Middle-East events and fulfilment of Bible prophecy – 1

Posted on Friday, 11 July, 2014 by Richard Barker

Last August, in Events indicate the Bible’s relevance for today, I referred to what was happening in several Middle Eastern countries.

Although my subsequent coverage has been occasional, changes in the geo-political reality have continued to accelerate. It demonstrates how amazingly scripture has foretold what is unfolding before the world’s eyes.

It’s important for everyone, Christian or not, to appreciate the significance of these times and events.

There is an increasing likelihood of an internecine Sunni v Shite war. However, ulterior, religious goals may make them overcome their differences. This happened in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war when elite units from enemy camps rehearsed the storming of Jerusalem, thereby kick-starting my interest in the prophetic when I wasn’t a Christian! (Details in Welcome.)

The following overview of a couple of experts’ reports will help you understand these developments, especially if you follow the links for more details. Also, a newer slant on interpreting scripture will be briefly considered.

Declaration of an Islamic Caliphate

The Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs has published an informative document, What does an ‘Islamic Caliphate’ in Iraq Mean? and notes a coincidence that’s of no surprise to Bible students:

On the first day of the month of Ramadan (29 June 2014), the day on which World Pride Day was celebrated as a marker of social and cultural progress, the reestablishment of the Islamic caliphate (state) was declared in Iraq and a caliph was appointed to lead it.

The Centre’s analysis looks at the historical and current state-of-play:

The Islamic State is trying to reinforce its battlefield achievements in Syria and Iraq by creating a new Sunni Muslim religious entity that threatens to overturn the prevailing regional political order rooted in the Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) which set the borders and carved up the Middle East into European spheres of influence. The rule of the caliphate is applied to the territory under its control….

The declaration of the caliphate poses a challenge to the rival Islamic organizations and particularly to the Muslim Brotherhood, which has tried to promote the concept of a “political Islam” that combines Islam and democracy (according to the Islamic interpretation) and is aimed at achieving the ultimate goal of global Islamic rule in stages.

The stated objectives of the declaration are not surprising to those who understand Islamic doctrine in depth, unlike Western politicians. The objectives are headed; Establishment of an Islamic caliphate…Implementation of Islamic law (sharia)… Fortification of the rule of the Islamic caliphate…The supremacy of the Muslims over the peoples of the world and the goal of an Islamic takeover of the world…Representation of the Muslims all over the world…The rejection of democracy, secularism, and nationalism…On-going jihad everywhere…

Note the goal of totalitarian, global supremacy, violence and inhuman suppression of freedom is no different to 1,500 years ago. That is, a caliphate is a backward step into the barbarism of the Dark Ages.

Providing a thorough overview and warning “The danger of regional instability is greater than ever”, the JCPA document is therefore worth careful study:

Commentaries

John McTernan:

Opinion: ‘The establishment of an Islamic caliphate has the potential to be the most important fulfillment of Bible prophecy since Israel became a state in 1948 and Jerusalem’s unification in 1967. A caliphate would unite all the Arabs and perhaps even all of Islam against Israel. This is exactly what the Bible states is going to happen just prior to Armageddon. What this caliphate needs to succeed and expand is a mass public uprising in its support. A war between Israel and the Palestinians could be this catalyst. It is easy to see Jordan fall to ISIS during a war with Israel and then Egypt. I have said all along that Syria is doomed and when ISIS consolidates power, they will turn on Syria. Syria is going to fall, there is no doubt about this. It appears from here on out that incredible prophetic events will unfold before our eyes.’

John’s Commentary for 8th July then summarises several news sources on that topic.

Following on from the re-blog on Saudi Arabia and ISIS, here’s an analysis from someone with good knowledge of and well-informed contacts in the region…

Walid Shobat:

This ex-radical PLO militant, now a Christian (see bio), brings an interesting viewpoint on the identity of ‘The Whore of Babylon’ as being connected with Saudi Arabia.

Writing about Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s entrance to announce his intentions in the grand mosque in Mosul on 29th June, Walid notes that, ‘Everything, statements, attire, setting and message comes from the Inaugural address to the first Muslim Caliph Abu Bakr and is why Al-Baghdadi chose the name Abu Bakr and even used the same statements of the historic Abu Bakr:

In analysing the recent event, he goes on to state that Saudi Arabia knows it is this man’s main target and Walid offers this scriptural opinion:

‘The Harlot of Babylon, Saudi Arabia is realizing finally that funding the Syrian revolution created a curse, that the same Jihdist fighters in Syria are now about to terrorize Arabia – the nation that allowed the Islamist boogeyman (sic) out of the box is now trying to shove it back in. After all it was Arabia—which Islam emanates from and its harlot religion is spread throughout the entire region. It was Arabia which produced Muhammad, Arabia’s prophet.

‘From a prophetic perspective, we see the impending destruction of Saudi Arabia. The kings stagger in their vomit as a drunkard not knowing what to do. Shoebat.com takes the position that Revelation 17 referenced Arabia as a prostitute “Whore of Babylon”.’

His full analysis in New Muslim Caliph’s eyes are on destruction of Saudi Arabia, relates how the highest authority in Islam, The Haditha, discusses the Ka’ba in Mecca as Babel “The Gate to God”, which is its Arabic term. He claims it’s also depicted as a woman!

This is explained further in ISIS vowed to destroy Mecca along with photographs from which we can see better how that centre of Mohammedanism may be regarded as a Babylon.

Another important aspect for understanding what’s happening and likely to come next is Islamic disagreement over recognition of this caliphate through strong opposition from the Muslim Brotherhood. And all of this centers around Turkey.

In Top Muslim scholar says Caliphate in Iraq is VOID because it doesn’t fit the Ottoman model, Walid reveals this scholar is none other than the MB’s spiritual leader, Sheikh Yususf al-Qaradawi. After quoting his words, Walid reminds his readers:

‘The Turkish based Ottoman Empire is something the Western media and leaders simply refuse to call attention to. Perhaps more noteworthy than al-Baghdadi’s declaration or even al-Qaradawi’s rebuke of that declaration is the admission by al-Qaradawi that the Muslim Brotherhood desires its resurrection. (Emphasis added)

‘This is something we have been maintaining for decades now. Once one understands how prominent al-Qaradawi is within the Muslim Brotherhood, it’s much easier to see what the group’s plans are…’

In Only Turkey can establish the Caliphate, he outlines the reasons for this:

‘As we stated previously, The Caliph must (be) Sufi Muslim, someone who will succeed in reviving the Ottoman glory days, unite Sunni and Shiite and only Turkey has such a model and a major regional presence with significant global standing and respect. The Iraqi model of the Caliphate has set the stage for a Caliphate competition. This is why Al-Qaradawi finally had to declare what he declared.

‘In Istanbul, Turkey a Caliphate nostalgia for the Ottoman Empire has been on the rise as of late. The Ottoman Sultan’s seal can be found on T-shirts, advertisements, and jewelry everywhere in its old imperial capital of Istanbul. More alarmingly, the jihadists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are now proclaiming a new Islamic caliphate in former Ottoman provinces.

‘As we have always stated, Turkey and Iran will unite, soon.’

Walid then considers how this may affect Egypt and relates it all to Biblical prophecy. That is, major developments in the Gog-Magog alliance prophesied by Ezekiel.

It is noteworthy this ex-PLO activist’s insights tally with Mark Davidson’s analysis based upon in-depth news reports in Parallels to 1914 Europe. Readers especially interested in the prophetic will find Mark offers fresh food for thought at The Four Signposts.

Daniel Pipes:

Let’s consider the opinion of a secular expert on Turkey, who warned in advance of the 9/11 attacks. In Turkish Support for ISIS Daniel Pipes states,

‘The battle in Iraq consists of “Turkish-backed Sunni jihadis rebelling against an Iranian-backed Shi’ite-oriented central government,” (as) I wrote in a recent article.

‘Some readers question that the Republic of Turkey has supported the “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria,” the main Sunni group fighting in Iraq. They point to ISIS attacks on Turkish interests, within Turkey, along its border with Syria, and in Mosul and a successful recent meeting of the Turkish and Iranian presidents. Good points, but they can be explained….’

He presents several substantiations and concludes,

‘Turkish leaders are finding Syria a double quagmire, what with Assad still in power and the Kurdish entity growing stronger. In reaction, they have cooperated with even the most extreme, retrograde and vicious elements, such as ISIS. But this support opened a second front in Iraq which, in turn, brings the clash of the Middle East’s two titans, Turkey and Iran, closer to realization.’ (Emphasis added)

The version of that article published in Washington Times used the title: “Turkey’s support for ISIS Islamist terrorists. Aiding jihadists could put Ankara at odds with Iran”. Daniel offers nine more proofs that AKP government of Prime Minister Erdoğan stands behind the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria in an updated article.

(Note: Faced with threats, Mr Pipes issued an apology under duress in the Washington Times.)

Not withstanding the present bombardment and defensive action against Hamas by Israel, Daniel also reflects upon Benjamin Netanyahu’s important speech to a security institute. He too refers to the Sykes-Picot secret agreement and notes four great challenges posed by Islamic fanaticism; border protection, stability west of the Jordan River, building regional cooperation and especially to prevent Iran becoming a nuclear threshold state. (See Netanyahu’s Steady Hand).

Daniel admiringly concludes:

‘Going back to 1999, I have often criticized Netanyahu but the excellent analysis in this speech suggests a steady hand at the helm. (Secondly) All the more important to have an American ally that understands security concerns when the Obama administration is clueless.’

‘[Update: A number of readers have protested my describing the Obama administration as “clueless,” insisting that it is malign more than ignorant or incompetent. But this misunderstands what I meant by clueless: I meant mistaken, wrong-headed, foolish, ineffectual; I did not mean to ascribe reasons, whether malign or incapable.]‘

Conclusion

In my opinion, we may be about to witness major upheavals that will affect not only the ancient world’s centres of civilisation but also the modern world’s global petro-economy.

Furthermore, Walid Shoebat’s conclusion is most telling:

As Shoebat.com first reported, al-Qaradawi espouses the Sunni version of taqiyya [religiously directed deception.RB], otherwise known as Muruna. He has written extensively on the subject and until westerners understand this technique, they will fail to understand their enemies.

So, we should expect Turkey and Iran to be at loggerheads, even at war, but behind the scenes they will become allied against Israel and all non-Moslems, thereby manifesting the Ezekiel 37 ‘alliance’ of Gog and Magog.

Keep looking up for, “our redemption draws nigh”.

Parallels to 1914 Europe: Is the Second Horseman About to Ride?

Posted on Tuesday, 8 July, 2014 by Richard Barker

Since the 5th anniversary reprint of The End-Game Is Now In Play my blogging has mainly been upon prophetical developments for the UK, but I’ve continued to keep a ‘weather-eye’ on news from the Middle-East, especially via DebkaFile. Therefore, I’m pleased to re-blog this analysis by Mark Davidson of the prophetical implications of the buried news about Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the war in Iraq. Mark interprets biblical prophecy from a novel, and perhaps more insightful, perspective than the predominant, mainstream one. The ensuing discussion is good reading too.

THE FOUR SIGNPOSTS

If you are familiar with the geopolitical situation as it was in Europe back in July 1914 one could say that there are parallels to the situation in the Middle East right now. Both situations involve several countries in chains of complicated alliances. One major difference though, is that the winds of war in Europe were fanned by nationalism and today in the Middle East it is fanned by sectarian zeal.

In Europe in 1914 one country after another in a chain reaction declared sides and mobilized its armed forces. So we are starting to see the same thing in the Middle East today.

DEBKAfile reports a very disturbing set of developments in the last day or so. As I followed the story I wondered if other news agencies were reporting the same thing, and CNN confirms it.

The DEBKAfile site reports that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia…

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My King is Coming

Posted on Monday, 3 March, 2014 by Richard Barker

Maranatha! Thank you so much Deborah Ann for this, which you published on the same day as the word from ‘Lion Bites’ about the King cleansing us.

CHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

My King is coming,
He will soon be here
I cannot wait
for Him to near.

He will reign,
upon His throne
the world’s sins
He’ll not condone.

He will take over,
be in complete control
the universe is His
as well as every soul.

There will be peace,
the drying of tears
no longer Satan
will we have to fear.

The father of lies,
will be cast into hell
and his followers
with him will dwell.

But for those of us,
who sins are forgiven
with Jesus we will be
in a new earth and heaven.

My King is coming,
all things will be new
and He wants to be
your King too!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Revelation 21:1
King James Version

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:
for the first heaven and the first earth
were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

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5 years ago today: “The End-Game Is Now In Play”

Posted on Friday, 28 February, 2014 by Richard Barker

A lot’s happened in the 5 years since I started writing to friends on 28th February 2009 about current events prophesied in the Bible. The first email opened by explaining my grounds for doing so.:

“Last year, I encountered two conflicting claims about Jesus’ explanation of the parable on the end-time harvest of wheat and tares (Matt 13:36). 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’?”

My contacts had already been established over the previous year. As they were all familiar with scripture it wasn’t always necessary for me to quote or explain meanings. However, with that change in direction upon my hearing direct from the Lord it was opportune to stress the associated scripture, as follows.:

“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…”

Regular contacts had started over a controversial move of the Lord in 2008 in Lakeland, Florida. This had featured healing evangelist Todd Bentley, whose rather rough, logger background and highly unconventional ways generated a heated debate in Christian circles.

I believe the Lord used it to test which disciples are really committed to applying His command to “Love one another”, which is how “the world may know the Father sent me” (John 17:23). Perhaps this would sift out those who are not yet ready for the more demanding move into this ‘New Season’?

Funnily enough each player involved 5 years ago has also been in direct contact with me this week: ‘Revd’ Bill’ – PK Davis (ace teaching on Matt 13 above) – ‘LL’ in reference to TB and Lakeland !!

That first email of 2009 referred to the increasing politicised provocation against believers within the UK, as well as the surveillance against which a director of MI5 warned. We’re well aware of rapidly discriminatory actions against believers in the last 5 years. But abroad, real persecution and terrorism have rocketed in the Muslim world, being most critical in northern Nigeria. So we’ve had it comparatively easy in Britain, but British and American leaders show an atheistic disinterest and lack of compassion over this dire situation.

We’ve also seen the rapid development of anti-Semitism and the creation of the alliance of Middle-Eastern nations prophesied in Ezekiel 38. I’ve written increasingly on this under the descriptor ‘Ezekiel Alliance’, or Gog-Magog. As Zechariah prophesied about Jerusalem, there have been intensifying discussions and sabre-rattling; the latest being that Mahmoud Abbas erupted in a rage over US Secretary Kerry’s proposal for the Palestinian capital to be located not in Jerusalem but elsewhere! (See Zech 12 and Israel Today report.)

That email read as follows:

The End-Game is Now In Play

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

[Next 2 paragraphs as quoted in blue text above]

So, let’s watch closely what’s happening here and globally. When I’m by a newstand 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’. 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,

This continued in an associated 2nd email, as here.

RESTORATION – today’s stunning Word from the Lord

Posted on Saturday, 8 February, 2014 by Richard Barker

Restoration per ICEJ – VG

To follow rabbi, Sharon, Gabriel on Jesus as Ko’Jews

NB: this post got published as above days in advance of eventual full publication. So please ignore that brief title and ‘garbled’ text. Those were prompts in draft to remind me what/when I was to write – but as I slept it got published and emailed to subscribers as shown above! (Apologies if you’ve already seen it and were unable to access before this rewrite.)

Yet Daryl Stewart of Rio Vista liked it just as that single ‘coded’ sentence!

But his ‘Like’ completely upset plans for my Saturday! My following note left on his blog may explain – AND ONLY NOW in getting that inserted link have I noticed what already heads his blog for today and how it directly relates to what’s happened in the last 4 hours. (That is, it was totally unknown to me – what an awesome way our Lord works.)

This is my note inserted on his blog:

Hi Daryl and this is to thank you…especially for your prophetic appreciation of an item for publication – ie. IN ADVANCE 🙂 BUT it should NOT have been seen!

I don’t know how a quick draft done with abbreviated title and short text of names got on the blog. (I rarely edit by phone but WP’s been upgraded.) It was to remind me to follow up thoughts on the passing of PM Sharon and a couple of prophecies with an excellent piece from Jerusalem on restoration. Yet nothing surprises me any longer…

I was just about to continue with ‘…in my blogging and where the Lord’s pointing me.’ and close by giving you a link to the original item WHEN the doorbell rang downstairs. Postman Tony had a small packet that wouldn’t go through our letterbox, and with it was an envelope from ICEJ.

I knew I had to open it rather than go back to the study/den and finish off this note – IT HAS THE SAME TITLE AND IMAGE AS WHAT I INTENDED BLOGGING ABOUT LATE NEXT WEEK. I just couldn’t stop laughing and as my wife’s at weekend retreat I phoned an elder to relate what’s happened and how it fits into other events of the last 12 hours on my last item and what’s to follow.

My plans were to publish 4 other things in the pipeline first but I guess this matter now comes first – what God has to say has put my plans for the day in total disarray – fantastic, praise you Lord.

Trust this doesn’t ‘blow your mind’ my friend! As it must be for you too, you deserve an advance ‘peep’ at this excellent item > http://int.icej.org/content/word-jerusalem-city-peace-episode-2?

Click on link to ‘More about Restoration’ (for excellent article I was going to re-post).

Now it’s 10am I’d better get on with my late breakfast and shower, which is normally done at 9am on Sat, BEFORE getting Koenig’s Eye View from White House and scanning emails – yours was at the top and has totally changed my day!!!

Just thought you’d like to know – what an immense laugh, and hope it all makes some sort of sense 🙂

Be mightily blessed and many thanks once again…

Here’s a copy of the magazine’s cover that the postman brought. It should facilitate an appreciation of the extraordinary connection with my intended post on Restoration, the note to Daryl and the ICEJ video link.

Therefore, it must certainly be something the Lord wishes us to read and comprehend of His restorative plans for the world, the Middle East and the New Season for the Church.

To read the full text of ICEJ leader Dr Jurgen Buhler’s excellent article, click Restoration. For ICEJ website click on this image >>

So, what God has to say put my plans for the day in total disarray!

I’m reminded of 2 Chronicles 16:9…

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

Selah

Turkey and Iran – a conflict of interest?

Posted on Friday, 31 January, 2014 by Richard Barker

According to Reuter’s report of Wednesday, a mutual concern over the rise of al Qaeda in Syria (and Iraq) spurred hopes for this week’s Turkish-Iranian rapprochement.

But couldn’t that claim be ‘dis-information’? Al Qaeda is Sunni Muslim whereas the mullahs running Iran are Shiite and Turkey is a secular Islamic state, although PM Erdogan favours Islamist extremism.

And let’s not forget that even at the height of the Iran-Iraq war between adherents of those two opposing forms of Islam, elite units stopped fighting one another to rehearse the storming of Jerusalem! (See The Invisible Hand Re-appears.)

I’d humbly suggest, therefore, those facts should be kept in mind when considering today’s news of Al Qaeda bases operating openly in Turkey, as reported by Israel’s military intelligence chief. DebkaFile opens its ‘Special Report’ as follows:

Al Qaeda has set up its first bases in a NATO member-country. Wednesday, Jan. 29, the day Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan sat down in Tehran with President Hassan Rouhani, Israel’s military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Avivi Kochavi revealed that Al Qaeda adherents fighting in Syria had established their first training facilities in Turkey…

The strong impression gained from Kochavi’s briefing was that Turkey is not just home to three al Qaeda training facilities and bases, but that its borders are left open for them to cross in from neighboring countries…

In reading the Intel Chief’s 5-point summary, it’s interesting to note the first refers to the PM’s agenda for “linking the two non-Arab Muslim nations in a new strategic alliance for regional domination” – emphasis mine. This fits the Gog-Magog coalition prophesied in Ezekiel 38.

Also, he stressed that both nations permit, even provide a springboard for, al Qaeda to conduct terrorist operations. Therefore, “Neither of the two new allies…would have any qualms about using al Qaeda terrorism to promote their agendas.”.

His other points on Palestinians and Iran, fallout from the US-Iran nuclear accord and vulnerability of Europe from attack via a fellow NATO member, are well worth noting.

It’s no wonder Chuck Missler’s Strategic Trends analysis refers to this modern-day alliance as ”The Treacherous Trio of Ezekiel 38″ !

On the significance of Turkey’s turn-around

Posted on Thursday, 30 January, 2014 by Richard Barker

Yesterday’s news and announcement on this blog merits a brief explanation. As an ‘alert’, it was dashed off because I was about to close down for dinner but decided to quickly check ‘before-the-media’ news.

In fact, my short window on-line yesterday went in congratulating a friend on his political blog’s news. I mentioned that prophetic material in Ezekiel 38 is increasingly relevant. (As already disclosed, that topic had cropped up in my afternoon meeting.) Hence, my astonishment at reading the news from Debka – I was amazed that what I’d spoken of and referred to in writing had become news on that day!!

Why is this news of Turkey’s prime minster turning against Washington important?

If not the first, Tayyip Erdogan was one of the foreign leaders whom Barack Obama called very soon after taking office. After attending the G20 Summit in London, then with NATO in Strasburg and with the EU in Prague, President Obama went to Istanbul and Ankara on 7th April 2009, “to send a message to the world” (per White House transcript). In making a major speech to the Turkish Parliament on the Middle East, Obama wooed Turkey as “a critical ally”. [Is it a coincidence that Turkey soon moved from being a military ally of Israel to exhibiting great hostility, doubtless encouraged by POTUS’ own inclinations? – see Rewind re. Turkey.]

Two Arabic stations carried Obama’s speech live and Associated Press reported:

Making his first visit to a Muslim nation as president and calling for a greater partnership with the Islamic world in an address to the Turkish parliament, Obama called the country an important U.S. ally in many areas, including the fight against terrorism. He devoted much of his speech to urging a greater bond between Americans and Muslims, portraying terrorist groups such as al Qaida as extremists who did not represent the vast majority of Muslims.

“Let me say this as clearly as I can,” Obama said. “The United States is not and never will be at war with Islam. In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical … in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject.

[Emphases Koenig’s Eye View From The White House, April 9th 2009]

But Bill Koenig, White House journalist, made this prophetically accurate observation:

This will be an incentive for the enemies of the United States to keep going, believing the U.S. has no fortitude to fight, and that they are winning. [Bang on! Emphasis mine]

It was Obama’s opening salvo in moving the goal-posts and he developed his earlier claims during the tour that the US and Europe must change its attitude to the Muslim world. [From thence he went on to cause consternation in bowing to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.]

Two months later, the broadside fired in his Cairo speech made his lack of historical and political accuracy abundantly clear to informed observers. In encouraging a move towards principles of western democracy and welcoming the Muslim Brotherhood he sent an even clearer signal that American policy was now taking an about-turn.

The rest is history and confirms the bankruptcy of American foreign policy with the consequential geo-strategic re-alignment of the whole Middle-East. Iran has beaten the US hands down in nuclear negotiations and, after the fiasco over Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations can no longer trust Obama. Therefore, Russia is now taking advantage of the political vacuum in that region.

Therefore, after a close relationship with Prime Minister Erdogan from the outset of his presidency, the Turk’s turning away from Washington to Tehran is highly significant. This is especially so when we recall Turkey had major differences with Iran over Syria. [See Reuters’ article below for detailed update.]

OR, could Obama have instructed Erdogan to make it up with Iran? Or even to get in so POTUS could have a personal ‘take’ on the Iranians? I wonder…

As prophesied over 2,500 years ago, these peoples are coming together, not in any loose confederation, but in a political and military alliance under Russian dominance!!

EXCEEDINGLY INTERESTING TIMES! The words of the Lord given to His prophet Ezekiel accurately forecasted modern political developments in the region around the tiny state of Israel.

How say you, my reader?

UPDATED 31 Jan: Turkey & Iran – conflict of interest?

Update on the ‘Ezekiel alliance’ – Turkey seeks to join Iran

Posted on Wednesday, 29 January, 2014 by Richard Barker

Last week it was the Palestinians, today it’s Turkey wanting to join Iran and Russia, as in the following Exclusive Report from DebkaFile:

“Turkey’s Tayyip Erdogan has snapped his links with Washington and rushed into Iran’s arms for direct action against US interests. He is spiting the Obama administration in the belief of a US plot to replace him with President Abdullah Gul and discredit him by corruption scandals implicating members of his family in sanctions-busting business with Iran through the state-owned Turkish Halkbank.”

Only this afternoon at church house group did I mention it’s only a matter of time for this next developmental phase in establishing the specific coalition of states, as prophesied in Ezekiel 38!!

Continued in On the significance of Turkey’s turn-around >>

Newsmix – on Palestinians – on Anglicans

Posted on Monday, 27 January, 2014 by Richard Barker

Seasoned watchers of today’s political fulfilment of Biblical prophecies will appreciate the following that came to my attention over the weekend. In spite of the increasing mayhem and madness, events seem to be progressing in accord with the Lord’s achieving His purposes. Headlines are mine not the media’s:

PALESTINIANS JOIN THE ‘EZEKIEL ALLIANCE-AXIS’

So-called ‘peace talks’ being engineered by the US Secretary of State Kerry’s almost manic shuttle-negotiations have always been regarded as doomed to failure by well-informed watchers, especially in the light of America’s abysmal loss of credibility. In Friday’s exclusive report Palestinian leader turns to Putin for Palestinian State etc., DEBKAfile concludes with a most telling insight as follows (emphases mine):

‘…Moscow has already proved it can get away with busting international sanctions by concluding a $1.5 bn contract with Tehran for the purchase of half a million barrels of Iranian oil a day, without incurring a word of complaint from Washington.

‘Two weeks later, Putin and Abbas have acted together to wreck a painstaking US diplomatic initiative actively partnered by Israel for a negotiated peace accord with the Palestinians. They have left John Kerry and Binyamin Netanyahu holding an empty shell. Nabil Shaath, a Palestinian Fatah veteran, could not have put the situation more bluntly when he said Thursday night that it was time to “end the American monopoly on peacemaking, after Washington had proved incapable of imposing agreements on Israel.”

‘Russian tactics for Syria and Iran had proved effective, he said, and there was no reason why Moscow could not perform the same function on the Israeli-Palestinian track. The Palestinians have clearly opted to follow the examples of other Middle East leaders, ranging from Iran… Syria… Saudi… Egyptian… in making tracks, overtly or covertly, to Moscow. They are opening the door for Russia to fill the void left by American disengagement from region under the Obama administration.’

In the light of rapidly changing geo-strategic influences across the whole Middle-East, who may now dare disbelieve the Word of the Living Lord God to his prophets? For example, consider what he delivered through Ezekiel about that anti-Israel coalition under the words addressed to Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38 refers), which I write about as The Ezekiel Alliance/Axis. The latter may be the better description and should you desire some background information read Koinonia Institute’s Strategic Tends Update, The Treacherous Trio of Ezekiel 38 – Part 1 (Turkey) – Part 2 (Iran) – Part 3 (Russia). Although published some years ago, these briefings provide useful insights.

Also, Daniel Pipes has recently written about Iran gaining a foothold on the Arabian Peninsula in National Review Online.

BLOGGER URGES ANGLICANS TO ‘WAKE UP!’

Out of his deep interest and concern for the Church of England Gillan Scott has written a solid consideration upon growth in that denomination. Its content has generated quite a debate and so I recommend those readers who took an interest in my recent remarks on apostasy within the Anglican church to take time to peruse The Church of England still needs to wake up and smell the coffee over church growth.

Update on the ‘Ezekiel Alliance’

Posted on Thursday, 21 November, 2013 by Richard Barker

World Watch Daily has a couple of leading headlines that could have been taken from 38th chapter of the prophetical book of Ezekiel. Quoting from Jerusalem Post, the lead headline says it all:

Netanyahu, Putin sharply divided over Iran nuclear deal

The article opens: ‘Significant divisions over Iran were on clear display in the Kremlin on Wednesday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued statements after nearly two hours of meetings…’ (Photo below June 2012)

The second headline from William Koenig’s team in The White House quotes The Tmes of Israel and opens as shown below:

France says Iran comments on Israel complicate nuke talks

‘Ayatollah calls Israel ‘rabid dog,’ drawing harsh response from Paris as new round of negotiations begin. The French government spokeswoman says President Francois Hollande believes comments by Iran’s supreme leader about Israel are “unacceptable” and complicate talks between world powers and the Islamic regime over its nuclear program…’

Developments

Further to last Thursday’s post about US appeasement of Iran in Geneva (here), the following links bring detailed news and opinion on developments:

Special Report Tuesday states four new Iranian conditions may block nuclear accord and reveals (emphases added),

…That the radicals are calling the shots in Tehran was obvious to every Iranian from the large blow-ups of the intransigent ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad adorning Tehran newspapers in the last couple of days. President Hassan Rouhani may be elected president, but his campaign of smiles to the West has been superseded by the radical nuclear line espoused by the man he defeated at the polls. Ahmadinejad is riding high again in Tehran.

According to Debkafile there’s, ‘a strange paradox of two leaders, Ayatollah Khamenei and Prime Minister Netanyahu, who are implacable adversaries in all else, maneuvering (sic) with all their might for the same object of taking the wind out of the sails of a potential nuclear deal between the six powers and Iran.
‘Khamenei is confident he can bring President Obama to heel and force him to live with key elements of Iran’s nuclear bomb program. Israel wants that program brought a lot closer to its dismantlement by tougher sanctions. He is seconded in this demand by France in public statements by its president Francois Hollande, and Saudi Arabia, which prefers not to admit to supporting the Israeli campaign….’

Their latest Exclusive Report claims that today,

The Iranian negotiators face the delegations of six world powers in Geneva Thursday, Nov. 21, with strict orders not to give ground on the two major sticking points holding up a first-step deal on their nuclear program: The heavy water reactor under construction at Arak for producing plutonium and Iran’s “right” to uranium enrichment. If Iran gains those two points, whatever concessions its negotiators may come up with are worthless, because they will leave Tehran in possession of two optional nuclear weaponizing tracks instead of one – plutonium as well as enriched uranium.

Debka states Tehran is fighting tooth and nail for Six-Power acknowledgement of its “right to enrich uranium” so Iran can come away with a “historic feat”. This will show the Iranian people that economic hardship suffered under economic sanctions was worth while.

BUT, existing infrastructure would enable Iran to top-up enriched uranium stockpiles to the amount needed for five nuclear bombs in less than 4 weeks! AND a second option of plutonium would also be available when the Arak reactor is finished! Can the Iranians be trusted? Debka then asks,

…what compromise can be expected when Washington failed to challenge Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s avowal on Day One of the Geneva talks that Iran will not step back “one iota” from its nuclear rights, and his grotesquely barbaric rant against Israel as “the roguish, filthy, rabid dog of the region,” whose regime is “doomed to extinction?”

This degraded language, not heard since the Nazi German era, informed the Obama administration in the harshest terms that for the sake of a deal, Iran will not give an inch under pressure, whether from economic sanctions or from Israel and parts of the American Jewish leadership.

Debka states, ‘Khamenei also blasted US government as unworthy of trust. If…Obama was serious in his often repeated commitment to Israel’s security, he ought to have protested in some way against Khamenei’s unspeakable rhetoric, possibly even delaying the proceedings before they started their second day in Geneva. But the Iranian leader apparently got away with it, judging from the Obama administration’s mild response…’

How peculiar that not only Iran’s tip leader, but also those of Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt (and more) are all in agreement about the superpower that was, for decades, top-dog in the Middle East? What’s the reason for this change? Could it be because America’s leaders have rejected the God and Jesus Christ, as their president did in his first inauguration by declaring the USA has never been a Christian nation (as here).

I recommend my readers use the above links to learn the rationale behind these claims. It reminds me of the great heavenly conflict with the demonic ‘Prince of Persia’, of which the prophet Daniel was informed by angelic messenger during deep intercession. (See Daniel 10:12, courtesy BibleGateway.com)

Conclusion

These serious matters are simply one demonstration of the Bible’s complete relevance for today. That is, it accurately forewarns of this dangerous situation for the Middle East and world peace.

Billy Graham: “It’s time to take the news (and) Bible and watch…”

Posted on Tuesday, 22 October, 2013 by Richard Barker

At almost 95 years of age, Billy Graham writes in The Reason for My Hope: Salvation

It’s a time to take the news of the day in one hand and the Bible in the other and watch the unfolding of the great drama of the ages come together.

This is an exciting and thrilling time to be alive…I would not want to live in any other period. (emphasis added)

The Apocalypse (the unveiling of the end times) speaks powerfully of trouble ahead with storm warnings that carrying a booming jolt of truth. The warning is clear: prepare to meet thy God – followed by the voice of the gentle Shepherd – “Come.”

A new world is coming, Graham writes. The paradise that humanity lost in the Garden of Eden will be regained. Christ is coming to conquer evil and establish his perfect rule over all creation,

But until then God wants to give everyone an opportunity to know Christ through repentance and faith…Regardless of what society says, we can’t go on much longer in the sea of immorality without judgment coming. We are at a crossroads, and there are profound moral issues at stake. It is time to return to Biblical truth.

Troy Anderson, who wrote the preceding, states Billy Graham has preached to more people – 2.2 billion – than any Protestant in history and who has appeared on Gallup’s list of the most admired men in the world 56 times since 1955, more than any other individual in the world.

How are these quotations from the evangelist’s newly published book relevant to End-times? Anderson as editor-in-chief of World Prophecy Network elaborates under this header.:

Famed evangelist sees signs ‘converging now for the 1st time’

“Just as Noah did in ancient times, world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham is sounding the alarm that the Second Coming is “near” and signs of the end of the age are “converging now for the first time since Jesus made those predictions.”

“Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly “Biblical prophecies are being realized”.

“And last week, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., claimed the world has entered the last days.

“When you see up is down and right is wrong, when this is happening, we were told this: that these days would be as the days of Noah,” Bachmann said.

“The remarks by Graham, Netanyahu and Bachmann come amid a steadily rising wave of public interest in the end times, as demonstrated by recent polls and New York Times and Amazon.com bestselling books such as The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery That Holds the Secret of America’s Future by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, and Four Blood Moons: Something is About to Change by Pastor John Hagee…”

He quotes an author I respect as a prophecy expert, Paul Maguire,

I think we’re on the verge of a global awakening in interest in apocalyptic events.

I see a fuse being lit here, between what Billy Graham, Michele Bachman and Benjamin Netanyahu said, and I think there is going to be an explosion of interest in the end times like nothing we’ve ever seen before.

Anderson’s informative article continues under the following headers:

Watching the signs
Acceleration
Blood moons
Haven’t we heard this before?

You can read his full article in Billy Graham Sounds Alarm for 2nd Coming.

Paws-4-thought: on the ‘snatching up’ of believers

Posted on Friday, 18 October, 2013 by Richard Barker

More nourishing morsels to munch in this repost from T.E. Hanna, which is apposite in view of my previous post’s reference to apostasy. If you’re unsure of that connection, check the insights Holy Spirit gave to Apostle Paul on the return of Jesus, as outlined in his two, brief letters to the Thessalonian church (here).

I like his following title’s pun as it refers to the popular Left Behind stories by Tim La Haye. The premise for the whole series was based upon the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, the concept of which, in my opinion, seems to be a particularly American fad. So I greatly appreciate T.E.’s unwrapping of the subject and helpful answers to good questions raised by readers, especially the inclusion of the parable of wheat and tares in the whole scenario.

So enjoy and be mightily blessed…

WHAT THE DOCTRINE OF THE RAPTURE HAS REALLY LEFT BEHIND

This month marks the two year anniversary of Harold Camping’s prediction of when the rapture was to take place. In preparation for that great ascension into the sky, countless numbers of people quit their jobs, sold everything they had, and took to the streets to proclaim the coming day of Christ. The date was set for October 21, 2011, and they wanted to sound the trumpet so that nobody was “left behind”.

On October 22, they woke up to find themselves and their families left destitute, without any savings or means of income, with their shoes still treading the soil of our world. The rapture had not taken place.

Harold Camping was not the first to predict the date of the rapture. In fact, October 21 was not even his first prediction. He had predicted it to happen earlier that same year, on May 21, and before that he had declared September 6, 1994 to be the correct date. Before Camping, there were multiple predictions for 1993, allowing for a seven year tribulation before the glorious appearing in the year 2000. Prior to this, Edgar Whisenant had issued predictions for 1988, 1989, 1992 and 1995. Chuck Smith had predicted 1981, while the Jehovah’s Witnesses predicted 1914, 1918, and 1925.

Perhaps the most impactful prediction, however, was issued by the Baptist preacher William Miller and further popularized by the preaching of Samuel Snow. While Miller asserted 1844 as the year in which Christ would return to rapture His church, Snow narrowed the date to October 22. Much like Camping, the result of this popular prophecy led to a movement whereby his ever-growing following yielded all of their earthly possessions and sat waiting with joyous expectation for the heavens to rend and the Messiah to summon His beloved. So great was the cry that arose on the day to follow that October 22, 1844 became lodged within the annals of Christian history known only as the Great Disappointment.

As best as I can tell, the Great Disappointment was the first prediction of the rapture in Christian history, which is (on the surface at least) a strange event for a faith previously spanning a full 1800 years of history. Even more strange is how common subsequent predictions became. One would expect that, given the mystical history of Christianity, we would see proclamations of the impending rapture long before the nineteenth century. One would expect this, to be sure, until one began to study the doctrine itself. Then, the strange lack of prophetic utterance suddenly makes sense.

Before the nineteenth century, the doctrine of the rapture simply did not exist.

What Lies Behind The Rapture

The church has always looked forward with eager anticipation towards the return of Christ. Christian eschatology has long held that the world would come to be judged, the old things would pass away, the Kingdom of God would manifest in its fullness, and we would celebrate our eternal presence in the midst of the new heavens and the new earth. Heaven would come down as the New Jerusalem, and all things would be made right once more. This has always been a singular event.

Not until the 19th century did we see the return of the King split into two events. At this point, a theologian by the name of John Darby theorized that there were actually two occurrences foretold in scripture: the day of Christ, and the day of the Lord. The former consisted of Christ’s return to gather up His faithful; the latter referred to Christ’s return to judge the world. For the first time in Christian history, Jesus was taught to return not once, but twice.

Another theologian by the name of C. I. Scofield grabbed hold of this idea and ran with it. Around this time, Scofield published the first publicly available “study bible” in history. This consisted of a bible translation with explanatory notes in the bottom half of the printed book, and it became immensely popular. The resulting “Scofield’s Bible” quickly spread throughout the Christian culture, and with it came the rise of Dispensationalism. Dispensationalism not only gave us the doctrine of the rapture, it gave us a new view on our world as well.

What The Rapture Has Left Behind

The appearance of the rapture, within Dispensationalist theology, is foreshadowed by the continuing collapse of our world into sin and destruction. The closer we come to that glorious summoning, the darker and more corrupt our world will get. It is within this understanding that we often refer to “the signs of the times”, usually followed by pointing to some great ethical violation that our culture lauds as virtue. Dispensationalism places the human experience in the midst of a worldly trajectory towards oblivion, identifying ourselves as a remnant of God’s people who are clinging fast to the cross in the hope of persisting until the reinforcements arrive.

In contrast to this, the overarching narrative of scripture does not speak of God abandoning His creation to ever-deepening destruction. The trajectory of scripture is a positive one, one that speaks of a God who is intimately involved with His children, whose Spirit still broods over the waters as He did in the opening pages of Genesis. This is a God who enters into the fullness of the human experience in the incarnation, who proclaims a Kingdom of God that is at hand, who sends forth His children to be emissaries that bring restoration and healing to a world that is suffering and broken. This is about a world that is continuing to get better, not worse.

This is what the rapture ultimately leaves behind: that we are active participants in God’s manifesting Kingdom, agents of mercy who are called into His work and through whom the world is being transformed. This is the image we see in John’s Revelation; not that our world is swallowed up in darkness so that God creates it anew, but that the New Jerusalem descends into our midst, that the Kingdom of God is overthrowing the enemy’s earthly rule, that the glorious creation which He so lovingly fashioned in the opening pages of scripture is one that He is at work restoring.

Yes, there will come the day when the trumpet shall sound and Christ shall judge the living and the dead, separating us into our chosen kingdoms. Yes, we will still face trial and strife and tribulation as we live out our lives in the brokenness of our world. Yes, the King will return for His citizens.

But the glorious hope to which we cling is not a distant one, it is immediate. It impacts our lives in this moment. We are not simply holding fast to the anchor of our soul and waiting for our lives to run out or for Christ to return. The Kingdom is coming, even now, even here. Our hope is for this world, and it leaps from here into eternity.

Many thanks TE for such an excellent, succinct summary which puts the unorthodox pre-trib rapture into its proper perspective.

I strongly recommend the ensuing interesting discussion on Of Dust and Kings – click on link and scroll to foot of TE’s original post.

More in-depth consideration may be found on Your True Christian Journey in::

THIRD SEAL OF REVELATION HAPPENING NOW

Posted on Saturday, 12 October, 2013 by Richard Barker

My friend’s hit a thought-provoking indicator, which I’d heard some time ago in connection with the cause of the ‘Arab Spring’: ie. the inability of Tunisian and Egyptian poor to afford crippling wheat prices. These had escalated because of US demand for conversion of wheat to ethanol fuels!

My Passions

Habakkuk 2:2
[ The Just Live by Faith ] Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.

I’ve often pondered the seals of Revelation. I’ve studied and studied them over and over again to find what part of Revelation we are in (because we all know something is coming) and I think we can be pretty sure now where we are on God’s timeline based on something that is happening in Israel as we speak. Although this is a detail of the seals that many skip over because it hadn’t been revealed yet, it is my belief that this little detail was revealed to me (and probably others) the other night and this blog is to bring awareness to it. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING.

I’m sure you will…

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Putin to visit Iran for first time in six years. Historic trip will raise renewed interest in the “Gog & Magog” prophecies.

Posted on Monday, 16 September, 2013 by Richard Barker

I’d like to draw your attention to Joel’s analysis of the meaning of this historic visit. Read also what former British Ambassador Charles Crawford writes about ‘the mother of all messes’ President Obama has caused over Syria. You may wish to check my previous posts about the Ezekiel 38 Alliance and remarks covering Joel’s recent post on Yom Kippur.

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

(Dallas, Texas) — “Vladimir Putin has accepted an Iranian invitation to visit the country and meet with newly elected President Hasan Rouhani, a spokesman for the Russian president confirmed,” reports the Times of Israel.

“Putin has been invited to Iran, and he will certainly take advantage of this kind invitation,” the Interfax news agency quoted spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Friday. “The dates of the visit will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.”

“The announcement came on the heels of a report that Russia had agreed to sell to Iran the advanced S-300 air defense system and construct a new nuclear reactor at the Bushehr site,” the Times noted. “Putin met with Rouhani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Friday. During the meeting, Rouhani extended an invitation to Putin, who accepted, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported. In July, there were reports

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Events indicate the Bible’s relevance for today

Posted on Friday, 30 August, 2013 by Richard Barker

Recent tragic news from Syria and developments in the Middle East can, in fact, give Christians a deeper understanding of the holy scriptures.

I’ll share my opinion on how this may be so but, first, we’re instructed to pray for those in power, including their need for wisdom in handling crises. Jesus’ brother James wrote to those following ‘The Way’,

If anyone lacks wisdom we should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault…(James 1:5)

He cautions that in so doing we need to believe and not doubt because such a person will not receive anything from God. Political leaders would, therefore, show wisdom if they are able to believe and fully appreciate God’s Word, not only in living morally but also in dealing with international events such as those foreseen over 2,500 years ago about a specific Middle Eastern coalition. We note that, in the end, God’s stated goal for three major people groups is as follows;

²⁴In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, ²⁵whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.” (Isaiah 19 NKJV, Biblegateway)

There’s a long way to go before that outcome is achieved, incredible as it seems at present. But current events do show the Holy Bible is not obsolete, or irrelevant for modern times. But this isn’t new! Many Old Testament verses were fulfilled in 20th Century with the amazing ‘overnight’ creation of a nation-state and the consequential return of dispersed tribes belonging to the ancient Hebraic people. Nearly 2,000 years ago, after having destroyed their capital Jerusalem and sacred Temple because of an armed revolt against Rome’s authority, Emperor Hadrian kicked them out of their homeland after another revolt (for details see Timeline).

Hundreds of years beforehand, however, prophets heard and recorded what the Living God declared about events in the far, far distant future. The fulfillment of His promises through the establishment of modern Israel is something deserving fuller examination. So, too, is Psalm 83’s warning to those people surrounding Israel who plot to ‘wipe it off the map’. (The ancient tribal names may no longer apply but their rage continues within their descendants, as broadcast ceaselessly abroad.)

However, my focus is upon the Biblical references to other peoples on the fringes of the then-known world, as centred around the ‘cradle of civilisation’. They were in lands now known as Persia, Syria, western Egypt or Libya, Turkey as well as southern Russia and central Asia.

Whatever any migratory, trading or hostile connections may have been between those folk, it is a most remarkable fact that the Lord foresaw an alliance forming between them that would become enemies of the Hebraic people living in territory established by King David. Ezekiel, a major OT prophet, received detailed oracles about this coalition led by ‘Gog’. The only other mention of this entity is in the apocalyptic vision Apostle John had of the revelation that God gave Jesus Christ, as recorded towards the end of the Book of Revelation (Rev 20:7-10).

This prophesied coalition known as ‘The Ezekiel Alliance’ and its attack upon Israel is recorded at chapters 38 and 39 of the Book of Ezekiel. A concise historical analysis from Koinonia House may be read at The Treacherous Trio of Ezekiel 38 – Part 1 and at Part 2, then Part 3. My previous coverage of this build-up may be found here and here.

The fact that Russia is now getting deeply involved and taking the lead in a strategic coalition that was identified millennia ago as a major player in the Middle-East, and furthermore which aligns itself against Israel, simply cannot be ignored. All political leaders would, therefore, be well advised to tread very carefully in dealing with this alliance.

For what it’s worth I’d like to add my ‘tuppence worth’ but it must of necessity be all too brief. Readers who like digging deeper than mainline media’s cursory overviews (eg. by visiting links suggested in an early blog Not on the 10 o’clock News), may be aware of the following.:

Israel

I’d ask that fellow believers consider their attitude toward modern Israel because some ministries are mistaken in this regard. For instance, a guest post on Cranmer’s blog has reported one ministry as strongly denouncing Israel at festivals over the Summer. I’m aware this may be a touchy topic, but Fran Waddam’s historical comments are helpful for those unfamiliar with the real, rather than revisionist, 20th Century history of Israel. It’s now followed by a CMEW item on Kairos Chaos in the Church, which I recommend. (NB: ignore any flash pop-up ads on Cranmer’s site.)

Syria & Iran

The outrageous chemical attack upon children could, in my opinion, be one way Iran’s leaders are testing President Obama’s resolve and poor credibility. (Iran’s active control of Syria was reported here.) There are increasing concerns over the reliability of claims that it was done by Assad’s forces, and which doesn’t exactly stack up with signals intel and is voiced by, among others, Jerome Corsi and Walid Shoebat (here).

Iran would seize upon any attack by America as a pretext to attack Israel in a greater measure than done in recent minor occasions (Farsnews). They see such a war as facilitating the appearance of the Shiites’ Mahdi (as here). Thus, it isn’t far-fetched to suppose Iran may attempt the final, threatened blow to eradicate Israel.

Saudi Arabia

Obama’s credibility is non-existent as a result of his polices and actions on Egypt and in Libya, not to mention ‘Benghazi-gate’. Following his 2009 Cairo speech, a deep rift opened between him and the Saudis over his deep humiliation of president Mubarak. Fully aware of the dangers Obama was blind to, they endorsed the Egyptian army’s removal of Morsi and leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood. Also, as members of The Arab League who have denounced Syria, the Saudis met with Russian leaders to sway their support of Syria’s Assad by tempting them with favourable oil/gas deals, as herein.

Egypt

The above quotation from prophet Isaiah is an oracle from the Lord about Egypt. Those closing verses allude to His end-time redemptive plan for three peoples, but its second verse is once again apposite: not as for the Ethiopian takeover 2,800 years ago but for these times too:

“I will set Egyptians against Egyptians;
Everyone will fight against his brother,
And everyone against his neighbour,
City against city, kingdom against kingdom…”

How to be succinct with what’s on my mind about Egypt? In Cameron: A war against Al-Qaeda… I referred to Mark Gabriel’s experiences with the Muslim Brotherhood as an Egyptian professor of Islamic history. His exposure of Islam and Terrorism gave me grave reservations over Obama’s insistence upon the outlawed MB’s attendance at his 2009 Cairo speech. My initial points are as herein.

President Obama probably gambled upon the MB having become a peaceful democratic political party but his Muslim roots should have taught him to know better – much better. William Koenig in his Eye View from The White House, puts it this way:

The Egyptian apparent decapitation of the Muslim Brotherhood’s leadership could have enormous impact on the future of many countries and derail White House/ State Department Muslim Brotherhood plan in the Middle East.

McCarthy’s ‘Reds under the beds’ witch hunts of communists was a false alarm by comparison with the MB infiltration of US politics and government. Where the totalitarian system of communism failed, another succeeded beyond its wildest dreams – and even Barack Hussein Obama isn’t entirely to blame! The infiltration started 60 years ago in response to the CIA seeking help against communists. George Bush and many in USA and Western democracies were bamboozled into mistaking Islamist intentions.

The MB’s objectives are known to many well-informed analysts and journalists but largely ignored by politicians and public. I cannot, therefore, recommend highly enough that every reader take time to visit the following links, of which extracts are shown.

For further political developments see

Replay of Munich ’38 Missed – Only Just! (14 Nov 2013)
Update on the Ezekiel 38 Alliance – Turkey seeks to join Iran (29 Jan 2014)
On the significance of Turkey’s turn-around (30 Jan 2014)
Turkey and Iran – a conflict of interest? (31 Jan 2014)

Recommended Reading:

Resetting US Foreign Policy by ‘ne plus ultra’ Caroline Glick; cogent as ever > ‘Obama’s decision to outsource the US’s Syria policy owed to his twin goals of demonstrating that the US would no longer try to dictate international outcomes, and of allying the US with Islamic fundamentalists…from his earliest days in office Obama insisted that, since radical Islam is the most popular movement in the Islamic world, radical Islam is good’.
The Muslim Brotherhood: Origins, Efficacy and Reach by Raymond Ibrahim; a masterly paper from the well-connected author of The Al-Qaeda Reader covering the MB historically and throughout the Middle-East.
History of the Muslim Brotherhood Penetration of US Government by Clare Lopez, formerly CIA operations officer and senior fellow at the Centre for Security Policy presents an exceptionally well-researched and informative paper > It is important to recognize the sophistication of the Brotherhood’s international strategy and how the takedown of U.S. national security defenses from within was critical to the current Middle East-North Africa (MENA) campaign to re-establish the Caliphate and enforce Islamic Law (shariah)….The careful insinuation of Muslim Brothers into positions from which they can exercise influence on U.S. policy began long before the attacks of 9/11, although their success has accelerated dramatically under the administration of President Barack Obama. The massive Muslim Brotherhood organizational network in the U.S., so patiently built up over the decades since that first Oval Office meeting in 1953, eventually gave it a prominence and (false) reputation of credibility that was unmatched by any other Islamic groups, moderate or otherwise. Using a combination of taqiyya (deceit, dissimulation) and intimidation, the Muslim Brotherhood succeeded not only in making itself the “go-to” authority on all things related to Islam, but in suppressing those who would speak truth about Islam—again, often by persuading the U.S.’s own senior officials to do the job for them: “by their hands”.
The US State Department’s Islamist Plan by Dr Mordechai Kebar, Israeli scholar of Arabic and Islam covers MB’s plans for Sinai and Egypt and reveals the grave concerns of Jordan’s king > King Abdullah openly calls them “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and “the Freemasons cult” (there is no worse expression in Arabic that the king could have used towards his citizens, MK.) because they do not want to reform the regime of the Hashemite monarchy; rather, they want to replace it and turn it into a puppet after taking over the parliament and changing the state into a “constitutional monarchy” with an Islamic constitution written by the Brotherhood, of course. The king describes his battle with the Brotherhood with the expression “the most important battle confronting us in the entire region”, even more than Iran. He also does not hide his contempt for the American diplomats and officials who promote the Muslim Brotherhood out of naivety, as if the regime of the Brotherhood is a type of Islamic democracy.
Muslim Brotherhood: We’ve Got ‘Goods on Obama’ by Dr Jerome Corsi > In an interview with the News Agency Anatolia in Turkey, Saad Al-Shater, the son of imprisoned Muslim Brotherhood leader Khairat Al-Shater, said his father “had in his hand” evidence that will put Obama in prison. In a thinly veiled threat, Saad Al-Shater said a US delegation was sent to Cairo by Obama to press for the release of the imprisoned Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including his father to prevent the release of explosive information. Arabic-speaking former PLO member Walid Shoebat has translated the report by the Turkish News Agency Anatolia as follows…
BREAKING NEWS – Corsi, “Egyptian government…intends to implicate Obama directly in series of financial transactions with the MB in Egypt” (video interview).

Another morsel on the cloud of witnesses

Posted on Thursday, 8 August, 2013 by Richard Barker

First, my apologies for having added a paragraph to my observations instead of drafting a new post. It is now deleted and follows below.

Upon re-reading the last post over lunch I believe there’s more to be considered about the role of the cloud of witnesses. (I’d stress I’ve not been watching Paul Keith Davis’ videos.)

Again, here’s what the God-breathed Word states at the juncture of Hebrews chapter 11 with 12, Apostle Paul’s summation on the Hebrew fathers of faith.

³⁹And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. ¹Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The key is in the closing verse of chapter 11, emboldened above. It states there’s a direct connection between our attaining perfection in faith, and pre-Christian believers in the Holy One of Israel coming into the perfection of their faith. That is, our destinies are directly linked with those who are already in heaven!

Huh? I need to recalibrate my brain to get a grip of that.

Verse 40 means God has promised Christians a far better deal than He’s promised the fathers of the Judaic faith because of our faith in Jesus. Yet, His goal for them is the same as it is for us, as herein; ‘that they should not be made perfect apart from us’. Thus, together with them we will be receiving the same promise – not one party (Old Covenant) without the other (New Covenant)!

This notion is more obvious in the original Greek of verse 40, ‘tou theo hEmOn ktreitton ti problepsamenou hina mE chOris hEmOn teleiOthOsin’, as seen in it’s word-for-word direct translation below. The present continuous tense of ‘looking’ and ‘be being’, rather than using past tense, distinctly conveys an ongoing process, one that’s in play today, viz:

of God concerning us better something of-looking-forward-to that not apart from us they-may-be-being matured (Greek Interlinear Bible)

Clearly, therefore, God’s intention has always been to bring about at the end of the Age a highly prized unity in Christ Jesus for both Jew and Christian, or as some say; the original Israel and spiritual Israel. Or perhaps, the Bride of Christ and those invited to the Wedding; Jews who’ll look on Jesus whom their forebears pierced (Zecharia 12:10).

Furthermore, with the passage of time, this cloud now includes multitudes of Christians.

As Almighty God – and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who came in the body of a Jewish man – therefore sees hardly any distinction between Jew and Christian, then how dare some church leaders denigrate, even loathe, our Jewish brethren and their national state of Israel?

With this in mind, in the knowledge that several prestigious American churches declared their stance against Israel last year (Elliot Abrams’ CFR article), I’d draw your attention to the Jerusalem Declaration by representatives of mainline Protestant churches. For an introduction to the Protestant Consultation on Israel and the Middle East click here.

Paul Keith Davis and Rick Joyner discuss ‘Times and Seasons’

Posted on Wednesday, 7 August, 2013 by Richard Barker

If you liked Paul Keith Davis’ teaching on the 3 anointings then you will like this 83 mins chat with his friend. (It is superior value to anything on the ‘one-eyed’ blind god we call TV.) Their closing answer to an online question made it rather personal for us last night because we’d learned of Frances Metcalf’s profound ministry in the Lord through our local church. May you be blessed in hearing these men of God.:

Topics covered:

current events – Church in transition – 2013-14
full discipleship foundations – contemplative prayer
angelic encounter whilst writing The Final Quest
Jesus knocking to come into what belongs to Him
the Rev ‘overcomers’ are not ordinary churchgoers
the greatest tribulation/opportunity in global history
confrontation with false teaching in spirit & power of Elijah
‘koinonia’ (real fellowship) essential for preparing The Bride
role of past overcomers/witnesses in today’s acceleration
different destinies within heaven
1st Century Apostolic ministry required for 21st Century
questions from online viewers – grace – true holiness – restoration of family structure – is USA in scripture (v good point from Rev 12) – increasing evil
Francis Metcalf’s experiences of rapture and translation, difference between them, an understanding of the message of Enoch.

The final four minutes are highly instructive and encouraging and I pray the Lord will give you an understanding and insights into these matters. The whole ‘webinar’ is a rich banquet. Thank you gentlemen.

Observations on the 3 anointings for End-times believers

Posted on Monday, 5 August, 2013 by Richard Barker

Some regular readers will have dug into the previous piece of exceptionally illuminating instruction from Paul Keith Davis. My hard copy of the original is underlined in several places.

So maybe these musings may bring more morsels for you to munch upon, along with your meditation on its scriptures:

1. Paul Keith’s opening reference to his study of Numbers chapter 10 mentioned the importance of blowing silver trumpets. In addition to Nathan Morris’ reference to his Christian inheritance (re. PK on Zebulun anointing here), this very subject was the first connection between both men’s teaching.

At the start of The Open the Heavens Conference Nathan was of the opinion that it should be renamed Open the Heavens Clarion Call. Furthermore, all speakers had a common theme in their teaching. Not prearranged in advance, they all came ready to teach upon the Presence of Almighty God!! This led to the Lord blessing their meetings with the wonderful, tangible atmosphere of His Glory.

All that is directly relevant to Paul Keith’s concluding remarks, “Then will come the Ark of the Covenant”, which was where God would be seated. The vision and scripture he was given all revolves around ‘the cloud (of God’s presence) is moving’

2. My New Life Study Bible’s note for Numbers 10:11, where ‘the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle of the Testimony’ (NKJV), states,

This is the major turning point in the book, and one of the primary turning points of the entire Pentateuch (RB: the first five books of the Bible). Israel now departs from Sinai and moves toward the Promised Land.

The Israelites were the people out of the world God had picked to be especially dedicated to Him and His purposes. With the Advent of His Son Jesus Christ, the whole world of Gentile peoples is able to become His children because all believers in Jesus have the right to become Sons of God (John 1:12). Therefore, we can regard this passage as being applicable to the Church and indicating how it can move toward the End-times in Holy Spirit-led power. (Several posts on this blog have covered this ‘new season’.)

3. The first tribe to move out with the moving cloud was that of Judah, of which the lion is emblematic, as PK explains. A few months ago this lion was spiritually perceived as being in our congregation. Unbeknown to each other, a male visitor and one whose integrity I can vouch for personally, both witnessed the huge Lion of Judah striding through the meeting!

4. As a writer too, I empathised with James Bailey’s comment in the meaning of the Zebulun anointing.

Paul Keith’s instruction along with Holy Spirit’s inspiration will bring immense insights into the Lord’s purposes and strategies. Although the holy scriptures convey an outline of these, their outworking in these times is being done in a way that will outwit satan. Scripture gives the ‘what’ and ‘why’, yet the Lord keeps the ‘how’ and ‘when’ of practical application close to His chest.

The Days of Noah

I’m pleased to learn that Paul Keith his received further insight into what he and his wife experienced in 2007-08. Having understood the nature of the fallen ones and the fuller reasons for the Deluge, in The Days of Noah he tells what the Lord instructed him:

“I’ve dealt with the fallen ones, you’re going to have to deal with their offspring!”

His understanding of spiritual conflict went up a level. In an open vision he looked into the bowels of hell as a ‘manhole lid’ slid off and hideous evil spirits emerged to release realms of darkness through many people.

He was told the Sons of Light must respond in like fashion of receiving in-depth teaching and practical training in Kingdom realms, which involves not only people but also angelic interaction!

[Years later, Paul Keith saw similar images to that event when underwater footage was released of the source of the Deepwater Horizon oil-leak of April 2010 on the floor of the (nearby) Gulf of Mexico.]

Within a couple of days Paul Keith received confirmation of the truth of the vision. He was able to tell his wife what he was seeing as it happened, and on the CD he relates,

That was the Friday. On the Monday morning the Lord told me to type it up and send it to Neville Johnson, so I did that…(he’s in Australia so) normally if I send him an email he’s 3 or 4 days getting back to me.

Anyway I send him the email – and before the end of the day I get one back from Neville (he’s) somewhere around 12 hrs ahead. I send it Monday morning to me but it was Monday evening to him, his time – he sends me an email directly back.

He says, “‘You’re not going to believe this – this morning I had exactly the same experience – verbatim. I even saw the same (evil) ones you saw! So and so (a couple we both know) are here visiting me in Australia and I shared it with them at breakfast…now, (this evening) they are sitting with me when your email came through. I downloaded it and I told them, “You’re not going to believe this!”

Paul Keith then stresses; as scripture says, out of the mouths of two or three witnesses let a thing be established.

I know there are things being released from hell, but what we’re interested in is what’s coming down from heaven!

In closing, let me share a thought that dropped into mind yesterday as our minster taught about the authority and dominion God gave Adam and Eve. The same was given to Noah and his clan upon emerging from the Ark (Gen 9). Although I think we’ve now entered the final ‘Days of Noah’ and things will become darker and perilous, believers will mature into Sons of God and emerge from the Tribulation in the rightful, Godly dominion that God intended humanity to have and display.

[See prophetic word from Neville Johnson for the UK and Ireland next.]

Tighten your seat belts!

Paul Keith Davis: Three Anointings Coming to End-Time Believers

Posted on Thursday, 1 August, 2013 by Richard Barker

Further to my previous, I’m indebted to Tembisa at Church On Fire for re-posting this with the above image and providing the link, and to James Bailey for permission to re-post from his blog Z3news. Thank you for your additional notes James:

Paul Keith Davis shared the following message at a Morningstar Advanced Prophetic Conference in February, 2013. In this message, he said God showed him three anointings are coming upon a remnant of believers in these last days to enable them to usher in the return of the Lord and the millennial reign. For many believers, this message will sound like jibberish, but to those who are part of the remnant these words will stir their hearts to rise up and take possession of all God has for them.

Paul Keith Davis is a prophetic minister who speaks at churches and conferences all over the world. He is founder of White Dove Ministries, which is located in Foley, AL.

The following is the transcript of parts of the message delivered by Paul Keith Davis. Following that, I have taken the liberty to explain parts of his message in my own words and added scripture passages.

I had a vision, not a dream. In this vision I saw a hand. I only saw it from the elbow down, coming down with a Bible in his hand. I looked at the Bible and it was open to Numbers chapter 10. Then I saw a finger scroll down in the Bible and point to a certain Scripture. That scripture said, “Increase, increase, increase, increase, increase.” Five times.

Now in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, the cloud was lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony; and the sons of Israel set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. So they moved out for the first time according to the commandment of the Lord through Moses. The standard of the camp of the sons of Judah, according to their armies, set out first, with Nahshon the son of Amminadab, over its army, and Nethanel the son of Zuar, over the tribal army of the sons of Issachar; and Eliab the son of Helon over the tribal army of the sons of Zebulun. Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who were carrying the tabernacle, set out. (Numbers 10:11-17)

And I knew that whatever the truth was in that scripture it was a secret. It was a trigger to launch us into ever increasing measures of increase. Once we start, it is not going to wane. It is going to increase on top of increase. So I wondered about that and the Lord said, “The cloud is moving.”

So I did a little study of this and found out exactly what I felt like it meant. Here is the essence of that. Here is the essence of Numbers chapter 10. It was the introduction of the silver trumpets where there would be a blowing of the trumpets (verses 1-10), the calling of a holy convocation. When they call the holy convocation it could be for war. It could be for packing up and moving. But in this case, it was for Israel to break camp because the cloud was moving.

The scripture that was highlighted for me said there was an order that was followed. This was the order of Israel when they were to pack up and move. First of all, the cloud would go before them. The very first thing that followed the cloud was the standard of Judah. Behind the standard was the tribe of Judah. Behind Judah was Issachar. Behind Issachar was Zebulon. Then all of the instruments in the tent and the Ark of the covenant went behind them.

The Lord told me in my vision, “I am about to visit your generation, but what is going to precede the ark of the covenant are those three anointings: Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. These are preparatory anointings that God has given us.

The Judah Anointing

Chosen by God to be positioned first tribe following the cloud is the tribe of Judah. The standard of Judah is an emblem of a lion. The lion appeared on the shields and banners of the tribe of Judah.

When Judah’s father Jacob (who was later named Israel) was old, he blessed his sons and prophesied over each of them. When he came to Judah, he said:

Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. “Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, and as a lion, who dares rouse him up? “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. “He ties his foal to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine. He washes his garments in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes. “His eyes are dull from wine, and his teeth white from milk. (Genesis 49:8-12)

The spirit of Judah is like the prevailing spirit of a young lion. Lions have no fear. They are the king of the beasts. The Judah anointing is a ruling anointing that operates in great authority. Judah’s brothers will bow down to him and praise him. The name Judah literally means “praised”.

I have heard teachings that Judah means “praise,” as in giving praise to God, but that is not what it means. Some have tried to explain that God sent the tribe of Judah first because Judah would sing praises to God, but that is not the reason given in scriptures. The Bible tells us Judah is the young lion who receives praises from his brothers. Judah was sent forth first because he is fearless, victorious, and rules with authority. Judah means “praised,” not “praise.” There is a big difference!

I believe this erroneous teaching about Judah is based on a misinterpretation of what Judah means and a misinterpretation of 2nd Chronicles 20:21-22 where King Jehoshaphat sent singers and praisers before the armies of Israel. It does not say they were from Judah, nor does it say Judah was characterized as being singers or praisers. So we need to stay with what the scriptures say and avoid following the teachings of men who sometimes twist the meaning of the words to make them say things that are not there.

What we know from the scriptures Judah was instructed by the Lord to go first, ahead of the other tribes.

Now the sons of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God and said, “Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?” Then the LORD said, “Judah shall go up first.” (Judges 20:18)

Like a lion, Judah always gets the best portion. So much so that his eyes are dull from wine and his teeth are white from milk. This is another insight into the character of Judah.

Paul Keith Davis explained the Judah anointing this way:

This is the essence of it. The cloud is moving. The Lord told me in my experience, “The cloud is moving and those who are provoked, those who are moved, those who are stirred, I am going to give them something they need for this season in history. I am going to give them my lion-like nature, the lion-like nature of God, to deal with the anxiety and fear among My people.”

When Judah went behind the cloud, the lion-like nature of God went behind the cloud. It is what was given to those in Hebrews Chapter 11. It is imparted by God. It is something we do not possess of ourselves.

God is sending the Judah anointing on His people to rid them of all fears, anxieties, and panic attacks. Fear opens the door for the enemy to come in. Fear can have no place with the people of God. Through this anointing, end-time believers will rise up in boldness to proclaim the good news without fear, just like the apostles in the book of Acts.

The Issachar Anointing

Behind Judah is Issachar. The name Issachar means “there is a reward, wages, a payment, compensation.” Here is how Issachar got his name:

Then Leah (his mother) said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my maid to my husband.” So she named him Issachar. (Genesis 30:18)

However, the Issachar anointing is not defined by his name, but by the word spoken over him by his father. Here is what Jacob, Issachar’s father, said when he blessed him and prophesied over him:

“Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the ash heaps. When he saw that a resting place was good and that the land was pleasant, he bowed his shoulder to bear burdens, and became a slave at forced labor.” (Genesis 49:14-15)

So we see Issachar was the observant one, always taking note of his surroundings to find a pleasant place and a good resting place. Unfortunately for Issachar, his future would involve forced labor, but the main point here is his character trait of being watchful and attentive to his surroundings. He was aware and understood the events around him. Perhaps that is why God chose him to follow Judah as the second tribe when Israel moved behind the cloud.

Paul Keith Davis explained why we need the Issachar anointing:

God wants us to be anointed with the lion-like nature of God, but he also wants us to be anointed with eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand. He not only wants leaders to have understanding of times and seasons but he wants all of his people to have this understanding. He wants us to recognize the day in which we live.

Jesus rebuked the leaders of his day for their lack of awareness of their times. He told them they could tell the weather by the color of the sky at night to know whether it would be a good day or a bad day but they could not tell the day of their own visitation. We need the Issachar anointing to know what God is doing in the earth and how we fit into that plan. Where are we in the Scriptures? What is being fulfilled in our day? I believe the Issachar anointing is essential.

When this outpouring comes we are not going to look back, we’re going to look ahead because what we establish here will take us right into the millennium. So we need the Issachar anointing so that we understand where we are in relation to where we are going.

This remnant of end-time believers will have their eyes opened to see the bigger picture of what God is doing in the earth. They will see where their life fits into God’s plans for the great end-time harvest, which is worldwide. They will no longer rely on the secular news media to explain current events because God is going to give them insights and understanding by His spirit that the secular news media knows nothing about. This remnant will be tuned into another channel. Enabled by the Issachar anointing, they will be illuminated with understanding. When the world starts shaking with birth pangs and tribulation, these believers will be able to explain what is happening to others. In fact, they will have already seen the events before they happened.

The Zebulun Anointing

Behind Issachar is Zebulun. The name Zebulun means “exalted,” which means elevated or lifted up to a high place, glorious, and noble. This is the anointing to go into the high places to receive greater personal revelation of the Lord to be more firmly established in knowing the Lord.

Believers in these last days cannot rely on someone else’s faith or someone else’s revelation. Those who walk in the Zebulun anointing will have close personal knowledge of the Lord. They will dwell with Him. They will take the high ground and occupy it.

With this anointing, those who are hungry for more of God will be enabled to draw out hidden treasures from the word of God. God is going to impart revelation to this generation that was hidden from previous generations.

Paul Keith Davis explained why we need the Zebulun anointing:

The Zebulun anointing helps to establish the revelation of Jesus Christ in the hearts of a remnant of God’s people who will move from infancy into maturity. All of creation is waiting and groaning for the revelation of the mature sons of God (Romans 8:19). These are those who have received revelation on how to access their inheritance, which has been stored up in heaven throughout the ages but not released to the earth until now due to a lack of revelation.

By this anointing, a remnant of God’s people is going to taste the good word of God and the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:5). These pioneers will cross over into the age to come and bring the powers of that age back into our day. Like the Israelites who were sent to spy out the promised land, these forerunners will venture over into the land of promise and bring back a few of the grapes, the fruit of that land, and say, “Here it is! Here is what we are after. It is over there.”

They are going to contend for it. They are going to build for it. They are going to believe for it. They are going to move into that. They won’t have the fullness of it but they will have the tasting of it. Just a little taste of that realm will change a generation.

Because of the Zebulun anointing, these forerunners are going to cause eternity to overshadow our realm. They’re going to experience things that we may never have dreamed about. They’re going to taste amazing things like controlling nature and controlling the elements. The glory of this latter house will be greater than the former house. They’re going to usher in the millennium.

Also from Zebulun comes those who do warfare with the instrument of a scribe. In other words, those who write for the Lord (Judges 5:14). Personally, I like that because I do a lot of writing. Some translations interpret this verse to say “wield the staff of office,” which is ambiguous and not a very good translation of the Hebrew words.

ALL THREE ANOINTINGS COMBINED

Those who receive these anointings will not be limited to one but will have all three. They will be well equipped to carry out their end-time assignments as they operate in the boldness of Judah, the awareness of Issachar, and the revelation of Zebulun. They will therefore be well-equipped to fulfill God’s purpose for their life.

Just as the tribes of Israel worked together to do the will of God, so these three anointings will work together to enable this remnant of believers to do the will of God. In Deuteronomy 33:18-19 we see the prophetic decree that both Zebulun and Issachar will call peoples to come up to the mountain of the Lord. There they will offer righteous sacrifices. They will draw out the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand. The abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures are both spiritual and literal treasures. In fact, in nearly every nation where Paul Keith Davis has delivered this message during the past two years the Lord has confirmed it with amazing discoveries of gold, silver, and diamonds soon after he left.

ANTIDOTE FOR OVERCOMING THREE EVIL SPIRITS

The Lord said to Paul Keith Davis, “These three anointings will be the antidote for three very serious spirits that will attempt in a very pronounced way to hinder the last day church.”

There are three spirits coming against the church in the last days. These three spirits work to undermine the foundations of faith and direct God’s people away from the source of their salvation. The Lord showed Paul Keith Davis these three spirits identified in Jude 1:11.

Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage. (Jude 1:11-16)

Like the three men listed in Jude 1:11, each of these three spirits has a distinctly different assignment against the end-time church.

Cain represents a religious spirit, which is a spirit that takes on a form of godliness but denies the power of God. This spirit does not obey the commandments of the Lord but instead seeks to make its own rules for following God. It is an attempt to put God’s name on man’s lawlessness. It refuses to come to God through the doorway of faith but seeks to come by another way. This spirit attacks those who walk by faith. It seeks to silence them and even kill them if necessary. It is jealous of them in the same way that Cain was jealous of Able. It is the same spirit that was on the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. The jealousy ultimately leads to murder.
The spirit of Balaam is the spirit of error. This spirit promotes false teachings as a way of putting a stumbling block in the path of the people of God. Jesus warned the church at Pergamum to repent from this spirit (Revelation 2:14). Jude 1:11 warns us to avoid the error of Balaam. Those who follow this spirit will go astray in the same way that Balaam went astray because he loved the wages of unrighteousness. This spirit operates in churches today in those who seek to merchandise the anointing for unrighteous profit, using the holy things of God as a means to make money for themselves. The spirit of Balaam is very much a 21st-century enemy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is going to deal with it in his church.
The spirit of Korah is rebellion against God’s appointed leadership. Just as Korah rebelled against the leadership of Moses, this spirit stirs up rebellion against God’s anointed leaders. Ultimately, it seeks to overthrow God’s leaders if possible. This spirit does not fear the Lord or respect His leaders. It foolishly speaks vile things against leaders to anyone who will listen. It operates the opposite of David when he refused to say anything against King Saul even when Saul sought to kill him.

God already has a plan in place to deal with these evil spirits. Paul Keith Davis explained it as follows:

The Lord did not tell me that one of those anointings is against the other. We’re going to have three specific spirits (Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun) to prepare us for the Lord’s visitation. Preceding the coming of the ark, the Lord is going to release the standard of Judah, the lion-like nature of God, the understanding of times and seasons (Issachar), and the blessings of understanding God’s dwelling place (Zebulun). Then will come the ark of the covenant, whatever God wants that to look like. At the same time, it is going to be the antidote to the evil spirits sent to hinder us.

MY COMMENTS

From the scriptures in Numbers 10, I believe God gave Paul Keith the key to increase for God’s end-time army. I believe God was showing Paul Keith how to tap into true increase, not just increase in one area of our lives but in every area. He was showing him how to cross into the promised land and bring back fruits to show to those who have not yet entered. He was showing him how to tap into the powers of the age to come to usher in the new age of the millennial reign.

Numbers 10 provides the keys to unlocking that increase. The following list shows four lessons that the end-time church can learn from what God did with the Israelites:

Wait on the cloud to move first. Do not move ahead of the cloud and do not get left behind after the cloud has moved. When the cloud moves it is time to move.
Follow every detail of God’s instructions. God gave the Israelites different instructions for different situations, which included blowing the silver trumpets in some cases and sounding alarms in other cases (Numbers 10:1-10). Likewise, we must be careful to follow every detail of His instructions, which will be different for different situations.
Whenever Israel went into a battle or moved their camp, God instructed them to move in a specific order behind the cloud so that Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun always moved ahead of the tabernacle. In the same way, God is equipping the end-time church with three anointings that will precede His return to the earth. These anointings have the same character traits as the three tribes. They give us the antidote that enables us to overcome the spirits of hell that try to hinder us. By receiving these anointings and walking in them, our victory over the schemes of the enemy is assured. Then we will say as Moses said, “Rise up, O Lord! And let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before You.” (Numbers 10:35)
Just as the presence of the Lord returned to the tabernacle after the Israelites moved, the end-time church will usher in the return of the Lord and the beginning of the millennial reign. As Moses said after the ark came to rest, “Return O Lord to the myriad thousands of Israel.” (Numbers 10:36)

Author: James Bailey

Continued in next post, Observations upon the 3 Anointings >

Paws-4-thought: Christian inheritance and the End-times church

Posted on Thursday, 1 August, 2013 by Richard Barker

Upon closing the ‘conversation’ on Parliament’s rebellion against God’s creation of covenantal marriage, this thought dropped into mind: I’d now gone FULL cycle in writing about Biblical prophecy for today. That is, in 2009 I’d noted where we were heading as indicated by holy scripture. Now, worldwide changes have brought humanity to the prophesied repetition of ‘The Days of Noah’.

So let’s pause to consider where the Body of Jesus Christ, His Church, is heading. (At our school cafe assembly the elders are pondering what the End-times Church will look like. We’re far from persuaded about theories of pre-Tribulation rapture on the grounds of all the scripture.) My purpose is purely to flag this topic for thought.

A personal peek at ‘the wood and not the trees’ will suffice to recap briefly.:

> visions in 1992 and 2004 of momentous changes to the Islamic World (see All Hail The Lamb) and within the UK (see Comments Upon Collapse of Society). The latter was checked and verified by Revd Dr Stone and revealed that, although the fabric of British society is so rotten it will tear, out of that will rise the Rock upon which Christians will take a stand and repair our nation.

> an insight upon the importance of keeping our focus upon the future marriage of the Bride to the Lamb/Lion of God, Jesus Christ, as in Revelation 21-22.

> recent reminder of a quotation in book I’d read as a new believer. This had arisen out of comments from a non-believer on Godandpolitics blog, and for which confirmation was soon to come – twice! – as follows:

The last point arose at the start of the WordPress problems for UK bloggers, and which prevented my replying. I recalled what John Widdas and Peter Mockford wrote in 1993 about learning how to deal with demonic attacks against church congregations (see left). One of the hardest comments they heard whilst writing their book was made by,

‘…someone coming out of satanism: “The Church is powerless, because they do not live in their inheritance”!‘ (at page 170)

Immediately I recognised its truth from decades spent in the enemy’s camp of the New Age/occult (as here).

From my experience, this situation has arisen because Christians had neglected doing what Jesus commanded; for example, to love one another as He loves them (John 13 & 15), failing to do greater works than He’d done, as stated in John 14:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

No. 1 – The next week we saw Nathan Morris preaching at the first session of Open the Heavens Conference in Mobile. He spoke about the full inheritance in Christ every believer has but doesn’t receive and keep up, or else compromises and thereby loses. In his full-throttle passion and fire Nathan staked his claim to that inheritance on four principles – he even had large T-shaped stakes painted white with signs at the top, as follows:

+ SALVATION + WORD + HOLY SPIRIT + RIGHTEOUSNESS

The next morning at the Well Church, the young worship leader opened by saying he wanted to, “Stake my claim to our inheritance”!! Nina and I just couldn’t help but chuckle. Worship took straight off >> heaven bound. What followed was personal for practically everyone – which is as it should always be.

No. 2 – Early this week came a link to Paul Keith Davis’ teaching with revelation on Three Anointings Coming to End-time Believers

The notes which come with it by James Bailey are helpful. (He too blogs on how current events relate to scripture at Z3news (ie. ‘zee’ as Americans say, not ‘zed’ as Brits say). It would be hard for me to do justice to this profound paper.

Paul Keith tells of having a vision about chapter 10 of the Old Testament book of Numbers and the meaning for the church of the three tribes of Israel – Judah, Issachar and Zebulun – as it moves into the ‘new season’. That scripture, writes James, ‘shows four lessons the End-time church can learn from what God did for the ancient Israelites’.

In connection with my musings I notice this pertinent remark by Paul Keith about the anointing of Zebulun:

These are those who have received revelation on how to access their inheritance, which has been stored up in heaven throughout the ages but not released to the earth until now due to a lack of revelation.

Additionally, the Lord explained to Paul Keith those anointings will be the antidote against three very dangerous spirits (per Jude 1) that will seek to strongly hinder the last days’ church. From the descriptions given, that they are obviously at work already is yet another sign we have entered the End-times.

Their aim is to ‘undermine the foundations of faith and direct God’s people away from the source of their salvation’ > NB: Nathan’s first ‘stake’.

The whole message is an exciting and very rich treasure for those who seek to move deeper into our Lord Jesus Christ. To read it click here >

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Category Archives: End-Times

Middle-East events and fulfilment of Bible prophecy – 1

Parallels to 1914 Europe: Is the Second Horseman About to Ride?

My King is Coming

5 years ago today: “The End-Game Is Now In Play”

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

[Next 2 paragraphs as quoted in blue text above]

May the Lord bless you and keep you and yours,

RESTORATION – today’s stunning Word from the Lord

Turkey and Iran – a conflict of interest?

On the significance of Turkey’s turn-around

Update on the ‘Ezekiel alliance’ – Turkey seeks to join Iran

Newsmix – on Palestinians – on Anglicans

Update on the ‘Ezekiel Alliance’

Billy Graham: “It’s time to take the news (and) Bible and watch…”

Paws-4-thought: on the ‘snatching up’ of believers

What Lies Behind The Rapture

What The Rapture Has Left Behind

THIRD SEAL OF REVELATION HAPPENING NOW

Putin to visit Iran for first time in six years. Historic trip will raise renewed interest in the “Gog & Magog” prophecies.

Events indicate the Bible’s relevance for today

Another morsel on the cloud of witnesses

Paul Keith Davis and Rick Joyner discuss ‘Times and Seasons’

Observations on the 3 anointings for End-times believers

Paul Keith Davis: Three Anointings Coming to End-Time Believers

Author: James Bailey

Paws-4-thought: Christian inheritance and the End-times church

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

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May the Lord bless you and keep you and yours,

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What Lies Behind The Rapture

What The Rapture Has Left Behind

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Author: James Bailey

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