May all my readers and visitors be thoroughly blessed in living in this Truth and receiving a fresh baptism in the Holy Spirit:
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During Monday morning catch up with emails and responding to a discussion I was pleased to receive from dear Neil an urgent email, “…as it is time-critical for the New Year”. Therefore, please consider what the Lord has led our humble brother to share about strategic praying:
NEW YEAR, NEW FOCUS – PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
About 3 weeks ago, I started writing an article on how to pray in a time of national crisis. I opened with: “Watching the world spiralling downwards in disarray, and feeling overwhelmed by the evil influences that appear to be controlling most aspects of society, I have felt totally inadequate. Where do we turn when we discover that those organisations, once thought to be bastions of truth, justice and good governance, turn out to be biased, corrupt and venal?”
Then, unexpectedly, the Lord led me in a different direction (sort of!). The Lord told me to examine the root causes of today’s dysfunctional society, before considering how to pray.
However, I pressed on with researching what the Bible has to say about prayer. I soon realised that the Bible contains so much Scripture relating to prayer that a full analysis would take years! Pondering this, I came to the conclusion that my approach and commitment to prayer lacked direction, seriousness, urgency and, above all, that I was ignoring the guidance God was trying to give me, i.e., that I should study why society is so polarised.
As it happens, I was also trying to trace my family tree, which was proving a diverse and complicated exercise. In a flash of insight, the Lord gave me a glimpse (an impression) of two immense family trees, both emanating from Abraham, one through the line of Isaac and the other through Ishmael. For a few moments, I felt the pain, the bitterness and resentment of the “un-chosen”, the rejected, those who perceived themselves as having been dispossessed. Fertile ground for demonic influence. I saw the spiritual reality of deep-rooted hatred, and understood that killing the perpetrators of evil in the worldly realm does not stop the evil threads of disaffection and alienation from growing, from generation to generation. Rather the opposite, it increases the hostility.
For example, you might think that after the revelations of the holocaust, the defeat of the Nazis, and the execution of Nazi leaders, the spirit of antisemitism would be dead. Not so, it has returned with a vengeance! In the same vein, a missionary who witnessed the execution of Mau Mau leaders, was convinced that the defiant shouts by the men being led to the gallows: “I’ll come back, I’ll come back” were manifestations of the demons that possessed them, rather than from the men themselves.
What is my point? As Paul says in Ephesians 6: “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” and “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests”. In other words, we are to pray in the real but unseen “heavenly places”, against the demonic hordes in the kingdom of darkness, where Satan rules. We catch glimpses of warfare, and the “rulers” and “authorities”, in the “heavenly places”, in scripture, e.g., in Daniel 10, Revelation 12, 2 Corinthians 10.
So, in seeking to determine what might be undermining the effectiveness of my prayers, the Lord has made it clear to me that my efforts have not been focused in the spiritual realm (“heavenly places”), and I have not sought to know (understand) my enemy. Time spent gathering information (“intelligence”), and seeking to recognise the enemy’s aim, is seldom wasted! Lucifer’s pride and ambition led to his seeking to exalt himself above God (Ezekiel 28:11-19) and to his downfall (Isaiah 14:12-14) Now known as Satan (the adversary), he seeks to undermine God’s plans for the redemption of mankind, and the second coming of Jesus. He roams the world sowing seeds of hatred and dissention through deception, deceit, envy, pride, unforgiveness, selfishness, etc. His aim is to so polarise society that God’s people become isolated, demoralised and ineffectual.
Paul and the NT disciples understood the essential nature of prayer as a weapon of spiritual warfare, and I’m sure many prayer warriors since (e.g., Rees Howells) have, and are today, fully effective in their intercession. I, however, recognise that I have under-appreciated the value of praying in the spirit, rather than in the flesh.
The Lord encouraged me to revisit, and study carefully, 2 Chronicles 7:14:
“ If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
This is a conditional promise of God, requiring 4 actions on my/our part as believers – “God’s people”.
If we fulfil God’s guidance, the 4 conditions i.e., humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and stop our wicked ways, then God promises to hear, forgive us and heal our land. It sounds straight forward, so why is our land in such a mess? First, I suggest that humbling ourselves (God won’t do it for us!) requires much more focus and determination, and it is something I have not addressed earnestly enough. Humility requires an act of the will, a determination to submit ourselves to God and to His word. Love and obey God, love our neighbours as ourselves, submit to one another. It should never be below my dignity to lie flat on my face before the Lord (yes really, not just thinking about doing it!).
The second and third stages are prayer and seeking God’s face. I believe the first stage is foundational, i.e., humility is necessary before prayer. We then seek to be in God’s presence, to talk to Him to hear from Him and, in the process, we should not be trying to impress others who may be praying with us.
The last requirement is to turn from our wicked ways. Surely that can’t mean me! Well, it is not addressed to non-believers, prostitutes, drug addicts, atheists, thieves etc., it is addressed to us, God’s people. Judgement begins at the house of God (1Peter 4:17) – I do not take the gospel of God, His precepts and statutes, anywhere near seriously enough. I continually “err and stray” from His ways. I can be opinionated, resentful, critical, dismissive, judgemental, unsupportive, hurtful, disrespectful and generally disobedient in all sorts of ways. I tell you the truth, the closer I come to God, the more I recognise my wicked ways. For me, conviction of sin and repentance is an ongoing process.
Clearly, the 4 conditions are challenging, but if we succeed, God promises to hear, forgive our sin and heal our land. Looking at this the other way round – if our land is not healed, it follows that we, God’s people, are not praying appropriately (James 4:3). We must diligently persevere in requesting the healing of our land.
God always keeps His promises: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20). We can see examples of His absolute trustworthiness, expressed in the promises to (covenants with) His people Israel, and their survival over thousands of years (see recent article “Israel in the End Times”). Also, the incredible fulfilment, in accurate detail, of vast numbers of Biblical prophecies (about 85% so far). However, while I believe it appropriate to point these things out in prayer, I don’t think it right for us to “claim” or “demand” anything because of God’s promises.
Lastly, never quench the Spirit by ignoring an impulse to pray.
May the Lord bless, guide and encourage us all in our prayer life this coming year.
Amen
Neil Mackereth is author of SIGNS The Significance of Bible Prophecy, whose inspiring evening classes on End-times I attended twelve years ago at Winchester Vineyard church. So you may wish to Meet Neil Mackereth, author of ‘SIGNS’
I’m reminded of Apostle Paul’s strategic insight at 2 Cor 2:11 “for we are not ignorant of satan’s devices”!
We continue from Memorable motifs on Mark 13..., which led into The Lord hands out FIVE jigsaw pieces on Daniel 9 with three confirmations on Dan 9:27, then to a footnote on the Bible’s first references to ‘The Day of the LORD’ in Obadiah 15.
Last Sunday evening’s Carols by Candlelight at 3Counties Vineyard was hosted by Helena and Andrew Carter, and to which he’d already announced,
‘We are theming the evening around “A New Dawn”. That the coming of Jesus marks a new dawn for the world and that as we welcome His gift of eternal life and come to Him, we enter a new dawn, a fresh start, a new birth.
This year we are focusing on Malachi 4:2: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.”
Andrew begins speaking briefly at 38:30 minutes citing the first two verses of the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament at Malachi 4 (quotation provides the whole for context, NIV, emphases mine):
“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.
Thus, the Lord foretells an especially significant time when all evil will be removed from the earth. It will be global, whereas the day He describes to Obadiah specifically relates initially to His dealing with Israel’s enemies, not only in ancient times but also currently :
“The day of the Lord is near for all nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you;
your deeds will return upon your own head.
16 Just as you drank on my holy hill,
so all the nations will drink continually;
they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been.
17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance;
it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
18 Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame;
Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him.
There will be no survivors from Esau.”
The Lord has spoken.
Jesus confirms that prophecy a few centuries later in His parable of the wheat and tares sown by Him and by satan respectively, as explained at Matthew 13:40-43:
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
All this takes us full circle from 16 years ago when sensing the Lord saying, as recounted in my email The Endgame Is Now In Play:
“This is ALL about to be fulfilled”!
“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing where it ought not (let the reader understand) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…” (Mark 13:14 – emphases mine – re Dan 9:27 NKJV)
NO such thing as coincidence! WOTTA-WEEK of God-incidents last week was! And which metaphor better describes it: The Lord’s full hand pointing out certain things, or His dropping them like pieces of His Invisible Jigsaw ??
It’s remained uppermost in mind, as though the Lord began pointing (index finger) at Mark 13’s reference to ‘the abomination of desolation’ in Book of Daniel, then (middle finger) I shared a reference whilst a friend brought a related prophecy, next another published an article, and finally I got the ‘thumb’s up’ from a third friend telling me of currently studying Daniel!
However, as with many previous postings let’s examine these five-fold indicators like jigsaw pieces being dropped and placed into the bigger picture, which we don’t yet see in its entirety:
1st PIECE – 8th Dec:
As reported with Adam Harding Willis’ spectacular sermon notes of Dave Wright in my Memorable Motifs’ on Mark 13, Jesus’ above prophetic statement is cited. At video’s 55:25 time-point Dave notes that Daniel’s prophecy at Dan 9:27 was initially fulfilled in BC168 when Antiochus Epiphanes (‘God manifest’) set up an altar to Zeus in and upon the Temple’s altar and sacrificed a pig thereon, thus desecrating the Almighty’s most holy sanctuary.
For history see Antiochus Epiphanes—The Bible’s Most Notoriously Forgotten Villain – Biblical Archaeology Society NB: Hanukkah (lit.“rededication”) is eight-day festival beginning on 25 Kislev, celebrated the Maccabees’ recapture of the second Temple from the Syrian Greeks, and its rededication, marked by the miraculous kindling of lights on a menorah or chanukiah. Only one small jug of oil was found for fuelling the lights and expected to last just one day – but they burned for EIGHT days!!
As ‘the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy’ (Rev 19:10) then His instruction “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing where it ought not, then…” is indubitably prophetic about this sign appearing sometime in the future. Thus, Jesus not only confirms the accuracy of the angel Gabriel’s prophecy to Daniel but also bears witness to its coming true, thereby establishing it according to the principle of Deuteronomy 19:15.
Our church team leader’s message closed by urging us to consider:
2nd PIECE – 9th Dec:
As that question would be discussed in Home Group I took a seminal book The Invisible Hand (1984) on geo-political history of the Holy Land to cite its reference to a later appearance of ‘The Abomination’.
As recounted in Bio Info, the Lord had put this in my hand and validated its content by what was being shown simultaneously on BBC. Its author Victor Dunstan examines the time-scales of Daniel’s prophecies and the ‘Abomination of Desolation’.
He cites Gibbon’s ‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’ regarding the outcome of the six months’ siege of Jerusalem (636-7 AD) during Muslim attacks against the Christian Byzantine empire and conquest of The Levant. Its Patriarch agreed to surrender on condition he submit to the Caliph Umar in person:
‘After signing the capitulation, he entered the city without fear or precaution; and courteously discoursed with the Patriarch concerning its religious antiquities. Sophronius bowed before his new master and secretly muttered, in the words of Daniel, “The abomination of desolation is in the holy place!”
Three decades later the Islamic shrine and Dome on the Rock mosque was completed upon a wing of the ruins of the Temple Mount. Victor emphases – it still STANDS there!.
3rd PIECE – 11th Dec:
I noticed Veronika West reports a “9th hour” vision experienced on 9th December of America and “Daniel 9, a stitch in time”.
As I’d already started drafting my post on Mark 13 and its reference to Daniel 9, as well as including the “abomination” remarks on Caliph Umar’s from The Invisible Hand, then in sharing Veronika’s post I noted the God-incidence, as shown herein.
Veronika does not refer in any extent on the content of Daniel 9 but we know it’s prime matter is the intense intercession and deep penitence for and confession of his and his people’s sins and rebellion.
He record’s the Lord’s response in sending the angel Gabriel to give him assurance and give him understanding of a the vision of an awesome Seventy ‘Weeks’ to “finish their transgression, make an end of sins, make reconciliation for iniquity, bring everlasting righteousness, seal up the vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy” .
So Veronika’s hearing the Lord, “I say again, for this is the Ninth Hour! Yes! Daniel 9 — For a Stitch in time shall save nine!” may well mean His answering intercessory prayers for America!
4th PIECE – 13th Dec:
John Barber, friend and author of Prophets of the Bible, posts in his series on Daniel’s four visions: (Daniel 9) Daniel’s Seventy Weeks
5th PIECE – 14th Dec:
Chatting with Andrew Milne as he prepared food at his and his wife’s party, I asked about his study for Masters in Divinity course and he mentioned reading Daniel and an exegetical exposition on Daniel 9’s prophecy of 70 ‘weeks’!!
We have a similar stance on the Holy Spirit gifting of prophecy and recognise its lack of appreciation by scholars of ‘classical interpretation’ hinders a full understanding.
CONCLUSION
My New Spirit-Filled Life Study Bible’s very helpful footnotes also cite the ‘Classical Interpretation’ of Dan 9:26-7 and close its three paragraphs on that, as follows:
‘The classical approach does not, however, rule out antitype fulfillment of the broader principles in Jesus Christ, in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70, nor in the last days’ rampages of the Antichrist. Daniel’s language is clearly eschatological at points, denoting a multilevel prophetic fulfillment. See note on Obad 15.’
SO, IS THE LORD POINTING TO OBADIAH 15?
‘For the Day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; and as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head.’
‘Note: …The word ‘day’ occurs 11 times in vv 8-14. Now it becomes the day of the LORD, a season of judgement and divine justice upon all the nations around Israel. The OT looked ever forward to this time.’ [Emphases as published therein.]
Therefore, has The Day Of The LORD arrived??
End-Times Briefing 20: The Great and Fearful Day of the LORD – Chris G Bennett
Image Credits, courtesy Freedigitalphotos.net
Since the Lord stunned me by dropping “This is ALL about to be fulfilled!” into my mind and spirit sixteen years ago upon opening my Bible to check what Jesus said about the parable of wheat and tares in Matthew 13 – as recounted in my first email on eschatology The Endgame is Now in Play – it’s been rare to read or hear anyone who plugs that parable into End-times teaching, unless maybe within group discussion.
Could that be because it may contradict claims about the ‘Rapture’ or ‘snatching up’ of believers upon Jesus’ Second Advent, as outlined in Paul’s first letter to the early church in Thessalonica? (1Thess 4 13-18)
However, Rick Joyner, founder/director of Morning Star Ministries, refers to it specifically in his latest message on his examining the Book of Revelation.
First, a reminder of Jesus’ explanation to His disciples about the purpose of parables after they’d asked, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13 NKJV) He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the [a]mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”
Then, when the gathered multitudes had left, His disciples needed to know what the parable of wheat and tares means and Jesus specifically relates it to the far distant future, the end of the Age (emphases mine):
“He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the Age, and the reapers are the angels.40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this Age.41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Rick Joyner in his Word for the Week: The Book of Revelation, Part 9 not only refers to that parable but also likening it to today’s returning to the depraved Days of Noah, The Tower of Babel and ‘Mystery Babylon’. His brief study begins:
‘We have been talking about the Lord restoring mankind and the earth. In Revelation, mankind falls to its deepest depravity before the Lord comes to rule and restore. He said it would be like “the days of Noah,” which saw the worst corruption and evil the world would experience until the end of this age. In His parable about the wheat and the tares, Jesus said, “the end of the age is the harvest” (see Matthew 13:39).
In this parable, Jesus was speaking of how the wheat and tares would grow up together. The harvest is when all the seeds that have been sown will come to full maturity, so both the good and evil sown into man will come to full maturity at the end of this age. Then, we will experience evil in its fullness—the full maturity of the sin of man personified in “the man of sin”—and the full maturity of the nature of Christ will be manifested in His people. This is predicted in Isaiah 60:1-3: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” …’ (continue reading here)
As with Johnny Enlow’s Embracing the Golden Age, It is most encouraging to read a learned leader’s analysis that’s independent of overarching doctrinal direction.
I invite those who may be unfamiliar with the importance of the Jewish people and state of Israel in our heavenly Father’s purposes to read my dear friend’s incisive article, for which I express my admiration and gratitude:
ISRAEL IN THE END TIMES
Background
At its opening, the Bible quickly moves to the fall of man, brought about by satan’s lies and trickery. Then follows God’s sovereign selection of Abraham and his descendants, as His chosen people, and His everlasting covenant with them. The Bible continues with how the Jews became established in Israel, and the story of their triumphs, failures, trials and tribulations. The Old Testament (OT) prophets predicted the First Coming of Jesus and the events of His life, death and resurrection. The New Testament (NT) describes how Jesus accurately fulfilled those OT prophecies. The NT provides details about the work of the apostles and disciples in spreading the Gospel, evangelising Gentiles and establishing churches.
At its close, the Bible describes a time of great tribulation, before Jesus returns and satan is defeated.
All the prophecies relating to the First Coming of Jesus were fulfilled. That is miraculous (supernatural) and has huge implications for our appreciation of the many prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Jesus. If the “First Coming” prophecies have been fulfilled, we can be certain that prophecies concerning his Second Coming will also be fulfilled.
The Significance of Israel
One of the key events predicted in both the OT and NT, is the restoration of the Nation of Israel. Jesus said that this would be a sign of the times, i.e., of the End Times, the climax of history. The events surrounding and following the restoration of the Nation of Israel, and the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland in 1948, were accurately prophesied in extraordinary detail in many scriptures, written thousands of years before the events took place. In reality, the 1948 restoration was a response to the “never again” cry after the Holocaust. However, it transpires that “never again” did not mean the Jews would never again be persecuted. What it does mean is that the Jews have determined that never again will they be led to their
slaughter like unsuspecting sheep!
The endurance of Jewish customs, practices and traditions, which they maintained whilst scattered throughout the world for nearly nineteen hundred years, is an
incredible phenomenon. It is, quite frankly, a mystery and a miracle that the Jewish people and their national identity survived. Since 1948 they have, with God’s help, successfully defended their Nation from several attacks by seemingly much more
powerful enemies. Now, in 2024, they are again fighting for their survival.
Why Israel Has to Survive
Why has Israel survived, and why must it survive? The answer, in part, to this vital question can be found in the oft neglected NT chapters 9 to 11 of Romans, which focus on the importance of the Jewish people. The author, the Apostle Paul, was himself Jewish and loved the Jewish people, longing for them to see what he had come to understand – that Jesus is the Son of God and their Messiah. He hoped and prayed that the Gentiles in the churches he founded would recognise and understand that the Jewish ancestry of Jesus, and the history of the Nation of Israel, are foundational and essential elements to the Christian faith.
It is to this history and destiny that the Apostle Paul refers in Romans 9-11. Paul points out that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people. They are the nation whom the Father adopted out of His great love. And although Israel appears to have failed to fulfil its destiny, that does not mean that God has in any way decreed that His adoption of Israel is null and void. As far as Paul is concerned, once adopted, always adopted. God has made an everlasting covenant with His people Israel. The church has not replaced Israel.
By God’s grace, Gentile believers in Jesus are like wild olive branches that have been grafted into the cultivated olive tree – a tree made up of faith-filled Israelites since the time of Abraham. Gentile believers are now a part of faithful Israel’s story. Indeed, we cannot and must not separate ourselves from that story.
In this time of grace, the Gentiles can hear and respond to the Good News about Jesus and come to enjoy the blessings of the promises given to Israel, not least the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Paul speaks about a time when the Jewish people – his own people – will no longer be blinded by their unbelief about Jesus. Vast numbers will see the Deliverer from Zion (Jesus). The veil will be lifted from their understanding and they will then know that Jesus is their Messiah. As Paul prophesies in Romans 11:26: “All Israel will be saved.” Jews will come to believe in Jesus in such numbers that we will be able to say that the nation of Israel as a whole has been saved.
In summary: there is a time-frame in which,
(a) the Gospel is preached primarily to those who are not Jewish “until the full number of the Gentiles has come in”; i.e, until the number of non-Jews who confess Jesus as Lord is complete. That number, and the date when it will be reached, is known only in heaven.
(b) Until that time, there is a remnant of faithful Jews who are chosen by grace (Romans 11:5); these are Jewish people who have chosen, like Paul, to confess that Jesus is Messiah and Lord. When the full number of Gentiles has come in, Paul was certain that circumstances will be such that the Jewish remnant will turn from godlessness and
look upon the one whom they pierced and weep in repentance. There will be a great move of the Holy Spirit among the Jewish people – so great that we will be able to
joyfully declare the fulfilment of the prophecy: “All Israel will be saved!”
The Devil’s Rage
Hopefully you can see why the Jewish people had to survive. In spite of being exiled from the Land that was promised to them by Almighty God, in spite of expulsions
from other alien lands that they inhabited thereafter, in spite of periods of intense and violent persecution in many different places over thousands of years, in spite of the “Final Solution”, the appalling, demonic onslaught of the Holocaust (Hitler’s murder of 6 million Jews, in his attempt to obliterate them), the Jewish people have survived!
And, as already discussed, three years after the end of the Holocaust, part of the Promised Land was miraculously restored to the Jewish people: Israel was re-established as a nation, and Jews have returned from dispersion (the Diaspora).
Why has this enduring vindictiveness been so intense? Because satan knows what the Bible says, albeit he is blinded to the reality that he cannot win. He has been desperate to prevent or postpone the establishment of appropriate (prophesied)
conditions for the Second Coming. That is why the Jewish people have been subjected to sustained attempts by the forces of evil to wipe them out.
How it must torment and anger satan that the Jewish people have, against all the odds, survived his various onslaughts. Furthermore, satan’s seeming successes have proved to be failures. How he must have wailed when Jesus rose from the dead. How he must have wept when Israel was restored as a nation in 1948. And, above all, how he must be howling today as this tiny Nation is so vigorously and effectively responding to demonic atrocities perpetrated by Hamas and built on by Iran and its other proxies.
The End-Game
Satan is now provoking unprecedented world-wide genocidal hatred of the Jews. Many of the world’s leaders, and millions of people supporting the “Palestinian cause”, cannot see, or refuse to accept (are denying the truth), that a fundamental tenet of radical Islam is the destruction of Israel and the extermination of all Jews. Radical and apocalyptic Muslims see “ethnic cleansing” of Jews as a religious duty. Any compromise or appeasement with such blood thirsty and diabolical fanatics, however tempting the short-term gains may appear, would lead to disaster.
Satan is continuing his endeavours to ensure that there is no Nation of Israel to which Jesus can return. Things are getting ever more intense and chaotic, and satan certainly appears to be succeeding in rallying the world against the Jews. However, it is clear from Biblical prophecy that God foreknew the things we are witnessing. He has given us all the information we need to read the “signs of the times” and to stand firm in the knowledge that Victory is assured. Our certain hope is in the truth of the Word of God: He will deal with the enemies that surround Israel (Zechariah 12) and Jesus will return (Matthew 24, Revelation 1 et al), and He will take His throne in Jerusalem, as King of Israel; albeit there will only be a remnant of the Jewish people (Zechariah 13:8-10).
Then “never again” will truly mean NEVER AGAIN
Jesus says “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Neil Mackereth is the author of SIGNS – The Significance of Bible Prophecy and click for an introduction and for his many articles on Richard’s Watch
URGENT WARNING TO THE CHURCH:
DONALD TRUMP & THE MATTHEW 5:22 HATRED PRINCIPLE
1. Introduction:
Time For Hard Truths – So We Can Look Beyond The Politics & Return To Biblical Truth
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, greetings to you in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. May He grant you the grace to both read and respond to this urgent message for the church. Continue reading
Yet again birthday number 22…add up these time digits 16:06…and note Rachel’s further comment before we consider a reminder of Jesus’ instructions:
“Just like many Kingdoms have been built many will topple over and fall. We not pray for such demise, we rather pray for repentance and restoration.It’s not about this Ministry and that Ministry and who has 25k followers and who has 500. It is this — are you led by God? Do you follow His leading. He does not need perfect vessels. He chooses the ordinary and plain, the broken and those who suffer for His name sake. Polished up cookie cutter is NOT IT. Woke is NOT IT. Compromised is NOT it.
It is those who are led by His Spirit in every faucet of their lives. We know His voice because we are intimate with Him. The days of numbers and and fame, greed and fortune will topple. Let us pray for those caught in the webs of deception and let us pray for hearts to turn back to the Father. ~ Rachel” [Facebook official timeline]
JESUS’ & PETER’S INSTRUCTIONS
“Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. 3 Why do you [a]stare from without at the [b]very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam [c]of timber that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7 AMP BibleGateway.com)
17 For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God? 18 And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and wicked? (1 Peter 4 Amplified Bible)
JESUS FORETELLS FALSE PROPHETS
“Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.
14 But the gate is narrow (contracted [k]by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.16 You will [l]fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [[m]worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. 18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear [n]excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore, you will [o]fully know them by their fruits.
21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?
23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]”…..”
28 When Jesus had finished these sayings [the Sermon on the Mount], the crowds were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His teaching, 29 For He was teaching as One Who had [and was] authority, and not as [did] the scribes. (Matt 7)
“And then many will be offended and repelled and will [e]begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred.
11 And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error.
12 And the love of [f]the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved.”….
…21 For then there will be great tribulation (affliction, distress, and oppression) such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now—no, and never will be [again]. 22 And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would endure and survive, but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened.
23 If anyone says to you then, Behold, here is the Christ (the Messiah)! or, There He is!—do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). 25 See, I have warned you beforehand.”
Lastly for now, a reminder of the word that got dropped into my mind like a rock over 25 years ago from Hebrews 12 (NKJV):
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I [k]shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”
27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we [l]may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
PS. This has been in my mind many days and my intention was for it to draw a line to the matter of recent posts, BUT the Lord is drawing a line with an in-depth revelation that must follow next...
I wish to “Thank YOU” personally for taking your valuable time visiting my blog, no matter whether just to dip in or contribute to some posts, for I appreciate your involvement with my blog or visiting its Facebook page, or Telegram channel with extra prophecy-related news along with Prophecy Validations.
To those who’ve kept track with me for the years, thank you very much for your company on this unusual journey – AND wotta-week it’s been with a most welcome vindication after defamation by false ‘prophets’! Continue reading
NB: DRAFTED MAY 2022 BUT NOT PUBLISHED – IT IS NOW MANIFESTING:
Let’s ‘take five’ and consider how contemporary prophetical words and visions may be assessed alongside Bible prophecies that are in play today.
In my humble opinion they’re working in tandem but it may be helpful to consider how the evil manifests according to chapters 7 and 13 of the books’ of Daniel and John the Divine’s account of Jesus’ Revelation respectively.
In Tuesday’s brief End-Times Alert on British supermarkets introducing facial scanning along with digital identity for purchasing goods, I write,
‘We’re well aware of satan’s strategy to prevent The Lord’s End-time harvest and thwart Jesus’ return to the Mont of Olives in Jerusalem by bringing about upheavals foretold in the holy Bible, mainly through globalists’ New World Order or World Economic Forum, BUT BEFORE the Time ordained by our Almighty Father.
Even so, we ALL need to learn about – and be taught by well-informed church leaders!! – what is now happening and how it lines up with scripture and accurate contemporary prophecy.’
A friend who’s the co-founder/administrator of a British prophecy group* challenged my lack of discernment of the actual claim, for separate cash and card payments remain available – ie. Only for the time being!
Nevertheless, during discussion with a dear friend and anointed prophet I write,
‘Good morn dear Veronika. Have seen news of further introduction of mark of the beast and will be posting on it in between our being out and about. It’s more of the enemy seeking to activate End-times ahead of time’
* The group in question is the British Isles Council of Prophets, the leaders of which in Glasgow I knew through Dr Sharon Stone, and had often republished their writings and broadcast news of the Council’s launch in 2019. They were consulted in my drafting State of the Prophetic in the UK for the Baptist Union President’s 2020 conference in Reading. Regrettably, leaders’ personal political prejudices surfaced in their not wanting any coverage of prophecies on Brexit – which had been fulfilled anyway!! But who was I to dishonour the Lord, so I ignored such an ignoble request!
PS (20 Nov ’24): Little did I suspect that 6 months later I would need to issue this post for daring to blog against BICP’s dictat about political coverage, as in…
Facetious ‘apology’ to readers – why I’m tracking Donald Trump
WARN MY PEOPLE: FALSE PROPHET COMING
I had a dream where I was standing in the back of I’m guessing was a church. I saw at the pulpit an individual introducing a figure who was supposed to be Jesus but wasn’t! I saw the words, “false prophet”, written across the forehead of the man standing at the pulpit. Remember that this was my observation from the back of the building. Then, I was standing behind the false prophet and was shown those seated in the pews. What I saw was people who looked as though they’d been hypnotized or under a trance. The Word says that the elect cannot be deceived.: Matthew 24:24“For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”The elect, as I read it, are those who remain faithful to the end. Matthew 24:11-13
“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”Deception is a scarey place to be being that one who is deceived doesn’t realize it even though one shows him/her through the word that they are in error. Prayer is the only thing that can break this. As to why I was shown this and not the people seated is because the Lord opened my eyes and not because I’m anything special. In these last days it would be foolish to rely on any anointing and/or gifting one thinks that they may have and not on the Lord. The scripture passage from Matthew i quote above follows an extremely important passage that I will post below Matthew 24:10
“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.”Notice the steps: offence – betrayal – hatred An offense not dealt with festers and then betrayal and hatred follow it afterwards. In verse 11 it says then false prophets will arise and deceive many. Offence, unforgiveness make one vulnerable to hearing the words of the false prophet(s). Remember what Jesus said about forgiveness. If you want to be forgiven you must forgive! In the dream I heard, “Warn My people!”, which is the reason for the dream. [Completed at 16:59, posted at 17:00 – yet again, no coincidence!]
Further to his fascinating paper on a Biblical framework for understanding eclipses, about which we’ve been in contact, Max Obeiden has now published an exceptional analysis of the US elections. It would be well-worth anyone interested in the middle-East and US politics to consider subscribing to William Koenig’s Eye-View from the White House and accessing this exclusive paper.
For the past eighteen years Max has been working as a top assistant with Koenig World Watch Daily and has a MA degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University.
Thus, he is well-grounded in the principles of meteorological consequences of political interference with God’s purposes for the land of Israel and His city of Jerusalem, as expounded in depth in Eye To Eye, Facing the Consequence of Dividing Israel.
“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”
Sometime in the closing years of the last Century, as we neared the Third Millennium, at the start of a home group evening I got a nudge to open my Bible to “Hebrews 12” – I’d got familiar with that ‘modus operandi’ of how the Lord gets my attention. I confess to not having been well-acquainted with that book but the verse in red shown above hit me between both eyes!!
I asked those gathered in that lounge if it may be of any importance or significance to them, but nobody responded positively. So I read the whole passage for us to ponder, and reflected upon it later when alone. The New International Version gives its context as follows, courtesy of BibleGateway.com, and certain verses impressed me:
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.’[c] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’[d]
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain!’
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’
Upon my waking this morning a profound prophecy I read last night was in mind, along with my memory of the above-mentioned private prompting – I’d shared extracts on my blog’s Telegram channel and then this morning penned:
‘GOOD MORN’ FRIENDS, MAY YOUR DAY BE VERY BLESSED. After waking my musing with the Lord returns to late last night and my brief reminder of having been struck by Hebrews 12 Shaking, on which I’ve occasionally blogged, and now note today’s apposite Verse…’
TRULY A GOD-INCIDENTAL CONFIRMATION and, therefore, my friends herein may wish to mediate upon the prophesied Great Shaking before I tell of the Lord’s preceding and subsequent GPS, or Global Prophecy Signals, in the next posts.
PS. Remember LOTS more prophecy-relevant news on above Telegram!
We now publish this blog’s 100th posting on the Gog-Magog Alliance with this from All Israel News of Turkey’s President Erdogan’s call for the official creation of an alliance to overthrow God’s sovereign nation of Israel.
It echoes what Old Testament prophet Ezekiel recorded from the Lord in two chapters (38 & 39) about a confederation of hostile nations that attack His people, but victorious superiority of Israel all for the Glory of God to be seen before all nations. NB, it refers to the Jews as living in peace and safety without any protection, which has yet to be achieved since its creation in 1948!
By the way, All Israel News latest (the Lord’s hand in action??):
11:14 – 6.1 earthquake shakes eastern Turkey and northern Syria
An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hit eastern Turkey, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Center. The quake took place about 30 km (18 miles) south of the town of Baskil, at a depth of 9 km(5.6 miles) below the earth, the EMSC reported.
Readers may recall my several occasional references to satan’s strategy of thwarting Jesus’ return to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14.4) by removing the Jews from Israel, as posited in Paws-4-Thought: Devilish plot to avoid The Lake of Fire.
I’m very pleased to read David Reagan, founder of Lion & Lamb Ministries, takes the same posture in his insights into Zechariah’s prophecies about Israel and other nations, and most importantly on the ancient and modern history of Jews in their homeland. Note the start and close of his opening observations to his 5-page article, followed by sub-heads and few extracts (underscoring added)
‘On Friday morning, September 27, I saw Bible prophecy being fulfilled before my very eyes as I watched Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on television address the General Assembly of the United Nations. It happened as he approached the podium to deliver his address. As he walked forward, two-thirds of the delegates got up from their seats and walked out. Netanyahu was left with an almost empty auditorium to speak to.
The specific Bible prophecy this event reminded me of was written by the Hebrew prophet Zechariah 2,500 years ago. Speaking of the end times, he prophesied that God will “make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” (Zechariah 12: 3, emphasis added)….
…For over 40 years, I have been teaching that in the end times — in accordance with Bible prophecy — all the nations of the world will turn against Israel. In response, American Christians have reacted in disbelief, arguing that our nation would never turn against Israel. But today, the streets of our largest cities and the campuses of our major universities are filled with violent anti-Semitic protestors (sic) demanding that our nation abandon Israel in support of two of the world’s most vicious terrorist organizations.
How can this be explained?’
A Spiritual Anomaly
‘…The Bible makes it very clear that Satan knows Bible prophecy (Revelation 12:12). Satan can read the signs of the times, and he therefore realizes that the time he has left before Jesus returns is running out fast. He has, therefore, shifted his evil actions against the Jewish people into high gear because he is determined to annihilate them before the return of Jesus. Why? Because the Bible says that a great remnant of the Jews will be saved when Jesus returns (Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 9:27), and Satan is determined to keep that prophecy from being fulfilled…’
Current Anti-Semitism
‘…The Bible says that Satan is the “Father of Lies” (John 8:44). And lies are what he is using to generate hatred of the Jews worldwide and here in America. As proof, consider the current lies he is using to incite hatred of Israel:
A Forgotten Truth
Fulfilled Prophecies Before 20th Century
Fulfilled Prophecies During 20th Century
Jewish Prophecies Yet To Be Fulfilled
The Messages
‘Let’s conclude by considering the messages we can draw from the Bible concerning Israel in End Time Prophecy…..(5 in number)’
Conclusion
‘One final thing: What is the message of Israel in Prophecy for you and me? What is its meaning for the Church?
I would contend that it proves that God is faithful to keep all His promises, and that is a very important message for the Church, for God has made a lot of promises to us.
He has promised that at any moment, Jesus is going to appear in the heavens to take His Church — both the living and the dead — out of this world. Then, while He pours out His wrath on an evil and unbelieving world in the Tribulation, believers in Heaven will receive rewards for how they used their spiritual gifts to advance the Lord’s kingdom. After all the rewards have been distributed, we will enjoy the greatest feast in the history of the cosmos — the wedding feat of the Lamb, when the Bride of Christ (His Church) celebrates its union with the Bridegroom (Jesus).
When that feast is concluded, we will return to earth with Jesus and will witness His destruction of the Antichrist and his forces, after which we will celebrate His coronation as King of kings and Lord of lords. Believing Jews will serve in his government in Jerusalem. Glorified Gentiles will be distributed worldwide to reign over those in the flesh (those saved during the Tribulation and who live to the end of it). We will have the privilege of witnessing the world enveloped in peace, righteousness, and justice as the waters cover the sea.
And at the end of the Lord’s thousand-year reign, we will live forever in our new, eternal bodies in a New Jerusalem on and New Earth in the presence of our Creator and Jesus. Maranatha! (1 Corinthians 16:22).’
PLEASE READ IN FULL > https://harbingersdaily.com/during-netanyahus-un-address-i-saw-bible-prophecy-being-fulfilled-before-my-very-eyes/
NB I’ve chosen what strikes me as a most pertinent part of the following prophecy for this post’s header within Veronika’s post on His Kingdom Prophecy:
Check this out! Amazing! From my Friend Bill Millar….
“How interesting Veronika to post this on the 24th Day of the 9th month…!”
“Consider now from this day and upward, (from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month), even from the day that the foundation of the LORD’S temple was laid, consider it:
“Is the seed yet in the barn? Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree hath not brought forth. From this day will I bless you.’”
And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai (in the four and twentieth day of the ninth month), saying,
“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: “I will shake the heavens and the earth.
And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them, and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.”” Haggai 2:18-22 KJ21.
A DREAM UNVEILED: CHARIOTS OF ANTICHRIST, WHEELS OF RIGHTEOUS REVOLUTION
So, in the early hours of this morning, 24 September 2024, had a strange Dream/ Vision, where I saw only the wheels of many chariots being driven hard through thick desert sands.
Now as I was watching in the dream, I knew by The Spirit I was being shown something that was going to take place in the days ahead. In the dream, I could feel the intensity of War and the heat of Battle all around me.
I knew the Wheels of these Chariots were the forces of Gods enemies. This was an Antichrist movement on the earth that was now beginning to advance, with even greater power and acceleration on the earth.
I knew by The Spirit that these were the Ruling Powers of the Ancient’s resurfacing on the Earth/
They were gaining ground and taking new territory. They were moving with great acceleration and momentum across The Nations.
These Chariots belonged to the Ruling Babylonian Pharaohs who were now Rising and Riding across The Nations, bringing great destruction and death in their wake.
But then suddenly, the Dream Shifts and I heard these Words, “The Great Exodus and Fall of Babylon!”
Then I heard the Words, ”Exodus 14:25 in 5785” — but again suddenly, the Dream shifts for a second time and I see Chariot wheels again, moving at great speed.
As I look at the Wheels, I know that these are powerful War Chariots, and I could see sharp blades attached to the Wheels of the Chariots.
A great sense of anticipation begins to rise in the dream, and I know by The Spirit that these are the Chariot Wheels of a Righteous Revolution Rising on the Earth — the Rise of an Ezekiel Movement — a Wheel within a Wheel Ezekiel Movement — that is coming in Resurrection Power to the Valley of Dry Bones.
I can see in the Dream, a fierce Battle is unfolding. Two Altars — rising in the Valley of Decision.
But then I hear a strange riddle, “This is The Hour of The Clash of Titan Chariots, and the Rise and Fall of Empires!
Watch! For in the Desert Sands shall come Divine Intervention by My Sovereign Hand, that shall shock and surprise many in the land.
I say: Tick-tock, the clock strikes 12 — a Red October and a November to remember!
A sudden Crash and a loud Clash shall be heard around the globe — and Nations held in derision shall hear My Laugh from Heaven!”
I suddenly woke up, grabbed my journal and began to record it all, but as I opened my eyes, I heard the Spirit say, ”The Day of Atonement draws near for a Great Awakening of Nations is Here!
I say again: “Exodus 14:25 in 5785!” “
On hearing those Words, I immediately looked at Exodus 14:25 which says,
“He clogged the wheels of their chariots; they were stuck in the sand. The Egyptians said, “Run from Israel! God is fighting on their side and against Egypt!” Exodus 14:25.
“And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians” Exodus 14:25 NKJV
“And bound (clogged, took off) their chariot wheels, making them drive heavily; and the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians!” Exodus 14:25 AMPC
“He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” Exodus 14:25 NIV
Blessings to you all.
~ by Veronika West
The Father has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. [St Paul’s letter to the Colossians 1:13-14, Amplified Bible.]
To continue my testimony upon my 35th spiritual birthday:
As well as checking out Christians’ claims of hearing God direct and getting astounding personal evidence for that, I wanted to know lots more not only about Him, but also and especially to follow-up on the personally revelatory scriptures about false teachers.
In my great wariness of religious folk I’d assumed none would be able to comprehend my story because they’d be ignorant about those things. Doubtless, none would have been through my kind of bad, meditative ‘trips’ – or so I thought!
But direct help was again at hand from the Bible’s Author…Yet first, there’s one little-suspected aspect of His character that amazingly revealed a very personal thought and thus confirmed He knows all about me. Here’s what had happened many years earlier.: Continue reading
Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, ‘For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), and [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when raising Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], far above all rule and authority and power dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come…. [Eph1:17-21, Amplified Bible. We decree that the blindness be removed from the eyes of all the peoples of this land so they may see Jesus Christ is Lord.]
IN CELEBRATING MY SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY I THANK GOD FOR MY EARTHLY AND ETERNAL LIVES
Lord, help me love everyone, even wrongdoers, with Your awesome, gracious undying love
Life-changing as my ‘rescue’ was in that dream-visitation on 14th September 1989, I did not want to rush off to church. The event’s effect and ramifications upon my philosophy of life needed careful consideration. For example, I needed to check out widespread claims of the Bible having been compiled and modified by Church councils in the 4th Century after Christ, as well as learn about its history from authoritative sources. [Prof F.F. Bruce’s The Books and The Parchments (1991) was very helpful, especially about the ‘Muratorian Fragment’. Drawn up in late 2nd Century in the church at Rome, it lists practically all the canonical New Testament literature.]
So not only did I need to assess those personal implications, but also as possibly a new believer in Jesus Christ I wanted to find well-informed believers who take Him seriously. I soon did so, but then needed to put their claims of hearing direct from God to the test. After all, they believe we have a relationship with Him and so we have but to ask…
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
My blog of a fortnight ago today about the caveat in Romans 13:1’s Submission to Governing Authorities on their not committing evil (with cross-references to Daniel 4 and Enoch on heavenly ‘watchers’) brought this response from Sidney Cordle, leader of the Christian Peoples’ Alliance:
“I discussed this yesterday on LCBN TV on this video starting 26mins: SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE IN POLITICS? on LCBN TV UK 28/08/2024. It basically supports what you are saying.”
He subsequently advised “We’ve done a summary which is 30 mins instead of 1 hour as follows which is in the CPA youtube link”
Therefore, I recommend Sidney’s exposition for your reflection (especially his reference to accountability of prophets and to a possible reason for the similitude of lack of God’s protection on 7th October to the destruction of Jerusalem) and considered response…
Christian People’s Alliance is a member of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM), which includes Christian-democratic and Christian-social parties, NGO’s and think-tanks in Europe.
Read About the CPA and Values: What We Believe and visit its website here
Auto-generated transcript of interview and discussion (emphases RB):
VERY GOOD & BLESSED MORN’ EVERYONE. MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU.
Soon after awakening and mulling over how relevant the Bible is today, I recollected my personal motivation and what Jesus says about our reward for using ‘talents’ He gives each of us for being about Kingdom ‘business’, as taught in His ‘End-times’ discourse on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 25:14-30 (NKJV)
Later, upon booting up my phone I find those thoughts CONFIRMED …👇
SELAH.
Richard's Watch 