Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
The Last Days According to Everyone - By Pete Garcia -
https://rev310.com/2019/08/the-last-days-according-to-everyone-2 The ancient Vikings believed in 'Ragnarok'. The Buddhist believe in the coming of the 'Maitreya'. The Hindus believe that the 'Kalki' brings an end to the current Kali Yuga. Islam predicts that the end will come when the 'Mahdi' returns. Even atheists and skeptics posit that we are overdue for an occurrence such as a meteor, supervolcano, global weather extreme, or other cataclysmic earth-ending events. It is common for cultures and societies to look toward the future with a certain level of trepidation. The future represents change. It is the big and dark 'unknown'. With that said, every religion and/or belief system in the world today has some view, position, or opinion about what they consider the 'end-times' or the 'last days'. Within Christianity, around 30% of the Holy Bible contains 'prophecy', and more applicable to the discussion at hand is what academics call 'eschatology'. (Koine Greek-Eschatos = last or final things, logy=the study of) That said, Christianity has become largely divided over how to interpret the passages pertaining to the 'last days'. On one hand, the largely Protestant, mainline denominations (Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian, etc.) tend to view Bible prophecy in much the same way as their predecessor, the Roman Catholic Church viewed it...as already complete and spiritually in effect. To them, that means that much of what the Bible has to say about the last days was completed in the first century and that what is ongoing now is the ongoing spiritual kingdom. Granted there are disagreements on some of the finer points as to exactly how and when things like the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur, or who the 'Antichrist' might be, but for the most part, they agree in large measure on three main points:
Each of these major theological premises is accompanied and supported by their eschatological positions, which are predicated on how they interpret scriptural passages. So for instance, a 'literal' interpretation of Scripture, would not support the theological position of Replacement Theology (1). Romans 11 for instance flatly rejects this notion. They are then forced to select another form of interpretation such as the allegorical (or non-literal) method to make their theological position of Replacement Theology mesh with their view that they have replaced Israel as 'God's Chosen'. Simply put, they have to use the allegorical approach because the plain reading of scripture (in context) does not back up their suppositions. This makes the overarching end-times view within both Roman Catholicism and mainline Protestantism a mix between Post Millennialism (Church conquers the world before Christ returns) and Amillennialism [a-as a negative] (the world continues in perpetuity until some indefinite end as yet defined). Another branch within Christianity is the Evangelicals. Evangelicals tend to take more of the literalist interpretation of Scripture (i.e...take the text at what it says, in context). Within Evangelical Christianity, there are still divergent views on how the end happens, but for the most part, the two major views are the following:
Assessment So consider some of the older religions from groups such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans, Mayans, and Vikings...if their beliefs were true-then these civilizations would still be in effect. In other words, if their views had any merit to them...wouldn't their 'gods' have foretold the demise of their own civilizations in order to prevent that from ever happening? So for that purpose, this article we will forego any religious system that is already extinct or of no effect to the world today, and simply apply how their eschatology fits into the world of today. This leaves the following list by order of the number of devotees each has, and the potential ramifications for their eschatological beliefs: Roman Catholicism/Protestant Christianity (2.2 Billion) The Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant churches generally (not all) advocate the same type of eschatological views. The long term view is Amillennial, and their practical day to day view is Dominionist. Both of these support the repeated attempts at creating a theocratic rule by the Church. Such was the case during the Dark Ages with its Crusades, Inquisitions, Geneva, and the new American colonies. Islam (1.6 Billion) The current divide between Sunni (majority) and Shia (minority) currently keeps the Muslim world divided amongst itself. The major division is over both their lineage and their eschatology. Divisions within each branch of Islam also keep them divided as they vie for power in an attempt to reestablish their own versions of the 'caliphate'. Hinduism (1 Billion) Hinduism is largely concentrated in India, with some bleed over into neighboring nations like Burma and China. Hinduism is not, however, not as driven for world-wide domination as say Islam and Christianity are but tend to take more of a pantheist (everything is 'god') view with thousands of deities already on tap. This easily fits in with an ecumenical global religion. Buddhism (375 Million) Like Hinduism, Buddhism will bring in the much needed "diversity" and deep-seated eastern philosophical underpinnings of the new global ecumenism. Christian missionaries to Nepal and India have described their experiences in these regions as even more spiritually oppressive than Islam. Evangelical Christianity (100-300 Million est. worldwide) Out of all the religions, Evangelical Christianity is a subset within the broader scope of what we would call, Christendom. It presents the most exclusive views on salvation as being solely based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of the exclusivity and nature of our salvation, Evangelicalism is also the least likely to embrace religious ecumenicalism as well as having the most cataclysmic view (in terms of consequential eschatological views) out of all the world's belief systems. Two scenarios will likely bring about the end of the world and both center on a period of time known as the 'Tribulation' (Matthew 24, Revelation 6-19) or 'Daniel's 70th Week' (Daniel 9:24-27).
Both upend the world's order and brings about the rise of a regional, then a singular world order that allows for one man (Antichrist, Man of Lawlessness, Son of Perdition, Rider on the White Horse) to assume total control. Aided by the 'False Prophet', they are able to work lying signs and miracles that trick the world into following them in a disastrous set up against what remains of national and ethnic Israel...i.e....at Armageddon. The remainder (1.1 Billion) What remains is the atheistic/agnostic/non-religious population which make up around 1.1 billion persons. The remainder (Taoist, Sikhs, Bahai Faith, Judaism, etc.) make up the rest of the minority of religious adherents globally. Conclusion Out of all the religious belief system, Christianity is by far the most descriptive of the end-times. Not only is it the most descriptive, but it's also the most accurate (ie...forecasting geopolitical alignments, restoration of Israel after 1900 years, societal conditions, etc.). Not only is it the most accurate, but it's also the most believable. In comparing all the other views along with the day and age we find ourselves, you see the profound difference and superiority of Holy Scripture once you lay them all out together. Buddha did not predict the end of the world to happen until 5,000 years after his death, which would put their 'last days' around the year 4600 AD, and frankly by then, who cares. This presents no immediate threat as we would all be long gone by then. Hinduism believes at the end of the fourth Yuga, that the end comes. These are listed by Wikipedia as: Satya Yuga lasts 1.728 million years. Treta Yuga lasts 1.296 million years. Dvapara Yuga lasts 864,000 years. Kali Yuga lasts 432,000 years." "Within the current kalpa, there are four yugas, or epochs, that encompass the evolution of this specific cycle. These ages encompass a beginning of complete purity to a descent into total decay." At least they got the general direction of deterioration correct. But how exactly do they know something happened 1.728 million years ago and not 1.729 million years ago? How could anyone, anywhere, ever validate any of it?. Islamic Eschatology Even harder to believe, are the signs given in Islam that would point to the end times. There are 56 minor signs, and 10 major most of which aren't indicative of any specific time period (the drinking of much wine), and some are pretty laughable (people fornicating in the streets like donkey's). One of the major signs... and probably the most damning against it as a viable eschatology is that of Isa (Islam's Jesus) return prior to the Mahdi. It's damning for two reasons:
Last of which, the atheist/agnostic/skeptic/scientist view that the earth meets some cataclysmic-end due to a natural or cosmic disaster (i.e...comet collision, super-volcano, etc.). Ironically their view aligns almost perfectly with that of the Bible (wormwood, sun going dark, extreme heat, etc.) The Bible foretold over 2,000 years ago, that certain things would have to happen prior to the return of Christ:
So given the signs of the end for the major world religions, which seems the most plausible? Which has the most historical, archeological, political, and economic evidence to support its claims? The Bible foretells of worsening conditions, ending with a final world system under the economic, technological, and theological thumb of regional governments, absorbed into one, all headed by a single man. Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,' (Isaiah 46:9-10) Is Joshua Harris Now Going to Hell? - Bill Perkins - www.compass.org Recently Joshua Harris, a successful Christian author who wrote the bestselling book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" in the 1990s, publicly renounced his faith. Due to his staunch Biblical stance regarding no sex before marriage, many young Christians read his books and followed his advice. So this was a shocker, to say the least. In a nutshell, Harris is clearly saying he no longer believes the Bible, pretty much giving God the finger. So this begs the question, does this mean he's now going to hell? I've heard numerous Christian leaders trying to make sense out of this by saying things like "He was never saved in the first place" and "Jesus won't leave you but you can leave Him." However, neither of those statements is in God's Word. Only God knows Harris' heart... whether or not he trusted the shed blood of Christ to cover his sins at some point of his life. But regardless, the question remains, if he was once "saved," can he now be "not saved?" Most people reading this know we teach and scripturally defend that there's no "work" you can do, or not do, to become a Believer. You can only believe the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah. It's about what He did, not about your good or bad actions. "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit," Titus 3:5 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1John 5:13 Therefore, if there is nothing one can do to gain salvation, is there something one can do to lose it? No, there's nothing you can do to lose it. In fact, if you think you can lose your salvation, the Bible says you're foolish! "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" Gal. 3:3 WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT SALVATION? When you trust the Gospel message-which is the Good News that if you BELIEVE Jesus came from heaven, lived a sinless life, shed His blood and died on a cross in order to pay for all your sins-God immediately saves you from the eternal fires of hell... forever. Your sins-past, present and future-are wiped clean from God's judgment and this allows God's Spirit to come into your life permanently, sealing you forever. "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise," Eph. 1:13 So every Believer is sealed by God. Jesus even said He won't lose anyone the Father has given Him. "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day." John 6:39 To make an even better case against losing your salvation, consider this verse: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:38-39 You are a human, created by God. Therefore, as a Believer, you cannot even separate yourself from God. No matter what you say or do. God is more powerful than you. So if you can't lose the permanency of salvation, what happened to Joshua Harris, assuming he was a Believer? It has everything to do with his Biblical maturity. Salvation is just the beginning of your Spiritual walk. ONE OF THREE THINGS HAPPENS TO BELIEVERS WHEN THEY GET SAVED-WHICH ONE APPLIES TO YOU? The Bible puts a great emphasis on Believers maturing in their faith (Eph. 4:11-14), to "grow up" in order not to be tricked by their enemy Satan-who has spent the last 6000 years perfecting his lies. "...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ," Eph. 4:15 Satan even tried lying to Jesus when he was tempting Him in the desert (Matt. 4:5-11). He quoted scripture to Jesus, and although the scripture was true, Jesus replied with "...the scripture also says..." In essence, He was telling Satan, "you're taking scripture out of context." We too need to be able to know the Bible well enough to ward off Satan's tricks and lies. But new Believers have so little scriptural defense they're referred to as baby Believers (1Cor. 3). The Parable of the Sower In the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8:4-15, we see that when people hear the Word of God preached, the outcome is pretty simple: they either get saved or they don't get saved. Those that do get saved can have three different outcomes in their Christian life. So Jesus warns us about these life outcomes because our adversary, Satan, immediately sends his demons to compromise our walk. 1) The first thing that can happen to a new Believer is to be tricked by Satan from maturing into a solid Believer. Satan's first goal is to get new Believers to doubt the truth about what they just committed to. Because new Believers aren't rooted in God's Word, the tempter can lure them away with his lies. "...they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away." Luke 8:13 Satan's lies could be about anything...sex, money, friendships, marriage, children, parents, church and everything in between. A series of seemingly innocent compromises is his age-old trick. 2) If Satan's not successful getting you off course when you're a new Believer, the second thing he'll try is to get your eyes off the long-term prize. Satan knows if he can get you thinking short-term, he wins. "...they are choked with worries, riches and pleasures of this life," Luke 8:14 Satan will again bring on the lies about the burdens of life, worries about children, work, money...anything and everything to get your mind off the eternal prize that you've already won. If you fall for his deception, he wins. 3) The third thing that can happen to born-again Believers is that they mature, steel their minds with scripture, shake off the worries of the world and keep their eyes on the prize. God can use these mature Believers in numerous ways for His purposes. "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man..." Eph. 4:13 "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:14 So what about Joshua Harris? I think he is #2. I think he unknowingly let Satan get to him through the riches and pleasures of this life, choking out his testimony and grieving God with his sinful statements. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Eph.. 4:30 Again, notice in that verse that sin did not "unseal" anything. When a Believer is saved, it's forever. I do pray Harris gets a handle on whatever is haunting him. I pray he repents and seeks again to follow the commandments of his Risen Savior. Thankfully, if he is a Believer, his security is unconditional. God will never leave him, even if he tries to leave God. "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," Heb. 13:5 Always stand on the scriptural fact that our salvation is based on what He did for us, not what we once did, or now do, for Him. Therefore, teaching you can lose your salvation based on sin (repentant or unrepentant) violates this basic Biblical teaching. This is why Paul, dealing with a horribly sinful and unrepentant Believer, said it would be better for Satan to kill some guy so he could be released from his sinful body and go home to be with the Lord. "I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." 1Cor. 5:5 This earth is nothing compared to eternity, so keep your eyes up! Use us, Lord! Fifty Years After Woodstock - A Biblical Perspective - David Pepe - https://www.theignorantfishermen.com/2019/07/fifty-years-after-woodstock-biblical.html The Fifty-year anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival is at hand and millions are joyfully celebrating this upcoming anniversary! Events were being planned with the top pop musical artist of today for Woodstock 50 in August of 2019, but just of late this event was canceled! In light of this cancelation, promoters are now saying that Americans should reflect and remember the "spirit" of Woodstock which is "peace and love", or is it (1 John 4:1-10)? The original Woodstock Festival took place on August 16, 1969, and its spirit has been promoted, glorified, glamorized, sensationalized and etched into the very fabric of our American pop culture, politics, consciousness and youth culture for the last fifty years. There is none more powerful a vessel to be used by Satan than the "sex, drugs, and rock n roll" spirit to appeal to man's fallen and base nature; and to get them to become base, lawless, subjective and violent (Rom. 1:18-32; 3:9-20, 1 Cor. 15:33, Gal. 5:17-21, Eph 2:1-2, Jude 1:10). If we could look at a panoramic view of America from 1969 unto the world of today (2019), we would be absolutely EXPONENTIALLY horrified on how far we as an American people have EXPONENTIALLY drifted as a nation into the realms of EXPONENTIAL lawlessness with its EXPONENTIAL fruit thereof (Psalm 11:3, 82:5, Hosea 4:6, Rom. 1:18-32, Gal. 6:7, 2 Tim. 3:1-6, 2 Thess. 2:10-12)! The mediums of today possess the EXPONENTIAL capacity for outreach, and for Satan to take his war on Almighty God's RIGHTEOUSNESS and his promotion of lawlessness into every nook and cranny of this world, and into America's post-Judeo/Christian society. It is by these mediums that this world over the last 50 years has EXPONENTIALLY deteriorated and the harvest now ripe for Satan's demonic tool the antichrist to wage their final rebellion against their ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS Creator (Dan. 2; 7; 12:4, 2 Thess. 3-12, Rev. 13, 16). The lawless seeds planted at the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 were a defining point in this nation's history against the "Establishment" and America's core Judean/ Christian values. The icon which is most recognized as the symbol of Woodstock is the upside-down broken cross (aka. the "peace symbol"). That symbol is found everywhere today in America and throughout the world. This symbol has many meanings by many people; however many individuals have identified this symbol to be an upside-down broken cross and an icon for the overthrow of Judeo/Christianity. What is very apparent is that the heart of the "Woodstock spirit" was a revolution against Judeo/Christianity and its culture here in America; and that secularism, mysticism, moral relativism and lawless were to fill its vacuum when eradicated. The Marxist medium at Woodstock was the brown acid of the radical Left's agenda, whose goons in the reprobate (godless) music industry, Hollywood and media have used to steadily and incrementally attack the crucial boundaries of morality over the past 50 years. In the EXPONENTIAL HORRIFIC wake of Woodstock, the 60's and the EXPONENTIAl aid of the super-advanced technological mediums of this day; the lawless and political philosophies of Marx, Crowley, the Frankfort School, Alinsky and Nietzsche are now mainstream here in America and WOE to any who seek to overturn and override the new American ideology of "Do as thou wilt is the sum of the law". Woodstock was basically a money-making scheme at first by promoters but then took on a whole different mind of its own and spirit to follow. The spirit and mindset of Woodstock was a huge protest against America's Judean/ Christian heritage and society/ government (i.e., "the Establishment") in the name of "Peace". This movement sought to establish an alternative reality of "secular peace, love and joy" through the use of cultural relativism (non-absolutes), sexual immorality, hard-core drugs, lawlessness, and music genres. Any lawless ingredients such as these CAN ONLY produce violence, hatred, division, social tyranny, strife, murder, licentiousness, elegance, subjectivism as past history has shown us (Gen. 6, Job. 15:20-24, Psalm 119:165, Isa. 5:20; 32:17; 48:21-22; 57:20-2, Jer. 7:23-28; 18:11-12; Rom. 1:18-32; Gal. 5:19-21, 2 , Tim 3:1-6; Jude 1:10). These ideals and vices were the necessary ingredients used by Satan for the eradicating and removal of common sense, rational thought and creating the susceptibility for demonic hypnosis (2 Cor. 4:3-4, Rev. 9:20-21). Drugs and immorality are always the means for bringing one to a base state and opening of one's mind to the demonic influence and ideas of Satan's anti-God agenda and rebellion. This demonic game plan has successfully created the delusional utopian folly and the base (lewd) culture and society that now has ravished our land and exist today. Euphemism Reality/ Double Speak Culture Dear friends, the words and fruits of "peace, love, joy, and harmony", when it was used incorrectly as by the Woodstock generation; could never provide what these so desperately sought after. For Fifty years later who in their right mind would say that it has in 2019! But the stadiums and social mediums of America are EXPONENTIALLY abundant as the sands of the seas; full of Satan's utopian kool-aid drinkers ready and willing to believe and receive the greatest lie of all (2 Thess. 2:3-12, Rev. 13)! Oh, the ETERNALLY devastating delusion of self-seeking lawlessness and the reprobate mindset that rejects Almighty God our ETERNAL Creator and His ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS accountability (John 3:16-21, Acts 4:12; 17:22-34, Rom. 1:18-32; 3:23; 10-2-4)! The Woodstock mindset was nothing more than an altered reality based on lawlessness. A delusion and a fairy tale that can NEVER be! The redefining of moral absolutes CAN NEVER change REALITY and ABSOLUTE TRUTH, no matter how many billions of people one may gather together or rally to their cause. The same principle can be applied to Almighty God our ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS Creator! Almighty God can NEVER be other than He has ALWAYS has been and is (Ex. 3:14, Num. 23:19, Psalm 90:2, Mal. 3:6, John 6:35; 8:12, 58; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:3; Heb. 13:8, James 1:17, Rev. 22:13). He IS RIGHTEOUS, He IS Holy, He IS Just, He IS ETERNALLY ABSOLUTE and He IS God! The question that we need to objectively ask ourselves are these; How can anything good precede from anarchy and a delusional reality; which seeks only to destroy and override ETERNAL RIGHTEOUSNESS, REALITY, and TRUTH? (Romans 1:18-32) Almighty God's Word states: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20) "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thess. 2:10-12). In the ever redefining and "doublespeak" society of today, the Lord Jesus Christ described to all - who had an ear to hear - how to discern between TRUTH and error, RIGHTEOUSNESS and lawlessness, SANCTIFICATION and sacrilegiousness and Heaven and Hell "Sanctify (set apart) them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17). "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ ( John 1:17). Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh" (James 3:12). "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit" (Matt 12:33). Dear friends, in light of the EXPONENTIAL darkness and demonic deception which fills our present-day; because of the outright rejection of Divine Light, DO NOT be deceived by the redefining of ETERNAL spiritual and moral absolutes by the god of this world (Matt. 24:3-4; John 8:44, Eph. 2:1-2, 2 Thess. 2:3-12, 1 John 4:1, 2 John 6-7, Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 22:11-15). The use of euphemistic alternative terms - no matter how many people back them - is insanity with ETERNAL Death before them. Push them aside and reject them with All your being and follow hard after the ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS and TRUE One, The Lord Jesus Christ! Dear friends, place your sole trust in Almighty God and His NEVER-CHANGING Word! Then you will have TRUE ETERNAL PEACE and TRUE ETERNAL HOPE and JOY in these days of absolute uncertainty. Place your trust in Christ today! You will NEVER be the same! The Kingdom of Heaven is truly at Hand! All Is Lost, It Seems! - By Clay Smith - https://www.raptureready.com/2019/08/07/lost-seems-clay-smith/ Well, not quite, but we are getting close, and time is running out for the lost to make a decision concerning their eternal destiny. Those who do not know Christ as Lord are "lost," but can rectify that condition to "saved." These are perilous times in our world, more than it's ever been, but there is still opportunity to "get saved" as we see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). I am "pinging off" a recent article that one of our writers, Daymond Duck, just presented called "Growing Spiritual Darkness." He listed a few of the recent world events and the condition of the Laodicean Church (Revelation 3:14-22) taking place. That day is quickly approaching when Jesus comes back for us-his Bride, the Church-to take us out of here at the appointed time, when the last Saint is saved that God only knows (1Thessalonians 4:15-17). No one knows when this spectacular, world-shaking event will take place, but if you look at the warning signs that God is giving us (all according to the scriptures), it sure is apparent that it is close - even at the door. The lost souls are oblivious to the Bible and/or don't care what it says. Even most of the Church- Age Saints now are not really looking for the return of the Lord Jesus (Yeshua-Hebrew). They are silent and mostly asleep; all is good and life continues. The return of Christ is not taught anymore in churches, along with the preaching on "Hell" either. The Church is apathetic, not watching and unprepared, but we are to still be about the Lord's work. Just recently, some of us from our church returned from a mission trip to Honduras. Yes, the Gospel is still going out to the entire world, and our Church is "going." There were translators with us, and there were some salvations, along with my team seeing a 75-year-old gentleman come to Christ. He believed, repented, and asked Jesus to come into his life and save him. Wow! Think of it this way: God allowed that man to live that long to have these Americans travel to the exact area, exact village and walk down the exact road where he was. There was no predetermined plan or route laid out. Glory to the Lord for that man's heart that was softened to hear the Gospel, where he "Chose" to accept the truth of the Scripture! There are still many souls in this darkness that is really closing in even more as we see the world "going to hell in a handbasket fast" (my emphasis-play on words). Jesus said the "fields are white already to harvest" (John 4:35). Step out in faith-and with the Word of God, save souls-or plant the seeds at least. There is another "end-time prophecy website I visit that has been mentioned here at times called "Now The End Begins." I am not promoting it, but using that title to express this: The end is not beginning; it's here. Bible prophecy is happening right now, so quickly! Just look and see what the Bible is revealing before your very eyes (yes, it speaks; it's alive because it's God's Word). All the scriptural puzzle pieces are lining up and falling into place. Daymond listed a few of them in his superb article I mentioned. There is evil all around with apostasy, world events, and evil seducers rampant everywhere. There are earthquakes basically everywhere now, and they are coming more and more frequently as never before, just like Jesus prophesied. I could go on and on, but many articles here have covered that. Place your hope and trust in the only One that can save you and give you eternal life in heaven. His name is Jesus Christ, the true Messiah that died on the Cross at Calvary outside Jerusalem, Israel, almost 2,000 years ago, and rose from the dead 3 full days and nights later to live forevermore. Jesus is your only hope. To not make that proactive decision is to reject Him. His desire is that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). If you choose not to, your name is removed from the Lamb's Book of Life when you stand before God that day at the great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). It was your choice. This Church Age is coming to a close fast, it appears. Don't be left behind to go through that terrible "Day of the Lord" that's coming. Search the Scripture and read for yourself. Don't take my word for it. In Jesus Name, Clay Smith All Scripture is from the King James Version. [email protected] Daily Jot: The Hunt - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com "The Hunt" is a film depicting elite liberals gathering together at a five-star resort to embark on a "deeply rewarding" hunt for sport to kill 12 "Make America Great Again" humans known as "deplorables." One character, according to The Hollywood Reporter, says, "At least The Hunt's coming up. Nothing better than going out to the Manor and slaughtering a dozen deplorables."Fox News is reporting that Hollywood magnate Universal Pictures and the filmmakers of "The Hunt" are putting a temporary hold on the movie's marketing campaign and a Universal Pictures spokesperson said they are "reviewing materials as we move forward." This appalling movie is set for release on September 27. The Hollywood Reporter writes: "A high-level insider says top executives want to stand by [Jason] Blum, one of the studio's most prolific and successful producers, as well as filmmaker Craig Zobel, and see the project as a satire addressing an issue of great social importance. But this person says plans could change "if people think we're being exploitative rather than opinionated."...Employees in different departments were questioning the wisdom of making such a movie in these times," says one filmmaker with ties to Universal. "In light of the horrific [recent shootings], is this not the most craven, irresponsible, dangerous exploitation?" That point is countered by a Universal executive, who says the movie "is meant to show what a stupid, crazy world we live in," adding, "It might even be more powerful now."" This is how these people think. DePauw University professor and media critic Jeffrey McCall told Fox News that the movie is "harmful to a culture that surely needs messages of unity and understanding" during the current climate. McCall said, "It says something sad about the state of the 'entertainment' industry that this movie ever got conceived and produced. Hollywood clearly thinks it is OK to stereotype so-called deplorables and set them up for a hunt. Thank heavens some sensible outlets are pulling the promotional ads." McCall was referring to ESPN pulling an ad for the film over the August 3 weekend and a source for ESPN says that no spots will run on the network in the coming weeks. This type of movie trips the levers of those who get so angry they want to kill people. That's the possible result of advertising and showing such a movie. The overall point of glorifying killing someone who disagrees with a political point of view is no less than what communists, tyrants, and dictatorships actually always have done. Movies like this normalize such thoughts here in America. Hollywood is sending a message that it is OK to demonize those who disagree with the leftist agenda. We don't need a movie to watch, we see this every day in the news. And they feign "shock" when someone acts on it, and continue to blame those with whom they disagree. So much for the Golden Rule. As Christ said in Luke 6:31, And as you would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Do they really want to be treated the way they treat others? Daily Devotion: Confrontation or Condemnation? - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:24-25 Jesus is not always happy about the state of the church, but He is very concerned about its welfare. Jesus said of the church, "All the powers of hell will not conquer it" (Matthew 16:18 NLT). In using the word church, I'm not speaking of a building; I'm speaking of people. The church exists for three reasons: the glorification of God, the edification of the saints, and the evangelization of the world. When you're walking with God, you'll want to be with God's people. And if you find yourself out of fellowship with God, then you'll also find yourself out of fellowship with other believers. You'll find yourself saying things like, "I don't really know if I want to go to church today. Besides, there are so many hypocrites. When I go, I feel judged." An often-quoted verse is Matthew 7:1, which says, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (NKJV). This could be translated, "Condemn not, that you be not condemned." We are not to condemn other people. But evaluation is something we should do for one another, helping one another, encouraging one another, and, if necessary, correcting one another. I reserve the right to confront, if necessary, a fellow Christian who is on the wrong track. As Hebrews 10 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (verses 24-25 NKJV). God wants us to be holy people-not holier-than-thou in the way someone looks down at another with condescension. Rather, it means living a life that is honoring to God and wanting to become more and more like Jesus every day. 
FROM THE HEART
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