PROPHETIC PRAYER DIRECTION FOR 2023

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Rick Ridings heads up Succat Hallel, 24-hour worship and prayer in Jerusalem.

Succat Hallel (Hebrew for Tent of Praise) is a dynamic community of worshippers and intercessors from five continents drawn together to stand as watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem.

The Lord brought Rick & Patricia Ridings to Jerusalem in 1999 to birth Succat Hallel. It began in their living room in February 2000 and grew into watches in various locations. In November 2004, the Lord opened the door for Succat Hallel to relocate to a beautiful facility overlooking Mount Zion and the Old City of Jerusalem. Since then they have been crying out day and night 24/7 – until He makes Jerusalem a praise in all the earth.

I met Rick Ridings at an ICCC Conference in Jerusalem in 2018. He was one of the keynote speakers. He made a number of prophecies at the conference that have subsequently come to pass so I feel confident about posting his prophetic prayer direction for 2023.

PROPHETIC PRAYER DIRECTION FOR 2023

A keyword I am hearing for this next season is “contend”. The Webster dictionary: struggle to surmount (a difficulty). The key scripture is Matthew 11:12:

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.” Matthew 11:12 [NASB]

We must contend to wait upon the Lord in praise and worship and to do only what He is leading us to do. This is not a season where we can afford to move in reaction to what the enemy is doing, or out of our emotions. We must be serious about inquiring of the Lord, doing only what He is leading us to do, and in His timing and ways. Only that which is born of God will overcome the world.

In times of financial shakings, we must not be led by finances, but truly lean into the Lord as our Source. He will release the resources for what is truly His Kingdom’s work. But the resources will increasingly be cut off from that which promotes men’s kingdoms rather than His Kingdom.

We must contend for the destiny of children and youth.

As we train and release children and youth into becoming worshippers, they will not be stolen by the enemy, but will instead plunder the enemy.

Where this becomes a priority, there are children and youth who will move in signs and wonders. There will be children and youth used in mighty ways to evangelize.

They will lead the way in demonstrations of the Kingdom of God in public places with healings and deliverance from demons. But they will be protected as they have a foundation of regular worship, and they are overseen by true spiritual fathers and mothers.

We must contend to “turn back the battle at the gates” of government, high-tech, media, and education.

This is a season where: “He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” Isaiah 28:6 [NIV]

There will be some major victories in certain nations that have had a widespread 2 Chronicles-7:14 prayer movement, such as what recently happened in Kenya. In Kenya, during August and September 2022, both the chairman of the electoral commission and the Supreme Court publicly admitted they had been harassed and intimidated by forces trying to get them to overturn the election of a strong Christian president, but that they stood fast for truth and justice.

We must contend for more of this in Africa. And that Africa will arise into a new season of many “sheep nations” emerging, and certain nations becoming models of nation-building.

In other nations, there will be the need for patience and perseverance. Of a kind exhibited by those who prayed for so many years for the reversal of the “Roe vs. Wade” liberalization of abortion by the Supreme Court of the USA.

We must contend to not allow the enemy to escalate regional conflicts into a premature World War III.

Many years ago, I shared that the Lord had shown me that, when the harvest started to break through in some of the most difficult nations (such as Iran and Afghanistan), the enemy would try, as he succeeded in doing in World War I, to stop a major missions-and-harvest movement by inciting a world war.

But I felt the prayer movement could receive the “Rees Howells” mantle and anointing to intercept this strategy of the enemy.

We must contend that the Chinese Communist Party will not be allowed to succeed in military or economic global domination.

The Lord gave Patricia (my wife) a key understanding in Isaiah 26:20,21-27:1 that after a time of many “hiding in their rooms” (which could be applied to the COVID restrictions), the Lord would expose the shedding of innocent blood (as has happened in many nations).

Then in Isaiah 27:1, it says: “On that day the Lord will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, with His fierce and great and mighty sword, Even Leviathan the twisted serpent; And He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.” Isaiah 27:1 [NASB]

We believe that a key strategy to contend against this dragon spirit is to pray that the sword of the Lord is released to cut and bring division between those influenced by the dragon spirit in the leadership of the CCP. Thus thwarting the plans of that demonic principality.

We must contend for the crumbling of ancient religious strongholds, and for a great harvest in the region from the Pacific islands back to Jerusalem.

I received visions in 2014 of a great underwater activity near the international dateline, releasing a tsunami of glory and harvest, shaking and crumbling ancient strongholds, such as the demonic powers behind ancestor worship, idolatry, Shintoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.

I sensed it was not yet time then. But on January 15th, 2022, I received a strong confirmation that now is the time when there was an underwater volcanic eruption near the international dateline.

Scientists have said it was so powerful that it needed a new “ultra classification”; that it released a tsunami that reached the Atlantic and the Mediterranean; that it released “Lamb Waves” circling the globe and sound waves that sounded like a bell rung three times around the globe; and that it shook the atmosphere even unto outer space.

We must contend, as is written in Isaiah 60, for the acceleration of His light and glory arising over Jerusalem during a time when “thick darkness” is being released in the nations.

This is a time to contend that there be places of “open heavens” in Jerusalem where righteous world leaders can receive wisdom from the Lord; where Israel will receive great financial wealth from the seas; where business alliances will strengthen with the Arabian Peninsula.

But with such a move in that region, even Saudis will bring not only wealth but also praise to the God of Israel in Jerusalem. For a great Aliyah of Jews returning from the West; and for blessings to come upon nations aligning with the Lord’s plans and purposes for Israel.

May we all stay in the place of worship, rise above the circumstances resulting from shakings, and see from His perspective where we are seated in heavenly places in the Messiah Jesus. May we hear His voice of how to contend and take territory for His Kingdom and glory as His unshakable Kingdom emerges in the continuing shakings.

GOD IS USING DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS PROPHECY TO SAVE JEWS TODAY! (Video Testimony)

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Daniel’s 70 Weeks Prophecy gives the Jews a timeline from their return from Babylonian captivity until a time of everlasting righteousness in relation to their Messiah and His time on this earth. It even reveals their Messiah will be cut off (killed) and Jerusalem destroyed. Likewise, Isaiah reveals a Messiah who is a suffering servant on whom God “has laid on him the iniquity of us all“. The Jews have this information of a first and second coming of their Messiah in their Torah so how come they reject Jesus. The video testimony by Dennis Karp is revealing.

Isaiah Prophecy

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6

The Seventy Weeks Prophecy

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end, there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” Daniel 9:24-27

When Dennis’ coworker invited him to a Messiah in the Passover presentation, he accepted with the goal of proving the speaker wrong—but Dennis was not prepared for what he would hear!

101 ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES THAT PROVE THE BIBLE IS AN ACCURATE HISTORICAL RECORD

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Secular archaeologists have spent 200 years attempting to establish that the Bible is a collection of mythology and Jewish/Christian propaganda, yet archaeological evidence is more consistent with the Bible as an accurate historical document. In Unearthing the Bible, Dr Titus Kennedy isolates and illuminates 101 archaeological discoveries that buttress the thesis that the Bible is a reliable historical record by the traditionally recognized authors at the traditionally accepted times they lived.

Kennedy’s book should be in the hands of everyone serious about a historical study of the Bible. Sketching 101 intersections between God’s Word and archeological evidence, Kennedy crafts a sturdy structure of information and argument that makes clear that belief in the truth, accuracy, and reliability of the biblical narrative is not merely possible, but it is sensible and rational. Indeed, it takes a full dose of willful blindness and/or intellectual dishonesty to refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy and implications of some of these artifacts. Complete with photographs and translations of ancient inscriptions, a helpful principle of organization, and explanations that are clear and coherent, the book is a genuinely useful tool. No fair-minded reader can deny the book’s success in demonstrating that ancient events left behind extensive evidence that the biblical narrative is accurate.

As Kennedy notes on page 9, “the Bible has been routinely attacked and disregarded on the basis of history or archeology.” Unearthing the Bible challenges those attacks and dismissals head-on. The book cites the biblical passages related to each artifact, anchoring the archaeological context with the date and location of each piece’s discovery, a note on the biblical period in question, keywords, and citations of related biblical passages. The reader’s sense and understanding of the relevance of each artifact to the scriptural record grows as the array of archaeological discoveries increases in number and characteristic. In the end, a reader hostile to a biblical worldview may still ‘attack’, but ‘disregarded’ is no longer an option.

 Kennedy’s book is a collection of convincing illustrations that scientific evidence does not contradict God’s Word. Just as biology, geology, chemistry, and physics are consistent with the Bible, the evidence found in archaeology is consistent with the Bible.

MILLENNIAL KINGDOM – LAW & ORDER

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Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them like earthenware. Psalm 2:8–9 NASB

“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” Isaiah 11:14

“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.” Isaiah 60:12

“Thus says the Lord, “I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.” (Zechariah 8:3 NASB)

In the parable of the talents, Jesus tells the faithful slaves who have doubled their wealth that they will rule cities. I believe by our faithfulness we will have proved ourselves capable of ruling cities in the Millennium.

“Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.” Daniel 7:27 NASB

“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” 1 Corinthians 6:2

In the Millennium the law and order that God set up for Israel will apply, particularly the Sabbath, Shemitah, and the Jubilee for debt forgiveness and restoration of the land. As well, most of the Feast Days will apply. It will not be enough for people to say that “I love my neighbor”; They must actually invest in their material well-being.

No doubt the death penalty will be reintroduced and is part of Jesus and the Saints ruling with a rod of iron during the Millennium. Moreover, evil deeds will be judged and dealt with speedily.

“Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11

We know that when Satan is released at the end of the Millennium he is still able to raise an army like the sand of the sea to come against Jesus and the Saints. Just as Satan in the presence of God and the angels in heaven, he was able to convince one-third of the angels to rebel against God, on earth, at the end of the Millennium, Satan is able to convince many people who were born during the Millennium to rebel against Jesus and the Saints.

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:7-10

It must be remembered what the Lord said about the wickedness of man at the time of Noah.

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5

“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:21-23

How is your heart are you in rebellion against God and His Kingdom? If you are, you will shortly face the wrath of God that is poured out with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. At the end of Jesus’ Millennial reign is the second resurrection when you will be judged at the White Throne and then thrown into the Lake of Fire where you face a second death.

“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

For more on the Millennial Kingdom please go to my new website which is in development http://www.millennialkingdom.net and please click on the link on the Home Page to get the Newsletter advising you of new resources being made available on the website.

Click on RESOURCES to Download the FREE six Powerpoint Presentations on Israel:

  1. God and Israel – Nations are God’s idea – As we approach the time when Jesus will set up His Millennial Kingdom on earth from a renewed Jerusalem. It is helpful to look at why and how God initially set up His nation Israel. God initially set up nations at the Tower of Babel when He confused the languages. Nations are God’s idea and they were made for His purposes. Even before the Israelites entered the Propmise Land, Moses told the people prophetically all that would happen to them including their being cast out of the land and being dispersed all over the world but God would gather them back to the land and eventually their promised Messiah will rule the nations from new Jerusalem.
  2. Israel: History & Purpose – Israel is God’s vehicle to bring salvation to all the world. God created Israel to be His “Kingdom” on earth. Nine times, He described the Land of Israel as His “Land”—“the place He has chosen as the dwelling place for His Name.” The covenant with Abraham is described as “everlasting” or “forever”. Israel’s rebirth in 1948 after almost 1900 years was a miracle, a miracle which Jesus prophesied in the Olivet Discourse (parable of the fig tree) as the first major sign prior to His return.
  3. Jubilee Cycles – Provide Prophetic Milestones in God’s Redemptive Plan – Can we build a reasonable Biblical case for the Jubilee cycles as the prophetic backbone of the Bible? Has God built the entire history of this Cosmos from its beginning to its fiery end based on Jubilee cycles? A straight forward summation of early biblical patriarchal lineages, reveals there were 41 generations which also represent 41 Jubilee cycles between Adam and Abraham and 41 from Abraham to Yeshua. How many Jubilee cycles have there been since Yeshua? Further insight is added when we consider that the book of Revelation associates the New Jerusalem with the number 144 and that the 144th Jubilee begins in the 8th year of the 8th Millennium.
  4. Prophesied Restoration of the Land to Israel – Prior to Jesus’ Second Coming – The prophesied restoration of the land to Israel which began in 1948 is undeniable evidence of Biblical truth and that we are living in the last days. God revealed to all of the Old Testament prophets the future history of His nation. Even before Israel had set foot on the land God told Moses that He would drive the Jews out from the land He was about to give them because they will reject Him and His Messiah, but by God’s grace, all were shown the end of the story with a regathered people in a restored land with a descendant of King David ruling and reigning from Jerusalem. God created Israel to be His nation to show a fallen world, separated from God, His ways, His laws and the consequences of obeying and disobeying those laws. We need to know that the laws concerning the Sabbath, Shemitah and Jubilee are extremely important to God. A major reason for Israel’s 70 year captivity in Babylon was that Israel failed to keep 10 Shemitahs. What about now is God still controlling Israel’s history with regard to the Shemitah and Jubilee? I hope this presentation will convince you that God is controlling history in accordance with His timing, particularly with regard to the Jubilee.  As well, I hope to reveal the people and events that God used and is using to achieve His purposes, for His nation Israel, exactly as prophesied.
  5. Israel’s Feast Days – In Type and Prophecy – In the Bible, God set festivals, events, and times according to the lunar calendar of 354 days. God’s timetable meant that these events didn’t line up to MAN’S way, but HIS. Man wants a fixed and predictable timetable. But God says, “Trust Me and My timing”. We will look at Israel’s Feast Days (Moedim –Appointed Times) from a “last days perspective. When God set up Israel as His nation, in Leviticus 23, He established the laws of “acceptable approach” to God which was sacrifice, there is no forgiveness for sin without the shedding of blood. In Numbers, God has Moses institute seven annual feasts. The Lord instituted His Holy Feasts as holy assemblies to remind His chosen people of how to live their lives in a manner acceptable to Him. Moreover, it is also prophetic of God’s plan for His world. Israel’s Holy Days are prophetic, they represent a calendar of His Story of His Cosmos. It demonstrates God’s total control of history. Hopefully, it will strengthen your confidence and hope in our Lord for the future and enable you to endure the coming prophesied tribulation. 
  6. Israel Fully Restored – Jesus will rule the nations from Jerusalem – As Jesus told some of the disciples on the road to Emmaus “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27. God’s story from beginning to end is all about Jesus. This presentation seeks to show that right from the beginning God prophesied about Jesus and His battle with Satan and that He will be victorious and rule and reign the nations from Jerusalem in the land He set aside for His nation. The Millennium Kingdom is a transition period prior to the White Throne judgement and God creating a new heaven and new earth where only the righteous dwell. We know that Sarah’s seed was supernaturally produced by God which resulted in Abraham and Sarah producing Isaac. Moreover, we know that God challenged Abraham to sacrifice Isaac which prefigured God sacrificing His own son Jesus. Jesus was of course in Abraham’s lineage. The millennial reign of Jesus fulfills the covenant Jesus made with Abraham and all the prophecies of the O.T. prophets.

MAKING SENSE OF THIS WORLD

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Today in the west, many consider the church to be dead or dying. Christianity is seen as outdated, bigoted, and responsible for many of society’s problems. This leaves many believers embarrassed about their faith and many outsiders wary of religion. But what if the Christian message is not the enemy of our modern Western values, but the very thing that makes sense of them?

Author Glen Scrivener is a minister, blogger, speaker, and filmmaker. He wrote the book, The Air We Breathe – How we all came to believe in freedom, kindness, progress, and equality, particularly for non-Christians, both those without any religious affiliation and those who, through disillusionment, have moved on from Christianity. The book is also richly rewarding for Christians. Please purchase it directly from CMI at http://www.creation.com.

Some Commendations:

  • “A really excellent book. The last time I read apologetics this compelling, it was by CS Lewis”—Steve Holmes, lecturer in theology, University of St Andrews, Scotland.
  • “This gripping book is apologetics gold: historically informed, cogently argued, relevant and contemporary, and sparkles with interest from start to finish”—Philip Bell, CEO CMI-UK/Europe

PROPHESIED WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS

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The Israel Air Force and the United States Air Force held the largest joint aerial exercise in years, simulating strikes against Iran’s nuclear program and mid-flight refueling.

The two-day drill took place over the Mediterranean Sea and Israel. Fighter jets from both countries simulated long-range flights and striking distant targets, increasing readiness for combat scenarios with Iran.

The Israel Defense Forces and the American military’s Central Command have conducted several joint drills over recent years.

Two Israeli and one American F-16 fighter jets fly alongside one another during a joint exercise in southern Israel in January 2022.

(Israel Defense Forces) In July of 2022, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yair Lapid signed a Joint Declaration on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership – also known as the Jerusalem Declaration.

The declaration stresses the U.S. commitment “never to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, and that it is prepared to use all elements of its national power to ensure that outcome.”

The joint drill was the subject of meetings in Washington last week between IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi and U.S. officials, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, and CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Kurilla.

While there, Kochavi was awarded the Legion of Merit by the U.S. Armed Forces in recognition of his achievements in “establishing Israel’s position as a leader of groundbreaking operational capabilities in the Middle East,” and strengthening the Israeli-American strategic alliance, a statement from the military said.

Kochavi was also recognized for stewarding the U.S.-Israeli military-to-military relationship through a transition period, as U.S. European Command handed over its geographic combatant command responsibility for Israel to U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations and regional cooperation in the Middle East.

Some NIS 3.5 billion ($1 billion) has been earmarked from the IDF’s NIS 58 billion ($17 billion) defense budget for the next year military activity relating to combating Iran.

Outgoing Defense Minister Benny Gantz earlier this month warned Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu to think “very carefully” before striking Iran.

“Israel has the ability to act in Iran. We have the readiness, development capabilities, and long-term plans we are managing. We need to prepare for this possibility, and we will also need to consider this issue very carefully before carrying it out,” he said.

God has warned us of exactly what will unfold in the end times that precede Jesus’ return to restore righteousness to His world so we should not be taken by surprise God is in control.

“And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Mark 13:7-8

ISRAEL AND THE END TIMES

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Worldview expert Jason Jimenez, host of the “Challenging Conversations Podcast,” explains what the Bible says about Israel, whether modern-day Israel is a fulfillment of prophecy — and more. Listen to Jimenez break down why he believes Christians today should care about Israel.

He also covers why we need to know about all the prophecies God provides on “end times” events, particularly concerning the last seven years.

Jesus tells us: “Do not be in dismay because your redemption draws nigh”. Jesus gives us HOPE: we know from end times prophecies that despite the prophesied persecution coming for Christians it is for a prescribed time. Scripture gives us a great deal of information on the last seven years before Jesus returns. It is a time of tribulation even great tribulation when God will refine His church before He takes it to heaven. At the trumpet blast and opening of the seventh seal the Rapture of the Saints takes place and John sees the Saints in heaven before the throne of God (Rev. 7:9-17) so we do not experience the wrath of God that is poured out an unrepentant world with the Trumpet (Rev. 8) and Bowl (Rev. 16) judgements. At the close of the Bowl judgements Jesus returns to earth with the resurrected Saints to defeat the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon and to establish His Millennial Kingdom.

HOW TO STAND STRONG IN THE END TIMES

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We are witnessing shakings that disrupt virtually every life, disrupting the world, setting cities on fire, changing governments, and ushering in an agenda that wars against God’s people. Is there a way to stand strong and immovable through it all? Jonathan Cahn tells us how to find it – and live it.

There is no doubt in my mind that God is using Jonathan Cahn to alert the church to what God is doing in line with end times Biblical prophecy. Regardless of what Satan does to deceive the world when the Antichrist comes on the scene, our hope must be in the fact that God is in control of history. Satan’s time of controlling the world is coming to an end. Make sure you are on the winning side.

NEW YEARS GREETING FROM TORBEN SØNDERGAARD – NOW SIX MONTHS IN JAIL

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New Year’s greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year is soon over, and I’m sending this greeting to all of you, from Baker’s County Detention Center where I have now been locked up for six months – yes, a half-year! I could not imagine something like this was possible! But this shows that the times are changing and that we are in a spiritual war. Our enemy is busy spreading his lies and doing everything he can to stop the Gospel from going forth. But he will NOT succeed. GOD has the last word, and I truly believe we are standing in front of a breakthrough like we have never seen before!

Fortunately, Torben understands that GOD is in it! He has SPOKEN! He is FAITHFUL! Torben also knows that it is not just about him. He knows this is about Satan trying to destroy the Last Reformation Movement that is having a tremendous impact in spreading the Gospel around the world. Make sure you show you show your support by going to FriendsofTorben.com.

We need to remember that all of the O.T. prophets had to deliver messages of coming judgement to the people of Israel and most were rejected, persecuted, and killed. Likewise, all of Jesus’ disciples and Paul met similar ends.

“Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:20

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” Psalms 33:18-22

Our hope needs to be in our Lord Jesus Christ and the assurance of His second coming to put things right.

MANY CHURCH GOERS WILL CHOOSE APOSTASY

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Jesus tells us that faced with the choice of persecution unto death or apostasy, many churchgoers will, unfortunately, choose apostasy. They will deny Jesus is the son of God and live for a short period of time longer than their faithful brothers. In both Luke and Matthew, we learn they will even betray their brothers and sisters who remain faithful. This is a horrible and almost unthinkable situation. Jesus says the love of “many” will become cold. I believe the parable of the ten virgins reveals that as many as 50% of people in our churches are not born again and they will choose apostasy rather than martyrdom. At greatest risk may be those people who were expecting to be “snatched away” in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.“

Do you trust God enough to be with you through whatever He calls you to do even martyrdom? Do you remember what happened when Stephen was stoned to death?

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God… And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:55-56, 59-60

In the following passage in Philippians, Paul builds on Jesus’s instructions to be fearless in the face of persecution. First, he admonishes Christians to stand firmly together. It is this unity in faith that accomplishes God’s goal. Standing firm in persecution, a unified Church is living in a manner worthy of the gospel. Earlier Paul states that “to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). If we truly believe that Gospel message, what will we fear? When persecutors see Christians standing in absolute faith that a better life and reward is coming, it is a witness to the persecutors of both their coming judgment and the sure salvation of God. This is God’s battle plan. How many millions of our opponents will see this and be converted by this faithful act of witness?

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” Philippians 1:27-30