PREPARE FOR JESUS COMING RETURN

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This following testimony is from Cody Archer. Cody Archer, along with his wife, Liat, help lead the youth group at Ahavat Yeshua and work together in Revive Israel’s international department.

In preparation for the coming prophesied persecution, it is important you read Cody’s testimony now to help you prepare for what lies ahead.

The following verses from Revelation reveal how believers are to overcome Satan in the “end times” just prior to Jesus return, first to rapture the saints, and then to return to earth with the saints to rule and reign in the Millennium.

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:11

We all want to be in the centre of God’s will for our lives as we approach the time of Jesus return, so it is important we understand what is ahead, remembering that even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, agonised over what was ahead of Him.

According to global statistics, over 200 million followers of Yeshua are undergoing high levels of persecution today—primarily in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. But, I believe the Scriptures teach that the time is coming when such persecution will be the norm in every country of the earth.

“When I was a new believer in my early 20s, a leader in my life spoke prophetically over me: “Cody, go deep in God’s Word now, because there will be a time in the future where it will be taken away from you, probably because you will be put in prison for your faith.” What an encouraging word for a new believer, right? I took that word seriously and have continued to devote much time to meditating in God’s Word almost daily for the past decade.

Heart Training

As I study the end times, one of the themes that continues to catch my attention is that of persecution. More and more in my quiet times, I have been picturing myself being arrested, beaten, put in prison and even martyred for my faith. I am training my heart now to walk in love for Yeshua and stand up for my faith when those times of extreme pressure come.

My sense is that this heart posture is almost nonexistent in most of the Western church today. Even If you and I don’t end up facing high levels of persecution, I believe it is wise to prepare our hearts, and the next generation, for what is coming.

What Is Coming?

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So what should we be preparing for? Here are some Scriptures I have been meditating on:

  • “But before all these things [read the preceding verses: false Messiahs, wars, great earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights], they will seize and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons” (Luke 21:12a). If you think you will get raptured out before persecution and trouble come, you will be in for a big shock.
  • Luke 21:16 warns us that biological and spiritual family and friends will betray us and put some to death.
  • “You will be hated by all for My name’s sake” (Luke 21:17). Consider this word: “all.” Atheists, people of other religions and humanistic, secular society may tolerate us at some level today, but this tolerance won’t last forever. Are you ready to be hated by all?
  • “They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he is offering a service to God” (John 16:2). The deception will be so deep that people will think they are doing God’s will by killing us.
  • Before Yeshua returns, new laws will be passed against believers, rendering us criminals in the eyes of the world. Calling the nations to turn from their sins and not budging on Yeshua being the only way to God will be seen as major obstacles to global peace. Because lawlessness will abound and the love of many will grow cold, we should not expect human help or mercy when attacked, but instead the plundering of our possessions, major lies and attacks through media, lawsuits, fines and imprisonments (Isaiah 24:5-6, Matt 24:12, Heb 10:34).
  • The Antichrist will be granted to make war with the saints and overcome (Daniel 8:23-25, Rev. 13: 7). I believe prophetic patterns in Scripture like in Esther 3 and Daniel 3 where laws were passed forcing people into false worship and the destruction of the Jewish people will emerge again before Yeshua returns.
  • “As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so it will be also be in the days of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26; see Luke 17:26-30). The wickedness, violence and sexual perversion seen in the days of Noah and Lots are rampant again today and will continue to be directed against believers in an ever-increasing way (Gen. 6, 19).

One day, Jews and Christians will be the most hated people on the earth. But do not despair about the future; there is good news! The greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit and harvest of souls will be happening simultaneously with this global persecution (Acts 2:17). There will be a remnant of faithful believers in every nation who will obey God over man (Acts 5:29) and not love their lives unto death (Rev. 12:11).

Lord, help us to apply Yeshua’s exhortation to watch and pray always, that we would be strengthened to resist compromise, sin and fear (Luke 21:36).”

TOTAL CONFUSION ON RELIGIOUS, MORAL AND GENDER ISSUES

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Gen Z’s ‘lack of confidence’ and ‘confusion’ over religious, moral issues presents a major challenge.

A major obstacle in reaching Generation Z, the rising generation that is entering college, is the “confusion” and “lack of confidence” on moral and religious issues, according to an apologist who specialises in student outreach.

Jonathan Morrow, director of Cultural Engagement and Immersion at Impact 360 Institute, is an expert in training high school and college students in Christian apologetics and worldview.

“The world that they’ve inherited has really essentially told them, ‘Hey, real truth doesn’t exist on questions of morality and spirituality.’ And so they don’t want to be judgemental. They don’t want to impose on anybody. And they’ve been raised as a generation that’s kind of been taught to believe that how I feel determines what’s real. And that is kind of a default.”

Morrow noted that even when surveying “a group of Christians, who they knew everybody in the room were Christians — this focus group — they almost relativised statements as soon as it came out of their mouth. It’s like, ‘But that’s just, you know, my opinion. That’s just what I believe.’”

Also, to demonstrate the extent of the confusion, we now have a coalition of radical feminists, lesbians, and politically conservative women are petitioning the government to scrap“gender identity” in federal civil rights legislation that’s being considered in Congress. Both the radical feminist organisation Women’s Liberation Front, a left-wing radical feminist organisation, and the Hands Across the Aisle Coalition, a bipartisan group of women, together resisting transgender activism and ideology, despite profound differences on other issues, issued statements denouncing the Equality Act as a “full-frontal assault” on women and girls. The bill, which was introduced Wednesday, has the support of 161 major corporations.

Rejection of God, His Word and His Values particularly in academia is producing a generation that is in total confusion on religious, moral and gender issues. With much of the church compromising with the world on gay marriage and transgender issues the confusion is complete and a sure “end times” sign.

 

THE TWO WITNESSES OF REVELATION 11

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Nelson Walters takes a Sherlock Holmes approach to Scripture to determine the Who, What and When of the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11. He does a thorough and credible job of proving that Moses and Elijah are the best two candidates. You will need almost an hour to watch the video. Can I suggest you view it with your Home Group, so that you can discuss it further. You will all benefit from hearing each others take on the video. Also, please let me know what you conclude. I must admit Nelson convinced me of the identity of the two witnesses. I will need to spend more time on the exact timing of their ministry.

DEBATE: PRETRIBULATION OR PREWRATH RAPTURE

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Alan Kurschner presents a convincing case for a PreWrath Rapture i.e. prior to the wrath of God being poured out in the Trumpet and Bowl Judgements. The video is a debate between Alan and Tom Ice who presents the case for a PreTribulation Rapture. It is a 50 minute debate so make sure you schedule sufficient time, and can I suggest you view it with your church group, so that you can discuss it afterward.

Prior to this video, I put up Nelson Walters much shorter video in the post titled, Eloquent Teaching on the Timing of The Rapture. I suggest you watch it prior to Alan’s debate with Tom Ice. Nelson also supports  a PreWrath Rapture.

THE ONLY TREASURE OF THE LIFE THAT COUNTS IS JESUS

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A great sermon from David Platt – “to be a Christ follower, we discover that Jesus Christ is a treasure chest of Holy Joy and we take everything else and write above it LOSS.”

Don’t miss the gravity of the message given by Paul in Philippians 3:4-9. Everything else in life must pale into nothing in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus.

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ” Philippians 1:21

COMMUNITY OUTRAGED FOR GODLY REASONS

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Mainstream Media Ignores Yet Another Massive Pro-Life March

Thousands of pro-life advocates took to the streets of Virginia Wednesday in what was the region’s first official statewide “March for Life” event. However, despite immense crowds of elected officials and leading pro-life campaigners, the march was largely ignored by the mainstream media, bar a few minor reports.

One of the participants was encouraged: “One of the coolest thing I’ve seen in eight years in Richmond. The entire House Republican Caucus walked out the front door of the Capitol and on to the Portico to join the March for Life.”

Many of the marchers also voiced their dismay at the Democrat’s pro-abortion agenda, with Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s chilling words still fresh in people’s minds. In January, during a live radio interview, Gov. Northam appeared to suggest that medical professionals could, in some circumstances, allow infant babies to die after being born alive.

This assertion sparked outrage from the pro-life community and was still disturbing many at this week’s march. Perhaps the enemy has over stepped the mark this time, and we are beginning to see signs of a God driven revival. I hope so.

TEMPLE MOUNT IN LAST DAYS BIBLICAL PROPHECY

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Netanyahu-Erdogan fight escalates amid high tensions on Temple Mount

“We will continue to defend the rights of the Palestinians and the religious sanctuaries in Jerusalem for the Muslim world until our last breath,” Erdogan said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, calling him a “murderer who oppresses the Palestinian nation.” Erdogan made his comments in the context of recent tensions on the Temple Mount.

Netanyahu-Erdogan fight escalates amid high tensions on Temple Mount

“We will continue to defend the rights of the Palestinians and the religious sanctuaries in Jerusalem for the Muslim world until our last breath. Instead of ending the occupation, Netanyahu is working to attack me on social networks in order to win votes in the elections,” Erdogan said.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu wrote on Twitter: “The Turkish tyrant Erdogan attacks Israeli democracy, while judges and journalists are sitting in jail. What a joke. Israel is a democracy in which all its citizens have equal rights, including two million Arab citizens.”

The Bible tells us that tension between the surrounding Muslim nations and Israel will only escalate until the Antichrist appears on central stage and for a short time bring an illusory Middle East peace.

I believe beforehand, we are going to see the prophesied Daniel 8, end times (ram/goat invasions). Iran (Shia) invades west (Iraq), north (Syria, Northern Iraq, Eastern Turkey (some Shia Muslims), south (oil rich, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE). To some extent, these prophesied invasions are already underway with Iran forces in Iraq and Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Daniel 8 tells us Iran’s (Shia) invasion will eventually be countered by Turkey (Sunni). In fact, we are told the goat (Turkey) tramples the ram (Iran) and then we will see a revived Ottoman Empire with its leader, their prophesied Mahdi/Messiah, the Bible’s prophesied Antichrist. Imagine, the support the Mahdi (Islam’s Messiah) will receive from Muslim’s all around the world regardless of the country in which they live and its politics.

 

 

 

 

INCREDIBLE DESIGN OF THE HUMAN GENOME

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Marine Biologist Rob Carter explains the four-dimensional genome and what this means for design.

The latest evidence on the four dimensional genome, which includes dynamic programming, makes intelligent design the only possible explanation for its existence. Evolution by random chance is nonsense. Listen to the excitement in Rob’s voice as he explains the amazing complexity of the four dimensional genome. The level of design is “mind blowing”. It can only make you think how amazing is our God. He is worthy of our praise and adoration.

Why does  academia, the establishment, reject intelligent design and all that entails? There is only one possible answer: they cannot countenance God, their creator and all that entails.

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ROLE OF PRAYER IN MIRACULOUS HEALING

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A new report from a peer-reviewed medical journal has put an end to the age-old debate: prayer really does work.

At just one week old, a baby boy was rushed to the hospital. He was vomiting forcefully and struggling to properly digest formula. Before long, doctors diagnosed him with gastroparesis, a rare disease in which the stomach cannot correctly empty itself of its contents.

Photo by Afar Ahmed/Unsplash

Surgeons performed on the baby both a pyloromyotomy, which loosens tightened muscles causing a blockage between the stomach and small intestine, and a jejunostomy, the creation of an opening through the skin at the front of the abdomen for a feeding tube.

He went on to live a relatively normal life, even playing sports.

The boy grew up in a Christian home; he had an active prayer life and participated in church activities every single week. He had safely assumed, though, his disease would just be part of his life — forever.

Things changed when he attended a prayer service

On Nov. 6, 2011, when he was 16 years old, the patient and his family attended a prayer service at a Pentecostal church led by a preacher the case study referred to as a “healing evangelist.”

The evangelist recounted his own miraculous healing after having his intestines severed in a serious accident when a massive truck fell on his abdomen.

While listening to the speaker’s testimony, the teenager recalled his own strange feelings. Here’s how he described his experience:

During the prayer, I felt an electric shock that started from my right shoulder travelling down through my stomach. That was the moment that I knew I had been touched by the Holy Spirit. Since I have been healed of my illness, I have had more energy than ever before, and have thoroughly enjoyed the new adventure of trying all different types of foods. I have entered into the medical field in search to help the sick and needy, and to give back the great care I received as a patient.

In the prior 16 years, the boy was dependent on feeding tubes and could not handle any form of oral feeding. But after that prayer service, everything changed for him.

“His intolerance to oral feedings was completely resolved” after the service, the case study reported.

The boy’s primary care physician described the incredible shift as “difficult to explain” and recommended removing the feeding tubes as long as he was still having no issues after three months.

Even doctors are dumbfounded by his healing

Now 23 years old, the patient’s tubes were taken out and he has had no recurring symptoms since the November 2011 prayer service.

Most interesting, perhaps, is the fact that before the teenager’s miraculous healing, both he and his parents were cessationists, meaning, while they believe God performed miracles in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, they were not convinced he did the same in this modern era. It’s safe to say their perspectives have changed.

Though they can’t rule it out completely, doctors just couldn’t chalk the kid’s healing up to the so-called “placebo effect,” which was defined in the study as “the physical change that occurs as a result of what we believe a pill or a procedure will do.”

“The complete resolution of severe gastroparesis symptoms (i.e., dependence on feeding tubes) is not known to spontaneously occur, and studies of placebos have shown only partial resolution of symptoms at best,” the study’s authors explained.

This case study has left a lot of questions unanswered. It’s even presented new questions. But it has made one thing clear: prayer really does work.

“A noteworthy observation,” the researchers explained, “is that studies showing positive effects of prayer have typically involved intercessors who either professed … being ‘born again’ Christians (with a commitment to daily devotional prayer and active fellowship with their local church) or … faith in healing.”

DISCIPLE MAKING CHURCHES IN THE LAST DAYS

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As mentioned many times previously on this website, I believe the end times church will be like the church described in the Book of Acts and it is wonderful to see many Disciple Making Movements starting up. I have promoted Francis Chan (Multiply Movement), David Platt (Radical) two of the most notable Disciple Making Movements as well as Oikos Australia in my own country.

This article from Oikos and a short video from DMMS Frontiers Mission are worth considering for your church.

At Oikos, we are thinking about multiplication. With 25.5 million Australians, only 52% identify themselves as Christian – this opportunity is one we are passionate about impacting!

Did you know that one pair of rabbits can end up with 4 million offspring in only 4 years time? That is rapid growth!  Does your group, simple church or disciple-making strategy – have a clear plan where those in your group, clearly know how they can train to equip others to disciple new people and plant new groups/churches.

“If not, your strategy may need to be adjusted. Everything you do in disciple-making must pass the test of reproducibility. When we make things too complicated, we don’t get rabbit churches that multiply quickly” – DMMS Frontier Missions”

Does your group know how to share the gospel, invite people to Jesus and know what to do if someone says yes? Do you have a vision for growth & raising up others?

2 Timothy 2:2 is our guide. Paul trained Timothy. Timothy trained faithful men. They trained many others.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 

That’s multiplication. That’s generational growth. It’s what we do to see Oikos become a Disciple-Making movement!!
Who are you developing as under you? Who are you passing the baton too? Effective disciple making involves multiplication of simple churches and disciples.