Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
The Coming Gog-Magog War - Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-coming-gog-magog-war.html
2 "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:" (Ezekiel 38:2-4) On Christian forums that I host, many questions arise about when the prophesied war that is spoken of in this passage found in your Bible will happen. Especially the question is who will make up this vast invading force that will be decimated on the mountains of Israel. "16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. 17 Thus saith the Lord God; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them? 18 And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. 19 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; 20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. 21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man's sword shall be against his brother. 22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone." (Ezekiel 38:16-22) This is a massive invasion that God comes to fight against with Divine intervention that slays all but a 1/6 of this army that the bible calls a cloud "thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee." (Ezekiel 38:9b). But the question is raised, who are these people, and where do they come from? Let us explore what is happening right now in our own news channels and what the Bible foretells who this invading army will consist of and how close we are to seeing this come to pass. According to the prophet Ezekiel, there will arise in the last days, a massvie military and political alliance known in the bible as the Gog-Magog Alliance. Ezekiel prophesies that a conglomeration of many nations and their armies will think to come into Israel to finally destroy the nation and murder her inhabitants. The Bible also speaks of the disastrous results that will happen on the mountains of the reborn nation that was formed in 1948 and has been in existence now, over 70 years. In Ezekiel 38, verse 3, Ezekiel clearly identifies Gog as a person, rather than a place, "3 And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:" The Scofield Reference Bible's notes to Ezekiel claim that "Meshech" is a Hebrew form of Moscow, and that "Tubal" represents the Siberian capital Tobolsk. This interpretation would make Gog both a "place" or the Russian Federation of Nations, AND a 'person' as in the sense of the leadership of this Russian Federation. The Interlinear Bible (Hebrew - Greek - English) renders that verse as: "Son of man, set your face toward Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; and prophesy concerning him." (In Hebrew, the word 'Rosh' meant, 'chief prince', or, the 'chief of the chief princes.') Would Vladimir Putin be considered the chief prince amongst princes of Communist Russa? Let us examine. HISTORY OF THE ANCESTORS OF THE PEOPLE In examining ancient history, we find that Magog was a son of Japeth, who together with his brothers Tubal, Meshech and Togarmah settled in what is modern day Russia and the southern steps of the Caucasus Mountains.. 10 "Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. 2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. 3 And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah." (Genesis 10:1-3) The prophet Ezekiel identifies 'Gog' as coming from the north of Israel. If you follow the compass to due north of Jerusalem, it will take you through the center of Moscow. The army of Gog and Magog primarily includes people from the nations of Gog, Gomer, Tubal, Meshech, and the house of Togarmah from the "north parts." They will be joined by Persians (Iran) from the East, Put from the West, Cushites from the South, and others. "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. . . " (Ezekiel 38:5-6) "Gomer" is mentioned in Genesis as well as Ezekiel. The Jewish-turned-Roman historian Flavius Josephus identified Gomer with the Galatians. "For Gomer founded those whom the Greeks now call Galatians, [Galls,] but were then called Gomerites." (Antiquities of the Jews, I:6.) Without getting too involved in the geographical landscape of the ancient land of Galatia, the land is part of Turkey and the modern capital of Ankara, Turkey is part of Ancient Galatia. Historically, 'Gomer' is also linked to the ancient Cimmerians. The Cimmerians eventually settled the regions north of the Caucasus and the Black Sea, in what is now parts of Russia and the Ukraine. The same can be said for Gomerites who spoke a form of the Persian language, and the Soviet State of Georgia is where the son of Japeth, Tubal settled according to the historian Josephus. Note that Ezekiel begins his listing of the Gog-Magog alliance by naming Persia as the main instigator of this invasion, but with help from his allies of Ethiopia and Libya, but known in Ancient times at Phut for Libya, and Cush for Ethiopia. Most likely, the Russian federation will be the financial supporters of these people. (Some versions of Scripture render 'Libya' (as does the KJV) whereas others render it 'Put' -- a grandson of Noah.) Put settled an area that included most of North Africa including Libya and parts of modern Egypt. Let us name the ancient followed by the modern names of each of these players that will comprise the coming Ezekiel prophesied invasion of Israel in the "last days". -Rosh and Magog-Russia -Meshech and Tubal-Turkish nation -Cush-Ethiopia -Put-Libya -Gomer-from eastern Europe, even to Germany -as mentioned Persia is Iran Note that each of these invading nations have one thing in common...they are all Muslim and have a natural hatred of Israel that has festered since the time of Isaac and Ishmael. WHAT DO WE SEE TODAY? Let us stand back and look at what is happening right now in the Middle East. I have wrote about this in times' past, but the details keep getting stronger and more into focus as the days pass by. No where has there been an alliance in the past, where Iran and Russia were thick as thieves in their relationship, as has been in the last 20 years or so. In the past, they have been natural enemies, but all that has changed. Russia has taken a major interest in propping up the Iranian regime with help in the military search for the nuclear bomb, by giving the Iranians nuclear reactors, thereby giving the Persians access to nuclear material. This was all done for Russian political purposes and control of the region. Also, war in Syria was raging for some years, as the Russian regime seeks to keep Assad in power and use its military to build bases and airfields that are beginning to surround the tiny nation of Israel. We read about Iranian troops on the border of the Golan Heights to its east, Hezbollah creating more missiles that can reach every city in Israel to the north and are itching for the next war that will seek to destroy their hated cousins to the south. We read about Hamas feverishly building more sophisticated missiles in the Gaza strip, that Israel has been trying to keep tabs on both of these players on their borders with fighter jet sorties to knock out advanced chemical, biological, or computer directed missiles to deliver destruction to the tiny nation of Israel. And we read about the Muslim Brotherhood, into factions such as ISIS and Al-Queda rampaging in northern Africa down into Central Africa and Egypt. If you look at any map of the area, it can be plainly seen that Israel is surrounded on all sides by enemies that have longed to destroy her. It is prophesied in Psalm 83 that an inner ring of these Muslim nations will think to attack, much as they did in the 1967 and 1973 wars that caught Israel off guard in the last war listed and nearly caused their defeat, if it were not for the God of Heaven who was directing their paths and protecting their flanks from a fanatical enemy. We have been watching and wondering when this war of Psalm 83 might happen, and I believe the stage is being set right now for a skirmish that will bring a big increase in the real estate that Israel will claim for it's own. This is the run-up to the war we are discussing, but Israel will have a short lived peace, when the enemies that border her are defeated. 2" For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. " (Psalm 83:2-8) I believe this is the next war that is on the horizon. Maneuvers are being taken to surround Israel from all sides with military muscle that they feel, will insure their victory. Only one problem. The God of Heaven is in the corner of Israel, and will not allow that to happen. Our Amazing God will bring victory by His Hand, that will direct the nation of Israel to complete victory. We may see this coming war, before the Church leaves this world, and we may not for the timing of God's body of believers could leave at any moment. LET US EXAMINE WHAT WE KNOW We know that in the latter days, the chief of the chief princes of an alliance called Gog-Magog will arise from a location to the uttermost north regions of Israel. We know that Moscow is on the same longitude (south and north) from the city of Jerusalem and is directly north of the capital city of Israel. We know that this 'Gog' will be reluctantly drawn into a conflict with Israel, to where that Ezekiel says that the nation that comprises Rosh and Magog will be drawn as "hooks in its jaws" into this conflict. It may be over natural resources that they covet, or an alliance that has formed that makes them obliged to honor with resources to support the effort...Both could be right. The Gog Magog alliance includes modern Russia, the Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, North Africa, and the Middle East extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. We also know that the target of the Gog Magog Alliance is the restored nation of Israel. And finally, we know the time frame. Ezekiel says it will take place 'in the latter days'. Here is something else we know. Ezekiel's alignment of nations was never possible in previous generations. To begin with Ezekiel's scenario, the nation of Israel must exist and was created in 1948, as spoken in this passage "the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations . . " (Ezekiel 38:8-9) As we all know, that day was completed in May 1948 and there was never a place called Israel until then. Prior to this date, Russia has no to little interest in the dry and barren land in the Middle East, as it had been part of the Ottoman Empire since the time of America being discovered by Columbus. There has been 2500 years since Ezekiel's prophesy and the formation of a reconstituted nation called Israel, and the prophecy depends on the simultaneous development of two events. The rebirth of Israel and the birth of Mohammedan-style, radical Islam to fulfill this prophecy. How could Ezekiel have known that this would come to pass, unless God had him to write these words? ARE WE IN THE SEASON OF THIS FULFILLMENT? Look at Ezekiel's main protagonists. There are three. The first is Gog and Magog, the modern Russian federation. Gog and Magog's participation in the invasion force, according to Ezekiel, comes as a result of God's promise to, 3 "And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:" (Ezekiel 38:4) I've wondered about the phrase "turn thee back" (Hebrew 'paqad' or 'call to remembrance')....There is a story is about when the new Russian parliament ca. 1992 rushed out of the halls of the Duma where newly admitted Western missionaries were handing out free New Testaments. The people were so hungry for the Word of God, that the missionaries were welcomed with open arms. After a life long bout with Communism the people were eager to read the Words of God. For several years, Russians were offered this 'call to remembrance' of Scripture before former KGB operative Vladimir Putin slammed the door shut on foreign missionaries. The Russian Orthodox Church -- which was heavily infiltrated by the KGB during the Communist era -- the only legal "Christian" religion in Russia was all that is allowed. All other outside Christian influence were banned. This call of remembrance was now officially over, and when Russia entered into a nuclear alliance with Iran, the hook was set. The support of Iran by the communist country was now set in stone. THE SECOND IS THE ALLIANCE ITSELF As mentioned before, and it is part of the alliance is that every single nation and of the region of the Gog-Magog alliance is part of the Islamic world. All of them. Islamic North Africa, [Ethiopia and Libya] including the Sudan, whose Islamic government is currently conducted genocide against its Christian population. Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and the heart and soul of radical Wahabbist jihadist Islam. Turkey, (ruled by the Islamic Party), together with most of the Russian Republic's Islamic 'stans'. Persia, or modern Iran, is the 'hook' in Gog's jaw. Iran's nuclear program was built by, overseen, guarded and maintained by Russian scientists, technicians and military forces. Iran's leader has made it something of a habit to mention the destruction of Israel in every speech. Which brings us to the third protagonist in Ezekiel's prophecy-Israel itself. The focus of this alliance of Muslim nations has but one focus, the destruction of Israel. Israel now has two choices, and neither of them are good for Israel. She can pray that the international community will restrain the mad mullahs, which with the climate we see of Anti-Semitism taking a rise in the last few years, the doesn't seem likely in the United Nations that is populated with mostly Muslim nations, and even with veto power by the USA, she may be powerless to stop the forces beyond a official protest., as even the rest of the Gentile nations have risen to condemn her in the European Union and elsewhere. 13 "Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?" (Ezekiel 38:13) The names of the protesters are Sheba and Dedan, geographically from Saudi Arabia, and young lions of the merchants of Tarshish, which is believed to be the British and the American continent, who are somehow powerless to stop such an invasion. Second choice is that Israel can mount a military response to remove the threat themselves, but from reading scripture, they are militarily overwhelmed by the extent of the invasion from all sides. I remember that they were surprised in the 1973 war and could have conceivably lost, as the invasion was on one of the Holy Days that the nation observes and they were not prepared for the sudden invasion, but regrouped and became victorious, and in some explanations of the events, Divine intervention was mentioned and was most obvious. . A third possibility, although not among Israel's choices, is that the United States will act to remove Iran's nuclear facilities before Israel faces the point of no return. The possibility the US will act in time is just that -- a possibility. But according to scripture, American is not in the mix when it comes to this war. Why? Has an event happened that could cripple their ability to respond effectively to this threat of invasion by this massive Islamic invasion? Has the once great nation of America succumbed to Socialism and abandoned Israel as a friend?The Western nations of the American continent is the last bastion of the Christian world, although we have been going the route of luke-warm Laodecia and have had major falls with the apostasy of the Church, but if those who still seek the Lord God in Spirit and in Truth, were suddenly removed from the military, from the halls of government, from government agencies, from the leadership of this nation in a flash and with out warning, then that might explain why the nation is not in a position to respond effectively to this threat. Why do I say that American will not be able to respond? First, I believe that we as the Church will not see the war we speak of. When this war is finished and it will come in a flash, as God will be the Champion of Israel and will fight for them in His Fury. Remember the passage spoken of above? 18 "And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. 19 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; 20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. 21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man's sword shall be against his brother. 22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. 23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord." (Ezekiel 38:18-23) There are several reason why I believe that the Church will not be here. -First, the USA has always been the protector of Israel and its ally since her birth, and for the USA not to be in this war, says she is not able. -Second, God will not share His glory with anyone, not the USA or anyone else. God will show His people that He is still very much alive. -Third, on the heels of this war that slays 5/6 of the invading army on the mountains of Israel, and follows the survivors back to their homeland, where the plague of death follows them to the own countries, that this war will devastate the Muslim World to its knees. -Fourth, I see a man coming upon the scene who will try and prevent another war such as this one that has decimated the entire Muslim population and decimated Russia's hegemony war machine. This man will be a person of charismatic personality and will come from a premier nation that Israel will somehow trust. He will "confirm" a covenant with Israel, that could even be the Trump "Deal of the Century" that no one has enforced yet, as it was rejected by the Palestinian leadership. .The only nation that I could conceivably argue that Israel would trust, would be the USA. But who knows where this man will come from. Will he be from a revived Roman Empire, or from an outside Muslim country, or from Turkish background? Many possibilities, but only one solution. The glass is dark and we can't see the image just yet. Note that Israel is looking for nothing more than peace and security to live their lives without fear, and have been looking for a "political messiah" since the time of Jesus to rid themselves of domination by other nations. In Jesus time, it was the Romans. In the modern era, it will be the Muslim nations, that even though they have been victorious, they will accept this "political messiah" who will give them permission in the international community to rebuild their Temple and resume animal sacrifices. Israel has never realized they needed a "Spiritual Messiah" found in the Lord Jesus Christ, as they had the law of Moses, and didn't need a Savior, at least in their blinded minds. They didn't believe it then, they do not believe it now...At least they won't just yet when this "confirmation of a covenant" is signed giving them what they have longed for "peace and security" within their borders...but it will be a false peace. The Bible says that this "politician" ..this Anti-Christ will not come into view on the political scene until the Holy Spirit is removed from this planet to Old Testament manifestations that were present prior to the Day of Pentecost, some nigh 2000 years ago.. 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." (2nd Thessalonians 2:6-10) As I've preached in prior messages, the HE is a Person who is preventing the full sway of evil to rule this earth. The only Power that can hold back this unrelenting evil to engulf this earth, is God's Holy Spirit. It's not an angel, as they are equal in power to the fallen angel, Lucifer, now Satan, and its not any person on earth. God's Spirit resides in every impregnated believer with God's Holy Spirit as an earnest deposit of our future glory and our being "BORN AGAIN" into the Kingdom of God. 13 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) From all indications, the event could happen in the next few years. If the Church is not present, as the Bible plainly says, if you discern with a Spirit directed mind, then when this war happens, the man of Sin, the son of Perdition will be forthcoming...and his revealing will be the trigger that starts the Tribulation. Many believe that there is a "gap period" between the rapture of the Church, and the start of the Tribulation. That would be the period in Revelation between Revelation 4:1 and Revelation 6:1...how long is this period is conjecture on anyone's part, but how long will it be before the Anti-Christ is revealed after the Church is removed? It could happen at any future Holy Day, that I have offered as the Feast of Trumpets. Will it be this fall, the next fall, or the one after that? We don't know which Feast Jesus will break through the clouds and call with the sound of a trumpet, "COME UP HITHER"...It could be that soon, or wait a few years, as we don't know. BUT we keep our focus on the signs that are screaming of His coming...the signs in the heavens. The alignment of planets that have never happened in any recent past. The past solar eclipses that spelled trouble for the Gentile nations, according to many Jewish and prophecy related teachers. Then we all remember the past Blood Moons that spelled something happening to Israel. And remember the past hurricane after hurricane coming from the path of this last solar eclipse. Was that the warning? ARE YOU READY? Should any of these prophecies happen tomorrow, would you be ready to meet Jesus? Note that the Bible says that they come in waves chronologically and each event triggers the next. The triggers that set this all in motion are right there on the horizon. It just takes one domino to fall for the sequence to begin. I have had many evangelist and preachers wondering if this Coronovirus so called "Plannedemic" is the prelude to the coming One World Government. Will it be? Will you be counted as ready to meet the Lord in the air? 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. " (John 3:16-18) Don't be like those in v. 19 of the preceding verses above....this world is passing away....If you love the world, then the love of the Father, our Heavenly Father God. "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. " (1st John 2:15) I don't know about you, but I am getting tired of the chaos and blatant evil that is covering this planet...I want to go Home...How about you? The last bastion of Christian love and biblical concepts of how to live your life, found in the USA, are quickly dying all around us...we who call ourselves Christians, long to see the face of our Lord and Savior crying out with a loud trumpet, "Come up hither" and so shall we ever be with the Lord. So come Lord Jesus...we await anxiously for your appearing. 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) In a nutshell, the above verses are how you are counted worthy and to be ready to meet the Lord in the air. The above scenario that I have outlined could happen very soon, and the coming of the Lord, even sooner...make that decision for Jesus Christ Today, as Ezekiel's war is on the horizon. This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you be ready to meet our Lord Jesus Christ, If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected] , God bless you all. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET The Gaza They Do Not Want You to See - by Bassam Tawil - https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/16100/gaza-luxury The Palestinian terror group Hamas has warned Palestinians in the Gaza Strip not to publish photos from the Gaza Strip on social media platforms. In a June 9 statement, the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Interior claimed that "Israeli intelligence agencies have been asking residents of the Gaza Strip -- through social media -- to use their mobile phones to take pictures of various places in the Gaza Strip." Hamas warned Palestinians against complying with the alleged Israeli request and claimed that Israel was using social media accounts to "recruit collaborators and obtain information." Hamas added that its security forces were monitoring Israeli and Palestinian social media accounts and would take "legal measures" against Palestinians who interacted with the purported Israeli intelligence agencies. Is Hamas actually worried that the Israeli security authorities would use the photos to "recruit" informants or that Palestinians might take pictures of its tunnels and rockets? Not exactly. Hamas is worried that the photos and videos taken by Palestinians would reveal to the world a different reality of the situation in the Gaza Strip -- a reality that runs contrary to all the stories and images of "poverty," "misery" and "suffering" of Palestinians there. What Hamas seeks to conceal from the world are the shopping malls, supermarkets, fancy restaurants, sleek coffee shops and modern clothing stores that have sprung up in the Gaza Strip in recent years. Such images are excruciatingly embarrassing for the leaders of Hamas, who want to continue lying with impunity about Palestinians in the Gaza Strip suffering as a result of Israel's "blockade" on the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave. These images are also an embarrassment to anti-Israel propagandists seeking to portray a completely different reality of life in the Gaza Strip as part of their campaign to delegitimize Israel and demonize Jews by holding them fully responsible for the "suffering" of Palestinians. The Hamas warning came after several photos and video clips depicting the good life of many Palestinians in the Gaza Strip appeared on a number of social media platforms, particularly Twitter. One popular Twitter account called, @Imshin, has been disseminating videos, blog spots, and news from the world of the middle-class and wealthy of the Gaza Strip that never makes it into the mainstream media. Relying on videos and photos taken by Palestinians, the account provides unique insight into the comfortable life of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as they engage in shopping sprees and enjoy their outings at swimming pools, upscale restaurants, luxurious hotels and beach resorts. On June 2, the account featured a post about the Royal House Chalet, south of the University of Gaza -- one of the most modern and lavish resorts in the Gaza Strip, fully equipped with an impressive swimming pool and state-of-the-art suites. Another post features the Viola Restaurant and Café, a popular spot in the Gaza Port famous for its variety of desserts and snacks. Palestinians planning a barbecue for Thursday night (the last day of work in the week) are invited to purchase all their barbecue supplies at the Care4Mall in the Gaza Strip. Located in the Tal al-Hawa suburb of Gaza City, the mall includes stores for home appliances, food stores and a fast-food court. "We provide all goods and services the citizen needs," the shopping mall says on its Facebook page. "We strive to achieve customer satisfaction and appreciation by providing competitive prices." Ironically, the shopping mall also boasts that among the goods it provides is the Israeli instant coffee brand, Elite's "Namess". Apparently, Hamas and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have not heard of (or do not seem to care about) the anti-Israel campaign to boycott Israeli products and manufacturing companies, including the large food company Elite. In other videos posted on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, the children of the Gaza Strip are documented purchasing mobile phones and enjoying the taste of various flavors of ice cream and slushies. One of the popular ice cream businesses is the Kazem Ice Cream shop in the neighborhood of al-Rimal in the Gaza Strip, home to a number of Hamas leaders. Smartphones, including the iPhone 11, the most recent version of Apple devices, are available for sale in supermarkets throughout the Gaza Strip, as recently announced by Metro Market, one of the largest supermarkets in the area. A few weeks ago, one of the Gaza Strip's fanciest shopping malls was inaugurated in Nusierat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The new Al-Danaf Hyper Mall includes a large supermarket where shoppers can purchase various imported goods that are often not even available in Israeli markets. Earlier this year, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip celebrated the opening of the Deux Fashion clothing store, located on Ahmad Abd al-Aziz Street in Gaza City. The large store offers various clothing brands, mostly imported from Turkey and other countries. "The best place to buy men's clothes, online or offline, with the highest quality for the best price," reads the advertisement published on the store's Facebook page. These are only a handful of images from the Gaza Strip that make Hamas nervous. How can Hamas continue begging for financial aid from the United Nations and other international humanitarian aid organizations when Palestinians are posting photos families on shopping sprees and children eating ice cream and buying smartphones? How can Hamas and its supporters around the world continue to complain about poverty and misery when new shopping malls and supermarkets filled with clothes and various types of luxury goods are being opened every few weeks in the Gaza Strip? Why are foreign correspondents covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ignoring the greener pastures in the Gaza Strip? Why are Palestinian journalists based in the Gaza Strip dumping photographic documentation of these sunny, positive developments in the Gaza Strip into the dustbin? It is because such images do not fit their anti-Israel narrative and agenda. The foreign and Palestinian journalists are complicit in the Hamas coverup: they want to continue blaming Israel for everything negative that Palestinians encounter. Given the latest Hamas warning, it is only a matter of time before one hears about Palestinians being imprisoned or killed for "betraying" the Palestinian cause by posting photos of the Gaza Strip's newest version of "the Ritz" and children gleefully licking their multicolored ice-cream cones. Land That I Love - Nathele Graham - [email protected] "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20. As I read the news this morning, I am sickened. The hatred and violence astound me. There's absolutely no justification for what's happening in the streets of America. This nation was established by a Constitution and that Constitution is being shredded by the liberal left as they try to destroy America. A virus was blown out of proportion and the liberals managed to use it to shut down the world causing economic hardship. Their goal? A liberal one world government. What's standing in the way of that goal? America. We're a nation that loves our freedom. That freedom has allowed free enterprise to grow and America to prosper. That's not good enough for the liberals who want to repress the masses; they want to cripple and destroy this land that I love. There are still enough Christians in America to turn this destruction around. We cannot do it unless we first turn to Jesus. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16. Are there any righteous men left in America? Any righteous women? The liberal news would have us believe there are very few. I believe there are many. It's time for us to put God first, pray, and stand against Satan. Ahab and Jezebel Clinton (oops, I meant Bill and Hillary) have done their utmost to flaunt the double standards of the elite. Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives on grounds of perjury to a grand jury and the obstruction of justice, and his behavior in the Oval office was disgusting. Instead of being ousted from office for his many transgressions, he was left in office. Disgraceful. Hillary is as bad. Her handling of the Benghazi murder of our Ambassador, her many email debacles, and the fact that she "channels" Eleanor Roosevelt are enough to discredit her entire political career. The moral character of America took a major nosedive because of the Clintons. Then came Obama whose Constitutional eligibility to hold office is questionable. He bowed to Muslims, declared America not to be a Christian nation, legalized the sin of homosexuality, promoted abortion, and did what he could to destroy the Constitution and bring the United States of America to an end. When his time in office ended, Jezebel...I mean Hillary...ran for president. She lost. The bid to destroy America was thwarted by intelligent Americans who saw through the liberal lies and understood what their agenda was all about. Thank God Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States. He brought dignity back to the office. He doesn't play politics and he doesn't concern himself with the new world order. He's a businessman who began to turn the economy of America around and doesn't bow before Muslim powers. Mr. Trump doesn't finance Middle Eastern warlords as his predecessors did, but his goal is to enable Americans to prosper. Unemployment figures were down and the economy of America was on an upswing. Skin color wasn't an issue; anyone willing to work could work. Earning an honest living is Biblical. "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. If someone is physically unable to work, it's Biblical to take care of them, but welfare isn't the first resort. That's not the way liberals think. The liberals have tried to stop Mr. Trump from helping America to prosper and will stop at nothing to come against him. Under the Obama Administration, sin was legalized. Murdering unborn babies thrived and homosexual marriage was legalized. Phrases like "gender fluidity" and "a mother's choice" entered into our vocabulary and somehow became accepted as valid. Homosexuality is against God and Scripture says it's a judgment on a nation that rejects Him. Public schools teach evolution as a fact and America falls deeper into sin. "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." Romans 1:24-25. We condemn ourselves when we reject God; it's brought on by our own actions in accepting lies as truth. "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections; for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which is meet." Romans 1:26-27. America, the land that I love, has allowed Satan to bring us down because we reject God and embrace sin. "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Romans 1:29-32. The liberal agenda is Satanic and will destroy all that's good. If you condone any act which is contrary to God's ways, you are part of the problem. President Trump has re-built America and the liberal left cannot allow that. The coronavirus didn't destroy America because of the leadership of a strong President. The left is now pulling out the race card. A white policeman arrested a black lawbreaker. Did that police officer use excessive force? It appears he did and the lawbreaker died. There's a video of the incident and it appears that the police officer is guilty, as well as the officers standing by and watching. I say "appears", because in America, a person is innocent until proven guilty. The liberals have turned a criminal case into a racial war. The weak-minded are, once again, the tools of destruction. There's absolutely no way to justify the rioting and destruction of property. These riots are not spontaneous outbursts, but orchestrated battles. Who's behind them? Well, who has the money to purchase piles of bricks and distribute them nationwide prior to the rioting? Who has the money to bus rioters from one war zone to another? Who has the backing of Satan in their efforts to destroy America? I'll just generally name the liberals as the perpetrators of this destruction, but do some research and you come up with some names. They couldn't care less about black Americans, but create and use the racial issue as a catalyst for division and destruction. If they're allowed to win this battle, they will turn against everyone regardless of skin color. The rioters are only pawns to be disposed of when the fighting ends. Brothers and sisters, we do not need another Clinton or Obama in the White House. Can anyone explain to me why people who've worked hard to earn a living, who've built businesses, who attend worship services, and who contribute to the good of our communities are criminalized while the criminals are allowed to run riot over the nation? Christians can be fined and/or arrested for not "social distancing" or not wearing a mask while attending worship services, but every night there are riots which destroy lives and property and those people are allowed freedom to do as they please. Hairdressers who want and need to work are criminalized and banned from working while cities burn because of the true lawbreakers. The Constitution of the United States provides for peaceful assembly, but there's nothing peaceful about the arson, looting, and violence of these riots. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Article I of the Bill of Rights. Christians gathering to worship God are strictly regulated in what is preached and how close we can be to each other while violent and destructive riots aren't subject to the constitution or any law. They certainly aren't peacefully assembling. This Amendment also protects the freedom of speech and of the press. The liberals have shredded that one too. Google, Facebook, and YouTube censure those who speak against liberal brainwashing, while a Christian bakery owner is forced to bake a "wedding" cake for homosexuals. Double standards by the liberals are rampant. The liberal media controls the mainstream news, but there are alternative news sources which Christians should pay attention to. Brothers and sisters, I love America. I love God more. I will continue to speak up for God and use my Constitutional right to protect myself against those who mean me harm. "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Article II of the Bill of Rights. The riots and the liberal agenda are not in accordance with Constitution, but are an effort by the those who desire to destroy The United States of America to bring in a new world order. Scripture teaches that there will be one man who will bring order out of chaos and all the people will follow him. Is he a good guy? Absolutely not. He's known by many names in Scripture, but is commonly called the Anti-Christ. He's waiting for the right time to step in and take over the world. He's possessed by Satan and will lead all who follow him straight to Hell. God has promised all Christians will be taken to Heaven prior to the Anti-Christ coming to power. In fact, this evil man won't be revealed until after the Rapture. "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thessalonians 2:7-10 (NKJV). The Holy Spirit is sealed within every Christian and is restraining the power of Satan. After the Rapture the evil will no longer be restrained. Do you think it's bad now? As the saying goes, "You ain't seen nothing yet". If you haven't accepted Christ for salvation, do it now. The Rapture is only promised to Christians and it's our Blessed Hope. There is good news amidst all of this evil. Jesus Christ is willing to forgive all sin. He shed His blood on the cross of Calvary in order for you to be forgiven. First you have to realize that you are a sinner and repent. That means you've changed your mind about embracing sin. You turn away from sin and turn to Christ. Eternity is a long time to regret holding onto hatred and believing lies instead of being filled with the love of God Almighty and knowing the truth. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Only Jesus Christ can offer you freedom from sin. Not freedom to sin but freedom from it. Give your life to Him now and become a new creation through Him. God bless America, land that I love. He will bless this land only if we follow Him. Brothers and sisters, stand strong upon God's word and do not compromise your faith. Be sure that you walk in His ways not in the ways of sin. As much as I love America, I love my Home in Heaven more. It won't be long until we're called Home and I look forward to seeing all of you there soon. 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. The Answer - By Hal Lindsey - https://www.hallindsey.com/ww-6-10-2020/ Like most people, I was appalled when I saw video of George Floyd with his face down on the pavement, a police officer's knee in his neck. I couldn't believe the officers would have his hands cuffed behind his back, his chest constricted so that every breath was a struggle, and the knee in his neck restricting blood flow to his brain. I was simultaneously outraged and filled with sorrow as I heard him politely pleading for his life. "I can't breathe. Please, officer." And I saw the officer with his hand in his pocket, almost nonchalantly killing the man beneath his knee. I heard the spectators begging the officers to let George up, and after he passed out, asking them to get off of him and take his pulse. I know that the law must see the officers as "innocent" until they are proven guilty in a court of law. But if I were the prosecutor, I would throw the book at them. The spark of outrage from the video began a fire of racial turmoil that swept - not just the United States - but the whole world. In the last week, massive protests have been held in the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and elsewhere. How should followers of Jesus respond to a world that for months has been locked down by a disease, and is now being ripped apart in a torrent of violence and accusation? We need to engage the culture, but we need to do it God's way. Proposing another political program will not be enough. Yelling "racist" on social media won't fix anything. Throwing money at problems will not solve them. Education alone is not the answer. God's way means engaging the culture one person at a time - one soul at a time with love and care, not sarcasm or outrage. We need to present the Gospel of Jesus with clarity and passion. These are difficult and dangerous times, but in them, God is giving us an opportunity to reach people as perhaps never before. Jesus is the Answer. Times of anger and strife don't change that. In fact, darkness makes light more obvious. In the late 1960s and early 70s, America experienced similar upheavals. Then something amazing happened. Voices were lowered and common sense rose to the fore. Those things allowed progress toward justice and a fairer society while at the same time strengthening the nation's unity and resolve. It happened because God sent revival to His churches and a spiritual awakening in society. The message of Billy Graham and other evangelists of the day suddenly seemed to resonate. Campus Crusade for Christ took the word to our universities. The Jesus Movement swept through the nation's young. God even used people like me, explaining the miraculous accuracy of Bible prophecy. Once again, we desperately need revival in the Church and an awakening across the land. And we don't just need it for America, but for the whole world. The problems go far deeper than politics. We need changed hearts. You and I can't give people new hearts, but we know Someone who can. Soon, Jesus will take His ambassadors out of this world. But while we're still here, we have a job to do. After He had been resurrected and just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus gave us our marching orders until He comes. In Matthew 28:1920, Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Daily Jot: Remember the Titans - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com On my office wall is a team picture of the TC Williams 1971 Virginia State AAA Football Champions signed by most of the members of the team. They were thrust into the highly charged racial environment with forced integration of three rival schools and a hotbed of violence that erupted in Alexandria, Va., after the murder of 19-year-old black man Robin Gibson. This team overcame the racial tension, hate, police harassment, and outright racism to bond together and win a state championship after white coach Bill Yoast, one of the winningest coaches in Virginia High School history and head coach of one of the schools integrated into TC Williams, was passed over for Hermon Boone, a black assistant coach. Boone and Yoast had to work through their own biases to lead the troubled team that was split along racial lines. At Boone's leadership, Yoast and he overcame their differences and brought the team into racial unity that was so strong that they won the state championship. In 2016, I had the honor to interview Boone, Yoast, and many of the players of that 1971 team in conjunction with a friend of mine, Billy Zagger, who spearheaded a film project telling the story of just how these men went about resolving their racial divide, and even more importantly formed bonds that lasted a lifetime. Football brought coaches and players who were unlikely to ever care for one another together for something great. The movie, "Remember the Titans," took some license in retelling the story of these remarkable men, but showed how a diverse and unlikely group of individuals overcame deep rooted societal differences to become successful on the field, AND off the field. Coach Boone told us that he preached to his players that they may not like each other, but they would respect each other. He and Coach Yoast not only became best friends by iron sharpening iron during the season, but also demonstrated to those they were coaching that hate was not an option when excellence was the preeminent goal. It was fascinating to hear these men and their former players tell their story of learning to love one another from their own personal perspectives. The TC Williams locker room was full of issues. The players and the coaches worked them out and came to a common ground of understanding and genuine love for those who don't look like them. America needs a locker room. It needs to be devoid of the politics that is so caustic and so viscerally divides people. We all need to take a lesson from the Titans, who inspired Alexandria to greater understanding for one another as human beings. I was very fortunate to be a part of interviewing Herman Boone, Bill Yoast, and players Julius Campbell, Petey Jones and Blue Stanton before their passing, and other members of the Titans. And I know they would be able to stand today with some extraordinary Godly wisdom for our society. As Christ said in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another." And we should. Daily Devotion: Why Pride Gets in the Way of Prayer - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org When He came to the place, He said to them, 'Pray that you may not enter into temptation.' -Luke 22:39 The disciples were sleeping when they should have been praying. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told the disciples to pray. Meanwhile, the Bible tells us, "He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done'" (Luke 22:41-42 NKJV). Luke tells us that at this point, "an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (verses 43-44 NKJV). Then Jesus stood up and walked over to His disciples where they were sound asleep. Not praying when we need to can actually be a sin. It's the sin of omission. A sin of omission is not doing what you should do, while a sin of commission is doing what you should not do. The Bible says, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17 NKJV). And neglecting to pray is a direct result of the sin of self-confidence. And instead of praying, we usually worry (as though that will help). Yet Philippians tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (4:6 NKJV). So, we don't say, "I can handle this, God," or "I'll fix that, Lord." Instead, we need to pray about it. We need to say, "Lord, I need your help right now. I'm at the point where I'm tired of trusting in myself, and I'm calling out to you, Lord." Call out to God in prayer today. 
FROM THE HEART
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