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July 13, 2016
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
We Should Obey God Rather Than Man! - By Pastor Mike Taylor - http://www.churchofgod-usa.org/1/post/2016/07/we-must-obey-god-rather-than-men.html
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. V. 2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." (Roman 13:1-2) In this highly charged atmosphere in this country with all the violence of racial intolerance , terrorist attacks and random police shootings, many people are concerned with the direction that this country is taking, especially in light of the present "administration". I use that term lightly, but they were elected twice by a liberal leaning nation that mourns basically their decision of electing a man whose claim of "HOPE and CHANGE" has shocked the nation of the moral collapse of this country. Before I continue, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. I am a complete proponent of law and order based on our Constitution and being the parents of a son who is a sergeant in the Missouri State Highway Patrol, we are solid supporters of our men in blue that risk their lives every day. We as parents are concerned with the lawlessness that has enveloped every section of this country from east to west coast with the major unrest in large metropolitan cities. With that admission solidly behind me, let me continue with what I believe Paul was driving at in this passage. Some pastors of modern churches take the opening verses of Romans 13 to say that we obey authority no matter what they say...but is that correct? "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (Romans 13:3) No other country has been an advocate and an enforcer of common sense laws, based on the Ten Commandments as has the USA in times past. But alas, the ship of reason and law has become based on shakey ground and it comes from those at the Federal level that filters down to our state and local authorities by edict. I have always, and I suspect most who read this message, have been law abiding citizens that respect and appreciate the job well done by your local branch of law enforcement departments. But as we get closer and closer to the end of this age, there are forces that wish to pervert the bedrock foundation that this country was built upon and demands complete submission to their decrees, no matter how onerous they may be. In this passage, Paul gives us a very clear, categorical commandment at the beginning of our text. The commandment is addressed to all mankind, without exception. Every person is included in this instruction-both believers and unbelievers. Every person is required to be in subjection to the governing authorities. Subjection certainly includes obedience, but it implies even more. Subjection focuses on the spirit or attitude of the individual, which leads to obedience. It recognizes an authority over us to which we are obliged to give not only our obedience but our respect. It implies a spirit which seeks to understand the perspective and purpose of the one who is superior and to seek to enhance that one's position and purpose. WE must obey, TO A POINT!! I am reminding of several passages in the Bible where those who were subject to the powers that be, followed the law of the land that was ruled even by pagan authorities and supported those governments in their everyday lives, that is until they overstepped their bounds and opposed the laws of God. Peter when the disciples were brought before the Sanhedrin and the Jewish authorities for their preaching of the death and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, when asked why they preached in this name: "27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." (Act 5:27-29) This they could not do, lest they disobey God. Though they could not and would not stop preaching about their resurrected Lord, they did not challenge the authority of this body. Their answer was evidence of their submissive spirit and intent: "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). Submission usually is demonstrated by our obedience, but even when we must disobey, we can and should do so in a submissive spirit and manner. Thus, Peter and the Apostles could not suspend preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, because they had been commanded by our Lord to proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Even though the Jewish authorities demanded why they continued to do so, Peter was respectful and submissive to the questions, but firm in their belief that God and His commands took precedence over the commands of those in authority. Another case in point, the Hebrew children in the book of Daniel of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were commanded as all those in the Kingdom of Nebachadnezzer, King of Babylon to bow down to the golden image that he had set up as an idol of worship. Note that these three men were leaders and governors in the king's empire and were highly favored in his court because of their loyalty, their intellect, and their support of the government of the king and as friends and fellow countrymen of the second in command of all the kingdom, the prophet Daniel, in Daniel chapter 3. When brought before the king, who was highly displeased that they had failed to obey his command, the Hebrew children in this passage were humble and submissive to the king, but firm in their conviction of who they must worship. They made it clear that they were in submission to all his decrees, just not this one: "16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:16-18) Notice they were careful in their speech and showed respect and humility to their king, even a king of a pagan government, but stood firm when the command conflicted with the laws of God and who should be worshiped.: v.3, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. v. 4, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. " v. 5, Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;" (Exodus 20:3-5) Jesus is our Supreme example of giving to God what belongs to God: When Jesus was tempted by the Jewish authorities over taxes paid to Caesar. Jesus answered their trickery: "21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's." (Luke 20:21-25) From several Scriptures one might come to the conclusion that there are exceptions to the rule or precept Paul has laid down here. There were times when men had to chose to "obey God, rather than men" . I would like to suggest to you that while the Christian may not, in good conscience before God, be able to obey the government in every instance, true submission to the government is never actually set aside. Generally, submission is exhibited by one's obedience. But when one cannot obey, they can still demonstrate a submissive spirit. This submissive spirit should never be set aside when it comes to those in authority over us. Civil Government Is Divinely Ordained From Paul's argument, the civil authorities are set up by God for order and the rule of law. It is based upon a fundamental premise: God is sovereign. He possesses ultimate authority. He is the sole authority of His creation. All human authority is delegated to men by God. No one has authority independent of God. How do we know that a government is ordained by God? Because it exist and that it possesses divinely delegated authority. Paul says, "those which exist are established by God." God is sovereign. He is in control of all things. He causes all things to "work together for good" . The Bible says: "20, Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him." (Daniel 2:20-22) And for our benefit: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Roman 8:28) We have had good and bad presidents and administrations in the past 26 years and even before that to the beginning of the 20th century But God has raised up each according to His sovereign will for our good and to prevent lawlessness to abound, where the hearts of evil men abound if left unchecked. BUT, In the last almost 8 years, I have never seen the rule of law perverted as I have seen it done beforehand in any other time. Our Constitution gives us the right, even the duty to remedy such abuse. We have laws that give the people an avenue to address such lawlessness and disregard of the Laws that made this country the greatest in all the earth, like no other in any other time period. In the Declaration of Independence there is a passage that addresses lawlessness in government: "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. " Such was the intent of our founding fathers, who saw and attempted to prevent the rise of tyranny by a run away government who abdicates it's duty to follow the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights. But there is a right way and a wrong way to address these abuses, and it's not taking to the streets in anarchy by rioting as have the Black Lives Matter "domestic terrorists" groups that are financed by the likes of George Soros and the liberal left to damage and even to destroy the foundation basis of this Republic. Nor do we take matters into our own hands in lawlessness by shooting innocent men and women, even those who are entrusted with our safety on the streets: your local law enforcement agencies and departments. We have courts and judges to hear such cases and pronounce judgment through jury trial and grand juries that investigate abuses of law, even by governmental agencies. You may not always agree on their verdict, but they are entrusted to enforce and interpret the laws of this land. To do otherwise, is to play into the desires of the global elite that only wish to destroy the last vestige of the mankind's freedom found in the USA. We, this land we call home, are THE LAST MAN standing to combat evil in this world. And what if this nation falls and there is NO one to stand in the gap, either locally, nationally, or internationally? The likes of the present administration is salivating when the idea of "martial law" and suspending our God given rights are usurped by a lawless government. Must we play into their hands? This coming election will either hasten that implosion of this country or delay it for a time, but understand my brethren, the time is coming, and sooner than anyone would like to think. God uses powers of government to either reward, or to punish a nation who has neglected or even thrown the God of Heaven out of every part of our national institutions from the top down, from the POTUS, even to the local level of your city council. THE RISE OF THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT AND THE ANTI-CHRIST The powers of darkness have been working very hard for the last 100+ years to make that very idea of a "utopia" of a One World Government and it's partner in evil, the One World Religion that will demand worship of one man, as a god. "And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. v2, 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 6:1-2) With the rampant evil that we see roaming our streets, or the lack of following the laws of our land by a POTUS that has gone hog wild to abuse his oath of office, the implosion of that "Last man standing" could be on the foreseeable horizon, just over the next political hill, just out of site. It was stated in times past, in a quote attributed to Henry Speak the former premier of Belgium when he said: ""What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the alliances of all people and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man, and be he god or devil, we will receive him." That has been the mind-set of politicians since this was quoted in as far back as 1957. The world is even in a bigger mess, than it was then and is growing exponentially a dangerous and unsafe place to live. The world of any sane human being longs for peace and safety, and if this is any indication of the beliefs of an unsaved generation of godless people, then our time, this generation is ripe for the coming of what the Bible calls "the Lawless One". I believe the man of sin is alive today, noting how the rise of anarchy, murder and terrorist attacks upon innocent men and women in the Western World have increased, especially in the last 8 years...("thank you, POTUS...uhh..you know his name" I still can't stomach even mentioning this "usurper in chiefs" name and I won't give him the honor of mentioning it.) He has created a climate that is ushering in what Henry Kissinger spoke of when this man became the POTUS...Kissinger said, and I quote: "The president-elect is coming into office at a moment when there is upheaval in many parts of the world simultaneously," Kissinger responded. "You have India, Pakistan; you have the jihadist movement. So he can't really say there is one problem, that it's the most important one. But he can give new impetus to American foreign policy partly because the reception of him is so extraordinary around the world. His task will be to develop an overall strategy for America in this period when, really, a new world order can be created. It's a great opportunity, it isn't just a crisis." That is why this present POTUS was elected to bring about his "hope and change" to the detriment of our freedom and our Constitutional Republic. And a marvelous job he has done in their evil eyes. Some will say, that the man is the Anti-Christ, and he sure is "ANTI-" on so many of our basic beliefs that of the rule of law, the bible, marriage, homosexuality, abortion, and every Christian idea that has created this nation. Many believe the man is a closet Muslim educated in Indonesia in a midrash or an Islamic school. Is HE the foreseen Anti-Christ? If not, then he sure is precursor to the evil one and is making his path easy to follow. THE COMING TRIBULATION IS CLOSE AT HAND Jesus warned us, that the generation that shall see these changes will see the coming of the Lord: "32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:32-35) We are living in that generation of the budding of the fig tree. Israel has been a nation now almost 70 years ending in 2018. Are we on the cusp of the coming of the AC? I believe we are...when? Jesus said that "no man knoweth the day or the hour, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36) He speaks of His soon return. It will before this man is revealed. You can see that we are bumping up right upon the threshold of the coming Tribulation and soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ, but getting back to what this message was about. WHAT MUST WE DO IN THE MEANTIME? As we patiently wait for the coming of our Lord for His Bride, the Church, we must be about our Father's business. We are to give due respect to those who are in authority over us, and obey the laws that have been given as God has used them for our good, but when those laws become in direct conflict with the laws of God, then as Peter, the Hebrew children did and many more examples as even the Apostle Paul wrote: "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. v.8, Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:7-8) Unfortunately for those who do not have a guarantee of their deliverance from the wrath to come, there is coming a time I've been speaking of, when it will be impossible to follow the laws that will be given to control every man and woman on this earth without going against Almighty God. When I spoke of a man on a white horse in Revelation 6, who carries a bow with no arrows and destroys be deceit, if you should see this man, then know that the Tribulation hour has come. We will not see him, as the Church of the Living God is my firm belief, but we will have a good idea of who he is. Why do I say that? "6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:" (2nd Thessalonians 2:7-11). The Restrainer by much Bible study, can only be One Person, as the personal pronoun is of One Person, and that is the Holy Spirit. It can't be Michael the arc- angel, as he could not do it alone, as the word is singular, not plural as using other angels. Nor can it be Satan, as the devil would not work against himself. But when "He" is withdrawn, or should I say, changes His focus upon this earth to Pre-Pentecostal manifestations, then the evil man called the Anti-Christ will be revealed to do what his father, Satan bids him to do without restraint. WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THIS HOUR? You who see this world imploding, being an unbeliever in Christ Jesus, you know that something is terribly wrong. You can feel it. There is a deep down foreboding that is gripping your mind and your heart. Your fear level is growing. You try to ignore it and go on with your life, that is until it slaps you up side the head with disaster that strikes way too close to home. It could be your family, your friends, or your neighbors, or even yourself, but your world has just been thrown into total chaos and you're afraid and angry at such lawlessness that has invaded your private space. What can you do? Nothing, as it is prophesied that it will happen, no matter if you're ready for it or not. Prophecy is warning us to all who will listen, that the time of this world's end is upon us. Where will you appear on what side of either God or the god of this world? Will your allegiance be with God, or with the man who is coming, the man called the "lawless one" the Anti-Christ? This man will demand allegiance that he forces all to take a "mark" in their right hand, or their forehead: "15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." (Revelation 13:15-18) Those who dare take this mark, are doomed to "outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Where the worm dieth not, nor the fire quenched." "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." (Revelation 14:8) If you think the time we live in right now is bad, wait to see this man, the Anti-Christ when he comes upon the scene. As the old saying goes, "you ain't seen nothing yet." "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21) As I always do , I beseech you my reader to be taken away from this hour of the coming Tribulation and submit to our only Hope in this world, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. This time coming will be unspeakable death, lawlessness, and tyranny that if not halted by God, "no flesh would be saved, but for the elect it will be shortened". (Matthew 24:22) How can you avoid such a unspeakable time of horror that is coming upon this world? "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. God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved." (John 3:16-17) Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) This is just a warm up of what's coming. Man in his nature is evil to the core. Unrepentant men will continue to do indescribable evil and murder upon other men. When this time gets wound up and God's wrath found beginning in Revelation chapter 6 gets firing non-stop, then all hell will break loose on this earth, from Satan, from mankind found in the "man of sin" the AC, and from God Himself, as He pours out His wrath upon a rebellious world in righteous indignation. BUT UNTIL THEN..... Until then, we submit in love, the powers that have authority over us, UNLESS it is in direct conflict with the Laws of God. Know that God uses the authority of the government for our good, or for judgment upon a idolatrous nation. That is where I believe we are. Judgment may have started and God is using the powers that be to enact coming judgment upon the whole earth. Only we here in the USA have never seen this type of lawlessness until recently. We must stand strong in the power of His might and pray God's protection upon each of us, and be submissive in love and honor to the law of the land, as long as we can do so with a clear conscience . For we must submit ourselves to obey God rather than obey man in those coming abuses leading up to a time called the Tribulation. We will know the difference, as it will go against what is taught in your Bible. This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying that you stay strong and putting your faith in Jesus Christ for deliverance. If you have a question, need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected] , or visit me online at www.churchofgod-usa.org God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET. Abbas says Cairo peace summit only after settlement freeze - By Avi Issacharoff - http://www.timesofisrael.com/abbas-says-cairo-peace-summit-only-after-settlement-freeze/
Palestinian preconditions include talks on basis of pre-1967 lines, set timetable; Netanyahu said open to meeting Abbas under Egyptian aegis Palestinian leaders have presented several preconditions for participating in a trilateral Israeli-Egyptian-Palestinian peace summit in Cairo, including a freeze on Israeli settlement construction, a Palestinian official told The Times of Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reportedly told Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry he would be willing to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo for talks hosted by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The Prime Minister's Office did not deny the report by the Saudi-owned, pan-Arab news outlet Al-Arabiya. It said in a statement that "whether the issue was discussed or not, Israel has always said it is prepared to conduct direct bilateral negotiations with no preconditions." The senior Palestinian official said Tuesday that Abbas had conditioned his participation on Israel agreeing to stop settlement construction and accepting a set timeline for negotiations. Israel would also have to acquiesce to negotiations based on the pre-1967 lines and pledge ahead of time to implement any agreements reached in the talks. A senior Egyptian official told The Times of Israel on Tuesday that Egypt was seeking a formula for renewal of negotiation that would be accepted by both sides. The official said it might be too early to invite both sides to a summit, since the sides did not yet agree about the goals of the talks. The Egyptian proposal of hosting tripartite talks may have been part of Sunday's high-profile meetings between Netanyahu and Shoukry in Jerusalem. Sissi reportedly offered to host direct talks between the sides as part of Cairo's initiative to kickstart the moribund peace process. The summit, which would also be attended by senior officials from Jordan and Egypt, would seek to engage in confidence-building measures in an effort to calm the 10-month surge in violence in the West Bank, Palestinian officials told both the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper and Israel's Haaretz daily. Shoukry's visit to Israel was the first by an Egyptian foreign minister since 2007. The visit came amid speculation over the renewal of an Arab peace initiative and as Israel's military recently saluted "unprecedented" intelligence cooperation with Egypt to combat the Islamic State group. Speaking to journalists alongside Netanyahu before their meeting on Sunday, Shoukry said the Middle East was at a "crucial and challenging juncture." Cairo, he added, is dedicated to "a just and comprehensive peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people." "The goal we aim to achieve through negotiations between the two parties is one that is based on justice, legitimate rights and mutual willingness to coexist peacefully in two neighboring independent states in peace and security," he said. "Egypt remains ready to assist in achieving this goal," he said, stressing that "such a momentous achievement will have a far-reaching, dramatic and positive impact on the overall conditions in the Middle East. The current state of affairs is, unfortunately, neither stable nor sustainable." Shoukry, who visited Abbas in the West Bank last month, urged leaders from both sides to resume negotiations. According to Israel's Channel 2 television, Shoukry's surprise visit was also aimed at arranging a first meeting between Netanyahu and Sissi in Egypt in the coming months. The TV report said Shoukry's first visit to Israel was coordinated between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, whose Arab Peace Initiative is backed by Sissi and much of the Arab world as the basis of any regional peace effort. Netanyahu has rejected the initiative in its current form, but said in late May that it "contains positive elements that could help revive constructive negotiations with the Palestinians." IDF bulldozers with tanks enter Golan DMZ - http://www.debka.com/article/25539/IDF-bulldozers-with-tanks-enter-Golan-DMZ
Israeli military bulldozers backed by tanks have crossed into the demilitarized zone dividing the Israeli and Syrian Golan borders. They are building a line of fortifications and anti-tank trenches 300-500 meters inside the DMZ. This is the first time in the six-year Syrian war that the IDF has openly operated on the Syrian side of the border. The force has not so far run into opposition- or indeed any word of protest - or even mention - by Assad regime officials in Damascus. The sole reference to Israeli military movements in the DMZ has come from a small Syrian rebel group which described them. debkafile's military sources report that the IDF operation was still going forward Wednesday, July 12, on a patch of terrain facing the Israeli Golan village of Ein Zivan, on the one hand, and the Syrian town of Quneitra, on the other. The enclave splitting the Golan between Syria and Israel is defined in the 1974 armistice agreements as a demilitarized zone under the military control of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and Syrian civilian administration. It is bounded by two strips of land around 10km deep where each side is permitted to maintain diluted military strength. No ground-to-air missiles may be deployed inside a 25km radius from the DMZ. It was agreed that Syrian nationals forced by the October 1973 war and its aftermath to leave their homes would be able to return. Ruined Quneitra was later handed back to Syria against a commitment by its government to repopulate the town and ban terrorist activity and infiltrations of Israel from the Golan sector. Both commitments were given orally to the US government. However, the Syrian war as it unfolded in the last two years turned the deal on its head. The UN observers abandoned their posts, leaving behind a void that was partly filled by Syrian troops and a motley assortment of rebel groups. But the DMZ was left mostly unoccupied as both Israel and Syria tried to preserve at least the semblance of the deal intact. However, Assad's allies Iran and Hezbollah have repeatedly attempted to plant a forward military and terrorist presence opposite Israel's Golan defense lines - with avowed hostile intent. The silence from Damascus on Israel's military steps on the Golan may be no more than a respite as the Syrian ruler waits for Tehran's endorsement of joint Syrian-Iranian-Hezbollah counteraction. Our sources add that IDF military steps on the ground were accompanied by unusual Israeli Air Force movements over Syria and Lebanon, and elevated preparedness on the 10th anniversary this week of the Lebanon war fought between Hezbollah and Israel. It was noted that Hezbollah refrained from celebrating the occasion and omitted its customary boasts of a "great victory" - thereby intensifying the sense in Israeli military circles that Iran's Lebanese proxy may be cooking up a surprise operation. How One Jewish Prayer Revealed 2016 is a Time of Prophetic Fulfillment - By Ariella Mendlowitz - http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/71774/prominent-israeli-rabbi-reveals-living-messianic-times/?utm_source=Breaking+Israel+News&utm_campaign=6fa5faed69-BIN_morning_7_16&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b6d3627f72-6fa5faed69-86588445#kEiQFBSYvU7Pr7ky.97
"And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a twig shall grow forth out of his roots. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." Isaiah 11:1-2 (The Israel Bible™) Hiding within the most important prayer of Jewish liturgy, known as the Shemonah Esrei (Hebrew for "Eighteen blessings"), lies a once-concealed message that explicitly outlines the detailed process of the messianic era, said Israeli Rabbi Yaacov Haber during a recent lecture in the city of Ramat Beit Shemesh. What's more, current events, particularly since the founding of the State of Israel, have highlighted the undeniable truth that humanity finds itself wedged in the very era for which it has endlessly prayed. The Shemonah Esrei is recited three times daily by Orthodox Jews around the world. During his lecture, Rabbi Haber demonstrated how different parts of the prayer relate to the messianic process. The part of the service called "Sound the great shofar and gather the exiles" (Teka B'Shofar Gadol) is closely related to the coming of the Messiah. It is widely held that during the messianic era, the Jews who had been scattered throughout the world during the period of exile will be called home by the "sound of the shofar" and will return to live in the Jewish homeland of Israel. With organizations such as Nefesh B'Nefesh and Shavei Israel working tirelessly to bring home the scattered people of Israel, "How can anyone deny this is happening in 2016?" Rabbi Haber wondered. The section of the liturgy called "Restore our judges" (Hashiva Shofteinu), taught Rabbi Haber, represents the return of Jewish sovereignty. Of the many curses God put upon the Jews during the time of exile, falling under foreign leadership is one of the most difficult. When Jews live in lands not their own, by default they live under the rulership of a non-Jewish government, sometimes making it difficult to hold on to their Judaism. Hashiva Shofteinu holds that the messianic process will reverse the curse and restore Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel. Certainly the fact that the State of Israel is run by a Jewish government with an openly Jewish prime minister is evident that the prophecy has indeed come to fruition, said Rabbi Haber. The meaning of the prayer's phrase "May all wickedness perish" (V'lamalshinim) is clear: As the world grows increasingly closer to welcoming the Messiah and the Third Temple, the evil in the world will eclipse ever so swiftly. While terror against the good still reigns, it is indisputable that those carrying out wicked activities are carrying out such murderous acts against each other. Hamas' declaration that it would deliver capital punishment in the form of public executions against criminals and ISIS's recent brutal killings of its own fighters prove an overall decrease in the amount of wickedness in the world. The next part of the prayer, "For the righteous ones" (Al Hatzadikim), touches on respected elders. Though exile brings with it a mindset where the tzadikim (righteous leaders) are often disrespected and not held to any degree of importance, the era of Messiah will rectify all that and will see a renewed appreciation and reverence for those whom God cherishes, Rabbi Haber explained. With lists such as "America's Most Influential Rabbis" or the devoted manner in which the students speak of their scholars, it's incontestable that the period of Al Hatzadikim is taking place before our very eyes. It is at this point, Rabbi Haber maintains, where humanity currently finds itself, waiting with bated breath for the next stage in the process. The last paragraphs of the shemonah esrei address glorifying Jerusalem, the building of the Third Temple, restoring God's splendor, offering prayers of gratitude for His miracles, and of course, an eventual era of peace in the Land. Thus, concluded Rabbi Haber, the evident truth is that 2016 is so much more than a world of iPhones, celebrities and political scandal. Rather, the seeming chaos happening in every moment is truly the next step towards ushering in the long anticipated era of the Messiah. Nearing Midnight: Godlessness Groupies - Terry James - http://raptureready.com/rap16.html
Antichrist, the coming beast of Revelation chapter 13, will be the most attractive, charismatic personality ever to step foot on the planet. He will have a following that defies imagination. His magnetic personality and, no doubt, striking appearance, will be the antithesis of Jesus Christ in every way when he "magnifies" himself, as the prophet Daniel foretold. Jesus was meek. He came as a lamb. The Bible tells us that He had no outstanding physical features or characteristics that would set Him apart from the rest of humanity. The exceptions were when He was on the Mount of Transfiguration when He was said to shine like the sun, and when He was said to be the most "marred" of all men at the time of His crucifixion. Antichrist, that man of sin, will have, literally, a worldwide, totally devoted following. I'm a "back number," as Dr. Vernon McGee used to say, referring to his own naïveté when it came to keeping up with the pop culture of his time. But it was brought to my attention the meteoric career of a singer who started out as Katy Hudson and now entertains under the stage name Katy Perry. She went from singing as a Christian recording artist to becoming a secular, recording/entertaining phenomenon. Her Christian album under Katy Hudson sold only 2000 copies or so. She switched to secular recording and soared to the top of the charts. According to Wikipedia: She became the first artist with multiple videos to reach 1 billion views on Vevo with the videos for the songs "Roar" and "Dark Horse." Her following on Twitter and other social media forums indicates that she has at least 90 million fans. Those numbers are stratospheric. Neither ol' Elvis nor the Beatles ever reached those heights--although they had their share of groupies, to be sure. Antichrist, according to Revelation chapter 13, will be literally worshiped by the whole world. Those who don't worship him will have their heads lopped off and worse. His numbers of followers will put Miss Katy's numbers in the category of the infinitesimal by comparison. We know of the Democrat Party's incessant coming under pressure to remove any reference to God from their party platform. When the convention began for the 2012 presidential nominating process, we remember that the no's were much louder than the yeas when the question was put up for keeping God's name being used in official language of the party's doings. Just over a week ago, there was a report of an entertainer demanding that the song "God Bless America" be no longer sung at half times or at the beginnings of sporting events. He wants that offensive anthem, as he characterized it, forever discarded. Even in the Congress of the United States, there is a constant drumbeat from some of the "progressive" quarters to do away with prayer to open sessions and to remove "In God we trust" from coinage and other governmental officialdom. There has been much progress, as they would have it, in getting vestiges of God, such as the Ten Commandments, removed from public places. Prayer and Bible reading have long since been forbidden in public schools and other public places, as we know. The perverting of human sexuality at every level and the slaughter of countless millions of babies assault our senses daily. There is an ongoing effort to rewrite America's founding history. The champions of godlessness revisionists insist that the founding fathers wanted a totally secular nation--one devoid of any moralistic governance. When confronted with the facts of those founders' own words in this regard, they, in effect, put the palms of their hands over their ears, close their eyes, and start humming one or the other of this debauched culture's musical atrocities. While engaged in research for my book, Rapture Ready...Or Not: 15 Reasons This Is the Generation That Will Be Left Behind, I looked into what the founders of America spoke and wrote on the matter of God's influence in their nation-creating efforts. I included many of their quotes in the book and could have put in hundreds more. Here are a few. John Adams, second president of the United States, said: "The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God." "I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world." John Quincy Adams, 6th president of the United States, said: "In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity." Samuel Adams, Governor of Massachusetts, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, said: "I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world . . . that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and the people willingly bow to the scepter of Him who is the Prince of Peace." Benjamin Franklin, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Diplomat, printer, scientist, said: "As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion as He left them to us, the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see." Thomas Jefferson, Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Diplomat, Governor of Virginia; Secretary of State; third President of the United States, said: "The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses." George Washington, Judge: Member of the Continental Congress; Commander-In-Chief of the Continental Army; President of the Constitutional Convention; First President of the United States; "Father of his Country," said: "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." "I now make it my earnest prayer that God would... most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion." (Source: WallBuilders - Issues and Articles - The Founding Fathers on Jesus, Christianity and the Bible, David Barton, wallbuilders.com) How far we as a people have strayed by allowing the groupies of godlessness to determine that Jesus Christ is anathema, but that the gods of entertainment in this world are to be glorified and followed into the abyss of national destruction. There is time to turn things around if the people who truly name the name of Christ will follow the godly directive of 2 Chronicles 7:14. Sad to say-to put it in terms the groupies of godlessness will understand--the trending is in the opposite direction. Let's continue to do our Christian duty in carrying out the Great Commission. Let us also vote the right way to the best of our ability. But, at the same time, let's keep looking for the glorious appearing of our "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13).
My Review of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Over the last 35 years, I have literally read hundreds of books on Bible Prophecy and End Time signs. I especially enjoy books on the Rapture, and I have read almost every Rapture-related book published. In all those years, devouring thousands of pages, and millions of words, I have not read a better book on the Rapture than, Rapture Ready...Or Not? Terry James might be physically blind, but he is spiritually sharp and well discerning beyond most authors. In "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Terry has nailed the pre-trib Rapture, and removed any doubt what so ever about the Church going through the Tribulation. With great insight and Godly discernment, Terry explains with simple, yet profound words, why and how that he has come to believe the ways he does about the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the End Times scenario. I think after reading "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" you too will believe as Terry does, and be Ready for the Rapture like never before! - Randy Thomas - Publisher / Editor - Prophecy Update For more information and or to get your copy of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" use this link: http://www.raptureready.com/terry/book35.html End Time Persecution Is Here: Russia Just Banned Evangelism and China Has Torn Down 1000s of Crosses - By Michael Snyder - http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/end-time-persecution-is-here-russia-just-banned-evangelism-and-china-is-tearing-down-1000s-of-crosses
We always knew that this was coming. For years, the horrifying persecution of Christians in the Middle East has made headlines all over the globe, but now we are seeing very disturbing examples of government-sanctioned persecution literally all over the planet. As you will read about below, Russia just banned virtually all types of evangelism outside of a church or religious site. And China has been tearing down thousands of crosses and has been demolishing dozens of churches in a renewed crackdown on the growth of Christianity in that nation. Overall, there are 53 countries that now have laws that restrict the Christian faith according to one recent report. When are we going to wake up and realize what is happening? When I heard about the new law that was just passed in Russia, I was absolutely stunned. I was in Moscow just a few years after the Berlin Wall fell, and the people were very eager to hear about the Christian faith which had been brutally repressed under the Soviet regime for decades. Sadly, Russia has now decided to revert back to the old Soviet ways. This new law, which Vladimir Putin wanted, represents almost a complete and total ban on sharing the gospel... The law, which will come into force on July 20, will prohibit evangelism anywhere outside a church or religious site - including private homes and online - and those in breach of it will be fined. Only named members of religious organisations will be able to share their faith, and even informal witnessing between individuals is forbidden. According to the New York Times, this ban also includes "preaching and praying" that is done outside the boundaries of "officially recognized" religious institutions. In recent years, I have defended Russia in many of my articles. But there is no defending this. This new law is the single worst thing that Russia has done since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and they should be utterly ashamed of themselves. Meanwhile, government officials in China have launched a renewed crackdown on Christians as the underground church continues to grow like wildfire. According to some reports, the government has torn down more than 2,000 crosses in Zhejiang Province alone in recent months... More than two thousand crosses have now been forcefully removed from churches as part of a government campaign to regulate "excessive religious sites". The nation's leadership launched the crusade to eradicate Christianity in the coastal province of Zhejiang almost two years ago. Several members of the public have since been arrested for attempting to halt the government's crude attempt to suppress the Christian faith. But sometimes government officials don't stop there and decide to tear down an entire church. In fact, since the beginning of this year at least 49 churches have been destroyed in Zhejiang Province. Just recently, one group of believers defied the government and returned to their destroyed church to hold a worship service... Christian worshipers gather to worship among the ruins of their demolished church, defying the Communist Chinese government anti-Christian drive. These congregants in China' Wenzhou, Zhejiang province conducted a prayer service despite their church building demolished by the government officials. Zhuyang Church, which was a government-sanctioned church, was routed as a part of an unprecedented church demolition drive. On May 20, the church was demolished by about 100 government officers took down the church building authorized despite the fact that it had the government authorization to operate. The church member said that the only reason the official could provide for church' demolition was that the church was "transforming the villages in the city." But even the churches that have been left standing in Zhejiang Province are also feeling the pain of the crackdown. According to China Aid, there is a new law that is forcing many churches "to turn over all of their tithes and donations to state authorities"... The communist government of China's Zhejiang Province is enforcing a new law that demands numerous churches to turn over all of their tithes and donations to state authorities. According to a nonprofit Christian organization dedicated to serving the persecuted Church in China, the officials of Pingyang County in Wenzhou are compelling members to give all of their churches' income to state authorities. "The government officials will interfere with church affairs, managing our donations and some large-scale projects," a source told China Aid. For so long, most Americans have considered the Chinese government to be our friend. But that is not true at all. The communist Chinese are a corrupt, wicked regime that has always been deeply anti-Christian. Anyone that believes otherwise has simply been deluded. Meanwhile, the persecution of Christians continues to intensify in many parts of Africa. Just recently, a mother of seven children was "hacked to death" by Islamic radicals in Nigeria for openly preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ... A Christian mother of seven was hacked to death by suspected Muslim radicals in Nigeria and her mutilated body was discovered in a pool of blood along with a Bible and megaphone she used to preach every morning. According to local reports, 41-year-old Eunice Olawale, a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of Nigeria and an evangelist, was murdered in the early morning hours on Saturday while she was out evangelizing near Nigeria's capital of Abuja. Olawale's husband, Olawale Elisha, told local media that his wife had left their home around 5 a.m. Saturday morning to preach in the neighborhood but she never returned home. Ever since the first century, Christians have been martyred for publicly preaching the gospel, and we were warned that this kind of terrible persecution was coming in the last days. Of course Christians in the Middle East don't exactly need to hear about "the coming persecution" because they have been living it for many years. Christians are being tortured, beheaded and crucified by radical terror groups such as ISIS, and in other areas of the Middle East the persecution is being imposed on a national level by the government. For instance, just check out what is happening right now in Pakistan... "The government of Pakistan has announced plans to force Islam on young people by making Quranic study compulsory for all school and college students, which is contrary to the country's constitution and the Islamic precept that there should be no compulsion in religion. This is the latest escalation of the country's bias against Christians, other minority faiths and non-believers," said Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation. "Pakistani Christians, including children, are at risk of kidnapping, forced marriage and forced religious conversion to Islam. Some are also victims of blasphemy charges, which carry the death penalty. There are regular violent assaults on Christian families, homes, shops and churches. The persecution of the end times is here. All over the planet, the Christian faith is under assault. In the western world we may not have to face much violent persecution just yet, but our faith is relentlessly mocked, ridiculed and demonized on television, in the movies and on the Internet. Laws that are anti-Christian in tone and substance are regularly being passed, and many of our top politicians are not even pretending to be fair to us any longer. Just like in much of the rest of the world, we are starting to discover that there is a great price to be paid for following Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16, Jesus told us that if anyone would choose to follow Him, that individual should "deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Are you ready to take up your cross? The persecution of Christians is only going to get worse in the years ahead, and in order to make it through what is coming we need to be ready to give up everything for Him. Daily Jot: On the precipice of bondage: A prophetic warning for America - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Throughout the Bible, we see examples of where unrighteous rulers brought devastation upon their people. We see that God uses nations to judge Israel, and in their harshness and wickedness against Israel, YHVH then allows for the destruction of those nations. It is in these examples where the citizens of America must take great pause and repent because the vast majority of its leaders, irrespective of political party, behave unrighteously. These leaders also are enabling the enemies of Jerusalem to organize and unite under faux-democracy. It may be the perfect storm for America. Galatians 4 speaks of how Christians are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. This is specifically dealing with those who follow the Messiah are not heirs of Ishmael, but are children of the promise--which is found in the line of Isaac, son of the "freewoman." Galatians 5:1 says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith the Messiah has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Aside from the outright depravity permeating our American society, which is no small thing, America's leaders are taking our country--physically and spiritually--toward Ishmael, who is the father of Islam. Our leaders have rushed headlong into alliance with the most antichrist system known to the world. Over the past decade, billions of dollars of our tax money has supported establishing Islam. So-called "democracies" are being set-up with Sharia Law constitutions using the financial and political assistance of the United States. In every case, from deposing the Shah of Iran to the Palestinian Authority to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, Turkey, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Yeman, and Syria, your leaders and your money has been and is being used to institutionalize the very same nations named as coming against Jerusalem in the Day of the Lord. Zechariah 12:3 says, "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces..." America's sinful nature combined with its leaders insistence of becoming "entangled" with the yoke of bondage through materially supporting the antichrist system of the bondwoman--Islam--can only result in destruction. Already, our economy is weak, our people are out of work, folks are losing their homes, families are broken, and the government is encroaching on every freedom. The consequences of our leadership is brooding over America like a dark devouring cloud. How difficult will these consequences be because Americans, whose majority call themselves Christians, have been given the God-ordained right to choose their leaders? There is a fine line between freedom and bondage, and America is treading the micro-pixels of it. Daily Devotion: Your Best Defense - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! -James 2:19 If we were to interview Satan (and we would never want to do that), we might be surprised at how orthodox he is. For example, if we were to ask him, "Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God?" I think he would say, "Yes, I hate every word of it. But I know it is the Word of God." If we were to ask, "Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" again, I think he would say yes. When Jesus encountered two demon-possessed men, the demons cried out, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?" (Matthew 8:29, emphasis added). They knew Jesus was the Son of God. James wrote, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-and tremble!" (James 2:19). I think the Devil reads the Bible, but he reads it to misquote it. In the same way, false teachers memorize their little group of Bible verses to prove their false doctrine. And if we don't know the context of those verses and what the Bible teaches, we can be pulled into their false teachings. The Bible tells us that in the last days, false teachers will draw people after themselves who have an itch for novelty. They will tell people what they want to hear. For those of us who are called to preach, the way to counteract that is to "preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2). If you don't know the Bible well, you can be misled. But if you're conversant with the teaching of the Bible, when something false comes along, you'll know the difference between what is true and what isn't. FROM THE HEART
IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 Prophecy Update is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt - non-profit organization, and all your donations are tax deductible. If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or Visit our website: http://prophecyupdate.com/donations/ Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 |
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