Category Archives: Christianity

A media turnaround: part 2

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Bay of The Holy Spirit Revival

The miraculous healing in Mobile I informed everyone about in early November has now appeared in one of our tabloids Daily Mail, as well as being a hit on YouTube.

It’s especially encouraging to hear Nathan Morris preaching on the blood of Jesus and cross of Calvary. And signs and wonders follow. He’s very fired up with the Holy Spirit’s anointing. His in-depth discussion with Delia Knox about her healing after 22 years paralysis was particularly poignant, and reminded us of Nina’s healing from permanent disability.

Also memorable from the dozens of testimonies were those where terminal cancers were radically corrected – the deaf nun who regained hearing and now ministering in the Spirit – the lady with congenital heart defect who amazed doctors by gaining a third, missing aortal valve! – written medical statement that a woman’s surgically segmented bladder should not be functioning normally! – etc, etc.  Choose from the video archives to see people being healed and heal their testimonies.

A Theological Concern

Sadly, some brethren claim the revival is a deception and miracles are false because Jesus Christ warned against false teachers and that we should guard ourselves against deception.  Paul explained that satan masquerades as a angel of light and can perform miracles (2 Corinthians 11.13-15).

Yes, quite so and we should perform a ‘Berean check’ to ensure actual events align with and are scripturally sound.  BUT let’s be sure to look at whole scripture and not single out odd verses! Check out Matthew 24.24, 2 Thessalonians 2.3 and other New testament letters undoubtedly cover the same theme and events, but read their whole context – the events as described have not quite arrived yet!

Furthermore, Paul clearly teaches that all the counterfeits are accepted by those who are perishing ‘because they refused to love the truth and so be saved’ (2Thess 2.10). Then he writes, ’the Lord is faithful and will strengthen and protect you from the evil one’ (2Thess 3.3).

Also, one needs be careful not to serve the accuser of the brethren in condemning what is of God as being of satan, thereby blaspheming the Holy Spirit – the unforgiveable sin!

Under an intense burden Nathan Morris gave a direct word from the Lord about what is coming upon the world and urging his people to turn their gaze upon Him and thus not be deceived. This Englishman preaches salvation and forgiveness of sin through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, whom he deeply loves, as does the congregation. According to scriptural definition, therefore, what has been happening in Alabama is not from the evil one – he hates the Blood and the Glorious Presence!!  And how can satan ever preach Christ crucified??

So, let’s keep our eyes upon Jesus…

A media turnaround: part 1

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Dear Friends – could the Lord be stirring British broadcasting, press and public for doing a deep work this Christmas?  A Christmas that soon follows a very rare lunar eclipse on a winter solstice, one when sun, moon and earth were directly lined up with the galaxy’s centre?

The Nativity

Since when did a best-selling newspaper devote an editorial in amazement because the anti-Christian BBC is running a 4-part mini-serial about Jesus’ birth? It concludes:

“…Having started the project as a sceptic, the time has now come to believe that the Nativity is a true and wonderful story. As he says in an interview with this newspaper today: “If you accept that Jesus is Son of God, why would you not believe that Mary was a virgin and that God must have had some hand in the impregnation?” Such an absence of cynicism would be refreshing in a modern bishop; it is a delightful surprise coming from a BBC scriptwriter. His four-part drama, to be shown in peak-time slots in the run-up to Christmas Day, is influenced by a belief that the words of Jesus Christ “are the most truthful thing I have ever read”.

Click as appropriate to read full editorial > to read the interview > to watch episodes on your pc.

Nina and I are pleasantly surprised to find each script follows the gospel fairly closely, even when taking journalistic licence into account. A large slice of the script covers preparations and journey by the magi, thus showing Tony Jordan has taken pains over his work. I liked their expecting a bridge between heaven and earth and explanation of God looking after his Jewish people as would a father – perhaps Jordan’s script will encourage spiritual seekers who’re being called into the Kingdom? Could the magi have had in mind the prophetic visions of their past leader, the prophet Daniel? (Daniel 7.13-14 and 4.9 refer.) For more background see Who Were The Magi? at Koinonia House.

“This showdown…will mark the final countdown for Israel’s existence..”

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A report just in quotes president “A-madman-jihad” as vowing to “teach the Israelis a lesson” by sending Iranian warships and submarines with Turkey’s next attempt to break the Gaza blockade (see details).

I can understand your not having time to visit links in previous messages – but I humbly submit that this one is instructive. How so? Simply because almost all our highly biased media will omit the necessary explanations and jump on ‘bigots’ bandwagon’.

Caroline Glick, ‘ne plus ultra’ of commentators on Israel & Middle-East according to our Christian analyst at The White House (ie. William Koenig), writes:

 “Our times are times of Jew hatred. Our times are times where hatred breeds strategic madness (my emphases). Our times are times when we need to recall basic truths about Israel and the Jewish people.” [see The Plain Truth About Israel]

One of our own lady journalists, Melanie Phillips, is well aware of the censorship imposed by ‘cultural totalitarianism’ – see Middle East Forum article.

Is the Telegraph our only paper that sees sense? Saturday’s editorial and Charles Moore’s op-ed are excellent:

S C R I P T U R A L   A S P E C T

CLEARLY, the time is almost upon us for us to see the Lord once again fight for his Jewish people, now they’re in the land He promised – especially now that the WHOLE WORLD including UK HAS GANGED UP AGAINST THEM – AND Israel’s military seems to have inexplicably become incompetent !

Let’s recall God’s promise:

“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling…On that day when all nations of the earth are gathered against her (as in the UN?) I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to (re)move it will injure themselves…” (Zach 12:2-3)

Perhaps He will do this by fulfilling the prophecy He gave against Gaza (ie Philistia) – Ezek 25:15-17 is well worth a personal perusal !!  Maybe that scripture’s fulfillment will also answer Psalm 83?

v1  O God do not keep silent, be not quiet, O God be not still.
v2  See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads.
v3  With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.
v4  “Come” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more”.
v5  With one mind they plot an alliance against you – the tents of Edom (now ‘philistinian’ refugee camps) etc etc
…
v18 Let them know that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Amen Lord, answer again.

May the Lord fully open our minds to His word

Richard

Israel’s PM points to New Testament – Obama does U-turn!

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Subject: Israel’s PM Points To New Testament — US President Does U-Turn on Israel

Dear Friends – I trust you will be able to read this update’s insightful links as and when time permits:

The above-headed events happened a week ago today, ie. on Wednesday 12th and the morrow, 13th May. Are they connected, can we detect the hand of God?

What happened? Separate newsagency headlines hint at a possible connection –

> NETANYAHU TURNS TO BIBLE IN TUSSLE OVER JERUSALEM (Reuters 12.5.10)

> OBAMA TURNS A NEW LEAF ON ISRAEL (DebkaFile 16.5.10)

Israel’s Prime Minister:

Reuters reported a special session of the Knesset wherein PM Netanyahu responded to a heckler by drawing attention to the New Testament’s many references to the Jewish city of Jerusalem –  is intriguing reading.

[NB. One main area of Palestinian Authority (PA) incitement against Israel is the vehement Palestinian denial of any historic Jewish connection to Jerusalem or the Temple Mount!  Such nonsense is apparent from the remarks of PA’s chief negotiator to
Netanyahu’s reply, and who’d committed been ‘unbridled and offensive assaults’ upon rudely abusive to him during the reconvened talks. Debka Special report indicates the
the sterling character of PM Netanyahu.]

Netanyahu offered a comparison between the three Middle-Eastern religions’ scriptures. Reuters writes it was a lesson in comparative religion, but just maybe it could be regarded as implicit official recognition by Israel of the New Testament’s historical accuracy?

Perhaps the Lord may be moving the Jewish nation closer to the prophesied recognition of their true Messiah? Maybe quite soon, “they will look on Me whom they have pierced..”?? (Zechariah 12:10 – and maybe chapter 2’s awesome Word will soon be applied? It’s well-worth reading.

WOW-WOW pls excuse excitement but was about to hit ‘send’ but added this Zech2 bit’ – THEN in comes email advising of rhema word recvd upon awakening this morning> ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’ – why? “because SOON AND VERY SOON THE KING OF KINGS WILL COME…” SO, it IS time for the Bride to be sure she’s getting ready!

United States’ President:

DEBKAfile’s published an ‘exclusive’ headed ‘Obama Turns a New Leaf on Israel’, saying this dashes Palestinian hopes for the imposition of his own solution upon Israel –
see here. He sent his top advisors with a sort of apology to leading American rabbis. Chief-of-Staff Rahm Emmanuel admitted they’d ‘screwed up’ support for Israel and promised they’d work to undo the damage. But shouldn’t Barack Obama himself apologise to the Israeli leaders he insulted?

NB.> This news is so astonishing it must have surprised even Debka analysts because it is diametrically different to their previous strong censure of Netanyahu made only days earlier, as issued in above-mentioned special report!!

Perhaps the Lord is opening Obama up to adopt a fresh perspective? Perhaps even a revelation of His Holy Word? Maybe the sight of what’s massively brewing in M.East has at last shocked some sense into him before it all blows sky high! Even the PA’s Abbas had gone to China on 1st May seeking its help to stop Iran striking Israel through terrorist proxies in Syria-Lebanon because many Palestinians would be killed in the anticipated missile barrage. Reports today indicate Russia is secretly training Iranian Republican Guards to use interceptor missiles as part of major arms deal with Iran, notwithstanding their PM’s promise to President Obama not to sell them!

I recall that PA leader Mahmoud Abbas was the first head of state Barack Obama contacted after his inauguration. Subsequently, commentators began to notice Obama’s extreme anti-Israel bias and support of the PA as though its agent rather than neutral honest broker; eg. his unprecedented bargaining on behalf of PA and insisting Israel bend, concede and obey – velvet glove on one hand – iron fist in the other. (Correct me if I’m mistaken but the PA has never reciprocated, nay cannot guarantee any such on their part.)

Recently, many concluded Obama’s true intent was regime change in Israel. Now, cynics say his Democrats have woken up to the loss of the ‘G-d Vote’ (believing Jewish and Christian voters) and all its treasure chest of dollars! [See here.]

(PS: it transpires Saudi King Abdullah has exerted pressure upon Obama soon after inauguration and extracted his promise to pressurise Israel into returning to pre-’67 status-quo, among other points!!  No wonder America is suffering the application of Biblical ‘terms & conditions’!)

A rapprochement had indeed become evident in early May when a senior advisor to Obama offered detailed clarifications to policy at the Anti-Defamation (ie. of Jewish people) League’s annual conference. At www.watch.org White House accredited journalist Bill Koenig opens his covering weekly Koenig’s Eye View:

“Ironically, no one has done more to accelerate the final-day events than secular Jews in their positions in Washington think-tanks such as the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Brookings Institute and their influence on the State Department, the National Security Council and the White House.”

Bill then goes in-depth not only on details given to the ADL but also on those experts’ 2008 policy blueprint, itemising the failure of 5/6 of their key actions! His summary points out,
“In Genesis 12:3 (NKJV), the Lord says of Israel, “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curses thee.” It was not until the United States started agreeing with the Islamic world and aggressively insisting that the nation of Israel must bow to Islamic demands that terrorism began to take root against America.”

NB.> From his place at the ‘coalface’, our Christian analyst is of the firm opinion:

“Never before have we had so many biblically significant events evolving at such a rapid pace (my emphasis)…it requires a major effort and assistance in an attempt to stay up with them (my emphasis). Only a small percentage of people in the church and a very small percentage of people in the public know of the seriousness of the times…”
(That’s you and me he’s referring to!)

Modern Jerusalem:

Although familiar with the Bible you may like some background to events. These recent items give a brief, solid overview:
(Incidentally, in 1922 Winston Churchill proposed using river Jordan as the Jewish homeland’s boundary but was ignored.)

> by a Christian confidante of several Israeli leaders
http://myjwn.com/jwn-exclusives/who-owns-jerusalem

> a British Biblical author’s open letter to Israel’s PM
http://www.thefreepressonline.co.uk/news/1/1912.htm

> from an influential American business professor and political commentator
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/mzuckerman/articles/2010/04/23/mort-zuckerman-on-israel-obama-playing-the-mideast-game-wrong.html

Hope this information may encourage and refresh you in the Word.

Richard

Obama’s Cairo speech

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’) – The main points covered therein are.:

> Jesus said, “Take heed that you be not deceived … (Luke 21:7-8).

> President Obama’s Cairo speech to Muslim world included delegates from the banned Muslim Brotherhood who were invited at Obama’s specific request. This Islamist group is banned by the Egyptian government because of its teachings and violence against all authorities that do not fully implement Islam’s sharia law.

> My reservations about the accuracy of his claims as a Christian and historian. In fact, Obama negated known actual facts to present a fully Arabic and Palestinian narrative.

The link to Rick Joyner’s paper is defunct but is open here: Discerning the Times pt34

Update 1: Elliott Abrams, Fellow of the Council of Foreign Relations, on 25 Sept 2012 briefly remarks on this in Pressure Points – Obama, Judaism and the Holocaust:

As Ronald Reagan once said, there he goes again. Islam has a prophet; Christianity has a savior, but Judaism has…. the Holocaust. The problem Jews and especially Israelis face, with apologies for having to spell it out, is not so much Holocaust denial as it the slander of the Jewish religion as a whole and the desire to eliminate the Jewish state.

Mr. Obama and his speechwriters should get over their equation of Judaism and Israel with the Holocaust. It is dispiriting to see the 2009 error repeated again three years later.

Update 2: Raymond Stock provides an excellent overview of the situation in the Foreign Policy Research Institute E-Note, On Mistaking Mohamed Mursi for His Mask (February 2013).  For introductory post, see Lunch with Raymond Stock.

So, here’s the original email of 10 June 2009:

Dear Readers,

Doctor Luke quotes Jesus on the signs of the times; ‘…And He said, “Take heed that you be not deceived…”(NKJV).

What are your thoughts and reactions to President Obama’s exceptional speech to Muslims last Thursday in Cairo?

To check it for yourself click  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09/

The widely welcomed speech brought a good response in Lebanon’s election with the defeat of Hizbollah-controlled coalition – but watch out Beirut! And SURPRISE, SURPRISE, in false-anticipation of a Hizbollah victory, Iranian/Syrian-proxy Palestinian terrorists responded in combined Hamas/Fatah/Al-Quada assaults upon Israel’s border, all of which failed.

According to an exclusive report based upon military and security sources, those attacks were only one outcome of Egypt’s intelligence minister meeting with Hamas’ politburo chief, who rejected Obama’s call and refused to call off terror campaign against fellow Palestinians. Also, soon after that meeting came the first ever missile strike from Gaza upon Egyptian security forces.

Book of Daniel

Far more importantly, it will be well-worth watching how Obama’s plans will connect into the EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy – which, some surmise, is part of the ’70th week’ of Daniel (chpt 9:20-27) that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24:15. Should you need any proof, read this letter of intent:http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/workspace/solana_remarks_obama_speech_cairo.pdf

A FlawedSpeech?

May I submit to you that were Obama’s proposals for the seven issues he addressed put on a 3-legged stool, they’d probably collapse.

Why? Like legs upon which his argument was based, three connected claims in his opening remarks are flawed. Hence, the speech has some deceptive inaccuracies and dangerous nuances – even a clear implication of the New World Order’s agenda of multi-faith projects through the Alliance of Civilisations (and the Blair Foundation? – remember his strong connection to the Clinton’s and Hilary’s rebutted/denied previous Bush Admin’s agreement with Israel!).

First, it was sensible to slant a speech towards the mindsets of the Mulsim audience – like St Paul did with the Athenians. But after quoting ‘Be conscious of God and speak always the truth’ from the Koran, Obama said “I will try…to speak the truth…” and closely followed with “I’m a Christian”. IF he really were a believer, wouldn’t he have referred to what Jesus taught about how the truth makes one free?

IF Obama really were aChristian, he would not have firmly declared, as US President in his inaugural address and consequent trip to Europe, that America is no longer and never has been a Christian nation!! The national intercessor and teacher Dutch Sheets said that’s like the stronghold of Goliath mocking God’s people – so maybe there’s a warning here? We believers know God is not mocked!

IF he really were aChristian would he have spoken, as do Muslims, of Jesus as being equivalent to Mohammed??

IF he really were aChristian, then why are many Church leaders gravely concerned?

Rick Joyner writes,“…This new unity in the church is being driven because of foreboding created by the demeanor and laws being passed by the Obama Administration, which seem to be specifically designed to open doors for persecuting the church.”

To read his report Discerning The Times, Part 34  clickhttp://www.morningstarministries.org/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=1000051215

“As a student of history…”.If Obama really were a well-informed Christian and student of history then he would have told the truth about the founding of Israel, not only in 1948 but also despite fierce Arab riots and attacks against Jewish settlers since 1916, and about the reasons and origins of Arab and Jewish refugees within the Palestine region.

IF he really were a Christian and familiar with history, he would NOT have claimed the foundation of America and its universities were not influenced by God’s word and Christian principles. Whilst on-air, the renowned intercessor Dutch Sheets took great exception to Obama’s gross mistake and quoted from historical records to disprove the President’s claims that America is not and never has been a Christian nation.

Hence, Obama started out from a fundamentally flawed position and those errors affected the whole speech – like a little leaven. What do you think?

If you’d like further details on these important matters please do ask me to clarify or explain. Or, you could read these excellent articles from the Washington-based Centre for Security Policy:

May you be blessed mightily
Richard
For more on this read Middle-East Update – July 2009.

Today’s importance in history

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> warnings from Zecharia 12 and Ezekiel 38 and about ‘the Ezekiel Alliance’ [Gog-Magog].

> Arabs and Europeans against Israel; US presidents support terrorism within Israel

> Obama seeks cash from Arabs and courts Iranian terrorist masterminds!

> possible fulfillment of 1Tim4:3 prophecy in the UK: a Hebrews 12:23-27 ‘shaking’!

Dear Friends,

Buried beneath the daily dross of parliamentary piracy and ‘privilege-to-pilfer’ are momentous events concerning the Holy Land. I’ve kept close tabs with those who monitor Middle-Eastern machinations and watched a maelstrom gather momentum over the months.

Altho’ our gaze as believers is toward heavenly Jerusalem, it’s right not to overlook our God of Israel’s heart for actual Jerusalem and His covenant people. His intention and warning to the nations given through Zechariah (ch 12) still apply – and Ezekiel 38 opposition is moving into alliances. Hence, the world’s continual concern with Jerusalem and Israel.

Today, that storm comes to a climax as Prime Minister Netanyahu meets President Obama to discuss the latter’s 2-state solution for the Middle-East.

You may know that this involved attempts to turn the Arab world and Europe against Israel, and to appease Iran – even to ‘blackmailing’ Israel over its nuclear defence! (It’s reported Obama wanted to be able to use Iran’s territory for supplying US troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan.)

Also, there’s been dismay in Cairo and Riyadh over his courting the terrorist mentors in Teheran. No wonder Egypt and S.Arabia – both kept militarily informed by Israel – and five Gulf emirates turned a deaf ear to Pres. Obama’s secret (and 3rd) delegation seeking hundreds of billions dollars investment in US and global economic stimulus plans! It’s reported, however, that over the weekend a political furore gripped Washington and frayed Obama’s key policies.

The Bush and Obama administrations’ misguided intentions are to establish a terrorist-run nation within the ancient home-land of Judea/Israel. The consequences for USA in betraying its ally Israel could be severe, as when Bush wanted to trade land for peace (as collated by the accredited White House correspondent Wm Koenig). The Lord gave detailed warnings of judgement in Nov ’99 which included not only last year’s collapse of stocks but also the betrayal of Israel by Western allies!

Last week’s papal visit to the Holy Land may result in UN military units (ie. ‘armies of the nations’) in and around Jerusalem. Koenig has also noted that papal pronouncements contrary to God’s purposes for His Land have soon been followed by revelations of sexual scandal within the Roman hierarchy – so wait and watch.

United Kingdom

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter days…terrible times will come…” wrote Paul to disciple Timothy. The second letter gave many explicit details, all of which are now common-place – ie. the prophecy is fulfilled in its entirety today!

Could Paul’s reference to the prevention of marriage (at 1Tim4:3) be construed as also meaning any kind of alteration to this God-ordained covenant?

Hence, how entirely appropriate that those who’ve deliberately spurned His requirements and commands in making our laws are themselves now being turned upside down. And, as indicated in Hebrews 12:23-27 could we not expect lots more shaking? Could that visionary map I saw being ripped apart be the political map of England? I wonder…

Let’s remember Psalm 122 instruction, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love you…”, that we may earnestly seek its welfare.

Not many people know – 2

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’) – to read it better click upon and enlarge image. The main points covered therein are.:

> EU Recommendation 666 (Herb Peters’ book) and explanation of Revelation 13:18

> UN Human Rights Council’s agenda to introduce Shria law globally

> final para refers to the Herb Peters’ full, historical summary at EU ‘Overview’ , which includes a very useful explanation of the 10-nation West European Union relating to the terrifying, 10-horned fourth beast in Daniel chapter 7.

Note: Holly Peters has maintained her father’s site at ‘Fullfilled Prophecy‘, (no longer available) and lawyer-researcher Constance Cumbrey investigated and reported upon the new world order’s ‘Global Governance’ in My Perspective – What Constance Thinks [ Sadly now deceased, but see 2009 posts – 10/12/25].

The Endgame is now in play! – cont’d

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’) which continues email of same date (here)

For better clarity click upon and enlarge image. The main points covered therein are.:

> click to read noted verses in Revelation, chapters 1-3; Rev 21:7 and Luke 12.

> take a stand per Ephesians 6:10-20, shocking open vision of Britain torn apart!

> 2009 UK Prophetic Council – prepare to rule and reign – Luke 12 warnings

> ICEJ meeting Southampton – overcomers, the Lion of Judah and His lions!

The Endgame is now in play!

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COPY of first pre-blog email sent 28.2.2009 (as in ‘About‘).

A strong disagreement between two international Christian leaders about the relevance of a scripture to accountability of a controversial evangelist – both of whom Nina and I knew personally through our prayer ministry training and through the Lord enabling her to walk again (see From ‘Disabled’ to Enabled) – led to an awesome personal revelation that prompted me months later to start emailing some friends and church leaders on End-times.

Hence, I began watching events for ‘signs’ and eight years later got an inkling that evil tares are now ripening and asked the Lord about exposing them. His answer kick-started several hundred posts (see Prophecies-Fulfilled hub’s Exposure of Corruption)

Also, in view of anti-Christian events I included some relevant news and one prediction eventually coming to a head in 2024-5, (see Huge God-incidences: part 1 – ‘RT’ and News Takes My Writing Full Circle).

So, as in following copy email, the main points covered in my first writing are.:

> wheat and tares > opening my Bible I hear “This is ALL about to be fulfilled!”

> Jesus stressed 7 times “Watch…be alert…on your guard…”

> nurse sacked for praying for patient! Prayer immediately helped Nina’s fight for life!!

> tyrannical tool of intolerance: equality and diversity – MI5 director warns of Britain “sleepwalking into police state” – lawlessness within society and authorities…

Dear Friends – further to Rev’d William Smith’s recent request re Christian Freedom, may I offer some observations upon our times and, in another message, suggest a way forward?

Last year, I encountered two conflicting claims about Jesus’ explanation of the parable on the end-time harvest of wheat and tares (Matt13:36). So I went to check scripture but upon opening my Bible a deep excitement exploded within as I heard, “This is ALL about to be fulfilled” – WOW!!

Hence, my previous remarks about a sifting of the Church – in preparation for a rapid ‘sHifting’? Jesus urged His disciples to look out for and observe signs of the times. Regarding their questions about His return at the end of this Age, the earliest Gospel account has Jesus stressing 7 times, “Watch…be alert…on your guard“ (Mark 13). Matthew 24 reports Jesus saying 4 times, “Watch…and when you see…” followed by the parables of the burglar and of the virgins:> “Don’t be caught napping!” [Is the Church still asleep?] Luke’s account has, “Be always on the watch…” (ch21:36) and chpt 12 (NIV) has sections on watchfulness and interpreting the times. In each Gospel Jesus commands, “Learn the lesson of the fig tree…”. Also, the Apostles went on to give more indicators (Acts 3:20-1, Hebrews 12:26-7, 2 Peter 3, 2 Timothy 3 and the first and second letters to the Thessalonians).

Have you studied or read/heard/given any teaching on this topic lately? So, let’s watch closely what’s happening here and globally. When I’m by a news stand it’s noticeable that the Daily Telegraph is the only paper to headline matters of Christian concern – several within a fortnight recently. Eg. on 6 Feb it broke the news of Nurse Caroline Petrie’s suspension for offering to pray for a patient with front page headline ‘NHS staff face sack if they discuss religion’. (Daily Mail often supports Christians.)

We took exception to this and wrote to N.Somerset PCT saying we were glad their policy wasn’t in effect 3 years ago when Nina was fighting for her life! (I explained it was only because the night-duty nurse prayed that her throat immediately opened and she became peaceful, as shown on her monitor’s read-out.)  So, we’re pleased to learn Caroline has been allowed to return to work, but I’m challenging the PCT’s ‘equality’ stance.

However, this is just one instance of the growing persecution of believers, principally through a policy supposedly promoting toleration but that’s now a tyrannical tool of intolerance – Equality & Diversity. There are other powers of suppression. Even the previous director of MI5 warns about UK sleep-walking into a police state (‘Abject nonsense’ responded a gov’t minister who lives on another planet). Rampant lawlessness now exists not only in society but also within legal authorities – laws not approved by Parliament – ‘snoop and snitch’ culture – correction punished and evil behaviour rewarded – ID cards and routine interception of email and phones – etc etc. Clearly, Banking isn’t the only thoroughly corrupt UK institution.

Let us, however, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we await the blessed hope of His glorious appearing. May the Lord bless you and keep you and yours,

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