Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
PRE-TRIB OR POST TRIBULATION? WHICH IS IT? - By Pastor Mike Taylor - http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2018/08/pre-trib-or-post-tribulation-which-is-it.html
19, "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 20, Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21, For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." (Isaiah 26:19-21) "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come." (Isaiah 57:1) "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed." (Luke 17:26-30) "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2-3) There are many who have doubts about the above subject when speaking of the "catching away of the Church" the Body of Christ. Although not a salvation issue, they fail to understand biblical prophecy or refuse to look at it and have the Holy Spirit teach them, by revealing what Paul called a "mystery". Why did Paul call it a "mystery"?...It was a well known subject about the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ throughout the Old Testament prophets that spoke of the "Day of the Lord" coming in great wrath to deal with a rebellious God rejecting earth and it's nation dwellers, but the lesson that Paul preached was not revealed until Jesus our Lord revealed it to Him in a revelation when Paul was taught personally by Jesus Christ. What are Paul's well known words? "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53, For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54, So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." (1st Corinthians 15:51-54) Without knowing Jewish life and customs, one would make the mistake of linking the 7th trumpet blown by the angel in Revelation and think this is the trumpet Paul speaks of. One would fail to realize that Paul is making a reference in several passages to a well known "Feast of Trumpets" where trumpets are blown in succession until a "Last Trumpet" is blown and gives one reason to believe that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will be on a future Feast of Trumpets fulfilling that first festival in the autumn, just as the Feasts of the Lord has been fulfilled in the spring, on the very day of their observance. But you can speak of verses that point to a "catching away" of the body of Christ, and folks will not believe it, and even get angry and belligerent over something that would be glorious for any Bible believing Christian. Why would not everybody embrace a teaching, searching if it be true and be elated and joyful in discovering that it is all over the Bible. I even have members in my own family when given the truth of the Bible will not believe. Why does something so wonderful and mind boggling to the spiritual heart bring such feelings and displays of anger from "rapture deniers"? I would only pray that they would take the evidence presented, lay it beside their bible and do what any good Berean would do and search the scriptures to see if these things be true. FALSE REASONS TO DISBELIEVE: #1.The Church never taught such a doctrine This is their first argument and then point to a Scottish girl's dream/vision, of Margaret McDonald, and taken up by one John Darby into a "new" doctrine referring to the "rapture of the church". They argue that it is a new doctrine that came into being and taught as truth by a deceived young girl, and a preacher of heresy. But are they right? Was the concept of the "Harpazo" interpreted as the catching away of the Church, a new doctrine, or was it a resurrected doctrine that had it's roots even far back as the 1st Century of the Church? By doing a simple Google search, you can find the writings of early Church Fathers that support a belief, even from the time of St. John the Apostle of the concept of a Pre-Tribulation removal of the church from God's coming wrath upon this earth. I won't go into great detail here, for lack of space and time, but the evidence is free for the seeker of the truth about something our Lord Jesus, Paul the Apostle, John the Beloved taught and passed down to their disciples from the 1st century and even into the 3rd century under increasing Roman persecution and finally Roman Catholicism's attempt to eradicate the belief...you can read their writings online and a brief explanation of their teachings here: http://beginningandend.com/what-did-ancient-church-fathers-believe-about-the-rapture/ Understand, that their teachings and writings are not to be equal with Divine Truth as the Bible is, but it shows their understanding and discernment of what the Bible taught. It is my firm belief that the doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation rapture was squashed and hidden away for almost 1500 years because of the "Dark Ages" of the Roman Catholic Church and its rule as it interfered with their lust for power upon the earth. So the doctrine was re-introduced by the likes of John Darby and many evangelicals down through the last 200 years speak of a doctrine that has it's roots even in early Christianity and it's Church Fathers, as it is not a new doctrine at all. #2The Bible doesn't speak of a rapture event. Oh, but it does.....just not in a verse that you can point to for definitive proof. No, the Bible has it sprinkled all over the OT and the New Testament and the wise reader of the Bible mines it like gold and silver searching for the truth as precious metals or diamonds. What does the Bible say we must do and what must we discern from it's pages? "Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Those who are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts, 10, For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little; 11, For with stammering lips and foreign tongue He will speak to this people." (Isaiah 28:9-11) All one has to do is take a cup of coffee, sit down in a comfortable chair and read where God has given us the puzzle picture of what His plan is for mankind. I want you to go and read verse after verse of Bible passages that speak of a time when God's people will be removed from this earth...go here:https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-The-Rapture/ If I were to quote every scripture that points to a "mystery" that Paul spoke of in his epistles and spread out all over the Bible, I'd be doing part 1-4 on this subject. I've investigated, preached, and believed in everything I have written concerning the "Catching away" of God's Church and have asked God many times to correct me, if I speak anything but the Truth of His Word. I never have wanted to speak falsely about prophecy and have sought the Lord many times for His correction if I be in error. Only thing that has happened down through the years is God has NOT corrected me, He has re-enforced it in my spirit by His Holy Spirit and confirmation in His Holy Word that what I preach, is TRUTH and lines up with God's Word. #3.The Bible speaks of angels gathering His elect: Another reason for unbelief of my brethren is a passage found in the Gospel of Mark. It speaks of a time when Jesus said, He will come and send His angels to gather "His elect" from the four winds of the earth. This is at the end of the Tribulation. "And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." (Mark 13:27) But notice that Jesus goes right into an explanation of the Parable of the fig tree...who are the subjects our Lord is speaking to and about in this passage? The answer is Israel. In the Old Testament, God calls the Hebrew nation of Israel His elect, His chosen people. When Jesus came and died on a cross, the beginning of the Church Age began when Jesus sent God's Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and the Church members were called "saints". To be born again makes you a child of God and a saint by adoption into His Family. But notice in Revelation that the word "church" is not used, not one time after chapter 6 and never again until chapter 19 when those depicted as being clothed with linen white and clean (a sign of the saints or the Church) come with Jesus riding on white horses. Those who are saved in the Tribulation will be gathered together who have died as martyrs for Christ and they are "the Elect" who the angels gather. Now some take issue that the angels are gathering only the living to bring them all to Zion in Jerusalem. That is probably part of it, but there may not be many Jewish people left, or people at all left, but a remnant to be gathered...what I believe is also gather, as we were gathered and changed into immortal beings at the rapture, these who have died in martyrdom will be changed into immortal beings as we were and this is also part of the end of the 1st resurrection. They have been under the altar of God waiting for their brethren to be slain as they were...they were not given immortal bodies until this resurrection. Folks may not see it that way, and that's OK..because God will gather His elect either living or dead from the 4 winds. They will be in the majority of Jewish birth and an Israelite. There will be Gentiles that will believe based on the 144, 000 Jewish evangelist and their preaching God's Word and many will be saved and they too, will be regarded as the "elect" at the coming of our Lord to set up His Kingdom. Now I can hear those who are scoffers, saying that the "church" is also the "elect"..and that would be true, but there is a distinction between those saved in the Church Age, and those who are saved in the Tribulation. Those saved in the Age of Grace will be Kings and Priest to God and our Lord Jesus Christ for His 1000 year reign on earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords. Those who are saved in the Tribulation will be servants in the New Temple of God, but not Kings: "9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes-who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,"they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence." (Revelation 7:9-15) Notice the difference? They are servants of God in His Temple, much like the Levitical priesthood. They have palm fronds in their hands, (I believe a symbol of the nation of Israel) and they came out of the Great Tribulation as martyrs and died for their faith, because they did not accept it by faith not seeing, but accepted when the evidence was plainly in front of their face and seeing it first hand. They do not receive the same rewards as the Church Age saints and it's blessings. #4, Jesus does not come back till the 7th trumpet of God: I find this so sad, that a large portion of the denominations in this world, have followed the teachings of the Catholic Church, that there is no removal of the church, and that everyone, saved or unsaved will be subject to the horror of the Tribulation, and it's even more horrific Great Tribulation. As briefly mentioned above, many in modern day Christian churches link what Paul said in 1st Corinthians about the "last trump" and automatically start looking for another "last trump" and logic tells them that the 7th trump that the angel blows to release the bowl judgments is the same trumpet that Paul speaks of. Notice the difference between the two events. The one Paul speaks of brings incredible and unspeakable joy to those who are looking for the return of their Lord God, Jesus Christ. The 7th trumpet of Revelation brings unspeakable and horrifying death and destruction on all who have denied Jesus Christ and have taken the "mark of the beast". I want to draw your attention what Jesus made clear by speaking to the Apostle John in Revelation 3, but many read right over it and don't understand the verse in Greek, the original language of the New Testament and the prevailing language in John's day: 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:10-11) Many don't understand what Jesus was referring to here. Obviously, if you read the passage, Jesus is telling John about the coming Tribulation. But notice a phrase in verse 10..."Keep thee from"? If you look at the original Greek, the word is "EK"..a short preposition that gives the passages it's meaning...let's looking it up. According to Strong's concordance the Greek word ek is a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause); literal or figurative." It can be translated "from" "out of" or "away from." So if you take the Lord God Almighty at His Word, then He is telling John that He will remove those who have kept His Word, away from the coming event...that event is the Tribulation. Where will He remove us from the time and the event? Read the opening verses that started this message. MORE clues that the Church is not on earth during the Tribulation::: Notice also, that the "saints" are not mentioned again until chapter 19 of the final book of the Bible. "6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (my emphasis) 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:6-9) Notice verse 8 that "fine linen" is a symbol of the saints of God, the Church of the Living God. Thus we are ushered into a time of unspeakable glory and honor because of our faith and trusting in the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But that is not the end of the story... "11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:11-14) We, as His people, His Kings and Priest have been at a "marriage supper of the Lamb" to be joined spiritually with her betrothed, Jesus our King of kings. To be adopted as "children of God". "16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:16-17) And one of the most symbolic, but definitive example of the Church being in heaven with our Lord God, is the 24 elders spoken of in Revelation 4. "4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." (Revelation 4:4) I've seen some labored reasoning of who these elders are...obviously, they are human, not angelic, as no angel has ever received a crowns of gold and a throne to sit upon. Notice the attributes of these who sit around the throne of God? They are the number 24, a multiplication of the number 12 which is a sign of government. They are representative the saints of God in the Old and the New Testament. They are clothed in white raiment, a sign of righteousness. They are seated, so they are at rest from their labor and are seated upon thrones. They have crowns and have been rewarded for their service to God by our Lord Jesus Christ, at the Bema Judgment seat for this service. It can be no mistake to give these 24 elders the designation of the Church saints who have overcome the world and are seated around God's throne. And from this time, until chapter 19, you will see no mention of saints or church. Also note that there is an invitation from the Bride and the Bridegroom at the end of this powerful book of prophecy: "17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) Who is the bride and her Bridegroom calling to? I believe they are calling to those who were not ready for the return of Jesus in the Age of Grace. They are calling to all who have not given their heart and life to Jesus. They are both together and giving a call to join them. Obviously, in my mind, there is still time to join them in human time. That would give the belief that the Bride has gone on before those she and her Bridegroom are calling to. AS WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH Jesus made a point to compare our time with the days of Noah and of Lot. Jesus said things would be going on as normal, eating, drinking, giving in marriage...you know, living your life without worrying about the judgment of God coming upon you...that is until, as it was in Noah's day and in Lot's time, when Noah was in the ark, and Lot was removed from Sodom, judgment fell that very day. The world was destroyed by water and fire and brimstone fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah. To each that were caught up in this judgment, they had no idea that their destruction was at hand. In our time, the world continues on like there is nothing to worry about. They're not looking for Jesus to come. They are too busy being what Paul described would be this world that we live in: "2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2nd Timothy 3:2-7) If this warning by Jesus concerning our day would be like the days of Noah and of Lot, would it be a usual day at the end of the Tribulation? Would Jesus coming be as a thief in the night, unaware of the population who wallow in sin and degradation? The coming of Jesus for His Church will be a complete surprise. Nobody but believers will be watching and living for God expectantly of the coming of their Lord Jesus. "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2, For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3, For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4, But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5, Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." (1Thessalonians 5:1-5) Just as it was in the days of Noah, so shall those who are in darkness say "peace and safety" and then sudden destruction. Will it be without warning? Yes, without warning. But what of the coming of the Jesus to set up His kingdom..? Will it be a day, just like any other day? Will they be going about their usual daily routine, or will it be death and destruction, signs in the heavens, environmental disasters, and the death of nearly ¾ of all living human beings and other living things? How could it be any happiness in a world like that? The world will just be trying to survive, until Jesus comes and destroys all rebellion on this earth and wipes it clean of it's sin. The explanation of what Jesus said can only be applied to his first coming in total surprise, like a thief who breaks into your house. You weren't expecting him either, until your belongings are missing and your back door caved in. "9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." (1st Thessalonians 5:9-11) "13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14) Those who read and digest what I have written here, and read and compare scriptures that I've posted on other websites, if taken prayerfully and asking God for His Holy Spirit to reveal to them the truth, then I believe you will become a Pre-tribulation rapture believer as well. But you must put away your bias and your pre-conceived notions that you were taught even from an early age in your own denomination. But in the end, why does it matter? What it does do for those who are diligently looking for Jesus, is to get their life and actions before God, right in His eyes. They are not speaking "false Christianity" but putting their faith and their very lives into the hands of their Savior, Jesus Christ. Those who are just playing around, thinking they are saved for every reason known to organized religion except in the One and the only One who can save their souls and deliver them from the wrath to come. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17, 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) Reader, don't put it off another day. Jesus Christ return for His church is imminent...meaning at any given moment without warning. If you don't believe in your heart the above verse found in John and repent of your sins, and follow Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, then you will experience the fear that will grip you, when you realize what I've written is true....if you scoff, and don't believe, can you take that chance? Believe on Jesus today. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2nd Corinthians 6:2) This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for your salvation before the wrath of God falls upon this earth. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected] , or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com , God bless you all. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET Why the Rod of Iron, Kings and Priests? - Paul Rolland - https://nightwatchman.blog Christ's 1,000 Year Millennial Reign: Why the Rod of Iron, Kings and Priests? Here's Prophetic Hope for Those Redeemed by the Blood of Christ: Yes, the seven (7) total years known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a.k.a. the week of Jacob's trouble) was a devastating time on earth. Literally, a living hell on earth. Very, very, very few people survived it. What is left of earth is physically in shambles. Cities lay in ruins. Ecosystems are destroyed. The planet earth appears close to being dead, let alone being in a position to sustain a prolonged regeneration of mankind. The entire planet looks like a war zone. Continents and coastlines appear to have been redrawn. Mountain ranges are gone. Islands are gone. The earth doesn't look anything like what it did just a few, short seven (7) years ago. What could possibly come next? More wrath? More destruction? The total and complete annihilation of the planet? The answer is no, no and no. In Revelation 16:17, God says, "It is done." He has finished pouring out the last vial of the last seven (7) vial plagues. No more wrath. It is time for the healing process to begin. The Miraculous Happens (as foretold in the Bible's book of Revelation): At the end of the Tribulation, several things happened. Evil Babylon City was destroyed, the beast's evil empire was destroyed, the beast and the false prophet were thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone. Satan was cast into the bottomless pit (maximum security prison) for 1,000 years. Christ defeated these enemies and evil men on The Great Day of the Lord (his second coming along with the battle of Armageddon). Those evil entities which would deceive the nations and mankind are gone from the earth. All that is left of man on earth is a small remnant of Jews and Gentiles scattered around the world. The saints of the Church Age were raptured/collected right before the onset of the Tribulation. The redeemed, martyred saints during the Tribulation have already been collected. The Jews have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. God has fulfilled his covenants, from antiquity, with the Jews. Jerusalem is now the center of the world. God next focuses on the judgement of nations, Christ's Millennial reign on earth, the heavenly city New Jerusalem, the renewal and regeneration of both the earth and population of mankind, and the final, end judgement (white throne) of evil men. Oh, and Satan also meets his end. Through Jesus Christ, God fulfills a number of prophecies concerning the world as a whole, and also fulfills a number of covenants promised to the Jewish nation and people from thousands of years earlier. Promises made. Promises kept. This is the final 1,000 year period in God's divine 7,000 year plan or purpose for mankind on earth (but not the end). 1. Jesus Christ establishes his 1,000 year (millennium) kingdom on earth in the Jewish city of Jerusalem. ... "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 11:15). (Emphasis added). ... "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgements are made manifest." (Rev. 15:4). (Emphasis added). ... "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almight God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Rev. 19:14-16). (Emphasis added). Jesus Christ rules the earth and nations of the earth with a "rod of iron." He won't tolerate petty border disputes, he won't tolerate nations coveting other nation's natural resources, no dictatorships, no oppression of people at the hand of their government, war among nations will be a thing of the past (the prior 6,000 years). The 1,000 years of Christ's reign on earth will bring peace. This will be the only time during the 7,000 years of man's history that there will not be bloodshed among nations and peoples. Christ will rule with an iron fist (rod) by quickly and decidedly handling any dispute. His decisions will stand and not be bent or comprised through petty politics and power struggles among the leaders of nations. The nations that remain from the sheep and goat judgements are saved by Christ. Their kings are approved by Christ and are welcomed in the heavenly New Jerusalem. There will be no wishy-washy, bumbling, bureaucratic, judgmental, biased United Nations group to contend with. Christ rules with an iron fist (rod). No broken political treaties, no threatening political alliances or cartels. No terrorist groups or proxies funded by insane national leaders. No government or world leader/king who wants to rule the world. Jesus Christ is the rightful one who is in the position to rule the world rightly and justly, and with a firm command of events and decisions. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His authority and power will be unquestioned and obeyed. As a result, the world will enjoy a 1,000 year golden period of peace, prosperity, longevity of life, a perfect 'Eden-like' living environment, significant increase in food production and heavenly medicine (leaves from the tree of life) to address medical ailments. I suspect that there will be a quantum leap in technology and in medicine. I believe knowledge will increase, but will be under the intense scrutiny of Christ. Nations will also come to Jerusalem to worship Jesus Christ, as his political seat and temple are in Jerusalem. 2. The judgement of the nations. ... "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4). (Emphasis added). ... "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Matt. 25:31-34, 25:41 and 46). (Emphasis added). ... "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it (new Jerusalem)." (Rev. 21:24). (Emphasis added). ... "And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it (new Jerusalem)." (Rev. 21:26). (Emphasis added). The judgement of the nations is routinely regarded as the sheep and goat judgement. Nations that protected, aided, helped, fed, and sheltered the Jewish remnant during the Tribulation period are considered sheep. Nations that persecuted, hunted, starved or imprisoned the Jewish remnant are considered goats. The sheep nations are spared and are intact during the Millennium. The goat nations which did not aid the Jewish remnant are thrown into the lake of fire. Christ still desires there to be nations and national sovereignty on earth during his 1,000 year reign. Because of the physical renewal and restructuring of the earth, along with the sheep/goat nation judgement, national borders will be completely rewritten by Christ. As we don't know which nations will be considered sheep or which nations will be considered goats, we can't know which countries' sovereign borders will be redrawn. For thousands of years, empires have come and gone, their borders have come and gone. Countries have come and gone. Borders have been drawn and redrawn. The 1,000 year period of Christ's earthly reign will see the same thing. The world, its physical appearance and the nations' borders will look absolutely nothing like what they do today. The only exception is the land that was promised by God to Israel thousands of years ago. The Jews will finally live securely in their God sanctioned land promised to them long, long ago. The bible also indicates the kings of the sheep nations will be welcomed in heavenly city, New Jerusalem. The kings will bring their honor and glory into the heavenly city. I suspect that once the nations' sovereign borders are decided at the start of Christ's Millennial kingdom, they will stay intact (and not be changed or threatened) for the 1,000 years of his reign. I don't believe any current country or past empire enjoyed a one thousand year period where it did not have its borders continuously redrawn or sovereignty threatened by some other country or political entity. 3. Redeemed and saved men (saints) from both the Church Age (preceding the Tribulation) and the Tribulation period itself (martryed saints), co-reign with Christ for 1,000 years over the nations on earth. ... "And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father:" (Rev. 2:26-27). (Emphasis added). ... "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Rev. 5:10). (Emphasis added). ... "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. and her child was caught up up unto God, and to his throne." (Rev. 12:5). (Emphasis added). ... "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them and judgement was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Rev. 20:4). (Emphasis added). ... "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Rev. 20:5-6). (Emphasis added). Co-reigning and ruling over the nations with Jesus Christ is one of the many blessings and promises made to his redeemed people throughout the ages. Since will see Christ as he is and since our character was perfected in/by Christ for eternity at the rapture/resurrection, we will be able to obey and understand his leadership impeccably. His will is our will. His decisions will be our decisions. His decisions will be rightful and just, and we will follow suit. We will not be automatons. His decisions will be crystal clear to us and intelligently the right choice or discernment of the matter. It will be extremely evident and apparent of what the right thing is. We don't need to question his decision or come to a consensus. We will just have to administer his decision to make it manifest among the nations and countries on earth. No doubting. No second guessing. The right decision for all parties concerned, will come straight out of the gate. Christ promised that his kingdom rulership would be shared with those who believed in him, trusted in him, accepted the forgiveness of their sins through him, believed in his death and resurrection. Co-ruling alongside Jesus Christ, is an unfathomable honor and blessing. For those Christians who have experienced intense persecution or oppression at the hands of their governments will have a very hard time understanding this. However, among them that are chosen to participate in this co-reigning capacity will be joyful and thankful beyond belief. We don't know how Christ will choose those whom he wants to co-rule with him. It is my hypothesis that at the Bema seat judgement, when Christ evaluates what each member did for his kingdom while on earth, some Christians will be rewarded in some manner by having a role in the management of his kingdom on earth. We know that there will be roles as "Priests and Kings" in his kingdom, but what exactly these roles will entail doing ... we don't know. But Christ will surprise us, and whatever the role is ... it will be a blessing and honor to work alongside him! Imagine, this is just one of many, many, many blessings and honor that await those who love Christ and God during Christ's 1,000 year reign on earth from the city of Jerusalem in Israel. A role as "Kings." What are kings? Besides being in a position of authority and decision making? A true King, as is Jesus, has earned the right to be King of Kings, by what he has done on behalf for those who believed in him and accepted his offer of forgiveness. Among many things, he provided an unfathomable number of people with forgiveness of their sins. If it wasn't for this gift, none of us would be serving for or with Him during his Millennial Reign. We rightly acknowledge Him not only as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but we also acknowledge Him as our head priest with God, the Father. Jesus Christ is our role model of a King. A role as "Priests." What are priests? Besides being tasked with proclaiming and discerning things of a spiritual nature and truth? A true Priest, as is Jesus, has earned the right to be Head Priest, by what he has done on behalf for those who believed in him and accepted his offer of forgiveness. He reconciled us with the Father, the "I AM." It is Christ who bridged the gap between sinful, dead men with the Father. He provided us with a spiritual bridge across the great divide. As the Head Priest, Jesus provided us with righteousness (through his blood, death and resurrection) in order to be able to stand before Him and the Father. The Holy Spirit is a witness to this. As a Head Priest, Jesus co-shares the glory and power of The Father. We cannot know The Father unless we know The Son. As Jesus is the the Head Priest, we can know the Father through Christ. This is the true role of a priest. Conveying that which is rightful, true and just to those who are in need of knowing such. During His reign on earth, Jesus administers his earthly kingdom from the rejuvenated city of Jerusalem in Israel. This is in fulfillment of the Jews recognizing Jesus as their Messiah and finally believing in Him for the forgiveness of their sins. Jerusalem becomes not only an earthly temple city where the nations come to worship Jesus, but it also becomes the political, ruling center of the world. Thus, both "kingly" and "priestly" activities will take place in Jerusalem and throughout the world. The redeemed saints from the Old Testament, from the church age of grace and from the tribulation period will co-rule with Christ as promised by Jesus himself. He shares his authority with us, both in ruling and in worship. As stated previously, in redeemed and sanctified bodies, mind and spirit, we will see Christ as he is. We will become as He is. We will quickly, intelligently and rightly discern His intent and guidance. There will be no human sin or stupidity to get in the way. His will becomes our will. Satan will not be around to deceive us or lead us astray from Christ's true reign. Satan is locked up in his bottomless pit prison for Christ's thousand year reign. His evil legions are gone and disposed of during Christ's preceding "Day of the Lord" or Second-Coming. All Christ's enemies that would oppose his true and righteous reign are annihilated. All those who would deceive earthly, human priests are gone. As long as sinful man has been on earth in the flesh, earthly priests have been targeted by Satan to promote false religions, false doctrines, false theologies, false idols and all sorts of evil worship. The sordid tale of what is happening in the universal Catholic Church today is a painful example of this. This sinful situation will be eliminated by having those redeemed by Christ, with glorified bodies and righteous minds and spirits, participating in an un-deceived, sin-free manner and role. Our role will be to continue sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the nations of the world who make it through the "sheep and goat" judgment. Yes, earthly men in the flesh will still live on earth. Yes, the sinful nature of man will still reside in earthly men's hearts. Yes, it will still be necessary for the true gospel of Christ to be proclaimed throughout the whole earth. This time, the gospel will not be diluted, it will not be twisted into a lie, it will not be "word-smithed" into a crafty deception, it will not be made into a fable or denied. The truth will be rightly proclaimed by those who are chosen by Christ to do so. He trusts us, He died for us. He knows us. We are his people. We will rightly proclaim who he is from both a political/power perspective and from a spiritual/salvation perspective. There will be no evil standing in the shadows attempting to conceal or hide men from ever coming to a saving knowledge of their salvation through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Those who are chosen will be tasked (if you can call it that, rather, it will be our honor) to represent Christ to the nations and peoples of those nations. Exactly how this will play out, I do not know. Perhaps each chosen, redeemed saint will be assigned to a particular town, city, municipality, region, province, state, territory, country or border. We know from scripture that Jesus in fact had various holy angels in charge over watching his churches. We know this from the seven letters to the seven churches in Asia-Minor. Will our role replace that of some of the angels? I don't know and I don't think it matters. Jesus is in charge of exercising his authority as King and he will decide how he wants to administer his rule. In any event, it will be honor to be considered among the few or the many chosen to participate in his kingdom, in the capacity as a king or priest for one thousand years. In the verses stated above, Christ assigns us status as "kings and priests". He does this for those Christians who were "overcomers" during the Age of Grace. He does this for the Tribulation Saints who "overcame" the worst that Satan could throw at them. Jesus specifically "made us" into Kings and Priests. It is his work in us, not our work or our doing. If it was our work or doing, we would be dead and in hell ... looking forward to the white throne judgement and lake of fire and brimstone in eternity. Instead, because we believed in what Jesus Christ offered us through the cross, he announces and recognizes us a Kings and Priests, to co-rule with him in his kingdom. We will have kingly/political roles and priestly/gospel roles. The tables will be turned. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Christians who were persecuted in their life by evil men/leaders and by Satan and his legions will now reign with Christ over the nations and peoples. The second death, lake of fire and brimstone will pass us but will instead possess evil men and Satan. Once the reality of this sets into the minds of the redeemed, we will express unspeakable joy and eternal thanksgiving to the one who saved us, the one who forgave us. Jesus Christ. King of Kings and Lord of Lord. Amen. Nearing Midnight: Being Kind to Evil Only Produces More Evil - Todd Strandberg - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ The world has become so hopelessly overrun with acts of evil, I wonder just how long we can keep descending down this path. I would be absolutely horrified if an angel from God appeared to me and said I had to endure another decade of this insanity. I think a key reason why the world is being overrun with evil is that people think a kind-hearted approach will make things better. Liberal groups would have us following cheerful biblical advice like one given by Peter: "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing" (1 Peter 3:9 NIV). "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," is commonly known as "The Golden Rule." Rather than doing to others what they have done to us or giving them what they may deserve, we are to treat them the way we want them to treat us. The Golden Rule does not involve letting the wicked do as they please. If we don't resist evil people, they will naturally seek to destroy us. Jay Austin and his partner Lauren Geoghegan had idealistic views that the world was a wonderful place filled with beautiful people. A year ago, they started a bicycling trip to 'vindicate their belief in human kindness.' They started their journey in Africa and it came to a tragic end in Tajikistan. On July 29, a carload of ISIS terrorists spotted them and promptly killed them and two other tourists from Europe. Crime is growing out of control in many U.S. cities because our cops have been told to be kinder to the criminal elements of society. Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark recently welcomed a group of new recruits to the city's police force. As he sent them out, he told them to use "lightness" in dealing with the public. "We need you to protect us, our community, our children and our families," said Baraka. The mayor also warned the recruits that "people will talk to you and harass you and they will even jump on your car." A few days later several Newark police officers took Mayor Baraka's advice to heart. They stayed in their squad car while 18-year-old Altahriq Aulston jumped on a total of five cars, doing over $5,000 in damage. When a video of the teen jumping on one of the cars went viral, two Newark police officers were suspended for their lack of action. Everyone wonders how 50-60 people are now shot on an average weekend in the city of Chicago. President Trump, guns, the weather, and a code-of-silence are regularly blamed for the violence; but the media never asks about the people pulling the trigger. If they did, they would find Chicago is being overrun by evil people who have no regard for life. The most shocking example of how evil is being allowed to run wild is in the nation of Sweden. The Muslims are only a tiny portion of the population, yet they are the root cause of a crime wave of rape and murder. A couple weeks ago, gangs of Muslim youth went on a rampage, mashing and setting dozens of cars on fire in a dozen cities. More than 100 cars were "burned or damaged" in and around Gothenburg, the second-largest city in Sweden. When a reporter asked a police spokesperson what they were going to do about the attack, she said they are not going to make any arrests. They are just going to talk to the parents. The only real concern on the part of the press is how these attacks can be used by right-wing groups in the upcoming election. The Sweden Democrats have suggested freezing out asylum seekers and reducing the country's immigration budget. The polls show the Sweden Democrats are still in third place because there is no alarm on the part of the public. The most important reason why we need to be vigilant about evil is that we have an enemy that never rests. Satan takes great delight when nations underestimate his ability to cause corruption. Because most people don't even realize how evil the world has already become, it should be clear to true believers that the end is very near. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 ESV). Watchman Warning: New Attack On Christians - By Hal Lindsey - https://www.hallindsey.com/ww-8-28-2018/ Recently on The Hal Lindsey Report, I mentioned a column by New York Times writer, Frank Bruni. His article was ostensibly an attack on Vice President Mike Pence. But it turned out to be much more than that. It became a broadside against all Christian believers, the Christian faith, and ultimately the center of Christianity, Jesus Himself. Bruni's column was based on a book going on sale August 28th - "The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence." I haven't read it, and I hope I won't need to. Published reports about the book show that the authors were intent on finding fault with everything about Pence. They even attacked his "extreme niceness." Who could find fault with a man being nice? They said he has "weaponized" niceness. Are they kidding? They talk about his friendship with Charles Colson - a man whose life was radically changed by Christ. After his own stint in prison, the former Nixon "hatchet man" launched a worldwide ministry to prisoners. He advocated for them the rest of his life. The authors doubted that it was Colson's godly life that attracted Pence, saying it is "just as likely that Pence was drawn to Colson's lingering aggressive tendencies." But another phrase they used concerns me even more. They called Pence a "Christian supremacist" - a term chosen, not to convey truth, but to induce prejudice. The term "Christian supremacist" implies that Christians believe their worldview over other worldviews. But that's true of all beliefs. We all think we're right. Is everyone who has belief a "supremacist"? A "white supremacist" is a bigot. He believes white people are superior because of their skin color and ethnic heritage. But people have no choice in their genetic makeup. The Bible teaches we are all equal in worth and that our potential is not limited by race. On the other hand, we choose our ideas. Naturally, we Christians think our ideas are better than others. If we didn't, we would switch to the idea we thought superior. Christians see competing worldviews as either wrong or not as good. How is that different from anyone else? Do we use the term "Democrat supremacist"? Of course not. Why not? Because it is a given that Democrats are Democrats because they believe the Democratic Party holds a better set of ideas than competing parties. I never met an atheist who didn't see himself as having a better belief system than theists. Do we call them "atheist supremacists"? Some may read this and think, "I'm not a religious 'supremacist' of any kind because I believe all religious ideas are equally valid." Do you see the problem with that? That's still saying that one set of beliefs is better than others. The person who holds that all religious beliefs are equally valid sees his view as superior, for instance, to that of the Apostle Peter. In Acts 4:12, Peter spoke of Jesus when he said, "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." People all have their own ideas on religious faith. And, invariably, they see their ideas as superior to competing ones. But it isn't just in areas of faith where people believe in the superiority of their own ideas. By using the term "Christian supremacist," this book is saying that anyone who believes anything is a bigot and a "supremacist." That's obviously ridiculous. Even so, we may be hearing the phrase "Christian supremacist" a lot in coming days. We can expect it to be used as an excuse for real bigotry - this time against Christians. But don't be discouraged. Think about something else Peter said. "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." (I Peter 4:12-16, NKJV) Daily Jot: The Deception Machine - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com Earlier in the week, The Daily Jot cited a comprehensive report by PJ Media's Paula Bolyard that Google's algorithms are 96% biased in favor of showing liberal news outlets when searching for news about President Trump. She said "far too little attention has been paid to power brokers like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and their ability--and perhaps even desire--to manipulate public opinion and shape the world into their own Silicon Valley image." Google promptly denied the allegation. Then CNN defended Google with a story headlined, "Trump slams Google search as "rigged"-but it's not." That story was the lead story on Google search. See how the cycle of deception goes into self-protection? President Trump tweeted Tuesday, ""Google search results for 'Trump News' shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake New Media...In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out." Then there is the ongoing story of how the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee paid for a fake dossier on Trump, and the ex-president used it to get a FISA Court order to spy on Trump and his campaign. This fake dossier was leaked to the media and became the heart of the Russian-influence-on-the-election investigations. See how the cycle of deception is generated? Now the top news stories are those centered around whether Trump is going to attempt to regulate free speech. The inference is that Trump is the fascist that the media has been saying he was all along. See how the media used a documented fact against it to turn a legitimate response into a straw man against democracy? This is just one example of what has been going on since before this president took office. Despite the media being called out over and over again about its ideological bigotry and political intolerance, there is no self-examination even in the face of the facts. We have seen several examples of this over the past two weeks, including the group editorial of over 300 outlets claiming Trump wanted to shut down freedom of the press. See the theme that is developing among them? These leftists have used ideological subversion over the decades to brainwash people into believing what the media reports is not only truth, but what is right. Then they take the high ground and label anyone who disagrees with them as bigots or "phobes" of some sort. What does this have to do with Christianity? The deception machine has no bounds unless it is stopped by truth. The constant brainwashing to think secularly creates a chasm between truth and lie. The wider the chasm, the further people are from believing any truth. This has eternal implications because, as we know, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me." The deception machine is a spiritual black hole to hell. Take heed that no man deceive you. Daily Devotion: "Deliver Us from the Evil One" - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." -Matthew 6:13 I once saw a bumper sticker that read, "Lead me not into temptation. . . . I can find it myself." That is precisely the problem. We unnecessarily put ourselves in situations where we're vulnerable to temptation. We all know where our weaknesses are. We all know where we could easily fall. In what is known as the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13 NKJV). We're effectively saying to God, "Don't put me in a place where there is more than I can handle. Lord, help me not to be tempted above my capacity to resist." Here's the good news. The Bible tells us, "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV). Loosely paraphrased, it means that God won't give us more than we can take. Temptations are out there, but as much as possible, we are to steer clear of them. We make things very difficult for ourselves when we hang out with the wrong people in the wrong places, which ultimately can lead to our doing the wrong things. Here's the thing you need to know about temptation: it's tempting. The devil has been tempting people for a long time, and he's pretty adept at it. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. And if Jesus was tempted, then surely we will be tempted as well. Temptation will come our way. And when it does, the best place for us to be is in the will of God. The best place to be is walking with the Lord. 
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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