Another great message from Torben, much needed in these “last days”. Bereans can see the prophesied great falling away occurring in the church. A church that no longer believes in the TRUTH of GOD’S WORD.
DAYS OF LOT: TRANS-MAN EXPECTING FIRST CHILD
This is another end times sign. When Jesus was asked by His disciples what it would it be like at His second coming, Jesus said it would be like the days of Lot. This is just one of the signs; a great falling away in His church (apostasy) would be another. Church denomination after another has capitulated with gay marriage and homosexual leaders in the church. Where does your church stand on the inerrancy of Scripture?
Trystan Reese is a trans man who is expecting a baby with his partner of seven years, Biff Chaplow.
Reese, who was assigned the female gender at birth and says he kept his “original parts,” adds that he never wanted to change his body.
“I think my body is awesome. I feel like it’s a gift to have been born with the body that I did, and I made the necessary changes so that I could keep living in it, both through hormones and through other body modifications,” he shared in a video posted to the couple’s Facebook page.
Reece is a female with all the right parts to have a child, moreover he thinks his body is awesome so why he would choose to take male hormones to take on the appearance of a male? It is odd, and from a Christian perspective not honouring to the God who made her and very confusing to the children they raise.
WHO WON”T INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
Paul wrote: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10, emphasis mine).
I’ve read that passage many times, but the word “revilers” jumped off the page. The Greek word, loidoros, means “one who reviles; one who speaks profanely or rails at abusively.” It refers to irreverent speech that is hurtful and crudely disrespectful. The verb “rail” can also mean “to complain loudly and bitterly,” and it implies that the criticism contains nasty rumours or untruths.
Whether you listen to news broadcasts, talk radio or political commentary or read online forums or Facebook comments, it is common place now to hear/see hurtful and crudely disrespectful speech. Revilers can’t just disagree politely. They have to shout, and they have to lace their comments with vicious attacks and malicious jabs. Revilers also feel a need to drop F-bombs and use vulgar language in every sentence to make sure their words are as vile and hateful as possible.
Revilers have no respect for people in positions of leadership, either. Whether they are talking about a president, the CEO of a company, a college president, an athlete or a stay-at-home mother, revilers pounce on their prey and skewer their victims with abusive words that have been dipped in the acid of hate.
Comedian Kathy Griffin watches as her attorney Lisa Bloom (L) speaks at a news conference in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, June 2, 2017. (Reuters/Ringo Chiu)
Kathy Griffin is one of only three women who’ve won a Grammy for best comedy album. Her profanity-laced stand-up comedy routines made her a hit on HBO, and she was voted one of the funniest women alive by the Oxygen network a few years ago. Her popularity soared in recent years because of the way she irreverently pokes fun at politicians and celebrities.
But few people were laughing last week when Griffin posted images of herself holding a model of President Trump’s head dripping with fake blood.
Even though Griffin apologised for her botched attempt at political humour, saying, “I beg your forgiveness,” venues around the nation quickly cancelled her scheduled appearances.
As could be expected, within a few days, she declared that she was the victim and blamed the Trump family for trying to destroy her career.
AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH
Whether it is video gaming, television, Netflix, internet or sports—we love mindless escape, as we hang out in various worlds of non-reality, as often as possible.
Ratings, views, tweets and sales are the barometer of success in our media crazed-culture. Advertising dollars and high-value sponsorship’s flow toward enterprises that attract the largest audience and demonstrate an upward trend in ratings. Sadly, these influences can also affect how we conduct “business” in the spiritual arena. I am certainly not against the appropriate use of high-tech tools to advance the work of the gospel and the church. God can use various means of delivery via television, radio and internet when these are properly managed and biblically motivated. But we also must be honest in admitting that in many ways the culture has influenced the message more than our message has changed the culture. Yet, the only life-changing and lasting good news in our world today is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. We must take care to broadcast the unchanging New Testament hope of the gospel and guard ourselves from communicating popular notions that feel good but ultimately fail to clarify the truth that sets us free.
The real news that delivers us into true good news is that we are all under God’s divine judgement because of our sin, rebellion and depravity. God’s solution through the finished work of Jesus on our behalf is ultimate good news. Jesus stated, “I came into this world for judgement, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind” (John 9:39). His bold and consistent message of repentance was rooted in the truth of man’s lost condition and condemnation of sin (Matt. 4:17, Luke 13:5, Luke 24:46-47). The message of the early church was repent and believe, an essential message for those under judgement of sin and in need of the mercy of a holy, loving and forgiving God (Mark 6:12, Act 2:38, 8:22, 20:21, 11:18, 17:30).
The truth of our sin and separation from a holy God is what makes the work of Christ essential, powerful and sufficient. That sinful man can be cleansed, forgiven and transformed is true, Christ-honouring and God-glorifying GOOD news. To declare that we are all “basically good” undermines the wonder of the true gospel.
So, in a world of confusing media and watered-down messaging, may the Holy Spirit give us discernment to test all things (1 Thess. 5:21) and cling to the sound doctrine of the gospel. In this, God is rightly glorified and we are truly edified. In knowing, believing, obeying and defending the gospel, we find true hope and lasting encouragement. Anything less will be superficial and short-lived. Surely, our broken world and our difficult lives require nothing less, nothing else and nothing more than the living and clear gospel of Jesus Christ
KEY QUESTIONS ON A PREWRATH RAPTURE
Alan Kurshner of Eschatos Ministries on the Prewrath Rapture.
What are key passages that best represent the Prewrath Rapture position?
I think the strongest passage is 2 Thessalonians 2, where Paul reassures Thessalonian believers that they are not experiencing the day of the Lord’s wrath. Paul explains that they are not experiencing the day of the Lord’s wrath because two discernible events must happen first—the revelation of Antichrist and the apostasy. Since they have not happened, Paul argues, the day of the Lord has not materialised. This passage eliminates the possibility of a Pretribulation Rapture.
I also see Jesus’ Olivet Discourse as a key passage that supports the Prewrath Rapture position. It depicts all the key elements: the Antichrist’s great tribulation, cutting short of the great tribulation, celestial disturbances, Son of Man’s return to the clouds, rescue of God’s people, and the impending wrath of God.
I would argue, as well, from the book of Daniel and Revelation, but the former two passages, in my view, form a strong case for the pre-wrath position.
What role does Daniel 9 have in your understanding of the timing of the rapture?
I do not see Daniel 9 informing a particular eschatological sequence vis-à-vis the rapture question (but I do in Daniel 11:36–12:4). There are at least two points that Daniel 9 informs us on: (1) There will be a future seven-year period during which time key events will unfold, and (2) the fulfilment of the salvation of Israel will happen when the seven-year period is complete.
How does your understanding of the rapture affect your life?
Jesus ominously warns believers, “See, I have told you beforehand” (Matt 24:25). This is not a cliché, but a real warning to God’s people. The great tribulation will be a concrete event occurring in the future just before the Lord returns. Jesus says it will be characterised by martyrdom, hatred, apostasy, betrayal, deception, and lawlessness. So much so that he says, “such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be” (Matt 24:21).
To be sure, if we do not experience this event in our lifetime, there are still important faith-principles that we can use to apply to our lives in the present time.
Since God has ordained that the last generation of church will experience tribulation before she meets her Rescuer bride-groom, should this not be an urgent warning for the church? The temptation during the great tribulation to capitulate to persecution, false teaching, and slothfulness will be intense. There will be two imperative duties for the believer during the great tribulation: to overcome the adversity through faith and to encourage the fellow believer to do the same.
One final implication is saliently portrayed in the angelic warning not to take the beast’s mark, lest they suffer eternal punishment in hell (see Revelation 14:9–12).
God perseveres the faith of his people through concrete warnings, so it is incumbent on Christian leaders not to dismiss these eschatological warnings for their people that God has entrusted to them. So the practical implications for the basic correct interpretation are sober for the believer.
This information is taken from Alan Kurshner’s book Antichrist Before the Day of the Lord: What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Return of Christ.
GOD HAS & WILL JUDGE NATIONS THAT DIVIDE ISRAEL’S LAND
Israel and Israel’s Land as a Means for Blessing the Earth
If one considers the Abrahamic covenant as a whole we do see a relationship of the covenant to land.
First, Israel was promised a particular land with certain dimensions (Gen. 12:6-7; 13:14-17; 15:18-21) as part of the Abrahamic covenant. “For all the land which you see, I give to you and your descendants forever. (Gen. 13:14-15) Fulfilment of the land promise is even reaffirmed hundreds of years later during times of national apostasy:
‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers ( Jer. 16:15).
Second, both Israel and Israel’s land will be used by God to bless all people groups of the world, not just with salvation but blessings to the whole earth (Gen. 12:2-3; 22:17-18; Isa. 2:2-4; Ps. 72:18-19; Zech. 9:10). As Israel is blessed, ultimately through the Messiah, blessings will spill over to other nations and their lands. Isaiah 27:6 states: “In the days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will blossom and sprout, and they will fill the whole world with fruit.” Thus, Israel and Israel’s land function as microcosms of what God will do for all nations and their lands. As God blesses Israel, blessings will come to other nations (Isa. 19:15-25).
So it is theologically true that planet earth and the nations of the earth will be blessed. But it is through the means of Israel and Israel’s Messiah that this will occur. God has determined that particular blessings to Israel are the means for bringing blessings to the nations. The particular (Israel and Israel’s land) is the means for universal blessings (Gentile nations and their lands). This is a “both/and scenario,” not an “either or.” The complete fulfilment of these universal land blessings awaits Israel’s salvation and the second coming of Jesus and His kingdom (Rom. 11:12, 15, 26-27; Matt. 19:28).
In the Scriptures, God specifically warns us that in the last days, He will judge the nations for dividing up His land. This is what Joel 3:1-2 says in the Modern English Version.
“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations, and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. I will enter into judgement with them there regarding My people and My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land.”
Those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those that curse Israel will be cursed.
PERSECUTION IS COMING FOR THOSE WHO STAND ON THE WORD OF GOD
In 1 Peter 4:12-13, the apostle Peter says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may rejoice and be glad also in the revelation of His glory.”
The same Peter who wrote these words once rebuked Christ for declaring His intention to go to the cross (see Matthew 16:21-23). Peter once found suffering abhorrent, but now he tells us we should rejoice. Peter had grown in his understanding of the role of suffering in the Christian life. He had seen that the suffering of the cross was not the end—but only the way to the resurrection.
The persecution of the church is not new. In fact, history proves again and again that Christianity flourishes best under persecution. How then are we as Christians to respond to persecution?
On February 12, 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians were beheaded on the coast of the Mediterranean at the hands of ISIS fighters. Just before they beheaded each man, they offered him his life—if only he would deny Christ. But these brave men loved Jesus more than their own lives.
In this age of tolerance, we must love those who persecute us—but never surrender the truth. We must invite all people to come to the one who loves them and died for their sin. We must “implore [them] in Christ’s stead: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Above all, we must resist the temptation of being ashamed of the Gospel.
In the midst of suffering, God makes us some incredible promises:
- “If you are reproached because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).
- “In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
- “Our light affliction, which lasts but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
There is an indescribable blessing that can only be received through suffering for Christ. When you trust in Him, even amid persecution or difficult circumstances, you will experience His presence with you in a unique and powerful way. And as you walk with the Lord in obedience, He promises that He will never leave you or forsake you—in the fiery furnace, the lion’s den, or even in your workplace.
This article originally appeared on Leading The Way.
LAST WEEK THIS SCRIPTURAL PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED IN JERUSALEM
Last week Jews celebrated “Jerusalem Day,” commemorating the recapture of Jerusalem in 1967. The name “Jerusalem Day” is taken from Psalm 137:7.
Israelis celebrate as they hold the Israeli flag during a parade marking Jerusalem Day, the day in the Jewish calendar when Israel captured East Jerusalem and the Old City from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East War, as they enter Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, May 24, 2017. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)
Article from Revive Israel: “Hanoch Maoz shared his story with us. He was in the squad that blew up the closed Zion’s Gate as the troops entered the Old City to the Western Wall. Seeing the supernatural protection on his life with bullets flying, fellow-soldiers dying and bombs exploding, was part of what brought him to faith.
Hanoch mentioned that after the War, he noticed how the following verse had been literally fulfilled in his life. “Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:2). We told him, “Yeah, it just didn’t say you’d have to blow up the gate on the way.”
Jerusalem Day is a fulfilment of God’s promises to King David 3,000 years ago; and a fulfilment of Yeshua’s prophecy 2,000 years ago, that Jerusalem would be trampled by the Gentiles “until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). If God would be faithful to fulfil these promises after 2,000 to 3,000 years and seemingly impossible situations, we can be sure all the rest of the prophecies will be fulfilled as well.”
ANOTHER AWESOME MESSAGE FROM JONATHAN CAHN
Are you in a church that understands where we are on the Biblical timeline? Is it preaching Jesus second coming and the prophetic events surrounding His return?
Is it it compromising with the world and its values (e.g. gay marriage) or is it standing on God’s Word.
Listen to Jonathan and be encouraged that current world events demonstrate that God is in control down to the day, hour and even minute.
God has put you on the planet at this time in history for a purpose, are you in step with Him? If not get into prayer with like minded believers. Don’t waste another minute.
AMERICA IS ON THE VERGE OF A BREAKDOWN
Report by Bill Bonner, author of New York Times best-sellers (Empire of Debt, Financial Reckoning Day, Mobs, Markets and Messiahs) and now his latest book (When The ATMS Go Dark).
A meeting with Greenspan (centre), myself, Bill Bonner (left from centre), and other experts at my office
In Baltimore, the stadium loudspeakers sounded again: “Ladies and gentleman, due to an ongoing public safety issue, the mayor of Baltimore and the Baltimore County Police Department have asked all fans to remain inside the ballpark until further notice.”
Then silence… Except for a distant white noise… the sound of an enraged mob tearing through stores, police, and bystanders…just outside the stadium walls.
Something had gone terribly wrong in the city that night…
By that time, the cell networks had started to go down.
In New York City, a man wearing a red Make America Great Again hat was choked on the subway as fellow passengers did nothing to help.
In Chicago, a 50-year-old man was dragged from his car and beaten. Instead of helping, onlookers accused him of voting for the wrong political candidate.
In Washington, a young woman who showed up to support the new president had her hair set on fire by “black bloc” radical leftist protesters.
In Berkeley, California, a Patriots Day rally turned into a battle for the streets between black-clad anarchists and a right-wing militia group.
A website by the anarchist group “black bloc” (the same ones who smashed windows, threw Molotov cocktails at police, and set Berkeley on fire) asks for donations to “send reports to uprisings and rebellions in so-called North America.”
Another “resistance movement” lists 5,983 local cells spread across the country – and they’re not just confined to the coasts, either, as you can see… The red dots are for upcoming “actions”, the blue dots are locations of the cells.
Now, we’ve had unrest before in this country. Many times.
During Holy Week 1968, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., set off riots across the country.
In 1991, the Rodney King riots resulted in 1 billion dollars’ worth of damage, 50 deaths, and a vicious attack on an innocent truck driver.
But this is different. There is an anger brewing here. One I have never seen in my lifetime.
We have protesters caught on camera saying: “people have to die”…
Meanwhile, protected elites like Maxine Waters and Chelsea Clinton, safe in their million-dollar homes, egg the crowds on…
As of writing this, I count at least seven mass political actions scheduled in the next few months alone. Which of these will explode into a riot, I don’t know. Hopefully none will.
But a recent conversation among members of an extreme resistance group on the social media site Reddit shows an alarming trend…
Here’s a sampling of what they said:
- “I honestly think we need a campaign to get more [of us] armed.”
- “A shocking number of comrades went in there with absolutely no combat training.”
- “We need more than flags and bats. […] I know getting firearms in states and cities we have a presence is usually a hassle, but even handguns would help.”
Is it any wonder then, that these same groups are setting universities on fire, while students who refuse to go along with the crowd are threatened with violence?
And it’s not just happening in “dangerous” cities like Baltimore and Chicago. Violent crime is now rising in places like Denver, Salt Lake City, and Louisville. In the small town of Tiburon, California, a 74-year-old conservative radio host and his 12-year-old dog were assaulted and knocked to the ground while out grabbing a bite to eat. In Ohio, another 74-year-old man was murdered live on Facebook, as he walked home from Easter lunch, young kids are putting police officers in the hospital. People are broadcasting racist attacks and murders live on Facebook.
And here’s the thing…
I think what we’re seeing here is merely Act One
As the magazine Foreign Policy recently explained:
“There appears to be…a sense that these are not just scattered outbursts, that all this is escalating somewhere.”
What it’s all escalating to…the magazine’s editors aren’t so sure.
In this report, I’m going to tell you what’s really causing this unrest…
…and why it’s leading to a disturbing conclusion…sooner than anyone expected.
- I see nearly half the population paying no taxes and dependent on aid from the federal government,
- I see more Americans are dying of drug overdoses than ever before and suicides just hit a 30-year high.
- I see a majority of Americans favouring wealth redistribution and higher taxes…which is probably why a Congress full of Republicans is unwilling to guard the rest of us against these things.
- And I see the increasingly vocal and even violent opposition to traditional American values in our streets.
Sadly, Bonner like John Adams has got it wrong by thinking that the root cause is economic mismanagement alone.
John Adams said at the Constitutional Convention of 1787:
“All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise not from defects in the Constitution or Confederation, not from a want of honour or virtue so much as from downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation.”
Universities espousing a godless worldview, based on a totally false evolutionary theory of origins, has produced a younger generation that has no fear of their Creator God, nor respect for His values.
If there is no purpose or meaning in life, then what else would you expect but a ME generation of self centred, self serving young people prepared to do whatever it take to wrest control from the previous largely corrupt generation that has racked up debt that is unsustainable by providing services that cannot be maintained. This is the recipe for disaster that we see being played out. Moreover, this “end times” scenario is prophesied in the Bible, the book our Creator provided for us.
As I have pointed out in two recent posts, the reestablishment of the State of Israel back in 1948 (and its miraculous ( Six day War) retaking control of Jerusalem in 1967) is the first and major sign Jesus gave of His second coming, His return to earth at the place He left it, a little over two thousand years ago.
The Bible provides more prophecies of His second coming than His first. All of those were fulfilled, so you can be sure those of His second coming will be as well. Are you prepared for His second coming? Is your church prepared for His second coming? The Bible tells us there will be a great falling away in the “last days”. Even the elect deceived. As persecution intensifies, and it will if you take a stand against abortion, gay marriage and transgender issues, will you stand firm. Sadly, much of the church has already given up on Biblical inerrancy particularly on issues such as Creation, adopting evolution, homosexuality, gay marriage and the related issues of God given roles for male and females in the family and church.
