Prophecy Update Newsletter
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Only God Knows the Future - By Pastor Mike Taylor - http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2017/11/god-knows-future.html
21" Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. 22 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. 23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. 24 Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you." (Isaiah 41:23) In all the years of my ministry, I am amazed and somewhat dismayed at those who claim there is no God. I had a member on a forum that I host, would not admit that there is evidence, even from our natural world that there is reason to believe there is a higher Intelligence, we call God, who made all that we see on this earth and in the heavens above. They each claim, and this one member, held to the position that there is no proof that there is a God, but what they really mean that there is no proof they are willing to accept, not that there is no proof. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Psalms 14:1-3) Likewise, Paul proclaimed why these "fools" proclaim to their own self destruction: 19 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." (Romans 1:19-21) The Bible is more than ample proof of the existence of God. The Bible is God's love letter to mankind that bears His signature. What is God's signature that proves His existence? Bible prophecy is that proof that there is a God and that He is in control of everything in His universe, including mankind. Those of the scientific field who are the hardest to convince of the existence of God, are able to duplicate or even explain some of the miracles found in God's Word. No doubt, as it was in the days of Nimrod and the tower of Babel, that science will be able to duplicate many more miracles of science, because technology is moving at a lightning speed that was predicted, but foiled in the ancient past of when mankind was of one speech and language. This was to prevent their own self destruction, ahead of the time table set out by God Almighty. Their time was not yet. 5 "And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." (Genesis 11:5-6) In our generation, no other time in history, (save the previous mentioned time), has man been able to come together as one language and imagine to do what was in his heart and mind. That is because of our technology of the computers that can translate any language and share any knowledge that man can devise. God interrupted man's attempt once to be a god unto himself, by confusing their languages, but the age of the computers has erased that barrier and man will do whatever he wishes to discover, until he produces his own destruction. Right now, man has the ability to destroy himself many times over. MEN'S KNOWLEDGE RUNNING TO AND FRO Man is able to reproduce many things that were thought impossible in our recent past, as in the last 100 years, man has gone from a primitive flight of the Wright Brothers, to landing on the moon, and attempting space travel with plans to even go to Mars in our solar system. But there is one miracle that belongs only to God that man can never reproduce. That miracle that belongs only to God is the future. Only God can know what will happen in our future, before it even happens. There is no other god on earth, either by man made inventions, or scientific breakthrough that can explain or predict the future. No other so called "deity" or sacred writing can duplicate what belongs to Almighty God. Biblical prophecy explains what the future will hold for this planet and the people who inhabit its land. That is by Divine design that God offers a challenge to those who are pretenders of His Divine nature. As the opening scriptures shows, God issues a challenge to all who pretend to be a god unto themselves, by this challenge: "Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together." (Isaiah 41:23) Let us take a look ,for example what the prophet Ezekiel prophesied when describing what would happen 2500 years in advance of the future when the geopolitical alliances that have formed in the 21st Century. It has been only 70 years ago that the world was in a world-wide war with Japan and Germany and the alliances that Ezekiel describes didn't even exist until our generation. The modern miracle is the creation of a nation long ago sent to the four winds to becoming a nation again against all odds. From the ashes of the Holocaust that is the nation of Israel reborn, sets into motion that final confrontation of the world's powers that is being made ready for its fulfillment, even as I type this message. It doesn't matter if the time element was 70 or 700 years ago, as it make no difference. Every single event that has happened in our recent past, and even our distant past, if they had not happened in the exact order, as God revealed them to the Old Testament prophets, would have changed the outcome of the final act of this drama we call the human race. What if just one piece had been removed, say Hitler was not born, or one his ancestors had died at birth? Would Israel have been reborn into the Holy Land and be a nation along the Mediterranean sea? Or would the European Jews still be happy in their homes and businesses, as they had been before Hitler's madness exploded on the map of Europe? Without one single person, known to us as the madman called Hitler, would Israel be a nation again as God had prophesied to Ezekiel and written down over 2500 years ago? It is because God saw the rise of this Nazi dictator and used him to push Israel's modern day Exodus back to the Holy Land, just as Ezekiel had written, over 2500 years in the ancient past. This is but one example of Bible prophecy that came to pass in intricate details that if one element of the historical past had been removed, then prophecy would have crumbled and we would not be seeing what we are seeing this day in our generation. But let us take a moment and review some of the prophecies that God foretold and has been coming to pass. I am reminded of the word of our Lord Jesus Christ as He sat on the Mount of Olives and His disciples came to Him, as just prior Jesus had told them that the Temple that was the center of their culture would be torn down, and "not one stone would be upon another, that would not be cast down". Jesus told them in details what would be the sign of the coming of the end of this age, and He made several statements that even now, are coming true. "And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you." (Matthew 24:3-4) Anyone who has their eyes wide open and listening closely will see the deception of our politicians, the elite who live in Hollywood (who even think we would listen to them) and the leftist media that has raised deception to an art form. The biggest lie that Satan likes to foster on an unbelieving world is that "he does not exist". And the deception in our world is Satan inspired, the "father of all lies" We see the deception right now of those who are swimming neck deep in the Swamp we call Washington DC, frantic that there are those that want to drain this swamp and bring in conservative members to help our new POTUS Trump do just that. I have been listening to those who are slamming Judge Roy Moore from a "so called victim" from a reported 40-year-old sexual assault on a 14 year old girl, who is just now coming forward and represented by the extreme Feminist lawyer, Gloria Allred who loves the limelight. My first impression, why all the emotional tears from an episode that happened 40 years ago, and makes a person wonder how much the left Democratic party paid the woman to make this claim when this man has been a judge for many, many years and just now wants to run for the Senate? Do I smell a dead fish in Denmark? And today, I see where her step-son is saying she is making this whole affair up. Even Allen West reports that there is evidence the woman has been paid to lie. But deception? Not us. This is the 21st century! We're too smart to be easily deceived. Really?? THE RISE OF EVIL THAT COVERS THIS EARTH. Our Lord Jesus went on to itemize what would be apparent in the last days and He spoke of the increase and intensity of wars on the scene growing worse and worse. "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. " (24:6) Wars have been a major portion of the history of this country in our domestic era starting with the Civil War and going into World War 1 &2. Since then, I don't believe there has been a decade that we have not been involved in some type of war in the international community. But the threat of World War 3 looms with North Korea rattling her sabers threatening to annihilate the USA, and the POTUS threatening to destroy North Korea in "fire and fury" that no one has ever seen before. Of course, this does nothing but draw in Russia and China into the same Cold War that we thought history had abolished with the fall of the Iron Curtain and the demise of the Soviet Union. But as Jesus told us, the end was not yet, and it wasn't....YET. Next, Jesus goes on to explain to His disciples that there would come a "great "FALLING AWAY" "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (2 Thessalonians 2:3) In all my born days, would I have imagined the expulsion of anything that pertains to the God of the Bible from the halls of government, our class rooms, and the dumbing down of the masses to anything that speaks of righteous living and the precepts found in your Bible. But that is what we have seen, with Brown vs. the Board of Education in the 60s taking prayer out of the classroom, Roe V. Wade in the 70s and the ongoing slaughter of innocent life in and out of the womb of an inconvenienced mother, to the legalization of same sex marriage and all things pushed by a minority population known as the LGBT, or homosexuals of this country that make up only 1% of the population. Let us not forget the random gun violence that makes one wonder if this is not staged to take away our 2nd amendment rights, and/or people possessed by evil. In our day, I would say the world has truly gone mad. LOVE OF MANY HAVE GROWN COLD Jesus goes on to say that another detail that will be present at the end of this age. "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matthew 24:12) Anybody else notice how many parents are murdering their children lately? We just had a case, beside Roe V. Wade that invades our culture, of a mother who killed her 10 year old daughter and then committed suicide. Anyone of us can state their own local news to report the same happening in your area as this epidemic of the love of many growing cold reaching epic proportions. Each of you can make a case for the increasing tolerance of sin and the collapsing moral structure of society . THE EMERGENCE OF THE ANTI-CHRIST Daniel says that the Anti-Christ's seminal act of power will be to make peace between Israel and her neighbors. Until this generation, there was no Israel to be at war with. The world is crying for a leader who can solve global problems like "climate change", nuclear proliferation, the Middle East, terrorism and outlaw nations. I remember what was said back in the 1950s that was repeated in our century: "What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the alliances of all people and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man, and be he god or devil, we will receive him." Henri Spaak circa 1957-1960 Secretary General of NATO"**********The time has come to deepen economic and currency union "For this renewed push towards integration we need strong political leadership." (Deutsche Bank President 2011) The world is ripe for the coming of the lawless one. But make no mistake, the man will not be on the scene until the church is removed. 6 "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2nd Thessalonians 2:6-9) I've made that clear for many messages past, that we may think we know who the man is, but we will never see him do what the bible says he will do, and that is confirm a 7 year treaty with Israel. This may even be after the Ezekiel 38-39, Gog-Magog war that decimates Islam and most likely Russia. EARTHQUAKES, FAMINES, WARS AND PESTILENCE. Jesus explains that the time of the end will be as a woman in labor pains, with growing intensity and frequency as the time approaches. Each of these events have been the scourge of mankind since the time of the fall of our first parents, but nothing in the recent past, or historically has seen the rise of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions like we see today. The earth seems to be in convulsions, trying to cast our the sin of mankind that it has afflicted on this planet. Ethnic wars rage all over the planet, but central in third world countries of the Middle east, the African plains, and the Far East like North Korea. Entire populations face mass extinction from starvation, or from diseases that have long vanished from our world. News reports of the Black Plague have sprung up in the news in Madagascar and migrating into the African countryside on its Western borders. Many believe this is a manufactured biological warfare designed to de-populate Africa, that could get away from the perpetrators and spread world-wide. Let us not forget to mention diseases that have long thought to be eradicated, such as Tuberculosis, Small-pox, and the new kid on the block, HIV or AIDS that continues to ravage those of the homosexual community and spreads in the heterosexual community because of illicit sexual relations. The spread of this portion of the downfall of mankind just grows more intense with each passing day that heralds the end of this age. THE DAYS OF NOAH AND LOT "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5) 37 "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:37-39) Wickedness is the hallmark of this day and age and can be proven by just turning on your TV, or pick up a newspaper, or even surf the internet. You can read about maniacs that blow up a bus full of children, or crucifying Christians on crosses, or beheading those who will not bow the knee to Islam. Or how about the latest domestic terrorism that shoots up an outdoor theater with an automatic weapon and kills over 50 people and hurt hundreds in a rampage of hedonism in Las Vegas? If you turn on that big, black box in the corner of your living room, anything that your heart's desire can be viewed on this screen from murder, to rape, to pornography, and sitcoms that glorify homosexuality ie. "modern family" and Will and Grace. Not to mention Disney putting out a sitcom on homosexuality as normal aimed at children called "Andi Mack" where a child figures out he's gay and comes out to his friends...Disney? You mean Mickey Mouse has gone gay? Television could be described as 'imagination in a box'. We are entertained by vicariously participating in the story line. What entertains us the most? Based on the most popular TV series, the answer is undoubtedly all the above. But concerning Lot, Lot lived in Sodom, a place where homosexuality was rampant and widely accepted as an acceptable alternative lifestyle. Today we have the passage of the same sex marriage act, or legalizing abortion in the recent past, or the "gay lobby" that pushes their agenda to allow all expressions of sexual contact to be legal, even the sin of pedophilia. Ever hear of NAMBLA, which advocate the legalization of sex with minor children? We in this nation live in modern Sodom and Gomorrah, and we know what happened to those of those two cities?...God destroyed them with fire a brimstone, that can only be similar to a nuclear blast. WORLD-WIDE INSTANTANEOUS COMMUNICATION. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14) The Gospel has spread all over the world with the invention of the internet and websites that preach the Gospel are seen in all the countries of the world that have TV access or computers. With all this information flooding the world, there will be no corner of the earth that the Gospel has not penetrated. Jesus said that when that happens THEN the end will come. So, it could come at any moment, as this prophecy has been fulfilled. I look on the stats of my blog and notice that the message has gone from the east to the west all over this globe. How much more has this message gone out, as there are thousands of Christian websites and blogs that preach the Gospel besides mine. I am but a drop in the flood of information that seeks to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Jesus was talking about our day. RELIGIOUS DECEPTION "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24) I could make a list of such deceivers. But so could you. There is now a big push to bring all religions under one banner, headed by the Roman Catholic Church. The daughters of this Gnostic religion that came out because of Martin Luther and the Reformation, has all but jumped on board to make this a reality. This deception also has reached the Protestant denominations that preach a Prosperity Gospel and proclaim this life to be the best yet to come. Only they don't realize that the sins of mankind and the debauchery will only get worse and worse. The Bible speaks of this deception growing stronger when the "false Prophet" proclaims the coming Anti-Christ to be a god on earth. And that my friend, could be just around the corner. If the coming of the "lawless one" is close, then how close is the coming of our Lord Jesus for His Church? Even closer than what we see happening around us. Our God, ABBA Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of the Old and the New Testament has been right on a multitude of past prophesies that could take many papers to speak of and prove that the Bible is the only Book that has written prophesies that have come to pass to the very letter. God knows the end from the beginning, as He is outside of time and see man's history much as a reel to reel movie. He knows how this all will end, and He controls the levers of history. Bible prophecy is the Signature of God, the proof of His existence and the assurance we have of our salvation. "So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) CONCLUSION Just from this quick rundown of what our Lord spoke of in Matthew 24 and Old Testament prophets briefly mentioned what would come to pass, should make a body sit back and analyze how this all could come about and be predicted with such accuracy in a Book that many discount as so much religious fables. But Fables don't have a tendency to come true. The Bible is full of prophesies that have come to pass, and if the Bible has been 100% correct, the coherent mind would believe that the rest that are coming upon us, even now, will come to pass as well. It only proves that there is a God in Heaven, who looks down upon our world and made man to be in His image, but made for the sole reason that God wanted a family. God will have His family, as He sent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God to be a ransom for those who would believe. You see, Jesus died for the WHOLE world, but knew that the whole world would not all believe, but follow after the "father of lies" Satan the devil, as they loved unrighteousness and their sinful lifestyles, more than they loved the Lord God. But that is not what God wants, or desires...as He sent His Son to redeem His family that was lost in the Garden of Eden. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2nd Peter 3:9) But God in His infinite wisdom, knew that not all would accept His free gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus, but it was a freewill choice given to those who wanted to follow Him out of love and a desire to be obedient to His will. God did not want robots, but children who love Him. So will you love Him? Will you follow Him and accept His free gift of mercy and grace? If you be honest with yourself and think for yourself and not from the "adversary" the devil, you will admit God is real, as the heavens and creation scream of His existence. But how do you come to a God who by all standards found in your Bible is a HOLY GOD that will not allow sin into His presence...God made is very simple. 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18) God is calling to those who will listen to His message of Grace and Mercy and has given the only way to come to a God that the world says does not exist, but prophecy fulfilled says they are deceived. Will you be deceived? 9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:9-11) This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you believe in the only Way back to God, Jesus Christ, our Lord. If you need prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear, then email me at [email protected] , God bless you all. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET. A Quaking Middle East - Alf Cengia - http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=8539 There was a massive earthquake in the Middle East the weekend prior to the writing of this article. It struck near the northeastern Iraqi city of Halabjah and measured 7.3 on the Richter scale. As of writing, about 530 people have lost their lives. That figure could change. Arutz Sheva reports that the quake was felt hundreds of miles across the Middle East in Turkey, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates. It was felt 600 miles away in Tel Aviv, Israel and other areas: Recording stations in Haifa in northern Israel and Beer Sheva in southern Israel measured a magnitude of 4.5 on the Richter scale. At around the same time other quakes were felt in two different parts of the world. A 5.8 magnitude quake struck off the coast of Japan. And a "6.5 magnitude quake struck the Pacific coast of Costa Rica near its capital city San Jose." Am I wrong or has there been a heckuva lot of shaking lately? There seems to be a lull and then a small string of quake activity...followed by another lull and more activity several months later. There will always be a skeptic who will come along with statistical data supporting the "business-as-usual" narrative. For the moment I'm just not buying that narrative. I can't help thinking of Matt 24:7-8; Mark 13:8 and Luke 21:10-11. You know what I'm talking about..."and there will be famines and quakes in various places etc." Interestingly, in his book The Footsteps of the Messiah, Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum associates these verses with a "birth pangs" period preceding the 70th week of Daniel (pp 626, 627). He regards World Wars 1 and 2 as part of this prophecy. While some place these events in the first half of the 70th week, I find Dr. Fruchtenbaum's premises quite compelling. Whatever the case, there has been another category of shaking in the Middle East. This is beyond prophetic dispute and isn't related to earthquakes. It's been all bad since that alleged Arab Spring event, when Syria descended into one-way chaos. The entire region has become chaotic. I won't begin to try to analyze the political intrigue and upheaval the region is undergoing. Not only do I lack the skills set, but its fast-pace-change nature is likely to frustrate most analysts. The unexpected is happening. That said - we can look at some worrying headlines. Consider Hezbollah. Many Lebanese believe Hezbollah's existence serves as assurance against Israeli hegemony. In fact unbiased pundits recognize that it (like Syria) serves as a proxy for Iran. A recent Middle East Forum article points out that it has now consolidated its "stranglehold in Lebanon." This follows the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. After fleeing to Saudi Arabia, the former prime minister cited concerns over a possible assassination plot from Hezbollah. Lebanese President Michel Aoun (considered to a Damascus proxy) won't accept the resignation unless Hariri returns to Beirut. He shouldn't hold his breath. Hariri stated that: Wherever Iran settles, it sows discord, devastation and destruction, proven by its interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries. Hariri failed to mention Iran's interest in eradicating Israel. This recent Lebanese affair troubled French President Macron so much that he's "hastily" consulted with the Saudis. Not only is he worried about Lebanon's stability, but also stability in the region. Iran's ballistic missile program is a concern, even though Macron is trying to foster better relations with the Iranian regime. Let's recall that Macron, the Saudis and Israel can thank the Obama administration for the Iranian resurgence. It now controls Syria and arguably Iraq. See also the Gatestone article Lebanon's Fall Would Be Iran's Gain and Caroline Glick's Assessment. When asked about the recent "wave of high-level arrests for corruption in Saudi Arabia," Macron naturally declined. His diplomatic response was that it was "vital to work with the kingdom for the stability of the region." Will these events be a catalyst for Europe to stir from its sleep? Maybe! Is it concerned about the Iran-Russia alliance? It ought to be. While President Trump has frosty relations with Iran, he agrees with Macron's sentiment and has been courting the Saudis. They both see Shiite Iran as an enemy. Still others are concerned about the New Saudi Arabia and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. ZeroHedge used the term tectonic - and appropriately so - to describe the Saudi changes: So much is currently in flux, especially in Saudi Arabia, that nearly anything can happen next. Which is precisely why this volatile situation should command our focused attention at this time. The ZeroHedge article provides a helpful summary of the state of play. The premise is that if the Saudi situation isn't worrying you, you're not paying attention. Interestingly enough, a Foreign Policy article also suggests that Donald Trump has "unleashed the Saudi Arabia we all wanted and always feared." Surrounded by all this "tectonic quaking" is Israel. From Reuters: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he has put the United States and Russia on notice that Israel will continue to take military action across the frontier in Syria, even as the two powers try to build up a ceasefire there. Iranian Russian-backed presence in Syria means it's in a better strategic position to attack Israel. If you'll pardon the bad pun, Israel is being forced to play Russian roulette. So far it has dodged the bullet. How long can that continue? One wrong move and it risks Russia's wrath, and perhaps even that of the few nations it considers to be allies. In the meantime the US appears to still be under the grand delusion that it can engineer a Peace Plan for the Middle East. But that's a story for another day. We live in times where the unexpected can happen, very quickly. This world's rude awakening could occur sooner than later. Just like the quakes mentioned above, the ramifications will be far-reaching. Nevertheless we know how it ends: And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. Zech 12:9-10 Keep looking up! Saudi Prince Muhammad is on eve of accession, plans war on Iran, with Israeli attack on Hezbollah - https://www.debka.com/saudi-prince-muhammad-eve-accession-plans-war-iran-israeli-attack-hizballah/ The next Saudi King Crown Prince Muhammad and Israel agree that Iran is the biggest threat to the region, but Israel's top soldier rules out initiating an attack on Hezbollah. Two London publications on the same day, Thursday, Nov. 17, shed unusual light on the next chapter in Saud royal history, as well as on the hitherto semi-clandestine ties between Riyadh and Jerusalem. The London Daily Mail, quoting "a source close to the Saudi royal family" reported that King Salman, 91, intends to give up the throne next week and name his son, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, 32 as his successor. The king will reportedly confine himself to ceremonial duties like "the queen of England," retaining only the title of "Custodian of the Holy Shrines." Near two weeks ago, Prince Muhammad ordered 500 notables, including princes, former ministers and business leaders detained on charges of corruption. The British newspaper carried the first photos of the distinguished detainees sleeping on mattresses on the floor of the five-star Carlton Ritz Riyadh. After he is crowned king, the prince will focus on Iran, according the Daily Mail. His plan is "to start the fire in Lebanon, in the hope of Israeli military backing." He is convinced he has to hit Iran and Hezbollah - contrary to the advice of the royal family - and will enlist the help of the Israeli military to crush Hezbollah, for which he has promised Israel billions of dollars if they agree." The source stressed: MBS can't confront Hezbollah in Lebanon without Israel. The Daily Mail did not reveal how Israel sees this proposition - only that the prince has a Plan B: to fight Hezbollah in Syria. Neither did its source explain how this would come about amid a crumbling Syrian insurgency. DEBKAfile's Middle East sources note that rumors of King Salman's imminent abdication and handover to his son Muhammad have been around for some time and are credible, given the monarch's failing health. Many of the hundreds of high-profile figures he placed under detention on Nov. 4 are opposed to his accession. That the Crown Prince will focus on Iran is also credible - except that more than a year ago, he declared that Saudi Arabia was at war with the Islamic Republic in Yemen and it is not going very well. The Saudis and their allies, the UAE, are stuck in a standoff with the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels. Iran moreover threatens their ports and capital cities with missile strikes. However, when the Houthis fired a ballistic missile supplied by Iran at Riyadh international Airport on Nov. 4, Prince Muhammad called it an act of war. He is turning to Israel and its armed forces, not just as the only reliable military and intelligence force capable of handling the opening shots of the war on Iran, but out of their shared perception of Iran as the biggest threat to the Middle East. He moreover no longer expects active and determined participation in fighting Iran from the US under President Donald Trump. On this last point, Saudi Arabia and Israel are divided. In an interview with the London-based, Saudi-owned news site Elaph - his first with a Saudi publication - that was published on the same day as the Daily Mail story, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Gady Eisenkot laid out what he thinks are Iran's ambitions in the Middle East: "The Iranian plan is to control the Middle East by means of two Shiite crescents. The first from Iran through Iraq to Syria and Lebanon, and the second from Bahrain through to Yemen until the Red Sea," he said, adding: "This is what must be prevented in the region." "With [US] President Donald Trump, there is an opportunity for a new international coalition in the region," he said, citing the US, Arab nations including Saudi Arabia and Israel "for stopping the Iranian threat." "We are ready to exchange experiences with moderate Arab countries and exchange intelligence to confront Iran," he added. While the Israeli general stressed the importance of the Trump administration's role in this effort, the Daily Mail's Saudi source did not mention the United States at all. So while the prince who may be crowned Saudi king next week and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu agree that Iran is the biggest threat to the region and beyond, they are at odds on how to cut it down and who should lead the effort. Prince Muhammad's thinking on this resembles the Israel's approach to the Iranian threat five years ago, that if the IDF decided to go it alone, the Americans will jump in later. But today, Eisenkott reflected a different approach. He stressed in the interview that Israel "isn't interested in a war now with the Iranian-backed Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, despite Iranian attempts to bring about an escalation." Riyadh may take this as Israel's reply to prince Muhammad's plan: Several billion dollars will not persuade Israel to send the IDF to fight a war except in its direct national interest, even though Israel and Saudi leaders and military chiefs are in complete accord on the Iranian peril. Sanhedrin/Mount Zion Group Prepares Oil for Temple Menorah, Fulfilling Amos Prophecy on Jewish Land - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/97947/sanhedrin-prepares-oil-temple-menorah-fulfilling-amos-prophecy-jewish-land/#r7ZPADkhprDkr6de.99 "And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it." Exodus 25:31 (The Israel Bible™) In preparation for the Third Temple, the nascent Sanhedrin and the United Temple Movement (UTM) under the auspices of the Mount Zion Association annually prepares olive oil that is ritually pure and ready for use in the Temple, but this year, the olives were harvested from a special orchard, intended to send a special light into the world that adheres to a prophecy with current-day political ramifications. The oil-making is part of an ongoing effort by the Mount Zion Association to recreate Temple rituals and become familiar with them in every detail, so they can be reinstated without delay, should the need arise in the near future. But making this olive oil is also an effort to bring about prophecy as written in the Bible. On Sunday, volunteers will harvest olives for Temple oil in the orchards of Amona, a Jewish community in the Biblical region assigned to the tribe of Benjamin. Chephar-ammonah, Ophni, and Geba-12 towns, with their villages. Joshua 18:24 Amona was established in 1995 but a long legal battle initiated by the anti-Israel nongovernmental organization Peace Now culminated in 3,000 Jews being forcibly evicted from their homes. Amona was destroyed in several stages, the final evictions being carried out in January of 2017. While the homes were destroyed, trees planted by the Jewish farmers were left standing. The Sanhedrin and UTM will go out to those orchards and harvest the olives to process for use in the Temple. Knesset Member Rabbi Yehudah Glick is expected to participate. Rabbi Hillel Weiss, spokesman for the nascent Sanhedrin, explained that planting trees is one method of proving ownership of land, described in the Book of Jeremiah. For thus said God of Hosts, the God of Yisrael: "Houses, fields, and vineyards shall again be purchased in this land." Jeremiah 32:15 "When the Jews went into exile in Babylonia, they planted trees and wrote deeds to the property so that they would have proof of ownership when they returned from exile," explained Rabbi Weiss. "As long as our trees are there, as long as we harvest them, we are showing our claim to the land. "The Jews have returned, we have proved our ownership, and despite what the haters of Israel believe, Jewish communities in Israel cannot be destroyed ever again," Rabbi Weiss said, citing the Prophet Amos. I will restore My people Yisrael. They shall rebuild ruined cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink their wine; They shall till gardens and eat their fruits. And I will plant them upon their soil, Nevermore to be uprooted From the soil I have given them -said Hashem your God. Amos 9:14-15 Rabbi Weiss explained that though the process, including the destruction of Jewish communities, is painful, it has a higher spiritual purpose, embodied in the lighting of the Temple menorah. "God presses Israel just like we press the olives," Rabbi Weiss said. "It appears the olive is destroyed, but what is actually happening is the bitterness is being removed and the oil, the sweetness, is being saved and purified to send light into the world." Normally, olive oil is made by crushing the olives and then pressing them. As per the Biblical commandment, olive oil for use in the menorah is made by smashing the olives by hand and then allowing the oil to drip for several days. You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly. Exodus 27:20 This produces a very small quantity of oil, only about two percent of the volume of the olives as compared to 20 percent by pressing. But the method described in the Bible produces oil that is vastly superior to that produced by any other method. The UTM prepared about 450 pounds of olives, producing 25 quarts of oil. The husks are then pressed and the oil can be consumed or used for adding to grain offerings. As much as possible, the ritual purity of the olives is preserved. As soon as the olives are pounded, they become open to impurity. They are therefore processed in an area open to the sky and the workers wear surgical masks, as saliva can transfer impurity. The hammers are made of plastic and the surface is marble, materials that cannot receive ritual impurity. Burning the oil in the Temple was considered a sacrifice in every respect, and does not require an actual Temple building to house it. The Biblical commandment could be fulfilled today by placing the Menorah on the Temple Mount, filling it with the oil that has been prepared, and having it lit by a Kohen (a Jewish man from the priestly caste). The oil is ready and the menorah is on display in the Old City of Jerusalem, waiting to be moved to the Temple Mount and used for its designated purpose. Watchman Warning: Last Days Warnings - By Hal Lindsey - https://www.hallindsey.com/ww-11-16-2017/ As the world reels under the impact of the latest Middle East crisis, many are discovering that the events are fitting into a larger pattern of precisely predicted events. The pattern is to be found woven through the Hebrew prophets from Moses to Jesus Christ and John the Apostle. The prophecies were made during a period of from 3500 to 1900 years ago. Throughout these predictions, it's clear that the events are to lead to a final seven-year period of world catastrophe. This period will climax with a global war of such magnitude that only the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ to this planet will prevent man from self-annihilation. THINGS WE ARE SEEING Listed below are 20 pieces of this pattern which are unmistakably coming together simultaneously for the first time in history.
THINGS TO WATCH The Arabs will continue to bring greater pressure upon the Western nations to support their demands against Israel. They will do so through the continued restriction of oil without which the industrial nations cannot survive. They may begin to use their vast financial power to seriously threaten the economy of the United States as well. It is doubtful that Fort Knox could back up the dollars they hold, if they demanded gold for them. The United States will have some severe economic shocks from the European Common Market and the Arab oil squeeze. It will continue its decline as a major power both by this and internal moral decadence. The European Common Market will begin to emerge as the greatest economic power in history. Israel will continue to increasingly become the Western world's dilemma. The Middle East will continue to be the most dangerous threat to world peace in history. The prophets clearly say that the spark that sets off Armageddon will be struck by the invasion of Israel by the Egyptian-led Arabs and the Russians. Jesus predicted these days we're living in when He said concerning the prophetic signs, "When you see all these things, know He is at the door ready to return." Then He said, "This generation will not pass away until all is fulfilled." My opinion is that, because we are seeing all these signs fitting into the predicted pattern, we are the generation, which will see the culmination of history, as we know it, and the return of Christ. Who knows, perhaps this will be the year of Christ's sudden and mysterious coming to snatch out all those who believe in Him. News from Hal Lindsey Media Ministries - Hal Lindsey - www.hallindsey.com In the 14th century, the bubonic plague -- or Black Death, as it is known in history -- wiped out 60% of the entire population of Europe. Modern medicine, particularly antibiotics, effectively defeated bubonic plague and relegated it to occasional, relatively minor outbreaks. Well, the Black Death is back. Several nations are once again experiencing outbreaks of bubonic plague. This outbreak began in Madagascar, an island off the east coast of Africa. It has now spread to at least ten African nations. The death toll, thus far, is in the hundreds. Thousands have been infected, including many healthcare workers. With the ready availability of antibiotics and the quick response of the world's medical community, a massive bubonic plague outbreak seems unlikely. But no one knows. After all, Jesus predicted that in the time just before His return, the world would see an alarming increase in "pestilences." And bubonic plague can certainly be classified as a pestilence. But I think we're facing an even greater problem: antibiotic-resistant diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States alone, approximately two million people each year become infected with bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. The CDC estimates that 23,000 die from those infections each year. Sadly, this may be only the beginning. Colistin is often referred to as "the antibiotic of last resort." It's the powerful, last-gasp alternative reserved for those cases that don't respond to anything else. According to The Guardian of London, "Scientists attending a recent meeting of the American Society for Microbiology reported... that bacteria containing a gene... which confers resistance to the antibiotic colistin... had spread round the world at an alarming rate since its original discovery 18 months earlier." It has gotten so bad that England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies recently told a conference, "The world is facing an antibiotic apocalypse." Precisely as Jesus warned for these days in which we are living. Wow, strange things are happening in the Middle East. After accepting Hezbollah as a "partner" in Lebanon's government during the past year, Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, flew to Saudi Arabia and briefly disappeared. Last week, he appeared on Saudi television and announced his resignation as Prime Minister of Lebanon. Hariri blamed Hezbollah, which is internationally recognized as a terror group, and its master, Iran, which is internationally recognized as the greatest state sponsor of terrorism. He said he feared for his life. Even now, Hariri insists he is not being detained against his will. But Lebanon -- and Hezbollah -- accuse the Saudis of "kidnapping" their Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the Houthis of Yemen launched a ballistic missile at Saudi Arabia. The Saudi air force intercepted it and destroyed it mid-flight. The Houthis are a radical Yemeni group funded by Iran -- which also founded and funds Hezbollah. Since Iran funds the Houthis and supplied the missile that was fired at Saudi Arabia, and since Hezbollah is, likewise, a proxy of Iran and is a full partner in Lebanon's official government, the Saudis have drawn an interesting conclusion. Saudi Arabia is accusing Lebanon of committing an "act of war" against it. So the Saudis accuse Lebanon of an "act of war" and the Lebanese accuse the Saudis of kidnapping their Prime Minister. The whole affair has the Middle East on edge. Some analysts believe the Saudis accuse the nation of Lebanon of this aggression in order to fan sectarian conflict in Lebanon. The thinking is that if the Saudis can cause the 40% of Lebanon's population that is Christian, and the 30% that is Sunni Muslim (as opposed to Shi'ite Muslim like Hezbollah and Iran) to rise up against Hezbollah, they may be able to stop the takeover of Lebanon by Iran. The Saudis may be setting the stage for a possible intervention in Lebanon. If that happens, Iran won't respond nicely and the region could explode. The human suffering caused by the Syrian civil war (in which Iran and Hezbollah are allies of Assad), has been surprising and tragic. It has changed the character of the Middle East and, because of the mass "refugee" migration, of Europe. But it may be just the beginning. Finally, as we prepare to celebrate this Thanksgiving season, I want to share with you why I think it's more important than ever to understand the power of praise in thanksgiving to God. Our nation faces real and present dangers. As I report weekly on "The Hal Lindsey Report," the threats are mounting and the odds appear to be impossible. But it's precisely at those moments of darkness that the power of praise and gratitude to God can be our pathway to victory. Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com . Check your local listings. Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. Daily Jot: Having joy in troubled times - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com I have been receiving a lot of comments lately from Daily Jot readers. Many have been very encouraging. Others are appalled at the state of affairs in our nation and around the world. Still some are angry and do not want to admit the obvious that is before them. Sometimes it is a good idea to take a step back, take a deep breath, and look at the world from a different angle. When I started the Daily Jot back in January of 2002, I sensed the Lord wanted a brief testimony of daily events that could equip and encourage people to share the Good News. Most of the Daily Jot readers, especially those who have been reading a while, "get it." But I want to encourage all readers to keep things in perspective. The Bible is about Jesus Christ and what he did to bring salvation to a fallen world. There are many examples of how we are to live our lives and how we are to treat others. A good friend of mine says "You reap what you sow, more than what you sow, later than you sow." He's got a great point. It really is a law of God. So if you read the Jot and use it to share a Biblical perspective by discussing a current event, then you have planted a seed. Unlike seeds that you plant in a garden, you may never see the growth of that seed, but God's word does not return void. I want to encourage you to share what is in the Daily Jot with others--either verbally, or via email, or any other way that you see fit. The Daily Jot is NOT intended to bring you distress or sorrow or fear. As Christians, we are often mocked for saying that we are living in the end times. They say that every generation thinks that. But the fact of the matter is that every day brings us closer to the Biblical end times. Certainly, there are many prophetic indicators that tell us we are getting closer and closer to the return of Christ the Messiah. How wonderful is that? We know from scripture that things are going to get worse the closer we get. But we are encouraged in Ephesians 6:13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Part of what the Daily Jot is intended to do is to rally folks to do the right thing. Romans 12:21 says "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Our country long has been a beacon of Christian hope to the rest of the world. I know. I have traveled quite a bit and hear what people say. We have a legal say in how things are done in our country. But because we have diverted our attention away from God and from His precepts of good citizenship, our beacon is dimming. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3 that he has seen travail of the labors of men. "I know there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God." Don't let these troubled times get you down. Find joy in Christ's labors. Daily Devotion: Our Primary Purpose - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." -Revelation 4:11 One of the fundamental differences between people and animals is that animals don't worship, but people do. Why? Because God has essentially wired people this way. The Bible says that He has placed eternity in our hearts. We sense there is something more, and it causes us to worship. Some of us understand that we were created to know and worship the God who created us. Yet many of us are not worshiping the Lord, and we are missing out on what God has for us. In Revelation 4:11 we read, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." In the Garden of Eden, Adam was living in a literal paradise. God had given him a companion to share it with, and Adam's job description was to go through the garden and discover all that God had created. It would almost appear from the story in Genesis that Adam and God had a daily appointment where the Lord would come in the cool of the day, and Adam and God would speak together. You know the rest of the story. Adam and Eve were attracted to the forbidden fruit and ate it. Sin entered into the world as a result. And later when the Lord came walking in the garden, He called out, "Adam, where are you?" In a sense He is still saying that to us today: "Where are you? I want to have fellowship with you. I want you to discover the purpose I created you for." We were put here on this earth to worship God. We were created for His pleasure. Our primary purpose in life is to know, glorify, and worship the God who created us. FROM THE HEART
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