Prophecy Update Newsletter
May 11, 2017
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Why Teach Prophecy? - By pastor Mike Taylor - http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2017/05/why-teach-prophecy.html
19 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."( 2nd Peter 1:19-21) That's the question...Why Teach Prophecy? This is a very broad subject and there are many reasons why we should pay attention to the signs around us that point to the fulfillment of the Words found in your Bible. But I will focus on a few of them to answer the question. Many of those who think prophecy has been fulfilled and nothing is awaiting out there save the return of Jesus, discount any mention of prophecy, as they are what is known as Preterist. These deceived people believe that all was fulfilled in 70AD with the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Roman army and the nation of Israel was no more. But has all prophecy really been fulfilled? I would question such folks as when the passages in Revelation had actually been fulfilled. Can they show me where the green grass all over the earth was burned up? Can they show me where 1/3 of the trees were destroyed, along with the sea and the rivers turning to blood as that of a dead man? How about the blazing mountain falling into the sea, which sounds like a comet, hitting the earth and destroying million of people who live along the coastlines, just to name a few of the destruction that befalls the earth? "12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:12-17) Noting that none of the plagues and environmental disasters spoken of in Revelation have been recording in history , as when these events actually happened. Reason, the have not happened, and the time of their fulfillment is future. I'm reminded of the Bible verses that Jesus spoke of when men will not have a clue what is coming upon the earth and will be going about their lives, like nothing is going to happen. 37 "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."( Matthew 24:37-42) What was Jesus referring to? In the days of Noah, God commanded Noah to build an ark, as He was sad that he had ever made man. 6 "And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 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 made them." (Genesis 6:6-7) But thankfully for all who live today, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord: 8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch."( Genesis 6:8-14) As the Bible story unfolds, Noah built the ark and it took him 120 years. And as he built, Noah preached a warning to the people around him. But the people laughed at him to scorn. "Who had every heard of it raining from the sky?" is what they thought, as the dew watered the earth before this time. So they heeded not the warning of Noah, and only his family and two of every living creature on the earth was taken into the ark. The people of Noah's day thought Noah was mad. So they continued their sinful lives not knowing that the end of all things was close at hand. AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH We see some of the same things happening today, as it was in the time of the flood that covered the earth and destroyed all mankind, save a remnant. God said He would not ever again destroy the earth with a flood, but next time, it would be by fire. 6 " I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. 7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. 8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy." (Zephaniah 3:6-8) Men today are doing exactly the same thing that the people during Noah's age are doing. They are oblivious to the danger that is lurking right over the horizon. "in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark" WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS Jesus gave us markers to point to the time of His coming for this people of His church, and people have been trying to figure out for the last 200 years when the Lord Jesus would come. They have made predictions, and they have all been wrong. Why have they been wrong? First Jesus said that "no man knoweth the day or the hour" "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." (Matthew 24:36) So trying to pinpoint the time of the coming of the Lord for His church is folly on anybody's part. Second to why the people have been unable to predict the coming of the Lord or even the season, Israel was not yet a nation. It all hangs on Israel as the door to end time prophecy and Jerusalem being the key. Jesus told us the season of His coming for His church and it surrounds Israel's becoming a nation again and being back in her own land. 32 "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:32-35) As anyone should know, especially if you follow any of my messages in the past, the fig tree is Israel. She blossomed and put forth her leaves, and became a nation once again in 1948. But note that Jesus said that "this generation would not pass away, till all things be fulfilled". What is a generation that Jesus spoke of ? If you search the Bible, God has been shortening the life span of man since the flood, when these people lived centuries of upwards of 900 years and more. Now modern man has an average of 70 years, as the Bible plainly reveals. 10 "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." (Psalms 90:10) A simple bit of math will render the season of the coming of the Lord. If you take the first number of 70 years, which is the time of a generation and add that to the time of the rebirth of Israel, you see that you get 2018, which is this next year. Or if you take the greater number, you add that also, and you come up with 2028...That means by the words of our Lord, that He will be back on this earth, reigning and ruling for a thousand years. Then will begin the Sabbath rest of the earth, as man has had 6000 years for his rule, now God will rule righteously for a Millennium with a rod of iron. But note that if Jesus is reigning and He said that ALL things would be fulfilled, and that includes the Tribulation period of 7 years, and being a solid proponent of a Pre-Tribulation removal of the Church of Jesus Christ, folks have named the Rapture, you will see that subtracting from 2028 will result in 2021....That gives us a season of when Jesus said that all things would be fulfilled. WAIT IT GETS MORE INTERESTING I was reading here lately of an old Jewish Rabbi that made a prophecy prediction in the time of the 1200s..into the 13 century. It all related to the year of the Jubilee. Some of you may know, but Jubilees is the 50th year of four Sabbatical years which are 49. (7x7=49)...on this 50th year, this Jewish Rabbi, Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel prophesied the coming of the Messiah or more correctly, the Messianic period. His prophesy predicted that Jerusalem would be conquered by the Ottoman Turks and hold it for 400 years, or 8 Jubilees (8x50=400) and that is exactly what happened, but he didn't see his prophecy come true for another 300 years after his death. It happened in 1517 AD and the Ottoman Turks held onto Jerusalem until 1917, exactly 400 years until they were defeated by the British. "The Mamluks, who had been reigning in Jerusalem since 1250, were conquered in 1517 by the Ottoman Turks. They remained for eight jubilees (8 x 50 = 400 years), that is to say they were in Jerusalem for 400 years. Exactly 400 years later, in 1917, the Ottoman Turks were conquered by the British. The League of Nations conferred the Mandate for the Holy Land and Jerusalem to the British. Thus, from 1917, under international law, Jerusalem was no-man's land." (Word News Daily, 12th century Rabbi predicts Israel's Future) You can read the whole story here: http://www.wnd.com/2012/11/12th-century-rabbi-predicted-israels-future/ As was predicted, another 50 years, or another Jubilee, and Israel would recapture Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War. He then predicts that when another Jubilee is finished, the period of the Messianic years would have been fulfilled. But to summarize: -Ottoman Turks rule Jerusalem for 8 Jubilees, or 400 years from 1517-1917 -the British would put "Palestine" under British rule and Jerusalem would be recaptured by Israel at the end of one Jubilee or 1917-1967. -according to the Rabbi Samuel, from 1967-2017 is the Messianic "End Times" My question? How could a 13th century Rabbi be so extraordinarily correct in his prophecy? Note what year we are living in?? We are in the middle of 2017..the end of the Jubilee year as prophesied. Now take what this Rabbi predicted that actually came true and coupling that with what Jesus said in Matthew 24, we can see that if this Rabbi is to be believed, then the season of the coming of Christ is close at hand. Do I believe a 13th Century Rabbi? I find it amazing that his prophecy was spot on. But that's not all. SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS SPEAK OF THE COMING OF THE LORD I have written many articles about signs that we are seeing right now, and what has already been fulfilled with the blood moons that fell on Jewish Feast Days for two years in a row and how they have only happened when they gave witness to something prophetic happening to Israel. This all happened in 2014-2015. God told us that He put these signs in the heavens for us during creation. "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:" (Genesis 1:14) Note the words "and let them be for signs"...? Note that the solar eclipses and blood moons are more than just naturally occurring phenomenon. Also note that there will not be another set of Blood Moons or solar eclipses that fall on another Jewish Feast day for another 500 years according to NASA...there will be blood moons, yes, but not on Feast Days in the order of what we just saw. NO MAN KNOWETH THE DAY OR THE HOUR I've posted sermons on this very subject and don't want to get too involved in what Jesus was saying, that any Jewish man in the time of our Lord living on this earth would have immediately recognized what Jesus was talking about. But to refresh anyone's memory of that message, go here: http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2016/09/no-man-knoweth-day-or-hour.html What the message reveals is that God has used the Feast of the Lord to mark prophectic events and fulfilled them on the very day of their observance. Those were : -Passover: Jesus became our Passover Lamb -Days of Unleavened Bread-our sins were put outside the camp -Feast of First Fruits: Jesus was before the Father as the First Born of the dead -Pentecost: The Holy Spirit came in power and the Church was born. We are now in the harvest time, between the spring Feast and the Fall Feast, when God is saving mankind through His Son Jesus Christ as in the parable of the wheat and the tares. I would call this the Age of Grace, or the Church Age. But we are fast approaching the end of this Harvest Time, and the next marker for the plan for the redemption of mankind is the Feast of Trumpets, or blowing of trumpets to signal the return of the King. And the thing that made me stand up and take notice and found in the above article, what is the term used for the Feast of Trumpets. "NO MAN KNOWETH THE DAY OF THE HOUR"...Why? Because it is the only Feast day where they must wait for a sliver of a new moon for the time to begin, and since there is a discrepancy on counting days via their calendar, they keep two days, just to be sure. This year, that Feast of Trumpets fall in September 21-22. SO AGAIN, WHY TEACH PROPHECY? With all the quickly enumerated signs, predictions, the words of Jesus and the return of Israel as a nation being a generation will see all things fulfilled, I think it most important to warn those who have grown tired and slumber, or so enamored with their unrighteous living, that they are as in the days of Noah. They are eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage and have not a clue what is happening all around them. People in this world think they have their lives to live and not worrying about what is coming right over the horizon. That is why we teach prophecy. To warn those who are not aware of the signs of the times, and will be taken totally by surprise when millions of people suddenly disappear. Now some will say, that this precedes the second coming of our Lord, but will men be living their lives in the usual manner leading up to this time? No, I think everyone that is still alive, will be totally focused on their very survival, and know that God in His Divine judgement has caused what has come upon the earth, but still they will not repent. Some ask why can't we just live our lives, and love one another, and let everyone be whatever makes them happy and judge not anyone on their lifestyle...True to a point...we are not anyone's judge, as that is God's role and I will not judge anything but what is inside the church. We are commanded to judge righteously what goes on inside the Church, as instructed by Paul. 2 "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church." (1st Corinthians 6:2-4) But to the rest of the world, we warn that the time is growing short to get on the "ark of salvation" much like the Ark in Noah's age, the ark today, is Jesus Christ. Only He can save those who are approaching the worst time in all of history of this world, as Jesus said: 21 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (Matthew 24:21-22) Note that unless He shortens those days, "NO FLESH WILL BE SAVED". Let those words sink into your mind for a moment. No flesh, nobody would be saved, as the carnage will cover this earth. Environmental disasters, Divine judgement that only be attributed to a Holy God in righteous indignation, and the earth convulsing in earthquakes that will level every mountain and move every island out of it's place. Men will not have confidence even in the earth they stand on. An conservative estimate is 6 billion people dying in 7 short years with the majority in the last 3.5 years. Can you imagine the carnage? "24 "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:24-26) IN conclusion: Why Teach Prophecy? Because God commanded that we warn those who in peril of their life, and their very souls to what is coming...a sword is coming upon the land. 7 "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." (Ezekiel 33:7-9) But all we can do is warn, but as in the days of Noah, many...no, most will not hear, but will scoff at such a warning.. 3 "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." (2nd Peter 3:3-7) But that is why we teach prophecy, as a warning to those who are asleep, or scoffing, or acting as it was in the days of Noah. I hope as you read this, that the evidence found in your bible points to this end of days. We may not have much time longer to preach the Word of God and warn those who are too busy to give God a second thought, but have rejected the plan of salvation found in Jesus Christ. Christ our Lord Jesus is coming soon. The signs say so, the Bible says so, and the evidence I've presented, hopefully, gives you an idea of what I speak of. Jesus could...I SAY COULD, as I don't know for sure, as God has not revealed it to me personally, but with the evidence, Jesus COULD come even this fall. I know I will be watching a listening for that Trumpet call and the Lord Jesus coming in the air to bring those who have been sealed with His Holy Spirit and obtain VICTORY IN JESUS. I want everyone to be right there with me and others who have accepted Jesus as personal Savior standing before our Lord in worship and praise...How? 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."( Romans 10:8-10) 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 God sent not His Son into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 1818 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) Prophecy is being fulfilled right now in front of our eyes, and the next moment of your life, Jesus could come and those who are found in Him will be taken out of this world. Those who are not found in Jesus will be thrown headlong into this coming horror known as the Tribulation and most likely, die a horrible death, one way or another. ..I beg you, don't let that happen...Accept Jesus today as your personal Savior and be ready for when He breaks through the clouds and as with a sound of a trumpet, yells "Come up here"...And so shall we ever be with the Lord. This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying your hear the sound of this warning in your mind and in your hearts...if you need prayer, counseling or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected] . God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET 
The Nakba - By Matt Ward -
http://www.raptureready.com/2017/05/09/the-nakba-by-matt-ward/ Each year, on May 15th, the Muslim world commemorate a day known as Nakba Day, or "Catastrophe" Day. Nakba Day commemorates the "catastrophe" that the establishment of the modern State of Israel was to the Muslim world in 1948. Nakba Day represents, according to the popular and developing western narrative, the biggest crisis of modern Palestinianism to date; the establishment of the modern State of Israel. This day, inaugurated by Yasser Arafat in 1988 as a day of solemn remembrance, mourning and protest, is the day in 1948, one day after Jewish Independence was declared, when Egypt, Syria, Transjordan and Iraq collectively invaded the fledgling Jewish State with the intention of wiping her from the map. The Arab world was determined to carry out a "war of extermination" and follow through with the threatened "momentous massacre" declared for the newborn Israeli State by then Arab League Secretary General, Azzam Pasha. In this attack, the Arab Muslim world had nothing short of another Jewish Genocide on their minds. In the war that immediately followed, and despite being horrendously outnumbered and outgunned, the tiny Jewish State managed to push the invaders back and establish the countries provisional boundaries. This came at quite some cost. 6,373 Israelis were killed in the act of defending their new country, the equivalent of about 1 percent of the Jewish state's population at that time. This would be the equivalent of about 3 million American dead today. Israel had decisively won its first major war for survival; but it would be the first of many. It was in this first war with Israel that the Arab Muslim world learnt something important. These Jewish men and women, many who had limped lame, bent double, starving and lice ridden from Dachau, Treblinka, Bergen-Belsen and Auschwitz just two years before, were not the same broken men and women in 1948 that they were in 1945. They were united by a single desire and goal, one summed up in two short words, "never again." They had meant it. Since that first fateful war in 1948, Israel's existence has been one of almost continual war, battle or asymmetric conflict. To date, Israel have been dragged into no less than thirteen significant conflicts or wars, all against implacable enemies whose only motivation is her utter destruction. Each war that Israel faces is a war of annihilation; if Israel lose just once, they will lose everything for all time. There would be no magnanimity shown to Israel in defeat, only wrath and destruction. None of us, in 2017, should be under any illusion about the threats Israel face. The wars and conflicts Israel finds itself frequently contesting, the barrage of condemnation Israel continuously fields from the United Nations and its various organizations within, the harsh unending criticism Israel absorbs day after day from the mainstream media, and the vilification of groups like BDS; they are but for one reason only, these groups and organizations want Israel to be no more. The perceived end game these groups have in mind for Israel is not to carve out a Palestinian state from Israeli land, it is to carve Israel out from the face of the Middle East. After the 1948 Israeli War of Independence, Israel was quickly plunged into war once again in the Sinai War of 1956 with Egypt. This war resulted in the demilitarization of the Sinai, thus enhancing the fledgling Israel's southern border and creating a buffer zone between Israel and Egypt. Eleven years later Israel was to face another existential threat to its existence in the Six Days War of 1967. This war pitted Israel, standing all alone, against the full forces of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon. The result of this war was nothing short of miraculous. By its conclusion, Israel had gained full control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, the remainder of the Sinai and the Golan Heights. Crucially, Israel once again, after two thousand years, had gained control over Jerusalem, her ancient capital city. God was blessing Israel and despite being completely surrounded, without help and grossly outnumbered, they were expanding and solidifying their territory. This war led to the four year War of Attrition (1967 - 1970), which saw the rise of the infamous Black September group who were responsible, amongst other atrocities for the Munich Olympics Massacre of Jewish athletes in 1972. The Yom Kippur War, just three years later in 1973, represented perhaps Israel's biggest threat to date and was without question the closest Israel has come to losing a major fixed war in the modern era. Catching Israel completely by surprise, on the Holiest Day of Judaism - Yom Kippur, a coalition of eight nations simultaneously attacked Israel. Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Cuba all moved at once with the singular intent of bringing the Jews to their knees and removing Israel from the Middle East. In the 1982 First Lebanon War, Israel faced for the first time a combination of nation states and transnational terrorist entities within the context of the same broad war. They faced attack from Syria and the terrorist groups Hezbollah, the PLO, the Lebanese National Resistance front and the Amal Movement of Lebanon. This war continued for many years and eventually drew to an official close in or about 2000. It was during this time that Israel also had to face both the First Intifada (1987-1993) and the Second Intifada (2000 - 2005). Both these Intifada's saw intense uprising and violence through general and wide scale Palestinian violence and homicide bombings. In very recent times, between 2008 and the present day Israel have been involved three wars, all against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Operation Cast Lead, (2008-2009), Operation Pillar of Defense, (2012) and Operative Protective Edge, (2014). All were victories for Israel, but at a cost of international vilification for Israel. Israel has never enjoyed real or lasting peace. Since the very first moments of her existence, Israel has been fighting for her life. That Israel has simply survived the past seventy years is miraculous. Yet, surprisingly, contesting war for her survival has not been Israel's biggest challenge to date. Israel's biggest threat today is posed by one simple, baseless and false lie, one which Nakba Day seeks to promote. This lie has been so successful that it threatens the legitimization of Israel itself. It is one that we hear repeated often, especially on the anniversary of Nakba Day, or Catastrophe Day. It is the ever so subtle lie that the reason the Palestinian people still do not have a state of their own, and therefore why there is no peace in the Middle East more generally, is not because of their own intransigence, or the blatant corruption and violence of their own leaders, but because of Israel. It is a lie from the pit of hell itself and next time, in the week commemorating the birth of the modern state of Israel, we will examine the facts of the matter, and see where the blame for the lack of peace really lays. We will try to answer the question that has baffled all comers to date as to why, in 2017, do the Palestinians still not have a state of their own in my follow-up article. [email protected] 
Despite New Charter, Hamas Founder Clarifies Goal is Still to Destroy Israel -
http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/05/11/despite-new-charter-hamas-founder-clarifies-goal-still-destroy-israel/ Hamas co-founder Mahmoud al-Zahar clarified Wednesday that his terror group's new political program, which some interpreted as accepting the idea of a Palestinian state on the 1967 lines, would not preclude Hamas from seeking to liberate all of historic Palestine, including Israel. "If we liberate Palestine though the resistance until the 1967 borders, we will go directly to liberate the rest of Palestine and the territories of 1948, and there will be no negotiations," Zahar said at a conference in Gaza addressing international reactions to the new policy document, according to the Hamas-linked al-Resalah news site. Zahar was likely responding to hardline critics of Hamas's new program, such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group. "As partners with our Hamas brothers in the struggle for liberation, we feel concern over the document," Islamic Jihad's deputy leader, Ziad al-Nakhala, said Saturday. "We are opposed to Hamas's acceptance of a state within the 1967 borders and we think this is a concession which damages our aims," he said in a statement on Islamic Jihad's website. On Wednesday Zahar stressed that Hamas was not walking back its original principals, asserting, "If Hamas liberated 99.9% of the land of Palestine, it will not give up on the rest." Zahar was likely responding to hardline critics of Hamas's new program, such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group. "As partners with our Hamas brothers in the struggle for liberation, we feel concern over the document," Islamic Jihad's deputy leader, Ziad al-Nakhala, said Saturday. "We are opposed to Hamas's acceptance of a state within the 1967 borders and we think this is a concession which damages our aims," he said in a statement on Islamic Jihad's website. On Wednesday Zahar stressed that Hamas was not walking back its original principals, asserting, "If Hamas liberated 99.9% of the land of Palestine, it will not give up on the rest." 
End-of-Days Prophecy Describes Erdogan Leading Ishmael to Final War for Jerusalem - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz May -
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/87965/end-days-prophecy-describes-erdogan-leading-ishmael-final-war-jerusalem/#Fgx8ZlJI5zVOYJJm.99 "And he said: 'Hearken ye, all Yehudah, and ye inhabitants of Yerushalayim, and thou king Yehoshafat: thus saith Hashem unto you: Fear not ye, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." II Chronicles 20:15 (The Israel Bible™) This week, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan established himself as a leader in the End-of-Days by calling for the Islam to unite for Jerusalem. Erdogan's perplexing statement could be the cry that rallies the world of Ishmael for the prophesied third and final battle of Jerusalem preceding the Messiah. On Monday, at the opening ceremony of the International Forum on Al-Quds Wakfs (Islamic trusts) in Istanbul, Erdogan called for hundreds of thousands of Muslims to ascend to the Temple Mount, thundering, "Each day that Jerusalem is under occupation is an insult to us." Rabbi Berger, rabbi of the Tomb of King David on Mount Zion, believes that Erdogan's call to Muslims was based in a Jewish prophecy that predates Islam. "Erdogan is fulfilling a prophecy as the leader of his country," Rabbi Berger told Breaking Israel News. "Just like Pharaoh in Egypt." The rabbi related a prophecy written in Pirkei D'Rebbe Eliezer, a collection of Biblical exegesis believed to have been compiled in the seventh century. He explained that according to the prophecy, the "sons of Ishmael", which the rabbi identifies as Islam, will wage a war against "Edom", which the rabbi identifies as Christianity. After this war, the sons of Ishmael will wage three wars against the Jews focused around Jerusalem. "Rabbi Ishmael (the High Priest) said, 'Three wars of turmoil the Sons of Ishmael are destined to wage in Israel in the end-of-days'," the prophecy reads, citing a verse in Isaiah. For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. Isaiah 21:15 The prophecy continues, "And from there, the Messiah from the House of David will grow, and he will witness their destruction, and then he will come to Israel." Rabbi Berger explained how the prophecy, written hundreds of years before Muhammad founded Islam, related to current events. "The war between Islam and Christianity has been going on for some time now, in Europe and America," Rabbi Berger said. He identified the two intifadas Israel has suffered, the first from 1987-1993 and the second from 2000-2005, as the first two wars to which the prophecy refers. "Erdogan has just declared the third and final war for Jerusalem as foretold in the prophecy," Rabbi Berger said. He noted that while Erdogan might not seem the natural Arab leader to unite the Muslims, he had touched on a universal message in targeting Jerusalem which would, in a sense, 'activate' the need to fulfill the prophecy. "The world of Islam is fighting among itself and Erdogan is not a major Islamic leader," Rabbi Berger said. "But his call to unite in the fight for Jerusalem will resonate among the Muslims because it is the call they have been waiting for. It is written in their soul." The Islamic war for Jerusalem was also predicted in the Zohar, the foundational work of Jewish mysticism. It is written in the Zohar that in the sixth cycle of 1,000 years, "there will be a spiritual process of 70 days", which "will return the Torah to Moses". After that, "a great cry will go up to God from Israel from the suffering." The Zohar (Vayera 1:119a) then predicts a multinational war for Jerusalem led by Islam, basing this prophecy on a verse in the final chapter of Zechariah. For I will gather all nations against Yerushalayim to battle; and the city shall be taken and the houses rifled and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity but the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Zechariah 14:2 Professor Ze'ev Maghen of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic studies (BESA) explained that Turkey has a powerful political interest in Jerusalem as well which relates to the historic ties between the two regions. "It should be remembered that Erdogan inherited the title of leader of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over Jerusalem and its holy places, politically and religiously, for 400 years," Dr. Maghen told Breaking Israel News. "Erdogan is, after all, an Islamist, and Jerusalem is the third holiest city in Islam." The professor explained that as leader of the current incarnation of the Ottoman Empire, Erdogan sees it is his role to lead the Islamic battle for Jerusalem. "Since Saudi Arabia as the leader of Sunni Wahabism rules over the holy city of Mecca, it is only natural that a call to war would focus on Jerusalem," said Dr. Maghen. "For that reason, Iran has a Jerusalem Day." Iran instituted 'Quds Day' in 1979 as an annual holiday held on the last day of the Ramadan period of fasting. It was intended to be in direct opposition to Israel's celebration of Jerusalem Day. At its inception, the Ayatollah Khomeini, the spiritual leader of Iran, declared the "liberation" of Jerusalem a religious duty to all Muslims. Essentially, Dr. Maghen concluded, "Erdogan's call for Islam to unify in the fight for Jerusalem dates back to Suleiman the Magnificent, leading to the 200-year battle against the Christian Crusaders." 
Samuel's Mother - Nathele Graham - [email protected]
God's word is filled with many accounts of men and women who were obedient to God and accomplished great things, people such as Noah, Moses, and Esther. Scripture also gives accounts of people who quietly made a difference. One of those quiet people was Hannah. Her dreams and desires hadn't quite worked out like she had wanted and she faced torment from a mean-spirited woman. Hannah wasn't bitter but turned to God. Hannah was married to a man named Elkanah who had two wives. The Bible states facts even when those facts aren't God's perfect will. Elkanah's wife Peninnah had given birth to many sons and daughters and never let Hannah forget this fact. A woman desires to have children with her husband, but Hannah had not been able to have children. "And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. " 1 Samuel 1:6-7. Elkanah loved Hannah and took care of her, but Peninnah tormented her. Hannah was hurt deeply and she handled the situation by going to God in prayer. "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore." 1 Samuel 1:10. Poor Hannah. She wanted to be a mother but her understanding of God's bigger picture was limited to the "here and now" situation with Peninnah. In her heartfelt prayers, Hannah made a vow. "And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." 1 Samuel 1:11. Hannah's faith in God was strong, and her prayer was passionate. She prayed silently, but as she prayed she mouthed the words to God. Eli was the high priest and judge of Israel and he watched as she prayed, but he thought she was drunk. Once again Hannah was accused of something she was innocent of. "And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee." 1 Samuel 1:14. The gentle-spirited Hannah didn't answer in anger, but explained to Eli that she had poured out her heart to the LORD. Eli believed her and asked that God grant her desire. Hannah is a wonderful example of a Godly woman. She could have been filled with hatred towards Peninnah, but instead of choosing to be bitter, she prayed. After talking with Eli she ate and was no longer sad. Even before her prayer was answered her outlook changed because she trusted God. Christians should pay attention to this. When we pray do we tell God what He needs to do, or do we seek His will? Do we trust Him to answer our prayers in the way He knows is best? "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thing own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. God's ways are always best. Peninnah probably didn't change her attitude and Hannah hadn't prayed for that. It was Hannah's outlook that had changed. Earnest prayer has a way of doing that. Hannah had prayed for a son, but her reasons weren't selfish. She wasn't trying to show Peninnah a thing or two or prove anything to anybody. Her vow was that if God allowed her to have a son she would give that child back to Him. Making a deal with God isn't always a good idea, but God did answer her prayer and she became pregnant. "Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20. Samuel was an answer to his mother's prayer, but would she honor her vow to God? Yes, she would. When Elkanah went for his yearly trip to sacrifice and worship at Shiloh, Hannah stayed behind. The child had to be ready for service to God, just as Hannah had to be ready before her prayer was answered. "But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever." 1 Samuel 1:22. Elkanah agreed. He must have been a godly man, because as her husband he had to agree to the vow she had made. He continued to make his yearly pilgrimage to Shiloh and knew that on one of these trips he would leave his son with Eli. In those days a child wasn't weaned until he was two or three years old, and Hannah was true to her word. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah did make the pilgrimage to Shiloh with three bullocks, some flour, and wine for sacrifice. It might seem as if "sacrificing" her child would be enough, but Hannah understood that the vow she honored didn't mean that she had done all she needed to do for God. Too many times we think we have done "enough" for God. We might spend an hour in worship on Sunday morning and think that's good enough. We are to live our faith every day and give our best to God. After all, God gave His only Son for our salvation and that should encourage us to give Him our best and live for Him. "And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there." 1 Samuel 1:25-28. God knew that Hannah would have a son and that Samuel would be a godly man. Hannah honored God and didn't just give lip-service to her faith. She prayed and God answered. "The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29. Do you feel as if God doesn't hear your prayers? It might be that you need to get right with Him and seek His will, not your own. Children are blessings and every one of them should be raised with prayer by godly parents. Do you pray for your children with the fervor with which Hannah prayed? Unfortunately children are often the victims of abuse and aren't taught to love the Lord. Even parents who purport to be Christians neglect to make God first in the lives of their children because He isn't first in the parent's lives. Every child should have a mother like Hannah who didn't let circumstances embitter her but drove her deeper into prayer. Hannah's love for the Lord grew and she poured out her soul in a song of praise. "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation." 1 Samuel 2:1. On the mountain top or in the valley, Hannah knew her strength (horn) was the Lord. Peninnah was an enemy and caused Hannah much heartache, but in this song Peninnah is not referred to by name. "Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." 1 Samuel 2:3. Our true enemy is Satan and he causes all of us no end of sorrow and pain. Is there someone in your life who torments you? What are your actions toward them? God sees how you treat others and weighs your actions. God knows and sees what is going on and will strengthen you to overcome adversity. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord." Romans 12:19. Leave vengeance to the Lord. Hannah did, and in further reference to Peninnah she sang "They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble." 1 Samuel 2:5. Peninnah faded into history. She is only named in two verses, but hinted at in Hannah's song: "... she that hath many children is waxed feeble". A haughty spirit will destroy a person, and it seems Peninnah paid a price for her biting tongue. On the other hand, Hannah was blessed with more children. Hannah didn't neglect Samuel and each year she made a coat and took it to him when she and Elkanah went to sacrifice. "And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went to their own home." 1Samuel 2:20. Peninnah wasn't mentioned and in light of the song of Hannah she may have died. There is no record of it in Scripture, but a person with her attitude cannot be blessed. Every person in this account had a choice of how they would behave. Peninnah chose to puff herself up and put down Hannah. Elkanah chose to have two wives, but though he provided for Peninnah his love was for Hannah. Circumstances could have made Hannah bitter, but instead she chose to seek the Lord and pray. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:10. Even Samuel had a choice. His mother made a vow and followed through in dedicating him to God's service, but Samuel had to eventually make his own choice. He made the right choice and served God faithfully. He anointed kings and served Israel as a prophet and a judge. Great things were accomplished because one woman chose to seek God rather than seek vengeance. Like Hannah and Peninnah we also have a choice whether to seek God or reject Him. If you've been blessed to have been raised in a home where God is honored, then you have a firm foundation on which to build your life. Your salvation isn't guaranteed, though, unless you personally choose Christ for salvation. Some parents have their babies baptized in the false belief that the baby will be saved. Salvation is a personal choice and baptism is obedience. A baby cannot make that choice. Hannah vowed that her son would be dedicated to God's service, but Samuel had to ultimately make his own choice. Eli had two sons of his own who made wrong choices. "And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is not good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress." 1 Samuel 2:23-24. Ultimately God judged them because they chose to sin. There is much we can learn from Hannah. Pray fervently and petition God in prayer. Like Samuel's mother, seek His will and not your own. 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. 
Would You Let Your Company Chip You? -
http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=1229 Remember scenes from movies like Mission Impossible or Minority Report where people are subjected to microchip implants? Well, it's not just in the movies anymore--it's real. Ask the employees of the Swedish company Epicenter, based in Stockholm, where it's routine to have your hand implanted as part of your new employee on-boarding process. The company gives its workers the choice of an implant that will operate printers and open doors--you can even buy items from the vending machine with it. Apparently, it is an extremely popular undertaking that so far, about 150 of the 2,000 employees have opted for. Epicenter CEO and co-founder Patrick Mesterton says, "The biggest benefit I think is convenience," as he waves his own hand to unlock a door. "It basically replaces a lot of things you have, other communication devices, whether it be credit cards or keys." Mesterton was one of the first to get chipped and lead by example, but even he initially had doubts and struggled with the decision. "Of course, putting things into your body is quite a big step to do and it was even for me at first," he said. He finally decided to offer the chip program because he said that people have had many other devices like pacemakers and artificial knees implanted, so the chips are really no different. Jowan Osterlund is jokingly called the "body hacker" by Epicenter employees; he comes over from company Biohax Sweden every month to chip employees. The "chipping" day has become so popular that employees have actually turned it into a party. These types of microchips are by no means new; they've been used for pets for years, and companies routinely use the same technology to track packages and deliveries. However, this tech has not been used as a human implant before. Epicenter joins a few other global companies in taking the plunge with its employees. Here's how they work: they use Near Field Communication (NFC) just like a mobile payment does. When the chip gets close to the reader, data interchange flows from the chip to the reader via electromagnetic wave. The chips cause no health issues and are biologically safe, but opponents of the human use of the technology says that it causes privacy and security issues. The chips generate data, so it is much easier for employers to track everything about their employees--how often they come to work, what time then start and stop, how many bathroom breaks you take, and what they are buying while in the workplace. Opponents of the practice say that employees are blindsided about being on the cutting edge of something new, but they're not thinking through all the future implications and what those could mean for them. Any device can potentially be hacked, and some companies worry about hackers gaining access to their facilities and data via the chips. Many Christians fear that such technologies are a precursor to what is often called "the Mark of the Beast" - where no man may buy or sell without an identifying mark in their right hand or forehead. What happens when for "security purposes" such chips become mandatory to work at certain companies or government agencies. It is not hard to imagine what starts off as a method of convenience growing into something much more controlling. 
Daily Jot: Fake News Firestorm - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
Just last week the Democrats were saying that James Comey should be fired because of his actions with the Hillary Clinton email investigation that they believe cost her the election. After President Donald Trump fulfills their wishes by firing the inept ex-"president"-appointed Comey, they call for Trump's impeachment. This is a fake news firestorm. The headlines are ridiculous: Comey was expanding Russian probe; Firing means trouble for healthcare and tax plans; How to salvage the presidency; Trump actions are Nixonian; Dems dream of impeachment; Comey called President "crazy"; and the firestorm goes ablaze. Let's just boil this down the pith of the matter. The President has the authority to hire and fire in his administration. We have seen this with every president in history. Trump was well within his authority to fire Comey-even just over the very fact that the previous "president" appointed him. Comey got fired for several reasons. Among them is his playing politics with the FBI; A non-indictment of Hillary Clinton; then a reopening of the Clinton investigation; then disputing Trump's wire tapping claims (which were ultimately verified); The botching of the entire Russian "investigation" culminating with the ex-"president's" former Director of National Security testifying under oath that he saw no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Undeniable, however, is the media collusion with Democratic Party leftists in raising false flags about Russia interfering with the US elections. This is the extreme left's strategy to prevent Trump from governing effectively and to continue fomenting the resistance to his presidency. It is all part of the plan. Irrespective of whether Comey was fired or if there were some other news item-which there will be that these extremists can blow out of proportion--their goal is to prevent the US government from functioning and blame it on Trump's alleged racism, bigotry, Islamophobia, homophobia, misogyny, etc. In short, they are accusing the Russians and Trump of doing exactly what they, themselves, are doing. The bottom line is that while yelling loudly for impeachment out of one side of their mouths, the extreme left leadership admits out of the other side of their mouths that there is no evidence to impeach. House Communist/Progressive Caucus member Maxine Waters (D-CA) told the Washington Post that she believed "this president colluded with the Russians" and when asked if she had evidence to back her collusion charges, she replied, "No, we have not." These stories are a political fake news firestorm created to provide the illusion of malfeasance to sway public opinion and render the Trump Administration ineffective. These people are exposing themselves and the darkness of what many have been calling the "swamp." Proverbs 19:9 says, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish." Let it be so. 
Daily Devotion: The Unchanging Power of the Gospel - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. -James 1:27 We are living in a time described as the postmodern generation. And in church circles today, there is a lot of talk about how to reach postmodern people. But here's what I think: The gospel doesn't change. Whether it's for the ancient culture, the modern culture, or the premodern, postmodern, or post-postmodern culture, the gospel never will change. The same message that Peter gave on the Day of Pentecost to people in the first century is relevant for us today in the twenty-first century. I hear people saying today, "I want to reach my nonbelieving friends, so I just need to hang with them. I need to kind of be like them and not be too holier-than-thou." I am with you on that. I don't think we should ever come off pious or as though we don't care about people, because we should care about them. But sometimes in our attempt to build a bridge, in our attempts to relate, we end up becoming more like them than they end up becoming like us. They are bringing us their way more than we are bringing them our way. So we need to be very careful in this area. The rationalization is, "Well, Jesus hung around sinners, so I will hang around sinners." Jesus didn't really hang around sinners, however. I'm not saying that Jesus had no contact with sinners. He had plenty of contact with them. But he didn't hang around them. He hung around His disciples for the most part. When Jesus was around sinners, they were changed. We must always want to bring unbelievers to faith, not end up being like them. Be careful that you don't overcompromise. Because sometimes we lower our standards in order to extend our reach-and we end up reaching no one. 
FROM THE HEART
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