Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
The Tide is Coming In - By Todd Hampson -
http://www.raptureready.com/2018/08/12/tide-coming-todd-hampson/ After a very busy summer of mission trips, business trips, college visits, and visiting relatives, my family and I snuck away for a short beach vacation before school, sports, and other activities ramp back up to full capacity. At the beach where we stayed, the oceanfront receded about 1/8th of a mile at low tide, and we could wade out into the water about the same distance with the water still only coming up to our waist. My kids loved when the tide would come in because that meant bigger waves so they could body surf and stand in deeper water. With current events and Bible Prophecy on my mind, I noticed something about the tide that made me see it as a fitting metaphor. When waves come in, they surge and recede; but each time they surge, they come a little bit further in until finally they reach maximum height. The vegetation line shows us where the maximum tide will reach; so if you are staking a spot on the beach, you can analyze the distance between the water's edge and the vegetation line to gauge where to park your chair, towel, or umbrella, based on how much time you have to enjoy the sand and surf. Those of us who study Bible Prophecy are familiar with the concept of birth pains. Jesus himself spoke about them in his Olivet Discourse while sighting the end-time signs he said we should look for. Birth pains increase in frequency and severity until finally the baby is born. Once initiated, nothing will stop the birth pains from increasing or the baby from coming. Here's where I'm going with my high-tide analogy. First century Christians thought the Lord's return was imminent because of the severe persecution they faced. Modern-day Christians have been beating the "Jesus is coming soon" drum since the explosion of last-days awareness stemming from Hal Lindsey's 1971 book, The Late Great Planet Earth, and the related 1970's revival known as the Jesus Movement. After a decade, the fervor subsided a bit, but a broader understanding of Bible prophecy and the waning church age was the result. Then in the 1990's, The Left Behind book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins rekindled a similar fervor for Bible Prophecy and a greater awareness of the signs of the times. Once again, the broad excitement of the masses died down a bit, and another generation became familiar with Bible prophecy and end-time events. I see a similar phenomenon occurring now. Since about 2015, I've sensed an increasing broad grassroots awareness that we are ebbing ever-closer to the end-time events foretold in Scripture. There hasn't been one particular book to spark the interest, but an increasingly large group of trusted and well-studied theologians, pastors, and experts who agree we are seeing a convergence of end-time conditions like never before. Rather than one book, there has been a steady stream of books on the topic. Daniel 12:4 predicted just an awakening in the last days. The predicted explosion in travel and knowledge includes an increase in knowledge of prophecy-the immediate context of the surrounding verses. With each surge of the prophetic waves, the puzzle pieces more closely align with the Biblical model: The national alignments and geopolitical conditions; the extent and severity of natural disasters; the subsequent iterations of the long-foretold and ever-looming Mideast peace plan; the increasing isolation and hatred of tiny Israel by the world community; the level of lawlessness, violence, and immorality; the exponential curve of technology; and the dimming light of Christianity in geographic and institutional sectors that once championed its cause. All of these harbingers and more are screaming at us that the tide is indeed coming in. With each set of crashing waves, we creep closer to the vegetation line known as the tribulation period. In between surges, the current momentarily drifts back out-only to be eclipsed by another set of waves that ebb even further up to approach their appointed apex. How much longer until maximum high tide? Only the Lord knows, but it is closer with each passing day and with each new development. Although we "see through a glass darkly" and don't have the crystal- clear view that will one day be offered by hindsight, there are enough major pieces in place that we can confidently say that the tide is most definitely coming in. Only God knows when it will reach the vegetation line, but in my studied and humble opinion, that time is fast approaching and sooner than most people might think. The paradoxical truth of our "blessed hope" is understanding that as the world grows more precarious, evil, and godless-that simply means that our departure is closer at hand. The rapture of the church precedes the time of God's judgment, so those of us who have received Christ will be removed from the earth before high tide becomes a raging tsunami. If you don't yet know the Savior who died for you, please take time now to investigate his claims and his word. Don't leave any stone unturned. Don't wait; because even if the Lord's return is not in our lifetime, we are not guaranteed our next breath. With the heaviness inherent to discussions about the last days, I want to end this post on a high note and remind us of a key command Jesus gave about these times. In Luke 21:28, he said, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Please take note that he did NOT say, "When you see these things begin to happen, FREAK OUT!" The beautiful message of prophecy is that, even in the chaotic waves, God is still in control. He is firmly in control of history and he is firmly in control of your life. Please trust Him today. One day relatively soon, our faith will become sight. Do now what you can't do then. Take Him at his word, trust him as your Savior, then tell others about the wonderful gift that is available to them as well. Life is short. Eternity is long. Let's focus on what will be important to use 10 million years from now. 1 John 3:2-3 reads, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." Waiting expectantly for the Lord's return has a purifying effect on us because it brings perspective. Trivial things fade away in the bright light of His soon return. World conditions show us the tide is coming in. Are you ready? Please feel free to contact me today if you want to know more about how to become a Christian or if there is any way I can serve you. Todd Hampson | ToddHampson.com The Trump effect, the rise of the Magog alliance & the Return of Jesus Christ! - By Isaiah Anderson - https://christianityandpolitics.blog/2018/08/15/the-trump-effect-the-rise-of-the-magog-alliance-the-return-of-jesus-christ/ The definition of Trump means triumph or to trumpet. The name suggests God may be using President Trump, not a perfect person, as none of us are, but like other leaders, in the past, God often used people with appropriate names to be a witness of His divine actions. We've witnessed Trump make a historic announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as the sovereign capital of Israel, which was a historical event and I believe possibly a prophetic event. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. - Luke 21:24 (NKJV) America being the dominate gentile power in the world, much like Rome was in 70 - 130AD, which was responsible for the destruction of the Second Jewish Temple and ultimately lead to their dispersion around the globe. President Trump officially announced the recognition of Israel's sovereign reign of Jerusalem, it being their Jewish Capital. Trump thus reversed the effect and declaration of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, which stood for nearly 1900 years. Is it a coincidence that a leader, with the name Trump, would trumpet the announcement of the end of the gentile reign of Jerusalem? I don't believe it's a coincidence, God is demonstrating to the world, His sovereign reign over the nations and its leaders. The official end of the gentile reign of Jerusalem means we are absolutely living in the final hours before the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the second coming of Jesus Christ! "For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land. - Joel 3:1-2 (NKJV) Another clear sign that we are living in the final hours of this fallen age, it is the return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel and the restoration of Judah and Jerusalem. I believe we have witnessed the official trumpet call of their recovery. President Trump not only made a noteworthy prophetic announcement, one that is very historic, he has also triumphed over his enemies. In what seems driven by supernatural providence, now President Trump overcame all odds to win the 2016 American election and ascended to highest office in America, the most powerful gentile position in the world. Few though Trump would win the GOP nomination, and almost no one except his vocal supporters believed Trump would win the general election. But, as history has now been written, Donald J. Trump, against all the odds triumphed over everyone in both the Democrat and Republican parties to become the 45 President of the United States of America. Prophetically, what effect has the Trump Presidency had? Trump has turned the international norms of trade on its head. The new President has placed sanctions and tariffs on some nations, but most importantly he has profoundly affected Russia, Iran, and Turkey, which just so happens to be the significant three nations prophesied in Prophet Ezekiel's Gog-Magog alliance (Please read Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39). The trade sanctions and tariffs have helped push these three to a closer relationship...Amazing coincidence or very prophetic? Interestingly, Ezekiel chapter 36 & 37 speak of a returning Jewish nation, which was literally fulfilled in May of 1947. In chapter 38 & 39 we see the eventual massive invasion of a restored and prosperous Israel. The chapters that follow speak of a restored Temple, which may indicate that the Jewish Third Temple will be built after the prophesied invasion of Israel by the Magog military alliance of Russia, Iran, and Turkey. One cannot just throw up a Temple and say lets worship, at least not a Jewish Temple. The Jewish faith has precise laws and rituals that are prescribed in the Torah, all of which, are contained in the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). The Mosaic and Levitical laws consist of approximately 613 rules that must be followed, including those that govern the Temple construction, priestly qualification, priest clothing, sacrifices, appointed feast and worship days. The reconstitution of the Jewish Temple and priesthood would be a very time consuming and expensive undertaking. It would take years of preparation to institute a Jewish Temple and priestly services...Do we see these preparations already taking place? Yes! As we can clearly see the stage has been set and God is quickly bringing all things into position for the most talked about events in history...The Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ, the seven-year Tribulation, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors! - Matt 24:32-33 (NKJV) Are you ready? If you haven't repented of your sins, placed your faith in Jesus Christ, and professed him publicly as your Lord and Savior, then you're not ready! "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." - Romans 10:9-11 (NKJV) Repent of your sins and come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ today, time is running out, and we have no time be on the fence. Jesus died for the sins of the world, and He desires for everyone to be saved...Seek Him today! Nearing Midnight: Big Tech Is Back on a Censorship Binge - Todd Strandberg - http://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ The websites like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have become hopelessly fixated on who should be allowed as members of their social media club. The membership rulebook is under constant revision. If you are someone who holds to leftist views, you might not notice the changes. That is because conservatives and Christians are the only ones being restricted. A couple weeks ago, there were headline reports about Twitter's effort to "shadow ban" conservatives. A "shadow ban" involves blocking a website account in a way where the account's content is not readily available to others on a website. The user is unaware that their content is blocked. When a YouTube page that hosts The Hal Lindsey Reports sends out a notification about his latest video, I don't always receive the message. Since I'm on his contact list, I should be alerted every time he adds a new post. I don't receive the notice because someone has decided to limit the number of people who can access his material. Last week, there was an outright ban on Alex Jones by Facebook, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Jones was marked as an easy target because he is the source of many conspiracy views. He believes that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was fake, the 9/11 attack was planned by the U.S. government, and the moon landing was staged in a Hollywood studio. I think it is very dangerous to free speech to allow Jones to be banned. The Silicon Valley is the most liberal region of America, and it's very obvious that these companies would like to silence all voices on the right. Tech companies such as Facebook, Senator Ted Cruz said, have "a degree of power and an ability to censor that William Randolph Hearst at the height of yellow journalism could never have imagined. They have the ability, if there is a speaker who is disfavored, simply to silence the speaker - to shadow ban them so that you might speak, but your words float off into oblivion and nobody hears them." Several years ago, I decided against posting Rapture Ready's content on Facebook and Twitter because I knew that censorship would eventually become a problem. Lately, I've read numerous letters that detail how social media has largely destroyed platforms that people spent years building up. Last week, I read an email from Joseph Farah of WorldNetDaily. He said the Internet Cartel had caused a profound shrinking in his site's traffic and revenue. "WND.com, for instance, saw drops in revenue from more than $10 million in 2016 to $6 million last year to perhaps as little as $4 million in 2018," said Farah. Martin Niemöller was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. He wrote the following poem that should be applied to this current situation: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me-and there was no one left to speak for me. The only thing to keep us from falling into a situation where Big Brother controls access to all web platforms is the fear of public opinion. These big tech firms have gone through several steps where they would restrict someone and then back away from criticism, and then they would censor the same person in a different way. With each cycle, the restrictions become progressively worse. If the Democrats win control of the government, they have promised to add controls to the web. Senator Chris Murphy said censorship of websites is so vital the "Survival of our democracy depends on it." Other Senate Democrats are already circulating plans for a government takeover of the internet. The paper suggests forcing social media platforms to identify and track the person behind all user accounts. To protect us from Russia agents, they want the federal government to act as a tyrannical gatekeeper of the worldwide web. If we continue down this path, the day will eventually come when President Trump's Twitter account is deleted. I'm sure Jack Dorsey, the head of Twitter, gets asked each day why he hasn't already made this move. When Facebook had its last earnings report, reporters were constantly badgering the firm on why it allows Fox News to have a platform. I think these so-called reporters have become so evil, they're incapable of realizing they are acting like Nazis. I firmly believe that God is going to hold things together until the very end. If we reach the point where the web authorities have decided to label and ban all Christian sites as purveyors of hate speech, the rapture will occur right before they get a chance to throw the switch. Since this demonic cabal is obsessed with finishing its task, we have a strong indication that time is very short. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). The Real Reason for the Left's Double Standard on Hate Speech - By Michael Brown - http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=2478 Why is it that organizations like the SPLC can designate conservative Christians as hate groups while ignoring radical leftists like Antifa? Why is that Facebook and Google and YouTube and Twitter appear to punish conservatives disproportionately for alleged violations of community guidelines? The answer is as disturbing as it is simple. The left believes it is so morally and intellectually superior to the right that it can see nothing wrong with its extreme positions and hostile words. Is it wrong to be intolerant of bigots? Is it wrong to hate (or even punch) a Nazi? In short, if I'm a member of the KKK, is it wrong for you to disparage and mock me? If I'm a dangerous homophobe, is it wrong for you to vilify and exclude me? If I'm a hate-filled propogandist spreading dangerous lies, is it wrong for you to mark me and marginalize me? Of course, there are double standards on all sides of the debate. On the right as well as on the left. There is more than enough hypocrisy to go around, from the most progressive to the most conservative. Blind Spots and Double Standards All of us have our share of blind spots, so we tend to condemn in others what we justify in ourselves. Welcome to human nature. Still, it is conspicuous that the same behavior gets treated differently by the leftist elite (including many a university professor) and by watchdog groups like the SPLC and by the internet giants. Back in 2004-05, when I first began to address gay activism, I was widely mocked for saying, "Those who came out of the closet want to put us in the closet." The response was consistent: "No one wants to put you in the closet!" A few years back, I noticed a change in tone: "Bigots like you belong in the closet!" But of course! What I'm talking about here has to do with fundamental attitudes, with the basis of our judgments, with the inability to see wrong on one's own side. While being interviewed on a Christian TV program back in 2011, I quoted the comment of a Christian attorney. He told me that those who were once put in jail (speaking of pioneer gay activists) will want to put us in jail. For having the audacity to say this on Christian TV, I was vilified and maligned. Yet when Kim Davis was jailed in 2015 for refusing a court order to grant same-sex marriage licenses, there was widespread rejoicing on the left: "Kim Davis is ISIS! Lock her up!" Again, I'm aware of double standards on all sides. It's a point of personal reflection and self-examination in my own life. For example, I believed that, in 2004, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsome should have been disciplined for issuing same-sex marriage licenses in violation of the law. Yet I believe that Kim Davis was within her rights in refusing to issue such licenses and her home state of Kentucky failed to protect her, under the law. These are debates we can (and should) have. A Dangerous Hypocrisy What I'm talking about here has to do with fundamental attitudes, with the basis of our judgments, with the inability to see wrong on one's own side. I'm talking about a dangerous hypocrisy. In my May 2016 article called "Is Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg a Well-Intended Liberal with a Massive Blind Spot?," I referenced the kidnapping of Adolf Eichmann, the notorious Nazi mass murderer, who was apprehended by two Israeli agents while living quietly with his family in Argentina. They had to wait for several weeks before smuggling him out of the country. During that time, they spent many hours in private conversation with him, somehow managing to restrain themselves from taking the law into their own hands. In one of the conversations, one of the agents realized that Eichmann had given the order to exterminate the village in which his wife's family lived, killing every single one of them. When asked how he could do such a thing, Eichmann seemed perturbed, responding, "But they were Jews." Of course he gave the order to kill them. What else was he to do? Again, to be clear, I am not comparing the SPLC or Facebook or Google to Eichmann and the Nazis. That would be as bad as leftists comparing conservatives to Nazis. Not a chance. I'm simply pointing out that in Eichmann's twisted world, he was only following orders and doing what was "right." Let the Hypocrisy be Exposed So also, in Antifa's twisted world (although, again, I emphasize, not as twisted as that of the Nazis), they are doing what is "right" in violently opposing the tyrannical right. Somebody's got to do it! Thankfully, there is an ongoing, healthy push-back against this liberal hypocrisy. In fact, just this week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions called out the SPLC for using hate group labels to "bully" conservatives. Let their hypocrisy be exposed. But remember: You have been prejudged as guilty, so your mistreatment is well-deserved. It is this highly bigoted attitude we must overcome with truth, reason, determination and love. Daily Jot: 200 Newspapers expected to protest Trump - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com Poynter.org's Al Thompson, whose bio includes that he "has taught thousands of journalists, journalism students and educators in newsrooms around the world," says there will be a massive protest of journalists Thursday where "more than 200 newspapers will publish editorials in a "coordinated response" to President Trump calling the press the "enemy of the people." Each publication will write its own editorial." Poynter.org claims to be the global leader in journalism as instructor, innovator, convener and resource for "anyone who aspires to engage and inform citizens in 21stcentury democracies." This is a case of never arguing with someone who buys their ink by the barrel. A protest of "journalists." Uh-huh, right. Journalism is defined by Merriam-Webster as "writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation." Subsequently, a journalist is "a writer or editor for a news medium." Journalists are supposed to report the facts without interpretation. This is key. No matter whether atheist or religious, liberal or conservative, communist or capitalist, journalists are supposed to report the news without bias. Certainly, one can argue that journalists will report the news based on the lens in which they view it. Notwithstanding, journalists should make a conscious attempt to be unbiased in their reporting. If you watch the news on television, hear it on the radio, or read it somewhere, discerning the truth has become so difficult in this environment because of the bias of those reporting the news. Most are so leftist in their belief system that they cannot imagine that anyone would disagree with them-so they report the news from an extremely biased position, making them editorialists, not journalists. Point number 1 of the smartest things for journalists Thompson says he heard anybody say in 2017 was "It is important for you to know what you believe, but it is more important for you to ask yourself regularly, "Why do I believe what I believe?" If you are unbiased, it shouldn't matter. But herein is the point: Journalists are supposed to report the facts in unbiased fashion, their beliefs aside. Today's "journalists" report what they believe to be true. Most journalists vote Democrat, and most admit they are progressive. The end, therefore, justifies the means. Hence, over 90% of the stories written or aired by mainstream "journalists" are negative toward the current pragmatic, conservative President. A Pew Research study revealed that this compares with 20% negative coverage of the progressive former president. To me, it boils down to Christ. He said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life." And in John 8:32, Christ said that if you continue in his word, "then you will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." When you see those 200 editorials whining about Trump's characterization of journalists, keep in mind that collectively they have no clue of what is truth, so they can't even write it. Daily Devotion: Fervent Prayer - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." -Matthew 26:39 As the crucifixion approached, Jesus, being God, knew what was coming down. He knew they would arrest Him on false charges. He knew they would beat Him. He knew they would rip the beard out of His face. He knew that He would be whipped 39 times. He knew He would be nailed to a cross. Worst of all, He knew that He would bear the sins of all of humanity, though He had never committed a single sin. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine" (Matthew 26:39 NLT). Hebrews gives us this insight: "While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death" (5:7 NLT). Jesus was crying out to the Lord, and it unnerved the disciples. There was passion in His prayer. That is how we have to pray. Imagine for a moment if your child broke her arm, and you took her to the emergency room. Would you pray for the doctor and those who were tending to your child? Of course you would. You'd pray fervently. Or imagine, God forbid if your child were kidnapped. Would you pray? Yes, you would pray. You would pray a storm-the-gates-of-Heaven kind of prayer. You wouldn't take no for an answer. That is real prayer, and that is the way we need to pray for our nation right now. We need to cry out to God. We need to pray that the Lord would send a spiritual awakening to the United States and that God will send revival to the church-that God would send revival to us. 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 |
|