How Will You Receive the Bible's Prophecies? Are They Our Warning Signs?

I have always been intrigued with the prophecies the Lord gave to His messengers, the prophets, and what they are to mean to us in the 21st Century. We are all familiar with the Messianic prophecies that have been fulfilled: the Christ child would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 2:1); He would be a healer of the blind and downtrodden (Isaiah 35:5-6); He would be despised and rejected by men, and wounded for our transgressions, like a lamb led to the slaughter (Isaiah 53); He would be resurrected from the dead and ascend into heaven (Mark 16); where He sits at the right hand of God, with all angels, authorities, and powers made subservient to Him (1 Peter 3:22). What blessings of hope these bring to us!

So, do we, as modern-day Christians, read all prophecies in the Bible as predictions of future events that will happen? The problem is that we've never learned -- or been taught -- [in the Church] how we are to rightly discern the predictive truth of prophecies? If the Lord gives a prophet a message to share with the people, can we assume that it will happen? And can a prophecy in the Old Testament [which was fulfilled] also apply to us in the present? There seem to be similarities in ancient prophetic world events that coincide with what we're seeing in 2024. Are those prophetic outcomes meant to be warnings to us? How does God want us to perceive our truth in His prophet's messages?

For instance, ancient Babylon has long been considered [by theologians and Biblical commentators] to be a "type" for wicked nations and governments that rebel against God. And I have certainly written about the obvious parallels in Revelation 18 between ancient Babylon and New York City. Since God doesn't specifically tie the two together, are we to recognize the shared sins, yet dismiss the possible judgment? Or has God intended for His Word to be examined and researched by righteous people in the hopes they can receive His warning of judgment? Prophecies -- are they meant to "predict the future", or are they simply warning signs; or both?

Interestingly, as I've contemplated these questions, I have come to realize that all of the above are possible, and a lot of the outcomes depend on people. The prophets shared what the Lord had spoken to them at the time about how things could be in the future (either judgment or blessings), depending on what people decided to do. Predicted punishment could be avoided if the people repented; or a predicted blessing could be withheld if they continued to do evil. Because God is sovereign, He reserves the right [and the possibility] to change direction at any time -- even after the prophet speaks a blessing or a curse!  

Scripture makes that very clear in Jeremiah 18:5-10 ... Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it.  

I don't know about you, but I can clearly see that we might identify as the nation that God built, but since we've quit listening to His voice, we thereby face the very real possibility that He has changed His mind about continuing to do good to us. This is a very explicit warning to all nations! Prophecies like this one are not predicting an unavoidable future, but hopefully pierce the hearts of people to change their behavior and activate their will to avoid the predictive outcome. 

For those who doubt the accuracy or purposes of Biblical prophecy, how do you explain Daniel's inerrant dream of the four empires from Babylon to Medo-Persia to Greece to Rome? He even predicted that there will be a final, Divine Kingdom that will never be destroyed. The truth that these empires really existed in history, just as Daniel prophesied, gives credence to the importance of learning from Bible prophecy. So what are we to do in the midst of a world that seems to be sliding ever further towards violence, destruction, and moral decay? Is there value in reading what God had to say through His prophets in similar times? Can we get clues as to whether we are headed towards blessings or judgment/curses? And can we discern how to avoid any judgment that are due to mankind's rebellious nature?

Let's consider the Book of Habakkuk. In the first chapter, Habakkuk talks to God about his concerns that God is going to use the Babylonian empire (called the Chaldeans) to bring judgment on Judah because of their sins. Let's listen in on parts of their conversation: 

Habakkuk:  O LORD, how long will I call for help and you will not hear? I cry out to You, "Violence!", yet You do not save. Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? For destruction and violence are before me; strife continues and contention arises. Therefore, the law is ineffective and ignored and justice is never upheld, for the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice becomes perverted.

[The LORD replied,] "Look among the nations! See! Be astonished! Wonder! For I am doing something in your days -- you would not believe it if you were told. For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans [who rule in Babylon], that fierce and impetuous nation who march throughout the earth to take possession of dwelling places that do not belong to them... They all come for violence; their horde of faces move [eagerly] forwards, they gather prisoners like sand... They will sweep by like the wind and pass on. But they will be held guilty. They [and all men] whose own power and strength is their god".

Habakkuk: Are you not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, My Holy One? ... Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You cannot look favorably on wickedness. Why then do You look favorably on those who act treacherously? Why are you silent when the wicked destroy those more righteous than they? ... I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the tower; And I will keep watch to see what He will say to me, and what answer I will give [as His spokesman] when I am reproved. 

Then the LORD answered me [Habukkuk] and said, "Write the vision and engrave it plainly on tablets so that the one who reads it will run. For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time. It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, because it will certainly come; it will not delay. Look at the proud one, his soul is not right within him. But the righteous will live by his faith [in the true God]. Moreover, wine is treacherous and betrays the arrogant man, so that he does not stay at home. His appetite is large like Sheol, and he is like death, never satisfied. He gathers to himself all nations and collects to himself all peoples [as if he owned them].

Will all these [victims of his greed] not take up a taunting song against him, and in mocking derision against him say, 'Woe [judgment is coming] to him who increases that which is not his -- how long will he possess it? And woe to him who makes himself wealthy with loans. Will your creditors not rise up suddenly, and those who collect from you awaken? Then you will become plunder for them..."   

You get the picture, right? Yes, this is a prophecy against the kingdom of Judah who received judgment because they had fallen into idolatry and forgotten the God who had delivered them from Egypt and blessed them in the Promised Land. 

Now, you can stop there and look at this from a purely historical perspective. Or you can receive it as a warning to our own nation who suffers from the same sins -- we have become proud; the soul of our nation is sick. Our leaders have become drunk on their arrogance and do not take care of those at home. Their hunger for power and wealth is huge; they are never satisfied. We have acted as if we own the world, doing to other people and nations what we please, adding to our wealth. But how long will we possess the blessings we have accumulated? We owe trillions of dollars in debt and we see our creditors chomping at the bit to collect. Was the Lord's warning to Habakkuk meant for us, too? "You will become plunder for them".

How will you receive these prophecies? It is up to you. You can choose to see them as fixed and literal [for another time], and therefore of no significance to us. Or you can do what Habakkuk did... Live by your faith in the One True God, and let them strengthen you and anchor you. Stand at your guard post; become a watchman to see what God will say to you and have you speak to those with ears to hear. 

We must receive the truth that God did not speak to His prophets so that His Word would die in the hearts of the spiritually dead. I believe that He intended -- and expected -- that His prophetic words be shared through all generations; especially those that included warnings to His people about the consequences of choosing the path of wickedness over the path of righteousness. 

It's true that God never changes. He judges righteously and we can receive His blessings or we can receive His judgment and wrath. His prophecies make it plain and simple that it's up to us. Heed the warnings! Pray and Repent for our nation, that we might avoid God's judgment and change His mind about what we deserve! 

Habakkuk 3:2      O LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; In wrath, remember compassion and love. 

   

       

  

  

   

What It's Like To Be A Watchman On The Wall -- Part Two

As I shared in my last post, the Lord has decided that He can trust my husband and me to be Watchmen on the Wall; to discern what is going on in our culture and the world, and then engage with the culture to warn of the Lord's coming judgment if we do not wake up, repent, and turn back to Him. But as I testified, that has often been a frustrating and oftentimes unappreciated assignment because we were shown what was "to come" -- future events and circumstances that people were unable to accept or receive. And, in reality, we were running up against a Christian bias that just wasn't willing to consider 1) that our faith was going to be challenged as we warned, or that 2) what the Bible clearly prophesied [and which our warning corroborated] would actually happen.

Like Jeremiah, we attempted to share what God was showing us within the Church, but were often looked upon with derision and scorn, and more than once, asked to discontinue our "heretical" assertions, and even encouraged to leave. At the minimum, we were ignored. The Bible tells us that Jeremiah preached his warnings in the court of the Temple, but Pashur, the chief governor of the House of the Lord was angry because of the message(s) Jeremiah was delivering. We can identify. 

But that didn't deter us. When prompted by the Lord, we continued to study the Word, listen to the Holy Spirit's counsel and present small and focused teaching conferences to try and draw attention to what we unquestioningly understood God wanted Believers to know. It seemed so clear to us! But as we are seeing now, those warnings were too far in advance of their fulfillment, and although the storm clouds were on the horizon, just like in Jeremiah's day, the people still felt they could safely ignore them. Life was too good to consider our warnings. 

You see, once the Lord begins to shine His Light on you and activate your spirit, you are changed. We found that we could no longer choose to simply exist in a worldly manner. We began to see that He wanted us to see things from His perspective; to see the world and our lives from a position of righteousness. So, we began to see everything differently! Social media, the entertainment industry, education, cultural morals [or lack thereof], society ... and yes, even organized Religion were seen through a Heavenly lens. That's not to say we became judgmental, because we also began seeing and understanding the Bible differently, too. We can't judge someone's heart, because we don't know the condition of it. But we can judge the fruit of their actions and words according to God's standards. And that includes ourselves!

So, as I said, we began seeing the external world and all of its components in a different light -- Jesus's Light. But the Lord didn't just reveal His truth of what our eyes could see and our ears could hear. He began giving us dreams of "things to come". And I will admit that we haven't always understood their meaning or how to interpret them because they were for the future. I have to believe that He gives them to us in advance so that we will be more astute at recognizing when the dream is manifesting into our physical existence, and can then identify it as His warning and see its meaning beyond what it looks like in this realm.

For instance, I have shared [several times] a dream I had in 2012 or 2013 about being lulled into complacency during a ride on a ferris wheel, only to be presented with unspeakable fear as I descended into a deep lagoon, and then the release back into contentment as the ferris wheel took me to the top again. But it was the experience of watching a small wave far out in the ocean develop into a giant tsunami that I knew was going to plummet me to my death in the depths of the ocean that shook me to my core. And as the waves were tumbling me over and over, I see a bright light and a huge hand reach into what I knew was a watery grave and rescue me, declaring, "Don't worry! I've got you"! I believed then, and still do, that Jesus was showing me what was to come in our future -- the ups and downs of our economy; the powers of darkness formulating their plans and strategies to covertly sneak into our culture, our politics, and our country; all as we remain in place, content in accepting the world. But I have been blessed that God revealed that my Savior will be with me, when our future comes crashing in on us.

Then there is the more recent dream I had where I am on a leisurely walk with a guide up a gently sloping hill. I begin to have a growing sense of trepidation, but my guide tells me there is no need to be afraid. A short while later, I catch sight of a huge bear that is ambling in our direction, and then he catches our scent. Though the bear is not acting aggressively, my guide, in a calm voice, instructs me to get behind a huge oak tree, as the bear begins to circle the tree. I just keep moving around the tree, staying out of his grasp, and he eventually moves on. But as I come out from behind the tree, I see a gigantic lion at the top of the hill, who upon seeing me, roars and charges me! I don't have time to be afraid, and soon find myself knocked to the ground and fighting for my life! I know the lion is intent on killing me, and seems to be focused at biting my feet, disabling my escape. At that moment, I remember that I have a pistol on my right side for protection, pull it and fire into the brain of the crazed lion, and the attack is over. During the entire dream, I am aware that my guide is still there, but seems to be watching and assessing how I'm handling this attack, ready to jump in if I need him. And then I woke up.

It was one of those dreams where you know it is more than the result of eating a bowl of ice cream before you went to bed. I knew it was spiritual and I knew it was for my benefit. God wasn't being silent, and I needed to figure out what He was telling me. I knew right away that the "guide" in my dream was the Holy Spirit, sent to "guide my steps and guide me into all Truth". I knew the bear was a threat, and a natural enemy, but I was able to stay hidden and outmaneuver him. The lion, on the other hand, was aggressive and quite intent on killing me, or at least rendering my walk with God more difficult. At the time, I knew the dream was revealing something for that time and my place in that part of my timeline as a representative of God and His Kingdom. But how to unravel the mystery of it? 

There was a recognition that the dream was personal in that in the midst of my battle with the "roaring lion who seeks someone to devour", that I hadn't called out to Jesus for help. I discerned that the dream was showing me that I was stepping into my power and authority, given to me by Christ. I believe it was a confirmation that I was growing in that area. 

But I also discerned that there might be a connection to Babylon's King Belshazzar and his vision of the four beasts, with the bear and lion being two of them. Did that have any significance? Both represented empires, with the bear often interpreted as Russia. So, in my dream, the bear is a threat, but at this point, not aggressive. The lion in Belshazzar's dream was the empire of Babylon; ruthless and strong. The ancient Babylon certainly fits that description, but so does the daughter of Babylon in the End Times, as depicted in Revelation 18. It's hard not to read that chapter and recognize our own empire, and especially the city of New York.

As the years have advanced, I'm now beginning to see this dream as prophetic for our current time. The bear, who was not yet threatening at the time of the dream, was actually the Persian empire, of which modern-day Iran is a representative. This was a warning to keep an eye on it for the future. The roaring lion was pointing to ancient Babylon, and my entanglement with it was showing me that it is my assignment to fight against the resurgence of spiritual Babylon in my sphere of influence by speaking, teaching, and writing God's Truth, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, who leads me into all truth.  This would include my fight against the pagan gods and power structures in this age, which are resurging through social media and all the false prophets. That dream was multi-faceted and spoke warnings and knowledge of both that time, and the future in which we now find ourselves.  

So, by now, I hope I've given you a pretty good picture of what a modern-day Watchman on the Wall can look like. My husband's promptings and dreams are just as strong [and oftentimes more so] than mine. Like, Jeremiah, we are often astounded at what the Lord brings us, and we can certainly understand Jeremiah's reticence to share them with those we know aren't ready [or don't want to hear them]. And I want to be clear that we always ask for confirmation to make sure what we are hearing or seeing is truly from the Lord. So, if anything, we are probably more guarded than Jesus might sometimes like us to be. And as the times grow increasingly close to Jesus's return, I anticipate that His warnings will become increasingly urgent. I pray that the Lord will find us worthy of carrying His advance warning so that as many as possible will pay attention and get ready for the spiritual battle that is to come. 

In conclusion, my husband and I do not see ourselves as Prophets or needing any title. We are simply obedient followers of Jesus, who are grateful to the Lord for trusting us and using us to further His Kingdom. We do not peddle God's word for profit, but seek to be sincere in our commission to bring His warning and counsel before the people, and always in His sight. May He forever be praised for His Love and Righteousness! Amen!

#watchman on the wall; #hearing god's voice; #biblical prophet; #biblical prophecy; #Ezekiel 33; #kingdom of god: #for everything there is a season; #spiritual warfare; #rumors of war; #knowledge from God; #war is a racket; #world events; #rebuilding nations; #international bankers; #God's will on earth  

Isaiah 62:6    On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest,             

What It's Like To Be A Watchman On The Wall -- Part One

Although I have understood since around 2012 that the Lord was calling my husband and me to be Watchmen on the Wall, I have just recently come to know the effects of that assignment. I have never thought of myself as particularly gifted in prophecy, or that the Lord chooses to reveal to me what is to come in the future, but I have come to realize that He is currently reminding me [through other people and conduits] of what He has shown me in the past. 

By that, I mean that dreams I have had [or articles I have written; or conferences at which we've taught] weren't necessarily for that particular time in history. But I am now finding them to be of significance now, years later. And, people are coming to me and sharing their newfound understandings of what God is showing them and I am struck by the fact that I was sharing that several years ago, but it had no validity to them at the time -- they couldn't see the significance for them, and therefore didn't hear me. In other words, I believe God has been revealing things to me; things "to come", and although I understood them to be warnings and wake-up calls, the timing of this "knowledge" was not in sync with the world --- yet.

Like Jeremiah, both Mark and I could clearly discern that what we were seeing and hearing came from the Lord, and we knew it was the truth and it would be fulfilled. But no one was yet ready to receive it. Therefore a lot of it was forgotten or dismissed. And believe me, that is frustrating to a Watchman on the Wall. We are well aware of God's admonition to Ezekiel about the responsibilities of being a Watchman. We know that it is incumbent upon us to share the warning and information we receive from God -- if we do not, and evil comes upon people, their blood is upon our heads. But if we share God's warning and they ignore it, then they are responsible for whatever befalls them. It is just so hard when it's people you love and care about that reject what God has told you.

There have been times when I knew the message was from God and was of utmost importance to share, even if I did not fully understand the purpose for the warning. But now, as I am seeing the news and podcasts and websites broadcasting what we were shown years ago, I am discerning with even deeper conviction that God was asking us to warn of what was "to come". 

With the world's spotlight on the war in Israel and the possibility of it becoming a World War, God has drawn my attention to current internet sites that point back to what He was showing me several years ago. For instance, a well-known radio host and author featured an article on his website that mirrors a couple of conferences Mark and I presented in 2020 and 2021. This current article, by Tyler Durden of Zero Hedge, declared that "War Is a Racket", which also aligned with an article by Dr. Stephen E. Jones, titled "Sliding Toward World War 3 and What You Need to Know" on the godskingdom.org website. Both of these articles are well-written and timely for today. But, God showed us the truth of what they are saying three years ago and no one was ready or willing to hear it! That is frustrating! But I thank the Lord that people with bigger platforms than ours are now also sharing these truths. 

Here is what we spoke about in early 2020, three-and-a-half years ago ... As we spoke to the group, we were honest about it all being Spirit-led; we did not claim that we had come to the knowledge by ourselves. Our presentation was the result of 5 years of listening to the Holy Spirit and going where He told us to study, until the Lord finally said, "It's time to share what you've learned". So, we gave our presentation, and called it Freemasonry, the NWO, and the Anti-Christ Spirit. 

It's hard to summarize a 7-hour talk into a few sentences, but suffice it to say that we covered the objectives of Freemasonry, as stated by Albert Pike, the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, in his handbook titled "Morals and Dogma [of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite] of Freemasonry". Here is what he said: Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve to be misled; to conceal the Truth from them [which it calls the Light] and to draw them away from it. 

The Lord revealed that the titans of industry, the political and military leaders of the world, and even the giants of entertainment were all members of this powerful ring of wealthy men, who saw themselves more important in the world than God. And in cooperation with the Anti-Christ Spirit, their goal is to manipulate the masses through Politics, Education, Marxism, Satanism, Transhumanism, AI, Protest movements, Violence in society, and War. The Illuminati, founded by Amschel Rothschild, is a partner, and this group pools their corporate resources to form a secretive worldwide dictatorship of the banking families and a banking system that backs wars for profit. 

As we wrote in our presentation Global Reset vs The Kingdom of God, "The route to this dictatorship is paved by manipulated strife, instability, chaos, confusion, perpetual bloodshed at an increasing and horrific scale, world wars, depressions, homelessness, famine, devastation of countries and their "rebuilding", bondage of debt, spying and the end of personal privacy as well as free thought". Maybe people couldn't hear it or receive it three years ago, but I bet this is striking a chord now!

And to coincide with today's article, "War Is a Racket", we shared then that Historian Alan Burger had pointed out that for every soldier who died in battle in World War One, the international bankers made a profit of $10,000 [from their part in financing the war machine]. Over 9 million military personnel died in that horrific war. That is a profit of over $9 Billion in 1918 dollars!!!  And look at the wars the world has suffered since then; all the lives lost -- and all the profit that was made at the expense of our nation's future generations. 

I know that many of you saw, and are now seeing, what I've pointed out in this article. And believe me, I do not think the Lord has shown us any more than anyone else could have seen. He just asked us to vocally warn others so that men and women could come together in prayer and spiritual warfare to try and prevent [or at least forestall and minimize] the Biblical prophecies of famine, war, plagues and persecution by returning to the Lord. Again, I do not see myself or my husband as being any smarter, any more faithful, or special in God's eyes. Perhaps it's simply that we were willing to turn away from what the world wanted us to focus on so that we could hear His voice and be obedient to become those Watchmen on the Wall. 

I am extremely happy and praising the Lord that people are waking up and beginning to take notice of the implications of world events. And if I can repoint them to what the Lord shared with me in the past, then I'm more than happy to do that so that we can join spiritual forces to see God's will done on the earth. The messages He gives to His Watchmen are for all men, for all time, but they seem to be exceptionally timely in these days and hours. I pray that you will be receptive to the Forerunners; to correctly consider their words in relation to Scripture; and to always be open to hearing from the Lord yourself. He needs people to share His heart, His warnings, and His strategies for what's "coming". It's not the time for fear or doubt. Rather, for everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven. It's vitally important that we all know the season we're in!

#watchman on the wall; #hearing god's voice; #biblical prophet; #biblical prophecy; #Ezekiel 33; #kingdom of god: #for everything there is a season; #spiritual warfare; #rumors of war; #knowledge from God; #war is a racket; #world events; #rebuilding nations; #international bankers; #God's will on earth  

2 Peter 1:21    For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.     

  

Bible Prophecy and The Heavenly Chess Match Between Good and Evil

 As I alluded at the end of my last post, I want to continue to look into the historical perspective of the conflicts in the Middle East, both from a Biblical point of view as well as taking a look at recent events in this modern age. I think it is important that we try to understand the big picture and do some real critical thinking on this subject.

Back in 2015, I was beginning to see a sequence or development of events coming into view. At the time, it was all about Russia and what was going on between the world's superpowers in the Middle East. It was all over the news that Russia had deployed a small, but consequential military force into Syria, which had the potential of changing the dynamic in that war-torn country.  It had been four years since the start of the Syrian civil war, with U.S.-backed rebel forces fighting against Syrian President Bashar Assad and his faithful Syrian army. The sectarian war created a breakdown in authority, providing the opportunity for ISIS to get a foothold and begin building their caliphate.  Russia said that they wanted to assist Syria in fighting ISIS, and that was their primary objective in coming to Syria's aid. 

But, as always, when global powers begin making military moves, there is more to the story.  From what I was able to gather, there was a history of a Russian/Syrian alliance, all the way back to the 1970s when Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, aligned with Moscow. In fact, Syria is [still] among the last proxies, or representatives, of the Russian political influence in the Middle East. Interestingly enough, that puts Russia on the same side as Iran, who also provides military aid and guidance to Iran's proxy, Hezbollah. Apparently, in 2015, Vladimir Putin was getting a little concerned that Iran was having too much influence in Syria, hence the show of military force.

Fast forward to today, and 8 years later, it's looking like the age-old dynamic of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" is once again in play. And, as always, oil is the common factor of all these conflicts. So, in 2023, we are left wondering if Russia and Iran are now aligned, perhaps to foil the prospective treaty between Israel and Saudi Arabia. And interestingly enough, I wrote this in 2015: "There are also those who surmise that Russia's escalating presence in the Middle East might forecast a threat to Western interests; or on the other hand, provide valuable intelligence and military aid in fighting Islamic jihad.  Either way, Russia gives themselves a way to bargain for Western and European concessions in regards to Ukraine and economic sanctions". As you can surmise, it's a never-ending game of moving pieces on the cosmic chess board.

And just as in 2015, Russia now seems to be partnering with China to form a coalition against U.S. and European interests in the region. There are so many players on the field and they change partners so many times that it is difficult to discern what their plan is. Can I make all the puzzle pieces fit nicely to form a clear picture to determine if these are End Times events? No. But there is enough going on that my spiritual radar is up. And it just seems as if the world is careening towards [if not an apocalyptic alignment of a one-world government, economic, and religious system], then at least an Armageddon-style conflict that will result in the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies of an emerging New World Order and Anti-Christ kingdom.

And I can't help it, but I just sense that the global elite are manipulating events, alliances, and heads of state. To be honest, I'm finding it very difficult to find the truth in the midst of all the chaos. I don't trust the "official line" we are being told by any of the participants in this human tragedy. Who is on which side? Are the coalition forces really working together, or are they each trying to benefit their own political agenda? How do the various factions of the Islamic faith play out in relationship to each other and their goal to wipe Israel off the face of the map? 

I just keep returning to the Bible's prophecy in Zechariah 14, that "I (God) will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped." Just like in Ezekiel 37-39, it is God who brings the enemies of Israel against them in order to shake their world  in the hope that they will abandon their worldly ways and return to their original purpose in His plan for the redemption of mankind [by leading the world to the knowledge of the God of Israel]. At this point in history, and as I have explained in my previous post titled The Lord Has Chosen Zion, the current state of Israel [just like its history] does not resemble the nation God planned to be His spokesman. 

In fact, the reality of modern Israel mirrors the historical nation that the prophet Isaiah lamented over in Chapter 1 of his prophetical book. Although a vision and prophecy was given to the prophet Isaiah about the destiny of the nation of Israel during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the king of Judah, it also foretells the future of the tribe of Judah during the End Times. Furthermore, I believe its message should be heeded by our own nation, as well.  I just love the multiple layers of significance that the Bible holds throughout all generations!  Those who say it is no longer relevant in our time are sadly (and dangerously) deceived.   

 Isaiah laments his sinful nation ... he accuses them of immorality and criminality; they have forsaken the God who made them a great nation above all others, and they now only show Him contempt -- worse, still, they ignore Him. Because of their "detestable disobedience", the future of their country is bleak. Their land has been attacked by enemies and strangers occupy what was once so generously bestowed upon them.  And then the prophet tells them something that should have stopped them in their tracks, and caused fear to bring them to their knees.  The nation of Israel -- indeed, all the world, including today -- knows what befell Sodom and Gomorrah.  Ezekiel, Chapter 16, tells us: "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me...".  The purpose of this post is not to dwell on the sexual immorality and perversion that were practiced in Sodom and Gomorrah [and indeed, in today's society], but to take to heart the judgment that fell on them, and will be due us if we don't repent and return to God. I also want to encourage you and and pray that you will recognize the hope that is in the remnant that will survive. 

Isaiah received spiritual perception in the 7th Century B.C. to minister to the nation of Judah. He knew that God had a purpose for them, but he needed to make them see how far they had wandered from Him. All Israel knew that God had poured fiery sulfur on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, completely destroying them and all of their inhabitants. (To this day, the area where Sodom and Gomorrah were located remains a desolate wasteland.)  So Isaiah wants them to ultimately understand what God did out of the midst of that tragic judgment, and how they deserve the same verdict. He points to a particular nature of God as their reason for hope.

He tells them that "the Lord of hosts" spared a remnant, and it is that Sovereignty and Mercy that He wants his nation to recognize.  And it is very important to take note of the name for God he uses in this verse.  In Hebrew, "the Lord of hosts" is spoken of as Jehovah-Sabaoth.  From our human perspective, this is the name of God to run to when there is no other help.  From God's perspective, this is the name He uses when He wants us to know that He is not only the One who delivers us, but also the One who judges us. He wants us to bow our knee to Him.  This particular name of God meets our failure, and offers deliverance.  

Isaiah wants Judah to realize that their actions deserve the devastating and complete punishment that befell Sodom and Gomorrah. They need to acknowledge that Jehovah Sabaoth -- "the Lord of hosts" -- has rightly judged them, but He is also going to deliver them by the means of that remnant.  A small group will survive His judgments in order to fulfill God's purpose for them.

Over 700 years later, the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah's forewarning of a remnant, in Romans, Chapter 9.  He says, "And Isaiah solemnly cries aloud over Israel:  Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved [from perdition, condemnation, judgment]"!  Paul is trying to tell the Hebrew nation that God's own prophets have foretold this sad and frightening truth -- that their disobedience deserves full destruction [as happened to Sodom and Gomorrah], BUT through God's mercy, He will leave them a remnant that will survive ... a Jewish remnant that will bow their knee to their King and Messiah.  

If you will take the time to look into the current state of Israeli affairs, you will find both the same faults of ancient Israel in the Bible, and the same corruption, immorality, and deception that plagues all the nations of the modern world. But whatever happens in this current conflict we need to be praying that Israel will be drawn to their destiny; that God's name will be more honored through this Jewish remnant, and the world will be more blessed.  This is the purpose of "God's chosen people" -- that a remnant will come forth and declare God and offer salvation to the world.

Isaiah knew it; Paul knew it; and we as the Christian component of the Body of Christ should and need to know it. We need to draw the comparisons with our own fallen state, and come out of our own Sodom and Gomorrah and fulfill our purpose in God's will!

Jeremiah 10:10     But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.