What You Don't Know About April 8th -- And Need To!

It goes without saying that the world has gone crazy over April 8th! Unless you've been like Rip Van Winkle, and just woken from a long nap, you likely are aware of the event that has captured the interest of people around the planet. A new moon phase will bring about a total solar eclipse on the 8th of this month. This unique event will be visible in Mexico, 14 states in the U.S., and Canada. 

It is not only a celebrated celestial event, but has significance to many other interested groups. Everyone from scientists to pagans and witches are fascinated by the possibilities of tapping into the energy of the sun and moon during this time when they are perfectly aligned. For instance, many pagans, Wiccans, and Druids view April 8, 2024 as a time of supercharged energy that can be harnessed to bring about transformation in the world. (See link). The question remains, will that transformation be for good or evil?

That same question applies to the work of CERN, the European Organization of Nuclear Research, which operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. By this description, most of humanity would dismiss CERN and what it's all about. But ask Google, "What is CERN trying to do"? and this is the answer you get ... "What is CERN's mission? At CERN, our work helps to uncover what the universe is made of and how it works. We do this by providing a unique range of particle accelerator facilities to researchers, to advance the boundaries of human knowledge". Other less scientific-sounding explanations have pointed to their plan to develop the "God particle" that resulted in giving life to the universe, all in the hopes of becoming like God; discovering His knowledge of the creation so they can control it. In my view, it's just another "Tower of Babel" attempt by men.

But that's not all! In this post, I'm going to share some engrossing information provided by Pastor Jim Staley, founder and director of Passion for Truth Ministries. I highly recommend you watch his short video on all the information I will be presenting today. It will demonstrate all the implications that April 8th has for us and the world. To begin with, Pastor Staley points out that, on April 8th, CERN is going to be starting up their Large Hadron Collider, looking for the God particle, on the same day that NASA is launching rockets into the eclipse. But here's the interesting part of that -- NASA is naming their mission after an Egyptian serpent god. And did you know that April 8th is also the day that billions of cicadas are supposed to come out of the ground, covering a large portion of the U.S.; the first time we've seen that event since 1803? Also, there are plans for red heifers to be sacrificed in Israel for the first time in thousands of years, fulfilling ancient prophecies. All of this, and more, all happening on the same day?? Coincidence, or does it all [taken together] point to the Bible's prophecies for these End Times?

So, let's back up a moment and consider exactly what CERN's Hadron Collider does. It is a 17 mile long tube, sitting 300 feet underground that is designed to send particles in opposite directions at the speed of light, with the purpose of causing an explosion. Why? If they can reach their objective, they hope they can discover exactly what the "anti-matter" is; the particle that is holding matter together, and ultimately, what is holding the universe together. In other words ... the "God particle". What's the problem with that, you might ask? For starters, the process of colliding particles has the potential to cause a "black hole" in the fabric of the universe. So, the next question is, "What is a black hole"? The scientific explanation is that it is a region of spacetime [time and space continuum] where gravity is so strong that nothing, including light and other electromagnetic waves, is capable of possessing enough energy to escape it. Think of it as being "sucked in". In addition, it can potentially deform objects that come too close to it before being "swallowed up".       

Of course, critics of this concern will say we don't know that for sure, so there's no reason for worry. But CERN hasn't accomplished their task ... yet ... so there's reason to be cautious. But even more disconcerting than these exercises with the Hadron Collider is the spiritual implications of CERN itself. This organization was founded on September 29th, 1954, which just happened to be on the Feast of Trumpets which, [according to God's calendar], foreshadows "the blowing of the trumpet in Zion", sounding the alarm that the Day of the Lord and His Judgment is near (Joel 2:1). Kings were inaugurated on that day as well, foreshadowing that on some future Feast of Trumpets, Jesus will be coming as King to set up His Kingdom on earth. 

CERN is anything but a Godly-oriented organization. There is so much about it that points to God's enemies. To begin with it is situated in Switzerland in a region called Saint Denis Pouilly. In the time of Rome, it was called Apolliacum, and the town and a temple were dedicated to Apollyon. This name has great significance in the Bible. Revelation 9:11 tells us "They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon". In Hebrew, Abaddon means "place of destruction"; in Greek, Apollyon means "The Destroyer". What's also interesting is that Hinduism also has a god of destruction known as "the Destroyer", named Shiva. And guess what statue sits at the entrance of CERN, welcoming all who come to this "scientific laboratory"? You guessed it ... a statue of Shiva! And the plaque from the Indian government, that sits at the feet of Shiva, extols [in part] "the process of Creation and Cataclysm [that] is not just linked to the beginning and end of life in the universe, but to the particles of the whole Creation". By the way, the word cataclysm is defined as "a large-scale and violent event in the natural world".  Starting to get the picture? 

Furthermore, Sergio Bertolucci, Director of Research and Scientific Computing at CERN is quoted as saying this, "Something may come through dimensional doors at LHC [Large Hadron Collider]. And out of this door might come something, or we might send something through it". First of all, why are they consumed with "ripping open" the curtain of the universe? And secondly, what exactly is the "it" they might invite in -- or send out -- into the universe? Let's go back to Revelation 9 and read verses 1-3 ... "Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star [angelic being] that had fallen from heaven to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit [abyss] was given to him. He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke like the smoke of a great furnace flowed out of the pit; and the sun and the atmosphere were darkened by the smoke from the pit. Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power to hurt was given to them, like the power which the earth's scorpions have". Sounds an awful lot like there's a possibility that CERN's "scientific experiments" could open a portal into the second heaven, giving the demonic realm access to earth and its inhabitants. 

BUT the CERN event is not the only thing that is happening on April 8th, and I want to touch on these other significant occurrences. On the same day as the eclipse, NASA is launching three rockets into the solar eclipse for research purposes. The disturbing part of this event is that the mission is named after Apep, the Egyptian god of destruction, chaos, and darkness, who "swallows up" his archenemy, Ra, the Egyptian sun god. Coincidence, or not?

Also, on that day, the world may get a glimpse of the rare "horned" comet, known as the Devil's Comet, which orbits the Sun once every 71.2 years. The last time we had a comet that appeared the same time as two solar eclipses that formed an X over the United States was in 1811. Three months later was the largest earthquake in the history of the U.S.; an earthquake so large that it caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards and the Liberty Bell to ring on the East Coast! And it occurred along the New Madrid fault line, which scientists have been saying for years is way overdue for a repeat performance. And guess where X marks the spot this time for the eclipses to intersect? You guessed it! Are we going to see another catastrophic earthquake at New Madrid?? I pray not, because my family lives very near the fault line.

As if all this is not enough, on April 8, 1904, Alistair Crowley, [a satanic cult leader] sought to breach the second spiritual realm, and claims he was contacted by the Egyptian god, Horus, to write down his [Horus's] Book of the Law, in which humanity would leave behind the tyranny of the Abrahamic religions and enter into a New Eon of "greater consciousness" and "self-actualization" characterized by "their own specific magick [occult] formula". The moral code of this new "Book of the Law" was Do as thy wilt. In other words, everyone can make up their own morality code and do whatever they want; there is no need for God's absolute moral law -- we will all have our own, defined by ourselves. If that is true -- if Crowley was able to break through the space and time continuum to contact a demon -- then what CERN is trying to accomplish could potentially unleash the same kind of contravention into our world.

And let's not forget the news that sometime near April 8th, the first time in over 200 years -- not since Thomas Jefferson was President -- two breeds of Cicadas are coming up out of the ground in the billions, covering a large swath of the U.S., EXACTLY at the intersection point of the two solar eclipses! Sounds kind of like the locusts from Revelation 9, doesn't it? 

Then there's the Biblical prophecy concerning the Red Heifer, that points to the reinstitution of the Temple sacrifices. In the Book of Numbers, burning the ashes of a red heifer is a mandatory (and lasting) act for beginning the temple offering to God, and the ashes are a key element in a biblically mandated purification ritual. Since there is currently no Temple in Jerusalem, the Jews have been looking forward [for centuries] of being back in their homeland and to the building of a Third Temple. And of course, because of the bloodshed on the Temple Mount for the last couple of millennia, the Mount itself must be cleansed before the Temple can be built. That presents a bit of a problem, as I'm sure you can discern, with the Muslim religion claiming that the Temple Mount belongs to them.

But there are actually red heifers in Israel waiting to be sacrificed. The government of Israel has given the Temple Institute [in Israel] permission for these red heifers to be sacrificed. Of course, there is no Temple yet. And the threat of violence from the Arabs and Muslims if the Temple Mount is used for daily sacrifices anywhere near their mosque or the Dome of the Rock has the Israeli government rethinking their permission. So, the heifers are now being held in Shiloh. You might be thinking that this is all part of the Jewish Torah, but as Christians, we must remember that Daniel prophesied that the AntiChrist would interrupt [and cease] the daily sacrifices in the End Times, so for that to happen, there must be sacrifices, right? 

While it looks like the building of a Third Temple is off the table, there is an interesting possibility that must be considered. The Book of Judges tells us the first temple of the Israelites was actually a tabernacle in Shiloh. So a tabernacle could be built much quicker than a Temple, and built in Shiloh [where the heifers are being kept] and the religious Jews could begin their daily sacrifices pretty quickly. 

The truth is, we just don't know how all this is going to play out, but no one can deny that there are a lot of prophetic and spiritual dynamics surrounding April 8th. I can certainly see aspects of the Bible's prophesied judgments within the predictions surrounding these events. And I can see the opportunities for Satan to exploit mankind's arrogance to "become like God" and the very real possibilities of destruction to the design of our planet and the universe. And we have testimonies of how the earth has responded in history to similar alignments of such events... earthquakes abounded!

So while it is anticipated that millions will flock to destinations along the path that the eclipses can be seen, I think I will stay at home and contemplate the Bible prophecies that may play a part on this compelling day. And I will be praying that just like at the Tower of Babel, God will confuse the machinations of men who scheme to "reach into the heavens" (Genesis 11:4); and He will scatter them abroad from there over the surface of the entire earth (verse 8), and they will stop trying to build something to alter His Creation. I will be praying for the earth to rest in peace, and the tremors, shaking and convulsions to be quieted. I will pray that the earth will not erupt in billions of cicadas in order to damage and destroy the crops in the "bread basket" of our nation. And I will be praying that God's will and timing be done regarding the sacrifices of the red heifers in Israel. 

In the power and authority given to me by Christ, I declare that the ancient gods of evil -- the "Destroyers" -- must bow down to Yeshua, yielding all their illegitimate and unsanctioned power, as they are sent to wherever the Lord wants them to go. And finally, I pray that the fabric [framework and structure] of the universe remains intact and just as our Lord created it, protecting us from the demonic realm and all who intend to do us harm. We praise You, Jesus, for the perfect world and universe, created by You; and we repent for our rebellion against all things made by Your Hand. Forgive us and Save us! Amen!

Genesis 11:6   ... This is only the beginning of what they will do [in rebellion against Me], and now no evil thing they imagine they can do will be impossible for them.            

   

After the Resurrection: Are We Living in the Power of Jesus?

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead into Life Everlasting is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. No other religion on the earth has an empty tomb. Christians are the only believers who follow a leader that died and then came back to life, with the promise that we, too, can have Eternal Life. Admittedly, the Bible doesn't reveal everything about that miraculous event or what followed. But there are enough hints to give us hope to seek Him and His way of life. The Bible, itself, tells us, "There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were recorded one by one [and in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written". That's a lot of details we don't have. But it doesn't mean those details are not many, mighty, miraculous, and real. 

Have you ever stopped to think about what happened immediately after Jesus rose; what occurred in addition to the details the Bible does give us? I can only imagine the shock and disbelief, and even fear, when Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome arrived at the tomb to anoint him with precious oils, only to find the tomb empty! Granted, Scripture says [both in Mark and Matthew] that Jesus had told them He would be betrayed into the hands of His enemies, and they would kill Him. After three days He would be raised from death to life. The Bible recounts that on one hand, they did not understand Him, nor did they ask Him; and secondly, they were deeply grieved and distressed. 

My first thought is that they had seen Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus, Himself, and perhaps they were confused... who is going to raise Jesus? As far as I am aware, Scripture doesn't give us any clues that He explained it was by the power of the Holy Spirit. But they were about to be exposed to all the indescribable and supernatural ways in which we can, not only be connected to the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, but live our lives in the same power and miracles. For me, the mystery, the power, the force, the strength, and the authority exhibited in the Resurrection event should overwhelm the mind and senses of every Believer! After all, He told Martha, the sister of Lazarus that not only will Believers live even if we die, but we will never die (John 11:25)! 

So, while they had clues of what was coming, they did not understand. But after the Resurrection! -- Oh, how their world must have been turned upside down. They went from profound grief, disappointment, and depression to being astonished, astounded and awe-struck at the power of the Living Christ in the world! John reports that Mary Magdalene saw the Lord in His pre-Ascension form, and later that evening, the rest of the Disciples saw Him as they met behind barred doors, fearful for their lives.He stood among them, speaking Peace over them, and breathed on them, giving them The Holy Spirit. He also told them He would send them as His Representatives -- not as emissaries of the itinerant Jewish Rabbi, but as ambassadors of the Messiah and Son of God! Then they witnessed the one Disciple [Thomas, who had been absent when He came the first time] stick his finger in the wounds Jesus had received on the Cross and Thomas's profession of faith that Jesus was real and who He said He was. But the part of this passage in John that gets forgotten is verse 30 ... There are also many other signs [attesting miracles] that Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book ... as if this is not enough to believe that by trusting what He has revealed, we may have Life in His Name!

The account of Luke offers us a little more information about what happened after the Resurrection. It seems that there were more women who had gone to the tomb to prepare the Lord's body, and two angels appeared to them, reminding them that Jesus had told them that He would be crucified and rise on the third day. They reported all these things to the Disciples, but being typical men of that era, they did not give credence to the women's story. So, Peter, Himself, got up and ran to the tomb. Finding it empty, he went away wondering about what had happened. The Bible then tells us that this same day, a Disciple of Jesus, named Cleopas (Luke 24:18), and a companion were traveling to a village called Emmaus. They were discussing all the strange things that had occurred since the crucifixion, and Jesus, Himself, began walking with them, asking them what they were talking about.

They couldn't believe this stranger hadn't heard about Jesus of Nazareth, "a prophet powerful in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people". They relayed that they were downhearted because they had hoped He would redeem Israel and set them free from the rule of the Romans. They also shared that the women went to the tomb that morning and had seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive! Those who followed up on the women's report also went to the tomb, but found nothing. Jesus reprimanded the men, calling them "foolish" and "slow of heart" because they had not believed in everything the prophets had spoken down through the centuries. He then explained and interpreted everything that Moses and all the prophets had written about Him in the Scriptures. Yet, the two men still did not recognize Him. 

The three then approached the village of Emmaus and the men urged Him to stay with them. As they enjoyed the evening meal, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Suddenly, God opened their eyes and they recognized Him, before He vanished from their sight. They got up that moment and went back to Jerusalem to report that the Lord had really risen and appeared to Simon Peter, leading us to believe that the second man walking to Emmaus was indeed, Peter.  

The texts of both Matthew and Mark do not vary greatly from the others, except that Matthew reports there was a great earthquake after the crucifixion, and suggesting that it contributed to the stone being rolled away from Jesus's tomb. Matthew also suggests that there were some Roman guards who witnessed "everything that had happened", resulting in the chief priests bribing the guards to keep quiet about the supernatural events. They feared for their own safety and position if the Jewish masses learned [let alone believed] that Jesus could be the long-awaited Messiah. Scripture then makes the startling statement: "this [fabricated] story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to the present day".  

But both Matthew and Mark offer something that the other gospels do not ... what is known as The Great Commission. After chastising them [in Mark] for not believing the women who had testified of His resurrection, He commanded them to "Go" and make disciples of all the nations. They were to "help the people learn of Him, believe in Him, and obey His words, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you". He then promises them that He will be with us always, no matter what the circumstances, even to the end of the age. And then they witnessed His ascension into Heaven and sit down at the right hand of God.

So, what is the age He is talking about? The "Church Age", which the first chapter of Acts introduces. And it is the Book of Acts that shows us the effects of Jesus's ministry on earth AFTER the Resurrection. I love the language of this first chapter in Acts; the words that describe the supernatural manifestations of Jesus's Deity and His divine power and authority. Luke, the author of Acts, describes the appearance of Jesus after His Resurrection "by a series of many infallible proofs and unquestionable demonstrations, appearing to them over a period of forty days and talking to them about the things concerning the kingdom of God". Now, I don't know about you, but I want to know all the details of those forty days! What did Jesus demonstrate and what were the things He told them about the kingdom of God? But it is the encouragement He gives them that "you will be baptized and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit, not long from now". And so it was, on the day of Pentecost, that a rushing, violent wind came from heaven, bestowing tongues of fire on each of the Disciples as they received the Holy Spirit and were filled with the power of Jesus.

There are other displays of supernatural events after the Crucifixion and Resurrection ... the veil of the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook (the aforementioned earthquake) and the rocks split; tombs were opened, and many bodies of believers were raised to life; and coming out of the tombs after His Resurrection, they entered Jerusalem and appeared to many people; He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, the majority of whom were still alive, but some were dead; many wonders and attesting miracles were taking place through the apostles [as noted in Acts 2]. The Lord moved in the lives of these faithful people who, day after day, met in the temple, continuing with one mind and breaking bread in various private homes. They met together with joy and generous hearts, praising God continually, and receiving favor with all people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved. 

THIS ... this is what it looks like to be living in the power of Jesus! Yet, we as modern-day Believers in Him celebrate one day a year in honor of His Resurrection. Our lives change -- maybe for a couple of hours -- IF we happen to hear an inspiring sermon. But come Monday morning, any supernatural considerations we might have entertained have evaporated and we're back in our natural lives. Sadly, many of our modern churches have little resemblance to the beginning of the Church in the Book of Acts. 

On Sunday, I decided to tune into the live broadcast of a mega-church we attended 15 years ago. The pastor we had liked had retired, and I will tell you that I have never heard a more lukewarm sermon on the spiritual repercussions and power that the Resurrection symbolizes! They touted the 200+ baptisms they would be doing during the service -- and believe me, I do not belittle that accomplishment! But if these baptized people are not stewarded, trained, and equipped to go out and do what Jesus did Himself, and commands us to do -- heal the sick, cast out demons, cleanse the lepers (the physically, spiritually, and emotionally shunned), raise the dead, and spread the Good News of the availability of Salvation and the Kingdom through faith in our Lord -- then the end of the Church Age is definitely in view. 

So, ask yourselves this ... are you moved in your heart and spirit, as you think upon the Resurrection of Jesus and all it portends for you? Are you committed to sharing all you have learned of Him, and the ways [including the supernatural] that He has touched your life? Do you truly want the life that the Disciples experienced with Him -- or are you comfortable to live a "safer" life in the world? Are you willing to lose this life to gain all that the Lord wants to give you in the next one?  I fear if the lukewarm sermon I saw streamed on Sunday is any measurement of the power of Jesus's Resurrection in the American Church, Jesus is going to have to come soon to save "even the elect" from weak and powerless faith. Pray that His remnant will continue to walk in Spirit and Truth; not cowering or hiding from the power and authority that is ours to change the world. We have a purpose and a destiny until the day He returns. Come, Lord Jesus! Strengthen us and Empower us!

Romans 1:4-5    [He] was declared to be the Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead; Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all the nations ...                    

Don't Get Discouraged! The Authority of the Lord Has Not Changed!

In reference to this blog title, I have to admit that there are signs within the mainstream Christian Church that are discouraging! And because of this, you will find me covering a wide range of topics today; things that my spirit just wants to get out in the open as we approach this Holy weekend.

As we get ready to celebrate our Lord and Savior's Resurrection from Death into Eternal Life, I was flabbergasted to read on the End Times Headlines website, that Elevation Church (a megachurch in North Carolina, led by popular evangelical pastor Steven Furtick) has decided to avoid mentioning the words Calvary, Resurrection, and "Blood of Jesus" to promote their Easter Sunday services. WHAT?!?!? 

According to the digital content creator for Elevation Church, she is not "going to say any of these words that makes someone feel like an outsider" ... instead wanting them to feel "super chill" about attending. And I have no proof, but I would be willing to bet they have no problem promoting Easter egg hunts, the Easter bunny, or the festive meals that accompany the traditions of Easter. In fact, their invitation to attend reads like this: "Hey, do you have plans for Easter Sunday? I'm heading to Easter at Elevation. Would you like to join? The music and the message are always incredible. It's honestly one of my favorite ways to celebrate the holiday. I'd love to have you as my guest this year"!

With no mention of the crucifixion of Jesus; or His Blood shed for us [that we might escape the wrath of God that is due us for our sins]; or His glorious Resurrection that is our hope, it just becomes another holiday to soothe our senses, right? And that is what so many who declare themselves a Christian desire. Not only is that offensive to God, but there's nothing that will make you more of a true outsider in Heaven, than to ignore what God's Son has done for us. 

Don't get me wrong, on Easter Sunday there will be millions of Believers who acknowledge the price it cost Jesus to deliver us from God's wrath and the fire of Hell; and who will praise Him and the Father for their plan to redeem us. But there will be millions more who don't see that the Church is teetering on the precipice of Heresy, Apostasy and Idolatry, and who willingly participate in them. Just so we're clear, I want to make sure you understand my definitions ... Biblical heresy is the rejection of one or more Christian doctrines by someone who [otherwise] maintains an overall adherence to Jesus. Apostasy comes into play when a professed Christian publicly rejects the foundational beliefs of Christianity. Idolatry is their heart's affection above their loyalty to God.  

But I promise you that churches like Elevation think they are doing God's work ... making Him more palatable and acceptable to mainstream Americans. After all, they have to fill those seats in their megachurch and afford all the stage lighting to provide an entertaining show to keep people in those seats. Instead of worshiping God, many fall prey to the temptation to worship what a particular church offers them, instead of worshiping the One who died to save them. That is called idolatry, because it robs God of the glory that He deserves. The Bible tells us that God alone is worthy of worship.   

The prophet Isaiah continually called Israel to account for their idolatry. In his time, idolatry looked like bowing down to a stone or wood statue or carving, as if it were God. Today, it looks like putting more value on something [or someone] than we put on God. Today's secular world is full of idols that men worship above God: their own identity; money; entertainment; sex; comfortable lifestyles; and, of course, our phones. And, sadly, social media, which encompasses all these, has become the biggest idol of all. And in the world of religion, a big idol today is Revival. Believers put more faith [and time and effort] into praying for Revival than they do in praying for the Body of Christ to come to repentance. The truth is they don't really understand what they're asking for when they pray for Revival. let me explain ...

In the American Church we tend to think of Revival as prosperity; as a time of great numbers coming to the Lord because of our evangelical efforts; and as a time of returning to our first love of Christ. We build an image of comfort and joy in worshiping the Lord as the rest of the world spirals towards The End. But what does Jesus say? In Matthew 24:14, He shares the good news that the gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end of the [Church] age will come. I'll agree that that sounds a lot like Revival ... the gospel will be preached to all the nations. But what does He say right before that?

This is the place in the Bible where He talks about wars and rumors of wars; nation against nation, famines, earthquakes, persecution; tribulation; and false prophets. He says that because of the lawlessness and wickedness, the love of most people will grow cold. The only words of hope come when He says, "But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved". So, it appears to me that the Western Church is a little confused as to the timeline of any possible worldwide Revival! Read Matthew 24:4-14 yourself! Before there is any chance of the whole world coming to Jesus by the spread of the Gospel, there will be tremendous pain, suffering and persecution!! IS THE CHURCH READY FOR THAT?!? 

Somehow, the Western Church skips over those verses and pretends they don't apply to us, and just wants to embrace the message of a Revival because it makes the End Times more appealing. And if you need further convincing that an End Times Revival for the whole world is not in the Bible, the Apostle Paul seems to agree with Jesus. In the Timothy epistles, he writes, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron". He also wrote, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days". Rather than repenting in a worldwide revival, "people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money... without self-control, brutal, treacherous...". You know the rest. 

Unlike the Church in other parts of the world, who understand that Revival is preceded by persecution, the American Church doesn't know what it's asking for. Revival can happen... but it's going to come with a great price, and if you aren't ready or prepared to pay that price, you might want to reconsider praying for Revival. Remember, Jesus also asked, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth"? So, that sure doesn't seem like He's coming into the midst of a worldwide Revival, does it? To me, it seems like He comes when the world is torn apart by evil and a crisis of faith. 

So, I've spent a lot of time in this post talking about the things to be discouraged about. So, I want to end this discourse with the truth that the Authority of the Lord over all the wickedness, chaos, and confusion is still established. He has not changed! I would love nothing more than to see a great worldwide revival of all people and nations, but I just don't see it in the Bible, or hear it in Jesus's words. That won't stop me for praying for it, but I'm a realist.  The Bible tells me the End Times will be a distressing and troubled time in the world. But I cling to the promise of the Lord that He has overcome this world. I will keep my eyes and heart focused on Him, and share of His Glory, Mercy, Justice and Love to all who will receive. There is a Millennial Kingdom in our future; one in which "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea". Now that's a Revival I can believe in! Until then, I will pray for the strength and endurance to proclaim His Name until I enter that glorious Kingdom. Come, Lord Jesus!

Jeremiah 31:34.    And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, "Know the LORD", for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.           

AMERICA: Are We The Master Of Our Own Demise?

I know that people want to hear uplifting and encouraging news, and may get tired of my "Watchman on the Wall" forecasts. But I would be remiss if I chose to ignore what God is sharing with me; if I chose to "tickle your ears" so that you turned away from hearing the truth, and only accepted the myths that the "pretenders" serve up as news on the various media outlets, or in the pulpits of the Apostate Church.

A couple of posts ago, I made the statement, "Pray that we as people, and a nation, make the right choices. Now is not the time to be disobedient and ignore God's warnings". Yet that seems to be exactly what we are doing. We have no excuse for continuing to rebel against God and yet hoping that [somehow] our country will be saved and get back on track. In His Word, God has plainly told us what is required to maintain His blessings and favor ...

Do you recall the story of Solomon, son of King David, who inherited his father's throne and God's favor? When Solomon was anointed as king, the only things he asked of the Lord were wisdom and understanding to judge and rule God's people in a righteous manner and to discern between good and evil. Because Solomon did not ask for a long life or wealth, God was pleased with his request, and granted him those very gifts of long life, wealth, and in addition, honor. So, Solomon built a magnificent temple for God -- a remarkable edifice surrounded by spacious courts with magnificent approaches, and lined with carved cedar and burnished gold; and garnished with precious stones. It presented an appropriate symbol for the House of the Lord and a dwelling place for His Presence. 

When Solomon dedicated the Temple, he prayed that it would be God's resting place; where He dwelt on earth in the midst of His people. After Solomon finished his prayer of dedication, fire came down from Heaven and the people understood that God's Presence [and His power and strength] resided with them in the existence of the Ark of the Covenant. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon one night and told him that He, the Lord, would look kindly upon Israel and His people and forgive them when they sinned against Him -- IF they met His criteria. God's promise is one that we often quote, ourselves, in these times of darkness... [If] My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek [crave, require as a necessity] My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.  

That has become our national "go to" prayer as we discern the wrong paths that this nation has [and is] going down. Somehow, we think that's all that is required ... ask and you shall receive. But we've forgotten that this promise from God also came with a warning at the same time. It applied to Israel and it applies to us. Here is the stern warning: But if you [people] turn away and abandon My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and you go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from My land which I have given them; and I will cast this house, which I have consecrated for My Name, out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and an object of scorn among all nations.

Part of our American heritage is the tradition that God consecrated this land as He did Israel. And, actually, historians often credit America as being "the new Israel". I don't necessarily believe that, but I do know this... He has greatly blessed this nation, and we were founded on His statutes and grounded in His laws of morality. So, we know that God never changes, and if His promise and warning to Israel were a mandate for their obedience, that holds true for us, too. We have clung to His promise, but ignored His warning, and now, my fellow Americans, I'm not sure we can escape the consequences!

I know that many of you don't want to hear that, and out of fear will hold tightly to God's character of Mercy and Grace. But He is also our Righteous and Just God, and doesn't extend His warnings haphazardly. He gives us the opportunity to repent and change our ways, but instead, this country is going further down the tubes! And if you still can't see that, let me give you some reasons why I want you to pay attention to this warning... both mine and His!

One of our biggest stumbling blocks, and most grievous sins, has been the practice of abortion. It is no different than the sins of those who burned and sacrificed their babies at the altar of Molech. In God's eyes abortion is a blood sacrifice just as wicked and evil. We can fool ourselves and say, "But the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022! We changed our direction back to God"! That just shows me how shallow our national discernment is. It's a false image that Satan dangles before our eyes to convince us that we've done enough; we are succeeding in turning away from that horrendous sin. 

The truth is that the number of abortions during the 12 months immediately following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was actually higher than the 12 months preceding the decision. In an article entitled, Has America Run Out of Time?, a new report by reproductive health firm Guttmacher Institute, shows that the abortion rate in 2023 was the highest it's been since 2014! But here's an interesting fact... more abortions are being accomplished by the use of a pill rather than the standard medical procedure. So, somehow this is supposed to be more humane, and lessen the sin of terminating one of God's creations? God will not be mocked!

In addition, the number of Gen Z women who identify as LGBTQ+ [almost 30%] continues to grow. And that doesn't take into account the growing number of young people who are changing gender, or those who are increasingly identifying as animals! You read that correctly -- I have actually witnessed a preteen in my local hardware store dressed in a full cat costume; lounging on the floor in a furry full length garment, from head to toe. Only her face was visible. At first, I thought she must be attending some kind of costume party, but the store employees informed me she identifies as a cat now, and her parents support it. 

So let me get this straight ... abortions are on the rise; young women aren't interested in procreating; and our children identify as animals! Can you see Satan's strategy of eliminating the number of human babies that are born? Wouldn't all this seem to strengthen his position of having dominion over the earth? And how many well-meaning Christians are totally unaware of these statistics? Yet, they keep repeating the mantra that there's a world-wide revival coming and we win in the end. I am not doubting that God can bring about a revival in a remnant of His people, and I absolutely know the faithful are victorious in Jesus. But that doesn't mean America survives this gutting of our core identity!

And if none of this is enough to convince you we are in deep trouble, let me point you to Revelation 18. The Subhead of this chapter is Babylon Has Fallen. We are told that an angel comes down from heaven, possessing great authority, and he shouted with a mighty voice, saying, "fallen, fallen [certainly to be destroyed] is Babylon the Great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a dungeon haunted by every unclear spirit, and a prison for every unclean and loathsome bird. For all the nations have drunk from the wine of the passion of her [sexual] immorality, and the kings and political leaders of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth and economic power of her sensuous luxury".

Revelation 18 goes on to say, "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not be a partner in her sins and receive her plagues, for her sins [crimes and transgressions/rebellions] have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness and crimes [for judgment]... for in her heart she boasts, I SIT AS A QUEEN [on a throne] AND I AM NOT A WIDOW,  and will never, ever see mourning or experience grief! For this reason in a single day her plagues [afflictions, calamities] will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire and completely consumed; for strong and powerful is the Lord God who judges her".

I highly recommend that you take the time to read the entirety of Revelation 18 and see if you do not see America in this judgment of God. It tells us that the merchants of the world will "weep and grieve over Babylon" because no one buys their merchandise anymore. [We no longer make our own merchandise, but buy it from others]. And they weep and mourn for "the great city" who was robed in fine linen, gilded with gold, with precious stones and pearls because "in one hour all the vast wealth has been laid waste". [New York has been the center of world commerce, and Wall Street has controlled the economic currency of the world]. But perhaps the most damning judgment is called The Divine Sentence upon Babylon. 

The Bible tells us that a single powerful angel will pick up a boulder like a great millstone and fling it into the sea, saying, "With such violence will Babylon, the great city, be hurled down [by the sudden, spectacular judgment of God], and will never again be found.... Commerce will no longer flourish, and normal life will cease. Never again will the light of a lamp shine in you -- [there goes our claim of being a shining light upon a hill for the whole world to be drawn to] -- and never again will the voice of the bridegroom and bride be heard in you; for your merchants were the great and prominent men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived and misled by your sorcery [your magic spells and poisonous charm]. And in Babylon was found the blood of the prophets and of saints (God's people) and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth". This speaks of the persecution coming against Christians, wars, and the abominable practice of abortion.      

Now, you may declare that there's no way to prove or know who this great city, Babylon is, but Scripture indicates that whoever it is describes a human civilization that is arrayed in opposition to God and ready to be judged. America certainly could be in the running. We have been the driving force in commerce since WWII, and we have tempted the nations with our immoral businesses of trafficking, child porn, and drug use. We fight for our rights to kill our own babies, and we have led our nation's children away from God and taught them to hate each other through educational policies that divide us. Furthermore, we have sponsored and profited from wars around the world, and we have raped and stolen natural resources of developing nations. Yet we continue to believe the lies of ungodly leaders and even lie to ourselves, declaring that "We are America! Nothing is going to happen to us"! Sounds like the Queen of Babylon sitting on her throne and boasting that she will never, ever experience mourning or grief, doesn't it?  

So, I ask you ... Are we the master of our own demise? Even if you choose to dismiss the possibility that we deserve [or will receive] the judgments prophesied against Babylon, I just don't see how we can deny that we've done all that is accorded to this wicked entity. Yes, God has given us a way out, but I do not discern that the nation is unified in humbling itself, or praying and seeking His face, turning from our wicked ways. We are actually increasing in them! So, I have to ask, will God save the remnant that does seek Him? Or are we going to be subject to His judgment and wrath that rains on the just and the unjust? I will never give up hope that a miracle can happen in our nation! But I'm also a realist. I will live my life as righteously as I can, and I will praise Him continually in the midst of whatever comes, good or bad. I pray that we are not Babylon, because the warning that comes in Revelation 18:6 is chilling ...

Revelation 18:6    Repay to her even as she has repaid others, and pay back [to her] double [her torment] in accordance with what she has done; in the cup [of sin and suffering] which she mixed, mix a double portion [of perfect justice] for her. 

Why It's Important to REALLY KNOW GOD In the Middle of This World Chaos!

I continue to be concerned about the number of Christians who seek to know God through others. By that, I mean I get a lot of questions from earnest Seekers who truly want to know how to traverse this world according to God's will. They will ask, "How do you know what to do" in a particular situation. Or, they might play the devil's advocate, and say, "How do you answer a person if they question the validity of your Biblical argument or explanation on an important issue"?

First of all, I always make it clear that no one should take my answer or position for their truth. They should study and research on their own, coming to their own conclusions according to what the Holy Spirit reveals, or what God is telling them. And there lies the essence of their struggle and their uncertainty. They don't really know God. And, please don't misunderstand ... I am not judging anyone. In fact, I continually pray for the Body of Christ that they will seek to know Him!

I am also not questioning their Salvation! These people have faith in Jesus as the Son of God, as their Lord and Savior, and as their Redeemer. They believe in Him and what He bought for them on the Cross. They trust that He has forgiven their sins, and they profess His Name out loud. It is just my opinion that too many of them don't KNOW HIM!

Why have I come to that conclusion? I believe that the Western Church (in the last few hundred years) has undergone a gradual process of transformation. We tend to seek our answers and solutions to life's problems from others [Pastor's, Church leaders, Prophets, Elders, friends in the Church, etc.) instead of going straight to the Source of everything. When you don't know that Source, then you end up asking others for their opinions and relying on whether or not you agree with their thinking. Or you depend on how these other opinions or theories make you feel. The problem is, you end up acting out of your soul (your mind, your emotions/feelings, and your free will) to choose which one you will accept as your answer. 

We need to remember that we are made in God's image, not other men's. That means we are primarily a spiritual being, not a soul being. But I honestly don't think the Body of Christ sees themselves in that manner. And if you were created as a spirit being first, and God [who is Spirit] has known you since before the foundations of the world, and before He formed you in your mother's womb, don't you think it would be wise for you to get to know Him through your spirit connection? Shouldn't that be the Being that you seek counsel from?

All that being said, don't get me wrong ... as you mature in your faith and you begin getting to really know God [which I will explain in a moment], He will send people to you that your spirit will discern are reliable and good spokesmen and women to teach and guide you into gaining more experiential knowledge about God. That means you will grow in your knowledge of God by experiencing Him and observing Him -- not by simply adopting someone else's experiences or self-knowledge. 

So, when it comes to knowing God, we must understand that there is a big difference between the "natural" man [known as a "human"] and the "spiritual" man. The best explanation I have ever heard comes from the late Dr. Myles Munroe, whom my spirit discerns knew God at a very high level. Which is why the Enemy took him, his wife, and his entire ministry team out of this world in a tragic airplane crash. Satan couldn't have him teaching the rest of us to know God. But before he died, Dr. Munroe educated so many about seeking the knowledge of God. I'd like to share one of his most profound teachings on what it means to be a human ...

He presented this question: "What is a human"? He went on to express this: "What I am about to explain to you is probably the most important discovery of your life. And it's this ... You don't have a spirit"! [Let me tell you, when I first heard him say that, I was blown away! What did he mean]? After a long pause, he continued, ... "You ARE a spirit! But you live in a dirt body. God carved your body from the dust. So your body is 100% dirt. That is why when you leave your body, we dump it back into the dirt. Whether your dirt is dark, light, yellow, red, or brown, it's nothing but dirt. So don't ever measure your worth by your dirt. A human is a spirit being in a dirt body. Let me explain how this works ... the word humus is the word for dirt. Humus is dirt! Man is different! Man is the spirit being. The Hebrew word for "Man" is ISH. So in the Book of Genesis when God said, 'Let Us make man', He used the word ISH... 'Let Us create (ISH) in our image'; that is, as a Spirit being. So you are a spirit. Man is a Spirit being -- his body is humus [dirt]... 'then God took the man and put him in the dirt [the humus]'. So, you then became known as a humus man. We don't write it with the two words, but we put the two words together, dropping the middle syllable, and become a HUMAN". 

Dr. Munroe went on: "So, when you use the term human, it is not a simple term; it means a combination of a spirit and a dirt body. So, when God created the Human race, He put the spirit being in the dirt body. Then God said, 'Let them have dominion over the earth'. Them who? Humans! What is a Human? A spirit in a dirt body. [And this is very important that you understand] ... The only being that has a legal right on the earth to function [to fulfill or operate for a specific purpose, given by God] to dominate the earth, is a spirit in a dirt body! 

God's Word can never change! So here is the mystery ... Any spirit without a dirt body is illegal on earth!! Now that is why you don't understand the Bible too well. Because if you don't understand this concept, the Bible will not make sense to you; including the incarnation of Jesus Christ". Thank you, Dr. Munroe, for giving us your wisdom! [SIDE NOTE: Did you get that? A spirit without a dirt body is a demon, and they do not have any legal authority or dominion on the earth. Jesus showed us that when He came the first time, and cast them out of the people they were tormenting. But they are always looking for a body to occupy. SO, if a person willingly invites them in, that is a legal transaction, and can lead to possession. It's important that you know that, and understand the legal and spiritual mechanics of God's supernatural laws. 

Now that I hope you have a greater understanding of who you are, I also hope that you are eager to seek to know Him at a higher level. And how do you get to know someone? You spend time with them; engage in conversations with them; ask genuine questions; stay present with them; be honest; actively listen to hear what they have to say. God is no different! He wants you to spend time with Him; whether reading His Word or just talking to Him. If you put in the time and effort,  He will show you who He is and what He is like. That's called Revelation, and why I'm always talking about "connecting the dots" in the Bible. If I just read the Bible, consecutive chapter after consecutive chapter, and never seek more revelation by letting the Holy Spirit point me to another substantiating verse that paints a bigger picture of what God is trying to convey to me, I will never gain more knowledge at a higher level. It takes time and effort; a willingness and a desire to know Him deeper and more authentically!        

I can hear some of you asking, "But how do I know I am hearing His voice"? If you are truly spending time in honest conversations and serious discussions, then you will receive the answers you are seeking. The way I describe how my conversations with God go, it's like this: the answer I get is either my own voice, which I should easily recognize because it's just repeating what I've been saying to myself -- or it's the devil's voice, which should be easy to discern because the answer will be wicked,  unrighteous, or leading you away from the answer you're seeking; and sound nothing like what you or God would say -- OR it will be a thought and answer that is new to you, and gives you the answer that solves your dilemma. The more time you spend with Him, the more obvious it will be that you're hearing from Him! Remember, Jesus said, My sheep hear My Voice. I know them, and they follow Me.   That's not just a cute euphemism; it is meant to be taken literally.

And notice that Jesus says, I know them. In order to be considered a true friendship and relationship, it takes two parties, each of whom knows the other... two Spirit beings who are connected by hearts and experiences in this world. Jesus already knows you -- He created you! So, if our Father in Heaven chooses to delay Jesus's return for awhile longer [according to His will and timetable], then it will become more important than ever for you to KNOW Jesus -- to hear His voice and receive instructions on how to navigate the times we are living in. 

Jesus modeled that for us. He lived as a Human (a Spirit being in a dirt body) in tumultuous and dangerous times, but He knew the Father -- He spent time with Him; talked to Him; the Scriptures had been revealed to Him; and He asked the Father what to say and do, and then followed what He heard and what was shown to Him. That is why He was able to carry out His assignment and purpose. He didn't rely on his own knowledge. Nor did He only rely on the opinions of others. He went to God, and through the experiential knowledge He gained in their relationship, He knew what to do and how to take dominion in His life and on the earth. We've been given that same opportunity and ability. It's up to each of us. How important is it to you?  IT'S TIME TO KNOW OUR GOD!  

1 John 4:6.    We [who teach God's Word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan].   

God Is Not Through With Israel! Warning To Those Who Interfere With His Plan

One of the most defining experiences of my faith was when I discovered Romans, Chapter 11. It began 16 years ago, and has proven to be a thoroughly captivating effort to know my God at a deeper level -- both from an intellectual standpoint, but more importantly, at a heart level. Sadly, this journey did not come about because my church pointed me to it; nor any church I have attended since. This was a singular exploration ignited by a Christian friend who suggested that I might want to read this chapter if I was seeking to know more about God. 

And as we grow ever closer to cataclysmic events in the world that threaten to destroy the nations, Romans 11 is so crucial to understanding God's heart for His people, and how He will respond to us, depending on if we can see and understand the significance of this revealing chapter in these days and the days to come. Therefore it frustrates me immensely to realize that the majority of the Body of Christ do not perceive its relevance. Furthermore, it saddens me to witness the failure of institutionalized Religion to teach the faithful the truth of this foundational directive. It will have consequences for all mankind!

As we watch the delicate balance of the world's governments lean towards war and destruction, and as we particularly observe the increasing tension between our country and Israel, I want to share what Romans 11 cautions us about God's plan for Israel, and how it affects us; primarily as Christians, and secondly, as a nation. So, let's dive in!

The Western Church has done a good job of relating how God has blinded the Jews for rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. But there's a whole history that precedes that event, and one that has continued after the Lord's crucifixion for daring to claim that He was the Son of God, who could forgive mankind's sins and rebellion. The Church has been so hyper-focused on the state of the Jew's unbelief that it has even created its own religious theory called Replacement Theology, which claims that "The Church" has replaced Israel as God's chosen people! That is a heretical charge that will only lead to dire repercussions for those who act on it. And it's one more reason why it's important for you to read and understand Romans 11, which completely debunks this theory.

From the first verse in the chapter, the Apostle Paul confronts the very question of Israel's standing with God. I love the Amplified version: "I say then, has God rejected and disowned His people"? Paul's answer: CERTAINLY NOT! And he speaks as an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin; as one who originally agreed with rejecting Jesus. He was known as a persecutor of the people of "The Way" [who were followers of Jesus who believed in His divinity]. He makes it very clear that God has known and specifically chosen Israel for His purpose. And then Paul relates the story of the prophet Elijah [whom God called to minister to Israel] and who pleads with God against Israel for their disobedience -- for tearing down God's altars and killing all the prophets, until only Elijah is left. 

Paul then asks the question of the reader, "But what is God's response to him [Elijah]"?  The answer? Among the disobedient, unfaithful, and rebellious Israelites, God has kept for Himself a remnant; a small believing minority according to His choice. Paul points out that Israel failed to obtain God's favor by obeying the Law, instead of His favor through belief in Jesus as the Messiah. But we see God's plan in the fact that there were a chosen few who did receive His favor. The rest became hardened and callously indifferent. Sadly, it continues until today. But lest you believe that this blindness is the ultimate fate of Israel forever, Paul continues his reasoning... has Israel stumbled [in order] to experience eternal spiritual ruin? Again, Paul answers his own question: CERTAINLY NOT! 

And here is where Paul reveals God's Divine Plan for mankind .... Because of Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, Christ's sacrifice has brought the opportunity to receive the gift of Salvation to the Gentiles [who were the unbelieving pagan peoples] in order to make His chosen people, Israel, realize what they forfeited, and hopefully jealous enough to seek Salvation for themselves. Then Paul puts forth a proposition for us all to consider: If Israel's rebellion and rejection of Jesus has brought us the richness of Salvation and a relationship with God ... how much more will we receive when their fulfillment and reinstatement takes place!! 

Paul, in a masterful stroke of debate, then addresses the Gentiles [us]. He confirms the thought that since He perceives God's plan for the ultimate fulfillment of Israel, and is bringing the Good News of Salvation to the Gentiles, he is actually increasing his ministry to his fellow Jews. He can speak to them as a Jew, revealing God's reasons for their hardening and hopefully, stirring them up so they will seek God's truth, and thereby see some of them [a remnant] saved. And he points out that "If the first portion of dough [offered as the first fruits of the harvest of souls] is declared holy, so is the whole batch. And if the root (Abraham and the patriarchs) are declared holy, so are the branches (the Israelites). We must remember that the first Believers in the Body of Christ [Christians, if you will] were Jewish -- that includes all the disciples and most of the authors of the Bible. So, if the conversion of these Jews [the first portion of the dough] was holy and good, then the whole batch will also be holy and good, when the complete harvest is brought in. And it is the complete harvest at the end of the age that we are awaiting!

Romans 11 then addresses the familiar passage about broken off branches and wild olive shoots, and the merging of the two through grafting. I have heard so many different explanations for what this passage means, but at its heart, it's really very simple. It reveals the entire olive tree as a picture of the people of God. The "Branches" are the Jews; the "wild olive shoot" represents the Christian Gentiles; the "nourishing root" is made up of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), who were the ancestors of the Israelites, called by God. We need to understand that our grafting in was by the sovereign will of God; it was not a natural occurrence to graft in a wild shoot to a natural branch. That would only result in an unfruitful harvest. But this grafting was by Divine Providence; not by anything we did to deserve it. In fact, Paul cautions the Gentile Believers, "Do not boast over the [broken] branches and exalt yourself at their expense... remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root that supports you".

This is where the modern-day Church has often missed the boat. The Christians who believe in Replacement Theology feel that Christianity and Christians are superior to Israel in God's eyes. Not true! We must understand that they were temporarily broken off because of their unbelief, and we were grafted in because of our faith. It is only by God's grace and kindness that we now enjoy His favor because we have believed in the truth of Christ's deity and sacrifice. We must see and understand that God did not spare the natural branches, not only because they continued trying to secure God's favor through their works of the Law, but also because of their rebellion in rejecting Jesus's deity.

BUT, I want to take a moment to take a look at a principle that must be discussed at this juncture in the post ... Here's an addendum to the understanding of the olive tree narrative. We will only remain grafted in [and seen as God's people] if we continue in our faith and obedience to Him. Paul says, "otherwise you, too, will be cut off ". If we, as a person, or a nation, think we are secure in God's kindness and grace because we call ourselves a "Believer", or "a Christian nation", and yet we do not respect the understanding that a future remnant of Israel will once again resume their place of honor in God's plan to save the whole world, then just being Saved will not deliver us from God's judgment. It is worth repeating Paul's words again: "Appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God ... continue in His kindness [through faith and obedience], or otherwise you, too, will be cut off". I am not saying we lose our Salvation. But I am saying we are jeopardizing His protection and His deliverance from judgment. Think very seriously about that! 

So, how do you think we, as a nation, will fare with God when you consider how we are treating Israel in the present circumstances in our world? It doesn't matter whether Israel and its leaders are acting righteously -- or not; if they currently see Jesus as their Messiah yet -- or not; if they resemble the righteous remnant that God says He will always have in Israel -- or not. It matters that there IS a remnant that will step into their position when God wills it! We must continue to exhibit our faith and obedience, strengthening that remnant for their position in world history! That is our purpose in God's plan!      

Now, I want to return to Paul's conversation, and one that I don't believe many Christians have been taught or discern ... Paul says if the unbelieving Jews do not continue in their unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again!  As Paul so eloquently articulates, "For if you [Gentile Christians] were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and against nature, were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier will it be to graft these who are the natural branches back into [the original parent stock of] their own olive tree"? Paul then lays out the foundation of his argument. We must not think ourselves wise enough to see the whole picture, but recognize that God [through Paul] was revealing what had before that moment in time, been hidden ... a partial hardening/blinding has [temporarily] happened to Israel [to last] until the full number of Gentiles have received Salvation. And only God knows what that number is, which is why we must continue to witness of the saving grace of Christ -- because it is all for the sake of Israel!!

You read that correctly! It will be because of us and our spreading of the Gospel that all Jews who have a personal faith in Jesus as their Messiah will call on the Name of the Lord and be Saved! Hallelujah! As hard as it may be for you to see God's plan, it is brilliant and full of mercy and love for all people! Yes, Israel and the Jews are [at the present time] enemies of God for our sake -- so that more may receive Salvation! But from God's standpoint they are still His chosen people and greatly loved by Him for the sake of the Fathers of our faith (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). And here is the verse that you need to grasp with all your heart and mind ... "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. [That means irreversible; binding; everlasting]. He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call". 

Know this! All of Israel who believes in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God will be Saved! It has always been God's plan that we understand this mystery. It has always been His plan to save the whole world through the fullness of Israel as His chosen people to carry out His plan. That fullness involves: 1) the full number who will be saved by calling on the Name of the Lord; 2) they will operate in full power from God; 3) they will operate in the full character of God; 4) they will enter into their full purpose as the world leadership who will shepherd nations to faith in Christ. 

So, can you understand that even though it may not look like it at the moment, God is working His plan! Israel's future is connected to His plan for the Body of Christ. And woe to those people and nations who interfere with that plan or work, hoping to destroy Israel. I am personally aware of the small remnant of Israelites and Jews who are stepping into their Divine role. I see God at work and trust that He will bring His kindness to those who support this holy remnant, and His severity to those who come against His chosen remnant. Pray that we as people and a nation make the right choices. Now is not the time to be disobedient and ignore God's warnings. For from Him and through Him all things live and exist; and to Him all things are directed. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.

Jeremiah 30:24.     The fierce [righteous] anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has fulfilled and until He has accomplished the intent of His heart [mind]; In the latter days you will understand this.    

  

Jesus Said: "I Have Told You These Things" ... All the Reasons to Be Aware

Once again, it is time for me to ask, How aware are you of what is going on in the world? Do you have a Biblical worldview? How do you identify as a Christian? It's important to know the answers to each of those questions, because I believe they will determine your chances of survival in our near future. Now, before you decide I'm a fear-monger and a conspiracy theorist, I assure you that I am a devout Christian with a dynamic relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Give me a chance to explain my reasons for presenting this discussion to you.

Consider this... Only those who choose to be blinded can ignore what is coming upon the earth. And it is hard for me to pretend that anything else is on my radar. Not only is Covid rearing its ugly head again in my community, but there is now a report that a man in New Mexico has died of Bubonic plague. The growing threat of Isis is back in Afghanistan. We see the explosion of crime and hatred across our country every night on TV. Nations are rising against nation; and the earth is being robbed of peace and stability. And that isn't even considering all the things that are happening in the earth, including floods, unprecedented and unusual weather events; plus volcanoes, earthquakes, and strange objects in the skies.

NOTE: The above paragraph is reminiscent of a blog post I wrote in 2014! Here we are ten years later, and I have to ask ... are you more or less aware than you were then? And I'm primarily talking to Christians because it is our responsibility as representatives of Heaven [here on earth] to not only defend the faith in Jesus Christ, but to expand it and spread the Good News. And what is that News? It is this: Salvation [and eternal life] is available through faith in Jesus, but also the Good News that entrance into His Kingdom [which He brought with Him] brings power and authority to defeat the wickedness and evil that is in the kingdom of darkness that Satan controls here on earth. We need to understand that Salvation is the first step, and there's more for us to do! 

That "doing" requires that we be aware of what we are facing! So, let me ask you another question or two ... are you the kind of Christian that just reads the Psalms that proclaim the love, mercy, grace, and victory that are part of our relationship with the Lord? Nothing wrong with that! We should be aware of His heart towards us, so that we can model that to others. That, too, is part of our purpose as His representatives; to help others come to their faith and salvation. But once they're saved, we need to encourage them that there is more.  

I would submit to you that Matthew 23 and 24 are well-known to faithful Christians. In these important chapters at the end of the Book of Matthew, Jesus begins warning His followers of what is to come. He warns against the distortion [of His Father's will] that Religion can bring, and the judgment that will come to the "self-righteous religious leaders and hypocrites, because they shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for they do not enter themselves, nor do they allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so" (Matthew 23:13). 

Jesus then continues delivering the remainder of His eight Woes against that generation of religious leaders for being fools and spiritually blind guides; for being prideful in their positions and not revealing the full counsel of God -- both His Mercy and His Judgment. At that time in history, He is lamenting over Jerusalem, who will be ransacked and left desolate; abandoned by God and destitute of His protection because the leaders of the Jewish faith have not carried out their purpose of equipping the people to walk in the full knowledge of God and their purpose, according to His will (Matthew 23:37-39).   

So, just think how He must be lamenting over us! Our political leaders and our religious leaders have fallen down on their duties to us. And we have fallen in our responsibilities and duties as Christians to the Kingdom of God! Jesus very clearly tells His followers in that first century -- and us in the 21st! -- that He has a warning of "perilous times" times that will come upon the world; especially those who believe in Him. We are all familiar with the signs of the End Times in Matthew 24. And I know that there are many Christians who are suffering emotional overload with the ceaseless warnings of doomsday prophets; and many live in fear, so they just can't look at it.

But as Christians we can't ignore what Jesus wants us to know. And I would like to share this quote from an article I read in the Wisconsin Christian News, titled There's Bo Excuse For Being Clueless: "Christians, especially, should never be ignorant of the devil's devices, and should always be the most informed and well-equipped of all, in order to be able to explain to others all that is really going on, along with the real hope we have in Christ". And here's my thoughts on this subject ... those who ignore the signs of the End Times do so at their own peril ... remember "My people perish [are destroyed] for the lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Refusing to look at the signs or be aware of them is exactly what the devil wants you to do! And guess what? You'll never see the devil's destruction coming!

But don't take my word for how important it is to be aware and knowledgeable about what is going on in our world. Let Jesus tell you, Himself, from John, Chapter 16 ... I have told you these things so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away (John 16:1) ... I have told you these things [now], so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them (John 16:4) ... I have told you these things in figurative language (veiled language, proverbs); the hour is now coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I will tell you plainly about the Father (John 16:25) ... I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy); I have overcome the world. (My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding). 

I think it goes without saying that we are living in times that many of us are not prepared for. But we can't say that we've had no warning. Jesus clearly told those "with ears to hear and eyes to see" that these times would one day come. If you are among those who have chosen to ignore the warnings or chosen not to see because of doubt and unbelief, or fear, then I want to encourage you to revisit your Bible and receive Jesus's instructions on how we should live out these days; what to do in the face of spiritual and physical warfare; how to lead others to Him; and how to overcome our Enemy for the sake of God's Kingdom. Rest and rely on the wisdom of Jesus and the Helper He has sent us to be victorious.

Jesus told His disciples in those days, I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. I believe that time has now come ... that we must learn to bear it, because I believe He is now beginning to reveal to His true Remnant what is coming. We are beginning to see clearly what He foretold 2000 years ago, and we are feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will guide us into the full and complete truth of God, disclosing to us what is to come [in the future]. And I bear witness to the dreams and visions that His Remnant are experiencing and they mirror the warnings given by our Lord in Matthew 24 and John 16. 

So, it is time that we all come out of our slumbering ignorance, get past our fears, and prepare for what is coming. I can tell you that hiding out in Religion is not going to spare you from what Jesus told you is going to happen in the world. Jesus told His disciples that the time would come when they would all scatter and leave Him alone. He knew that He was going to suffer, but He declared, And yet, I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. Do you know -- really know -- that holds true for us, too? Are you prepared to believe Him and all His promises?

John 16:15    All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Holy Spirit] will take from what is Mine and reveal it to you.  

What Spiritual Warfare On Behalf of the Kingdom of God Looks Like

In case you haven't noticed, we are in the midst of a serious and profound spiritual war. At the very heart of this concept is our understanding that there has been an eternal war between God, the Creator of the Universe and all that is in it, and His Enemy, Satan, whose pride led him to rebel against God and seek ownership of all creation. In case you doubt the reality of spiritual warfare, the evidence of this supernatural conflict can be seen in the evil and lawlessness among mankind; the present war posturing in the physical world; and everything in our midst that is counter to God's will.

Whenever I've brought up the subject of "spiritual warfare", I get one of several reactions. There are some Christians who react out of fear. They have been influenced by movies like The Exorcist or the slew of demonic films that feed our sense of being vulnerable and powerless against monsters and demons from the pit of hell. Then there are those who are at the other extreme; they refuse to recognize that spiritual warfare is real, and also unavoidable. They chalk it up to radical Christians who see a demon behind every bad thing that happens to people. Of course, there are also people [both Christian and nonbelievers] who simply do not believe in the supernatural or existence of spirits in this earthly realm.

The Apostle Paul clearly states some very clear principles regarding spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-12. First, it is assumed that we recognize that we are actually in a spiritual war -- a war waged from the spiritual realms by spiritual beings! Then he points out these realities about our position in this war ... 1) We can find our strength [to fight and win!] in the Lord and His mighty power; 2) The Lord has given us battle armor to protect us as we fight defensively and offensively; 3) The enemy we fight does not look like us -- it is not of human flesh and blood, but of spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, we cannot fight and defend from our human abilities. We must learn to battle with supernatural authority from God.

I think part of our problem is that the world does not believe in or embrace either the Great Commission that our Lord and Savior gave us to thwart the schemes of the devil to claim lives for his dark kingdom, or in our supernatural authority to defeat him. It's easy to see those schemes that kill, steal, and destroy lives ... iniquity in the family bloodline (such as molestation and sexual abuse); addictions; disease; emotional and psychological attacks; anything that creates low self-esteem, among many others. 

Jesus gave us the example of what His blood would eventually buy for us -- the ability to overcome those schemes through our spiritual relationship with Him and the commission He made available to us. [NOTE: our commission from Christ means that we have authority to perform a task or certain duties that He instructs and commands us to do. See Matthew 28:16-20, and Mark 16:14-19, keeping in mind that this passage uses idioms that would have been known to the hearers in that time period]. Sometimes He dealt with a demon and cast it out of a person. Sometimes, He simply declared that they were healed and washed clean. Other times He spit in His hand and made mud out of the dirt and applied it to a man's eyes. All of these examples are part of the Great Commission to His followers and disciples, and are forms of spiritual warfare.  

But the important thing to note is that Jesus took control over Satan's strategy to enslave that person, and set Jesus them free through the power of Heaven. That's what it can look like for us, too, when we enter His Kingdom here on earth and receive His strategies so that we can overcome Satan's. But, too often, we react to Satan's game plan instead of taking control of the situation in the power of the Lord. And our most common reaction is FEAR.

But did you know that Satan actually fears US because he knows we were created to rule over him? Satan knows that Jesus brought the Father's Kingdom government to the earth at His First Coming. And He knows those who have entered that Kingdom domain as citizens, and the spiritual authority they have been given. Therefore, Satan is intimidated by our intimate relationship with the Creator, which is why he tries to get us to accept fear in the battle. But when we refuse to step into that spiritual place of fear, and recognize if for the trap that it is, the devil knows his defeat is imminent.

 He recognizes that we are confident in our authority as Kingdom representatives and in the Lord's power. Satan realizes we are poised for victory! As part of our battle plan, we must always cling to God's promises, surround ourselves with people of strong faith, and be encouragers by sharing our testimonies of how the Lord has led us to triumph over the enemy. Remembering our history of victories in the Lord encourages us, too, and is a great practice to get into!

And it is important to come to the realization that God is never going to put us in a situation or send us into a spiritual battle that is above our level of obedience. He will not subject us to something over our heads, causing us to turn from our commission. He wants to see us win! If we are committed to fighting a battle for the Kingdom of God, in the center of His will and out of righteous obedience, then He will equip us to win. It's when we step outside that safe place of His will, that we receive self-inflicted war wounds. 

So, I just want to reiterate how important it is for the Body of Christ to not only be aware of the spiritual war that is waging all around us, but to get into battle mode -- be obedient to the instructions and will of the Lord; and be ready to fight both offensively and defensively, as He leads you. Be so confident in your victory, and the ability of your armor to protect you, that the Enemy cowers in fear of you, knowing you will not only recognize his strategies, but have the power of the Lord behind you to defeat him ... the power of His blood that bought your salvation; the Lord's righteousness as your breastplate; God's Truth as your belt; the readiness to always spread the Gospel of Peace as your shoes; your faith [and God's faithfulness to you]  as your shield; and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

I want to leave you with the wise words of Pastor Bill Johnson on this subject of spiritual warfare: We were born in a war. There are no time-outs, no vacations, no leaves of absence. The safest place is in the center of God's will, which is in a place of deep intimacy. There He allows only the battles to come our way that we are equipped to win. Not only is this the safest place, it is the most joyful place for each believer. Outside of intimacy, we are likely to miss the greatest event on earth ... the finale and climax of His Kingdom on earth! 

Remember: we were born for a time such as this. All the mayhem and chaos we see in the world is not going to go away, "if we just try to get along". But we need not fear! We have the resources of Heaven that have been made available to us to ensure our victory, on earth and in the spiritual realms. Christ's blood covers us in the present spiritual war, and those to come! 

2 Thessalonians 3:3   But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one.

The Body of Christ Needs a Damascus Encounter

 Before I embark on today's blog topic, I just want to comment on the landmark and  unanimous Supreme Court decision that allows Donald Trump to remain on the ballot in Colorado, and which will pave the way for his victory in other states who seek to bar him from their state ballots. Make no mistake ... this is not a partisan article supporting Trump. But it is a moment of applause for the 9 Justices who stayed steadfast in their commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. As I stated in my previous post, "If there are no righteous judges, there is no rule of law, and no nation". For the time being, at least, our Constitution remains the bedrock foundation of our national stability through adherence to our laws. I do not expect that this victory will go unchallenged, so I adjure you all to pray, thanking God for preserving our legal system and asking Him to hold the line against unrighteous forces seeking to destroy our country. And let us continue to do our part in retaining our liberties.

As I've continued in my Bible study on the Book of Romans, I am in awe of how Paul is able to appeal to both Jew and Gentile alike that God is the God of all people; that His righteousness and justification is available to all; and those who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and who believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. And I am equally in awe of the instruction that He must have received from the Risen Christ to become an Apostle to the Gentiles. If you will recall, Paul [as Saul] was a persecutor of Christians, and extremely zealous for the traditions and religion of his Jewish ancestors, many of which were established during the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people. 

I will confess that I am no scholar of the Jewish religion, but it is my rudimentary understanding that because the Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar during the Siege of Jerusalem in 587 BC, the Jews who were transported to Babylon no longer had their ancient scrolls and Temple documents by which to follow the teachings of their faith. So over the period of their exile, their religion was "reformed" by elements of the Babylonian and Persian belief systems; including the beliefs in the ideas of angels and demons; a figure that would become known as "Satan"; and the idea of judgment at the end of one's life. 

Additionally, new "laws" were added to God's statutes and commandments in Torah, resulting in a much-expanded [and bloated, restrictive] set of religious regulations. The language of Judaism was different as well, with the people of the exile now speaking Aramaic as well as their native Hebrew. And this period in Jewish history is also where the beginning of what came to be known as "Jewish mysticism" began to take root among the community of believers. This oral tradition, which would eventually become known as Kaballah, claimed to have secret knowledge of the unwritten Torah, as communicated by God to Moses and Adam. This mystical approach to God grew religious dimensions down through the centuries and still exits today. 

So, I can only imagine that the encounter Paul had with Jesus on that road to Damascus, as well as the additional three years of instruction, rocked his world and greatly altered his "religious" mindset (see Galations 1:11-18). His pride in his "Jewishness" must have been shattered as he realized how easy it was for men and circumstances to corrupt the purpose of God and His plan for His followers. What Paul thought was his witness of righteousness was, instead, offensive to God -- that instead of fortifying God's "true faith", he was destroying it!

Can any different assumption be said about us? Are we distorting the Gospel of Christ as well? Have we let men -- both those who claim to be spokesmen from God, and those who defiantly oppose Him -- convince us that the revelations of Christ need to be reformed? It almost seems to me that the true revelation of Christ in His Word is now declared to be the perversion; that's how far we have wandered! And the more I seek His voice and His Truth, the more I am ridiculed and doubted for adopting wrong teaching. Believe me, I do not claim that others should agree with me; only that they have a heart to seek His righteous and true revelation. 

And regarding that thought, I will steadfastly assert He still desires to meet with us and set our thinking and false religion aright. Oh, how I wish the Body of Christ would make themselves available to the supernatural nature of Jesus! The limitations we have put on Him, while giving ourselves permission to redefine Him, are only going to restrict our ability to walk in the identity, power, and authority He died to give us -- the very power and authority that we are going to need to walk in our righteous identities as overcomers and victors, preserving mankind against the powers of Evil that are poised to crush us. The Body of Christ doesn't need more religion! We need a Damascus encounter to escalate the Kingdom in every life!   

Galatians 1:11-12     For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.