Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
What Shall Be the End of These Things (Part 2)
- by Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-will-end-of-these-things-be-part-2.html 43, "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 44, And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. " (Daniel 2:43-44) 11,"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12, Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13, But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. " (Daniel 12:11-13) 5,"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6, And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. 7, And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8, The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." (Revelation 17:5-8) This is part 2 of a series dealing what is coming upon the earth in the form of the false prophet supporting the coming Anti-Christ. A class of people may not approve of the message, but history shows what has been and what will be according to your Bible...Daniel and Revelation prophecy what is written. As we studied the end of Daniel's book in chapter 10-12 in our last message, we explored the possible rise again of the "Holy" Roman Empire after it's defeat in 1798 and the Pope was imprisoned coinciding with the Catholic Church's influence over the whole earth dwindled and she changed her leopard spots and instead of a wolf, began to project the image of being harmless as a lamb. But times are changing in these final days of man's rule upon the earth and I believe the connection between Daniel and Revelation points to a resurgence of the political power wielded by Rome during the Dark Ages. DANIEL'S INTERPRETATION REVISITED In Daniel chapter 2, Daniel is given the interpretation of King Nebachadnezzer's dream of a golden idol and the true God in heaven reveals the kingdoms that will arise after Mystery Babylon is replaced as the world power. Then at the end of the book, Gabriel the ark angel reveals the future of these kingdoms, their rise and their fall. Daniel was astonished and said: " And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (Daniel 12:8-10). It was not for Daniel to know, as the future was forward some 500+ years before part of the vision was fulfilled, but another 2000 years to come to our time...our time of the end, when the prophecy is set to be completed. The two books of prophecy in Daniel and Revelation have given many scholars trouble understanding and the average Joe on the street steers clear of prophecy to his detriment, as " the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of the prophecy." (Revelation 19:10b) Let us now examine certain aspects of Daniel and the book of Revelation to show how they are forever connected with one another, as they speak of the same events in different ways. In Daniel 2:43, the Word of God says that the seed of men will mingle: "And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay." The great obscurity of this verse is partially cleared by a reference to Jeremiah 31:27-28: 27 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. 28 And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord." To my understanding, this is the political power that governs the world being mingled with "apostate religions" that I have coined the title "Chrislam" or the joining of all religions into a one world religion, with Islam and apostate Christianity at its center. They will be loosely connected for nothing else but political and religious power upon the earth. Daniel appears to be contrasting what man is endeavouring to accomplish by his own efforts with that which the God of heaven will carry out : 44 "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."(Daniel 2:44) IN the past, man has formed his plans for uniting the discordant parts of this empire, by encouraging marriages between the royal families that rule the various component kingdoms. The allusion in this verse is to matrimonial alliances contracted between the Ptolemies and the Seleucidae : 6 "And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times." And in another chapter in Daniel: 17 "He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him". (Daniel 11:6; Daniel 11:17), This did not, however, succeed in producing permanent harmony or union between them. Each kingdom fell until the Roman Empire became the strongest, "like iron that breaks" until they imploded from within and the kingdom was given over to Papal rule instead of pagan rule, which is a contradiction in terms, as both were just the flip side of the same coin. We discussed this in our last message, but let us move on when the truth is revealed in Revelation when it was obscure in Daniel's time. REVELATION, REVEALING PROPHECY IN JESUS CHRIST The testimony of Christ, a testimony of the most solemn character, is to be borne to the world. All through the book of Revelation there are the most precious, elevating promises, and there are also warnings of the most fearfully solemn import. Will not those who profess to have a knowledge of the truth read the testimony given to John by Christ? Here there is no guesswork, no scientific deception. Here are the truths that concern our present and future welfare. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Revelation 1:1-3) Beginning with chapter 1 of Revelation with the description of the One who stood among the seven golden candle sticks, with seven stars in His hand that represented the seven Asian Churches at the time, and the future which represents the time period of the Christian Church until the return of Christ. Thus there are three applications that can be made. -The first is the literal letter to the literal Church -the second is the application showing the time period of the Christian Church until the return of Christ, -and lastly certain aspects we find in these messages apply to the condition of our own Christian experience. This is a vision that was given to John by Jesus Christ Himself, as He spoke to John as the sound of a trumpet. Each successive period of church history shows that down through the ages, the church of Jesus Christ has had 7 periods in church history that Jesus reveals to John with the last being the church of the end times, the Laodecian Church of luke warm believers that have fallen into apostasy and will be cast headlong into the Tribulation. COME UP HITHER The book of Revelation makes a defined shift after chapter 3 leading into chapter 4, as John is called by the sound of trumpet calling: "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Revelation 4:1-3) This is a different vision given to John and they run concurrently, as God reveals the opening of the 7 seals of judgment upon the earth. Notice one of the first thing John sees after the description of "One who sat upon the throne" is 24 elders sitting on their respective thrones. Many people have tried to imply and to interpret who these elders are. First let us look at their descriptions: "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." (Revelation 4:4) Note that they are clothed in white raiment which stands for righteousness which is defined in chp. 19 of Revelation in describing the bride of Christ, and the armies who come back with Jesus to reign and rule. So they are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and a crown of victory. They have been in warfare with sin and overcome. (sin is only upon this earth) They are seen in heaven before the sequence of the seals begins and have been redeemed from among men. They have crowns of gold on their heads, which represents rewards for service. This is none other than the crown of life or crown of righteousness that the Lord gives to those that have endured temptation and have fought the good fight of faith, finishing their course and have overcome. Since they can't be angels, as angels are in service to those of the redeemed, the Church, then the vision shows redeemed mortal men saved by the blood of the Lamb. They have received rewards, they are seated, as they have received victory over their struggles with evil. The rewards of service to God Almighty comes only in one time period..the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ to receive rewards for things done for Christ in this life. They are a multiple of the number 12, as the number 12 is the divine sign of government. The only explanation is that this is the Church, redeemed from the earth and taken to heaven just before the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth. "10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."(1st Corinthians 3:10-15) Another false doctrine spewed by the Gnostic Church of the dark ages, was this passage spoke of "purgatory", which was nothing but a scam to gather riches in giving out prayers of indulgences to "so-called" pray these folks out of torments for minimal sins, (Venial Sins). This is what Paul spoke of as a reward ceremony for work done for the Kingdom of God and built upon the solid Rock, which is the foundation of the church, Jesus Christ. All work done for ourselves, will be burned up, BUT those done for Christ that have produced results will command a reward for service....even if a man's or woman's works are all burned up, save Jesus Christ in his heart, as a deposit of future glorification, he will received a reward of righteousness, and eternal life, even passing through the fire of revealing what sort of work it is. But I point to a passage that says those who have that deposit of God's Holy Spirit will NOT be subject to what is coming upon the earth. Remember what Jesus said in chapter 3 of this book: "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." (Revelation 3:10) The original Greek tells us that Jesus is saying we will be taken out of this time period, not through as some erroneously believe. Because the phrase "will keep thee from, is the Greek word 'EK" which I have preached many times, which literally means "to be taken out by force from the time and place of the event" What event is Jesus speaking of...yes, the coming Tribulation that will engulf the whole world. Then in Chapter 6 of this Revelation, it is reveals the plagues that come upon the earth, starting with the four horseman of the Apocalypse. As Daniel saw in vision the rise of a great beast out of the sea and described in terrible ferocity, so too does Revelation speak of this beast that comes, but first God describes him as a rider on a white horse, with a bow in his hands. "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." (Revelation 6:2) The man has a bow, but no arrows. He rides a white horse, which is a false sign of purity and righteousness. He goes to conquer, but with words of flattery, words of deceit, and political power given to him by other nations as their supreme leader. He has a crown, but unlike the King of kings, his crown is a crown of conquest and victory, much like the victor's crown of leaves given to Roman athletes in the Colosseum. We are reintroduced to this man, which is described as a beast power, ridden and controlled by a "harlot woman" in chapter 17 noted in the opening verses of this message: 6, "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. 7, And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8, The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." (Revelation 17:5-8) I've spoken of this in past messages, that the woman is a harlot. In scripture, the sign of a harlot woman is a sign of a religious organization that has prostituted itself to false gods, and doctrines of demons and devils. Greek porne - Meaning "prostitute," "harlot." Porne probably goes back to a word meaning "to sell" or "to export for sale" such things as slaves. In Greece prostitutes were usually purchased slaves. The Old Testament prophets often compare apostate Israel, which repeatedly went "a whoring" after heathen gods, (Ezekiel 23:30; Isaiah 23:17; Ezekiel 16:15) with an adulterous woman. Concerning mystical Babylon as a harlot (Revelation 19:2) For Old Testament passages whose thought or wording is similar to that of chapter 17, see Isaiah 47:1; Jeremiah 25:12; 50:1; Ezekiel 26:13. She has slain millions upon million of the innocent down through the ages and is drunk with their blood. She has a sign of her habitation of sitteth upon many waters. Exercising power over many "peoples" and "nations." (see verse 15) The form of the verb in Greek presents the "great whore" as in power at the time and as continuing to exercise power. As the ancient city of Babylon was situated upon the literal waters of the Euphrates (see Jeremiah 50:12, 38) and dwelt figuratively "upon many waters" or peoples, (Jeremiah 51:12-13; cf. Isaiah 8:7-8; 14:6; Jeremiah 50:23) so modern Babylon is represented as sitting upon or oppressing the peoples of earth. 12 "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.(Revelation 16:12-15) This whore in but a metamorphosis of ancient Babylon who received power from the imploding Roman Empire and instead of Caesar became the leader of a pagan religion. But look again at the end of verse 8 of the above passage in chapter 17: "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." Who have we revealed as the persecutor and tormentor of millions of non-compliant Christians and Jews throughout the Dark Ages? Who has robes of scarlet and purple, pearls and costly jewels? Who was defeated in 1798 by France and "that was, and is not, yet is" ? There is only one institution that fulfills every aspect of this description that seeks a return of her former glory and sadly, my Catholic friends, it is the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy headed by the Pope of Rome. I take no pleasure in warning of this "religion",but even as much as I would warn of Islam and it's "religion", because people follow a creation, and institution, a man-made parallel to worshiping God in vain and both, if a person is not careful, will lead those people to hell. Both proclaim a different way to God instead of the true way through Jesus Christ. This present "Pope" has clearly stated that there are alternative ways to heaven. "Just be good" is what he says giving a pass to atheist (denying that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life) or not taking a stand on Romans 1 that God calls homosexuality an abomination, but says "who am I to judge?" He even gives a pass to Muslims who "worship" a false god saying "we all worship the same God" (NO, we do not), and any other aberration to the Truth of God's Word. Thus the head of this "religion" denies that Jesus is the Only Way back to God the Father. Jesus calls this institution, "a beast" which represents kingdoms or political powers. (Daniel 7:3-7, 17; 8:3, 5, 20-21; cf. Revelation 12:3; 13:1) The color of this beast no doubt representing a sinful kingdom, not just sinful but one that thought to change the law of God. 25 "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints (Tribulation saints, my explanation) of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Daniel 7:25) The names of blasphemy with which it is covered indicate that it stands in opposition to God. Accordingly, the beast itself may be identified as Satan working through those political agencies in all ages that have submitted to her control. In certain respects this beast resembles the great red dragon of Revelation 12:3, and in others the leopard like beast of Revelation 13:1-2 . The context makes the latter relationship appear to be closer. The chief difference between the beast of chapter 13 and that of chapter 17 is that in the former, which is identified with the papacy, no distinction is made between the religious and the political aspects of Papal power, whereas in the latter the two are distinct. The beast representing political power and the woman a religious power. ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT AND ONE WORLD RELIGION I have covered this before, but for this message, I will briefly touch on it again. The United Nations coupled with the USA and the rest of the world are pushing for a complete and total control of every aspect of human life and endeavor by the year 2030. Agenda 21 introduced in the 1990's has morphed into 'SUBSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" and their aim is a one world government. Stage right, the pope in Rome advocating the implementation of this nefarious scheme for complete control of planet earth. And it is reported that he has commanded that this be taught in every parish that he controls through his priest. Some will scoff, but coupled with the foolish notion of "climate change" the earth dwellers are being primed for tyranny and a one world government. What better way to unite the world, than to unite them in the same religious authority. "Which was, and is not, but is" and will rise again. She has inherited and proclaimed the abominations of ancient Babylon: Seduction. By seducing the kings of the earth into illicit union with her, in order to further her own sinister designs. Oppressive despotism. By sitting upon "many waters" and oppressing the people of earth. ' Contributing to human delinquency. By making the people of earth except for the saints, drunk with the wine of her political policy thus causing them to become her accomplices in her evil plot. By her fornication, she "did corrupt the earth" (Revelation 19:2) Drunkeness. By being "drunken with the blood of the saints, who had offended her by refusing to drink of her evil potion of error or to submit to her ambition to rule the earth. Murder and attempted murder. By plotting the murder of God's people, the "woman" of chapter 12. This political/religious organization has been anti-semitic from her inception and has attempted to destroy the Jewish nation, even through Nazi Germany of which she was in bed with. Note in the verses, that she rides the beast and controls him though from the beast perspective, reluctantly. She guides it's policy. The beast representing political power and the "harlot woman" the spiritual power of the last days found in the Tribulation and the Great Tribulation. But who controls this beast of Revelation...the Catholic church is but a tool of the supreme deceiver who will arise out of the bottomless pit. But when the "beast" is done with the uniting the known world through apostate religion, he, the Anti-Christ, will destroy her....why? Because the Anti-Christ which is possessed of Satan will both desire worship, as Satan has from the time of his fall from heaven when pride entered into him and he became corrupted. When the beast exists again as "the eighth," "they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world when they behold the beast." Remember the analogy of the sixth pope stepping down to take the helm of the European Union and then taking it up again from the seventh who will become the false prophet, until the beast "will burn her (this false religion) with fire and eat her flesh". (For a refresher course, if you have not read part 1. then see my blog and read how the 8th pope comes into existence.) A very similar statement is made in Revelation 13:3, 8 on the world's attitude toward the beast of that chapter when its deadly wound is healed: "All the world wondered after the beast ... And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." If chapter 13 refers to the same event as Revelation 17:8, it means the statement "his deadly wound was healed" (Revelation 13:3) is equivalent to the expression "shall ascend out of the bottomless pit." (Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:3, 7) In a similar way the words "did live" (Revelation 13:14) would be equivalent to the expressions "yet is" and "he is the eighth." (Revelation 17:8, 11) The wounding of the head, (Revelation 13:3) the going "into captivity" and "the wound by a sword" (Revelation 13:10, 14) would have their counterpart in the implied descent of the "beast" into the "bottomless pit." (Revelation 17:8) And "death" (Revelation 13:3) would be equivalent to the "bottomless pit" phase of the experience of the beast. The similarities noted here tend to identify the seventh head of the beast as the Papal head. If there be any doubt, then I invite you to take these scriptures passages and read them for yourself and then decide who the description fits and who is pandering to the whole religious world telling them to "Come home to the mother church" . DANIEL AND REVELATION IN PARALLEL My reader, the book of Daniel was a prophecy of what was to come upon the earth, but history has proven it to be correct. Daniel was not given the details of how this would come to pass, so it was hidden from view until the events actually happened. Revelation in comparison is written to "reveal" what Daniel wrote when that prophecy was given to him by the angel Gabriel from our ABBA Father God in heaven. Jesus came to flesh out the events and they are not obscure if you study them closely and compare them to other prophets in your bible...History is fast becoming completed in our modern times and all we wait for it the signs that point to the coming of a one world government and the installing of it's one world religion...already, the world is promoting a cashless society in different parts of the world into digital cash to monitor every transaction on earth. For one reason, and one reason only is control of the masses of the earth. That is what the coming Anti-Christ will demand, utter and complete control. I'm a firm proponent that the church, the true Church of Jesus Christ, washed in His precious blood which is not an institution, a building, (but members of His own body as individuals one at a time upon receiving grace and mercy through faith in the atonement paid for on Calvary's cross), will never see the actual in the flesh Anti-Christ, but if we see the stage being set for his revealing, how much closer is the Lord Jesus coming for His people, the Bride of Christ? That much closer everyday. The signs are all around us, from the Middle East, to Israel, to the USA, to the United Nations, and yes, even to this pope. 6 "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2nd Thessalonians 2:6-12) I pray for family members who have been seduced into this false religion who have come full circle from a Christian home, into atheism, then the occult, Wiccan, and finally becoming an agnostic only to succumb to the Satanic lie disguised as the "rock that Jesus would build His Church on"...that Rock is Christ, not some religious organization headed by a "vicar of Christ", but try telling that to a convinced and converted Catholic. (the strongest kind that are blindly convinced of their piety by being members of this cult). If you have come out of this harlot church, then praise God for His mercy. If you see yourself in any of this, or still being influenced by the idolatrous doctrines spewed by your priest, your bishop, or even this pope or any pope, then I pray you will look behind the curtain that hides their abominations by looking at their history and their hypocrisy...I pray for my family members daily that their lives are sold out to the real Jesus, not the Catholic Jesus who they insult with their false doctrines and blasphemy. Remember my friend, the Catholic church is not the way of salvation....Jesus is the way: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh to the Father, but by Me.." (John 14:6) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18) 8 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:8-13) I know I have briefly described what will be coming upon this earth, when Jesus comes for His bride, as a thief in the night, but if you will see what I speak of and believe in your heart the two passages above and repent of the way you have lived, even if it a moral life, but devoid of Jesus Christ as Savior...then you WON'T see any of the horrific fulfillment of prophecy that Daniel and Revelation paint a most hellish time on this earth, that 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) I pray earnestly that you will make that decision for Jesus Christ and become a child of God with a deposit of His Holy Spirit which is the guarantee of our future glorification, even as Jesus was glorified, which Romans describes our future family with ABBA Father as the head of the Family of God. "16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." (Romans 8:16-19) And what if we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ? What has Jesus got that we will share in?? Everything that is pure, righteous and holy....we will be immortal and live for eternity in the presence of our God, and our Lord and Savior. The opposite is even truer....those who reject the calling of God's Holy Spirit will experience torment instead of joy, peace, love, holiness, and life, instead they will be given eternal death. "27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out." (Luke 13:27-28) 9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness," (2nd Peter 3:9-11) This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you escape the apostasy that will fill the earth in the coming Tribulation. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected] , . God bless all. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET Meanwhile Back in Israel..... - A.V. Rauf - https://bibleprophecyfortoday.com/2020/05/27/meanwhile-back-in-israel/ 2020 without a doubt can unequivocally be looked upon as one of the most prophetically significant years in quite some time and yet here we are only five months in as the month of June is just days away. Yes, we have witnessed a greater degree of famine, locusts, volcanoes, earthquakes, fires, rumors of war, and the list goes on. The tipping point of this all has been the current COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and global ramifications which are yet to be determined in its severity. What seemed to be an afterthought but Biblically speaking is most assuredly positioning itself to move into the forefront of all eschatological events is the current crisis that has been simmering for quite some time but is ready to reach its boiling point. Keep reading........... After three elections and over almost a year and half of waiting, the Jewish state of Israel, also referred to as Judah, has finally agreed upon a government. Howbeit, it currently has two leaders, BOTH named Benjamin (Netanyahu & Gantz). Each leader will serve 18-month terms beginning with Benjamin Netanyahu. Both terms equal 36 months or 3 1/2 years. Benjamin Netanyahu stated during his swearing in ceremony that they would move forward with the settlements in the West Bank. According to Benjamin Netanyahu, on July 1, 2020, which officially begins the second half of the year 2020, Israel will begin its sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Keep in mind that as a result of the War of independence in 1948, Jordan annexed Judea and Samaria, as well as East Jerusalem. However, as a result of the Six-Day in June of 1967, Israel recaptured Judea and Samaria, which since have been under Israeli control. Jerusalem as Israel's capital was built by King David over 3,000 years ago, and has never been a capital for any people other than the Jewish people, as was chronicled in the bible, and proved by independent archaeological discoveries found. Jewish presence in the old city of Jerusalem existed uninterruptedly until the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem was overrun by the Jordanian Legion in 1948. This brought about the division of Jerusalem into East Jerusalem, which includes the Old City, and West Jerusalem. In 1967, Jerusalem was reunited, and like any other nation's capital, will never be divided or shared with any other..........until July 1, 2020??? We already know that King Abdullah of Jordan has already given Israel a stern warning that if Israel proceeds with the annexing of territories in Judea and Samaria this summer that a massive conflict will ensue. Add to this, Recap Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has stated that he personally would not allow the annexation of Judaea and Samaria to occur. This alone raises the strong possibility that war in the Middle East could possibly erupt next month. And if that is not enough, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomenei referred to Israel as a "cancerous tumor to be destroyed," and has promised to support any nation group that fights Israel and has urged Palestinian militant groups to cooperate, and expand the field of Jihad in All "Palestinian lands." This would include Judea & Samaria! Hosea 5:8-13-Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.10 The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.12 Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. In the Contemporary English Version, Verse 10 reads like this: Hosea 5:10-Judah's leaders are like crooks who move boundary markers; that's why I will flood them with my anger. In the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, the unleashing of the anger of the LORD can be equated with His wrath or ultimately a time known as the Day of the LORD which has a simultaneous occurrence during a period known as the Time of Jacob's (Israel's) trouble. Jeremiah 30:1-7-The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,2 Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.3 For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.4 And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.5 For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? 7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it." The chapter ends with some very strong verbiage coming from the LORD of the Sabbath: Jeremiah 30:23-24- Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.24 The fierce anger of the Lordshall not return, until he hath done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it. Two things to consider here: 1) The anger of the Lord is mentioned again as He is opposed to the dividing of His Covenant Land.2) The reader is being informed that "...in the latter days ye shall consider it." Again, it must be mentioned that God is not favor the dividing of the Covenant Land He promised to Abraham. Although it is inevitable that the nations of the world will proceed to try to accomplish this, the LORD will intervene: Hosea 3:1-2- For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. One does not need an M. Div. or a Doctorate in Theology to discern that we are indeed living in the latter days. A simple reading of Matthew 24 clearly confirms that. I also believe that what took place during the COVID-19 pandemic is the microcosm of something that may repeat itself in similar fashion during the Tribulation period but with greater consequences. What we need to understand is that the nation Israel has been the central focus of the Bible and becomes just that during the Tribulation period after the Rapture of the Church. Soon and very soon, it will leapfrog all other events and take center stage culminating in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that prior to His return, the nation will be divided. This is exactly what is getting ready to take place in the very near future. In the television series Avengers Assemble, this quote meant that you have reached the point of the story in which although it appears as if the villains appear to have an advantage, the audience needs a cue that the action is about to shift and the villains will soon be defeated. Could it be that although we have been forbidden to congregate for the past several months and we are near the end of the Church Age that the time has come for the true Body Christ, with JESUS being the ultimate Avenger to get ready to assemble again??? Will the true Church assemble to reap a harvest of souls or will the true Church assemble .....in the air?? Stay tuned! Nearing Midnight: Why "Activists" Are Generally Destructive to the Christian Cause - Todd Strandberg - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ When Jesus sent out his disciples, he gave them a very simple message: repentance in His holy name. He told them to not bother with "gold or silver" or "extra shirt or sandals" or "a staff." To get ready to preach to the world today, people think they need a building fund, Radio or TV outreach, and an army organizational staff. "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24). I've never liked any type of Christian organization that was centered on activists that are driven by the need to be a celebrity. They promise: If we lift them up on high, they will sing the praises of our Lord Jesus. This strategy fails nearly every time because it quickly becomes all about them. The greatest reward that people seek is money and attention. I have witnessed this outcome many times in the field of prophecy. I can think of several examples of people who once promoted the pre-rapture view, and then monetary motivation changed, and they promptly switched to the post-trib camp. Several years ago, a guy wrote on his site, "I only started my ministry to make money. Now that I realize it's not possible to turn a profit, I'm closing it down." Norma McCorvey is the woman known as "Jane Roe" in the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. It's called a "landmark ruling for justice," but the truth is it came right from the pit of hell. After her mid-1990s conversion to become a born-again Christian, McCorvey disavowed her gay relationship with another woman, even as they continued to live together. McCorvey shocked the left in 1995 when she came out against abortion. We now learn in a new documentary that she was lying when she switched to support the anti-abortion movement, saying she had been paid to do so. What a shock! She never had an abortion, but became a key political figure to legalize abortions, and then turned around and sold out; and then when the money dried up, she confessed to being a wolf in sheep's clothing. In her "deathbed confession," as she calls it, a visibly ailing McCorvey says she only became an anti-abortion activist because she was paid by evangelical groups. "I was the big fish," she said. "I think it was a mutual thing. I took their money and they'd put me out in front of the cameras and tell me what to say. That's what I'd say. It was all an act. I did it well too. I am a good actress. Of course, I'm not acting now," she added. "If a young woman wants to have an abortion, that's no skin off my a**. That's why they call it choice." I could not find any clear indication that McCorvey's conversion was simply a lie. Satan does not normally surrender his earthly generals without a massive struggle. This was clearly the sort of woman who would have offered her soul to whoever was the highest bidder. In the past, a person of this type would have been rooted out by Christians with a moderate level of discernment. The Reverend Robert Schenck, one of the evangelical pastors who worked with McCorvey, also features in the documentary. He acknowledged that McCorvey was paid for her appearances on the movement's behalf. The program says it was as much $500,000 (in current figures). He crudely admits to doing his own acting: "I knew what we were doing," Mr. Schenck says. "And there were times when I was sure she knew. And I wondered, 'Is she playing us?' What I didn't have the guts to say was, 'Because I know d*** well we're playing her.'" It is sad, but very timely for my article to cite the passing of Evangelist Ravi Zacharias, a great example of how to be a true servant of the Lord. He spent his life defending Christian doctrines against objections through books and lectures. He was such godly man, CNN couldn't think of anything negative to say about him. It did publish a story that Tim Tebow and other Christians praised Zacharias' life; and then, three days later the quotes were removed. I think we are too close to the rapture to be lying and cheating in God's name. For all true believers, it is far better to be judged for a wrong that you did 10 years ago than the one you did last week. "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14, KJV). Hiding in the Hills or Fighting the Battle - Nathele Graham - [email protected] "[[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1. What do you do when you face trouble? Do you face it head on or do you hide from it? I tend to hide, but I pray for courage in battle when the battle is over matters of Biblical truth. Using Scripture, we can see that quite often the men of old would hide in the hills. That never worked out very well. Let's take a look at a couple of examples of hiding and see what God would have us learn. When the Israelites finally entered the Promised Land, Joshua led them in battle to defeat the giants there. Those giants had put fear into the nation because they forgot to trust God, and that fear caused them to wander for 40 years. After they entered their land and battled with the tribes there, a few pockets of pagans were left instead of being defeated. When Joshua died, the Israelites began worshiping the pagan gods which lead to evil. Every time they "did evil in the sight of the LORD", they would face oppression by the enemy. Eventually they would call out to the Lord for help and He would raise up someone to be a judge over them and conquer the enemy. They first had to trust God. One such instance is recorded in Judges chapter 6. "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years." Judges 6:1. God allowed them to receive the results of their choice to sin, and this caused the Israelites to hide in the hills. "And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds." Judges 6:2. The Midianites took their food and animals. As a last resort, Israel cried out to the Lord for help. That should have been their first action. The Lord heard their cry and chose Gideon to rise up and fight the Midianites. One day while Gideon was threshing wheat, secretly so the Midianites wouldn't know of it, he was greeted by the angel of the LORD. "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." Judges 6:12. Of course, Gideon had doubts and questions. If the Lord was with him, why was he being oppressed? If he was a "mighty man of valor", why was he hiding and threshing wheat secretly? Why choose me? I'm the least of my family. Israel's sin of doing evil against the Lord had brought the trouble upon themselves. What about America? Can we continue the pagan ways of sacrificing babies and calling it a woman's right or accepting sexual sin as normal without reaping the consequences of such sin? "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. Gideon may have been small in his own eyes, but God sees beyond what we are and sees what we can be. With God nothing is impossible. When he finally trusted God and stopped hiding, Gideon tore down the places of idol worship, led an army to fight the Midianites, and Israel was brought back to a right place with the Lord. Christians need to start fighting the powers of darkness by doing what's right in God's eyes. The cycle of Israel doing evil in the sight of the Lord then crying out for Him to rescue them continued. "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25. The final judges over Israel were the prophet Samuel's sons. Samuel was a mighty man of God but his sons didn't follow their father in his love for the Lord. A nation needs a strong leader...a man who honors God and leads with authority. Israel decided that they wanted a king rather than judges and approached Samuel. "Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." 1 Samuel 8:4-5. Trouble always comes when we run ahead of God. They cried out to God, but they wanted their own will to be done instead of God's will. They wanted to be like the world. God had a king for them, but the Israelites weren't willing to wait. Samuel didn't like their request and prayed. God told him that the people hadn't rejected Samuel but had rejected God. God did give Israel a king, but that king would abuse his power. Sounds like many liberal politicians today. Samuel warned the people about wanting a king like the world, but they insisted. So, they got King Saul. Many Christians choose to be ruled by the world and dishonor God, but still want His blessings. King Saul was a man filled with pride and, as you study his reign over Israel, you can see he had mental issues. Saul had an army, but when facing a battle with the Philistines he and his army hid in the hills. What were they afraid of? "And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span." 1 Samuel 17:4. Goliath was over 9 feet tall and his armor and weapons weighed between 150 and 200 pounds. He was huge. Although he was intimidating, an army could have defeated him if they would have trusted the Lord and come out of hiding. Goliath challenged Saul to send a man out to fight him one on one. The army hid but there was a young man who brought food to his brothers who were hiding in the hills with the rest of Saul's army. David was a shepherd who loved the Lord. While he watched his flock, he sang praises to God. When not playing music and singing, David was honing his battle skills. Those skills had protected his sheep against a lion and a bear. David's faith in the Lord grew and his experience caused him to trust God rather than giving in to the fears that could cripple him. David certainly didn't look like a warrior but said volunteered to fight Goliath. "David said moreover, the LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee." 1 Samuel 17:37. There really wasn't much of a battle. David faced Goliath armed only with his sling, a stone, and unwavering faith in God. David's stone lodged in Goliath's forehead and he fell. David took Goliath's sword and cut off his head. David certainly didn't look like a warrior, but he was armed with faith in God. David was the one God had chosen to be king. In spite of problems with Saul, family troubles, and personal failures, David loved God with all his heart. If Christians would have the faith that David had, maybe we would face battle with our enemy, Satan, rather than hiding in fear. We face the same fears as the generations before us faced. There are conflicts with other people, persecution from evil governments, many times we are mocked, and if we see what's happening and speak of prophecy, we get some snide remarks. Our battle isn't with the people around us. The enemy has always been Satan. As his time draws to an end, he's making an all-out effort to defeat us. Today, a virus has disrupted life. While abortion clinics are allowed to remain open, our places of worship are closed. As people are allowed to begin to move back to a slightly more normal way of life and we're allowed to meet as a congregation, government regulations are still dictating how we will worship. Christians must follow God instead of man. Jesus said "My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" John 10:27. Do we hear His voice and follow or are hiding in fear and following the voice of the wrong shepherd? Gideon hid until he finally trusted the Lord. Saul's army hid in fear, but David faced Goliath because David trusted the Lord. Christians need to stop hiding and start serving Jesus Christ openly and in a way that pleases Him instead of pleasing the world. Jesus obeyed the Law unless it was being misused. He stood against those who misused the Law to keep control and power over the people. Jesus healed people on the Sabbath and even gathered grain on the Sabbath because he and his disciples were hungry. All of that upset those in power. "And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is the Lord also of the sabbath." Mark 2:27-28. When we have to choose between doing what is right in the eyes of the world and doing what's right in the eyes of God, Christians need to choose God. There's a demonic force in the world that's growing stronger. Satan's always worked behind the scenes but today he's openly working evil. As liberal lunatics follow him and attempt to force people to conform to their tyranny, Christians must choose who to follow. Will we continue to hide in the hills in fear of Midianites or a giant? There's a battle to be fought and we can't fight unless we stop hiding. The battle isn't against people but against the powers of darkness...Satan and his minions. We have strong weapons that have been neglected and it's time we learn to use them. "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Ephesians 6:11-18. Jesus Christ is our Commander in Chief and we need to follow Him. Christians are called by God Almighty to spread the Gospel. Many states in America are beginning to ease the restrictions, and Christians can once again gather together. Sadly, we're still under government control. Preachers have long stopped preaching all of God's truth in order to be tax exempt, and now we can only meet if we stay at a distance from each other. New Mexico has mandated that there be no choirs or singing during worship services. I'm reminded of Paul and Silas singing and praying all night in the Philippian prison. Their songs of praise and their integrity touched the heart of the jailer who gave his life to Jesus. Can you imagine if Christian soldiers went forth in battle against the powers of darkness? Maybe even the most liberal politician would surrender their life to Christ. We are in the last days and Satan will use every method he can to silence us and deceive the world. There's a man somewhere who will soon rise to power as the Man of Sin...the Anti-Christ. He will force everybody to take his mark. Satan will possess that man and he will deceive the world. We're very close to that day. Today we are seeing a shadow of what will take place during the Great Tribulation when God's wrath is poured out. If you haven't committed your life to Jesus Christ then you need to make that choice right now. "...and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10. God has promised Christians will be taken Home prior to the revealing of the Anti-Christ and the unleashing of God's final judgments. Don't take a chance on being left in this world to face the wrath of God. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20. That means we are to be in the world spreading the Gospel. We cannot do that while hiding. Whether hiding in the hills or hiding in our homes, hiding is hiding. Brothers and sisters, the crisis we are going through today should be a wake-up call. Time is short. The Rapture will happen very soon and unless people choose to follow Christ now, tomorrow may be too late. God bless you all, Nathele Graham [email protected] www.straitandnarrowministry.com [email protected] Ron and Nathele Graham's previous commentaries archived at http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html All original scripture is "theopneustos" God breathed. If you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know. Daily Jot: The least of these - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com While America was celebrating the Memorial Day weekend with cookouts, burgers and dogs (even in semi-lockdown mode), across the world in Ghana, West Africa, there were people who were wondering where the next meal was coming from. Families struck not only by poverty, forgotten by the church, but also the hardships caused by COVID 19 disruptions in the food supply, were somewhat stranded in time. But something historic is going on. Aided by readers of The Daily Jot, our partner ministry Lifetree Foundation, under the leadership of Pastor William Agbeti, is delivering food to the most needy of the needy in underserved remote areas. So far, over 1,300 have received foodstuffs lasting at least a week. Agbeti writes: "The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a drastic change in our Ministry's modus operandi-At least for the foreseeable future. From a ministry that was cooking hot meals for malnourished children, we have now become an organization that is supplying fortified and nutritious food items to needy children and their families. Thus, instead of feeding beneficiaries with a meal for lunch, these same beneficiaries now go home with foodstuffs that can feed them for a whole week. Besides, rather than depending solely on volunteers to identify the needy and serve them, the needy can now also contact us directly and volunteers move in to ascertain needs and supply the same. "Perhaps the most critical turn around in this whole development, in the wake of the CORONAVIRUS pandemic, is the Ministry's immediate response to pleas from hungry folks who could not be reached by Government with assistance. Without our intervention, volunteers testify that many would suffer the pangs of hunger, possibly leading to deaths. Another significant milestone COVID-19 has brought about our way is the development of our very first small food bank. Owing to price gouging, hoarding and profiteering by farmers, middlemen, transporters, wholesalers, retailers and speculators, we developed a storehouse where we source foodstuffs and keep/hold them for distribution/delivery. The price differentials between foodstuffs in our storehouse and the open market prices often constitute 10-25% off market prices. "Items in our small food bank include rice, eggs, grated cassava, milk, sardines, ground pepper, onions, tin tomatoes, salt, honey, etc. We are beginning to work with small rural farmers to grow specific food items and sell directly to us. This helps the farmers generate steady incomes, whilst we will be having reasonably priced foodstuffs and regular supplies to serve the needy in rural Ghana. As is written in Mat 25:40: "Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me." This is exactly what we feel like saying to all stakeholders in our service - donors, volunteers, officials, suppliers, delivery folks, well-wishers, etc. Together, we are serving the Lord. It's all about Jesus - sharing, caring and serving with Christ-like love!" This is made possible by readers like you!!!! Daily Devotion: Toxic Envy - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones. -Proverbs 14:30 I heard about a crab fisherman who would carry his catch around in an open bucket. When someone asked him if he was concerned about the crabs getting out he said, "No, the moment one of those crabs starts to climb out, the others reach up and pull him back down." It reminds me a lot of how kids can be. In their minds, everything has to be equal. If you give a gift to one of them they expect you to give it to the others. And if you allow one to do something they expect you to allow the others to do the same thing too. Writing to the believers in Rome the apostle Paul said, "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy" (Romans 13:13 NKJV). Maybe you're saying, "I think I'm doing pretty well because I'm not living immorally. And I'm not drinking." Yes, but what about the rest of the verse? What about strife and envy? The term Paul used for strife refers to persistent contention, bickering, petty disagreement, and enmity. It reflects a spirit of antagonistic competitiveness that fights to have its own way. It's really the desire to prevail over other people. This is someone who can't stand being surpassed and begrudges others' success and position. It's someone who always wants to be number one, the top dog. If you tell a story they'll tell a better story. If you talk about an accomplishment they'll have a better accomplishment, at least in their minds. I've heard it said that envy shoots at another and wounds itself. We have to be very careful of this sin. Don't be like that. Instead, focus your energies on becoming more like Jesus Christ. 
FROM THE HEART
IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or Visit our website: http://prophecyupdate.com/donations/ Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 
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