Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
God and America - J.L. Robb -
http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=8502 Is America being punished by God? I hear it every time there is a tornado or earthquake or hurricane. Muslim Imams are quick to blame our decadence. Not sure who they blamed for the Indonesia tsunami since it was mostly 240,000 Muslims that were killed. Unlike many countries, the God of Abraham played a large part in the establishment of the United States and Canada, from its decrees to its culture of piety and forgiveness, with exceptions. The Pilgrims did not come ashore fighting and conquering. The discoverers of America were quite shocked when they found people already living here, and were even more shocked at the religious beliefs of the New World inhabitants. It all started out fairly friendly. Throughout the Old Testament, God warns Abraham's descendants about false gods, which was a definite no-no according to the very first commandment: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me." Exodus 20:2-3 NKJV "No other" means no other, but that commandment was only fulfilled for brief periods of time. Even King Solomon, with all the gifts God bestowed upon him, could not withstand the temptation to do like the pagans do. I suppose sex orgies and general everyday decadence was fun back then, like today. Seems there's a porn store for every neighborhood. Some things never change. False gods. Remembering that the early Christians, the first Christians, were Jewish folk and not ex-pagans, Jewish law had a great influence in the establishment of Christianity and of the United States, eighteen-hundred years later. This influence was not new, as all of Western Law is founded on the same principles, more or less. As Christianity matured and evolved through the Constantinian era, most Jewish law became unimportant to the new Christian church, now occupied largely by converted pagans. Jewish law had been modified or omitted to fit in with the modern beliefs. Emperor Constantine was a converted pagan; and though he became the first Christian Emperor, he changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday out of respect for Ra, the sun god. Is this happening today? Have we so modified our beliefs that wrong is the new right? In many ways, the first Europeans to migrate to the New World were Christian refugees, trying to escape the injustices and prejudices perpetrated by the Church at the time. Christians escaping Christians, much like Muslim Syrian refugees are trying to escape the fanatical Muslims today. I do not know if there was an intention by the Founding Fathers for the United States to be a Christian Nation, but it seems so from written statements. For example: "The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God." John Adams, President and signer of the Declaration of Independence "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is their duty - as well as privilege and interest - of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." John Jay, First Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court This can only make one wonder, why all the intrigue with Islam, a religion that claims to "believe in Jesus" but considers him to be a liar? This they will deny but is true. They claim to believe in Jesus except they do not believe he is the Son of God. They do not believe that Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. As commentators and documentaries claim that Islam played a fundamental role in early America, that is more embellished news. Judaism had early roots in the New World. In 1763, 13 years before the U.S. Constitution came to be, the Jewish community in Newport, Rhode Island, dedicated the first synagogue in the American colonies, the Touro Synagogue. At that time, all religious institutions were either Jewish (1) or Christian (a whole bunch). In contrast, the first Muslim place of worship in the U.S. was dedicated in Ross, North Dakota in 1929, established by Muslim immigrants from what is now Syria and Lebanon. The oldest mosque still in use was built in 1934. In the meantime, America is now one of the most religiously-diverse countries in the world and of course, religious institutions do not have to pay taxes on the tithes. This includes mainstream churches, synagogues, Wiccans and Satanists, among others. Back to Solomon. God loved Solomon and was so impressed that Solomon prayed for wisdom rather than money, He gave him both. Proverbs is full of bits of wisdom from Solomon. Solomon is the prime example of how one can be the most brilliant of all mankind and still do stupid stuff. As wise as he was, he worshipped other gods, and he paid a price. The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord's command. So the Lord said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen." 1 Kings 11:9-13 NIV And this is exactly what happened. Solomon's kingdom of Israel was given to his son, Rehoboam; and shortly thereafter, torn into two kingdoms, Israel to the north and Judah to the south. When Jesus told the apostles that man could not serve two masters, God and money, is it possible that this advice could also be applied to serving other gods? Like Allah, the Laughing Buddha, Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva? How about the Wiccan Horned god? It is something to think about, because the West certainly tries to serve many masters of many religions and maintain the peace in the community. If we once were a "Christian nation" as John Jay and the Founders claimed, we sure have lost our focus. The modern era church has modified the teachings of God and His Christ to better accommodate fringe groups who hate or disagree with God. The modern church in many cases has become Islamized, teaching that Allah and Yahweh are one and the same. People claim to be Christian but are okay with abortion, gay marriage and pornography, all taboos to God. Are we paying a price for this drift away from God? Maybe. During the eight years of President Obama, at least a part of his legacy will be his leading us down the path of anything-goes debauchery and away from the God of Abraham and to the god of Islam, Allah. George W. Bush had 7 major hurricanes to deal with during his presidency. Barack H. Obama had 0 major hurricanes to deal with during his presidency. President Trump has been in office for 8 months and is getting ready to deal with his 2nd major hurricane (greater than CAT 3). Reminds me a bit of the story of Job and all the natural disasters that Job suffered at the hands of Satan. Of course, God got the blame like so often happens, that He produced the weather disasters; but that was not the case. President Trump overcame all odds to win the election. He not only had to overcome opposition parties, he had to battle his own party. He still is. It is pretty close to a miracle that he won, and I am sure that God had something to do with it. Obama got a free ride from the Evil One. Looks like Trump will not. I hear cries for repentance, but the crowds shout, "For what?" Who hit North Korean-linked Syrian chemical plant? - http://www.debka.com/article/26214/Who-hit-NKorean-linked-Syrian-chemical-plant- Syrian opposition media named Israel as responsible for air strikes over Syria before dawn Thursday, Sept. 7 - in particular the attack which targeted the Scientific Studies Researchers Center, or Centre D'Etudes et de Recherches Scientifiques (CERS), at Masyaf, 38km west of Hama in central Syria. This facility has overseen the government's chemical warfare and missile programs since the 1970s. Casualties were reported in this attack. The reports were accompanied by photos showing high flames from an explosion, although there were no signs that it took place at the Masyaf plant. debkafile's military sources note that the Masyaf plant lies 70km southeast of the Russian Khmeimim air base in Latakia, which also houses advanced S-400 air defense missiles. There was no official word on the attack until later Thursday, when the Syrian government charged that a military position near Masyef was struck by Israeli warplanes and missiles and two of its soldiers were killed. On Aug. 24, the German Algemeiner cited a confidential UN report confirming that two North Korean shipments were intercepted in the past six months on their way to Syria, with reason to believe that their cargo was part of a Korea Mining Developing Trading Corp. (KOMID) contract with Syria. KOMID is Pyongyang's primary exporter of prohibited chemical, missile engines and conventional arms. It was blacklisted by the UN Security Council in 2009 along with its two representatives in Syria. The UN report, according to the German newspaper, did not name the two nations which intercepted the North Korean shipments or specify their contents. According to other sources, North Korean engineers or technicians were employed at the Syrian CERS plant, which the UN experts had reported as cooperating with KOMID in previous transfers of prohibited items. It is not known whether they were working on a Syrian project or an outsourced North Korean program. A major precedent was exposed exactly a decade ago by an earlier Israeli attack, which destroyed a Syrian nuclear plant built by North Korea on Sept. 7, 2007. That plant, hit while still under destruction, was destined to produce plutonium for the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran. If it is confirmed that the target of the latest air strike was the Syrian research center at Masyaf, which was the recipient of the North Korean shipments, Israel would automatically be suspected of a repeat operation. However, the United States would also have a strong interest in conducting a strike. After the US Tomahawk attack on the Syrian Sharyat air base on April 7, punishment for the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons that killed 90 people in Idlib, US President Donald Trump vowed that never again would Syria be permitted to wage chemical warfare against its citizens. The US has directly accused the CERS facility of helping to develop the sarin gas used in that attack. debkafile's analysts suggest that since the confidential UN report strongly indicates that Syria and North Korea have long collaborated in the development of chemical and other prohibited weapons of mass destruction, the Trump administration would have more than one justification for going after the Syrian CERS facility. Indeed, with all eyes on the highly inflammable tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile tests, the US would have found it more convenient to get at Kim Jong-un through his back-door partner, rather than going for a direct military attack. Syria warns Israel of 'dangerous repercussions' after attack on chemical weapons site - Anna Ahronheim - http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Initial-Israel-attacked-chemical-weapons-facility-in-Syria-Arab-media-claims-504455 Syria accuses Israel of targeting a chemical weapons plant and killing two of its soldiers; Israel has yet to confirm or deny the allegations, but Israeli security officials are speaking out. Syria accused Israel on Thursday of carrying out an aerial attack on Assad posts overnight. The alleged Israeli attack hit a scientific research center where chemical weapons are manufactured, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In a statement, the Syrian army warned Israel of "dangerous repercussions of this aggressive action to the security and stability of the region" following the attack. According to the reports, the attack was launched at 2:30 a.m. on targets located in central Syria, in the area of Hama, and also targeted several weapons convoys that were en route to Hezbollah strongholds in the area. The Syrian army charged later on Thursday morning that Israel killed two of its soldiers during the aerial attack. An IDF spokeswoman declined to comment on the reports, saying that the army does not comment on operational matters. Arab media claimed there are three casualties as a result of the attack, which centered on a regime post that belongs to the scientific research center on the outskirts of Hama, situated in the northwestern part of the country. In the scientific center, the regime reportedly develops munitions such as missiles and has developed chemical weapons as well. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that an airstrike on Masyaf in Syria hit a Scientific Studies and Research Center facility and an adjacent military camp where ground-to-ground rockets are stored. The United States has imposed sanctions on employees of the Scientific Studies and Research Center, which it describes as the Syrian agency responsible for developing and producing non-conventional weapons including chemical weapons, something Damascus denies. Syrian social media activists reported that "Israeli airplanes infiltrated from the valley area in Lebanon and attacked the center." Lebanese media reported that around 4 p.m. IAF fighter jets were spotted circling above Lebanon. Speaking to Army Radio early Thursday morning, Gen. (res.) Gadi Shamni, who previously served as the military secretary of the prime minister, said that Israel "must do everything to prevent Iran from getting a better stronghold than that which it already has on Syria." He also said that he "assumes there's a level of cooperation with the Americans following such an attack or beforehand, but we don't have to ask for their approval." Amos Yadlin, a former head of Israeli military intelligence and Executive Director of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) took to Twitter stating that the strike was not routine and targeted a Syrian military-scientific center that develops and manufactures, among other things, precision missiles. "The factory in the attack also produces chemical weapons and barrels of explosives that killed thousands of Syrian citizens. If the attack was conducted by Israel, it would be a commendable and moral action by Israel against the slaughter in Syria," he wrote. "The attack sent 3 important messages: Israel won't allow for empowerment and production of strategic arms. Israel intends to enforce its redlines despite the fact that the great powers are ignoring them. The presence of Russian air defense does not prevent airstrikes attributed to Israel. "Now it's important to keep the escalation in check and to prepare for a Syrian-Iranian-Hezbollah response and even opposition from Russia." While the IDF does not comment on foreign reports, it would not be the first time Israeli jets have hit Assad regime and Hezbollah targets in Syria. Jerusalem has repeatedly said that while there is no interest by Israel to enter into Syria's civil war, there are red lines that Jerusalem has set including the smuggling of sophisticated weaponry to Hezbollah and an Iranian presence on its borders. Former Israel Air Force Head Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel stated that Israel carried out at least 100 strikes in the past five years, against the transfer of advanced weaponry from the Assad regime to Hezbollah, including the transfer of chemical weapons. Just yesterday, the United Nations released a report affirming that the Syrian regime, governed by Bashar Assad, had indeed used chemical weapons (specifically Serin gas) to attack its own people when it had bombed the province of Idlib this past April. The UN investigators confirmed that more than 80 civilians died as a direct result of the lethal attack on Khan Sheikhoun. The Next War Against Israel - By Jed Babbin - http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=1561 Israel's national existence is again being threatened, this time by a three-front war being engineered by Iran. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Russian city of Sochi on August 24 to attempt to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to restrain Iran's actions. Iran is extending its expansion in Syria, to which Russia is a party, from western Syria up to Israel's doorstep on the Golan Heights. Iran, already heavily involved in Syria, is also deeply involved in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. Most of its involvement is through its Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces and proxy terrorist networks. As a result Israel is, justifiably, feeling surrounded. What both leaders know, and Mr. Putin wouldn't admit, is that Russia's power to restrain Iran is limited. Gone are the days when America and Russia could exert a superpower's near-total control over the actions of their allies and dependent or satellite states. Russia's power to influence Iran while considerable, will not be determinative. Russian influence in Iran is deeply embedded both economically and militarily. Russian trade with Iran doubled over 2016. Iran is on an infrastructure building binge mostly funded by Russia. But Mr. Putin isn't about to threaten to cut off that aid to help Israel. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Putin reportedly gave no hint about what he would do. Mr. Putin's restraining Iran, if it occurs at all, will have only a temporary effect. Iran may proceed more slowly in Syria, but its actions will continue. Israel sees another war coming. This time, it will most likely result from attacks by a combination of terrorist networks supported by Iran. Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy terrorist force, has more than 100,000 rockets and missiles now, some of which can reach from Lebanon to every Israeli town. Days after the Sochi meeting, Mr. Netanyahu met with the new U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres. He reportedly told Mr. Guterres that Iran is building missile manufacturing sites of "precision-guided missiles" in Syria and Lebanon to supply its terrorist proxy forces. Israel rightly fears a two-front war in Lebanon and Syria. Mr. Netanyahu reportedly told Mr. Guterres that Iran's efforts amounted to placing a noose around Israel's neck, which Israel could not, and the U.N. should not, accept. When it comes, this will be a three-front war. On the day that Mr. Netanyahu met with Mr. Guterres, Yehiye Sinwar, the new leader of Hamas, another powerful terrorist network dedicated to Israel's destruction, met with reporters. He announced that Hamas had mended fences with Iran and that Iran is now Hamas' largest financial and military backer. Hamas had broken with Iran in 2012 when Iran had refused to back the Assad regime in what was then a Syrian civil war. Since then, Iran and Russia (and Turkey, our former ally) have all intervened to protect Assad's regime. Hamas will be a recipient of the "precision-guided missiles" manufactured in Syria and Lebanon for use against Israel. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, constantly excavates tunnels into Israel to enable its terrorist fighters to slip into Israel undetected and murder Israeli citizens. Iran's aid can greatly enhance their capabilities to tunnel and to fire rockets and missiles into Israeli population centers. The greatest danger Israel faces is Hezbollah rockets and missiles. The Israeli "Iron Dome" missile defenses have proven effective against the kinds of rockets that Hamas and Hezbollah have used in the past. But it has never been used against the ballistic missiles Hezbollah has. Those missiles, supplied by Iran, may be able to attack Israeli population centers with explosive, chemical or even biological weapons. Facing the combined threats of Iran in Syria as well as Hezbollah and Hamas, Israel might decide to strike pre-emptively against the missile bases in Lebanon and Gaza as well as the missile production facilities in Lebanon and Syria. It is very unlikely that Russia would intervene in their defense, but Iran might. Hezbollah and Hamas, at Iran's instigation, might attack before Israel can pre-empt them. If the Israelis appeared in danger of defeat America would intervene just as we nearly did in the 1972 war when Israel appeared on the verge of defeat. If the Iron Dome system defeats Hezbollah's missile attacks, the war will be confined to Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. If not, Iran - regardless of Russian efforts to stop it - almost certainly try to deliver a killing blow to the Jewish state. At that point, we should not hesitate to throw all our military might against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. Iran, as Henry Kissinger wrote in "World Order," is a revolutionary power that means to overturn the old world order Power - Nathele Graham - [email protected] The power of the Holy Spirit is something that many Christians have a hard time accepting. Some denominations have misrepresented the Holy Spirit causing many Christians to deny His power. Satan has done a good job at spreading lies that claim the power of the Holy Spirit stopped after the Apostles died. This has gone a long way in disarming Christians. The Holy Spirit began working among people long before the Apostles and will continue after we've been Raptured. The gifts of the Spirit are as real today as they were for Peter on the day of Pentecost. Unfortunately most Christians don't understand the power and therefore deny it. "And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" Mark 12:24. Jesus said this to Sadducees, who were trying to trap Him, and He pointed out their error. These were people who claimed to study Scripture but didn't believe it. It's easy to shake our heads and wonder how they could be so blind, yet today we also err by not knowing Scripture and thereby we deny the power that God has made available to us. If we study Scripture and let the Holy Spirit lead us and teach us we will naturally come to understand the power of God. There are various Greek words in the New Testament that are translated "power" but I want to focus on dynamis. Of the 120 times it's used in the New Testament it's translated "power" 77 times. Think dynamite. When Jesus chose to become a man He became like us. He didn't have the sin nature we're born with, but He faced temptation like we do. He went to John the Baptist for water baptism and on that day the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. "And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Luke 3:22. Jesus' ministry was about to begin, but first He needed to be alone and He fasted for 40 days. "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered." Luke 4:1-2. Satan will always attack when we're weak, but Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. Every Christian needs to understand this fact. Our flesh has needs and we will be tempted to sin. Our resistance comes from the Holy Spirit. Why do so many Christians deny the power, the dynamis, and give up when Satan tempts us? We err by not knowing Scripture and we listen to Satan's lies telling us that the dynamis stopped when the Apostles died. Jesus did many miraculous things. He healed people of many infirmities, fed thousands with a few scraps of food, calmed storms, and raised the dead. He did these things by the power of the Holy Spirit. Before He went to the cross He spoke with His disciples about what was to come. He told them that He was going away. They couldn't follow Him, but He wouldn't leave them alone. "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John 14:15-17. Two words need to be addressed here. The first is "another". The Greek word here translated "another" is "allos" which means another of the same kind. Jesus, who was God incarnate, would send another of the same sort as Himself...God. The second word is "Comforter". This is translated from the Greek masculine noun "parakletos"...one who comes beside to help. This promise is for us today just as it was for Peter, John, Matthew, and the rest. "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:12-14. The Holy Spirit (the Comforter) indwells us after we hear the gospel of salvation ...after we trust our eternity to Jesus. He is sealed inside us and our salvation is secure. Most people just leave it there, but there's more. There is dynamis that only comes from the Holy Spirit coming upon us. After His resurrection, Jesus surprised His disciples one night by entering a locked room where they were gathered. It was there that He breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit. They still had much to learn about the Spirit, but these men were willing and the power...the dynamis...would soon come upon them and the world would be changed. The last time that Jesus met with His disciples before He ascended into Heaven He told them to wait in Jerusalem until they received the promise of the Father. "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." Acts 1:5. Jesus had already breathed on them and they had received the Holy Spirit, but they would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Their only question was if that would be when the kingdom would be restored to Israel. "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:7-8. They received their marching orders, but weren't to march off just to be marching. They were to wait for the power of the Holy Ghost. By the way, the word "power" appears twice in the above passage. The first one is translated from the word exousia which means "authority". The second time "power" appears it is dynamis. Authority of the Father and power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost came and the Apostles received power...the full dynamis of the Holy Spirit. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."Acts 2:1-4. Notice that they were all of one accord. That means there weren't divisions among them. Peter didn't argue that music wasn't allowed, while John argued about the proper way to baptize. These men knew there is only one Gospel and it had to be taken to the entire world. There were many people from various foreign lands in Jerusalem to celebrate Shavu'ot (the Festival of Weeks) also called Pentecost. This ruckus drew the attention of many people who were surprised that the Apostles were speaking so that everyone listening heard what was being said in their own language. The gift of tongues is one of many gifts of the Spirit, and it was the one that was necessary on that day. Then Peter stood up and gave a powerful speech which was inspired by the Holy Spirit. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers " Acts 2:41-42. Those who were converted didn't stray from the Gospel. Could it be that this power that's available to every Christian is stifled because we each go our own way? Instead of fellowshipping with fellow Christians we fellowship with the world. In doing so we choose to go the way of the world. The Apostles had power and they had boldness that's seldom seen today. They followed Jesus' instructions and remained in Jerusalem until they had been baptized with the Holy Spirit and after that the dynamis exploded. The Gospel was spread just as Jesus commanded. Some did go to Samaria and had great success in spreading the Gospel. When the news reached the Apostles in Jerusalem, Peter and John were sent. "Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:(for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." Acts 8:15-17. If the power of the Holy Spirit was only given to the Apostles why would they pass it on to new Christians? This power has never stopped, but it's ignored by most Christians today. There are various gifts that come when this power is allowed to work through a Christian's life. "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. The Holy Spirit has a gift for you, but you have to ask for it. Unfortunately, most Christians are too busy walking with one foot in the world to care if the Holy Spirit wants to give them a gift of healing or a gift of faith. The boldness to use the gift will also come through the Holy Spirit, but the boldness should not be obnoxious. Boldly speak the Gospel but don't be so annoying that you turn people away. That's where the gift of discernment comes in. The dynamis from the Holy Spirit is powerful, but don't be deceived. The same word is used to describe the power given to the beast described in Revelation. "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Revelation 13:2. This power is given by the dragon...Satan. Is that Satanic power working in the world today? Absolutely. That power is manifest every time a terrorist drives into a crowd killing innocent people or tortures someone to death. In the United States we've seen this Satanic power manifest in the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, and Charlottesville, Virginia. We also witness this evil in the hatred that the liberal media has against conservatives, Christians, and our President. Mr. Trump isn't perfect, but when Christians prayed that Hillary would not be elected, the dynamis of our prayers stopped the evil that was about to destroy America. That evil power is regrouping and many Christians are deaf and blind to what's happening. The liberal news media and the weak-minded buffoons in Hollywood are empowered by Satan. It's mindboggling that the threats against Mr. Trump are ignored as if it's alright to threaten his life. Brothers and sisters, we have dynamis available to us. The power of the Holy Spirit out-powers anything that Satan has, but we have let the power fizzle. That's not God's fault, but the fault of every Christian who denies the power of the Holy Spirit. The power, the dynamis, given by the Holy Spirit is a gift waiting to be asked for. Ask for it today and use it to glorify God Almighty. God bless you all, Nathele Graham [email protected] www.straitandnarrowministry.com [email protected] Ron and Nathele Graham's previous commentaries archived at http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html All original scripture is "theopneustos" God breathed. If you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know. Heeding Hurricane Irma's Warnings but NOT Heeding the Coming Day of the Lord! - David Pepe - http://www.theignorantfishermen.com/2017/09/heeding-hurricane-irmas-warnings-but.html As hurricane Irma (the most powerful recorded Atlantic hurricane) crawls along at 16 miles per hour on its way to Florida, Floridians - who are heeding the warnings - are preparing and bracing for this monster with much zeal to the best of their abilities. Panic, dread and fear of the unknown are rightly motivating Floridians to prepare, embrace and act as the clock ticks to Irma arrival. The warning signs and precise evidence of this coming hurricane are abundantly clear for all to see and only a fool would pretend that this hurricane is not real and be caught ill prepared to bunker down for this coming devastation. How true it was when the Lord Jesus rebuked the leaders of Israel and the nation for their woeful unbelief and rejection of the EXCEEDINGLY MARVELOUS WONDERS performed by Him and His great authority as He preached the Word of Almighty God (John 21:24-25, Acts 2). "He (Jesus) answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed." (Matt. 16:1-3) Is this NOT even so in our day here in America! The OVERWHELMING evidence and warning sirens of the collapse of this nation under the EXPONENTIAL weight of lawless men and women, social decadence and fiscal debt should be enough to wake the dead, let alone the global events of our day; but while the evidence and signs are EXPONENTIALLY abundant, America's still loves to hope in a national and global utopian fairly tale while FULLY REJECTING REALITY, Almighty God's Word and those who give warning (Isa. 6:9-11). The Bible (Almighty God's Word), its ETERNAL message of SALVATION and its INFALLIBILITY are continually REJECTED by the majority of Americans (Marxist liberals, relativistic moderates and conservatives) alike today and such warnings of the Day of the Lord are mocked and scoffed at nearly all (2 Peter 3:3-5). ONLY in Almighty God's Savior Jesus Christ is there ETERNAL safety from ETERNAL ruin and the soon coming Day of the Lord (John 3:16-17, Rev. 6-19). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23) "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Rom. 10:2-4) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (the Lord Jesus Christ) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) As the WARNINGS go out INTO THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS of America and the world, do not DECEIVE YOURSELVES into thinking that Almighty God's Day of reckoning will NEVER come. For indeed, it is at the very door! ALL signs today point to the global tribulation spoken of by the Lord Jesus and the prophets (Isa 24, Matt. 24, Rev. 6-19). Once America falls off of the world stage, who or what will hold back the godless masses, the tyrannical evil desires of despots and the murderous rampage of evil men throughout the world? Do not take my word for it, but see for YOURSELVES what Almighty God's Word has to say about this time. As America and the world seeks to read and interpret all the many different signs pertaining global issues, the economy, the markets, politics, weather patterns, sports teams etc, etc... may it be YOUR sole priority to choose to have an ear and listen to Almighty God's ETERNAL message and warning for YOU. The REALITY is that we are as a world about to head into a time in which the words horrific, catastrophic, devastation, desolation, ravishing, violence, tribulation and turmoil take on an EXPONENTIAL meaning (Rev. 6-16)! ONLY in Almighty God's Savior Jesus Christ is there ETERNAL safety from ETERNAL ruin and the soon coming Day of the Lord! My friend, if you know NOT the Lord Jesus as your PERSONAL Savior, please see that you do business with Him today, for He is your ONLY means of deliverance from the RIGHTEOUS judgments of Almighty God on mankind and this world's godless rebellion (John 3:16-17, Gal. 1:4). The warning signs and data are OVERWHELMING! You must ask yourself, "Do I have the courage to face these ETERNAL REALITIES and deal with them as a responsible individual." The choice is YOURS my friend! What will you choose? The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Daily Jot: White Christians now a minority in America - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) conducted a survey of over 101,000 Americans from all 50 states and concluded that "Today, only 43% of Americans identify as white and Christian, and only 30% as white and Protestant. In 1976, roughly eight in ten (81%) Americans identified as white and identified with a Christian denomination, and a majority (55%) were white Protestants." A review of the PRRI website may indicate that while the organization claims to be non-partisan and unbiased in its surveys, there is a more liberal than not lean to its topics and interpretations. Notwithstanding skin pigment or political bias, these findings are a signal that Christianity is losing ground in America. PRRI also found that evangelical Protestants are on the decline, "White evangelical Protestants were once thought to be bucking a longer trend, but over the past decade their numbers have dropped substantially. Fewer than one in five (17%) Americans are white evangelical Protestant, but they accounted for nearly one-quarter (23%) in 2006. Over the same period, white Catholics dropped five percentage points from 16% to 11%, as have white mainline Protestants, from 18% to 13%." Politically, only 29% of Democrats are white Christian compared with 50% a decade ago, and 40% are religiously unaffiliated. Some 73% of all Republicans belong to a white Christian religious group, according to PRRI. Another finding of the PRRI survey was that the religions of youth in America are becoming more non-Christian: "Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists are all far younger than white Christian groups. At least one-third of Muslims (42%), Hindus (36%), and Buddhists (35%) are under the age of 30. Roughly one-third (34%) of religiously unaffiliated Americans are also under 30. In contrast, white Christian groups are aging. Slightly more than one in ten white Catholics (11%), white evangelical Protestants (11%), and white mainline Protestants (14%) are under 30. Approximately six in ten white evangelical Protestants (62%), white Catholics (62%), and white mainline Protestants (59%) are at least 50 years old." Other pollsters such as Barna and Pew Research corroborate the trends on these numbers. Quite frankly, the implications have nothing to do with white Christians. Christianity in America is in a decline. Christians are losing their children to a dark and dying world. We can even see that the Democratic Party attracts those who are walking away from Christianity. As is written in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus." God is not looking at this falling away in terms of race. We are all one race-the human race. Our challenge is to do a better job at making disciples as commanded by Jesus Christ in the Great Commission. Daily Devotion: Divine Providence - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org "I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course." -Jeremiah 10:23 Sometimes we understand the circumstances of our lives, and at other times they mystify us. We make our plans, but God always will have His way. There is nothing wrong with making plans for tomorrow, next month, or next year. But just remember, the Lord may change your plans. He, not you, is in control of your life. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course" (Jeremiah 10:23). We are told in Proverbs 16:9, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." And Proverbs 20:24 says, "The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" We call this divine providence. Having said that, this doesn't mean that bad things won't happen to good, and even godly, people. But it does mean that even when bad things happen, God can bring good out of bad. Romans 8:28 reminds us that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." However, the good that God promises will not be fully realized until we get to Heaven. There are some things we can look at in life and say, "That was bad, but in retrospect, I can see the good that has come from it." But then there are other things we experience in life, and we'll never see good come out of them, at least outwardly. And it is not until we get to the other side and see the Lord face-to-face that we will understand these things. We must realize that God is in control of all circumstances that surround our lives. God loves us, and He is always looking out for our eternal benefit. 
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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