Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
The Season of His Coming - By Michael Hile -
https://www.raptureready.com/2020/05/26/the-season-of-his-coming-by-michael-hile/ "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The Song of Solomon talks about the bridegroom (my beloved) coming for His bride (my love, my fair one) after "winter is past" and when "the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell" (SOS 2:10-13). The book of Luke tells us that "the kingdom of God is near at hand" when "the fig tree, and all the trees...shoot forth" and "summer is near at hand" (Luke 21:29-32). The statement "winter is past" lets us know that summer has probably not yet arrived, while "summer is near at hand" implies that winter has passed, and summer is close, but has not yet arrived. After winter but before summer is a period called "seedtime" in the Bible but is referred to as spring in modern usage. Spring is generally regarded as beginning in the month of March and ending in the month of June, depending upon the calendar system used. "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22). As summer draws near, the first three spring feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits) have passed, and the fourth feast, Pentecost, is quickly approaching. Christ's ascension into Heaven (Ascension Day) was forty days after He rose from the grave on the feast of Firstfruits (resurrection day, traditionally called Easter). The feast of Pentecost, which is ten days after Ascension Day, occurs during the months of May or June each year, and is always fifty days after resurrection day. The anniversary of Christ's ascension and the feast of Pentecost occur during springtime, after winter but before summer. Spring is the season when Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of mankind, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and rose from the grave. His death, burial and resurrection were on the feast days, and He literally fulfilled the first three feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23:1-44). Spring is the season when Christ ascended into Heaven and "two men...in white apparel" [angels] standing near, asked the apostles: "Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus...shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:9-11). Spring is the season when "the day of Pentecost was fully come," and "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:1-4). Spring is the season when the bridegroom, in the Song of Solomon, says to his future bride: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away" (SOS 2:10-13). Spring is the season when "the fig tree putteth forth her green figs," "her branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves," "summer is near" and "the kingdom of God is near at hand" (SOS 2:10-13; Mark 13:28-29; Luke 21:29-31). We are told, "when ye shall see all these things," you are to "know that it [the bridegroom and the kingdom of God] is near, even at the doors" (Matthew 24:32-33). Modern-day Israel, sometimes symbolized by the fig tree in the scriptures, was absent from its land for nearly 2,000 years before beginning to come back from its dispersion throughout the world (the Diaspora) in the mid 1800s. Then, through several miraculous events, the Jewish people acquired national status (statehood) on May 14, 1948. Is it coincidental that the season (spring) of Israel's birth date, over seventy years ago, corresponds with the season in which the fig tree buds, puts forth green leaves and begins to develop green figs? Is it pure happenstance that spring is also the season that the bridegroom comes for His bride, as pictured in the Song of Solomon? Although no one knows the "day and hour" the Lord will return, will the bridegroom arrive at some future date in the spring to whisk away His ecstatic bride to the ultimate, consummate, wedding ceremony as hinted at in the Song of Solomon? Is spring the season, before summer arrives, when the Lord will return to earth, in some future year, to set up His kingdom on earth? The Lord has not given us concrete evidence for the time of His return; however, spring is the season for new life and new beginnings, and the Lord fulfilled much of His redemption plan for mankind during the spring season. Although we do not know what time of the year the Lord will return in the air for His saints, spring, after winter but before summer, is an important season to be watching! Is the Day of His Return Approaching? Although no clue is given in the Scriptures concerning the precise time of the Lord's return, some believe Hebrews 10:25 implies that we will be able to see the day of His coming (the rapture) approaching: "...Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching." Knowing "the times and seasons" of the Lord's return is similar to knowing the Thanksgiving season is near when the merchants start putting up their Christmas decorations. The appearance of Christmas lights and ornaments in the marketplace several months prior to Christmas heralds the coming of the Christmas season; however, we also know the arrival of the Thanksgiving holidays is even closer than the advent of Christmas day. In like manner, when we see the prophecies that will take place during "the day of the Lord" approaching and beginning to assemble themselves on the world scene, we can be confident that "the day of redemption" (rapture) (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30; Luke 21:28; Romans 8:22-23) is even closer, and the season for the "catching away" of the 'bride of Christ" has finally arrived. Believers would not be excited to see "the day of the Lord" (judgment) approaching unless they were confident "the day of redemption" would occur before "the day of the Lord." Anticipation of the approaching rapture of God's saints also seems to be implied in the book of Luke as "the day of redemption" draws near, and the generation that will usher in the kingdom of God is revealed: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled" (Luke 21:28-32). A Thief in the Night The Lord told His apostles, as recorded in Acts 1:6-7, that it was not for them "...to know the times or the seasons..." for the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. The mystery of "the times and seasons" of the kingdom's restoration was not for the apostles to know, but it was to be reserved for and revealed to a future generation. The timing of the rapture, also called the "blessed hope" in Titus 2:13, will be as "a thief in the night" to those not watching, but "the times and seasons" of the rapture will not be a surprise to those who are looking for His return (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 21:34-36; Rev. 3:3). "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:11-14). Jesus told His disciples that the judgments coming on the earth would happen suddenly, like a trap that closes quickly on its prey. He predicted that many would be caught off-guard, and cautioned them not to be distracted by overindulgence, desires of the flesh and the daily cares of this life. Jesus' advice to the terminal generation living at the close of this age was to watch for "the signs of the times" pointing to His return and pray continuously that they would be "kept from the hour of Temptation" that would "come upon all the world" (Rev. 3:10). "... take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:34-36). Those Taken and Those Left Behind When the Lord returns in the air for His saints, there will be two categories of people on the earth: the saved and unsaved; also called believers and nonbelievers. All of the nonbelievers will be caught off guard when the Lord returns for His saints "as a thief in the night." Those "left behind" will not immediately know when "the great theft" takes place, unless they see believers disappear on a TV screen or happen to be near those who are taken. Those "caught up" (raptured) will immediately know they have been removed from the earth to "stand before the Son of man" and will "escape" the coming judgments (Matt. 24:21; Luke 21:34-36; Rev. 3:10-11; Rev. 22:12-14). Those "caught up" will also receive their glorified body and complete the glorification salvation process (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 15:51-58). The raptured saints will be rewarded for their faithfulness and will receive a "crown of righteousness" given to "all...that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). On the other hand, there are many nonbelievers who are "scoffers" that mock and make fun of those who are watching the gathering signs of the Lord's return. Even among believers, there are some "not watching" but "scoffing" (2 Peter 3:3-18; Jude 14-19). Professing believers, who are "not watching," may be going to church, but they are "spiritually asleep" and not following the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-28). They are in love with this world and the things of this world and don't realize they have deceived themselves. We are to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves" (James 1:21-22). If your focus is on the "world" and "the things in the world," the scriptures boldly and bluntly state that the love of God is not in you. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:15-17). What are Your Priorities in Life? People many times set priorities early in their life that include education, sports, recreation and leisure time. As we get older and more mature, our goals may become more focused on higher education, career goals and technical skills that help us become productive members of society. At some point, hopefully earlier rather than later, we should establish spiritual priorities and cultivate a relationship with God, the creator and sustainer of all things. "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things...for in him we live, and move, and have our being..." (Acts 17:24-28). If you have developed a relationship with the God of the Bible, your focus should not only be on the current world we live in but also on the world to come. In fact, as we serve the Lord on the earth in our career and through some ministry He has given us, our main focus should be on making preparations for our Heavenly home. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-3). That is why Jesus and His disciples exhorted the saints over a dozen times to "watch" for the signs of his return and commanded them to be "ready" when the "son of man cometh." If you are not watching for the return of the Lord, you are ignoring Christ's commandments and will miss out on many rewards and crowns. Apparently, some of the members of the church in Sardis were professors of salvation rather than possessors of salvation, so Jesus told them to "be watchful...and repent." Jesus then warned the church in Sardis: "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee" (Rev. 3:2-3). Conversely, Jesus commended the church in Philadelphia because they had "kept my word" and had not "denied my name." Jesus informed the church in Philadelphia: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Rev. 3:8, 10-11). Charles H. Spurgeon, famous pastor (1834-1892) of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, described the spiritual mindset that should be present in those who are seriously watching for the Lord's return: "While I am at work, my Master may come. Before I get weary, my Master may return. While others are mocking at me, my Master may appear; and whether they mock or applaud, is nothing to me, I live before the great Task-master's eye, and do my service knowing that He sees me, and expecting that by-and-by He will reveal Himself to me, and then He will reveal me and my right intention to misrepresenting men. May the Lord keep you waiting, working, watching..." 1 In the Twinkling of an Eye When the time of His coming arrives, "...the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess. 4:16-18). After laying out the events of the resurrection and rapture, the Apostle Paul states boldly that his brothers in Christ were not in darkness, and the day of the Lord would not include them (children of light and the day) as it would the nonbelievers (children of the night and darkness), who would be overtaken as a thief in the night. Rather, Paul's brothers in Christ were told to be spiritually awake and to watch and be sober, while continuing to grow in faith and love, knowing they had the hope of salvation. "But of the times and the seasons [of the resurrection and rapture], brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you...But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day [the day of the Lord] should overtake you as a thief ([they would not be part of the day of the Lord]. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober...For God hath not appointed us to wrath [during the day of the Lord], but to obtain salvation [be caught up] by our Lord Jesus Christ...Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do" (1 Thess. 5:1-11). Paul told his brethren to be comforted and to comfort one another concerning both "the day of redemption" (rapture) and "the day of the Lord" (judgment). Being comforted and comforting others, knowing "the day of the Lord" was coming, would only make sense if they (Paul's listeners) knew they were going to be "caught up" (raptured) before "the day of the Lord," and they were confident and assured they would escape God's wrath that would be poured out during "the day of the Lord" (Luke 21:34-36; Rev. 3:10). That is exactly the scenario set forth by the Apostle Paul (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11), with the "resurrection" and "catching up" of the saints preceding "the day of the Lord," and both events surprising those left behind as "a thief in the night" (Matthew 24:43-44; Rev. 3:3, 16:15; 1 Thess. 5:2, 4; 2 Peter 3:10). The description given by the Apostle Paul is also the order of events that seem to be emerging today, with the leaders of the future Gog and Magog war (Russia, Iran and Turkey) meeting regularly, and the leaders of the Israel/Palestinian peace process (U.S. and other nations) using the prophesied code words "peace and security" in their speeches and formal documents (Ezekiel 38:1-39:29; 1 Thess. 5:1-3). Prophecies that will take place during "the day of the Lord" are beginning to assemble themselves on the world stage and cast their shadows backward into today's news headlines. As the day of our redemption draws near, each of us should be asking ourselves: Am I "watching" for the Lord's return, and will I "be ready" when He returns "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump?" (Luke 21:34-36; 1 Cor. 15:52; Rev. 3:3). Those who are wise in the prophetic scriptures (Dan. 12:9-10) know the evidence is overwhelming that we are living in "the times and seasons" of the Lord's return. Whatever your priorities may be, make sure you are ready to go (Luke 21:34-36; Rev. 3:3) and not one of those who will be left behind (John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9-13; James 4:7-10). Don't wait until tomorrow to take care of your eternal destiny (Prov. 27:1; James 4:13-15). Eternity is way too long to be wrong. Make your reservation for Heaven today! ......................... 1) The Second Coming of Christ, Charles H. Spurgeon, Chicago, Illinois: Fleming H. Revell Company, Moody Press, 1896, 117, 118 9 Signs Of The End Times That Are Unfolding Right In Front Of Our Eyes - By Michael Snyder/End of the American Dream - https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=4078 Global events are beginning to spiral out of control, and this has created a resurgence in interest in what the Bible has to say about "the last days". Throughout the Scriptures, we are warned about apocalyptic events that will precede the second coming of Jesus Christ, and a lot of people are wondering if that period of time is now upon us. All over the Internet, people are engaging in all sorts of speculation and lots of really bizarre theories are being thrown around, and this is causing a great deal of confusion. But all of this confusion is not necessary, because the Bible is actually very clear about what is coming. Jesus had quite a bit to say about the time just before His return, and He specifically instructed His followers to watch for certain signs. He wanted us to understand that He knew about all of these things in advance, that He has a plan, and that He is in control. So there is no need to fear. In fact, Jesus told us these things so that we would not be afraid. Three of the key chapters where Jesus discusses the events of the last days are Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. To set the stage for the rest of this article, let me share just three quick verses from Luke 21... 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Could it be possible that we have entered a time when these things are starting to be fulfilled? To answer that question, let's examine some of the global events that are currently unfolding... #1 Wars And Rumors Of Wars War is coming to the Middle East, and it might be coming a lot sooner than most people think. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is very eager to annex portions of Judea and Samaria before the U.S. election in November, and the coalition agreement that he reached with Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz allows him to do that as early as July. I believe that it will happen at some point in the coming months, and the Palestinians are openly warning that such a move will mean war. In fact, Mahmoud Abbas is so upset about this pending annexation that he just publicly backed out of all previous agreements with the United States and Israel... In an emergency meeting in Ramallah Tuesday, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas announced that due to Israeli plans to annex parts of Judea and Samaria, all agreements with Israel and the U.S. are null and void. This would include the Oslo Accords, which was the basis for the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. And Jordan's King Abdullah just told a German newspaper that annexation "would lead to a massive conflict with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan"... In an interview with the German newspaper Der Spiegel, the Jordanian monarch reiterated that a two-state solution was the "only way forward" as a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. "What would happen if the Palestinian National Authority collapsed? There would be more chaos and extremism in the region. If Israel really annexed the West Bank in July, it would lead to a massive conflict with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," said Abdullah. This is something to keep a very close eye on, and we also need to keep in mind that a major war between Israel and Iran could erupt at literally any moment as well. #2 Earthquakes Our planet continues to become increasing unstable, and my regular readers know that I am particularly concerned about the west coast of the United States. It is just a matter of time before "the Big One" hits California, and this week we did see two very alarming quakes strike just off the California coast... The first measured at a 4.7 magnitude. It hit at 11:56 p.m. Sunday about 163 miles west of Eureka. The second earthquake was stronger, measuring a 5.5 magnitude hitting in the same area about 160 miles west of Eureka at 12:02 a.m. Monday. The second quake was at the same depth as the first earthquake at about 6 miles down. Overall, there have been 2,668 earthquakes in California and Nevada over the last 7 days, and that is definitely unusual. Meanwhile, large earthquakes continue to strike other areas of the globe with frightening regularity. For example, a magnitude 6.2 quake just rocked the Mediterranean Sea, and that made headlines all over the globe. In the days ahead, the shaking is only going to get worse, but most people don't understand what is happening. #3 Volcanoes I have written about Mt. Popocatepetl near Mexico City many times, and it has roared to life once again. In fact, it is being reported that it was shooting hot ash 20,000 feet into the air on Wednesday. Keep a very close eye on this volcano, because someday a catastrophic eruption of Mt. Popocatepetl will result in the worst disaster in the history of Mexico. Of course Mt. Popocatepetl is far from alone. According to Volcano Discovery, 24 volcanoes around the globe are erupting right now, and dozens more are showing signs of unrest. #4 Crazy Weather Patterns You may have noticed that global weather patterns have gone absolutely nuts. We are seeing record setting droughts in some parts of the world, in other areas we are witnessing unprecedented flooding, and global food production has been greatly disrupted by one unforeseen event after another. For instance, this week India and Bangladesh are preparing for Super Cyclone Amphan to make landfall. On Monday night, that storm "officially became the strongest storm ever recorded in the Bay of Bengal"... Millions of people in India and Bangladesh are bracing for what is now being called the strongest storm ever recorded in the Bay of Bengal. Super Cyclone Amphan is anticipated to make landfall in less than 36 hours, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain to a region already struggling with the coronavirus pandemic. According to CNN, Super Cyclone Amphan officially became the strongest storm ever recorded in the Bay of Bengal on Monday night, after intensifying with sustained wind speeds of up to 165 miles per hour. Even though Amphan has weakened slightly the storm is still the equivalent of a Category 3 Atlantic hurricane, with winds speeds up to 115 mph. #5 Armies Of Locusts Billions of locusts have been traveling in giant swarms the size of major cities across large portions of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. These mammoth swarms can travel up to 90 miles a day, and when they descend on a farm they can eat all of the vegetation in as little as 30 seconds. I have written about these enormous locust armies numerous times, and they keep making headlines all over the world. This week, video of these locusts "blocking out the sun in Iran" was being widely shared on social media... Terrifying footage of an apocalyptic swarm of locusts blocking out the sun in Iran has emerged after it was revealed the military could be called to fight a plague that may destroy at least $7billion (£5.7bn) worth of crops. The chilling video shows a haze formed of millions of the bugs covering the horizon on a motorway in the south of the country. #6 African Swine Fever Before COVID-19 came along, African Swine Fever was the most serious pestilence affecting the planet. There is no vaccine, there is no cure, and it is killing pigs all over the globe at a staggering rate. In fact, approximately half the pigs in China and approximately one-fourth of all the pigs in the entire world have already been wiped out by this disease. Needless to say, this is having a tremendous impact on the global food supply, because much of the world relies on pig meat as a primary source of protein. #7 Famines And Food Riots You know that things are bad when even the United Nations is using the word "biblical" to describe the famines that are beginning to emerge around the globe. The head of the UN World Food Program, David Beasley, is publicly warning that we are heading into "the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two", and he is telling us that we could soon see approximately 300,000 people literally starve to death every single day... "If we can't reach these people with the life-saving assistance they need, our analysis shows that 300,000 people could starve to death every single day over a three-month period", he upheld. "This does not include the increase of starvation due to COVID-19". We have already witnessed very large food riots in Africa, and now they are starting to happen in South America. For example, check out what just happened in the capital of Chile... The coronavirus hit Chile at a particularly delicate time. Back in October, the Chilean military deployed tanks and troops onto the streets of Santiago - the Chilean capital - and President Sebastian Pinera declaring a state of emergency to quell a violent uprising triggered by - of all things - a hike in metro fares (can you imagine that happening in NYC?). Now, some of the nation's poorest are rising up against the government again in a violent protest movement over the lack of government assistance. Specifically, food shortages have left thousands of Chileans with nothing to eat, and the mandatory closures have made it impossible for them to work or buy food. Global food supplies have gotten very tight, and they are only going to get tighter in the months ahead. #8 Economic Collapse Countries all over the world have locked down their economies in 2020 due to fear of COVID-19, and that has plunged the entire global economy into a deep depression. Here in the United States, more than 36 million Americans have already lost their jobs, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says that the real rate of unemployment in the United States is now 30.7 percent, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is projecting that U.S. GDP will fall by 42.8 percent during the second quarter of this year. Now that our economic bubble has burst, the dominoes are just going to continue to tumble, and the days ahead are looking quite bleak. #9 The Coronavirus Plague This is the greatest public health crisis in a hundred years, and it looks like this pandemic is going to be with us for many months to come. Already, there have been more than 5 million confirmed cases around the world and more than 300,000 people have died. Many had been hoping that the worst was behind us, but the head of the WHO just told us that Tuesday was the worst day for new cases "since the outbreak began"... "We still have a long way to go in this pandemic," Tedros said at a briefing in Geneva. "In the last 24 hours, there have been 106,000 cases reported to WHO - the most in a single day since the outbreak began. Almost two-thirds of these cases were reported in just four countries." Jesus specifically warned us that there would be "pestilences" during the time before His return, and I believe in the future we will see even worse pandemics than this one. In fact, many of the signs that I discussed above will get worse in the days ahead. Just as birth pains increase in frequency and severity as the time for birth gets closer, we should expect many of the signs that Jesus warned about to increase in frequency and severity as well. But even in the midst of all the chaos that is coming, God will be moving, and I believe that the greatest revival in all of human history is still ahead of us. Nearing Midnight: Pandemic vs Abortion - Terry James - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rule the airwaves, cyberspace, and every facet of our lives. Every story coming across our TV or computer screens continues to scream with the Coronavirus onslaught that has condemned us, potentially, to death, and almost certainly, too, economic depression. The pandemic is all the media want us to think about, and most gladly oblige by adhering to the guidelines demanded by those experts such as Dr. Anthony Fauci. The figures they parade before our near-panicked eyes are front and center each and every news cycle. One snapshot in time, as the pandemic progresses, presented the following as I perused the numbers. They are taken from a Google search. United States cases: Updated May 17 at 10:20 AM local
Global cases: Updated May 17 at 9:20 AM local
There is great alarm over the deaths among these statistics. The number of cases both in America and globally are all-consuming. However, the statistics of recoveries are downplayed to the point they are never mentioned in many newscasts or news postings. Any death, as the president and all others consistently remind us, is too many. There is a race to move Heaven and earth in order to find a vaccine that will guarantee one cannot get the virus. That is a quest that is, almost all of the experts agree, something that can't happen for at least another 18 months. Some say there will never be a vaccine found for these types of viral diseases because they mutate constantly. The common flu, for example, has shots but not true vaccines. The shots can lessen the severity of the flu in patients. No vaccine has been produced that guarantees people won't get any strain of the flu. Vaccines have been produced that are effective for measles, smallpox, polio, and other diseases but not for the viral illnesses. You will have to ask someone besides yours truly to find out why this is the case. I certainly can't give you the answer. I just know it's a fact. This great, all-consuming concern for our lives, as we have seen, has a raging political agenda attached to it. We can't open up the economies either of America or the world until that magical vaccine is found. This is the opinion of those such as Dr. Fauci and the CDC for the most part. Yet no such vaccine is likely forthcoming, despite the efforts of those such as Bill Gates, who, many of our friends with a squinted, conspiratorial eye toward his efforts believe, intends to inject in all of us a tracking device, or worse. There might develop flu-like shots to lessen severity, but a true vaccine such as in measles or smallpox isn't likely to be produced. The satanic influence of all this particularly strikes my suspicion-meter when thinking on how, while there is all this burning concern for making sure no one ever again gets a case of Coronavirus, the most vulnerable and helpless of our kind are given no such concern or protective effort - except for those who are concerned for the sanctity of life. While we see the figures each and every news cycle of cases and deaths of COVID-19 victims, we never see the statistics of the infanticide we are deliberately allowing to be perpetrated. Abortion in America has been consistently very near 1 million or more babies per year for decades. Statistics show a slight lessening over the last few years, but still the mark hovers around the 1 million mark. The last time I looked at it, the number since Roe v Wade was nearing 70 million. The COVID-19 Nazis - I mean officials - have told us that the most vulnerable among us, in addition to the elderly and those with severe health problems, are people of color - mostly meaning those who are African Americans. This is of great concern to, particularly, the progressives, as they prepare their plans for how to twist things in order to get Trump removed from office. They want back the numbers among the darker races they've lost due to Trump's efforts to advance their plight in America. They blame him for numbers of deaths being so high among people of color, as they put it. The conclusion they make is, of course, ludicrous, as is so much they try to peddle. In considering facts about concern for African Americans and the Coronavirus, we wonder where the great concern is in the matter of African American babies in the wombs of their mothers. By far, the greatest number of abortions are performed on African American fetuses. They are a minority, but the majority of abortions are performed on black children. Where is the compassion of the Party that claims to champion the black American voter base? There is great concern to prevent COVID-19, but no concern for helpless children in the womb. We don't have to wonder what the Creator God of Heaven thinks about the Pandemic vs Abortion statistical inequity. Here is what David, a man after God's own heart, wrote under Holy Spirit Inspiration: "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfected; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them" (Psalms 139: 13-16). I continue to believe that when the Rapture takes place and every womb is empty because those little ones are with Christ in that instant, God will have made a Statement about when life begins. Hezbollah's Nasrallah warns of 'great war' on all fronts with Israel - Tzvi Joffre - https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/hezbollahs-nasrallah-warns-of-great-war-on-all-fronts-with-israel-629429 Marking 20 years since Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel of "the great war that will open all fronts at once," saying that it would be "the end of Israel." The Hezbollah leader stressed, however, that there are "no indications that Israel intends to launch a war against Lebanon." The statements were made during an interview with the Al-Nour Radio Station on Tuesday night, which was broadcast by the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV Channel. Nasrallah warned that any Israeli air strike on Lebanon would "not pass without a response," adding that the terror group has "military capabilities that did not exist before 2006" and would respond if any Hezbollah terrorist was killed anywhere. In reference to an airstrike on a Hezbollah vehicle along the Lebanon-Syria border a few weeks ago, Nasrallah stressed that Israel did not make a mistake in the strike and was not trying to kill the terrorists in the vehicle, because they knew that Hezbollah would respond if the terrorists were killed. In possible reference to a series of airstrikes in recent years on Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria which were blamed on Israel, Nasrallah stated that while the Syrian leadership believes that it is not in the country's interest to be drawn into a war with Israel, the "patience and endurance of the Syrian leadership with Israeli aggression has limits." Nasrallah also referred to a drone attack in the suburbs of Beirut last year that was blamed on Israel, saying that such an operation has not been repeated since and warning that Israeli aircraft in Lebanese airspace would be shot down. Sightings of Israeli aircraft are reported in Lebanese airspace by local media on a weekly, if not daily, basis. A couple of quadcopters have been shot down near the border, but larger aircraft have reportedly flown in the airspace undamaged, with claims that air strikes on Syria have been carried out by Israeli aircraft from Lebanese airspace. Both Hezbollah and Israel have the ability to initiate a conflict, said Nasrallah, but the balance of power created by the terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon takes into account a number of calculations, preventing a conflict at present. "The Israeli enemy did not target us at the beginning, and it was providing support to the Syrian armed groups, not all the opposition," he said, deeming that "Israel's venturing into a battle between the wars in Syria was a victory for the axis of the resistance, and this is what made the Israeli resort to air strikes." Nasrallah rejected calls for Hezbollah to surrender its weapons, asking those calling for such a measure to look at the "state of deterrence, a deterrence that is the protector of Lebanon," and asking anyone with a better method to state it. he claimed that the "level of support for the choice of resistance among the Palestinian people is higher than ever." In Lebanon, however, Nasrallah admitted that "there was never national unity around the resistance in order to say that it once had a wide audience that it had lost. Even in 2000, the internal situation was not better than today." The secretary-general added that some Lebanese people believe Hezbollah is connected with Syria and Iran and isn't a Lebanese group at all. Nasrallah insisted that Hezbollah is not trying to get the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon to leave the country, but questioned why Israel does not have any UNIFIL forces on its side of the Blue Line. Prime Minister Hassan Diab; Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister Zeina Akar; and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Gen. Joseph Aoun are expected to visit UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura amid heightened tensions along the border with Israel, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. An investigation into the shooting of a Syrian national by IDF troops after he infiltrated into Israeli territory near Mount Dov last week was completed by a joint Lebanese and UNIFIL investigation team. According to Lebanon's National News Agency, the probe of the shooting will be submitted during the upcoming tripartite meeting chaired by UNIFIL. Nasrallah also discussed domestic issues, stressing that corruption must be addressed by the judiciary and warning that sectarian divides in the country must also be addressed. Daily Jot: Trading freedom for fear - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com As we view the COVID-19 situation, we do not need conspiracy theories to bolster concerns about the curtailing of freedom. We just need to look at the facts before us. In no time in history has this nation been shut down for a flu. Since March 15, all people-carriers, the sick, the well-have been essentially locked down. It has changed our lives. The facts are that state governments, especially those with Democratic governors, have, in the very least, temporarily taken away freedoms. Fear has ruled over the hearts of many and still does. The question we must ask as Americans is: "How much freedom are we willing to trade for fear?" The Centers for Disease Control, in its latest model has lowered death estimates and infection rates. In fact, the latest CDC statistics indicate fatality rates at 4 per 1,000, down from previous estimates of 10 per thousand-and those were estimated on data compiled before April 29, a month ago. Given the CDC infection rate vs fatality rates, the actual figure is less than 3 per 1,000, and this is 13 times lower than World Health Organization predictions. In other words, less that ¼ of 1% of Americans are dying from this pandemic. One death is one too many, but based on facts has there been an over-reaction? Perspective: In 1918, for example, a worldwide flu epidemic attacked about 20% of the global population, leaving 675,000 deaths in the US-nearly 7 people per 1,000. There are many news reports indicating that death tolls for this pandemic have been inflated, especially for states to money grab from federal government relief efforts. There are also reports saying the death estimates are too low. There are reports that the CDC's latest estimates are politically motivated. There are reports that Democratic governors, in collaboration with the Democratic National Committee, are purposely keeping lockdowns in place as long as possible to scuttle the economy in hope that President Trump can be defeated in November. More reports reveal another agenda: to put in place substantial socialist programs that expand government and its authority over citizens like you and me. There are no sunset provisions in these new laws and regulations that are being passed at the state and federal levels. At some point, just based on the facts-not wild-eyed conspiracy theories-Americans need to decide how much freedom they are willing to trade for their fears. We are at a turning point in our Constitutional Republic. Freedom is difficult because it takes vigilant responsibility and constant care to preserve as people are always trying to take it away. Fear is often a lever to pry open the protective vault of liberty. As Christians, we are not to be swayed by silly doctrines and ear tickling. As in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind." We, above all, should not be trading freedom for fear. Daily Devotion: No Spiritual Downtime - by Greg Laurie - www.harevst.org Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. -2 Timothy 2:22 Years ago, I was in a mall in Hawaii when a guy recognized me and walked up to say hello. We started talking, and then I asked him where he went to church. "Well, I haven't been for a while," he told me. "I'm on a spiritual vacation." So, we had a long talk, and thankfully, it resulted in his making a recommitment to the Lord. In 2 Samuel 11 we find the story of someone who tried to take a spiritual vacation as well. King David no longer was the shepherd-warrior of his early days. Instead, we find him kicking back, complacent, and with too much time on his hands. We read that "late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath" (verse 2 NLT). Back in those days, the roofs were flat which provided additional living space. David's palace would have been perched above the other homes, so he had a vantage point. He could see into other people's rooftops and yards. He could survey everything. Was David looking for trouble? I think he may have been because he ended up having sexual relations with the woman. And ultimately, he murdered her husband to try and cover it up. David was being physically and spiritually lazy when he should have been leading his troops into battle. Instead, he was taking a spiritual vacation. When we're spiritually lethargic we become more vulnerable. It happened to David, and it can happen to us, especially these days. Don't go on a spiritual vacation. The moment you stop going forward spiritually you will start going backward. The moment you fall asleep spiritually you'll be weak and vulnerable. 
FROM THE HEART
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