Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
What's God Doing in These Last Days? - By Jonathan Brentner - https://www.raptureready.com/2018/10/11/whats-god-last-days-jonathan-brentner/
Have you ever wondered what God is doing during these last days? Why does wickedness abound all around us? Why do believers endure so much personal sorrow and even persecution? The Lord spoke to my heart about these things through JD Farag's special update on October 7, 2018. Farag emphasized that the things causing us so much distress today are in reality preparing us to leave this world. That which upsets us the most, the evil around us and the frustrations we personally experience, help us release our grip on the things of this world and grab onto our hope of eternity. Imagine, if you will, if our world was just about perfect; if it reflected the following scenario:
If these things were true, why would we long to leave our current world? Who would be eager for the Lord's return if they experienced all these things? That's the point. Not only does the wickedness of our day frustrate and grieve us, it makes us long for a better time. It shifts our attention to Jesus' imminent return to take us home to His Father's House (John 14:2-3). This is what Paul wrote about in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." In other words, when the apostle compared his exceedingly intense sufferings to the glory ahead for him in eternity, he found that his present affliction was not even "worth comparing with" all the glory awaiting him in eternity. Wow, what an extraordinarily wonderful view of heaven Paul must have had to make such a comparison! Here's how the Lord spoke to me through Farag's message on Romans 8:18-25:
Even though my current life is relatively calm compared to my challenging past, J.D.'s update reminded me of the necessity of maintaining such an outlook on life, of learning to value the eternal things we cannot see above the temporal things that continually scream for all our attention (see 2 Cor. 4:16-18). We have a wondrous and joyous future just ahead of us in eternity. In the meantime, it's so easy to let the evil around us and our personal suffering blur our vision of eternity. In good times and bad, however, we must remain focused on eternity realities rather than the fleeting realities of this life. 3. Don't forget about your joy ahead in eternity: Lastly, Farag's message reminded me to always maintain my focus on joy ahead for me in eternity. I feel the pull of the world as I write this article; I know it only takes a moment to begin longing for what I see versus my eternal joy. Life is brutal and unkind at times. We feel the urge to respond in anger to the evil around us or to others who mistreat us; I know I feel this at times. But the reality is that our primary foe is Satan rather than what we see (see Eph. 6:12). Will the things on my list at the beginning of this article ever be reality? Yes, someday Jesus will reign over the entire world, and in the eternal state our lives will be much better than they ever could if all those things came true during our lifetime on earth. We are not promised good times on earth, but in eternity . . . watch out! In Revelation 21:4 the Lord promises us that in the eternal state Jesus "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Furthermore, He assures us we will enjoy all this in perfectly whole and imperishable bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-55; Phil. 3:20-21). These are not the dreams of an overly optimistic dreamer; they are the sure promises of God's Word. The Lord promises us a spectacular and thrilling eternity. It's our focus on the joy ahead for us, the essence of a two-world perspective that enables us to endure the deep disappointments of our current lives and comforts us in the midst of sorrow. Jonathan Brentner Website: Our Journey Home E-mail: [email protected] Abbas Adviser: "Islam's Religious War To Destroy Israel Has Started" - By Itmar Marcus - http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=2635 The most important religious figure in the Palestinian Authority and the closest to Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, continues to tell Palestinians that the conflict with Israel is an uncompromising religious war for Islam against Israel and Jews. Mahmoud Al-Habbash, who was appointed by Abbas as his personal advisor on Islam and the PA's Supreme Shari'ah Judge, recently stated that conflict today with Israel is "The Battle of History between Islam and the enemies of Islam." Israelis/Jews are the "enemies of Islam," "enemies of Muslims," have a "culture of Satan," and represent "evil." Worse yet, Al-Habbash explained that the current battle is not just another battle on behalf of Islam. It is the ultimate battle described in the Kouran as the "final promise," leading to great destruction for the "Children of Israel." It should be noted that Al-Habbash teaches this message of epic religious war to a very religious Palestinian Muslim population. Polls consistently find that 95 percent of Palestinians saying that religion is "important" for them. Al-Habbash: "Jerusalem is the arena of conflict between us and the colonialist project [Israel] ... Jerusalem's [Al-Aqsa] Mosque apparently is the heading for the eruption of the conflict and The Battle of History between Islam and the enemies of Islam; between the Muslims and the enemies of Muslims; between the Islamic culture in all its splendor and human glory and the culture of Satan attempting to establish oppression and aggression at the expense of the culture of truth and goodness. This mosque is decreed to be the arena of the battle between good and evil. This mosque and this wonderful city--the city of history, religion, and culture, Jerusalem - are decreed to be the heading of the conflict. ... Jerusalem is the heading of this battle, this conflict, and this round, which I and many others see as the key, as the first step, as the spark of the battle of the 'final promise.' " While depicting the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis not as a political conflict but as one between Islam and "the culture of Satan," Al-Habbash referred to "the final promise." "The final promise" is mentioned in the Koran in Sura 17 where Allah addresses the Jews, referred to as "the Children of Israel," and can be seen as referring to either a battle of the past or a battle in the future in which Jews experience "total destruction". In his talk, Al-Habbash explicitly said that he and others interpret this as referring to a battle yet to come, and the battle with Israel today over Jerusalem is "the spark of the battle," meaning, the beginning of this war of destruction: "Jerusalem is the heading of this battle, this conflict, and this round, which I and many others see as the key, as the first step, as the spark of the battle of the 'final promise.' " Israel's War with Iran is Inevitable - By Dr. Efraim Inbar - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/114960/israels-war-with-iran-is-inevitable-opinion/ Iran is a formidable enemy. A large country of more than 80 million people, endowed with energy riches, it has always been a regional power. Having an imperial past and revolutionary zeal (since the 1979 Iranian Revolution), Iran nourishes ambitions to rule over the Middle East and beyond. Furthermore, theologically there is no place in Iranian thinking for a Jewish state. Iran believes that Israel will either wither away following military pressure on its population or be annihilated when it is militarily weak and vulnerable. As Iran challenges the status quo in the Middle East, a clash between Tehran and Jerusalem is inevitable. International history teaches us that when a rising power challenged the balance of power, in most cases war ensued. Sparta challenged an Athenian-led Greek city system, ending in the Peloponnesian wars. Prussia's quest for the unification of the German principalities under its helm ended in several European Wars. Similarly, Israel cannot tolerate a Middle East dominated by Iran and its radical ideology. Unfortunately, much of the Arab world is in the throes of a deep socio-political crisis, particularly since the mistermed "Arab Spring," creating dissension and a political vacuum, which the sophisticated revolutionary elite in Iran has capitalized upon. These dynamics explain the rise of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the power grab of the Houthi Shi'ite sect in Yemen. The revolutionary enterprise was also facilitated by the Middle East policies of the Bush, Obama and Trump administrations. American military intervention destroyed Iraq, a strong rival of Iran, further undermining the regional balance of power. Subsequently, the display of weakness by Obama was replaced by a questionable Trump commitment to the security of the region. The Sunni Arab states have been terrified by the advances in the Iranian nuclear program and by the successes of its proxies. They are weak. Saudi Arabia failed to contain Iranian influence in Syria and Iraq. Closer to home, it was not successful to change the pro-Iranian orientation of small Qatar. Egypt, an important Sunni power, survived the domestic turmoil, but it focuses on literally supplying food to its population, fighting an Islamic insurgency at home, leaving little energy to parry the Iranian challenge. Turkey, a strong Sunni state, albeit non-Arab, has preferred to act upon its Islamic impulses and its common interest with Iran on the Kurdish issue, forfeiting its potential to balance Iran. The result was an entente between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Gulf states with Israel. In the absence of a credible American security umbrella, the Sunnis understand that only Israel can oppose the hegemonic drive of Iran. Iran reached a similar conclusion - Israel is the main barrier for achieving hegemony. Israel is a religious and strategic anathema. Initially, Iran has waged war against Israel primarily by proxies. It envisions military actions causing exhaustion to the civilian population. In the 1980s, Iran trained and armed the Hezbollah, a Shi'ite militia in Lebanon, directing its military efforts to oust Israel from South Lebanon. Moreover, Iran has supplied more than 120,000 missiles of various ranges to Hezbollah, which cover most of Israel. The declared goal still is "to liberate Jerusalem from Zionist rule." In the meantime, Hezbollah has assumed control of Lebanon, turning the country into an Iranian satrapy. Similarly, after Hamas took over Gaza in 2005, it became the recipient of large military aid from Iran, intended to enhance its capability to bleed Israel. As Sunni Hamas did not support the Iranian line in Syria, Tehran channeled its financial and military aid to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, which is subservient to Iranian wishes. By having a foothold in Gaza, Iran established an additional front against Israel in the south. The current Iranian effort in Syria aims at establishing a third front in the northeast, along Israel's border on the Golan Heights. Moreover, it wants to acquire a land corridor to the Levant (Lebanon and Syria) via Iraq, where Iran has been successful to establish a military presence and influence, to facilitate the transfer of more advanced weapons to Hezbollah and gain access to the Mediterranean. We can also detect Iranian efforts to destabilize the Jordanian kingdom, situated along Israel's eastern border. This is also part of Iran's attempt to encircle Israel with Iranian proxies. Shi'ite militias and/or the Islamic Revolutionary Guards in Iraq and Syria obviously threaten the Hashemite dynasty. The fall of Jordan would also endanger Saudi Arabia, Iran's arch-rival in the Gulf. Neutralizing Israel's military power, by encircling it with proxies which have at their disposal thousands of missiles directed at Israel's strategic installations and centers of population, is an Iranian goal in its quest for hegemony in the Middle East. In the absence of a clear American or Turkish determination to confront Iranian encroachment, only Israel has the power to stop it. Therefore, Israel has no choice but to wage war against Iranian entrenchment in Syria. It is an illusion that Iran's nuclear ambitions can be curbed by international agreements. The bomb is the best insurance for regime survival and for achieving hegemony in the region. It is inconceivable that the mullahs will give it up. As the international community, including the US, has no appetite for a military confrontation with Iran, it is left to Israel to prevent its nuclearization. The only way to do it is by brute force, adding a new dimension to the war conducted already against Iran. This is an inevitable imperative for Jerusalem. News from Hal Lindsey Media Ministries - Hal Lindsey - www.hallindsey.com We have now produced more than 700 editions of "The Hal Lindsey Report." We have been on the air, worldwide, for almost 13 years. There is no doubt that God miraculously raised up "The Hal Lindsey Report" for these times. We launched "The Hal Lindsey Report" in February, 2006. At the end of 2005, through circumstances beyond my control, I found myself without a weekly television program for the first time in almost a decade. I had produced "The International Intelligence Briefing" at Trinity Broadcasting Network since the mid-'90s. But now, I stood at a crossroads. I didn't feel my television ministry was over, but I did not have the resources to begin a new one from scratch. When I made the difficult decision to leave the network, I didn't even have the funds to make a pilot program, much less the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to purchase airtime each week. On top of that, networks require programmers to contract for specified periods of time, which makes the requirements even higher! During this time, I was teaching a weekly Bible study at a church in Palm Desert, California. The study was sponsored by a ministry that served seniors 50 years and older. During the fall and winter season (which is the prime season in the resort area surrounding Palm Springs), up to 700 people attended the study each week. One night, I casually mentioned that God was speaking to me about starting a new television program in the same "news, commentary, and prophetic perspective" format as "The International Intelligence Briefing" at TBN. I told the audience that I felt God was not finished with this part of my ministry, but I had absolutely no way to begin. So I asked them to pray with me about it. I then proceeded to the Bible study. A gentleman in the audience was visiting from Oregon. He had come to Palm Springs to purchase a Ferrari. Just in case you're not up on your expensive Italian automobiles, a Ferrari is an expensive Italian automobile! After the session, my friend who organized and moderated the weekly study came up to me. He told me that after the meeting a gentleman had approached him and handed him a check. This fellow said that he had come to the desert to buy a Ferrari, but God spoke to him and told him to help Hal launch his television program instead. So he did. When I opened the check, I almost fainted. It was made out for $100,000. There's an old missionary saying that I believe is the gospel truth: "Where God guides, He provides. Where He leads, He feeds." God had been guiding me to begin a new television ministry, and now He had provided! With that initial contribution, we were able to secure a place in which to produce the new program, hire a producer/director, and buy enough airtime on two small Christian networks to get started. And we've never looked back. God has provided every step of the way. Today, "The Hal Lindsey Report" is broadcast on two major international networks, a regional network, and several independent stations. It is available in more than 90% of the homes in America -- and on multiple channels in more than half of those homes. It is seen around the world in almost 200 nations, territories, and protectorates. It is accessible 24/7 on the internet and carried as a radio program several times each week in Israel! A Norwegian Christian television network painstakingly subtitles it in Swedish each week and televises it in Sweden! God has miraculously provided for this ministry, but He has done it through you. Without your faithful and remarkably consistent prayer and financial support, we could never have made it to edition #700, much less see this grow into a worldwide ministry. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for your generosity and faithfulness. I thank God; I thank you; and I thank God for you. This week, I want to present the program we produced in celebration of our 300th edition in October, 2011. In observance of God's faithfulness and provision, I am going to share with you my reflections on a Biblical account that I think holds a special message for viewers and supporters of "The Hal Lindsey Report." When God called Gideon to defend Israel and deliver it from the Midianites and Amalekites, He chose to do it in a way that was guaranteed to bring all the glory to Himself. Rather than allow Gideon to raise a formidable army to challenge the hundreds of thousands that the enemy had assembled, God showed Gideon a simple test that would produce the group that He wanted to use. When it was complete, only 300 men were left. And those were exactly the ones God wanted. He used that tiny group to win a great victory over a massive army. In doing so, God left no doubt that it was He who had delivered Israel. You probably think you've already made the connection: 300 men, 300 editions. Well, it goes a bit deeper than that. For me, the parallel is not the number, but the qualities demonstrated by the men Gideon chose. I see those same qualities in you, the regular viewers and faithful supporters of this ministry. Tune in this week and find out what that real connection is. Maybe you'll learn if you would have been one of the 300 that Gideon chose. I believe those same traits are what God is looking for in us in these last days. Thanks again for standing with me as a "watchman on the wall." Only God knows the reward you will share in Heaven for your role in winning hundreds of thousands -- maybe millions -- through the worldwide witness of "The Hal Lindsey Report." Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com . Daily Jot: Media bias a cloak of deception - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com In an era where there is news 24-7, thousands of news stories are covered every day from all around the world. That's a lot to think about as you are trying to discern how the world is going. But there is one thing for certain: the news media is no longer trustworthy to provide unbiased news coverage. Even the news that is said to be unbiased has its own bias. Reporters no longer, or very rarely, report the news, but insert their opinions on what the news event means. A recent study indicates from June 1 through September 30, the networks spent only 14 minutes on the administration's economic achievements, including the positive effects of the tax cuts and deregulation, plus historic job growth. As the election approaches, the media continues to pound the President and anyone who doesn't agree with the leftist agenda by parroting opposition talking points. Media Research Center (MRC), a media watchdog, analysts reviewed all 1,007 evening news stories (1,960 minutes of airtime) about the Trump administration on ABC, CBS and NBC from June 1 to September 30, tallying the coverage of each topic and all evaluative comments made by anchors, reporters and non-partisan sources (such as voters or experts). MRC reports the broadcast networks have continued to hammer Donald Trump and his team with the most hostile coverage of a President in TV news history--92 percent negative, vs. just eight percent positive. A 2014 study by Indiana University and quoted by the New York Times indicated that only 7% of journalists identified as Republicans. In 2015 over 30 "journalists" left their jobs to work for the previous "president's" Administration, and many "journalists" had spouses that worked there. When the media supports a particular political agenda (surveys indicate the media votes over 90% for Democrats) it has lost all objectivity, resulting in the public receiving mass weaponized deception. It is up to the people, therefore, to stand for their First Amendment rights by discerning the truth, separating the fiction from the facts, and vocalizing the distrust. Above all we must stand for and demand the truth. When the free press becomes exclusive of its belief system and political views, it no longer represents a free press. It becomes a voice for that belief system and a propaganda arm of those running that system. This has happened in America. The socialist revolutionary minions are trying to overthrow America and the media is helping them do it. We should not be influenced by these evildoers. As Solomon prayed in 1 Kings 3:9 saying, "Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad," so should we seek such wisdom and discernment to judge truth from lies. As you should know, the truth can be found, but you have to seek after it. Daily Devotion: The Power of a Good Example - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org But Lot's wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. -Genesis 19:26 Noah and Lot both lived before a cataclysmic judgment. Noah was waiting for the Flood; Lot was waiting for the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, where he lived. Lot, however, didn't reach his family like Noah did. Lot's problem was that he compromised. He lowered his standards to extend his reach. One day the angels of the Lord came to Lot and said, loose paraphrase, "You've got to get out of here with your family. Judgment is coming down fast." But when Lot informed his daughters' fiancés, they laughed in his face. Lot, his wife, and their daughters basically had to be dragged by the hand out of the city. That's why Jesus said, "Remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:32 NKJV). As she was leaving Sodom, she was warned not to look back, but she did anyway. In the original language, the words that describe her looking back don't indicate a quick look. Rather, she looked with longing. Have you ever looked at something with longing? To put it another way, have you ever been at Krispy Kreme when the sign is lit up and the glazed doughnuts are coming down the conveyor belt? That's how Lot's wife looked at Sodom and Gomorrah, and she turned into a pillar of salt. I find it interesting that Noah spoke and his family moved. But Lot spoke and his family laughed. What kind of an impact are you having on your family? How effective is your word as a parent? As a mother? As a father? World changers draw their families to Christ, but those who are changed by the world drive their families from Christ. We all have moments of inconsistency and even hypocrisy, but our children are watching us. They are looking to us as examples. Be a good one. 
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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