Prophecy Update Newsletter
October 13, 2016
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Will Any Believers Be Left Behind? - By Jonathan Brentner - http://raptureready.com/soap2/brentner4.html
I was terrified! Had they left without me? As I frantically searched for my mom and dad, that question kept popping into my mind. Maybe they thought I was with my older sister. Maybe each thought I was with the other. Where were they? I had just looked away for a moment and now they were gone! Not only was I two thousand miles from home, I was alone in Chinatown of all places. We were visiting my sister who lived in southern California and had spent the day sightseeing before ending up in Chinatown for supper and to do some shopping. After what seemed to be a very long time, although it was perhaps only a minute or two at the most, I finally located my mom and rushed to her side. Somehow, in all my panic, I knew my parents would never leave their second-grader behind in such a strange place. And yet, I am hearing of more and more Christians who believe the Lord could possibly leave them behind when He comes for His church. Theologians refer to this as the partial rapture theory, which teaches that only those who are watching for the Lord's return or are ready for it will go to heaven when He comes for His church. Will Jesus leave any believer behind when He comes for His church? No, He will no more leave any of us behind than a loving parent would leave his or her child behind in a store or anywhere else. Let me explain why I am so sure of this. An Unbroken Link In Romans 8:30 the apostle Paul assures us that all who are justified will be glorified. This is an unbroken link. As believers, our glorification is just as certain as our justification. All those in Christ will be glorified. Why would Jesus delay this for some while completing it for others? That does not make any sense. Scripture nowhere supports such a thought. Furthermore, while we were in the position of being enemies of the God, He saved us by grace and bestowed on us the very righteousness of Jesus (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:5-6, 2 Cor. 5:21). As Paul says in Romans 5:9, "Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God." In other words, since God justified us when we were His enemies, how much more shall we be delivered from the coming wrath, including that of the tribulation, now that we are His beloved children? We receive eternal life totally by grace through faith. Why would the completion of our faith be based on merit or work? God's grace leaves no room for boasting. Are some believers now to have a reason to boast because they were included in the rapture? Absolutely not! Our salvation from beginning to end is all by God's grace. No Such Distinction Scripture passages dealing extensively with the rapture make no distinction between believers who will be raptured and those who will not. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says "the dead in Christ will rise first;" They will all be raised to meet the Lord in the air. After which Paul says, "Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. . . ." Paul earlier in verse 14 said this, "God will bring with him those who have fall asleep" indicating those who have died in Christ. Regardless of our maturity level at the time of death, we will all go to be with Jesus and then return with Him at the rapture to be joined with our bodies. My question is this: If there is no distinction for believers who are now with Christ regarding their part in the rapture, why would there be such a difference for living believers? Why would living believers be held to a different standard in order to be included in the rapture? Would not this mean it is safer to be dead when Jesus returns? How crazy is that!? In writing to perhaps the most worldly and divided church of all the early New Testament churches, the apostle makes it clear that at Jesus' return "we shall all be changed" (1 Cor. 15:51). If he was ever going to make such a distinction to indicate a partial rapture, here is where he would have done so when addressing the subject for the church at Corinth. Instead, Paul emphasizes that we will "all be changed;" we will all go to meet Jesus when He appears. We are all saints regardless of our maturity or anticipation of the Lord's return for us. Assumption of Eagerness The New Testament writers assumed that all believers eagerly anticipated the return of Jesus for His church. This became a term of identification for early Christians. The result of turning to the Gospel from idols meant that the Thessalonian believers naturally waited for Jesus' return (1 Thess. 1:9-10). Paul characterized believers in this way in several passages throughout the New Testament in places such as Philippians 3:20 and Titus 2:11-13. When the writer of Hebrews says in 9:28 that Christ "will appear a second time . . . to save those who are eagerly waiting for him," he is referring to all believers in the same way Paul does in many of his texts. The apostles did not envision followers of Christ who were not eagerly awaiting His return for them. Confusion of Rewards Versus Readiness Some also use 1 John 2:28 to support their assertion that some believers will be left behind. Here John says, "And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming." This verse speaks to the need to be ready for Jesus' return; it says nothing of anyone being left behind. I believe this verse actually confirms that all believers will be taken in the rapture. How is it possible for someone to feel shame in Jesus' presence if they are not with Him? Saints who are not walking with the Lord when He returns will experience shame, but they will not be left behind. 2 Timothy 4:8 indicates that those who love Jesus' "appearing" will receive a reward referred to as a "crown of righteousness." Those who eagerly await Jesus' return and thereby walk closely with Him will be rewarded. This does not exclude others from the rapture. What is the standard? If some believers are to be left behind at the rapture, how is that to be determined? Is it based on eagerly watching for Jesus appearing? For me, that often changes several times a day. There are times when I am conscious of awaiting His return and other times when my mind is preoccupied with other things. How can this be the basis for who goes or who is left behind? Others say that maturity in Christ is the standard with the tribulation used by God to purify fleshly believers. Again, what is the standard for this? What passage supports such a works-based approach to our deliverance from the tribulation? By placing the emphasis on our behavior rather than God's grace, the partial rapture theory actually undermines our anticipation of Jesus' appearing. How do we early look forward to the rapture if our focus is totally on our readiness for it? In 1 John 3:1-2 John says, "And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. . . . Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." Our place in the rapture is determined by God's love for us as His dear children. Nothing more; nothing less! Jonathan C. Brentner North Liberty, Iowa [email protected] Eternity Versus the Moment UNESCO backs resolution ignoring Jewish link to Temple Mount - By Raphael Ahren - http://www.timesofisrael.com/unesco-backs-resolution-ignoring-jewish-link-to-temple-mount/
UN body refers to holy site only by its Muslim names, condemns Israel for 'aggressions' against civilians in Jerusalem compound; Israeli officials call decision 'anti-Semitic' The United Nations' cultural arm on Thursday passed a resolution ignoring Jewish ties to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall in a move derided in Israel as "anti-Semitic" and absurd. The resolution used only Muslim names for the Jerusalem Old City holy sites and was harshly critical of Israel for what it termed "provocative abuses that violate the sanctity and integrity" of the area. Twenty-four countries in the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization backed the document, while six voted against and 26 abstained at a meeting in Paris. The tally was a slight improvement over a similar vote in April, which was supported by 33 countries, with six nations opposing and 17 abstaining. The controversial resolution starts by affirming the "importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls for the three monotheistic religions," but then goes on to accuse Israel - which it consistently calls "the occupying power" - of a long list of wrongdoings. The text "firmly deplores the continuous storming" of the Al-Aqṣa Mosque/Al-Ḥaram AlSharif - Muslim names for the Temple Mount compound and the mosque located there - "by Israeli right-wing extremists and uniformed forces." It also decries Israeli works in the Western Wall Plaza, which it terms the al-Burak plaza after the Muslim name for the site. The Western Wall, the outer retaining wall of the Second Jewish Temple, is the holiest site where Jews today can pray, and sits at the bottom of the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest spot. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, regarded by Muslims as the third-holiest site in Islam, sits atop the Mount, known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, along with the Dome of the Rock. While Jews are allowed to enter the site, their worship there is banned under arrangements instituted by Israel when it captured the area from Jordan in 1967. The Temple Mount compound has been a repeated flash-point for clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces. The UNESCO resolution "deeply decries the continuous Israeli aggressions against civilians including Islamic religious figures and priests, decries the forceful entering into the different mosques and historic buildings" into Muslim holy sites by Israelis, including employees of "the so-called 'Israeli Antiquities,'" Israel is urged to "end these aggressions and abuses which inflame the tension on the ground and between faiths." In June, the Palestinian delegation to UNESCO claimed Israel was preventing free Muslim access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a claim Israel has vociferously denied. President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday led the choir of Israeli denouncements, slamming the resolution even before the vote had taken place in Paris. "No forum or body in the world can come and deny the connection between the Jewish people, the Land of Israel and Jerusalem - and any such body that does so simply embarrasses itself," he said at an event in his Jerusalem residence. "We can understand criticism, but you cannot change history." Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling on the prime minister, who also holds the position of foreign minister, to act by encouraging nations to end funding for the UN. "We in the government in general, and you as the foreign minister, should demand that the nations of the world condemn these anti-Semitic decisions, and immediately stop funding the UN," he wrote. He also called for the government to "strengthen the Temple Mount, and to to increase the control and Jewish presence in the holiest place for Jews - the Temple Mount." Opposition leader Isaac Herzog said UNESCO is giving a "bad name to diplomacy." "Whoever wants to rewrite history, to distort fact, and to completely invent the fantasy that the Western Wall and Temple Mount have no connection to the Jewish people, is telling a terrible lie that only serves to increase hatred," he said. "On this matter there is no disagreement among the people of Israel, and I urge UNESCO to withdraw this bizarre resolution and to engage in protecting, not distorting, human history." The change in voting patterns was likely the result of an intensive lobbying effort by the Israeli government that followed the passing of the April resolution. At the time, Netanyahu wrote an angry letter to French President Francois Hollande, who later conceded that Paris's support for the resolution was a mistake. Russia and China, along with the resolution's sponsors - Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Sudan - and other Muslim nations voted in favor. In July, Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), issued a statement affirming that the Old City is sacred to the three monotheistic faiths. "The heritage of Jerusalem is indivisible, and each of its communities have a right to the explicit recognition of their history and relationship with the city. To deny or conceal any of the Jewish, Christian or Muslim traditions undermines the integrity of the site, and runs counter to the reasons that justified its inscription in 1981 as a World Heritage site," Bokova said in the statement. Editorial: UNESCO on the Temple Mount - http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/JPost-Editorial-UNESCO-on-the-mount-469958
Palestinians' preoccupation with ancient history has little to do with culture or science and everything to do with politics. The sun rotates around the world. The world is flat. There was never a Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount. When people make foolish declarations with conviction they are usually motivated by a political agenda or religion or both. The ongoing Palestinian campaign to erase Jewish ties to the holy places of Jerusalem falls under this category. Last October, the Palestinian Authority failed in its attempt to garner enough support in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for a resolution that ignores Jewish ties to the Temple Mount and that mentions only Muslim ties to the site. This October it will try again. In April, UNESCO's 58-member Executive Board met in Paris and adopted a resolution that spoke solely of Muslim ties to the Temple Mount. The 21-members of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee had been poised to vote on the matter as it wrapped up its 40th session in Istanbul. A botched coup attempt against the Erdogan government postponed the vote, which is slated to take place later this month in Paris at the World Heritage Committee's headquarters. The resolution had been initially submitted by Jordan and the PA as part of the bureaucratic process by which the World Heritage Committee reaffirmed the placement of Jerusalem and its Old City ramparts on its World Heritage in Danger list. As part of the confirmation process Palestinians and Jordan introduced a text attacking Israeli actions, including archeological digs within Jerusalem's Old City which continue to unearth proof of Jewish ties to the area. But although the Temple Mount is Judaism's holiest site, it is referred to solely by its Muslim name of al-Haram a-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary). Palestinians' preoccupation with ancient history has little to do with culture or science and everything to do with politics. The underlying assumption behind Palestinian activism in UNESCO seems to be that if Jews' ties to Jerusalem and to the Temple can be denied or questioned, it serves the cause of Muslims who stake a claim to the place. Conversely, admitting the simple historical truth that there was a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount is, according to this mode of thinking, a way of weakening Palestinian and Muslim claims to Jerusalem. Or at the very least it calls into question Palestinian claims that they are the indigenous population and the Jews are trespassers. Muslims' interest in Jerusalem has ebbed and flowed in concert with historical developments. During the Crusades, Muslims emphasized the importance of the city. Jerusalem's importance in the eyes of Muslim increased considerably after the Six Day War, when control of the city fell into the hands of Israel. A concerted attempt was launched to reject Jewish ties to Jerusalem. At other times in history, Muslims were more willing to admit the centrality of Jerusalem for Jews. For instance, in a guide to al-Haram a-Sharif published in 1930 by an organization called the Supreme Muslim Council, the authors admitted "its identity with Solomon's Temple is beyond dispute." All of this is, however, beside the point. Jews' claims to sovereignty in Israel should not be based on the veracity of archeological finds or the willingness of international forums to recognize Jewish ties to the Land of Israel. No other nation's sovereignty hinges on the findings at an archeological dig. Israelis and Palestinians are engaged in a territorial dispute. But referencing ancient history does not clarify the conflict, it only complicates it further by engaging in a game of who was here first when the question at hand is how can we live together now. No one with intellectual honesty seriously doubts that the Jewish people has religious, cultural and historical ties to the Land of Israel. Any attempt to deny these ties is a perversion of science. That UNESCO is lending its hand to such perversion is a tragic testimony to the sorrowful state of UN institutions. But all of this is irrelevant and counterproductive to the real issue: finding a way in which Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully on a tiny slab of land that happens to be endowed with a rich, resonant history. Russia Prepares for War - http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=723
Ominous signs continue to emerge out of Russia as media sources in Russia report that state officials and government workers were told to bring back their children studying abroad immediately, even if means cutting their education short and not waiting until the end of the school year. The reason for the instruction was not clear, but the two suggested possibilities by most analysts: Russia is preparation for war against the West, or President Vladimir Putin is displaying his domination over the country's oligarchs and forcing those with children studying in the US and Europe to bring them home. Taken in isolation such actions may not seem that troubling, however mounting tensions between Russia and the United States, as well as other NATO block countries have been a source of concern for months now. Many experts fear that Russia has begun to accelerate to a war footing. From direct warnings to the United States in Syria to thinly veiled threats of invasion in Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania and Norway, Russia is making its intentions clear while at the same time positioning warships, anti-aircraft missiles, nuclear weapons and divisions of its military in preparation for war. A treaty agreement with Syria that authorizes an open-ended Russian troop presence passed the Russian Duma on October 7th. The treaty follows both the heaviest Russian bombing of the rebel-held Aleppo thus far in the war and the collapse of a cease-fire backed by both Russia and the United States. Last Thursday, just one day before signing the treaty that would allow an indefinite Russian presence at the Khmeimim air base in Syria, Russia warned the US that its air-defense missiles would fire upon any foreign power attempting to fly over Syrian airspace, including US warplanes should they try to interfere in Assad's brutal oppression. Russian S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft missiles now cover Russian troops spread throughout Syria and any US strike on ISIS or the Assad regime runs the risk of either hitting Russian personnel or being downed by Russian air defense, either of which would pull Russia and the US into direct conflict. At a time when the United States is reducing its nuclear arsenal, Russia has announced plans both to modernize and to expand its own nuclear capabilities. Russia's 1,796 currently deployed nuclear warheads represents a 246 warhead breach of the treaty limit (1,550) established in 2011. Russia currently leads the United States by 429 warheads and that gap is likely to grow in the near-term with Russia's announced plans to expand nuclear deployment this week. Of particular interest are claims that the Russian short-range SS-25 ballistic missile, a road-mobile nuclear strike vehicle capable of hitting targets across Europe, has been recently deployed despite a 1987 treaty ban. Inside Russia, near St. Petersburg, a series of missile drills with Iskander missile systems has created concern in nearby Finland and Estonia. The military exercises of the Leningrad missile brigade simulate a preemptive missile strike against enemy infrastructure. This follows after a simulated Russian nuclear strike and invasion of an enemy that looked qfuite suspiciously like Sweden last year. Neighboring countries have been preparing for Russian invasion for the past several years, but most recently Sweden has followed Norway's example in reinstating conscription, this time of both men and women, in the face of the looming Russian threat. The presence of Iskander-M missiles in Kaliningrad, between Poland and Lithuania, is positioned as a direct threat to NATO countries. Attempts by the United States to protect Poland and Romania with anti-missile defenses has been decried by Russian diplomats as a provocation that would render these countries as targets in the event of a Russian strike. The Russian intention to position offensive strike capabilities while bullying its neighbors into weakening their defenses cannot be more transparent. Within Russia, in addition to the construction of massive nuclear bunkers in major cities and strategic military sites, the past week saw a national drill involving 200,000 emergency responders and 40 million civilians. The 4-day long exercise practiced a national response to a simulated nuclear strike on Russia by the US and represented a civil defense drill unprecedented in its scope. No small feat, in addition to the 40 million civilians and 200,000 emergency personnel, the effort involved an estimated 50,000 pieces of military equipment as well. Russian media, in a campaign to incite national fervor against the West, accompanied the national nuclear defense drill with rhetoric blaming nuclear escalation on US "schizophrenics" hungry for war. Understanding the possible consequences of a Russian invasion of Europe or open war with the US, Russia is taking steps to prepare its people for a nuclear counter attack, both psychologically and through drilling its citizenry and hardening its infrastructure. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov briefly mentioned this week the possibility of re-establishing military bases in both Vietnam and Cuba, both of which had been closed in 2002 in an effort to scale-back Russian military presence around the world. Also this week, Russia sent additional warships into the Mediterranean to join the fleet already positioned there. The most recent warship, the Mirazh missile cruiser, follows after Wednesday's arrival of two more Black Sea Fleet missile corvettes, the Serpukhov and the Zelyony Dol, both of which carry a complement of Kaliber long-range missiles. Russian Navy representative Nikolay Voskresensky announced that these would add to the permanent Russian presence that is being used to conduct strikes within Syria and will be ready to respond to any threats. With such a series of Russian actions, including military buildup, large-scale aggressive exercises, massive civil defense drills, global expansion and even direct threats to NATO countries, there is little wonder that officials are concerned. Tensions have ratcheted higher and the possibility exists for a single bomb or missile to trigger war on a scale that the world hasn't seen for more than half a century. One Russian official recently summed up such fears by stating that if a US plane were seen as a threat to Syrian or Russian troops, there would be no time for a red-phone hotline call before it would be shot down by anti-aircraft missiles. That a wider war would inevitably follow is a foregone conclusion. America is now Facing the Greatest Crisis in History - By Paul McGuire - http://newswithviews.com/McGuire/paul292.htm
America is now facing the greatest crisis in its history, a crisis that could literally unleash a nuclear inferno upon our cities. This current election is the most critical election since the founding of our nation and it represents two different paths for America's future based on two fundamentally different worldviews at a time when there are apocalyptic changes in the world such as Russia's preparation to win World War III in what looks like an imminent conflict involving Russia, Syria, China, the U.S. and NATO. While America through its corporate-controlled media focuses on peripheral issues regarding the election, Russia has evacuated 40 million Russians to underground bunkers to survive a nuclear war with America. In addition, the potential of a global financial meltdown increases every day as Europe and its banks face collapse due to serious problems with the Deutsche Bank and the Italian and Greek banks. The American major media, which is controlled by just six corporations, is doing its best to conceal these dangers from the American public and continues to broadcast its three ring circus of sexual scandals to help rig the election. The media and the elite in both political parties cannot speak about World War III and the real economic crisis because they are totally controlled by the globalist elite. There is never any in-depth or serious coverage or discussion of who is creating these economic problems or wars because they all are directly connected to the globalists. Basically if you want to keep your job at a cable news network or as one the heads of the Republican Party or Democratic Party, you agree to go along with the globalist program and do not bite the hand that feeds you. Right now the crisis going on in the Republican Party is not really about vulgar sexual remarks...the real divide is between those who are controlled by the globalist elite and those who are not. Tragically, the American people are in great danger that is being concealed from them as China may go into a major economic crisis which can spread globally. The reality is Russia is leading the move to kill the dollar, which is a "Petrodollar" currency, meaning that until recently all the major nations of the world have agreed to purchase oil in U.S. dollars. Now Iran and Syria no longer purchase or sell oil with American dollars. Russia's Putin has executed a strategy to get nations not to use the dollar for oil, and Iran and Syria are selling their oil for gold, and Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa have joined as the BRICS nations. This leaves the Federal Reserve and related European central banks without backing for the dollar. America is hanging on the edge of a financial cliff with over $22 trillion dollars in debt and $240 trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities. Added to that, American banks have a $1.5 trillion dollar derivatives debt. Yet the globalist controlled media and politicians hide this overwhelming threat from the average American through nonsensical and cartoon-like news coverage, which censors all serious and in-depth discussion of these all-important issues. In addition, the elite globalists who control the major American media rig elections through their control of news networks, moderators, and celebrity journalists who will manipulate the debates and news coverage to ask only superficial and diversionary tabloid style questions. America is now in grave crisis and there must be immediate changes to prevent our nation from sinking like the Titanic. But ultimately it is not the elite globalists, politicians, both political parties, and even the major media who are the root cause of the problem. Please understand; what I am about to write is not just a cliché, but the reality is America's root problem is spiritual. The great danger America is facing is not primarily due to the selling out of our nation by the politicians, political parties, media, or corporations but by the prostitution of the Christian church and its leaders. The churches are the primary institution the Creator who is referred to in our Constitution and Bill of Rights has instituted to protect our nation and its people from walking down the pathways of destruction. The Church is not merely a human institution, but a spiritual institution which is referred to in the Bible as the Church of Jesus Christ and the Body of Christ. God set up His supernatural Church with spiritual leaders who have been charged with the responsibility of leading, warning, speaking out, acting as "Watchmen on the Wall," and speaking prophetically to our nation. However, with few exceptions those who have been charged with this responsibility have been derelict in their spiritual duty. They have chosen to deny reality and abdicate their divine responsibilities and they have chosen not to speak out, not act as Watchman, and not to speak prophetically to our nation. This is nothing less than the most flagrant and disobedient violation of the duties assigned to them by their Creator and their Savior Jesus Christ. It is worse than a soldier going AWOL in a time of war, because it is being done by leadership whose words and actions can spare the lives of millions of people and whose neglect of duty can inflict immeasurable harm and even death upon millions of people. This is an accurate understanding of how we have arrived in the place of grave danger in America. What now can be done? The Infinite Personal Living God of the Universe has built into our reality and peoples various safeguards in the event of such a failure. This is not the first time in history this kind of failure has happened. In the Old Testament there are numerous historical accounts of this kind of thing happening, and God has erected a kind of firewall. Historically and Biblically, when God's primary spiritual institutions fail through the disobedience of human leadership God always raises up new leadership, even if that leadership is numerically small. Secondly, God speaks to people through their consciences...that still small voice within. At this moment, the Creator has placed such responsibility upon new leadership and upon those among the American people who profess to be His. They are now charged with the solemn responsibility of both listening to the Creator through His Word and obeying His directives, plan and commands. If those people will obey and act on the Creator's directives, unmerited favor and grace will come upon them and the land. In this gravest of hours there is still the real hope of divine intervention, if it is sought sincerely. At our nation's founding, when George Washington found that he and his soldiers were completely exhausted, depleted, and in danger of being slaughtered by the British troops, he fell to his knees in prayer and sought the Creator for help and divine intervention. George Washington did not run to a church or seek to find a minister, because he was isolated at a freezing cold winter camp. The Creator reached down to him directly and George Washington responded by crying out for His divine intervention, and he and his troops were spared and the Continental Army survived the winter at Valley Forge and even went on to defeat the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey. Individually, the American people are precisely where George Washington was when he fell to his knees. If we will turn from our illusion that there is no God and that we do not need Him, there is the real hope that, just like George Washington, we will discover both His power and reality in our time of need. But as individuals we must also turn from the counsel and voices of deliberate deception that are coming to us from a deeply corrupt major media and some of the most powerful institutions and powerful people in this land. If we continue to allow ourselves to be seduced by perfectly lit network television sets, media personalities whose faces are forever young through surgery and injections, designer suits and dresses, and verbally agile pretenders whose words do not ring with truth or substance, we will perish. America is on the cliff of destruction and we have arrived at the final moment. Will we continue to move toward the Apocalypse or will we finally awaken? Although the election is important, what is happening is far bigger than individual politicians and parties.
My Review of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Over the last 35 years, I have literally read hundreds of books on Bible Prophecy and End Time signs. I especially enjoy books on the Rapture, and I have read almost every Rapture-related book published. In all those years, devouring thousands of pages, and millions of words, I have not read a better book on the Rapture than, Rapture Ready...Or Not? Terry James might be physically blind, but he is spiritually sharp and well discerning beyond most authors. In "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Terry has nailed the pre-trib Rapture, and removed any doubt what so ever about the Church going through the Tribulation. With great insight and Godly discernment, Terry explains with simple, yet profound words, why and how that he has come to believe the ways he does about the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the End Times scenario. I think after reading "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" you too will believe as Terry does, and be Ready for the Rapture like never before! - Randy Thomas - Publisher / Editor - Prophecy Update For more information and or to get your copy of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" use this link: http://www.raptureready.com/terry/book35.html God Won, Satan Lost - Nathele Graham - [email protected]
Satan. Lucifer. The Devil. The Old Serpent. The Father of Lies. Our adversary is known by many names, and all of those names denote evil. Should we ignore him? Certainly it's wrong to listen to his lies or give him any type of respect. On the other hand, if we pretend he isn't there that gives him an advantage over us. God's word tells us about him so we can be wary and alert to avoid his traps. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." James 4:7-8. We can't resist Satan if we don't know his tactics; we can't draw closer to God if we're keeping company with Satan. Satan's downfall was his pride. He was a cherub created by God and according to Ezekiel he was a beautiful sight to behold. "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:13-15. God does not create evil, but out of His love for His creation He gives freedom to choose to follow Him. Lucifer made the wrong choice; his pride caused him to want to be like God. That's impossible. Lucifer's own choice caused him to fail and his hate makes him want to influence people to follow him rather than submit to God. In the verses that precede this passage of Scripture, God had directed Ezekiel to address the wicked king of Tyrus. He does but the message shifts to address the power behind that leader. Lucifer is named as the culprit. That fallen cherub was the evil influence behind the king of Tyrus, and in our world today there are many, many leaders of nations who are influenced by him. That includes the United States of America. Americans will soon make a decision as to who will lead this nation, Christians need to be in prayer. Until Jesus establishes His reign on earth there is no perfect man to lead us. Our vote needs to be for one who is not a criminal and who doesn't embrace any satanic inspired agenda...one who stands behind Israel. Satan is full of pride and full of lies. Throughout history he has tried to make sin look beautiful and appealing, but sin is ugly. Things of God are beautiful and satisfying, but the things of Satan (works of the flesh) will always leave you unsatisfied. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21. This is just one list of temptations that Satan uses to entice us to sin. I would strongly suggest that you look up the Biblical definition of each item listed. Then look up Romans 1:28-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, and Colossians 3:5-6. Understand each item listed in these verses and know that it is Satan who wants you to participate in these activities. If you're involved with any of these works of the flesh, ask God to forgive you and to help you to overcome them. Satan has no grasp of reality because his pride has blinded him. He even thought he could tempt Jesus to fall for his lies. Just before Jesus began His ministry, He went into the wilderness. "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." Matthew 4:1. He spent 40 days and nights fasting, and that's when Satan thought Jesus was weak enough to fall for his lies. Satan first challenged our Lord to prove He was the Son of God by turning stones into bread. "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 (He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3). Then Satan took Jesus up to a high pinnacle of the temple and challenged Him to prove He was the Son of God by jumping off so the angels would save Him. This time Satan even used Scripture (Psalm 91:11-12) to tempt Him. Satan twisted God's words in the Garden of Eden to convince Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and he was arrogant enough to think he could do it again with Jesus. "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Matthew 4:7 (He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16). Finally Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him. Pride is ugly and Satan is filled with it. "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10 (Deuteronomy 6:13 and Deuteronomy 10:20). Satan will try to twist Scripture to trap you in sin, but using Jesus as our example it's easy to see that if you know God's word you will not be duped into believing Satan's lies. Study Scripture in order to stay on the path that is close to God. Just as Jesus used Scripture to confound Satan, so can we. Cartoons try to show us a humorous picture of Satan. A little red being with horns and a pitchfork isn't very scary, but the reality is that Satan is a supernatural being who is pure evil. He can't be everywhere and has help in doing his evil works. Demon possession is real and is becoming more prevalent. Witchcraft is coming out into the open and Satan worship is invading our schools. Even mainstream news carries reports of demons, aliens, ghosts, and other paranormal activity. Laws are in place that legalize child sacrifice and God's laws are being mocked by secular laws that condone immoral acts of homosexuality and transgender lifestyles (go back and re-read the lists of works of the flesh to understand that these things are sin). These sins are all inspired and encouraged by Satan and his minions. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12. Many Christians believe that the supernatural power of God working in us stopped in the first century. Many are also blind to Satan's wiles. If you get into a deep study of God's word you will understand that the supernatural power of our Almighty God has never stopped, and the evil supernatural power of Satan is no match for our Lord. When you accept Christ for salvation your life probably won't get easier as far as satanic attacks. Temptations will always be a problem, but the closer you walk with Jesus the easier it is to resist the temptation to fall back into sin. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." Galatians 5:16-17. Satan didn't respect Jesus and tried to cause Him to stumble, so why wouldn't he try to stumble humans? You need to choose to follow Christ, but without direction you might take a wrong path. Scripture is the guiding light to keep you from falling into the temptation of sin, and prayer will help you to understand and apply Scripture to your life. Sin brings death and Satan wants everyone to die in sin rather than having faith in the saving grace of the blood sacrifice of Jesus at the cross. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. The spiritual battle is real, but Jesus Christ defeated Satan at the cross. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:13-15. Sin makes us worthy of death...eternal death and separation from God. Jesus purchased our salvation, but He won't force you to accept His gift. Satan accuses us and harasses us, but if you have heard the Good News that Christ defeated Satan at the cross, then you need to take the next step and accept His sacrifice as atonement for your sin. The gift of salvation is free, but if you don't accept that gift you reject eternal life. The satanic principalities and powers still fight a very real unseen battle around you, but Satan and his minions are defeated. Satan is real, and so is Hell...and so is the lake of fire. When a Christian dies they go directly to be with God because of the righteousness imparted by faith in Jesus Christ. Anyone who has chosen to reject the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation will not "go to a better place" but will go to await judgment in Hell. When that judgment comes they will be judged by their own works and fall short of eternal life with Christ. "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:12-15. You need to make your decision today. Admit that you are a sinner and need Jesus Christ for salvation. Your next heartbeat may be too late. Through faith in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit you are armed for battle. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11. Study Scripture and use it to strengthen you to fight temptation. Pray for guidance and obey the Lord. The battle was decided at the cross. God won, Satan lost. Choose to live on the winning side. Place your faith in Jesus Christ. God bless you all, Nathele Graham [email protected] www.straitandnarrowministry.com [email protected] Ron 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. Daily Jot: Clinton email scandal indicative of presidency - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
The more Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tries to deflect the email scandal that has besieged her campaign, the more it exposes her deceitful body of work and ineptitude as a leader. She is scurrying about trying to discredit the Wikileaks hacking of her emails as illegal, but the content of the emails is undeniably pulling back the veil to her duplicitous deeds. First and foremost, this raises the question of whether she can be trusted with the nation's top secrets because she is so careless with emails she intended to keep secret. She cannot even keep secret her secrets, how much less can she keep our nation's secrets? But even more revealing are several devastating issues about her. She smirked the entire time during the last debate when her opponent Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump recounted how she ridiculed an under-aged rape victim while representing her rapist. She attacked Trump for making admittedly inappropriate remarks about women (of which he apologized). Yet, the recent emails reveal that she knew full well that the Islamic State was being funded and materially assisted by the Saudi Arabia-the very government that has given her foundation over $25 million; the government on whose behalf she lobbied hard to give over $60 billion of US military funding. The Islamic State is the most brutal violator of women's and children's rights in modern history. The Wikileaks-released emails show how Clinton's staff colluded with the White House on the private email server in her closet cover up and investigation. These emails also indicate that Clinton and her staff were considering joking about her testimony on her refusal to send assistance to the US Ambassador during the Benghazi terror attacks, and lying that Ambassador Chris Stevens believed that retreat was not an option. The emails also revealed that the news media is implicitly assisting Clinton's campaign. CNN, through Clinton ally and CNN commentator Donna Brazile, gave Clinton questions in advance. The New York Times gave Clinton veto power over quotes in return for an interview. Also released in the Wikileaks emails, the UK Daily Caller reports that In March 2015 Washington Post White House Bureau Chief Juliet Eilperin reassured Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta that she was withholding information about his ethically compromising links to a Democratic mega-donor. These are just a few of the most recent horror stories related to Clinton. She is the type of person who is ruled by corruption, dishonesty and carelessness which also would be strongholds of any Clinton presidency. These are harbingers of her soul. Do not trust anything she says. Do not trust what the media says. As Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you." We live in perilous times. Daily Devotion: A Word to Singles - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. -1 Corinthians 7:35 Is it better to be single or to be married? There are actually advantages and disadvantages to both, but let me take a moment to address singles today. When you are married, you make a commitment that is to be taken seriously. We are told in 1 Corinthians 7:32-33, "An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife." Paul is not saying it is a bad thing to be married. He is saying when you are married you have to think of someone besides yourself. A husband has to think about how to please his wife. A wife has to think about how to please her husband. That doesn't mean you can't still please the Lord. But it does mean that now you have limitations in your life that you did not have before. When you are single, you are mobile. In many ways, you are free. That is good. Use your mobility for God's glory. Use your extra time to serve and grow closer to Him. What you don't want to do is get into a relationship with a nonbeliever because you are impatient. We are told in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, "Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?" Here is what happens when couples are not matched up spiritually. In most cases, the believer is not going to pull the nonbeliever up to faith; the nonbeliever is going to pull the believer down. So, if you are a single Christian, wait on the Lord for the person He is going to bring to you. Start praying for them today. Pray for wisdom to discern the right person and the right moment. James Dobson said it well: "Don't marry the person you think you can live with. Marry only the individual you think you can't live without." FROM THE HEART
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