MULTIPLE PROPHECIES REVEAL GOD’S ULTIMATE PLAN FOR THE COSMOS

One of the most outstanding features of the Bible is that within the text we find constant reminders of the amazing plan of God established even before the creation of the cosmos. His plan is told to us over and over, as we read through the text, page by page. The more one reads the Scriptures, the more these “veiled” prophecies are revealed, and the more our faith in God is established line upon line.

Many of these prophetic clues are placed within some of the sections of Scripture that many of us skim through on our way to the more exciting portions. It is also important to remember that the Bible was not meant to be read as if it were a linear timeline, but as a cyclical experience. With this in mind, every page we turn connects with those pages that come after and with those that came before.

These “veiled” prophecies seem to simply be a part of the text being spoken or written as we first read them, but when we add them to the fullness of the Scriptures, they become hints of promises and fulfilment of promises.

ARK OF THE COVENANT: Make two angels (cherubim) of gold, from hammered work, at the two ends of the atonement cover. Make one angel at one end and one angel at the other end. Of one piece with the atonement cover you are to make the cherubim at its two ends. The angels are to spread out their wings above, shielding the atonement cover with their wings, each facing its companion. The faces of the  angels are to be turned toward the atonement cover.”

Note the top of the ark was called the atonement cover. In John 11:12-14 on resurrection morning when Miriam looked into the open tomb where Jesus had been laid what does she find? She finds the place where Yeshua, our atonement, was placed on top of, and two angels who stood one on one side and one on the other.

What a beautiful fulfilment of the purpose of the Ark of the Covenant picture noted in Exodus 20! To understand more fully, remember the purpose of the Ark was to carry the Testimony of God. Now think about this. Just as many of the people of Israel didn’t recognise Messiah’s sacrifice that provided atonement, Miriam, like many others, was too caught-up in the tragedy of Yeshua’s death to see the fullness of God’s plan of redemption. She looked directly at the place where Jesus, our atonement, was placed and where two angels stood facing each other and still didn’t see what was in front of her eyes, until she was asked point blank, “Who are you looking for?”

Many, many “veiled” prophecies are placed in the Scriptures so that as events take place, we will recognise the plan of God being fulfilled before our eyes.

 

“DARKNESS IS DESCENDING ON OUR REGION”, NETANYAHU WARNS

Speaking before the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a clear and present danger facing the world: the threat of a nuclear Iran. It was good to hear him quote Scripture  – the Book of Esther.

“Darkness is descending on our region,” Netanyahu warned, naming “radical tyranny” as the force behind Tehran’s quest to build an “aggressive empire” that includes Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen and more—all in a quest to seek Israel’s destruction.

He condemned President Obama’s 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and said Iran its proxies are looking for ways to attack Israel.

“Last week, we read in the Book of Esther about an earlier Persian attempt to exterminate our people. They failed then. They’ll fail now.”

“In addition to moving its army, its air force, its navy to Syria to be able to attack Israel from closer hand—it’s also seeking to develop, to build precision-guided missile factories in Syria, Lebanon against Israel. I will not let that happen,” he vowed, before praising President Donald Trump for his firm stance against a nuclear Iran.

“President Trump has made it clear that his administration will not accept Iran’s aggression in the region. He has made clear that he too will never accept a nuclear-armed Iran. That is the right policy. I salute President Trump on this,” Netanyahu said.

“And the president has also made it clear that if the fatal flaws of the nuclear deal are not fixed, he will walk away from the deal and restore sanctions,” he added. “Israel will be right there by America’s side, and let me tell you, so will a hundred countries in the region.

Netanyahu concluded by reminding those present that the “wellspring” of the U.S. and Israel’s enduring friendship was their shared values, under girded by a strong faith in God.

“They come from a certain book—a great book, a good book. It’s called the Bible,” Netanyahu told the audience. “It says that all of us are created in the image of God.”

“These values are an inseparable part of America’s story,” he continued. “They’re an inseparable part of Israel’s story. And today we’re writing a new chapter of our common story—a story of freedom, of justice, of peace, of hope.”

“And it’s because we’re inspired by the same ideas because we’re animated by the same values that America and Israel have forged, an eternal bond that can never ever be broken,” he said.

“LAST DAYS” BIBLE PROPHECY – SURROUNDING ARABIC NATIONS WILL ATTACK ISRAEL

Turkish newspaper’s illustration of “Army of Islam” attacking Israel. Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)

Turkish newspaper's illustration of "Army of Islam" attacking Israel. (MEMRI)

A Turkish newspaper with close ties to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for the formation of a joint Islamic army to fight Israel. Is this a fulfilment of Biblical prophecy?

“For behold, Your enemies make a tumult;
And those who hate You have lifted up their head.
They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”
For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You.” Psalm 83:2-5

On Dec. 12, 2017, ahead of the summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, the Turkish daily Yeni Şafak, which is close to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling AKP party, published an article titled “A Call for Urgent Action,” which also appeared on the paper’s website under the title “What If an Army of Islam Was Formed Against Israel?”

PROPHECY WATCH: 57 Muslim nations urged to besiege Israel

The article called on the 57 member states of the OIC to form a joint “Army of Islam” to besiege and attack the state of Israel. It notes that such a joint army will greatly exceed the Israeli army in manpower, equipment and budget, and presents statistics to prove this.

It also advocates establishing joint bases for the army’s ground, air and naval forces that will arrive from all over the Muslim world to besiege Israel, while noting that Pakistan, as the only nuclear country, has “a special status” among the OIC countries. An interactive map provides information on military forces stationed in various locations and the role they can play in the potential joint Muslim attack on Israel.

The following are excerpts from the Yeni Şafak article:

“If the OIC member states unite and form a joint military force, it will be the largest army in the world. These countries’ total population is 1,674,526,931. The number of soldiers in active service in these countries is at least 5,206,100. Their [overall] military defence budget, of $174,728,420, is also worthy of emphasis.

“As for Israel, it is significantly inferior. The population of this country, which attempted to occupy Jerusalem while surrounded by Muslim states, is 8,049,314. Note that the population of Istanbul alone exceeds 14 million. The number of soldiers in active service in the [Israeli] occupation forces is 160,000, and [Israel’s] defense budget is approximately $15,600,000,000.

“Defence Budget: OIC: $174,728,420,000; Israel: $15,600,000,000. Population: OIC: 1,674,526,931; Israel: 8,049,314. Soldiers: OIC: 5,206,100; Israel: 160,000″

“In a possible military operation, the first step is expected to involve 250,000 soldiers, and the establishment of joint land, air and naval bases for use in the short term. 500 tanks and armored vehicles, 100 war planes, 500 attack helicopters and 50 warships and submarines can be mobilized.”

“The war planes that will be dispatched to the region from greater distances will be stationed in airbases [closer to Israel]. Israel will most likely to be besieged by the naval fleets that will be sent to the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

“Turkey will serve as an important headquarters during the operation, due to its land, air and naval infrastructures. The Turkish army, which carried out ‘Operation Euphrates Shield’ [in Syria in 2017] with great success, is now ranked the world’s seventh strongest army, and the second largest army among the NATO powers. Turkey has approximately 4,000 tanks and 1,000 war planes and other aircraft. Its navy made significant progress during the last years, with 194 vessels at its disposal.

“As the only country which possesses nuclear weapons, Pakistan has an important status among the 57 Muslim [OIC] countries… Those who believe that they are the owners of Jerusalem today will not find a single tree to hide behind tomorrow.

“In a statement, Malaysian Defence Minister [Hishammuddin] Hussein described Trump’s recognition [of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital] as a blow to Muslims, and added: ‘The Malaysian armed forces are ready to fulfil their duty regarding Jerusalem.’

God has brought Trump in to support Israel at a critical time in its history. Also, Biblical prophecy tells us that we will see a Shia/Sunni battle for dominance play out before an attack on Israel and this already seems underway, as presented in recent posts.

 

EXTREMES OF CHRISTIANITY: WHICH TRULY EXPRESSES JESUS EXAMPLE?

Simple missional forms of church were normal in the first century – and are proving relevant for today. Here are some insights on the early church taken from the New Testament. 1. All NT churches met in homes, 2. There were multiple churches in each community that loved on its people, 3. All members of the church participated, 4. Church was not a building Christians went to or a denomination they belonged to. Christians were church in their community. 5. Households provided natural leadership for home churches, 6. Paul did appoint ‘overseers’ to foster these networks. These were mature believers, not given to power seeking – but encouragers, able to facilitate disciple making and the planting of new churches, 7. They were relational communities – eating, serving, sharing. Christians shared in Sabbath fellowship, Communion, Scripture reading and prayers. There is no tension over culture or ethnicity. 8. They were ‘zero dollar’ – but high cost church plants. First century believers shared faith with family, friends and neighbours, inviting them to their homes. High cost because it is a sacrifice of time and energy to share faith with family and social networks. Offerings help with rent, food for someone who has lost their job or a struggling family. Maybe to assist school expenses for a single mum or support another church start up. 9. Church structures are simple and Holy Spirit directed. No hierarchical structures, 10. Churches easily reproducible. Disciples made disciples and baptised them and in turn they made disciples. 11. They are the best environment to hand on faith.

Developed from article by Peter Rosenfeldt. Check out his website http://www.newlifechurch.com

PASTOR IN INDIA

A pastor in India who was known for long five- to six-hour prayer sessions was found beaten, tortured and hung to death from the rafters of his church, parishioners said. The murder has deeply shocked the congregation.

Morning Star News reported on Sunday that the body of pastor Gideon Periyaswamy of Maknayeem Church in southern India was found early Saturday morning. His death comes after he had complained about Hindu extremists.

Pastor Azariah Reuben, a close friend of the 43-year-old victim, said that Periyaswamy converted from Hinduism 25 years ago, and has served as pastor in Adayachery for more than 12 years, becoming known as a “prayer warrior.”

“The local Hindus were not happy with growing Christianity,” Reuben said. “They had several times tried to stop the ministry.”

PASTOR IN THE U.S.A

Kenneth Copeland’s ministry announced last Friday the acquisition of the “debt free” jet, which hit the market with a $36 million price tag in 1998. The ultra-long-range business jet can accommodate up to four crew members and 14 passengers in an executive configuration, according to Gulfstream. It is unclear how much Copeland’s ministry paid for the jet but A V Buyer says they currently have the lowest priced Gulfstream V on the market priced at just under $6 million.

“Father we thank you so and I’m asking you now sir, according to your word, bless our partners beyond measure. Yes, in the name of Jesus. For you said in 2002, ‘I’m sending you new partners who are very strong financially and they will obey me.

And I will increase your longtime partners and they will obey me,” Copeland, 81, said in a prayer of thanksgiving for the new jet.

“And you will not come short. And you will not fail. And you will not lack. And you will not come behind and you will not be diminished. Praise God,” he said of his donors.

 

GOD WILL RESTORE ISRAEL: HE IS FAITHFUL

Will God restore Israel? No question, the wayward child will be restored. He is faithful. His promises are not dependent on Israel being faithful just as His promises to the church don’t depend upon our faithfulness.

He will return to save them, restore them, and rule and reign from a restored Jerusalem for one thousand years (Millennial reign). Good to hear Joel Richardson devastate the Preterist view (a perverted and evil view) of end times.

The primary focus and prophetic burden of all the O.T. prophets is the return of the Messiah and the events that surround His coming. God was gracious to show each one of them the end of the story – the “Day of the Lord” when he comes to defeat Israel’s enemies and He rules and reigns from Jerusalem in the Millennium.

Joel does a great job of unpacking the different positions held on the identity of  Mystery Babylon.

EVENTS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE BEFORE JESUS RETURNS

“Now when they are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction comes on them, like labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.” 1 Thess 5:3–4

Paul’s reassurance to the Thessalonians implies that they were anxious that they might not escape the day of the Lord and therefore endure God’s wrath. Paul confirms Christians will be raptured before God’s wrath is poured out on an unbelieving world. It is at the end of the sixth seal being opened that His wrath commences: “For the great day of His wrath has come who can stand.” (Rev. 6:17) The seven trumpet and seven bowl judgements are the wrath of God.

Note, Paul contrasts the ungodly, who will not escape because Christ is coming back as a thief for them (as in the days of Noah) , with believers who are obedient-vigilant and “not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.” Incidentally, this reassuring promise undermines the pretribulational notion that Jesus is secretly coming back as a thief for his church.

During the Antichrist’s great tribulation, the world will experience peace and security for those who are loyal to him. Hence, Paul prophesies that the world will be saying, “There is peace and security” before Jesus returns to mete out His day of the Lord’s wrath upon the wicked.

The church will be here to witness the ungodly exclaiming that they are experiencing peace and safety. This prophecy that Paul mentions undermines imminence because it will happen before, not after, the rapture.

This is just another prophesied event in a long series of intervening events that will happen before the rapture—rendering the pretribulation teaching of imminence contradictory in light of this biblical evidence. [1]

The peace and safety will be illusory, a false security for unbelievers, because eventually unforeseen calamity will come upon them just as unexpected labour pains come upon a pregnant woman.

We should be careful not to confuse Paul’s use of the birth pangs analogy with Jesus’ purpose in using the same phrasing in the Olivet Discourse (“All these things are the beginning of birth pains,” Matt 24:8). Paul uses the phrase in a completely different application. Jesus applies the birth pangs metaphor to particular events before the .Antichrist’s great tribulation, while Paul applies it to the situation of the onset of the day of the Lord’s wrath  after the great tribulation.

For a more in depth coverage go to alankurschner.com – The Prophecy – “There is peace and security” contradicts Pretribulation Theology.

PREPARE FOR PERSECUTION AS YOU STAND ON THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD

Paul provides the model of how to behave in the dark days ahead and how to finish strongly. Jesus told us that in the “last days” the love of many will grow cold. There will be a great falling away in the church (Apostasy), even the elect deceived.

Image result for pictures of gay church

Note many friends will leave you as they did Paul, “Demas in love with this present world has deserted me.” If you are doing God’s will, many will harm you as they did Paul “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm”. In fact, Paul says, “no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.” BUT Paul also says, “the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the (GOSPEL) message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. 

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defence no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:6-18

CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN INTENSIFIES

In the video below Joel Richardson provides an update on events unfolding in Saudi Arabia and how that affects the prophesied next Next Middle East Wars in Daniel 8. Probably, the next prophesied event on the last days calendar is Iran’s invasion (two horned ram in Daniel 8:20) north, west and south (“I watched the ram as he charged toward the west, and the north and the south. No animal could stand against him and none could rescue from his power. he did as he pleased and became great.” Daniel 8:4). Iran has already moved into Syria, Iraq and Lebanon and Israel is aware and reacting as this report from Arab Media acknowledges.

According to Arab media, Israel has increased the frequency of its military activity in Syria, specifically, to prevent Iran from gaining a permanent foothold in the country.

The Israel Air Force recently struck four Iranian facilities, including a well-publicized attack last month on an installation located in Al-Kiswah, just south of the Syrian capital where Tehran is believed to have been constructing a weapons depot.

Additionally, Israeli jets targeted sites in Hisya, near Homs, Jamariya, west of Damascus and Masyaf. The facilities are reportedly involved in military research, the production of surface-to-air missiles—which could threaten Israel’s air superiority—and function as personnel bases. The report says that Iran has started to build installations within civilian industrial areas, leading security experts to assume that Tehran is attempting to hide the existence of such centres in order to shelter them from attack.

Image result for pictures of Israel defence forces in Golan Heights

Israeli soldiers patrol along the border fence between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and Syria

The development is drawing parallels to Iran’s strategy in Lebanon, where its proxy the Hizbullah terrorist group has built offensive capabilities within towns and villages in proximity to the border with Israel. Jerusalem has repeatedly vowed to prevent Iran from establishing any military infrastructure in Syria, especially within the Golan Heights, which could be used to open up another front against Israel in a future conflict with Hizbullah.

Concern is growing that Tehran could be compelled to strongly retaliate should its Syrian assets continue to be targeted. (Medialine)

This is a very serious matter requiring ongoing intercession privately and in your prayer groups. Israel’s northern borders are endangered by numerous enemies. The strongest and potentially most dangerous are the Lebanon-based Hizbullah terrorist group—heavily backed by Iran—and Iran itself that is embedding its military resources in Syria. Iran has threatened numerous times to “wipe out Israel.”

REALITY OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

Good to see this video from Torben about the reality of his experience when sharing the GOSPEL on the streets. When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples His instructions were:

EXPECT PERSECUTION

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household.” Matthew 10:16-25

HAVE NO FEAR

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.Matthew 10:26-33

NOT PEACE BUT A SWORD

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.Matthew 10:34-39

ETERNAL REWARDS

?Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.Matthew 10:40-42

 

END TIMES SIGN – ECONOMIC COLLAPSE

A “LAST DAYS” PROPHETIC EVENT IS UPON US AS ECONOMISTS REALISE THE WORLD’S DEBT IS BEYOND RECOVERY. THE WORLD HAS NEVER BEEN AS INDEBTED AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.

 

In the month of October, 2017 alone, the US national debt has soared by nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars.

The government of the largest, most important economy in the world is completely, woefully bankrupt. And its rate of decline is accelerating.

You’d think this would be on the front page of every major newspaper in the world. But it’s not. It’s shrugged off as par for the course, as if accumulating historic levels of debt is somehow consequence-free. And this complacency is what I find the MOST bizarre. Consider the following: the US government spends nearly the ENTIRETY of its tax revenue on Social Security, Medicare, and Interest on the Debt. Throw in national defence spending and the budget deficit is already hundreds of billions of dollars.

The only realistic way out is for the US government to eventually capitulate… and default. 

This could mean selectively defaulting on holders of US debt (for example– the Chinese, Japanese, Federal Reserve, Social Security Trust Fund, etc.);  one day Uncle Sam simply stops paying.

Or it could mean defaulting on promises made to citizens, like providing a strong national defense, maintaining a stable currency, or paying out Social Security benefits as advertised.

Each of these scenarios has its own particular consequences, ranging from steep inflation to a full-blown global financial crisis.

Bottom line, there is no possible rosy scenario here for the USA and Europe is in a worse debt crisis.  As the global economy is interrelated, if major trading blocks like the Eurozone or countries like the US or China go into recession, it’s likely to affect economic growth around the world.

Sadly, as Jesus prophesied  in the last days there would be a great falling away in the church, even the elect being deceived. This is most evident in the denominational church which is compromising with the world on issues such as gay marriage, homosexual leaders in the church, evolution and billions of years.

Make sure you are in a Bible believing church that understands we are in the “last days” and is equipping the Saints to bring in the harvest. As the world gets darker our light will shine brighter. Our joy and hope in the Lord will be evident and the power of God on display with healing and miracles following. Live eternal NOW.