Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Harbinger of the Messiah - By Matt Ward -
http://www.raptureready.com/2017/11/10/harbinger-messiah-matt-ward/ "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me. . ." (Mal. 3:1). There are three prerequisites before Jesus Christ can return to this earth. First, Israel needs to exist as a nation state. Second, the Jewish Temple needs to be rebuilt. Finally, an Altar needs to be placed and properly consecrated inside the Temple so that sacrifice can once again be offered in Jerusalem to the Lord God. As in the First Coming of Christ, the Second Coming will also involve a personal return of the Messiah to the actual, physical land of Israel, making its existence and rebirth in the last days an absolute necessity. Equally, before the Second Coming can happen, a Jewish Temple needs to be rebuilt in Jerusalem with a functioning Holy Altar inside it. This is so that - at some point in the near future - one man, the Antichrist, can come forth and "...confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him" (Daniel 9:27). Today, in 2017, the nation of Israel already exists and has existed for close to one full, biblical generation (Psalm 90:10). At the same time, the world is suddenly awash with talk of rebuilding the Jewish Temple. The Jewish Temple is one of the last pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that yet needs to fall into place before the end can come. The second Temple of Jesus' time was constructed over a period of thirty to forty years. If the Temple were to be constructed today, it would be built in a mere fraction of that time. The Temple Institute in Israel has already made many of the sacred artifacts needed for use in the Temple, as well as prefabricated large sections of the Temple structure itself so that, when the time comes, these pre-made sections can be taken straight to the site and built into the larger superstructure of the Temple quickly and efficiently, with a minimum of fuss. It is, however, not that simple. There are huge, seemingly overwhelming problems to overcome before a Temple can ever be rebuilt. For political and safety reasons, rebuilding a Temple would seem almost an impossibility at present. Islam currently controls the Temple Mount, and for Jews to destroy the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque so as to build the Jewish Temple, it would likely provoke an immediate world war. As insurmountable as this problem may seem at present, I sincerely believe that it will be resolved one way or another very soon, clearing the way for rebuilding work to begin. Amazingly though, the current political impediments regarding Islam and the Temple Mount area are not even the most significant problems faced when considering rebuilding the Temple. There are greater issues to deal with before even a single brick can be laid. The first insurmountable obstacle faced when considering re-establishing the sacrificial system with a Temple concerns the ashes and blood of a Red Heifer. Red Heifers are absolutely critical to the rededication process of the Temple in two ways: First, the ashes of a red heifer that has been sacrificed in a ritually clean place (Numbers 19:9), are pivotal to the process of rededicating the Temple itself, and especially the Holy Altar, where the heifer's blood would be sprinkled. Without both the blood and the ashes, there is no rededication and no re-establishment of sacrifice. This presents an insurmountable problem for Israel that is not often discussed, and it regards the actual sacrifice of the red heifer itself prior to any potential, future rededication of the Temple. Biblically-pure red heifers must be sacrificed in a certain way, in a certain place, and the place of sacrifice must be ritually clean and pure (Numbers19:9). There are no such ritually clean places that exist in Israel today- not even one. This means that no red heifer, even if one could be found, could be sacrificed; because it would be made immediately unclean by the place of sacrifice itself, and would therefore be unfit for use in the Temple. The reason for this is because, in order to make a place ritually pure enough to sacrifice a red heifer according the exacting standards of Mosaic Law, the place of sacrifice itself needs to be scattered with the ashes of another previously sacrificed red heifer. It is a terrible catch-22 situation. The solution within Judaism has traditionally been to keep safe the ashes from previous red heifer sacrifices, of which there have been between seven and nine throughout Jewish history, so that future acceptable and pure sacrifices can take place whenever needed. During the first and second Temples, these ashes were divided into three parts: One portion was given to the Levites guarding the Temple itself; the second portion was stored on the Mount of Olives to be used in the purification of the priests; and the remaining third was placed in a wall which faced the Women's Gallery of the Temple. According to Numbers 19:9, a portion was also to be kept outside the camp. None of these ashes have been seen since the Romans smashed Jerusalem in 70 AD. The assumption is that they have been, and remain to this day, hidden. Another insurmountable problem, and the current focus of a raging debate within Judaism, is exactly who has the authority to begin the rebuilding process of the Temple itself? Is it God, the Messiah or someone else? Nobody really knows, and there is as yet no consensus within Judaism on this absolutely vital issue. Without resolution of this pivotal problem regarding exactly who has the authority to rebuild, there can be no Temple; and these are the reasons why: First, the problem of who has the authority to begin the rebuilding process exists because nobody today really knows exactly where the Holy of Holies from the Second Temple is located on the Temple Mount. This is the reason why Jews are forbidden from entering the precise area where the second Temple was built, in case they inadvertently stand on the sacred and consecrated area which housed the Holy of Holies. To do so, even inadvertently, is punishable by death under Mosaic Law. The second major stumbling block is that all Jews are currently ritually impure, which also prevents any Jews from entering the precise area where the Temple used to stand. In order to become ritually pure, Jews would need the ashes of a red heifer, which would need to be administered by a priest who could trace his family and ancestral lineage back far enough to validate his claim to the priesthood. No such red heifer ashes exist and no priest currently exists who can trace his lineage to such an exacting standard, as is required. The reason is that when Israel and Judah were dispersed to the four corners of the world and thrust into the Diaspora, all such lineage records were lost. This means that, under Mosaic Law, there are no priests eligible to ever administer the ashes of a red heifer and, therefore, be able to make Jews ritually pure enough to ever enter the Temple complex area. It is another terrible catch-22 situation, but it is not the last. The next major problem concerns the Altar of the Temple itself, specifically the location of the Altar. The Law of Moses is very precise about exactly where the Altar must be located. It cannot simply go anywhere; it needs to go in exactly the right place. To put the Altar anywhere else is expressly forbidden. When they built the Second Temple, the Jews used reliable witnesses who could testify as to the correct spot. In fact, the prophets Haggai, Zephaniah and Malachi are believed within Judaism to have been the three witnesses used to verify the Altar's correct location. No such witnesses exist today. Even if a Temple could be built, they could never offer sacrifice in it as they simply do not know where to locate the Altar. They have absolutely no idea where it should go, no idea whatsoever. Assuming that they were able to rebuild the Temple in exactly the right spot and then locate the Altar allowing for sacrifice also in exactly the right spot, the Temple would still need priests whose genealogy can be absolutely determined and verified. No such verification exists anymore. It would be a Temple with no priests. Yet another major issue is that, in order to have a Temple, there needs to be a High Priest. There can be no functioning Temple without a functioning High Priest. To appoint a High Priest there needs to be a Sanhedrin, 70 to 71 ordained rabbis acting as the Supreme Council of all Israel. There can currently be no legitimate Sanhedrin that satisfies Mosaic Law because each rabbi must satisfy Mosaic Ordination, which was transmitted from rabbi to rabbi since the time of Moses. Mosaic Ordination ceased in 358 AD because of persecution; therefore, there can be no legitimate Sanhedrin and no legitimate High Priest. These problems are insurmountable. There is no human solution to them. Jewish tradition, though, does provide an answer, as does scripture. In scripture, the person who may well supply the necessary authority to begin the rebuilding process of the Third Temple is the Prophet Elijah himself. Jesus, in Matthew's Gospel, revealed that at the end Elijah, "will restore all things" (Matthew 17:11). According to Jewish tradition, it will be Elijah who will reveal himself to the Jews before the advent of Messiah. In revealing himself, he will also answer all questions and resolve all doubts. In the Tanakh we are told of Elijah: "...at the appointed time, it is written, you are destined to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob" (Sirach 48:10). In the Wisdom of Joshua ben Sira, Elijah's end-time mandate is described as being fourfold in nature. He will herald the Messiah, calm God's fury against an Israel that is initially in unbelief, restore familial peace, and restore the 12 tribes of Israel. In Talmudic literature it was not uncommon to believe that Elijah would visit rabbis to help solve particularly difficult legal problems. Thus, when confronted with reconciling impossibly conflicting laws or rituals, the rabbis would set aside any decision "until Elijah comes." This is one of them. Jesus Christ, in his First Coming, said that "Elijah truly shall come first and will restore all things" (Matthew 17:11). The prophetic reference by Jesus to the "restoration of all things" is a reference to the restoration of God's worship system. We should expect Elijah, therefore, when he returns, to restore a proper understanding of how the worship system that God instituted at Mount Sinai and the worship system that Jesus Christ instituted at Jerusalem work together in the salvation of any in the last days who will believe and worship God the Father, especially for the Jewish people. Thus, as Malachi describes, "he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers." When these two aspects of the Father's worship system are restored and understood in the light of his plan for the salvation of humanity, and are believed by those Jews he calls to salvation, it will be said that the hearts of the fathers are turned to the sons and the sons to the fathers. There will be perfect harmony between the fathers who taught righteousness like the Patriarchs, Moses, Aaron and the Apostles, and all the sons who are taught righteousness and have come to believe through faith. Elijah will also be the necessary authority to reveal the exact location of the Holy of Holies and the precise location of the Altar, as well as where the previously sacrificed red heifer ashes currently lie. It will be Elijah who will restore the 12 Tribes of Israel, revealing to the priesthood their exact genealogies, reinstituting Mosaic ordination for Rabbis; therefore, finally allowing for the reestablishment of a legitimate Sanhedrin and High Priest. And to further satisfy Mosaic Law, which prescribes the presence of Two Witnesses as being necessary for legal satisfaction (Deuteronomy 19:15), Elijah will also likely return with another great prophet of old, a second "Witness," who will serve to validate his judgments. Many speculate, and it can only be speculation, that this second witness could possibly be the man through whom the Law was initially delivered-Moses himself. The picture we see revealed in Revelation, during the first half of the Tribulation period, reflects this. "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner" (Revelation 11: 4-5). In the book of Jude, we come across what seems to be a strange passage detailing Michael the Archangel contesting with Satan over the body of Moses: "But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, 'the Lord rebuke you'" (Jude 1:9). In its original form, this word 'dispute' or 'contest' can denote extreme violence. The Archangel Michael and Satan weren't merely having a heated debate over the body of Moses; they were engaged in combat. And the text insinuates it was extremely violent combat at that. They were involved in a brutal fight over the body of the Servant of the Lord, Moses. It is highly likely that the reason for this was that God had not yet finished with Moses, or his body. The body of Moses would be needed again, first during the ministry of Jesus, where he would appear alongside Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration: "Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus" (Matt. 17:3). But he could potentially be needed a second time, at the end of this age, accompanying Elijah once more to give a testimony to mankind from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This testimony of the "Two Witnesses" will be during the first 42 months of the Tribulation Period, and it will be a testimony of Jesus Christ against Antichrist to a world largely without testimony, due to the removal of the Church. It will be at the midpoint of this Tribulation, after one thousand two hundred and sixty days, that the Beast will rise up and slay these Two Witnesses, but only when they have finished their testimony. "When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them...and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves..." (Revelation 11:7-9). It cannot be merely incidental that 1,260 days is also 42 months exactly, the amount of time God gives for the first half of the Tribulation period. It cannot also be merely coincidence that the amount of time the Jewish priesthood would need to perform all the necessary purification rights and rituals prescribed in the Torah, to purify and inaugurate the new Temple, would also last exactly 42 months, from the initial ritual of purification to the final one. 42 months of testimony, 42 months to compete purification, 42 months designated for the first half of the Tribulation. Scripture tells us that at the midpoint of the Tribulation, after 42 months, the Temple will be desecrated by the Antichrist. We know from scripture that, at the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will set up the Abomination that causes Desolation in the Holy of Holies of this new Temple (Dan. 9:27), and then declare himself to be God. This is the starting point for the last 42-month period known as the Great Tribulation, a time of distress unequaled since man has been on the earth. Jewish tradition teaches, and scripture seems to strongly suggest, that Elijah will soon return to the Jewish people, I believe after the increasingly imminent Rapture of the church. He will then, in the words of Jesus Christ, "restore all things" (Matthew 17:11). In essence, this would mean reappointing the building work for the Temple; reinstituting the rabbinical priesthood according to the Law of Moses; defining who is eligible for the priesthood and who is not; reforming the Sanhedrin, which would then oversee the appointment of a new High Priest; and it would almost certainly involve protecting the Temple Mount, as many will come against them with "fire that comes out from their mouths." Elijah is the Harbinger of the Messiah. According to scripture he will return very soon, and he will turn the hearts of many in Israel back to their God and begin the process of preparing them individually and corporately to once again meet their God. "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son" (Zechariah 12:10). Their Mashiach Nagid, their Messiah and King, will come to them, "and in this way all Israel will be saved." As it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob" (Romans 11:26). That day of national salvation for Israel fast approaches, but before that day is the Rapture of the Church! Maranatha! [email protected] Israel on high alert, deploys Iron Dome batteries against missile attack - https://www.debka.com/israel-high-alert-deploys-iron-dome-batteries-missile-attack/ Israel remained on high alert Tuesday, Nov. 14, after deploying Iron Dome batteries in the center of the country as well as the south, against threatened Jihad Islami and Hamas missile attacks on towns in southern and central Israel. Jihad has vowed to avenge the destruction of the tunnel it excavated between Khan Younis and the Israeli village of Kissoufim, and the deaths of 12 of its operatives who were trapped inside. However, despite a stream of oral threats, it appears to have decided to hold its fire for now. According to DEBKAfile's military sources, this could change depending on whether the IDF initiates further action. Then, both Jihad and Hamas would make good on their threats. The US presidential envoy for the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt tweeted a warning Tuesday: Extremist statements & provocation vs. Israel by Islamic Jihad significantly harm the people of Gaza & are very dangerous. The PA must resume full responsibility in Gaza. US is working with the PA, Israel, Egypt & others to try to improve the situation. Gaza deserves better. Meanwhile, both organizations are tensely following the slightest IDF moves around the Gaza Stri. The Israeli military began an exercise Sunday, which is due to wind down on Wednesday. They are taking into account that the IDF could use the drill for a surprise attack on a target of theirs. Hamas and Jihad have jointly decided in that case to let loose with a large-scale missile attack on Israeli cities. Hamas was prompted to team up with Jihad by dire political and financial straits on a downward spiral. The reconciliation process with the Palestinian Authority and the rival Fatah has stalled. The transfer of the Gaza border crossings to the Palestinian Authority, in which high hopes were pinned, has not taken place. And there are no signs that the handover of the administration in Gaza City will take place as scheduled on Dec. 1. Qatar has frozen its economic aid payments to the Gaza Strip, and Hamas sees no alternative source of financial assistance. Russian FM says Iran can legitimately stay in Syria - https://www.timesofisrael.com/russian-fm-says-iran-can-legitimately-stay-in-syria/ Sergey Lavrov notes terms for new ceasefire agreement don't include an Iranian pullout Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that a recently announced agreement on the terms of a ceasefire in Syria did not include a Russian commitment to ensure Iran-linked militias would be pulled out of the country. Lavrov said Iran maintained a "legitimate" presence in Syria, according to the Interfax news agency. It was not clear if Lavrov's comments related to reports that the deal would place restrictions on how close to the Israeli-Syrian border Iran-backed groups would be allowed to remain. The statement came as officials from the US National Security Council flew into Israel for talks with security heads, primarily over the US-Russia agreement regarding Syria and Iran's growing threat to the region. On Monday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will not be bound by the deal, which would somewhat distance Iranian proxies from the border with Israel. The agreement, announced in a joint US-Russian statement Saturday, affirms a call for "the reduction, and ultimate elimination" of foreign fighters from southern Syria. According to reports, the deal applies to Iranian proxies fighting on behalf of Assad's regime, which would be required to leave the border area and eventually Syria. But according to an unnamed Israeli official, under the deal, militias associated with Iran would be allowed to maintain positions as close as five to seven kilometers (3.1-4.3 miles) to the border in some areas, Reuters reported Monday. In addition to the Syria agreement, the US officials are likely to discuss Iran's alleged construction of a military base less than 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Israel's Golan border. On Friday, the BBC, citing a Western security official, reported that Iran was setting up a permanent base on a site used by the Syrian army near el-Kiswah, 14 kilometers (8 miles) south of Damascus, and 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Israeli border. Palestinian Authority Daily: Iran Will Not Spread Tentacles Into Our Territory - by Deborah Danan - http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/11/13/palestinian-authority-daily-iran-will-not-spread-tentacles-to-our-territory/ During Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' surprise summons to Saudi Arabia last week, the PA's official daily published anti-Iran articles claiming the Islamic Republic was spreading its "tentacles" by appropriating the Palestinian cause as part of its ongoing attempts at regional hegemony. On Wednesday, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida's editorial posited that former Lebanese prime minister Said Al-Hariri's shock resignation was the result of Iran's "flagrant interference" in his countries affairs - a strategy that Tehran was hoping to repeat in other areas including the Palestinian territories. Iran has already had some measure of success in its burgeoning relations with Gaza-based terror groups Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and most recently with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The editorial accused these groups of being unaware of the "magnitude of the dangers" of such ties with Iran. "[W]e say that we will not sit idly by and will not allow intervention aimed at duplicating the model of Hizbullah in Palestine in order to expand the map of the Persian empire," the editorial said according to a translation by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). It continued with the assertion that "Iranian interference is not aimed at liberating Palestine or promoting Palestinian interests; rather, its main goal is to achieve hegemony and control" with almost no regard for the Palestinians' "supreme national interests." In a separate article, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida columnist Anwar Rajab warned of "the danger that Iran and its proxies pose for the stability and security of the entire region." Rajab also said Palestinian factions like Hamas, PIJ and the PFLP should be wary of Iran's "military and monetary aid on the pretext of supporting the Palestinian resistance." "The Iranians have their own goals, interests, and agendas, but we cannot accept their having Palestinian tools, for any reason whatsoever," he wrote. He said that, going forward, all external financial or humanitarian aid should pass through the PA or through international organizations in coordination with the PA. Rajab noted that accepting bait from Iran would also destroy the Palestinians' relationship with Saudi Arabia. "It is unreasonable to arouse the ire of our big sister, Saudi Arabia," he wrote. Last week, Abbas was summoned to Saudi Arabia by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. According to a report on Israel's Channel 10, the PA president was warned against having any ties with Tehran. The warning came in response to the news that senior members of Hamas - which recently inked a reconciliation deal with the PA's ruling Fatah faction - had visited Tehran. The report also claimed the Saudis told Abbas to accept President Donald Trump's plan for solving the conflict with Israel or resign. Nearing Midnight: In God's Face - Terry James - http://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ One of the pleasures in life at my advancing age is to have what I have come to call conflab sessions. Yes, I know the legitimate word would be confab. Not conflab, but the sessions are so informal that I use the urban rather than the mainstream dictionary term. These conflab sessions are especially enjoyable when between my sons and myself or between myself and my partner in the raptureready.com website, Todd Strandberg-the Toddster, as I sometimes call him. He is like one of my boys-thus the informality. We often go over the most pressing news of the day. Most always we discuss things from the prophetic perspective. When discussing the seeming endless string of absurd, anti-God things going on, the bottom line usually expressed by these younger gentlemen is that it's a good thing they don't have divine power and authority, else-well-there would be a quick resolution to the absurdity and evil. Being considerably more mature and mellow, I usually say things like, "Yes. I, too, am thankful you don't have such power and authority." They, of course, realizing my wisdom from this senior vantage point, ignore my usually offered remark. I'm sure they remain unresponsive to the opinion because they so profoundly respect my... ahemmm...even temperament and sound judgment. We do get deeply into the issues of the day, and there are plenty of them to explore, to be sure. More often than not, we end up talking about how the Lord seems to be putting up with so much, with people, in effect, telling Him, "in your face." We discussed, for example, things like the actress who held up the award she had won, saying Jesus didn't give it to her. She then made a salacious remark involving the Lord that, my boys thought, should have brought an instant lightning bolt to the top of her lovely head. Before that, there was the crucifix submerged in urine, for which the art critics gave great accolade. There has been since then the former New York City mayor who said when he reaches the pearly gates of Heaven, he will walk right in and demand his reward, because he's earned a face to face with God-if there is one. Before him, a famous billionaire said that he didn't need anyone to die for him, when asked about Christianity. In the 1960s, we had people kicking God out of classrooms and throwing Bibles out the doors of those classrooms. We had a generation of if it feels good, do it trying to strip society and culture of all morality. In the 1970s we began to legalize the murder of babies by the millions while still in their mothers' wombs. We later had-and continue to have-men-with-men and women-with-women sexual-relations advocates. Much of the anti-biblical, anti-God activity was written into our laws or issued through governmental authorization by presidential edict. One president even gave a White House party, bathing the presidential residence in the rainbow colors. -All of this, when the vast majority of Americans disapprove of such debauched activity. Then came the official governmental declaration that homosexual marriage is the equivalent of heterosexual marriage, saying to God, in effect, "in your face!" Now, we have the latest movement of the anti-God insanity down the broad way that leads into the abyss. Transgender, transsexual advocacy has trans-morphed into an even more rebellious, anti-God, anti-biblical proposal by the earth-dwellers. There are those within the scientific and medical communities who see men carrying babies in the womb at some future date. The following news excerpt tells the story. WOMB transplants could allow men to have babies "tomorrow", an expert claims. They would not be able to deliver the baby naturally, but could give birth by cesarean. Richard Paulson, president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, said eight children had already been born to women after transplants. And he told a meeting in San Antonio, Texas: "There's plenty of room to put a uterus in there. Men and women have the same blood vessels." He said the next step would be trials involving transgender women to help them become natural mothers... Doctors hope to perform the first UK womb transplant in 2018. (Source: Womb Transplants Could Allow Men to Have Babies "Tomorrow," Victoria Fletcher, Rapture Ready News, 11/5/17) Remember that movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger? His character was pregnant. The shocking movie poster had him, with his Mr. Universe body, with a swollen abdomen. He was smiling, being proudly with child. Well, that might not be mere fiction for too much longer. Come to think of it, I'm glad I don't have my finger on the trigger of divine power and authority, either! We can all be thankful that the Lord does... I Never Thought I Would See the Day - By Jan Markell - www.olivetreeviews.org Dr. David Jeremiah had a sermon series some years ago with this title. Like me, he noticed aberrations in the culture and in the church and stated he just didn't think he would live to see them. I've come up with my own list as 2017 winds down. It has been an historic year to say the least. Things aren't falling apart, they are falling into place. I didn't think I would live to see: * The earth reeling in an apocalyptic manner, yet most going about business as usual -- eating, drinking, and enjoying life. * Every natural disaster preceded by words such as "unprecedented", "history-making", or "of biblical proportion." * A hurricane (Irma) so strong that it was measured on a device that tracks earthquakes. * A major U.S. newspaper say that someday "everyone will get willingly micro-chipped." * Planned Parenthood team up with Satanists and cooperate in their mutual evil. * Some people heed the warning signs of impending natural disasters but scoff at the ultimate warnings that Jesus is returning soon and you must be ready. * America seriously talk about the possibility of an EMP attack and Hawaii warn of a nuclear attack by North Korea. * Over 40% of Americans say they would prefer socialism over capitalism. * Actors in Central Park simulate the assassination of a U.S. President. * Satanic outfits be granted IRS tax-exempt status while Christians and conservatives are overlooked and ignored. * A leader of the Catholic Church in South America state that Pope Francis is paving the way for the Antichrist. * A major U.S. newspaper -- The Washington Post -- call Satan good and call him a great representation of secularism. * A discussion of womb transplants for men. * Preschoolers being lectured by a demonic horned creature that transgenderism is normal. * The "powertainment industry" (Hollywood) so weakened due to scandals that its influence is diminishing as people boycott films in disgust. * The Boy Scouts allowing girls to join the organization. * Word of a revival in North Korea. * The son of a Hamas leader, who is now a Christian, tell the United Nations that Palestinian leaders are a bunch of terrorists. * Rick Warren state that he hoped his partnership with a Catholic leader would become the ecumenical model for the entire world. * K - 12 U.S. educators demonizing Israel and lauding Islam. * A Democrat Party leader -- Donna Brazille -- blow the whistle on Democrat Party corruption. Politicians usually circle the wagons and protect their own. * The daily scoldings I get from people protesting my pre-Tribulation Rapture-timing theology. (This is not a salvation issue, folks.) * The return of the bubonic plague. A prominent secular talk show host said we live in interesting times -- too interesting. He longs to go back to the 1950s. He doesn't understand that the last days would be characterized by a departure from the normal and an acceleration of the aberrant. He can't grasp the fact that the Bible predicted a lot of what our headlines state today. It's all falling into place. I talk about our troubled times with Dr. Dave Reagan and Nathan Jones on "Christ in Prophecy TV" November 12 and 26. Find the first program below. Learn more at www.lamblion.com . Daily Jot: Prophetic days racing toward prophetic events - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com Several people have written to tell me about how they are dropping out from watching or reading the news. They call it a "news fast." It seems as though the headlines are so full of hate-filled acts, confusion, war, natural disasters, suffering, and even plagues that some people just can't take it anymore. It is information overload in a very dark way. I have to admit as someone who observes news and events, these days are among the worst I've seen in a journalistic career spanning 46 years. While the previous decade was marked with identifiable prophetic news, the past year has been outright chaos driven by hate and division-not only in the United States, but around the world. Indeed, these times we live in seem to be an ever-increasing time of trouble. While we are not in the time of Jacob's Trouble (Biblical tribulation), these are prophetic days in that they are racing toward prophetic events. These are times when events are coming into alignment so that prophetic events will come about. We see the hearts of men growing cold through terrible rhetoric. There are natural disasters taking place in the Middle East such as the earthquake in Iran. Israel is deploying defenses against increased terror attacks. Saudi Arabia is in upheaval. There is famine predicted in Yemen. Major leaders oppose one another on one front, and are allies on another. Relationships are disrupted and strained. These events test faith. They pressure our senses. They can cause conflict within the mind. They may prompt withdrawal from society-such as "news fasts." Taking a break from it probably isn't a bad idea-some time to rethink, regroup, refresh. But it doesn't make it go away. We are a prophetic people living in prophetic times. Our challenge is to make disciples in this dark and dying world that offers up so much clear and present danger. We cannot shrink from our Great Commission, otherwise the world gets darker. Resist the temptation to bury your talent. These are times when our talent should be invested and multiplied. If you are feeling the pressure of events running out of control, remember what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Recall the word of God in Psalm 46:1-2, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." Nahum 1:7 says, "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him." The noise of the news, the events that shape the words in the mouths of the world, are of no effect to those who trust in the Lord. Stay focused on the Lord. He is your refuge. Daily Devotion: Your Spiritual Life Depends on It - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" -Matthew 4:4 Have you ever noticed that most people don't pay much attention to flight attendants as they go over the emergency procedures at the beginning of a flight? I probably don't do this as well as I could because I've flown so many times. I've heard it before. But what if, in the middle of a flight, I were to suddenly hear a loud noise outside and see smoke coming from an engine? Then a flight attendant suddenly steps forward and announces over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, we must make an emergency landing. We will be reviewing the emergency procedures with you once again. Please listen carefully." Do you think I would put down my magazine then? Would I note where those emergency exits are? You'd better believe it. I'm going to get to those exits. I'm going to pay attention for one simple reason: my life depends on it. When it comes to the Word of God, we need to pay careful attention as well. Why? Because our spiritual lives depend on it. Simply listening to the teaching of Jesus doesn't make you a disciple. If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, then you must continue in God's Word. Do you read the Bible every day? It is important. Success or failure in the Christian life depends on how much of the Bible you get into your heart and mind on a daily basis and how obedient you are to it. If you have a deficiency of the Bible in your spiritual diet, then you'll wither spiritually. You will unravel. But if you have a regular diet of the Word of God, you will be strong spiritually. We need to realize that everything we need to know about God is found in the pages of His Word. 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 |
|