Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
End of Days are Upon Us, Part 2 - by Pastor Mike Taylor - http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2018/06/end-of-days-are-upon-us-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) 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 INTERPRETION 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 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? " (Daniel 12:8). 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." 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) Man will form 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." 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 is 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. 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 (1st. Corinthians 3:10-15) 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. 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. Beginning 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. Revelation 6:2 "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 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 millions 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. (Revelation 16:12) 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, Muslims, 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 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. 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 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" . 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. 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." (John 3:16) 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] , or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com . God bless all. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET Gems Hidden For Messianic Era Being Discovered In Carmel Region - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com They invite their kin to the mountain, Where they offer sacrifices of success. For they draw from the riches of the sea And the hidden hoards of the sand. Numbers 33:19 (The Israel Bible™) Many people read prophecy, some understand its relevance in current events, but Avi Taub, CEO of Shefa Yamim, took it one step further and founded a multi-million dollar mining and exploration company based on prophecy. Seventeen years later, prophecy is still at the core of his successful corporate vision. Taub grew up in the precious stones business. His family had a diamond polishing plant and dealt in manufacturing and marketing jewelry. In 1989, Taub, a follower of Chabad Hasidut, visited Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. The rabbi, known to his followers simply as "the Rebbe," was spiritual leader to millions of followers of the Chabad-Lubavitch sect of Hasidic Judaism, who passed away in 1994. With very little explanation, the Rebbe told Taub to begin mining. Taub entered into an unsuccessful project in Australia. He struggled to understand the Rebbe's message. Through a friend who was also a follower of the Rebbe, Taub was made aware of a video in which the Rebbe made a remarkable statement, given to then-mayor of Haifa, Arye Gurel in 1988. "In Haifa, there is a sea. One shouldn't become intimidated by something that is deep," the Rebbe said to Gurel. "This is the uniqueness of Haifa - that it has a sea and that there is a valley and in the valley are precious stones and gems. The Holy One, Blessed Be He, did a wondrous thing; he concealed them in the depths of the earth, and in any case, in the depth of the river." Taub searched for more clues and found that the Rebbe discussed these hidden gems again in a public lesson in 1991. The Rebbe explained new and unprecedented knowledge and material resources, hidden since the Creation of the World, will be discovered as the redemption approaches. The Rebbe specified that precious stones and gems will be for the purpose of giving additional charity and performing other mitzvoth (commandments) to hasten the Messiah in its final stages. Taub went searching for other clues to hidden gems in Israel and found hints that the region assigned to the tribe of Zevulun was hinted at in the Bible as the source of hidden wealth. This was based on Moses' blessing to the tribe in Deuteronomy. And of Zevulun he said: Rejoice, O Zevulun, on your journeys, And Yissachar, in your tents. They invite their kin to the mountain, Where they offer sacrifices of success. For they draw from the riches of the sea And the hidden hoards of the sand. Deuteronomy 33:18-19 The Meam Loez, an 18th-century commentary on the Bible initiated by Rabbi Yaakov Culi, wrote the following on that verse. "There are vast amounts of natural treasures that are hidden in the sea and in the earth in the portion of the tribe of Zevulun. These treasures include the rare "chilazon" from whose blood the aqua color is obtained for 'tzitzit', precious stones and gems - diamonds - most of which afforded the Land of Israel vast wealth, generally speaking, and especially for the tribe of Zevulun!" Taub was satisfied that all of the clues pointed towards Israel to find these hidden gems the Rebbe had told him to search for. He had no way of knowing that another hidden treasure, the Leviathan natural gas fields discovered off the coast of Israel in 2010, were also included in this prophecy. In 1999, Taub and several other Chabad Jews established Shefa Yamim Co. Ltd. with the intention of locating precious stones and gems in Israel. As per the Rebbe's instructions to Haifa's mayor, Taub focused his company's efforts along the Kishon riverbed in the Zevulun Valley, the Carmel Mountain Range bordering Haifa, and the area of Ramot Menashe. Their company based in Akko is in the final year of exploration and Taub anticipates that they will begin production next year. They made important discoveries while drilling and taking soil samples, including a kimberlite, the source of diamonds, 77 diamonds of various sizes, as well as hundreds of thousands of mineral indicators that accompany diamonds and gems such as sapphires and rubies. A 3.5 mm moissanite, the largest example of this precious and rare stone found anywhere to date, was also discovered in the Zevulun region. The company recently upgraded the factory in Akko to handle more volume. "All of the geologists, all of the experts were in shock. We succeeded in proving that faith is shaking hands with science," Taub told Breaking Israel News. "Every day we are making new finds." The success went public about five months ago when Shefa Yamim began trading on the London Stock Exchange. Taub noted the timing of the discoveries of Israel's hidden treasures. "These stones could have been discovered ten years ago, or one-hundred," he emphasized. "The Rebbe told us to begin now because he knew the Moshiach (Messiah) was coming and that was when these stones were to be brought to light." "This was the special trait of the Rebbe," Taub explained. "He was one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the 20th century and certainly the most influential leader for so many Jews. But he connected prophecy and current events, the Bible with science." This is evident in the Rebbe's personal story. Before becoming the leader of the Chabad movement, the Rebbe studied in some of the most important universities in the world, such as the Sorbonne in Paris and the University of Berlin, receiving at least three Ph.D. degrees in physics, philosophy and mechanical engineering. An imperative given by such a man was not to be taken lightly. Taub noted that on the High Priest's breastplate, every tribe was represented by a precious stone. "It would be so much greater if all the stones from the breastplate came from inside Israel," Taub said. "We are hoping to make that possible in time for the Third Temple." Coincidentally, in the high priest's breastplate, Zevulun's name was engraved on a diamond. The only source of native diamonds in Israel is from the territory belonging to Zevulun and the only company mining these diamonds is Shefa Yamim. No Turning Back - Nathele Graham - [email protected] "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1. Songs and music can bring long-buried memories to mind. I can hear the opening notes of a song I haven't heard in decades and will remember the words and the melody, which isn't always good. I grew up in the '60s and songs were beginning to have very suggestive words and today it's even worse. Many secular songs have lyrics that should make a Christian blush. It's good to memorize Psalms in order to write praises to the Lord on your heart, give you strength when you are weak, and to keep the Lord on your lips. There are many Christian songs that can do the same thing. When faced with a choice between a secular path and one that honors Christ, a song that strengthens my resolve is titled "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus". A simple tune with simple words that reminds me of the decision I made to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back. Each person has a decision to make. The first decision is whether to accept the free gift of salvation that is offered to each one of us. For some, this decision can mean loss of friends and family. For some it can even mean death. In the United States we haven't come to the point where Christianity punishable by death, but little by little Christian values are being criminalized. China has made owning or selling a Bible a criminal offence, Christians will be beheaded in Muslim nations, North Korea will imprison and torture Christians, and the list goes on. The decision to follow Jesus is the most important choice in your life, because it makes an eternal difference. "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:20-21. Eternal life comes only through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The choice to follow Jesus may cost you friends, family, or even your life, but you must decide to follow Him. The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back. Temptations will always come our way. Before deciding to follow Jesus you had no moral standard for behavior. If sin crossed your path you would embrace it. The world has standards set by Satan, so when you decide to live with your boyfriend or girlfriend without the benefit of marriage, you choose to follow Satan and sin. Once you have accepted Jesus for salvation your choices need to change. Instead of following the ways of the world/Satan, follow Jesus. "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Mark 8:34. Study your Bible and apply God's Truth to your life. God's view of sin has never changed, so when you're faced with a decision of morality use Scripture as your guide. It might be difficult to deny the lust of the flesh, but remember the price Jesus paid on the cross. Then take up your cross, put the world and its desires behind you, and follow Jesus. Though none go with me, still I will follow, Though none go with me, still I will follow, Though none go with me, still I will follow, No turning back, no turning back. The decision to follow Jesus can cost you friendships. People who you grew up with may look upon you as a "Bible thumper" and turn their back on you. That can hurt and cause you to question your decision or compromise God's word. Keep in mind that each person has to make their own decision to follow Jesus or follow the world. Even some people who claim to be Christians will resent it if you choose God's way instead of Satan's. "Don't judge me" they exclaim, but forget that Scripture gives Christians the guidelines which God set for us to follow. Don't be discouraged if your friends choose the wrong path and you seem to be walking that narrow path alone. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:13-14. Keep your eyes open because you can be sure that there are others in your same situation who feel as if they are walking alone. Yoke yourself with fellow Christians who are walking that narrow path of following Jesus rather than yoking yourself with the world. Remember, too, that those friends who refused to go with you are still watching you, so be an example to them. Let your joy of following Jesus encourage others to follow. My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus; My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus; My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus; No turning back, no turning back. When Jesus was crucified everyone knew the meaning of the cross. It was an instrument of death and also one of torture and humiliation. Jesus chose the cross. He allowed Himself to be beaten beyond recognition and then He carried His cross through the streets to the place where nails were pounded into His body. He was stripped of His clothing and hung there for all to mock. He allowed this to happen because He loves us. There was no other way for our salvation to be purchased except through His sacrifice. When we accept the fact that we are sinners and need His shed blood as the only sacrifice to take our sin away, then we owe Him our allegiance. "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27. Unless we're willing take up our cross we cannot be His disciple. If you hold on to the sins of this world rather than embracing Jesus then you will never learn to follow Him. Does that literally mean to get a chunk of wood and carry it around? No, but it does mean that we choose daily to die to self. The cross was a means of death and we need to die to sin and live for Christ. Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? No turning back, no turning back. Jesus is calling to you. He's asking you to either accept His free gift of salvation or, if you already claim His grace, He's asking you to take up your cross and follow Him. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20. So, what's your decision? There are benefits of following Him. The world offers sin and temporary pleasure. That comes with a high price. Taking what isn't yours brings prison. Sexual promiscuity brings disease. Lies bring stress, upset, and illness. Rejection of Jesus brings eternal death. When you decide to follow Jesus you will find peace. You may have to pay the penalty of your sin, for example AID's won't go away or prison may be where you live, but eternal life is yours through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus gives you the peace that only comes through Him and the world cannot offer anything like it. Satan can only offer a mockery of God's peace. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. Make your decision to follow Jesus today, then don't turn back. 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. A Date To Remember - By Grant Phillips - http://www.raptureready.com/2018/06/13/doubt-satans-silver-bullet-grant-phillips-2/ On our calendars here at the house and on your calendars also are listed specific dates: birthdays, anniversaries, doctor appointments, holidays, etc., but there is coming a date on all calendars that will change the world forever as we know it. In our minds we remember family birthdates and the date a loved one died, also dates we graduated from school and got married. Oh so many dates to remember. I know that we who are citizens of the United States of America remember most of the important dates associated with our country. Most of us had them pounded in our heads as students. We can't know the exact date, but the date the Son of God hung on a cross, died, was buried and rose again has touched the world like no date before or after. The date the King of kings and Lord of lords returns will have no equal, and this is another date we cannot pinpoint at this time. Yet, there is a third date that falls between the cross and the return of Jesus Christ at the end of the seven year period commonly known as the Tribulation. This date is known as the Rapture. I like to call these special dates the three R's. Schools used to concentrate on the three R's which were reading, writing and arithmetic. The three R's I am referring to though are redemption, removal and return. R - Jesus redeems us at the cross R - Jesus removes His bride from harm's way at the Rapture R - Jesus returns as King of kings and Lord of lords after the Tribulation It is said that Jesus died on the cross on April 3rd, 33 AD. Maybe that date is correct, maybe not, but I'm sure it is at least close. We do not know the dates for the Rapture and Jesus' return at His second coming after the Tribulation. We know they are close at hand, but we have no date supplied to us. We do know that when the Tribulation begins Jesus will return seven years later, but we have no such information for the Rapture. There are no signs for the Rapture. We are only told to watch for the signs and we will know He is at the door, but if there are no signs for the Rapture, what is He talking about? We are already seeing a tremendous number of signs beginning to form that relate to the Tribulation which follows the Rapture. Therefore, even though there are no signs for the Rapture, there are many signs for the Tribulation which follows it. That being the case, the Rapture is really getting close since it precedes the event (Tribulation) that has the signs we are now seeing. How close? Sorry, but I don't know. That information is above my pay grade. One day soon there will be a loud shout from Heaven to the Church (the bride of Christ), a call like the sound of a trumpet, to come forth and meet our Lord in the air. This date will definitely be marked on the calendars of all those who are left behind to journey through the following seven year Tribulation. The removal of the Church from this earth will certainly be a time to remember, for all who leave and all who remain. This will be a day that will shake the earth with mass confusion and hysteria. Over half of the world's population of those who remain after the Rapture will die. The world's population at present is estimated to be 7.6 billion. It is estimated that of this 7.6 billion, 2.2 billion are Christians. Which means almost 29% of the world population would leave in the Rapture. However, I think that percentage is too high. I feel it is probably more akin to 10%. Either way, after the Church is gone, roughly 3.4 billion people will not survive the Tribulation. It is taught that the Rapture is not a "starter" to the Tribulation, but I think it is in one respect. Let me explain with an example. The horses are all lined up at the Kentucky Derby, and the starter gates are about to fling open. These beautiful muscled horses will thunder from the gates and race down the field to the finish line. But wait! There is a little kitten on the track just a few feet in front of the starting gates. If the horses are released now, there will be nothing left of the little kitten but a smear on the turf. Suddenly, it is snatched straight up in the air and saved from the thundering hooves of the race horses. This is what I mean when I say the Rapture is a "starter" to the Tribulation. The Tribulation (the race in my example) cannot begin until the bride (the kitten) is removed from danger. The Lord will not allow His bride to be trampled by His own judgments upon fallen mankind. The Tribulation cannot begin until the Rapture first occurs. This is what Paul was telling the Thessalonians. The Rapture; what will that day be like? For those who are part of the bride of Christ, the excitement and joy will be off the charts. There will be no way to equate the overwhelming happiness of the Church on that special date. But what will be the initial reactions of those who are left behind? Of those left behind there will be many reactions, depending on the person.
Aside from the shock and terror of losing loved ones who have disappeared, a fear of what has actually happened sets in. These two groups have possibility heard enough about the Rapture and that dreaded event that follows it, to cause a sickening overwhelming nausea. It will be a gut-wrenching reality because they know what lies ahead. These dear folks are overcome with remorse, asking themselves over and over, "Why did I not call upon Jesus to save me?" "Why did I not make sure about my spiritual life?" "Why did I not listen?" While the devil's crowd celebrates that those goodie, goodie Christians are gone, those who straddled the fence and waited too long are sick with grief and fear. The Rapture date could be May 2, 2018 (today). It could be June 12, 2018. It could be September 27, 2020. It could be any date on the calendar. Only God knows what that date will be, but hopefully on this date (the date you read this) you will be born again and become a child of God. Jesus said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37) If you want to be saved, then that means God is calling you. Go to Him now and put your faith in Jesus. If you do, He will save you by His grace. If you do, you will leave for Heaven, whether by the portal of death or the Rapture, and experience joy unspeakable instead of a fear beyond belief. Most people are taking this event much too lightly. Those who speak of the Rapture are called escapists, quacks and religious nuts. Unfortunately, many of those left behind will be praying out to God, wishing they had listened when they had the chance. Folks, I don't know when God will write this date upon the calendar, but when He does, He will not come as the little baby in the manger, or the blood-soaked lamb upon the cross. He will come as Almighty God, snatch His bride from danger and then release His judgment upon this fallen world. Those seven years to follow the Rapture, and especially the last 3 ½ years, will be so unspeakable that, but for the grace of God, there would be no survivors. "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 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) Add a new date to your calendar now, today's date, the date you became a child of God. Grant Phillips Email: [email protected] Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html Daily Jot: Having Courage - Bill Wilson - www.omegaletter.com Some of the headlines these days can be quite discouraging. The media continues its fake news onslaught toward the White House; there is a fear that robots will take over and make slaves of us all; the Clinton crime ring is further exposed, but no justice as yet; and in case you haven't heard, the US House of Representatives approved a bill that bans child sex dolls and robots. Who would have ever thought this would be necessary? You can see this is no time for the weak-hearted. It is no time for followers of Christ to disengage. It seems we have been doing that since the 1960s, and it hasn't worked. Christ is the answer to this dark and dying world, and you are his vessel. Think about that. You have a calling. And much bad doctrine has been taught about this. The Holy Scriptures say in Romans 8:28 "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It's not your purpose, but "HIS" purpose. Romans 11:29 says that "the gifts and calling of God are unchangeable." So when people are saying that you have to find your calling, it is really understanding that you are called "not according to our works, but according to his own purpose (2 Timothy 1:9)." Christ is our example. He is the way the truth and the life. He showed us how to engage according to his purpose. It takes courage to conduct Christ's purpose in this world, in this country today. Psalm 31:24 says, "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD." As Christians, our hope is in the Lord. We are to be ever watching for his return. As Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." And Jesus promises in Matthew 10:22, "And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved." We, as Christians, are not to stand by and allow evil to advance just because we have read the end of the book and we win. We are to not be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good. The Lord says to be of good courage and that his gifts will never change--you are equipped. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." We are reminded that it isn't easy in 2 Corinthians 4:8,9: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed..." Verse 6 tells us, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." We should not fear man. Man cannot take our soul. So we need to take heart during these times. Have courage. Put on the full armor of God and speak boldly as we ought to speak. And having done all, stand. Daily Devotion: Wedlock Should Be a Padlock - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." -Matthew 5:37 There's no doubt, particularly as life spans have increased, that there is less certainty about finding and keeping lifelong love with just one person. A 2014 survey of 18 to 34 year-olds commissioned by the USA Network drama Satisfaction found that 43 percent would support a beta marriage model-testing relationships for two years before deciding to commit or dissolve. Also, 36 percent of respondents backed the real estate marriage model in which couples would commit to a set period of time, ranging from five to thirty years, and at the end have to renegotiate if they want to remain married. If you think this has some validity, let me help you out: The beta and real estate tests are not going to work. They're already setting the stage for failure. A successful marriage is a total commitment. It means that either you go for it or you don't go for it. If you're not sure that you're marrying the right person, then don't get married. It was Benjamin Franklin who said, "Keep your eyes wide open before marriage and half shut afterwards." I think the problem is that we walk into marriage with our eyes half shut. Sometimes a person will think, "This person has a lot of flaws, but he (or she) will be my project. I'm going to fix him (or her)." News flash: If you can't love someone as they are, if you think you're going to change them, then you'll be in for a real shock. Figure this out ahead of time, because wedlock should be a padlock. If you aren't married yet-even if you're engaged-and things aren't working out, then go ahead and break up. If you are not willing to make that commitment, then do everyone a favor and stay single. FROM THE HEART
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