leader. God had other plans for him. One day as Paul was on a mission to Damascus to arrest Jewish converts to Christianity, Paul met Jesus. In that moment his life was changed. Material things he held dear meant nothing to him and the religion he loved so much was changed to faith in Jesus Christ. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Philippians 3:7-8. Once Paul met Jesus he couldn't continue in sin but he lived for Christ. Christianity is a way of life, not religious rules. We are saved because we have accepted Jesus Christ for salvation and not by rituals or traditions. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. Sadly, many people who profess faith in Christ are of the opinion that they can continue in their sin and Jesus won't care. If you've truly accepted Christ then your salvation doesn't depend upon how you behave. Then again, if you've truly accepted Christ a change in your attitude and way of living should be evident. Sin should be repugnant to you. I was married to a wonderful man. Ron was a loving and generous man. He wasn't a Christian and the words he used when his anger flared made me cringe! A few years into our marriage Ron met Christ. What a privilege it was to watch as he allowed Christ to change him. The first big change was in his language. From the first day of his salvation he never again used foul language. Ron began to study God's word and apply it to his life. His anger mellowed, his language changed, and his love for Christ grew. When a person accepts Christ it shouldn't be easy to continue in sin, but a joy to live for Christ. Jesus came into this world to offer the only way of salvation to a lost world. When He met people who were living sinfully He never once said "Go ahead and keep sinning". When Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman He knew all about her life. Instead of throwing out accusations about her having had five husbands and living with a man she wasn't married to, Jesus just talked to her. He led her to see her sin but He never said it was okay for her to continue living in sin. She was changed. She was one of the first to recognize Jesus as the Christ and she went and told others. "The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" John 4:28-29. This sinful woman recognized Him as the Christ. She was convicted of her sin but not condemned by Jesus. Another woman who was an adulterer was brought before Jesus for condemnation. Instead, Jesus convicted those who accused her. The accusers wanted her death, but Jesus wanted her to find salvation. "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7. We all sin so we cannot condemn others for their sin before we deal with our own. God's word is the guide, not for us to judge but to lead ourselves and others away from sin. After those who accused the woman left, Jesus asked "...Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more." John 8:10b-11. Both of these women lived sinful lives but Jesus didn't let them die in their sin. We aren't told if they turned from their immoral lifestyles, but Jesus didn't condone their sin. He doesn't condone our sin either. Do you call Him Lord? Then go and sin no more. Today there are many influences that draw us into sin. Most children are sent to public school, and for a Christian that's a big mistake. Schools have moved away from teaching math and history, to teaching morals...secular, satanic morals. Paul wrote to Timothy, a young man who was facing many challenges as a pastor. "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen." 1 Timothy 6:20-21. The word "science" is translated from the Greek word "gnosis" which simply means "knowledge". Public schools like to think they teach knowledge, but in fact they pervert the word of God and teach sin instead. The letter to the Romans addresses what happens when God is ignored and lies such, as evolution, are taught. "Professing themselves to be wise they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." Romans 1:22-23. Evolution is the theory of choice by people who don't know God. This satanic teaching leads to the abominable sin that is gripping our world today. "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." Romans 1:24-25. Paul goes on to say that this results in lesbianism, homosexuality, backbiting, haters of God, and other deplorable ways of life. These lifestyles are rampant in our world today. The news is filled with same sex marriage, transgender rights, people who want to choose whatever gender they want, and other abominable perversions. Bruce Jenner thinks he's a woman, mutilates his body, and makes headlines as if he is a hero. What a sad comment on society. He needs to meet Jesus and stop continuing in sin. None of this is of God. If you were born male, then you're a male. If you were born a female, then you're a female. End of story. Now, if you've been taught lies and have chosen sin, you still have hope for salvation. Jesus loves you and gave His life for you. You can choose to continue in sin or you can choose to live for Christ. Jesus told the woman taken in adultery "Go and sin no more" and His words are for you too. Pastors, shepherd your flock. You are the men chosen by God to lead your congregations to a closer walk with Jesus. Are there sinners sitting in the pews of your congregation? Yes. Every person sitting there sins, including you, but don't allow sin to rule. "He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee, Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." John 21:17. Pastor, feed the lambs and feed the sheep. Feed them the word of God. If you don't, your flock will wander into more sin and your Sunday services will become nothing more than a watered down, feel good hour designed to fill the collection plate. Lead by example what it means to live for Christ. If you preach the entire word of God you may offend some of your congregation and they may leave. Some would prefer to continue in sin rather than live for Jesus. Perhaps they, like Judas, never really followed Jesus. Pastor, preach God's word and feed your flock. Paul addressed a problem in Corinth when he advised them to put a man out of the congregation who was deeply entrenched in sin. They followed Paul's advice and we later find out that the man repented and was restored. We can't continue in sin and live for Christ. Preach God's truth. Sin creates a gulf between the sinner and God. Only the blood of Jesus can bridge that gulf and allow us eternal life. Every day we're presented with opportunities to sin and we can choose to embrace the sin or follow our Lord. God has given us Scripture as a guide to how we need to live. "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, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. God's word is theopneustos, inspired by God...God breathed. Our Bible is the authority in Christian living. Don't take your theology from television or books. If you're participating in something that you think might be sin, go to Scripture and search God's truth. Compare your life to God's word, then change your life if it doesn't line up. It isn't alright with God if you continue in sin. If you've truly accepted Christ for salvation, then changes should be evident. There are blessings in allowing Christ to move you away from sin. As you live closer to Christ you'll move farther away from sin. Only faith in Jesus Christ brings salvation, but good works done for Him will earn eternal crowns. Everyone will face a judgment, but Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. That's when you'll receive rewards for what you did for Christ on this side of Heaven. "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. If you've chosen to continue in sin then all your works will be for nothing. They'll burn with fire at the judgment seat of Christ. On the other hand, if you've chosen to turn from your sin and live for Christ then there are rewards for your obedience. It may seem unimportant right now, but when you stand before the Creator of the Universe and your works are judged, it will matter. This life is fleeting. "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14. No matter how old you are, death is just a heartbeat away. A car accident could take your life or you could be a victim of murder. It could be that the harpazō will happen in the twinkling of an eye and take Christians Home. We cannot know exactly when our life on earth will end but the choices we make here and now are of eternal importance. The first choice is to accept Christ as your Saviour. Then, study God's word and apply it to your life. There's coming a time when it will matter. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21. Continue in sin or live for Christ? The choice is yours. 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.
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 My Shovel - by Grant Phillips - http://www.raptureready.com/2017/04/24/my-shovel/
Twenty six years, that's how long I've had my trusty shovel. It has a short wooden handle, with a hand grip at the top and a rounded metal blade at the bottom. We go way back. My wife and I moved into our house here in the sub-division 26 years ago, and this shovel was my first purchase for our dreams for the yard. We decided to plant a Bradford Pear tree in the front yard. To do this right, one needs to dig a fairly good-size hole. So I started digging. Soon after, Debbie wanted to dig awhile, so we took turns. By the time we're done, I had noticed throughout all this back and forth digging one peculiar thing. When I was digging, no cars went up or down the street. When she was digging, there was always at least one or more cars to drive by. I told her that our neighbors were going to think I was a terrible person by having my wife do all the work while I stood there and watched. We got a good laugh out of that. Anyway, I have used that shovel many, many times to plant trees, bushes, and other plants throughout the yard. When subtracting twenty six years from my current age, we find that I was a much younger man at the time; 44 to be exact. Just a few years ago, the shovel came back out to reverse all this stuff we had planted. It was time for them to go. I was approaching the years, quickly I might add, that it was just too much work to take care of everything. So most of it is now gone. Thank goodness. Last night I got to thinking about how I always clean it after each use, as I do all my tools, and something occurred to me. When using the shovel, of course it gets dirty. When I'm done working with it, I wash all the dirt off and dry it real well with a large towel I use for a rag. My 26 year old shovel has no rust and it has no nicks and bangs on the blade. Actually, the blade is somewhat shiny and sharper around the edge. From the tip of the blade to the top of the handle, it is nearly like new. I've seen other shovels, owned by other people, that are never cleaned up and they are rusty, banged up and filthy. They're shovels are much younger than mine, but you would never know it. Now I'm not saying any of this to boast about my cleaning habits for my tools. That's just me, but it has paid off. We Christians are a lot like that shovel. We dig around in the dirt and get dirty. Some of us may be digging in the mud and others in the rich soil of a small garden, but we're all digging somewhere, because none of us are without sin. We're just saved sinners. Even at our best, we still get dirty. Isaiah put it this way. "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Isaiah 6:5) "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6) Even though we are a Christian and our salvation is guaranteed by the seal of the Holy Spirit within us (eternal security), we still get dirty (sin), and because of this, we need to be cleaned up after each use. Jesus got this point across with Peter. "Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath (who have been saved) need only to wash their feet (confess our sins to restore fellowship); their whole body is clean (we are saved). And you are clean, though not every one of you (referring to Judas)." (John 13:10 NIV) (My comments added) The "bath," (salvation) provides the relationship, and the "wash their feet," (confession of sins), restores the fellowship. Romans 10:9 provides our relationship with God. "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." (This we do but once.) 1 John 1:9 restores our fellowship with God. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (This we should do as often as necessary.) Just as I wash the shovel and dry it off before I put it in the storage building, the purpose of the laver at the Tabernacle was for washing (cleansing) before entering the Holy Place. When we Christians make a habit of constantly being washed, we remain more often in a state of being clean. We look shinier and have a sharper edge. We work better. The following verse has a lot to do with that also. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) Failing to keep ourselves washed clean leaves a Christian who begins to rust, remains dirty and doesn't work as well as he/she should. A lot of Christians have become nearly useless in serving the Lord, because they don't keep themselves clean. They have become rusty, and have a dull edge. Oh, the relationship is secure. God is our Father and always will be our Father, but is there any fellowship between us and our Father in Heaven? Consider the analogy of my shovel and see what you think. Grant Phillips Email: [email protected] Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com Rapture Ready http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html Daily Jot: Homeland Security doing a good thing - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
For years since its inception in 2002, the Department of Homeland Security has been a big government watchdog that many were concerned was tantamount to some form of an anti-citizen, jack-boot spy agency. Remember, it was Homeland Security who put out the report as one of the first orders of business in the ex-"president's" regime labeling veterans, gun owners, pro-life supporters and Christians as radical right wing extremists. Since the installment of John Kelly as its Secretary, Homeland Security seems to be actually taking its namesake seriously-attempting to secure America's borders and protect Americans rather than hold them in suspicion. One small example is VOICE. DHS has opened the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office. The mission of VOICE, according to Kelly, is "to support victims of crime through access to information and resources." Kelly said in a statement: "Until now, victims of immigration-related crimes have not had a government resource that could provide timely information on their cases. The VOICE Office uses a victim-centered approach to acknowledge and support victims and their families, promotes awareness of rights and available services to crime victims, builds collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders assisting victims, and collects and reports data relating to crimes committed by immigration violators." While the politically correct crowd doesn't want to be confused by the facts, illegal aliens make up 27% of the federal prison population (not counting state and local). The Government Accounting Office estimates that criminal aliens average seven arrests, half of them for at least one drug offense. In 2014, the Department of Justice reported that illegal immigrants were convicted and sentenced for over 13% of all crimes committed in the US and more than 25% of the murders since 2003. Kelly said, "because of years and years of policies complicating immigration and enforcement efforts, and a politically-correct approach to public safety, there are mothers who will never again receive a Mothers Day card from a son." Kelly told reporters when announcing VOICE, "These victims of illegal aliens aren't data points. They're people. And they and their families deserve to be treated fairly." So now we have a government agency trying to correct a government injustice done in the name of social justice. Isaiah 1:17 says, "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." There have been a lot of fatherless and widows left in the wake of the ex-"president's" failure to protect American citizens. In this case, Homeland Security is doing a good thing. Government and good leadership should be a terror to evil rather than to good. VOICE is a small step in the right direction. I pray you never have to use it. Daily Devotion: More Than a Passing Glimpse - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." -John 12:20-21 If you had visited ancient Greece and said that you believed in God, you would have been asked what His name was. The Greeks believed in multiple gods. It was said in that time that it was easier to find a god in Athens than a man. Yet the Bible tells us there were "certain Greeks" in Jerusalem for the Passover who were looking for Jesus. There were, of course, religious leaders looking for Jesus because they wanted to kill Him. On the day Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, there were others looking for Him as well. But they were looking for a different Jesus who would fit into their mold. Then there were the people identified as "certain Greeks." And it seems they had the right motives in looking for Him. At this time, Greece had been conquered by Rome, and it had benefitted Rome in many ways. The Greeks were renowned for their incredible philosophy, architecture, and learning. In fact, the city of Athens was an intellectual center for the world. Yet these Greeks, these men of culture, obviously were dissatisfied. Apparently their philosophies and religion had not satisfied them. Nor had their accomplishments. So there they were, saying to Philip, "We wish to see Jesus." A more literal rendering of that statement would be: "We desire to see Jesus." They wanted more than just a passing glimpse; they wanted to really see Him. Is that your desire? Do you want to see Jesus? Jesus said, "'Behold, I have come-in the volume of the book it is written of Me-to do Your will, O God'" (Hebrews 10:7). We don't have to look any further than His Word. We can find everything we need to know about God in the pages of Scripture. FROM THE HEART
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