Prophecy Update Newsletter
November 1, 2016
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
How to Win Your Crowns - A Bible Study by Jack Kelley - https://gracethrufaith.com/topical-studies/spiritual-life/how-to-win-your-crowns/
So, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Phil 3:13-16) After we're saved, we have the opportunity to win rewards, or crowns, which will be presented to us immediately after the Rapture. (1 Cor. 4:5) Jesus Himself will make the presentation in what will be the biggest awards ceremony ever in the history of mankind. This awards ceremony is sometimes called the Bema Seat judgment, after the Greek word for judgment, because of the similarity. In the ancient Olympics, judges awarded ivy crowns (called stephanos) to the winners of the various contests at the "Bema Seat", or judges stand, just like they award medals in our time. The New Testament lists five categories in which crowns will be awarded to qualified believers. These crowns are identified as the Everlasting Crown (Victory) in 1 Cor 9:25, the Crown of the Soul Winner in Phil 4:1 and 1 Thes 2:19, the Crown of Righteousness in 2 Tim 4:8, the Crown of Life in James 1:12 and Rev 2:10, and the Crown of Glory in 1 Peter 5:4. The Everlasting Crown (Crown of Victory) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor. 9:24-27) This passage most clearly defines the context in which crowns will be awarded, so it's a good one to look at first. The Crown of victory is also the one that the Bible has the most to say about because it's one that every believer can win. Paul used a sports analogy to help us understand the rules for winning so we wouldn't be confused about how this works. As in events like the Olympics, winning the Victors crown requires that competitors qualify and then compete. For us, qualifying means being saved, because these crowns are for believers only. Then we go into "strict training" in order to increase our chances for victory. Olympic athletes are not satisfied just to qualify for the games. They want to win the event they qualified for. In the same way Christians should not be satisfied just to be saved, even if it does mean gaining eternal life. That's just the beginning. We should also want to win crowns. It's a way to express our gratitude for the gift of salvation and be rewarded at the same time. And in going for this crown we're not competing against each other, but against our old selves, also called "the flesh". Achieving victory means putting the flesh to death; getting rid of our selfish desires, our bad habits and attitudes, and any behavior that puts the Lord to shame. One of the places where the Bible has much to say about what it takes to win this crown is Ephesians 4-6. In fact every one of Paul's letters to the Church exhorts us to compete for this crown, out of gratitude for what we've been given. Gaining victory over the flesh is the best thing we can do to show the Lord how thankful we are that He saved us. As in all competitive events there's no penalty for losing, only a reward for winning. And failing to win in one event does not mean that we forfeit rewards legitimately won in others. But we have to win fair and square, (2 Tim. 2:5) and more than anything else, our attitude has to be right. Any thought of recognition or personal gain, or even of making points with the Lord will disqualify us. The only acceptable motive is bringing glory to God. (1 Cor. 3:12-15 & 4:1-5) If we're in Christ we're a new creation in God's eyes. (2 Cor. 5:17) We're now royalty in training. Our challenge is to live up to what we've already become by acting like who we are in Christ. Those who succeed will receive the Crown of Victory. The Crown of the Soul Winner Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! (Phil. 4:1). For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy (1 Thes 2:19). Paul was happiest when he thought of all the people who had come to the Lord through his teaching, writing, and church planting. And the harvest of his labors has continued unabated through out the entire Church Age. Since there's no number stated as a qualifier we don't have to be intimidated by Paul's unbeatable results. We just have to make the most of every opportunity the Lord brings across our path. And remember, we're judged here by our effort, not our results. Each person bears the responsibility for his or her own choice regarding salvation. So we don't have to be argumentative or coercive or manipulative, we just have to make a clear and concise presentation of the gospel and then pray that it's received. This is the model Paul established for us. The Crown of Righteousness Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Tim 4:8). Since our righteousness is derived from our faith, this Crown is not for those whose lives have been the most pure. You can't get purer than God, whose righteousness has been imputed to us by faith. When we long for the Lord's return we're demonstrating our belief that He's coming for us. We're not afraid that we won't measure up but are absolutely certain that when He comes for His Church, we'll be among those He takes. A person who depends on the righteousness of his or her own works can only feel either arrogance or fear, not longing. Some are arrogant enough to believe that they deserve entry into Heaven because of their exemplary life. Their pride keeps them from longing for the Lord because they're getting so much satisfaction from feeling superior. They're like the Pharisees who looked the Lord right in the eye and chose to rely on their own works rather than His Grace. Others live in fear that they'll be rejected at the last minute for some forgotten failure. They don't long for the Lord because they're scared to death of being rejected. Only the one who depends exclusively on God's Grace can long for the Lord. Since they know we can never measure up, they long for the day when we can no longer fall short. The Crown of Life Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (Jas 1:12) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:10) This crown is for believers who've faced persecution and suffering for the Lord, even to the point of death. We're familiar with the trials and tribulations of the First and Second Century believers, but even in our time hundreds of believers die for their faith every day, and many more thousands are evicted from their homes, incarcerated, or forced to live in fear for their lives. They will win the Crown of Life. The Crown of Glory To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4) Only those who are called into ministry can qualify for this crown. The requirements are clear, and many loyal shepherds of the Lord's flock will finally get the recognition they so richly deserve. Others, who've lorded it over the believers entrusted to their care, or strapped heavy yokes of legalism to their backs, will be forced to stand aside and watch as the Lord rewards those who've stayed true to His word. These are the five crowns listed in the New Testament. Some of us may receive all five of these crowns, but every one of us can qualify to receive at least one. And like I said above, there's nothing we can do that will bring the Lord more pleasure than to reward us for striving for these crowns. And after all He's done for us, it doesn't seem like too much to ask, does it? Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship (Romans 12:1). Obama's Israel Surprise? - http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4873042,00.html
Fears grow of a final day's presidential ambush at the U.N. As US President Barack Obama begins the lame duck segment of his administration, there are some who worry that the president will refrain from vetoing a French peace initiative, impose sanctions on people who do business in the settlements, or even recognize a Palestinian state. US President Barack Obama will be stepping down from eight years in office in January, but not before at least one more last ditch effort to save a foreign policy legacy marred by failure. According to Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Vice President Jonathan Schanzer, the White House try one more last ditch effort to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, making moves ranging from sanctioning US citizens who do business with Israeli settlements all the way to possibly recognizing a Palestinian state. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Schanzer said that the Obama administration's first course of action might be to adopt a UN Security Council Resolution condemning the settlements. Obama may also put forth a Security Council resolution calling for a Palestinian state, something which would create an uproar in the US Congress, and would only put wind in the sails of the global BDS movement. However, in a move which would affect Israel most directly, Schanzer says that Obama may try and impose a final outline for an agreement via the UN Security Council. The French Peace Initiative is still on the docket, and it could be that the Obama administration decides to abstain from vetoing the initiative when it comes up to vote. He also argued that the US could possible put forth its own initiative. What happens when Turkey, Russia, China meet in Middle East - http://www.wnd.com/2016/10/what-happens-when-turkey-russia-china-meet-in-middle-east/
Pastor-author: These are 'most prophetic times since Jesus Christ' Last days and end times predictions are common throughout history. It's easy to explain them away - when people look for answers, they gaze at the heavens. And in a period of turmoil, predicting the end of all things can be oddly comforting to believers. Evidence, however, makes this time different. The return of Israel. The formation of a grand alliance with the very nations mentioned in Scripture. The gathering of the mightiest armies in the world in Syria. The emergence of a caliphate. The rise of a new Christian power. Put all of it together and it's clear believers are living in the most prophetic times since Jesus Christ first appeared on Earth, according to Pastor Carl Gallups. He recently appeared on the internationally known renowned radio talk show "Coast to Coast" to discuss the extraordinary developments described in his new book "When the Lion Roars: Understanding the Implications of Ancient Prophecies for Our Time." "God doesn't do anything without revealing at least the rudimentary parts of His plan to His people, to His servants, to the prophets," the pastor told host Richard Syrett. Gallups said the Bible provides "dozens of signposts" to tell believers the Last Days were approaching when "they began to converge." And that's precisely what is happening today, Gallups warned. "When I sat down to write this, I probably had six or seven things that I really wanted to emphasize because I could see them clearly and knew they were astounding," the pastor said. "By the time I was finished with the book I had outlined almost two dozen things right out of the Scriptures directly or indirectly that are happening right now before our eyes. They've either already happened or they are happening and the daily news is recording it. Or, there are two or three or four things the Bible said would happen which haven't happened yet but goodness, I realize, and readers will realize, we're the first generation in human history that could literally see these things this week." Drawing on his investigative experience as a former law enforcement officer, Gallups wrote the book by taking what the Bible said would be "some of the prolific markers in the days just before the return of the Christ" and comparing them to what mainstream media, military, scientific and other sources were saying. Gallups claimed the results were shocking and ominous, as seemingly each day's headlines provided new evidence real world events were lining up with the predictions of the Bible. Chief among these developments are the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, especially in Syria. As Gallups observed, the Bible predicts a great coalition of nations will gather in the last days to attack the reconstituted Israel. The faint outlines of that alliance, Gallups claimed, are beginning to be seen. At the center is the nation of Turkey, once the seat of the Ottoman Caliphate and now under the rule of an increasingly extreme Islamic government. While many Christians have argued "Magog" represents the nation of Russia, Gallups, along with other Christian teachers such as Joel Richardson, argues Turkey is involved. "For centuries, most scholars said Magog had to be Russia," Gallups explained. "The reason had to do with tribal names, historical records, the Table of Nations in Genesis, and other evidence. But just in the last several years, some scholars have observed that Turkey is the originator of the Russian people and the East European people. Well, the Bible says Turkey is where Noah's Ark landed after the flood and if that is a true account, and I believe it is, that means the world started over in Turkey." The pastor argued Turkey is already deeply involved in the current geopolitical struggles in the Middle East. "We're watching Turkey become an Islamic state again and try to become the center of a new caliphate," Gallups intoned. "Russia shows up again in the Middle East and starts fighting ISIS and bringing its military troops in. Turkey shoots down a Russian warplane. And Turkey belongs to NATO." What's more, the underlying foundations of the geopolitical order are shifting, as China is slowly becoming a Christian power. "There is predicted by Scripture to be a great revival in China," the pastor said. "By 2030, China is slated to be the largest Christian nation on the planet, that is, containing the largest number of people professing that they are Christians. Now Christianity, full blown Christianity, is for all intents and purposes, outlawed in China right now. Most of the Christians are in underground churches yet they're growing by leaps and bounds." Noting the mention in Isaiah 49 of "Sinim," which Gallups thinks refers to China, the pastor argued the world's most populous nation will play a huge role in the end times. And while Christians should cheer the increasing number of people joining the faith in the huge country, Gallups argues China may also play a negative role as its military moves into the Middle East. Explaining Revelation 9:16, which mentions an army of 200 million in the Middle East, Gallups says the sheer scale of the force means China likely will be involved in some way. "Bible scholars have long debated the meaning of passages which reference a 200 million man army fighting in the Middle East," he said. "They've asked, 'Who in the world could field a 200 million man army?' Now, I don't think a single nation has to do it, the Scriptures do not say that, they just say there has to 200 million people fighting. But for hundreds and hundreds of years, scholars have said it looks like China is going to show in the Middle East because they have the capability of putting millions of millions, maybe tens of millions and some scholars have calculated maybe even hundreds of millions in the Middle East." But when will Red China militarily intervene in the Middle East? Though the mainstream media has not widely promoted it, Gallups observes the Chinese military is already there. Thus, every major global power has forces near the exact location where the Bible predicts a huge global war is to take place. "There they are now," Gallups warns. "We're the first generation in history to see China and Russia show up in the Middle East, plant themselves in Syria, use each other's military troops, and make alliances with Iran, Persia. Plus, we now have Turkey making nice with Russia. Now look at this coalition - Turkey, Russia, Iran, China, Syria - I mean that is stuff of Bible prophecy. Not only is it just our generation that has seen it, but all of this has happened in the last year and a half." Thus, Gallups urges Christians not to delay and to turn to God immediately. He argues current events should give believers a sense of urgency. "We are living in the most profoundly prophetic time since the first coming of Jesus Christ," Gallups intoned. "And our Messiah is coming back regardless of what we do." What Researchers Found in the Tomb of Jesus - Chris Mitchell - http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/israel/2016/november/what-researchers-found-in-the-tomb-of-jesus
When Emperor Constantine built the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the fourth century, he could not have imagined that researchers more than 1,700 years later would be uncovering the tomb where he believed Joseph of Arimathea placed the body of Jesus. Now those researchers announced new revelations about that tomb. A few days ago, under the watchful eye of National Geographic cameras and with great suspense, workmen gingerly removed the marble slab that lay over the tomb since 1555 A.D. "I'm absolutely amazed. My knees are shaking a little bit because I wasn't expecting this," National Geographic archeologist-in-residence Fredrik Hiebert exclaimed. After hours of examining the tomb, the team of researchers announced their revelations. "We can't say 100 percent, but it appears to be visible proof that the location of the tomb has not shifted through time, something that scientists and historians have wondered for decades," Hiebert reported. When they removed the marble slab first they found a layer of fill material. Hours later they exposed "another marble slab with a cross carved into its surface." Finally, they revealed they reached "the original limestone burial bed." According to the Gospel of John, the body of Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea after Jesus was crucified: "After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb (sepulcher) in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby." (John 19: 38-42) The examinations of the researchers are part of a restoration project to repair the structure called an "aedicule" protecting the tomb. Aedicule means "little house." The last repair work done on the aedicule took place in 1810. Professor Antonia Moropoulou, who is leading the restoration project, told CBN News earlier what they planned to do. "We will remove the marble slabs, the stone slabs. We will inject grout to homogenize the complex structure, which is the holy rock," Moropoulou explained. "That means that we develop a unified structure that all the layers will behave structurally as one and upon this after repairing with new compatible and performing mortars and concrete, we will readjust the stone slabs with titanium bolts." For those working on the project it's more than just a job. "I'm very excited because I'm a Christian Orthodox and this is our biggest place for the orthodox Christians," Vasyleyos Zafeylys, a Greek civil engineer on the project, said. "I'm working in Greece in monuments like this but this is specialized work, very specialized work. I don't believe I can go to something bigger than this." "It is a collective effort but each one of us in front of the holy tomb feels the values of the holy tomb and the holy tomb is the most alive place in the world," Moropoulou explained. "It gives the message of resurrection." Technocratic One World Order: The Real Reason Why the UN Wants Control Over the Internet - Patrick Wood - https://www.technocracy.news/index.php/2016/10/27/technocracy-the-real-reason-why-the-un-wants-control-over-the-internet/
By its very nature, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a non-profit organization exclusively run by Technocrats. As such, it is an apolitical body that is happy to serve whatever form of governance exists as long as funding is received and salaries are paid. To a Technocrat, a world run by science and technology is better than any other form of governance. That Technocrats have played a supporting role in world history is unquestioned. Scientists, engineers and technicians played a huge role in the Communist dictatorship in the former Soviet Union (For instance, see Science and the Soviet Social Order). Technocrats likewise played a central role in support of Adolph Hitler and National Socialism (See Scientists, Engineers and National Socialism). In both cases, the Technocrat goal was not necessarily Communism or Nazism, but rather the methodical exercise of science according to its Scientific Method. In other words, the process was more important than the outcome - and in both cases, the outcome was not questioned or resisted, but simply accepted. The reason that ICANN formerly served the interests of the United States was simply that it answered to our government's judicial, legislative and executive branches. In other words, the U.S. held the umbrella over ICANN and that was enough to keep it working for our national interests and not for someone else's interests. Obama changed that when he cut ICANN loose on September 30, 2016 by letting the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) contract expire without being renewed. After expiration, we forever lost the right to renew the contract again. So, ICANN is now a "free-agent" looking for shelter in the same way that a boll weevil looks for a cotton plant: it needs a host organization in order to practice its craft, and, I dare say, it doesn't care one whit who that host is. It is no secret that the United Nations is making a play to become host to ICANN. In particular, the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU), run by the Peoples Republic of China, is expected to play the central role in this effort. However, whether it is the ITU or some other UN agency is immaterial because it will still be the UN in the end. But, why the UN? Because it is the fountainhead of the plans and operations to establish Technocracy as the sole global economic system while destroying capitalism and free enterprise. Technocracy is the issue here. Others know it as Sustainable Development or Green Economy, but the correct historical term is Technocracy. In February 2015, the head of climate change at the UN, Christiana Figures, stated, "This is the first time in the history of mankind that we are setting ourselves the task of intentionally, within a defined period of time to change the economic development model that has been reigning for at least 150 years, since the industrial revolution." [emphasis added] What is unclear about this? Sustainable Development, or Technocracy, is a resource-driven economic model regulated by energy rather than by supply and demand plus monetary currencies. In 1938, the original Technocrats defined Technocracy as "the science of social engineering, the scientific operation of the entire social mechanism to produce and distribute goods and services to the entire population." To achieve its Utopia goals, the UN must have ICANN's steering wheel and throttle. But while everyone is stressing over Internet censorship of web sites and the suppression of free speech, the real prize is completely overlooked: The Internet of Things (IoT). In terms of "follow the money", IoT is expected to generate upwards of $3 trillion by 2025 and is growing at a rate of at least 30 percent per year. In other words, it is a huge market and money is flying everywhere. If the UN can figure out a way to tax this market, and they will, it will provide a windfall of income and perhaps enough to make it self-perpetuating. Currently, the UN is financed by contributions from member states. But, what is the IoT and who cares? IoT are the connections between inanimate objects and the humans that depend upon them. The digital Smart Meter on your home communicates energy usage via WiFi to the utility company; but it also communicates with the major appliances in your home and can even control them remotely without your consent or knowledge. The smart phone that you carry communicates with cell towers and localized signal receptors to create a map of your every movement. Smart home technology lets your stereo send sound to remote wireless speakers and to light bulbs equipped with sensors. The security camera that you installed to watch your home while you were on vacation can communicate with other cameras, microphones, the police department, etc. Examples go on and on. ICANN issues the so-called IP addresses that are assigned to all these devices on a global basis. The original addressing scheme, IPV4, was based on four blocks of up to three digits each, punctuated with a period (e.g., 192.168.2.14). This scheme allows for a discrete address for up to 16.8 million devices. A few years ago, IPV4 ran out of numbers, forcing Internet service providers, corporations and other organizations to improvise internal numbering systems, known as 'proxy servers', to issue safe addresses to devices within their own domain. These systems are not only fragile, but they are bloated beyond reason and generally easy to hack. To fix this, ICANN devised a new IP numbering system called IPV6, which adds two more blocks of numbers (e.g., 192.168.2.14.231.58). This scheme provides for 3.4×1038 addresses, or 340 trillion, 282 billion, 366 million, 920 thousand, 938 - followed by 24 zeroes. There is probably a way to say this number, but I cannot imagine what it would be. It's somewhere beyond a trillion trillion unique numbers for every human being on earth! Thus, IPV6 provides a way to assign a unique and directly addressable number to every electronic device on earth... for centuries to come. As IPV6 rolls out to the world, the modified mission for ICANN will be to inventory and categorize the device attached to each IP address. For instance, all the air conditioners in the world would be directly addressable from a single list. Likewise for all computers, all automobiles, all cameras, all phones, all refrigerators, all articles of clothing, etc. Whoever has control over and access to this data will literally be able to control the entire world, down to the last minutiae - and that is the United Nations' exact mission: inventory, monitor and control. But, this concept was set in history long before the technology existed. The original bible of Technocracy, the Technocracy Study Course (1934), laid out the hard requirements necessary for its implementation: 1. "Register on a continuous 24 hour-per-day basis the total net conversion of energy. 2. "By means of the registration of energy converted and consumed, make possible a balanced load. 3. "Provide a continuous inventory of all production and consumption 4. "Provide a specific registration of the type, kind, etc., of all goods and services, where produced and where used 5. "Provide specific registration of the consumption of each individual, plus a record and description of the individual." [Scott, Howard et al, Technocracy Study Course, p. 232] As I thoroughly documented in my book, Technocracy Rising: The Trojan Horse of Global Transformation, the United Nations is indeed the engine of modern Technocracy and as such, it is acting in a perfectly predictable manner. It seeks to establish a global Scientific Dictatorship where it controls all resources, all production and limits all consumption to its own liking. These Technocrats will dutifully apply their pseudo-scientific methodology to every problem in the world, and simply issue instructions to the net to 'make it so.' Yes, free speech will decrease and censorship will increase, but that pales in comparison to the real prize of the IoT that the United Nations desperately wants and needs in order to accomplish its own twisted goals. Congress never understood this when they passively let Obama fail to renew our contract with ICANN. However, Obama and his globalist handlers understood it perfectly well, which makes the deception and treachery of it even worse. Thanks to this scurrilous bunch, the world has just been sold into digital slavery, from which there may be no return. ![]()
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 Nearing Midnight: Reflections on the Life of Jack Chick - Todd Strandberg - http://raptureready.com/rap16.html
Chick Productions announced that their founder, Jack Chick, died peacefully in his sleep last Sunday evening at age 92. He was the creator of a series of tracts which presented his perspective on a variety of theological matters in a comic format. According to a statement on his website, "His burden has always been to get the gospel into the hands of millions of lost people around the world." This Was Your Life!" is the most popular Chick tract, which describes what would probably occur if someone dies lost without Christ and what one needs to do to avert that frightening destiny. That very popular tract has been translated into over 100 languages. Jack Chick has had an enormous impact on the world. His company, Chick Publications, has reported that it has sold over 900 million tracts. It can be argued that he is the most read author on the planet. The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History included several Chick tracts in an exhibit on American pop culture. He could easily have been awarded a superstar status distinction at the Comic-Con gathering in San Diego, California if it were not for the religious nature of his material. Unable to find a firm that would publish his work, Chick self-published his first cartoon revival book in 1961 using $800 he borrowed from a credit union. Chick Publications has been housed in a low-profile office in Rancho Cucamonga since it was founded in 1970. Of course, you are not going to see any reference to Jack Chick on the nightly news. The few newspapers that bothered to make note of his passing only had negative things to say about him. They all slapped him with their favorite dirty word-fundamentalist. He is remembered by some as the king of scaremongers. One site called Jezebel had the headline: "Jack Chick, the Creator of Bigoted Yet Weirdly Enjoyable Evangelical Comic Books, Has Died." The LA Times noted that "Chick managed to offend Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims and Freemasons-who found their beliefs discounted, ridiculed or condemned as false-or worse." Mr. Chick's work got the attention of many atheists. There are several links on YouTube which has a group of atheists reading out his tracts, and then providing profane mocking commentary. It proves the point that you can judge a man by his enemies. The reclusive Chick did very few interviews. The last full interview he gave was in 1975. Jack did speak in 1997 to a Daily Bulletin reporter, Mike Cicchese, in his driveway for 10 minutes. He was also camera shy. Amazingly, there are more claimed photos of Bigfoot than of the man who ran the most successful tract ministry in world history. From what little information there is written about Jack Chick, we learn that he chose comics over the pulpit after hearing a radio missionary explaining how the Chinese used comics as propaganda. Chick was an Independent Baptist who followed a pre-millennial dispensationalist view of the end-times. David Daniels, Jack Chick's chosen successor, said "Chick is widely misunderstood as a hateful person. He was a plain, ordinary guy who liked to draw. He was just a guy who wanted to please the Lord, use his drawings for God and help other people not go to hell. And that was it." My first experience with Chick tracts was when I was given them as a child in the early 1970s by my Sunday school teacher. They were easy to read and their low cost to produce makes it easy to understand how they spread all over the globe. The world is rapidly becoming so dark; the day may soon come when much of his commentary is barred as hate speech. His books have already been banned in Canada, denounced by Christianity Today and the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and ejected from many Christian bookstores. Years ago, I wrote an article titled, "God's Billionaires." It listed some of the people who obtained heavenly riches. I'm sure Jack Chick would be included on any expended lists of those who achieved wealth in the Lord. It is my hope that we will all soon join Jack in sharing the blessing that God has prepared for those "who love his appearing." "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12). Daily Jot: The tangled web of Clinton's organized government crime - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
Before FBI Director James Comey closed his previous investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, a meeting occurred between Comey's boss Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Hillary's husband Bill in the back of an airplane in Phoenix. Eight days later, Comey announced, "our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case." The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that Justice Department leaders also pressured Comey and the FBI to not continue another investigation into the Clinton Foundation for financial crimes, influence peddling, or failing to register as an agent of a foreign entity. WSJ reports that the order to "stand down" came from DOJ deputy director Andrew McCabe. WSJ reports McCabe's wife Jill received $467,500 in campaign funds in late 2015 from the political-action committee of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, "a longtime ally of the Clintons and, until he was elected governor in November 2013, a Clinton Foundation board member...In February of this year, Mr. McCabe ascended from the No. 3 position at the FBI to the deputy director post. When he assumed that role, officials say, he started overseeing the probe into Mrs. Clinton's use of a private email server for government work when she was secretary of state." This confirms that there are multiple ongoing investigations of the Clinton's, their associates, and their Foundation for what amounts to organized crime. Enter Huma Abedin, Clinton's longtime confidant, rumored lesbian lover, and with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Abedin used yahoo email accounts and unsecured servers for government business. She and her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner, who is under FBI investigation for solicitation of a 15 year old girl, shared a computer where over 650,000 emails were found, thousands of them involving Clinton, Clinton's chief of staff at the State Department and Abedin that likely were sent from Clinton's private email server in her home's closet. Let us remember that Clinton's running mate is Tim Kaine, also from Virginia and has Islamic ties, and Lynch pleaded the 5th Amendment on October 24 to avoid incriminating herself in the Congressional investigation over the $1.7 billion paid by the government to Iran, a terrorist sponsor. All these people have ties to the Clintons, and the ones mentioned in this Daily Jot are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many more shady dealings and unscrupulous people. Americans are getting a small glimpse of what appears to be a tangled web of organized crime led by the Clintons. Moreover, these dealings are the works of those who are the enemies of God. Millions of dollars received from sponsors of Islamic terrorism for access to the US government; government secrets illegally transferred on unsecured networks; people whose influence was bought by campaign funds and job promotions-All done in secret to the enrichment of Clinton and to the advancing of some nefarious agenda. Proverbs 6:12-19 says, "A naughty person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth. He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers; Perversity is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he sows discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren." Brothers and Sisters, we are better than this. Daily Devotion: Take a Risk - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel." -Acts 9:15 Saul had no idea what had just happened to him. After hearing the voice of Jesus on the Damascus Road, he fell to the ground, blinded by a searing light that penetrated the sun. Then he was led to the home of a man named Judas (no relation to Judas Iscariot). Enter Ananias, the unsung hero. God told him in a vision, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again." (Acts 9:11-12) But Ananias had his doubts. He said, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name" (verses 13-14). You can understand Ananias' reticence. Saul was a notorious hunter of Christians. Saul had consented to Stephen's murder. Yet God said, "Go." Do you know someone right now whom you cannot imagine ever becoming a Christian? That is what it was like when Saul of Tarsus came to Christ. Sometimes God will put a burden on your heart. You will see someone, and there will be a burden from God that you ought to talk to that person. Of course, if God says go, we can say no. God said "Go" to Jonah, and he said no at first. But eventually he went, dragging his feet. Are you going to be a Jonah or an Ananias? When the Lord says, "Go," are you going to fight it? Or, will you be an Ananias? Just go. Do it. Take a risk. FROM THE HEART
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