End-times Great Apostasy – confirmed by word from the Lord

I’m delighted to find Chris G Bennett posted this on his Facebook yesterday:

FALLING AWAY

I see one or two prophecies talking about many things being pointers to the end-times. One of the things I don’t see is any reference to the great falling away, or loss of faith, prior to Christ’s return for the rapture or the second coming. The Lord pointed this out to me the other day and said, very simply, “Have you ever had a look at this?”

Only one mention is made in scripture, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, of this virtually ignored subject. So many either ignore it altogether, or they brush over it and try to pretend it’s of little or no consequence! Yet there it is, in plain sight for us all to see, to mark, note, and inwardly digest.

Here it is –

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.”

One question, simply,

‘Has not the present state of much of the church amply confirmed that “the falling away” has well and truly started and is progressing at an alarming rate?’ So much so, indeed, that many churches are unrecognisable as Christian churches, but rather resemble more as self-righteous glee clubs, full of gossip and other even less sanctified behaviour!

But the Bible tells us that unless this comes first, then other end-time events cannot happen! So God is not surprised nor dismayed nor even appalled as we so often are! He may be sad at the extent of our sin, but never surprised nor dismayed. Another important point to bear in mind – the falling away must happen BEFORE the other end-time events, and there’s never a timeline laid out in biblical prophecy. However, other end-time signs as in Matthew 24 and elsewhere in Thessalonians, all agree in their pointing to this particular time that we’re in today.

The present falling away is unprecedented anywhere in history – the signs are there for all to see – all of which are declared by scripture as being abhorrent before God, an abomination – yet the church daily goes against scripture and Gods law in so many ways!

  • Abortion/child sacrifice
  • Same sex marriage
  • No heaven – no hell
  • L.G.B.T.Q./Trannies
  • Unsaved & unrepentant clergy

False doctrines; e.g. Replacement Theology, Hypergrace, the twisted Word of Faith / Prosperity gospel, the fallacy that women are not speakers or leaders, and more … (I realise this incomplete list may cause contention but – so be it! I don’t want an argument so: Please just scroll on by!)

Even recently, the Methodist Church probably caused Wesley to turn in his grave again when they came out against the term “husband and wife” in favour of “partners”!

So, call the intercessors again! Yes, call the intercessors, and join them too, to wage spiritual war on the false gospel, on the ‘tolerant’ church, on the ‘live and let live’ communities.

We cannot ignore the falling away any longer. It’s not going anywhere unless we do something about it, and if we don’t do something about it, then God will but we will not like it when He does!

I don’t hate anyone, but I hate sin, even though I’m not innocent either. I love all of Gods creation, even the unlovable and hateful ones. All I can do is love and leave the rest to God. As Billy Graham famously said, “It’s God’s job to judge, Holy Spirit’s job to convict, and my job to love!”

CGB

RB: So encouraging after having posted 70 items on this grave issue that the Lord has told a friend to check it out! The primary topic of both Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church is that of the Lord’s return and Paul spells out what will happen just prior to that dread yet awesome supra-natural event – and God’s permitting and dealing with it all!!

On our spiritually limited adversary – Neil Mackereth

ON TARGET: this latest of my friend Neil Mackereth drew enemy flak whilst he was writing. In its Introduction he refers to his paper of 2021 published God-incidentally as Wow-Wotta-Wednesday: Know Our Enemy’s Strategy along with my 3,000th post –  Satan Has Limited Power, by Veronika West together with a related vision.

THEREFORE, I urge my readers to weigh and pray carefully:

THE  ADVERSARY

Introduction

A couple of years ago I wrote an article entitled “Know Your Enemy” in which I considered some of Satan’s tactics in striving to fulfil his grand strategy of thwarting God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. At that time my focus was on Satan’s endeavours to destroy Israel and to introduce a new world order.

Since then, things have taken a turn for the worse. A great darkness has come upon the Earth and Satan is intensifying his efforts to destroy Israel and the Jewish people.

In this article I ask: Who is Satan and why is he opposed to mankind in general, and Israel in particular?

Answering these questions requires some speculation. The comments that follow do not have full scriptural authority and should be treated with caution!

Satan

In Hebrew the word “satan” means adversary. Satan has come to be used as the name for a fallen angel who rebelled against God and sought to take God’s throne for himself. The Bible gives little information about Satan’s origins and downfall. In Isaiah and Ezekiel there are references to the fall of the “morning star”, translated as Lucifer, which some interpret as referring to Satan, while others suggest it relates to the King of Babylon.

There has been much conjecture and many hypotheses over the centuries: some suggest Satan was a very powerful (perhaps the most powerful) angel and his pride and jealousy led him to rebel against God’s decision to create man (I have not found a scriptural foundation for this theory).

Another suggestion for Satan’s existence is that God, in creating man, wanted us to have freedom of choice, i.e. not be automatons. In order to have freedom of choice (i.e. the option to choose to love, follow and obey God) an alternative has to exist! God gives us all the information we need in order to make an informed choice about the gospel of God and the reality of Jesus as our Messiah. The gospel of God will continue to be preached for as long as God ordains, and during that time, Satan is permitted to roam the Earth (has a legal right?). Again, though some aspects of this theory can be inferred (e.g., from Job), there is no clear scriptural confirmation.

Perhaps Satan’s most significant advantage is that many people do not believe he exists! His and his henchmen’s depiction, particularly at Halloween, as some sort of demonic cartoon characters, has encouraged the view that the devil and his demons are figures of fun; a mythical oddity of no significance to 21st Century man.

However, we can see from Scripture that Jesus took Satan very seriously and even though Satan’s destiny is clear, in the meantime he and his demons will make every effort to undermine God’s plan.

Satan’s Ploys

Satan knows what the Bible says and that the book of Revelation shows that Jesus will return to Jerusalem to take His rightful place on the throne of David, as King of the Jews. He will rule His people and the world from Jerusalem.

Throughout history, Satan has been attempting to prevent the fulfilment of God’s plans. Satan appears to believe that, if he is successful, his eventual banishment to “the lake of burning sulphur” (Revelation 20:10) will not happen. His ploys include:

1. Tempting Adam and Eve (and hence mankind) to sin and fall from God’s grace

2. Seeking to have the baby Jesus killed

3. Tempting Jesus to sin and so become unworthy as Saviour

4. Seeking to destroy Jesus

5. Dispersing the Jews to fragment and destabilise their national identity and/or;

6. Destroying all Jews so that Jesus has no Jewish Kingdom over which to rule and reign;

7. Preventing the re-establishment of a Jewish nation state (Israel) and/or

8. Destroying Israel or Jerusalem, or dividing Jerusalem to ensure areas, particularly the Temple Mount, remain under the control of Muslims

Satan tried the first and seemed to be successful; however, God instigated plan B (or was it always plan A – God is omniscient!). The second ploy was thwarted and the third robustly rebutted by Jesus. Satan appeared to have achieved his goal with the crucifixion, but apparent victory turned to spectacular defeat when Jesus rose from the dead. The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth ploys have been ongoing throughout history, with varying degrees of success.

However, I want to emphasise the miracle of the preservation of Jewish identity and traditions, over thousands of years, and the huge significance of the re-establishment of Israel as a nation state in 1948; and the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967.

Nevertheless, the Temple Mount remains in the hands of gentiles. Zechariah 1:14-16 may be a “model” for the present situation on the Temple Mount: “Proclaim this word: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment.’ “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (See Addenda below for detail)

What is the Point?

The point is that “the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. Hamas is the embodiment of that image of Satan, roaming around to devour people. It is imperative that Christians follow events carefully, seek to understand what is happening from a spiritual perspective and encourage their governments to support Israel.

Addenda: Comments on The Temple Mount

The Temple Mount warrants closer examination. The Jews, or more accurately those practicing Judaism, consider the Temple Mount to be the place where God chose to manifest His divine presence (Isaiah 8:18, Psalm 9:11). There has been much confusion about whether the Temple Mount is on Mount Zion.

From 2 Samuel 5:6-9 it is clear that Mount Zion was a fortress that King David captured from the Jebusites. He renamed it City of David and developed and expanded the site. The scope of the City of David can be seen from modern day archaeological excavations. King David’s son and successor, King Solomon, built the first Temple on Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1-2) in 957 BC. Mount Moriah is probably synonymous with what we now call the Temple Mount, though its exact location has not been confirmed.

It seems that with the building of the Temple the term “Zion” was expanded to include the Mount and subsequently the whole of Jerusalem and the people of Israel (hence Zionism and Zionists). This collective term can be seen in Isaiah 40:9, Jeremiah 31:12 and Zechariah 9:13. The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

Zion became a term used for the people of God (Isaiah 60:14) and this theme continues through the New Testament (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 14:1). Peter refers to Jesus as the ‘Cornerstone of Zion’ (1 Peter 2:4-6).

The second Temple was built, under the direction of Zerubbabel, in 516 BC and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Jewish tradition maintains that there will be a third Temple on the Temple Mount and that its design has been prophesied in Ezekiel 40 to 47.

Sunni Muslims consider the Mount to be the “Noble Sanctuary”, the third most holy site in Islam. It is revered as the location to which Mohammad was transported for his ascent to Heaven. The Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque were built on the Mount after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 637 AD. The Dome of the Rock, completed in 692 AD, is in the middle of the Temple Mount, on the site where many (but not all!) Biblical scholars believe the Third Temple should be built.

The question remains, why is the Temple Mount still under Muslim control?

In 1967, the Jordanians, with the help of Syria and Egypt, attacked Israel. Prior to the 1967 “Six-Day War” Jordan controlled East Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, and the West Bank. Israel’s armed forces defeated the attack and occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

In the aftermath of the war Israel agreed the return of the control of the Temple Mount to the Islamic Waqf (guardians of Muslim holy sites). This gesture has not led to peace and reconciliation! The Temple Mount is an enclave within Israeli controlled Jerusalem. The Muslims have been granted authority to manage the Temple Mount in accordance with their traditions, while Israel continues to have technical control of the site and monitor access. To add to the confusion, the Palestinian Authority claims sovereignty over the Temple Mount.

In Summary:

Zion was the fortress that King David captured from the Jebusites. He renamed it City of David. It is thought that the location of Zion expanded to include the Temple Mount, and subsequently Jerusalem and the people of Israel. Following the destruction of Jerusalem the name Mount Zion was transferred to its present location across the valley to the south of the walled city. While the physical location of Zion may have changed over the years, the spiritual relevance has remained constant.

The Temple Mount is almost certainly the most contested religious site in the world. There can be little doubt that Jerusalem is different and, considering its size and location, it is truly amazing how significant it is in world affairs! It is the focal point of End-times prophecy and, as mentioned above, it is imperative that we keep a close watch on all information relating to events in Israel and Jerusalem. Finally, the literalist view is that the building of the Third Temple is a major prerequisite for progress (the next step?) along the prophetic time-line of the Bible story.

Bible Update PS: just as Holy Spirit told Paul on End-times

Further to the Bible Update on Paul’s letters to Timothy on what Holy Spirit told him about End-times and how they describe today’s evil:

Visit Richard’s Watch Telegram for more prophecy-related news

Bible Update: events and human behaviour show End-times are here, as foretold by Apostle Paul

Drawing the previous post to a conclusion with reference to Dr Jan Halper-Hayes’ most important point, as made at the close of her discussion with Steve Schultz, wherein she cites 2 Timothy 3:1, as in this screen-shot, I add “The full chapter describes precisely today’s widespread anti-God wokeness”.

Dr Jan quotes the Amplified Bible translation of Apostle Paul’s letter written about 1,960 years ago, the first verses of which chapter read (emphasis mine):

Difficult Times Will Come”
But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.’  [BibleGateway.com]

My New Spirit-Filled Life Bible defines the Greek ‘chalepos’ as follows and note: ‘The word describes a society that is barren of virtue but abounding with vices‘!

A couple or so years earlier Paul had conveyed to his disciple Timothy what the Holy Spirit had told him prophetically:

‘But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning]…’

This introductory background clearly foretells today’s great apostasy not only in many main-line denominations but also, according to his announcement this week, by the one who’s supposedly a successor to Apostle Peter presiding in The Vatican, Rome!

Lastly in case you may not have seen, please note the valuable contributions added to the previous post, especially Tim Shey on the City of London’s financial history and his inclusion of these links:

The Deathbed Prophecy of King Edward the Confessor, 1066

A History Lesson: Colonel Isaac Barre

Modern Israel and Paul’s letter to the Romans – Neil Mackereth

The previous post with Neil’s covering email refers:

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ISRAEL – SOME COMMENTS ON ROMANS

After 2000 years of study, it may seem unlikely that there will be any truly new insights in our examination of Biblical prophecy. It is possible, however, that some truths will only be revealed at the appropriate time “But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end” (Dan 12:4).

There was much that the disciples did not understand until Jesus was crucified, rose again and ascended into Heaven. In similar vein, much of Isaiah is clear to us now, after the cross, but must have been mysterious for the 800 years before Jesus was born

The OT is full of promises and prophecies that show that God has a special relationship with Israel and that they would be “the power in the land”. However, certainly in worldly terms, Gentiles appeared to take over the position of favour on the earth. Prophecy indicates that, in due course, God’s relationship with His chosen people will be restored. “Blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written” (Rom 11:25, 26 (KJV)).

“The fullness of the Gentiles” should not be confused with “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24): one refers to spiritual blessing, the other to earthly power. It may be that Jerusalem will not be free of Gentile involvement in its affairs until Jesus returns to take David’s throne. The very expression “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” shows something will change, and implies a difference between Gentile believers and Israel. Is there a counter in Heaven – the numbers mounting while Satan watches, without knowing the target figure?

In Romans 11, Paul (the “Apostle to the Gentiles”) reasons that branches of the Abrahamic “tree” have been broken off and Gentile branches (believers) grafted in. The tree, whose roots Gentile Christians share, is essentially Abrahamic. Note that Paul never considered himself as having ceased to be a Jew, nor as having moved into a new religion, nor did he ever disparage his Jewish pedigree. Jesus as Messiah was for Paul the full expression of Judaism. Later (Rom 11:13-14) Paul added that, despite his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles, the ultimate motivation of his ministry was the salvation of his fellow Jews (Rom 10:1)

The Biblical predictions (prophecies) of a restored Israel are amazing, and the re-establishment of the Jewish nation in Israel, fulfilled in 1948, is even more so. The survival of national identity in dispersion, which the Jews maintained for nearly nineteen hundred years, prior to the rebirth of Israel, was a phenomenon in itself

Continuing in Romans 11 we see that this hardening will stay “until the full number of the Gentiles has come in;” and Paul adds, “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob, and this is My covenant with them.” (Rom 11:25-27). Does this mean that Israel will be brought within the blessings of the Gospel of Grace (the New Covenant), or that the Jews will be blessed on a different principle (the Abrahamic Covenant), or a bit of both? I really don’t know. Certainly, there is a remnant saved by grace: “at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace” (Rom 11:5, see also Rev 12:17)

As mentioned above, the OT clearly shows that the Jews enjoyed a special relationship (blessing). Jesus confirmed the patriarchal promise: “Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.” (Rom 15:8, 9). We can understand that the Cross broke down the barrier and levelled all distinctions. As to righteousness “there is no difference, for all have sinned;” (Rom 3:22, 23), as to mercy “there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him.” (Rom 10:12). However, the promises to Israel are very specific. If there is “no difference”, can God give blessing on a principle, which seems to imply that there is a difference? In other words, the expectation of certain promises to Israel would appear to be inconsistent with the concept of “no difference”!

Romans 11 indicates that Gentile believers and Israel now enjoy the same privileges. Nevertheless, it is part of the same revelation that although grace comes to the Gentile just where he is, it does not confirm him as a Gentile, but gives him a new nationality as a citizen of the Kingdom of God; for in the Church “there is neither Jew nor Gentile.” (Gal 3:28. Contrast with John 4:22, “Salvation is from the Jews”). The promises to Israel, on the other hand, imply that blessing will reach the Jew as a Jew, i.e., recognizing his national position and endorsing his special relationship under the patriarchal covenant. Jesus will return to Jerusalem and take His throne as King of the Jews

The New Testament opens with the record of the genealogy, birth and ministry of Jesus as “the Son of David, the son of Abraham;” (Matt 1:1). Jesus was “a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth” (Romans 15:8). The angel told Mary that the son she was to bear would be King on “the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever” (Luke 1:32,33). The question the Magi asked: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matt 2.2) appeared to be a confirmation of Jewish expectation

In both Daniel and Matthew, Jerusalem is the focus for End-Time events and that confirms the necessity and huge significance of the re-establishment of Israel and the re-unification of Jerusalem. The history of the Jews is a record of miraculous events: their escape from Egypt, their ordeals and God’s provision on the journey to the Promised Land were miraculous. Their successes and failures, conquests and captivities, their whole history is interwoven with miracles. The seventy years from Jesus’ birth to the dispersion of the Jews were full of remarkable events and prophetic fulfillment. From that time until 1948, however, there seems to have been a lull, as far as Biblical prophecy is concerned. We can now see the miracle of Jewish survival in dispersion. This is a new era: the very existence of modern Israel is the miraculous and essential ingredient for the next stage of prophetic fulfillment

In summary: “God has not cast away His people Israel” (Rom 11:1,2 KJV). In the Acts of the Apostles, Jerusalem was the centre for God’s people on earth, Gentiles were then admitted, “grafted in”. Initially, the Church was essentially Jewish. The Apostles taught in the temple (Acts 2:46; 3:1, 5:42). Their testimony was in line with the old prophecies (Acts. 3:19-26.), and even when the Christians were scattered by persecution, the Apostles remained in Jerusalem.

Those Christians who left Jerusalem evangelised only among the Jews (Acts. 8:1, 4, and 11:19). Peter had to be persuaded to go among the Gentiles (Acts. 10), and that was not popular within the Church (Acts. 11:2-18). Over the centuries the number of Gentile believers grew and the Jewish membership fell away. In Israel today there is a remnant “who obey God’s commandments, and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Rev 12:17); Jews, and yet Christians; Jews who believe in Jesus, the One whom secular and non-messianic Jews will continue to reject, until He appears.

It is my personal view that there are two courses to the fulfilment of End-Times prophecy:
  1. The church (which includes messianic Jews) will be raptured, and…
  2. The remnant of Israel will then come to recognize who Jesus is, a conviction of sin, repentance and be saved.

Neil Mackereth, 15th November 2023

The Day of The Lord – today’s verse puts ‘global warming’ in its place!

Holy Writ, as we well know, puts ‘global warming’ mania well and truly ‘in the shade’:

It’s highly appropriate for assessing our placing on the Almighty’s Timeline that we check the lead-in verses at BibleGateway.com (emphases mine):

The Day of the Lord

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgement and destruction of the ungodly.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance…’ (cont’d in Verse of the Day) 

https://www.space.com/aurora-alert-solar-flare-eruption-cannibal-cme-november-30-december-1

Bible Update: ‘Great Apostasy’ of Pope and Anglican leaders

First, let’s remind ourselves what the Holy Spirit told Apostle Paul around 50 and 64 AD, as in his respective letters to the church in Thessalonica and to his disciple Timothy, as in New King James Version (courtesy BibleGateway.com, emphases mine):

2 Thess 2 > Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the  [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.’

NB. Those closing verses should generate a righteous fear of the Lord in everybody!

1 Tim 4 > Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/11/13/church-of-england-dedicated-ceremonies-for-gay-couples/

Ezekiel’s ‘Gog-Magog’ prophecy revisited – Chris Moyler

Upon forwarding Part 3 of Neil Mackereth’s article to my friend Chris Moyler’s Telegram, he takes time to make the following valuable response:

“Dear Richard,
Thank you for sharing Neil’s article. I don’t question his sincerity, but I do wish to strongly reject any notion that the Gog-Magog war of Ez 38 might soon be upon us.

To quote from Neil’s article:

“This is a very critical time in the history of modern Israel. I believe that decisions made in the next few days will determine whether the Gog and Magog war (Ezekiel 38) is precipitated or if, alternatively, there will be a victory of sorts in Gaza followed by a period of peace. The latter may seem the more attractive outcome; however, there is no doubt that the Gog and Magog war is coming.”

Re-reading Ez 36-39 this week, I am increasingly reminded of the powerful truth that Israel’s restoration is NOT primarily dependent on her faithfulness to the LORD!

Yes, the LORD has always kept for himself a righteous remnant within the Jewish people. Sometimes this remnant burns very bright. Sometimes the remnant is a flame so small it can be barely seen. But the LORD NEVER allows the flame of his firstborn don (sic) among the nations to be extinguished!

I am presently beginning to gather thoughts and scriptures around this important theme, but let us remind ourselves that Israel has survived numerous attempts to wipe her out.
These have all failed and they will CONTINUE to fail.

IMO, those of us who love biblical prophecy, and who love Israel, need to understand far more deeply the LORD’s profound commitment to her full and complete restoration.

For now, let us remember passages like Deut 3:19

“Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel.

The actual song is Deut 32. This song is all about Israel’s unfaithfulness contrasted with God’s faithfulness. It concludes with Deuteronomy 32:43

“Rejoice with him, O heavens;
bow down to him, all gods,
for he avenges the blood of his children
and takes vengeance on his adversaries.
He repays those who hate him
and cleanses his people’s land.”

Again and again, throughout the entire Bible, we see Israel’s unfaithfulness and weakness and yet the LORD ALWAYS comes through for her. His covenants within her can NEVER be broken, they are eternal.

Therefore we read these promises: Continue reading

Ezekiel’s ‘Gog-Magog’ prophecy revisited – ‘Stop Press!’ on Part 3!

Neil Mackereth’s Part 3 of The Existential Threat to Israel must be so powerful it caused my printer to jam and stop working… a real STOP PRESS!!  After working at a desktop screen it’s always easier to read hard-copies of long articles, and so upon its receipt I wanted to peruse Neil’s latest at leisure over an afternoon ‘cuppa’ – BUT LOOK, it’s too powerful to print!

My printer seized up! The previous sheet had emerged with bent corner, but Neil’s item got solidly jammed – and ripped on both sides. Once cleared, it works normally!!!

In the mid-1980s I knew hardly anything about Bible prophecy when presented with two  jigsaw-pieces, a book and TV documentary. What I saw directly related to what Ezekiel heard from the Lord prophesying an attack upon Israel led by ‘Gog’ and ‘Magog’.  Since beginning to write upon End-times 15 years ago, I’ve posted news occasionally on the Gog-Magog alliance but over double on events relating to Iran.

Upon the 7th October Atrocity of utter demonic depravity I suspected Iran’s supportive direction if not direct involvement, which is becoming apparent not only through attacks by its hezbollah and houthi proxies but also by public announcements. So I posted The very first two jigsaw-pieces of my ‘Invisible Jigsaw’, Israel and Iran, citing its president. Around that time prophet Tomi Arayomi brings the Lord’s confirmation that “hamas is Iran’s patsy”!

AND it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Iran is directing attacks on those other two fronts before Israel has to decisively remove hezbollah’s rockets throughout Lebanon.

As a retired high-ranking army officer Neil Mackereth considers Israel’s options to deal with and defend itself from such heinous evil and possible outcomes.  Thus, along with latest news he tentatively considers the Gog-Magog prophecy and concludes:

“Undoubtedly, one of Satan’s objectives, in his attempts to undermine God’s redemptive plan, is to stop the fulfillment of Biblical End-times prophecy. To that end, he is seeking to annihilate all Jews so that Jesus has no Jewish Kingdom to which to return and rule. The Bible shows that he will fail.

“We may appear to be in an unstoppable downward spiral to disaster, but God’s plans will not be thwarted. It has never been more important to understand the signs of the
times, watch for the fulfillment of prophecy, and to be ready. JESUS WILL RETURN.
Halleluiah!”

Bear that in mind for the next post wherein we consider another friend’s response.

IRAN’S INVOLVEMENT

Now, however, look at more pointers to Iran’s active role as Gog-Magog principal nation along with ‘Gog’ Russia in the present-day, not necessarily precisely as prophesied by Ezekiel – in reverse chronological order:

https://www.jns.org/shameful-day-israel-mission-says-of-iran-chairing-un-social-forum/

Con Coughlin cites Israel’s ambassador to the UN earlier remarks on Iran:

Next, we consider another friend’s thoughts on Ezekiel and other scriptures on Israel.

PS (16:48) Continue reading

The Existential Threat to Israel – Part 3: A War of Survival – Neil Mackereth

Hot on the heels of Part 2 my retired soldier friend and author of Signs: The Significance of Bible Prophecy submitted this afternoon (images added): 

THE  EXISTENTIAL  THREAT  TO  ISRAEL  PART 3 – A WAR OF SURVIVAL

Introduction

This is a very critical time in the history of modern Israel. I believe that decisions
made in the next few days will determine whether the Gog and Magog war (Ezekiel
38) is precipitated or if, alternatively, there will be a victory of sorts in Gaza followed
by a period of peace. The latter may seem the more attractive outcome; however,
there is no doubt that the Gog and Magog war is coming.

As I said at the end of Part 2, the situation is changing as I write. What is more, it is
difficult to get accurate real-time information. I am deeply distressed by the
polarisation that is developing; and by the BBC reporting, which seems intent on
encouraging that polarisation. [RB. It’s exceptionally badly biased pro-hamas support was noted 9 years ago in my Call for Clarity on Israel and Gaza!)

The media must bear some responsibility for the imbalance in reporting that, I believe, is encouraging mass intolerance and demonstrations, in support of a movement many of the partakers know very little about. Watching recent news reports, I am reminded of scenes from “Kristallnacht” in Germany in 1938, when marauding mobs roamed the streets attacking Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues.

RB: In his frequent on-the-ground updates Amir Tsarfati gives this informative link to a virtual Mapping the October 7th Massacres

The Dilemma Facing Israel

In any military appreciation of a situation, it is always wise to seek to assess, and try
to better understand, the situation from the enemy’s point of view. That requires a
working knowledge of their motives, intentions, strengths and weaknesses, and
tactics; and, in particular, what they must be stopped from doing, whatever the cost.
The leaders of Israel face an almost impossible dilemma.

Some key factors affecting their decision making:
  • Iran, and its proxies, are motivated by a deeply flawed genocidal Muslim
    theology.
  • Israel is losing the propaganda war – and putting Israel, and Jews world-wide,
    in great jeopardy.
  • Every effort must be made to rescue the hostages.
  • Hamas uses the Gaza population as a human shield and hides its operational
    headquarters, weapons and munitions etc., in tunnels under hospitals,
    schools and such like.
  • Hamas pays no heed to the “rules of war”.
  • World opinion, and the need to maintain the support of allies, may limit flexibility (hamper operations).
  • Iran is likely to have the ability to build and deliver nuclear warheads, within
    weeks. The thought of that capability, being in the hands of radical Muslim
    fanatics, is frightening.
  • Hezbollah has over 100,000 fighters, is far better equipped and trained than
    Hamas, and has at least 100,000 rockets, many of which are sophisticated
    precision (targetable) missiles, plus drones and anti-tank, anti-aircraft and
    anti-ship missiles.
  • If Hezbollah where to attack fully now, Israel is mobilised and ready; if they don’t,
    Israel has to ask why not?
  • Possibilities (What Ifs): Perhaps Iran’s strategy involves the drawing out of the IDF, and the loss of Hamas and Gaza citizens may be viewed as a necessary sacrifice (collateral damage) to achieving their ultimate goal (explained in Part 1, radical Muslims do not have a western mind-set). Or perhaps Iran wants to delay an attack, in order to complete its nuclear weapons programme.

Summary

For Israel, “victory” in Gaza (and only Gaza) could lead to a false peace and, as a
consequence, to the demobilisation of reservists. The battle fatigued reservists would return home (and back to work) and start to relax. If Hezbollah were then to launch a full-scale attack, i.e., shortly after IDF demobilisation, the challenges for Israel would be immense.

God is revealing the true nature of the society in which we live, and it is alarmingly bad. The liberals, who took control of the madhouse decades ago, do not understand what they have unleashed. Their view that most, if not all, people are motivated by logic, reason and self-interest is flawed: there are some who will never enter negotiations with honest intent.

Iran and its proxies are driven by a deep pathological hatred of Israel and are committed to a radical Muslim theology that demands the annihilation of all Jews.
Similarly, the “Palestinian Cause” has always been a cover for the expulsion of Jews
from Israel, and has never been about sharing the land.

Why are the blood-chilling genocidal statements made by anti-Israel leaders and clerics, that show their true motives, never broadcast by the mainstream media?

Conclusion

Israel is fighting a war for its existence against a genocidal enemy. Whichever way things go, it seems inevitable that Israel will be vilified and, by association, all Jews world-wide will suffer.

Undoubtedly, one of Satan’s objectives, in his attempts to undermine God’s redemptive plan, is to stop the fulfillment of Biblical End-times prophecy. To that end, he is seeking to annihilate all Jews so that Jesus has no Jewish Kingdom to which to return and rule. The Bible shows that he will fail.

We may appear to be in an unstoppable downward spiral to disaster, but God’s plans
will not be thwarted. It has never been more important to understand the signs of the
times, watch for the fulfillment of prophecy, and to be ready. JESUS WILL RETURN.
Halleluiah!

RB’s ADDENDUM:

ON THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE OF GOOD vs EVIL

Read in full at https://www.printfriendly.com/p/g/cGq6Ne

PS. View more prophecy-related news at Richard’s Watch Telegram channel.

PPS (22:10)

Cont’d: ‘…to the international media – this is how the terrorist organization Hamas takes fuel from the hospitals in the Gaza Strip, at the expense of the humanitarian needs of the residents of Gaza.

The exposed conversation between the commander of the West Jabaliya battalion of Hamas and Gazati, with the participation of the director of the Indonesian hospital, is further proof of Hamas’ cynical use of humanitarian resources in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the conversation confirms that the terrorist organization Hamas controls the existing energy resources in the Gaza Strip and chooses to channel them for its operational needs at the expense of the needs of the civilian population.’

The Existential Threat to Israel – Part 2: Gaza in Bible history and prophecy – Neil Mackereth

Continuing from Part 1 and, in view of its direct relevance, again I head up my friend’s exposition with this from Behold Israel channel:

THE  EXISTENTIAL  THREAT  TO  ISRAEL – Part 2

Gaza

I was surprised to discover that Gaza is mentioned at least 20 times in the Bible. The
only positive reference I could find was the story, in Acts 8, where Phillip evangelises
and baptises a man who is on his way to Gaza.

For the most part, Gaza is referred to as a place where the leaders and people (e.g.,
the Canaanites and the Philistines) hated God and the Israelites. The Israelites, in
Judges 1, were ordered by God to conquer Gaza, which they did.

The prophets Amos (1:6-7), Zephania (2:4) and Zechariah (9:5) wrote about the
wickedness of Gaza and the judgement that God would bring upon its inhabitants.
I will return shortly to the question of whether the current calamity in Gaza has end-
times significance.

The Palestinian Cause

The Palestinians have shaped a widely accepted narrative, about their history and
situation, which is based on lies. They have been so successful in convincing the
media to promulgate their version of history, that any attempt to challenge the
accuracy of their fabricated story is now seen as race hatred and/or Islamophobia.
Comments that the region has been “Palestine” for 2000 years, and that Gaza has
been confined and its people oppressed by colonialist Israel, are simply not true.
These entrenched views are well-nigh impossible to correct.

Rather than reiterate what others have said, I recommend the comprehensive and
well-researched articles posted on “Richard’s Watch”: Conversations and corrections
over history of Palestine and Israel – 1 of 2  and 2 of 2

Also, a “Prophecy Today” article, which lays bare some very uncomfortable facts about the true intentions of Radical and Apocalyptic Islam: Cutting Through the Fog of War

In a nutshell, the land (about 10 times the size of current Israel) was given by God to
the Israelites over 4000 years ago. Roman Emperor Hadrian crushed an Israeli
revolt in 135 AD and renamed Israel (Judea) Syria Palistina, in his attempts to
subdue Jewish nationalism.

The truth is that, after they began returning to Israel and the state consequently being established in 1948, it was to a very small area of their homeland.

In researching these topics: I have noted that many sources of information, including
the UN, have sanitised (adjusted or omitted) parts of the History of the region.

The tragedy of the false “Palestinian” narrative is that many compassionate people,
with a heart for the disadvantaged and social justice, do not understand the full
history of the movements they support: the people of Gaza need to be freed from
Hamas (see Part 1). Hamas have no interest or concern for the well-being of the
people they use as their human shields in Gaza, and who they exploit for propaganda
purposes.

Prophetic Significance

Returning to the question of Gaza’s prophetic significance. There are a number of
biblical prophecies that need to be borne in mind, by anyone who is intentional about
marrying past prophecies with contemporary events. Time will tell whether we are
witnessing Matthew 24 “birth pains”, or further along the End-Times time-line. Some
relevant prophecies:

  1. Damascus will be in ruins (Isaiah 17:1)
  2. There will be wars and rumours of wars (Matthew 24:6-7)
  3. Gaza will writhe in agony (Zechariah 9:5)
  4. False teachers and prophets will lead people astray (2 Peter 2:1-2)
  5. Earthquakes, famines, plague and pestilences will intensify (Luke 21:11)
  6. Travel and knowledge will increase greatly (Daniel 12:4)
  7.  People will prefer fantasy to reality, myth to truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
  8. The Jews have returned to their Biblical homeland (many prophecies); however,
    not all of the Jews have returned, and only to a fraction of the “Promised Land”.
  9. The desolate land (Israel) will (has) become fertile and fruitful—Zechariah 7:14.
  10. Things will be as they were in the days of Noah and people will be proud,
    unforgiving, lovers of self, lovers of money and pleasure (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
  11. For any communication on end time prophecies the message, and the
    messenger, will be mocked and ridiculed (2 Peter 3:3-4).
  12. The whole world will see Jerusalem as a problem (Zechariah 12:2-3).
  13. Christians will be persecuted and martyred (Matthew 24:9).
  14. Many will turn away from the Christian faith (Matthew 24:10).

Where Are We?

I am not sure, but what I can say is that we are not yet in the Ezekiel 38
Gog and Magog war. Some reasons: Russia (Magog)and Iran (Persia) are
not directly involved; Israel is not alone (weapons, equipment and
diplomatic support coming from other nations); Christians have not been
raptured (?)(!). However, the situation could alter very rapidly.

I had thought I would be able to “conclude” at this point. Not so, even as
I write I begin to hear and to realise that things are far more fragile than
I had originally believed. Israel is fighting for its very existence, and I will
explain why in Part 3.

RB Footnotes:
  1. Part 1’s PS screenshot refers to ‘taqiyya’; the doctrine of deception about Islam to avoid attacks. Read more at ‘Islam Question & Answers’ via Google search.
  2. The Jewish rebellion had lasted 60 years and Rome humiliated them by renaming the province after their centuries-old enemy.
  3. In A Call for Clarity on Israel and Gaza posted in June 2014, I noted over 11,000 genocidal rockets had been launched against Israel since it left Gaza nine years earlier. The number must now at least be double that and each attack is logged in Rocket & Mortar Attacks Against Israel by Date (2001-date) at the Jewish Virtual Library
  4. JVL’s History Wing contains a detailed history the Jewish people and the land.
  5. Prophecy TodayUK has published several excellent articles on recent events. I was disappointed, however, when its manager wanted to close our contact upon requesting their removal from the organisations listed in my paper of 2020 on The State of Prophetic in the UK.

‘God-incidence’ of 2nd Pivotal Point foretold by Jesus: “As in the Days of Noah…”

MY, WHAT A ‘GOD-INCIDENCE’!
This morning I read two separate items published yesterday referring to The Days of Noah. First, from the collection of news items on progress of prophecies brought by Julie Green:

PS. Note the ‘double-22’ yet again in the date of her covering prophecy!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12681313/Has-Noahs-Ark-Archaeologists-reveal-ruins-Turkeys-boat-shaped-mound-date-5-000-years-ago-period-Biblical-flood.html

Secondly, in last night’s Koenig’s Eye View From The White House, Bill Wilson KIN Senior Analyst writes (emphases mine):

‘The Days of Noah and our Prophetic Times

WASH—Oct 23—KIN–The Biblical account of Noah has very similar underpinnings to the current condition of the world. As evil plays out in the Hamas attack on Israel, we can see clearly the inhumanity of humanity. When a group of people led by hatred and a genocidal ideology boldly murder, rape, torture, and dismember an innocent population, then is praised by the masses and justified by media, we know that the visitation of evil is upon us.

The prophetic words of Christ about the end of days resonate with this time in which we live. While there are several events that must occur before the return of Christ, we are witnessing prophetic signs of the coming end of the age both in the general world population and in Israel in particular.

Asked by his disciples about the signs of his coming and the end of the world, Christ was very specific. He likened world conditions to the time of Noah, when God cleansed the earth with the great flood. In Luke 17:26-27, Christ said,

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

Likewise, Matthew quoted Christ saying,

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Genesis 6:5-8 tells us the why behind both the flood and Noah’s position with God, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD…Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

Herein, is the hope and faith for each of us as time closes in on the return of Christ. 2 Peter 2:5 says God “did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness…”

2 Peter 2:9 concludes that “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of danger.” The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that no adversity, or temptation, has overtaken you except what is common to man, but God is faithful and will not allow you to go through more than what you can bear, and with the adversity he “will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

How? By your faith. Hebrews 11:17 says, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Noah is an example for us in these dark, yet prophetic times. By faith, let us look beyond the evil of the days to the promise of our prophetic destiny. Be encouraged. You are HIS!’

[In gratitude to William Koenig and Bill Wilson]

The Existential Threat to Israel – Part 1: Islam’s counterfeit Christ – Neil Mackereth

After these quieter years of reduced coverage of the Middle-East, it’s strange to remind ourselves of the Iranian regime’s ominous role, not only in directing its proxy terrorists against Israel but also its inhuman Shiite theology about the necessity of killing people in order to hasten the return of its false ‘messiah’ (click to read my many posts on this issue).

So I’m pleased to welcome and publish Neil Mackereth’s latest analysis (emphases mine):

THE  EXISTENTIAL  THREAT  AGAINST  ISRAEL – PART 1

Introduction

There seems to be a view that Jews should not seek to prevent their own destruction.

However great the evil atrocities perpetrated against them, it is not long after the event before Israel is being called upon to be proportionate and show restraint – the hypocrisy is staggering.

Furthermore, the recognition, in some cases mealy mouthed, that Israel has a right to defend itself is undermined by the immediate acceptance of Hamas claims of Israeli “atrocities”, without due diligence, appropriate caution, and certainly without equally loud coverage, if and when the claim turns out to have been a lie.

Mass rallies in support of the “Palestinian cause”, in reality, venerate terrorists and infer that genocidal Hamas’ behaviour is resistance, while Israeli resistance is genocide!

The media seem to miss the point that Hamas, the “government” of Gaza, shows no interest in the welfare of the Palestinians living in Gaza, pays no attention to the laws relating to the conduct of war, and seeks the annihilation of all Jews. For Israel to survive, Hamas needs to be expunged, and that may require a surgical strike on Iran, the “puppet-masters”; as well as a ground war in Gaza.

Background

I am convinced that the world faces an unprecedented, much misunderstood and, even now, barely acknowledged threat from both “Radical Islam” and “Apocalyptic Islam”.

I want to be clear; many Muslims are peace-loving, law-abiding and blameless.

However, it is an uncomfortable fact that jihadists and fundamentalists are still real Muslims. Furthermore, it is sad that, as our media shows, there are mass rallies and protests by Muslim extremists, but we do not hear much from the moderate peace-loving Muslims.

Recent events relating to Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, have highlighted the dangers of complacency when looking at the rise of Iran and its terrorist proxies. Iran is, to a large extent, a hermit kingdom. Our western mindset and ignorance have blinded us to the truth of its intentions and methods. It hungers for genocide; its religious views make it constitutionally incapable of certain types of change, even if that change might ensure its survival; and it considers itself a herald of —and a likely headline player in — the imminent end of the world.

Iran follows a fundamentalist Islamic creed that it believes will lead to a final confrontation that precipitates the return of the Mahdi (the 12th Imam) the Islamic “messiah”. In this respect, Iran has a medieval religious fervour, commitment and mission that the West has difficulty understanding.

This ideology permeates the whole legal and political direction of Iran. There is no genuine recognition of, or negotiation with, any nation or person who has not given allegiance to Islam. In other words, recognition of other nations, international treaties, laws and so on, is only tolerated as a necessary expedient, or stepping stone, to its ultimate goal. In truth, it is duty-bound not to negotiate with infidels. Therein lies the challenge!

Most commentators agree that the Shi’a leaders of Iran are seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, by whatever means, and they make no secret of their ambition to destroy Israel. They seek to hasten the final world confrontation, precipitating the Mahdi’s return. They have also expressed their aim to rid the world of the United States, a country they refer to as “The Great Satan.” We have seen that the possibility of collateral damage to “friends” plays no part in the strategy and tactics of Iran and its proxies.

Israel is convinced that it faces a nation whose rulers are driven by an apocalyptic, genocidal, End-times eschatology which involves the annihilation of Israel.

The question for diplomats and negotiators operating on behalf of democratic western nations, is whether they can rely on there being any honest intent or integrity in any pledges made by those who actually see it as in their best interests to mislead and prevaricate?

The Return of the Mahdi

The Mahdi, or 12th Imam, is the anticipated saviour of Islam destined to lead Muslims to world domination. Some Muslim leaders see it as their duty to precipitate the return of the Mahdi by instigating world turmoil. The Muslim teaching, that Jesus was a prophet who will return, can cause confusion because of its apparent similarity with Christianity. However, the “Jesus” of Islam is not accepted as Son of God and is foreseen as returning as an assistant of the Mahdi, enforcing conversion to Islam.

The belief in the imminent return of the Mahdi is more prevalent amongst Middle-Eastern Muslims than might be expected.

According to a poll taken by the Pew Research Centre in 2012, a surprisingly large number of Muslims in Middle Eastern countries believe they will live to see the return of the Mahdi. The figures for this belief by Muslims of the Mahdi’s imminent return are: Egyptians 40%; Jordanians 41%; Palestinians 46%; Iraqis 72%.

Figures for those Muslims who believe Jesus will return as a deputy to the Mahdi are: Egyptians 39%; Jordanians 29%; Palestinians 46% and Iraqis 64%.

Christians need to be aware of this parallel and counterfeit version of the return of Christ and understand the political implications of this teaching about a false messiah and a false prophet. The leaders of radical and apocalyptic Islam are seeking to mobilise those who share their End-times views and to convert or destroy those who don’t.

Is what is happening in Israel and Gaza an End-times “sign”? The brutality of Hamas certainly fulfils Jesus’ general predictions of violence in the End-times. Radical and apocalyptic Islam might also be seen as contributors to the urgent need for a peace treaty which will, in fact, be the catalyst for the start of the time of tribulation.

I will look at the Biblical significance of Gaza in Part 2.

RB Footnote:

Jesus Freed Me – History & Theology of Islam:

  • Who Is This Allah? C.J.O. Moshay
  • I Dared To Call Him Father, Bilquish Sheikh
  • The Jesus Visions; Miracles Among Muslims, Christine Darg
  • From Jihad To Jesus; An Ex-militant’s Journey of Faith, Jerry Rassamni
  • Mosques and Miracles; Revealing Islam and God’s Grace, Dr Stuart Robinson
  • Islam and Terrorism, Dr Mark A.Gabriel (former professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt)
  • A Wind In The House Of Islam – how God is drawing Muslims around the world to faith in Jesus Christ, David Garrison.
  • Ex-Hezbollah Terrorist Encounters Jesus Christ in Prison, Afshin David.

PS

Intriguing confirmation of End-times discussion – Prophets & Patriots #77

HIGHLY recommended for viewing and careful listening as soon as possible – the ‘God-incidental’ timing of it coming to my attention is a strong indicator of its great import (as told below). Take particular note of Dr Jan’s account of her connection with President Trump and knowledge of his plans and activities relating to Devolution ‘theory’, as well as reference to his faith in “THE Boss”:. She is currently based in England.

Click here to play video

Late afternoon and early evening yesterday whilst installing Windows 11 I was able to catch up on a long-running discussion thread on a friend’s Facebook about re-introducing masks. My early off-the-cuff remark on “MaSk is 1 letter away from MaRk” and its relevance to Revelation 13 – as had dropped into mind upon being awoken in the middle of the night in mid-July 2020 – generated many detailed contributions! (Click here and here for my posts positing they’re part of satanic strategy.)

Readers may recall my briefings of last February on The Book of Revelation (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4) which cited the writings of Revd David Pawson among others

Well, I can now add a ninth variation upon the main five theological interpretations. An ardent ‘Preterist/symbolic’ contributor to the Facebook thread insists that because WE are to be like Jesus, HE Himself is NOT going to return in person! – despite His own several references and Acts 1:1 ‘men in white’ saying,

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

This person’s points have some merit but the way scripture is misquoted I’m reminded of gnostic, heretical themes I’d accepted as a New Ager. Hence, my deep reservations and stating last night that their perspective is misleading.

Another accused me of being a ‘conspiracy theorist’ and asked if I voted for Trump! In citing my 15 years of monitoring US presidents I alluded to his serving the Lord but this person took grave exception, saying God is against him!

GOD-INCIDENCE

Immediately after closing my responses I got a message from Chris Bennett with a link to the previous evening’s Elijah Streams broadcast, of which Dr Jan Halper-Hayes is a regular viewer. Chris says  “Well worth a watch. What revelation!”

MOREOVER from 1hr 03mins she and Steve discuss the difficulty many of fixed opinion have in assessing new information. So I continue to weigh an unusual approach to End-times; but keep recalling Jesus’ first remark to his disciples’ question of “When”,

And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’[d]Therefore do not[e]go after them.  (Luke 21:8 NKJV)

So once again I’ve been getting flak whilst “over the target”, but the Lord has it in hand to provide encouragement and confirmation of my pro-Trump stance… AND I even had time to watch the video right away!!

Triple validation of Jesus’ night-time visitation and my rescue

‘…but mercy (full of glad confidence) exults victoriously over judgement’ – James 2:13 (The Amplified Bible)

Quite some time was needed to gain a full understanding of that awesome visitation thirty-four years ago and being confronted by the absolute holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder I was intensely convicted and suddenly knew personal judgement definitely IS TRUE!   As mentioned, I fully expected to take my last breath there and then and be dropped down into Hell.

It was a few years until I heard that “mercy triumphs over judgement” – yes indeed it does and thank you for being so gracious to me, my Lord. May it be similarly so for the multitudes who don’t yet know You.

That life-changing encounter used two personally intimate aspects of my life, unknown to any living soul, to grab my attention and thereby validate the experience as being real, not imaginaryEven more amazingly, both validations are directly related to the 1st and 2nd Advents!  Thus, they could not but enhance my interest in End-Times that had begun only a few years earlier when reading The Invisible Hand (as described herein). Yet it took me 30 years for it to dawn upon me that when that happened I’d been given the first two pieces of an ‘invisible jigsaw’!!!

The First Advent was when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea about two thousand years ago. Hence, the four weeks leading into Christmas are designated within the church calendar as Advent, and which start the church year. The Second Advent is coming soon and is expected to begin in the city of Jerusalem.

FIRST VALIDATION

I inwardly ‘knew’ that heavenly visitor was indeed Jesus Christ himself, and that His impressive swift descent was a foretaste of His promised return in all His glory.

The event reminded me of my favourite picture in mother’s Missal, or service book of the Roman Mass.  This gave the scriptures for Sunday services throughout the year together with a picture symbolising the theme for each service.  As a boy very keen on astronomy I’d been fascinated by the picture for the First Sunday in Advent. It depicted Jesus standing on the clouds over a burning earth in the midst of sun, moon and falling stars, telling of events before his Second Advent!

The validation referred to above came almost as unusually. On a healing retreat six years later, a minister told me God would show me something after lunch. Indeed He did for a lady whom I’d never met and was seated at my table confided after lunch that the Lord told her to show me something she greatly treasured.

It was a photo taken from an aircraft over a thunderstorm. When developed, the photo bore an image of Jesus Christ as though standing within the clouds. But the facial features were hazy; exactly like Jesus in my dream because I’d not seen His face!!  (I seem to recall hazy clouds at the foot of the image. This one shown is published by Bible Probe.)

My legs gave way upon seeing this photo as I couldn’t remain standing but had to drop down into a nearby chair! My companion, Yvonne, said I went so white she thought I was going to faint or fall. Continue reading

Matthew 13 and Andrew Whalen’s vision of the destroying angels and word on September shaking

Time to remind ourselves of the parable I needed to check in 2008, but upon opening my pocket-sized Bible I inwardly hear “This is ALL about to be fulfilled” (as recounted in my first writing on End-times, The Endgame Is In Play).

Figuratively, the increasing exposures of political corruption can be likened to ripening wrong seed, as in Matthew 13 parable of wheat and tares/darnel quoted below, and I often look back to that personal event and forward to the fulfilling in these days of Jesus’ unequivocal promise to cull unrepentant servants of satan

Thus, it was most encouraging that two days after Nina’s open vision of dancing angels in church on Sunday 6th August, Dr Patricia Show was given the Lord’s word on angels and cited their dealing with false priests in Jerusalem, as recorded in the word given to Ezekiel.

Then on Thursday, Andrew Whalen brought another prophetic promise on the angelic removal of evil, as recounted in the following discussion beginning 6 minutes into this broadcast, and which brings solid teaching on the angelic realm:.

Click here for link to play video:

At 27 minutes Andrew recounts a dream of 17 July in which he teaches about angels and current events and “Then I prophesy by revelation, saying

“It is important for the Church to understand that in this new era of time The Lord is releasing the angels of antiquity. They will be engaging with the prayers of the saints to work with believers. The names of the two primary angels of antiquity being activated are ‘Destroyer’ and…” but then I wake up!”

(NOT the same as the demonic devourer I encountered decades ago during a dream as a New Ager- my testimony refers.)

Andrew asks (at 30:50) “Why did you give me only one name?” and sensed Holy Spirit saying it’s because,

“This is the primary mission of the angels I’m releasing right now, to destroy the works of the devil!”

Psalm 78:49 puts it in context, remembering what God did for His people in Egypt:

He cast on them the fierceness of His anger,
Wrath, indignation, and trouble,
By sending angels of destruction among them.

“WHoaa, we haven’t begun to see anything yet!!

Therefore, let’s check what Jesus is recorded as saying about such decisive action:

MATTHEW 13 (Amplified, courtesy BibleGateway.com, quotation marks inserted)

24 Another parable He set forth before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed also darnel (weeds resembling wheat) among the wheat, and went on his way. 26 So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the darnel (weeds) appeared also.27 And the servants of the owner came to him and said, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have darnel shoots in it? 28 He replied to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and weed them out?29 But he said, No, lest in gathering the wild wheat (weeds resembling wheat), you root up the [true] wheat along with it.30 Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, Gather the darnel first and bind it in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my granary.”

36 Then He left the throngs and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, Explain to us the parable of the darnel in the field. 37 He answered, “He Who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

38 The field is the world, and the good seed means the children of the kingdom; the darnel is the children of the evil one,

39 And the enemy who sowed it is the devil. The harvest is the close and consummation of the age, and the reapers are angels.

40 Just as the darnel (weeds resembling wheat) is gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the close of the age.

41 The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of offence [[m]persons by whom others are drawn into error or sin] and all who do iniquity and act wickedly,

42 And will cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth.

43 Then will the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God) shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears [to hear] be listening, and let him [n]consider and perceive and understand by hearing.”

Jesus says, “My words will never pass away!” – Therefore…

Since reading this verse early Thursday morning 6th April, I’ve been meditating upon it and especially how it puts current and future events into perspective. (Subsequent daily verses then formed a topical thread, as on my Facebook.)

Click to read the full chapter, also known as ‘The Olivet Discourse’ wherein Jesus tells His disciples about End-times and specifically prophesies the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which happened about 40 years later. He foretells of false teachers and false prophets and great ‘falling away’ or full-blown apostasy, yet alongside full global evangelism, as Signs of the Times and End of the Age, with it’s Great Tribulation and His Return. The chapter continues from verses 32 to 37 and beyond

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.  Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [He] is near, right at the door.  Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

Thus, verse 35 alludes to a possible pre-Genesis and beyond Revelation period of non-existence of the earth, humanity, creatures, plants and physical objects, as well as the sun, moon, planets, asteroids, stars, galaxies and black holes, plus the entire electro-magnetic spectrum, physical forces and sub-atomic particles!

In other words, it would be an universal void with no sentient beings!!

My contemplation can imagine a situation where everything and everyone vanishes: all that exists IS ONLY ALL the words Jesus ever speaks, like  R~E~D  L~E~T~T~E~R~S   F~L~O~A~T~I~N~G   on an I_M_M_E_N_S_E invisible scroll.

Moreover, we know that before and right ‘In the Beginning’ Jesus really IS THE WORD which God spoke out to create the heavens and the earth that we live upon. His close disciple John perceived this truly awesome spiritual reality:

‘In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend [overcome] it.’

Furthermore, readers may recall how that first verse sits geometrically as the base of a triangle the apex of which is the opening verse of Genesis:

‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form, and void; and darkness on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.’

For details click title of this post:

Amazing geometrical symmetry of Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 (cont’d)

AND we must not forget that in his first letter John describes what it was really like to know that awesome superhuman-being personally,

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning The Word of life..”

Consequently, John must not have been at all surprised during his deep experience of the The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants,’ to hear that ‘The Testimony (ie. ‘WORD’) of Jesus is The Spirit of Prophecy’!!

Thus, this puts all else – especially sin and all demonic beings and works such as rebellion against the written Word – into the perspective of non-existence. Or not quite, because Jesus doesn’t refer to the spirit-realm and Hell, which we expect to continue, or else The Holy Trinity would not be THE eternal divinity.

Also, as the Word exists and will never perish then Jesus’ Presence and speech is always in the present tense. So by His statement in Matthew, we can regard all Jesus’ recorded and unrecorded words (John 21:25) as being said not just in the past, BUT ALWAYS in the ‘here and now’.

Hence my thinking of and describing Jesus as “Always Now”!

In view of my interest in Time and science it’s salutary to contemplate it all. I encourage you to consider it, but note that not only was this a visual theological exercise over that weekend but also it gives an authoritative scriptural answer to the issues of our day, as exemplified by closure of accounts over transgenderism and how the Anglican General Synod that had just convened handles that topic.

IN mulling over all that and more, I had in mind to blog these thoughts as best I can. Furthermore, soon after awaking on Thursday, the 110th anniversary of my father’s birth, I ask how to connect those events succinctly within the post’s title along with Matthew 24:35. Next, simply using ‘therefore’ dropped into mind.

Minutes later the Lord CONFIRMS IT upon my seeing the first word in the Verse of the Day and upon which I shared the impact of this latest ‘God-incidence’:

[More prophecy-related news on my Telegram channel]

So thank and praise the Lord. In another post we’ll consider what this post title’s ‘Therefore’ is there for….

AND it’s repeated in this morning’s…

The Lion and the Eagles – Chris G Bennett

PREAMBLE

The above Facebook screenshot isn’t shown because it’s yet another ‘coincidental’ appearance of my birthday number, but to introduce a ‘BOBOB’ – Background of Bit of Bother. On Tuesday morning prolific prophet Chris Bennett found he was blocked out of Facebook and unable to post anything. Linda sought help from a couple of friends who, like her, could publish his new items on their timeline. Therefore, Chris began moving over to Telegram under the moniker of ‘Ancient Disciple’ and wrote the above update which she posted, and over which I chuckled in view of 22!!

Soon to follow, Chris brought another word relating to this blog’s strap-line, ‘Looking for signs of Jesus’ return’:

THE LION AND THE EAGLES – Chris G Bennett

I’m seeing a Lion sitting next to an Eagle

A large ‘crowd’ of Eagles sit behind them and one of the crowd separated and joined the Lion.

The Lion was looking this way and that, giving the appearance of scanning what laid before him.

However, I knew this, I don’t know, yet I knew that I knew that this was Jesus with the ‘two witnesses’ of Revelation 11!

The company of prophets was gathered behind them, watching and waiting expectantly.

I sat and watched this quiet scene unfold gently before my eyes. Jesus would look, perhaps intently, I couldn’t quite discern that, but as He looked, so the two witnesses turned to look in the same direction apparently seeing the same things.

Then a further revelation came by The Spirit. They were strategising — Jesus explaining, their roles in Revelation 11, and then the woes that followed.

In my mind, I thought, “Really? Surely that’s a way off still?”

Then The LORD spoke to me, firmly, “How long is not your concern, although it’s not as far off as most people think!

How many times have I told you to tell My People that I AM coming SOON?

Don’t stop! — keep telling them! Keep warning them!

Even so, some will still ignore the Warning and be left behind!”

Jesus is coming soon, sooner than you think!

~ Chris G. Bennett

Footnote – eagles and RB:

Eagle-eyed by John Mark Long: courtesy http://www.propheticartists.com

Why Write/blog?

British backlash against Pride, vulgarity, blacklisting..

PRIDE goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a FALL. (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV)

When writing previous posts on financial fascism and free-speech I hadn’t caught up with this most welcome news of last week (click image to read in full about Stonewall’s direct activism and campaign of intimidation and threats):

Christian charity paid over £20,000 compensation for bank account closures

So I posted on my Facebook and Telegram:

As well as this from USA via our Daily Mail about an utterly lost soul who blasphemes the Son of God by assuming His descriptive title as a stage name!!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12242519/amp/Google-drops-sponsorship-Pride-Drag-Christian-petition.html

Today, I read this from the Holy Bible and signs of a backlash against satan’s tools:

Luke 17 (NKJV):

And in the Telegraph’s centre page of Letters and past editor’s op-ed, as in online version:

UTTER LUNACY!

Lord, isn’t it time to dismantle and destroy the works of the hater of humanity that’s twisting vulnerable people’s spirits, souls and bodies – and thus well-being?

Good news Sunday after ‘Days of Noah’ headlines!

The weekend’s news PLUS asinine absurdity of waiting at a local rubbish tip for ‘Big Brother’ electronic operations to be implemented wouldn’t make George Orwell (author of ‘1984’) turn in his grave, but jump out and shout “I DID WARN YOU BRITS!”  (Driver of a Range Rover was being interrogated for minutes at head of queue by one of the recycling centre’s operatives waving his 1-eyed god! Since lock-down the Council requires residents to book a half-hour slot online to visit and thereby avoid blocking the adjoining road.)

In case you missed it, Friday saw a warning of the introduction of full-fledged fascist Finance. It gained international attention but yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer wisely instructed the Treasury to protect free speech!!

(Kindly bear with copying items in view of my schedule with various matters.)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/07/02/banks-warned-uphold-free-speech-accounts-blacklisted/

[PS. Above link now has facility asking if readers have been blacklisted by their Bank.]

My Telegram took shots of how it all fitted in with Friday’s Verse and, NOT surprising, it quickly got picked up overseas!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/30/farage-after-my-banking-travails-i-fear-britain-is-lost/

NOTE his conclusion echoes Donald Trump’s frequently repeated message, “Be aware: if they are coming after me today, they can come for you tomorrow.” 

The Tucker Carlson of Britain gets shocking news: ‘If they can do it to me, they can do it to you’

THEN:

SO Lord we pray that Your Kingdom Come and Your will be done here on earth and You bless and enable our government and people to turn back to You.