Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Is AMERICA in EZEKIEL 38? - Bill Salus -
http://www.prophecydepotministries.net/ This commentary unpacks Ezekiel 38:13 to unmask the mysterious modern day identities of ancient Tarshish and their young lions, or "villages" in some translations. Additionally, it examines their specific roles within the prophecy. If Tarshish is the UK and the young lions are partially represented by the USA, then the ramifications for the future of America are staggering! Ezekiel 38 and 39 involves at least fourteen participants in the prophecy. They are; 1.) The Victor: God. 2.) The (intended) Victim: Israel. 3.) The Invaders: Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and Togarmah. (Refer to the Ezekiel 38 map image below to find out the modern day equivalents). 4.) The Protestors: Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish and their Young Lions. The prophecy informs that, in the latter years the invaders will attack Israel to capture plunder and booty. They covet Israel's economic prosperity and conspire militarily to confiscate this livelihood as part of their spoils of war. As the victor, the Lord prevents this from occurring by utilizing supernatural means to defeat these invaders. Meanwhile, as the epic event unfolds, the protesters complain about the evil intentions of the invaders. Their protests are lodged in the questions in Ezekiel 38:13 quoted below. Ultimately, after the invaders are conquered, Israel graduates from being the intended victim and instead becomes the resultant benefactor. "Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, 'Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?" (Ezekiel 38:13) The modern day equivalents of these protesters today are commonly understood and taught to be; 1. Sheba: Yemen. 2. Dedan: Saudi Arabia and perhaps parts of the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) Arab Gulf States. 3. Tarshish: Either the UK or Spain. 4. Young Lions: Either the colonies that came from the UK, namely North America, or the offshoots of Spain, mainly South and Central American countries. Ezekiel 38:13 imparts several important clues to the reader. One of them is that the merchants (of Tarshish) are concerned about the motives of the invaders. They are not referred to as soldiers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, etc., but as merchants. The Hebrew word used by Ezekiel is clearly talking about commerce. Being labeled as merchants in Ezekiel 38:13 insinuates that at least some of the protesters have commercial interests at stake within Israel at the time of the Magog invasion. This is not a new phenomenon. According to Ezekiel 27:12, Tarshish had been conducting foreign trade in the Middle East for centuries. These merchants appear distraught over the possibilities of the invaders seizing Israel's national assets. This raises the questions, "If they are concerned about protecting their foreign trade relations within Israel, why do they not appear to be fighting alongside the Jewish state in this conflict? Why don't they coalesce militarily to oppose the Magog coalition?" Who was Tarshish? According to the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, Tarshish was Noah's great grandson through his son Japheth, who fathered Javan, who in turn fathered Tarshish. And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. (Genesis 10:4-5, ASV) Where was Tarshish? The two most favored locations for Tarshish among historians, archaeologists and Bible teachers are Spain or Britain. My research leads me to conclude that Britain is the location of "Tarshish" and the North American countries most resemble their "young lions." Tarshish settled in the isles or in some translations the coastlands. In addition to the verse above, the theme of Tarshish in connection with the isles shows up in Psalm 72:10, and Isaiah 23:6, 60:9, 66:19. A careful reading of these verses uncovers a clear connection between Tarshish and a geographical location associated with isles or coastlands. One example is below. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. (Psalm 72:10) The isles alluded to could be the British Isles, which are a group of oversized islands off the northwestern coast of continental Europe that consist of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. Many of the maps that display the location of ancient Tarshish locate it around or beyond the Strait of Gibraltar. The Strait of Gibraltar is the westernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea before it merges with the Atlantic Ocean. It is the water barrier that separates Southern Spain from Northern Morocco. It is far to the west of Israel, which is also a point made in Psalm 48:7. The Psalm says, "As when You break the ships of Tarshish With an east wind." This implies that the ships are coming to the Middle East from the west, rather than the east. Bible prophecy expert Dr. Mark Hitchcock points out a possible connection between Tarshish and Britain in his book entitled, "The Late Great United States." Hitchcock states; "Some archaeologists believe that Tarshish was the ancient name of Britain. "Tarshish" can also mean "beyond Gibraltar" depending on your translation. Tarshish and her villages or young lions - in other words Britain which then settled Canada and the United States and Australia." Dr. J. R. Church, the founder of Prophecy in the News, says the following about Tarshish in his book called, "The Guardians of the Grail." "An inscription discovered in 1780, on a cliff above Mt. Hope Bay in Bristol, Rhode Island, contained an engraving that read "Voyagers from Tarshish this stone proclaims." ... Believed to be inscribed around 533 B.C....Harvard University has found five locations within the United States where the merchants of Tarshish had colonies." Another respected Bible prophecy expert that advocates this same connection is Dr. David Hocking, of Hope for Today Ministries. We shared a speaking platform together on July 3, 2011. During that event, Dr. Hocking provided several sound biblical, historical and archaeological reasons that support America as the Young Lions of Tarshish. Dr. Hocking's conclusion that he gave at the event is quoted below. You can watch this entire event at this link. "If you ask me today if the USA is in Bible prophecy, I would have to say on the basis of historical documentation and on the basis of the British museum and all of its records around Glastonbury that it begins with Great Britain (Tarshish), and undoubtedly as a seed-bearing people it refers to the USA as the "Young Lions." What was Tarshish famous for? Tarshish's claim to historical fame was primarily two-fold. First, they were known for their vast wealth and abundant mineral and metal resources. We glean this from historical accounts as well as several Scriptures. One example is found in Ezekiel 27:12, which says, "Tarshish was your (Tyre) merchant because of your many luxury goods. They gave you silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods." This verse, written around 587 BC, acknowledged that "tin" was among the primary metals that came from Tarshish. Cornwall, a county on England's rugged southwestern tip, was the only major source of tin in Europe for the past 2,500 years. In the 19th century there were approximately 400 mines in Cornwall employing 18,000 people. It is also true that the mountains of Wales, just north of Cornwall have been a source of all the minerals and metals listed above in Ezekiel 27:12. Second, Tarshish gained renown for their extremely sturdy ships. These seaworthy vessels would take extended voyages to transport their exports and imports across the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. These ships of Tarshish are alluded to at least nine times in the Bible. The ships of Tarshish were carriers of your (Tyre's) merchandise. You were filled and very glorious in the midst of the seas. (Ezekiel 27:25; emphasis added) What About Tarshish Today? Ezekiel 38:8, 16 notifies that this is a prophecy that finds fulfillment in the last days. Ezekiel 38:13 places Tarshish in the epic event. Since these appear to be the last days, then it's safe to say that ancient Tarshish has a modern day equivalent. This logical deduction applies geographically in the world, and geo-politically in the Middle East. Furthermore, Tarshish and their young lions have a relationship with Israel in this prophecy. This beckons the questions, what nation or nations have played instrumental roles in modernity in the Mideast? What countries have been interacting with Israel the most since its rebirth in 1948? This seemingly rules out Spain and their offshoot Latino nations as Tarshish and the young lions. The Spanish Empire was a dominant world influence in between the late 15th century until the early 19th century. During that time, Spain shared the global power struggle with the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the Middle East between 1517-1917. Today both empires have faded from their former glories and neither has much influence in the geo-political affairs of the Middle East in general and Israel specifically. Around the end of the 18th century, the second rise of the British Empire began. At its height it was considered the largest empire in history. No other nation in history created as many colonies (young lions).[v] The empire grew so rapidly that it became characterized by the phrase, "the empire on which the sun never set." By 1922, the British Empire held sway over about 458 million people, one-fifth of the world's population. Moreover, the empire covered more than 13,000,000 square miles, almost a quarter of the Earth's total land area. The Ottoman Empire's control over the Middle East ended with its defeat in World War I. Subsequently, Britain and France took sovereignty over the territory. When Israel was rebirthed in 1948, it was Britain, rather than Spain, that controlled the subject territory, which at the time was called Palestine. Presently, America is playing a dominant young lion's role in the Mideast. In 1979, the USA was instrumental in brokering a peace deal between Israel and Egypt with President Jimmy Carter, and again in 1994 with Israel and Jordan by President Bill Clinton. It seems as though today, Britain, as Tarshish, is now playing a subservient role behind the young lions of America in important geo-political issues of interest to Israel. On the other hand, Spain and the Latino countries are not involved much at all in Mideast matters. Conclusion I am convinced that the majority of biblical, historical, archaeological, geographical and geo-political arguments for the identity of Tarshish and their young lions favor Britain and America. My conclusions are also based upon a thorough examination of several respectable commentaries attempted to connect Tarshish to Spain. In the end analysis, BREXIT seemingly paves the way for the fulfillment Britain's role as the "Merchants of Tarshish" in Ezekiel 38:13. The UK is now free to act independently from all future EU governing decisions. BREXIT further implies that Ezekiel 38 is about to happen. I provide several reasons why the Revived Roman Empire of Daniel 2 and 7 follows after the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 in my related article called, BREXIT: The Biblical Perspective for the UK, US and EU. If Britain and the USA are mentioned as mere protesters in Ezekiel 38:13, then this should trouble Americans. Why does the greatest superpower that ever existed seem to abstain from fighting alongside Israel, a great ally, at this critical point in its future? Why does the USA seem content to remain on the sidelines when Russia and its hordes invade Israel? Is it because America declines from superpower status between now and Ezekiel 38? Britain already has! In only seventy years, between 1920 and 1990, in the midst of Israel's rebirthing process, Britain collapsed as a world superpower. Now the sun always sets on the British Empire. Today the UK only spans 94,058 square miles and has a population of only about 64 million. It's easy to see why Britain, as Tarshish in the prophecy, would tremble at the thought of fighting against the Magog coalition. But what about the USA? Is America following in Britain's same failed footsteps? Will America turn its back on God and Israel, like Britain did when it failed to enact the Balfour Declaration, which was drafted in 1917? Britain's failure to provide territory for a Jewish State at the time contributed to the extermination of approximately 6 million Jews in World War II! Will America's decades long push to divide the land of Israel into two states have the same consequences? Joel 3:2 says that one of the reasons God judges the nations is for dividing his land. Don't Get the Wrong Idea - By Edwin Tan - https://www.raptureready.com/2019/06/11/dont-get-wrong-idea-edwin-tan/ In his last prophecy update for the month of May 2019, Pastor J. D. Farag alluded to the cold fact that the scoffing and mockery of the pre-tribulation rapture had gained increasing momentum in very recent times. He candidly pointed out 2 Peter 3-4, saying that those who continued with the vigorous disregard for the coming moment of glory were fulfilling Bible prophecy! Yes, the prevailing onslaught on the Blessed Hope is indeed a gross misinterpretation of the Truth. Average Joes and Janes could find end-times' topics unwieldy yet oftentimes frightening - no thanks to the unqualified presenters. Such people claim to be in the full know but craftily deviate from the real McCoy. Then there are those elements that claim, if not profess, to follow prophetic events. Somehow, they appear to be strange folks: biased in opinion, odd in social interactions, highly judgmental, and occasionally arrogant. The Author of Confusion has cleverly utilized the abovementioned to give Bible prophecy a very bad label. To the ill-advised, the study of the end times becomes a turn-off, so the same would apply to people who hold onto the certain hope that is drawing nigh. Not a problem visualizing caricatures made up by these critics; perhaps a watered-down version of the Nutty professor looking dazed and confused with an unsteady gait! These people certainly got the wrong picture that is based on more hearsay versus plain reality. The heart of the matter is that not one of the scoffers' arguments is based on Scriptural truism. To begin with, Matthew 7:14 best describes what the genuine situation is. There is little doubt that the path chosen by the faithful that defy the persistent mocking is tough - so much for the numbers that add up to only a few. Nevertheless, these few soldier on - fully cognizant of the sure glory that is guaranteed at the very conclusion of their arduous journey of faith. It could be said from a simpleton's point of view that those with no faint heart would undertake the above option. Not far from it, people of faith have a lion's heart! Romans 8:18 is the driving force behind this courageous stance. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." The problem is this: few people believe in the efficacy and value of the above piece of Scripture. Everybody wants to party, preferring the immediate good life over a pie in the sky that is to them like a futuristic fairytale. Not many people can fathom what eternity is all about, practicing Christians included. Hang on a minute! Don't many notice that, of late, the carnival is winding down? Not so great moments have waltzed their way in, like the never-been-seen before weather. This is only the beginning, and there is a whole lot more to come. Go on, boys and girls; party on like it is business as usual as the storm gathers. Keep mocking and scoffing whilst in a state of denial. Herein is the difference between us and them. While they partied and poked fun at us, we were walking hard and being prepared for the times - much like the people of Issachar so talked about in 1 Chronicles 12:32. We are aware of what lies ahead when we connect with our Dear Lord every day, and at the same time are fully aware of what is going on. Not just being spirituality prepared but our psyche is being fine-tuned with respect to soaking up the pressures that go with impending happenings. The toughening process makes us unlike the individuals mentioned in 1 Thess 5:7: "For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night." So we should encourage one another amongst the like-minded who are not in darkness but in the light of day. Things could get kind of heavy before the trumpet sounds, but our unique lifestyle which is governed by hope versus despair will see us through as we continue to draw nigh to Christ. What exactly are the ones that believe in the split-second snatch all about? Hardly anything to say if a comparison is made to earlier-said presumptions. Herein is a joyous throng, beaming with confidence besides exuding an exemplary level of calmness laced with courage. They make sense out of the nonsense that is endemic in this ever-confusing world simply because of the hope that is in the Living Word. The few so mentioned only know how to fear God and nothing else, not even death; it is as good as missing the Rapture the other way 'round! Our days are indeed numbered, and we know not the time. But we sure know where we land, one way or the other. Cannot imagine a teary send off for a dearly departed who believed in the Blessed Hope at the last breath! Your kind attention please, all ye who are swashbuckling, quick to pass judgement on us of a somewhat less attractive few! The times are a'changing, except this is not fifty years ago. Question is, can you handle the very thought of what is coming, if not what is knocking at your front door? For the "us" of that minority who are the basis of your champagne breakfast jokes, we can handle it because of our belief in the Truth. There is no case for anybody having a last laugh - so why don't you have a really good look at our way of living. You are certainly most welcome on board! Split-second snatch for sure Edwin [email protected] Famine in the Land - By Hal Lindsey - https://www.hallindsey.com/ww-6-13-2019/ A study released late last year showed that in the United States, 3-in-5 millennial's believe life is more stressful now than ever before. We are not in the middle of a recession or a world war. We are not presently experiencing famine, plague, or bloody revolution. So why do they think they are the most stressed generation in history? Slow wi-fi, not enough "likes" on social media, battery power running low on their smartphones, fear of identity theft, and the check engine light coming on in their cars all made the list. Imagine telling someone from two hundred years ago about such problems. It would be difficult for them to imagine a future that includes computers, social media, cellphones, smartphones, or cars - much less check engine lights. Imagine trying to explain the implications of these things to someone whose letter might take months to get to its destination. "You say that you can just pull a little machine from your purse and talk to any of your family whenever you want? You can send the image of a letter anyplace in the world and it will arrive in seconds? This machine gives you access to vast catalogs and old friends? You can talk face to face if you want? You have a carriage that goes 70 miles in an hour, keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer, and it doesn't have horses? These things must make life easy!" In other words, they would see the tools that induce our stress as Utopian dreams. We might ask if millennial's really understand what previous generations encountered. But, in fact, I agree with them. I think American young people today are under more stress than previous generations. The number of suicides and the magnitude of the mental health crisis back up their claim. But I disagree with them on the source of the stress. Yes, modern gadgets do increase the pace of life. But they also make life easier. The primary stress on today's young comes from a battle - a great spiritual battle being waged all around them and even in them. They sense the battle and sometimes feel engulfed by it. But our society gives them no context in which to process an understanding of what they feel. They are being taught (in some cases the word brainwashing is not too strong) to laugh off God's answers to their predicament. The spiritual battle rages between the forces of good and evil. As we go deeper into the end times, the battle will widen, deepen, and intensify. The answer is Jesus Christ - not a politically correct pseudo-Jesus - but the real and living Lord of the universe. To most Americans, few things sound as commonplace or dull as Sunday School. But America must take to heart the lessons being taught there - even to small children. Those lessons include prayer, Bible study, and most of all, a turn to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Seven hundred and fifty years before Christ, God spoke to the nation of Israel through the farmer-turned-prophet named Amos. "'Behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord God, 'When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the Lord.'" (Amos 8:11) In today's media landscape, we can pick and choose what we want to see and hear. We can avoid anything that makes us uncomfortable. So, despite Bible preaching across more media than ever, much of America is experiencing a self-induced famine of God's word. And its effect on the young is profound. In verse 13, God says, "In that day the fair virgins And strong young men Shall faint from thirst." That prophecy was directed toward ancient Israel, but with clear implications for us. We're experiencing it right now in the United States. The young faint from thirst for the word of God. Where Are Men Who Stand Upon God's Word? - Nathele Graham - [email protected] I've heard it said that there's no better gift a father can give his children than loving their mother. That's a wonderful sentiment, and there's truth in it. There's a better gift...first love God and pass that love on to your children. When men love God they desire to please Him. A man of God takes responsibility. Many men today, both young and old, don't understand that God gave them a great responsibility. They are to be leaders, breadwinners, husbands, and fathers. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. The example begins in Genesis. God created everything in six days and Adam was created on that day. The first commandment of God was given to Adam for his protection and it was Adam's responsibility to be sure that command was obeyed. "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:16-17. Unfortunately, that command would be violated. God knew Adam needed a companion and showed Adam that he needed a "help meet". "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." Genesis 2:18. The companion for Adam would need to be special, and Adam needed to understand that there was no helper for him among the animals. God caused all of the birds and animals to go before Adam. "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him." Genesis 2:20. We may enjoy our pets, but they can never fill the love, companionship, and joy of a Godly husband and wife. God put Adam into a sleep and took the woman from his side. When Adam beheld her he was in awe. "And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:23-24. There you have it. The basis of marriage: a man, a woman, and faithful love for each other. When God's ways are honored, life is better. Paradise was lost because God's truth wasn't respected. God told Adam that he wasn't to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which meant Adam had the responsibility to be sure Eve understood God's command. Unfortunately Eve listened to the serpent's lies, rejected God's truth, and ate the forbidden fruit. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." Genesis 3:6.God entrusted His command to Adam and expected him to uphold it. Instead, when Eve was beguiled by Satanic lies, Adam listened to her rather than God. Lust will always bring about trouble if you don't allow God's word to guide your choices. Disobedience brought temporary enjoyment, but eternal pain. God wasn't surprised by the disobedience, but He had made it clear to Adam that eating the forbidden fruit would bring death. Adam had to face the result of his sin. That's a high price to pay for a temporary pleasure, but God had been clear about the wages of sin. After Adam and Eve ate their innocence was gone and they hid. You cannot hide from God. He knows every sin you've committed and you must take responsibility for your actions. Although Eve was deceived, God held Adam responsible. He called to Adam, not Eve. "And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" Genesis 3:9. God knew where he was and what had happened, but Adam had to face the sin. Since then there've been generations of men who don't stand firm upon God's word and women who compromise. Still, there have been strong men and women who honor God in spite of challenges. We need more men today who honor God above the lust of the flesh. Many men treat God's word with disrespect and God holds them responsible for not being the shepherds of His word. Don't get me wrong. Eve had her share of the blame and faced death just like Adam, but it was Adam whom God had created first and given the responsibility to be sure his wife understood. After the fall, Adam and Eve had children. Those children, grandchildren, and so on, have gone on to make a practice of sin. We all sin so we cannot point fingers at others and look down upon them. Through the ages, though, there have been men who understood their calling from God and have stood firmly upon His word. Where are those men today? Where are the men who study God's word and instill His truth into their wives and children? Even though human standards accept sin, God's standards have never changed. Instead of saying no to a compromised family relationship, men are willing to turn away from responsibility and allow their wives or girlfriends to rule the roost. Many women have set low standards, and many men willing live down to those levels. "Marriage? Let's just live together". I know many women who expect nothing of a man, and he stoops to her low standards. "Don't worry about working and paying the bills", she says. "I'll earn the living, raise the kids, and I don't expect anything from you. I'll lead the family spiritually so you don't have to attend worship or read the Bible". Eve's legacy lives on. Scripture teaches a better way. "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." 1 Timothy 2:11-13. Paul wrote through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and from this we understand that God still has an order of authority. God definitely uses women, but Adam was given the responsibility of keeping God's command. Men today still have that responsibility. Are you a Christian woman? Then don't compromise. Remember that if you let a man into your life who is less than a God-fearing man you're allowing your children to be influenced by sin. Just as Eve was beguiled by the Serpent who represented the forbidden fruit as something to be desired, you too can be beguiled by the lust of the flesh. Christians cannot control the way the world behaves, but we can control the way we behave. If you choose a man who won't get a job to support his family, sees nothing wrong with having extramarital affairs, and has no love of the Lord then your children will suffer. Your sons will use him as an example of a man and grow to be as irresponsible as he is. His example to your daughters will be a low standard for a husband. The example you should set for your children is God's. There are still men today who honor God and aren't ashamed to follow Him. They use God's example as the standard by which to live. Satan is chipping away at moral standards today, but the battle began long ago. Paul wrote much about the Spiritual battle. He encouraged men and women to walk close to God. "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." Ephesians 5:1-2. Christ gave the example of love and needs to be first in the life of everyone who claims to be a Christian. Marriage was established in Eden and is an example of Christ's love for His followers. He willingly sacrificed Himself for His Bride and that is the example of a man's love for his bride. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." Ephesians 5:25-26. I can tell you from experience that when a man loves his wife in this way, she is blessed beyond measure. My husband was such a man. He held God's word as authority over his life and drew me into a closer walk with my Lord. He took his responsibility as a husband and father seriously and his love was deep. His children can use him as an example of a man of God. Now, a word to you men who aren't married. You have a great responsibility too. From Scripture we see that the Apostle Paul wasn't married, but once he met Jesus his life honored God in all things. "For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that." 1 Corinthians 7:7. Because he wasn't married he was able to freely go on his mission trips and not worry about supporting a wife and children. His singleness wasn't the go-ahead for him to sow his wild oats and live a life of sin. He served God and kept himself away from sin. If you're single, there are many services you can do for God. For example, there are many boys who need a Christian man in their life for an example of how to be a man of God. Many men who accept Christ for salvation have come from the Satan-ruled world and need to be guided in the ways of the Lord. There are ministries that can be done easier if you aren't distracted by family obligations. Let God lead you, but remember to follow Him in all parts of your life. Let God rule your life, not sin. Men need to be vigilant over their lives and keep walking the narrow path set before them. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13. The phrase "quit you like men" is a bit odd to our modern ears, but it means to be brave. It's translated from the Greek word "andrizomai", a verb that means "to make a man of or make brave; to show one's self a man, be brave". Being a man means more than attaining a certain age. It means shouldering responsibility. It means loving your wife and children. It means not being ashamed to stand firmly upon God's word. As the song says, Rise up, O men of God!, Have done with lesser things; Give heart and soul and mind and strength To serve the King of kings. ( First verse from "Rise Up O Men of God by William Pierson Merrill). Where are the men who aren't ashamed to take a stand for Jesus? It seems as if they are few and far between. They are out there. It's time for them to rise up and take a stand. God bless you all, Nathele Graham [email protected] www.straitandnarrowministry.com [email protected] Ron and Nathele Graham's previous commentaries archived at http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html All original scripture is "theopneustos" God breathed. If you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know. Daily Jot: New foreign election influence scandal - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com The ongoing coup attempt by the radical leftist neo communists continues without any subscription to fact, honesty or common sense. Political people say the most outrageous things. The media shovels it up out of the ideological gutter and throws it on the gullible pile where ignorant and unthinking minions snarf if up as if it is a fountain of truth. People need to wake up and start thinking on their own. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children." Pretty harsh consequences for ignorance, right? Well here is another example... In an Oval Office interview Wednesday ABC News chief anchor George Papadopoulos asked President Donald Trump if his campaign would accept damaging information from a foreign government about a 2020 political opponent or hand it over to the FBI. Trump responded, "I think maybe you do both. I think you might want to listen. There's nothing wrong with listening. If somebody called from a country, Norway, 'We have information on your opponent' - oh, I think I'd want to hear it. If I thought there was something wrong, I'd go maybe to the FBI if I thought there was something wrong,"Democrats expressed outrage, saying this proves that Trump would collude with a foreign government to influence a US election. Former Vice President and Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden's campaign tweeted: "President Trump is once again welcoming foreign interference in our elections. This isn't about politics. It is a threat to our national security. An American President should not seek their aid and abet those who seek to undermine democracy." Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said it was "time to impeach" Trump. Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) announced he supported impeachment after Trump's comments. The question was obviously a set up because any answer would have prompted a media landslide and strong political demagoguery from the neo communist coup-makers. But let's take an inventory of who listens to foreign governments. The immediate past president, the Democratic National Committee, and Hillary Clinton secretly paid for a foreign national, Christopher Steele, to fabricate a dossier of Trump-Russian collusion to undermine the election. The Democrat's chief investigator, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), also sought information on Trump from Ukrainian government officials. The DNC also accepted information on Trump from the Ukraine. The former president and the FBI used the information in the Steele dossier to obtain a secret FISA court warrant to spy on Trump's campaign, even after he was elected, to try to overturn the election results. Yet they accuse Trump of foreign collusion. This is an excellent example of fake news accusing someone of doing exactly what the accusers have done. And knowledge-rejecting ignoramuses will believe it. Daily Devotion: The Authority of the Scriptures - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. - Isaiah 55:11 When I think of Billy Graham's preaching over the years, one thing comes to mind: he always quoted the Bible. How many times have we heard Billy Graham say, "And the Bible says . . ."? I've always loved that about him. He knows the authority of the Scriptures. In the same way, Peter's message on the Day of Pentecost was great because it was scriptural. He quoted Joel 2:28-32 from memory, and he also quoted Psalm 16 and Psalm 110. Obviously Peter had committed great portions of Scripture to memory. Any Christian worth his or her salt should be able to stand up at a moment's notice and clearly articulate the gospel message without notes. Why? Because someday you may find yourself in a situation where you'll need to break it down fast, where you'll be able to say, "Here's how you can get right with God and put your faith in Jesus Christ." We need to know the Scriptures. I can't emphasize enough how important the Bible is when you are sharing your faith. As Isaiah 55 tells us, "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, . . . so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (verses 10-11). We need to use the Scriptures as we share the gospel. As artists know how to use their pens and brushes (and nowadays, their computer programs), as cooks know how to use their knives and utensils, as soldiers know how to use their weapons, we need to know how to use the Word of God. 
FROM THE HEART
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