Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye My People!

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Isaiah 40:1

There are some very serious news events to share and that was my intention for this post.  However, as I sit here at the keyboard I feel the need to share a message of strength from the word as the world around us seems to be reeling in confusion.  The Holy Spirit then confirmed this with a couple of discussions with some who are under tremendous pressure to the place they do not think they can go on.  This must be what Isaiah was sensing when he wrote the 40th chapter of his book.

The world then was just as chaotic.  The Assyrians had recently crushed the Kingdom of Israel and Samaria.  Judah's leaders had looked to Egypt for assistance and made a covenant that was referred to as a covenant with death.  They did not trust the Lord and the nation was in need of renewal and revival. Nations were rising and falling like dominoes.  Sin seemed to be overtaking righteousness.  Idols were praised throughout the land and the true servants of God, the remnant of the faithful who had lost respect for the religious, the political, and the economic leaders of their nation were pressured, fearful, and left wondering what the day would bring.  Does it sound familiar?

God saw the worried hearts of His faithful children.  He wanted nothing more than for them to wait for His help and cast their cares on Him.  The Lord commanded Isaiah to comfort his people.  There are two types of comfort.  There is the comfort we get that soothes the soul and settles our tossed emotions.  On the other hand, there is comfort that imparts vitality and strength to one who is ailing.  God had both on His mind; Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.  God's comfort starts with salvation.  Isaiah then discusses God and the grace that brings salvation in verses 1 to 11.  God spared no expense in the sacrifice of Christ for our sin, so do you think he will not equally care for us who call to him for help today?  His grace is sufficient!

From there Isaiah was inspired to write about God who is able to perform that which he purposes in verses 12-26.  His message--calm down and stand strong!  YHWH can!  He is the Creator of all there is.  His power is unmatched and unparalleled.  He carefully created the world for man.  He measured the heavens with a span (the distance from thumb to the little fingertip with an outstretched hand--we serve a mighty BIG GOD!).  He measured the oceans and weighed the earth.  He did this all by His own knowledge and had/has no counselor.  He sees the nations as but a drop in a bucket.  The people are but fine dust on a scale.  He is most worthy of praise and all of the cows and trees of Lebanon--or all the earth for that matter-- are not enough to give Him His due.  The tribes of the earth are as nothing to Him.  He makes kings and leaders to rise and he makes them to fail.  He reigns above all the heavens and the earth.  He is so powerful, high, and mighty that the heavens are like a camper's tent pitched alone in the desert.  He created the multiple billions of stars and leads them as one leads a parade.  He knows them all by name!  Who is like GOD ALMIGHTY?  He is able!  God can!  Baruch HaShem Achim ve Achayot B'Mashiach!  (Bless His name brothers and sisters in Messiah!)

Isaiah closes this masterful chapter with the reminder that this power is behind you!  He reminds us in verses 27-31 that God is on our side and His divine enabling is there for you!  Our God never tires, never faints, never fears, never fails, and never worries.  He is not wringing His hands in concern and trying to outwit His enemies.  He has already won!  His understanding of all that has been, is, or will be is perfect. He who dwells in the realm of eternity past, present, and future already knows the outcome. He sees His many enemies' futile and vain attempts to cast off His sovereign rule and He laughs.  He sees the vanity of the rulers of the world in rising against His glory.  He sees all that is happening everywhere and nothing escapes His sight.  God gives of His omnipotent power to you to sustain you in the best and worst of times.  The people of the world may tire and fall down but God's children who wait and call upon Him will mount up--and soon!

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31

I'll share some news and events tomorrow.  Today, rest in Him and draw from His strength.

Will You Bow? Persecution On The Rise Around Us

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Daniel 3:6&25

"All you have to do, boys, is worship this image," said the King.  He continued, "We'll supply the worship music and you shout the praise!"  He further stated, "If not I'll destroy you and who is there that can save you?"  

"Our God is quite able to deliver us, Sire, but even if He does not we will not bow,"the three Hebrew boys replied.

At this, King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the fire.  It was heated 7 times hotter than it was ever heated before.  Later, he was the one singing praise as the Fourth Man walking in the fire showed up.

This story is a classic to read to children, but the events it outlines and the direction that our world is heading is not a child's bedtime story!  It is a present reality.

Always pay attention to repetition in the Bible.  God has a purpose in the way He inspired scripture and subtle things sometimes add to our understanding.  The actual event of throwing the Hebrew heroes in the fire takes up less space then the decree to worship, and why mention the instruments used to call worship four times?  Really, the instruments are mentioned four times.  "That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship..." Daniel 3:5.  These instruments were repeated again in verses 7, 10, 15.  Why did they mention the instruments four times--basically the writer did what I just did.  Why?

He was drawing your attention to the number four. They were mentioned four times because four is a number symbolic of the world in scripture. The point the author is making is that the world is trying by force to make believers follow their tune.  The message is, "fall in line with our ways or else!" What makes this story more important to us today is that worldly control of belief is growing around us as we draw closer to the great prostitute religious system of the Tribulation where all religious concepts are united into one amalgamated mess.  There will be a time when believers will be called to give an account for their authentic faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Persecution, my friends, is on the rise in Western Society.  

Jesus warned that oppression would occur in the last days, yet most seem blissfully unaware that persecution and hate towards believers is seething across lands once bastions for the cause of Christ.   Jesus repeated this warning three times, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22--Also see Mark 13:13 and Luke 21:17)"

Like the Jews who were vilified and then robbed of their rights, possessions, livelihood, property, family, and ultimately their lives in Nazi Germany, Christians in the West are being vilified at every turn.  Now their right to earn a livelihood is threatened as godlessness veils the world.  In New York, the Governor, the protector of the peoples rights in a state, is saying that Christians need to play by the states wicked music or face termination.  (Where is this story in the pro gay Christian biased news media?)   Christian Clerks Face Same-Sex License Showdown | Worthy Christian News

Because the pledge mentions God, a judge in Texas has ordered that a county clerk who said the pledge of allegiance be investigated for disrupting a meeting.

Texas county clerk to face Grand Jury for defending Pledge of Allegiance - Spokane Conservative | Examiner.com

Just a couple of months back, Christians were banned from being able to provide foster care in Britain over their issues of faith and views of homosexuality.  

David Cameron defends ban on anti-gay foster parents - Telegraph

Can you hear the music?  It is calling you to bow and worship the world and its ways.  Before you do remember the awesome price of the blood of Christ shed for your forgiveness.  Think of the many today who are testifying by their blood to the faithfulness of God in Christ Jesus.  Also remember that the writing is already on the wall for this world.  The prince of this world has been judged and has a certain appointment in the abyss and then an eternal lake of fire. God has weighed the world in the balances and found it lacking.  Stand true!  Surely Jesus Christ is Soon 2 Come!

Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

Isaiah 40:15

A Sad and Certain Fate

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

Of all of the events that happen in the last days, the rise of deception seems to be the most fearful.  Earthquakes, disasters, wickedness, and other like events tend to bring fear that often draws men to God. Deception, however, is not effective unless the deceived cannot perceive the ruse.  In other words, most do not discern they are being deceived until it is too late.  Like a fish to a lure or a turkey to a call, many are being drawn to something appealing that has spiritual death attached to it.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14

Paul warned of this deception as did John, Peter, Jude, and even Jesus.  There would be so much false teaching that it would draw many away to follow after unbiblical teaching.  This would be so prevalent as to make the love of many wax cold and cause there to be a falling away from truth.  While this has been a topic on this blog before, it is worth noting again as the lies and demonic doctrines proliferate.  Jesus was so concerned about this that it was always the first point He made when talking about the last days.  Not only was it His first point, but He closed each discourse on the last days with a warning to not be deceived as well.  "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (Mt 24:24)."   

Let's look at some of the deception that is running rampant in "Christian " circles over the last few weeks.  On June 23rd hundreds of folks gathered in the woods of Eastern North Carolina for the Wild Goose Festival.  What sane Christian would attend any festival with a name that is the Celtic equivalent for the Holy Spirit.  What a blasphemous name!  Yet, this festival billed for liberal Christians was nothing more than a revised pagan festival. 

Christian festivals: A broader church | The Economist

Wild Goose Festival 2011: Justice, Spirituality And The Arts (VIDEO)


Not only are some mixing pagan philosophies from long ago with Christianity, there are those trying to unite Christ with other false ideologies and prophets.  These are sure sign that the world is being prepared for the rise of the false prophet and mystery Babylon, the last days one world religion.
Muslims Will Be United With Christians to Strive Against Atheists and Darwin | God Discussion
The Interfaith Alliance” and Islam, followup. | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry  

We also know that God and His word are unchanging as the prophet Malachi reveals.  "For I am the LORD, I change not;... (Malachi 3:6a)  As mentioned many times before, any action that brought judgment on mankind in the past will bring judgment again.  So why are many "preachers" sanctioning things in the name of God when it is clear that they are actually being led by the god of this world?  

Presbyterian Church Will Start Ordaining Gay Clergy

Clergy finds Wis. pastor guilty of marrying gays - USATODAY.com
Pastors: Homosexuality not a sin (OneNewsNow.com)

All of this deception is just the tip of the iceberg.  This post deals mostly with religious deception. Yet, the treachery is spreading in the guise of one government, subtle media programming, and a whole host of other forms that are just too long to list.  However, those promoting deception are the ones most duped.  They are but mere puppets on the string of a fallen angel and his many wicked cohorts.  As surely as Christ defeated them already at Calvary, they have a sad and certain end.  It is a sad and certain fate as well for any man or woman who will not call on the Lord to save them from this last days smokescreen barrage. 

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Revelation 19:20

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:10

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:14-15

What Ever Happened To Men Like William Wilberforce?

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:36

One of my favorite books is the classic by William Wilberforce entitled  A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in This Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity.  (Modern versions are usually just titled Real Christianity)  Wilberforce was very concerned that his reader should understand the overwhelming difference between a cultural Christian and the genuine article--one who walks with Christ in the full pardon of their sins and seeks to walk in the liberty of Christ while witnessing to others of that same liberty. 

In 1785 Wilberforce had what he termed as a conversion experience that drew him into a deep, consistent devotion to Jesus Christ.  Since William was a Member of English Parliament, he was not sure that he could stay in politics as a believer.  He wrestled with leaving politics for a line of work pursuing Christ and ministry.  Two men, William Pitt the future Prime Minister and John Newton (writer of "Amazing Grace") convinced William to continue serving the public and serve Christ in the public arena.   Shortly after this William began to realize that believers should always seek to better society as a whole.  Furthermore, he felt that a Christian should do all within his/her power to set things right and enact legislation that gave men liberty while seeking to stop those with power who followed their own sinful ends.  It is for this he is most famous.  


Beginning in 1786 he began pushing a bill in Parliament to abolish the slave trade in England and all its colonial possessions.  He would see Christ as one who set men free and not an enforcer of slavery.  Much effort was put into stopping the trade and ultimately abolishing the practice of slavery.  After 21 years of dogged determination the Slave Trade Act stopped the trade in March of 1807. The effort was continued onward by like minded men after his withdraw from Parliament until the practice of slavery was totally abolished in 1833 throughout all British Territories.  From teaching Sunday School to creating the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Wilberforce worked to create laws that liberated men from wicked practices and not enslave them.  Where are those who pursue laws that free men from sin while seeking the betterment of all of civilization and not just a select minority who wish to maintain sinful practices for their own benefit while tearing down the very fabric of Christianity in their nation?


Before you listen to the foolish dribble of saying that you cannot legislate morality, what are the laws of the land?  Are they not the morality of that land?  Are they not the observances and moral codes that control the conduct of the citizens of that land?  The laws of a land are the morality of the land.  They were epitomized by God in the Torah which is often also referred to as the LAW of Moses.  A further study of history will show these to be the underpinnings of many societies.  A country, therefore, that passes immoral laws is in trouble with the ultimate lawgiver--God.


In the last few weeks we have seen the passage of laws that tear down society and enslave men, women, and children to wretched sinful practices.  We have seen another state enact laws against traditional marriage under the banner of "freedom" with mantras like "who is it going to hurt"?  It hurts everyone!  How many sins did it take in the Garden of Eden to cause us all of this trouble still today?  Since the passage of this abomination there are those who will now seek to adopt children and twist their minds with sinful practice--and we think this does not hurt society?  Gay marriage raises prospect of NY adoption boom - US news - Life - msnbc.com


Some are now advocating the legalization of of other sinful practices as well.  Don't you know that,  "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump...(Galatians 5:9)?"  'Sister Wives' stars challenge Utah bigamy law - FoxNews.com  Soon, we will have those who wish to legalize bestiality, necrophilia,  and pedophilia!  Don't tell me sin does not hurt society and enslave men.


What about the wicked practice of brainwashing young people?  Is that not sin?  Yet, California is going to require children to learn of this wickedness in public schools despite what the parents say!  This is not wicked?  It is not sin?  It is not enslaving? Where is the freedom granted a Christian parent to raise their child in the fear and admonition of the Lord? California Gov Signs Landmark Law to Teach Gay History - FoxNews.com  


No!  These are all signs that men with power wish to enslave men to sin and all of its perverseness and consequences.  There are those passing laws that do not liberate but snare men with godless passions and ultimately cast them into God's pre-trial confinement facility--Hell!  After their case is heard at the judgment seat pictured as a Great White Throne by a Judge from whose face the heavens and the earth flee, they are imprisoned in a lake of fire forever and ever.  Their judge will leave no sin unmentioned and no motive unreviewed.  Each  will quiver and quake as they see the outstretched hands of the Judge still bearing the nail prints from where He paid for their release but His payment was mocked, His work was ignored, and His advocacy was refused.  What a terrible day for a sinner left undone and without the forgiveness of God that is only offered through the person of Jesus Christ.

Prophetic Headlines
Technocracy’s Endgame: Global Smart Grid
Officials: PA prevented Quartet statement - Israel News, Ynetnews
Poll: 52% think Intifada will fol... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics
Arab League to request full Palestinian membership at UN - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
Taking Liberties: Legislator Proposes Alternative Currency in Response to the Diminished Dollar - FoxNews.com
Hezbollah: Lebanon will not let Israel seize its natural gas - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
Syrians clamp down on restive eastern area -

Signs in the Sun and Moon

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 21:11

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Luke 21:26

As the apostles were marveling  at the splendor of the second temple one day, Jesus astounded them with a prophecy that the temple would be destroyed completely.  His detail was amazing.  Jesus explained, "the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down (Luke 21:6)." This statement caused His amazed and most likely fearful followers to question Jesus about this event and the End of Days.  

Approximately 37 years later the words of Jesus about the temple's destruction were fulfilled with stunning accuracy.  In 70 AD the future Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus laid siege to Jerusalem with three legions.  Once the city walls were breached the fight inside the city eventually neared the temple complex.  Though the accounts by Josephus and Tacitus as to whether or not the temple was to be destroyed by order or not differ, a soldier threw a torch that ignited the structure.  The precious metals on the walls melted and were deposited in the mortar between the bricks.  The entire temple was then demolished brick by brick just as Jesus had said in order to get to the gold in the mortar. Titus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  Siege of Jerusalem (70) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Later Jesus went on to mention the predictions most associated with the nearing of the Tribulation.  Among these are rampant deception, increased earthquake activity, famines, pestilences (disease outbreaks),  Christian (and Jewish persecution) persecution, and fearful signs in the heavens.  It is the signs in the heavens that are of note today.

Jesus mentioned problems in space twice.  Verse 11 seems to indicate some sort of signs as the Tribulation nears, while verse 26 occurs near the end of the Tribulation just before Messiah's physical return.  There are many verses that mention a day when the sun will darken and the moon will as well.  Here are several to research: Isaiah 13:10, 13, 14, 24:23, Jeremiah 4:23, Ezekiel 32:7-8, Joel 2:30-31, Amos 8:9-10, Matthew 24:29, Acts 2:19, and Revelation 6:12-14.

So what does this word "sign" mean? The word used is transliterated from Greek as sēmeion.  It denotes the idea of something unusual especially something that is a shadow or portent of terrible things to follow.  It also means "an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature."  Blue Letter Bible - Lexicon

Between false religion, rampant rebellion, and atheism spread almost daily via many mediums, we do know that false religion and deception are proliferating like never before.  There has also been a dramatic rise in the frequency of large earthquakes as well as other natural disasters. 2011 already costliest year for natural disasters - TODAY News - TODAY.com   Billion-dollar disasters on the rise - WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-  With devastating crop destruction worldwide this year, we are on the verge of a terrible famine that will sweep worldwide adding to the millions globally who are already starving.  Will 2012 Be The Year That We See Mass Starvation In Africa? 12 Signs That The World Is Running Out Of Food  

So are there any unusual occurrences in space that should catch our attention?  The picture above is one.  On June 7th, the sun had a very UNUSUAL coronal mass ejection.  All agree that it was the largest ever observed.  Many scientists have made statements about this event as it is one of a kind.  Here are a few. "We're seeing things we've never seen before," said Phillip Chamberlin, an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Spaceflight Center."  "We're still trying to figure that one out." "Half of the sun appeared to be blowing itself to bits," Goddard Space Flight Centre's Alex Young said.  I think these statements fit the definition, "an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature."  Here are several links showing the quotes just mentioned.

Satellite video captures sun explosion

Huge sun explosion rocks astronomers' world - Technology & science - Space - Space.com - msnbc.com

‪HUGE explosion on the Sun on June 7, 2011‬‏ - YouTube

Gargantuan Sun Explosion Rocks Astronomers | Solar Flare of June 7 | Solar Weather & Coronal Mass Ejections | Space.com

One of many picture taken of the Moon worldwide in November 2010.

This Picture is from Kentucky.

Also, there are some interesting things happening with the moon as well, yet it seems this has been under reported for some reason.  People worldwide began posting videos simultaneously about the unusual rotation of the moon in comparison with moon charts.  There are scores of videos showing something amiss. This took a lot of time and research to find actual scientific data to support, but it appears that the moon is not orbiting correctly. Here is an apparent paper trying to explain why the orbit of the moon seems to be a bit off.    Following are the first two sentences of this study found in the reports from Cornell university.  The paper bears the name of gravitational physicist Lorenzo Iorio.  Concerned folks have asked about this report on Yahoo answers.  
  "A recent analysis of a Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) data record spanning 38.7 yr revealed an anomalous increase of the eccentricity of the lunar orbit amounting to de/dt_meas = (9 +/- 3) 10^-12 yr^-1. The present-day models of the dissipative phenomena occurring in the interiors of both the Earth and the Moon are not able to explain it." 

[1102.0212] On the anomalous secular increase of the eccentricity of the orbit of the Moon

‪Something Wrong With The Sun Moon & Earth‬‏ - YouTube

‪The moon is crazy lately - Part II - 11-29-2010‬‏ - YouTube

‪~ MOON TILT 90 DEGREES IN 8 HOURS-? ~‬‏ - YouTube
Moon Orbit Wrong Cornell University Video
‪Strange Moon February 6, 2011‬‏ - YouTube


**Updated section.  Apparently, there was a large magnetic pole shift around the end of last year and the first of this year.  I am not sure that this would account for the moon's peculiar appearance.  
Magnetic North Pole Shifts, Forces Runway Closures at Florida Airport - FoxNews.com
Cosmic Log - Pole shift forces airport makeover


Whether the above videos can all be verified, the attached pdf file is on file at Cornell and seems to be a response to the unusual patterns found in the moon's orbit as related to the sun.  Are these the "signs" in the heavens?  It is possible.  If we see more unusual activity, keep your ears perked for the sound of a trumpet.  One thing is for sure, people worldwide seem to sense that something is awry.  


Again, if these are the signs Jesus spoke of, don't put off accepting Him in the full pardon of your sins.

  


While this post is highly speculative, there is no doubt that the greatest signs of all are not in the sun and moon.  The greatest sign we are nearing the Tribulation is the continual return of the disbanded and scattered Jewish people being brought back to Israel.  This is a sign that cannot be disputed!  Look up!  Jesus is Soon 2 Come!
 Hundreds of new immigrants arrive in Isr... JPost - National News  "The new immigrants are arriving from North America, Brazil, France, Belgium, Italy, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the countries of the former Soviet Union." 
WATCH LIVE: Nefesh B'Nefesh brings new immigrants to Israel - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
New Israelis greeted in ceremony | JTA - Jewish & Israel News
7,300 Bnei Menashe to make aliyah - Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:14

Always Keep Hope!

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 4:18

Warning: Graphic Picture content below.

A few events over the last few weeks have reminded me of how much I deeply love Jesus Christ and just how far down He had to reach to pick me up and save me.  Just a couple of weeks back after the godless vote against traditional marriage in New York, I read several comments on a few blogs and websites that expressed a great deal of hatred towards the homosexual community.  There were even some that suggested that a Christian should never witness to someone caught in this lifestyle.  First, I concur with scripture and must tell the truth.  This is a grave sin and a sure sign that the nation has been given over to judgment already.  Furthermore, it shows that a deepening rebellion against the Holy One is growing and that sincere repentance is needed immediately or great tragedy will befall this nation as a whole. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.  (Proverbs 14:34)  Yet, Christ died for those who have been blinded and deluded by sin, even the sin of homosexuality.  He died to set people free from transgression; furthermore, He forbids His followers from judging a person to the place that they believe a person should never be witnessed to.  The blood of Jesus Christ and the grace of God expressed through the atonement is able to wash away the blackest stains of sin!  There is no greater power in the universe than the blood of Jesus Christ.

God is in the business of taking a broken man or woman and making him/her into a child of God through whom He reaches other sin broken people.  He used a liar and deceiver named Jacob to father the twelve tribes of Israel from which the Messiah and Savior of humanity would be born.  God took a murderer named Moses and made him a deliverer.  He took a prostitute named Rahab, cleaned her up, and made her to be the great grandmother of a king.    God forgave a backslidden, adulterous, murderer named King David, great grandson of Rahab, and promised him an heir who will reign from his lineage forever.  Imagine! Jesus Christ is a direct descendant of Rahab in his humanity.  He forgave an old big mouthed, rough fisherman named Peter, filled him with His Holy Spirit and used him to win thousands.  God also took a church persecuting zealot named Saul of Tarsus who we call Paul and used him to turn the world upside down for Jesus Christ.  Is there any sin too strong for the precious blood of Christ?

Yet sometimes we fail to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ because we feel God may have written someone off.  They are just too deep in sin to reach, we conclude.  They have gotten beyond God's grasp, we assume.  (Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?) Rather than witness, we ignore them while consigning them to hell.  Is that the love of Jesus Christ in action?  What would you have thought of me 31 years ago had you seen me wearing a t-shirt with this logo?  The album cover for this concert tour showed angels smoking marijuana--blasphemous!

I used to wear this to Christian's homes just to tick them off!

Oh!  The depth of God's mercy!

Would you have written me off had you seen me as a drug addicted, heavy metal listening, drunk who cared more about self than anyone else?  Would you have been so appalled at such blatant blasphemy that you would not help me to know the Messiah who could deliver?  Would you have withheld the gospel?  Would you have ceased intercessory prayer?  Would you have concluded that nothing productive could come from such a wasted mess?  Would you have shared the thought that God hated me?  What would you do?  If you would have invited me to church and I showed up in this shirt (true story), what would you do?

Let me tell you what a few folks in Germany did.  They saw a messed up young soldier in desperate need of a Savior.  They took the time to love a young man who did not even love himself.  They shared a message that saved a life.  They introduced me to a savior that saved a marriage.  They did not judge me in such a way as to see me beyond hope for they knew the power of the One whose blood cleanses even the vilest of sinners.  They helped save a marriage.  They saved three children from a life of torment.  They introduced me to Jesus and made me aware that He had loved me from eternity just as he loves any of us. They were patient for they knew, "...the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."  1 Corinthians 1:18 

I have been saved so long that most people do not remember nor would have guessed that I was such a wretch.  By grace I later graduated in the top 25 of 780 students in Ohio University's College of Education and have taught nearly 2,000 students.  God gave me the call to share the message of hope in Jesus Christ in the mid-eighties.  He allowed my wife and I to see our children grow to serve Him.  He kept His promise to me from Psalm 128 when I began to pray it daily when we were nearly divorced--twice!  He has picked us up at the death of a child and gave us hope that we will meet him soon one day.  He is ever present even when I blow it.  Oh!  How I love Jesus!  Because He first loved me.

Don't ever believe that anyone is too far gone.  Don't believe the lie that says a person's sin is just too much for Christ.  Share Jesus.  Sow the seeds of His word.  Bathe that seed in patient prayer.  Always keep hope.  Jesus still saves!   

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  Romans 5:8-10

 PS:  If you want to hate somebody, hate the prince of the power of the air that blinds the minds of those that do not believe. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."  2 Corinthians 4;4 

Soon Fulfilled Prophecy: Israel and the Last Days Control of Sarepta

And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.

Obadiah 1:20

Like earlier studies of Zephaniah in which we spent much time a few months back (A series entitled, "Get Your Thoughts In Order), Obadiah also relates to events that occur as the prophetic Day of the Lord approaches.  Consider verses from both books: "The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly."  (Zephaniah 1:14)  "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head."  Obadiah 1:15

If you read the last post, it highlighted news articles that dealt with natural gas and oil discoveries that have been made in the territorial region assigned to Asher.  Also, there were disconcerting news articles about a dispute and threats of war over the maritime borders of Lebanon and Israel brought about by these discoveries. The region referred to as Asher in the blessings of Moses and Jacob is in the heart of the dispute and today covers a strip that includes the northern Israeli coastline.  Furthermore, it extends along into southern Lebanon.  This same region is mentioned in scripture as being controlled completely by Israel after a battle outlined in Obadiah, Zephaniah, Isaiah, Psalm 83, and other books.This last days battle seems to occur very near to the beginning of the Day of the Lord also referred to as the the Great Tribulation and the following Millennial Reign of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).


Notice the verse above, Obadiah 1:20.  Zarephath is mentioned as part of the spoil of this war as well as the cities that will be gained in the south (Negev Desert).  So where is Zarephath today?  It is the archaeological treasure city known as Sarafand, Lebanon. This city is also known as Sarepta. It is about 30 miles north of the current border of Lebanon and Israel.    Interestingly enough, the name of this city roughly translates as "refinery" since it was a center for metal smelting and refining long ago.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6886&t=KJV  
Today, aren't refineries also involved in oil and gas production? That makes it interesting indeed! This is also the city where Elijah increased the bread and oil perpetually of the widow in 1 Kings 17:16.  As I write this point, I am reminded of the blessing of Israel and Moses on Asher.  "Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties."  Bread and fat(a variant of the word used as oil) were the blessing!  (See Deuteronomy 33:24 for the blessing of Moses.)  I am sure that all of the money made from the oil here would yield many "royal dainties".  


If Israel controls from this city, Sarepta, south, there is no more concern as to where the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel is.  Are we nearing this being fulfilled?  Common sense says yes!  

What else is interesting about Sarepta or Zarephath?  Author and prophecy teacher, John McTernan, has often pointed out that the region from Sarepta to the southern border of Lebanon with Israel is also the region controlled by Hezbollah.  http://johnmcternansinsights.blogspot.com/2011/01/special-attention-lebanon.html  
Were Israel to control this region where Hezbollah currently has a stockpile of 50,000 rockets as well as other weapons, there would be much stability for the Jewish people.  Cables show Hezbollah has 50,000 rockets: WikiLeaks - Economic Times  God, thousands of years ago, outlined all of the regions He will give over to Israel.  These same lands are all hotspots in our news today!  Pay attention--YOU are about to see much prophecy fulfilled.


This begs the question, are you ready for the return of Jesus Christ?  Have you accepted the free gift of pardon found in the work of Jesus? If not, simply confess your sins and accept that He took your penalty for those sins by the atoning work at the cross.   "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21   And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  Acts 2:21  Follow Him friend!  He is surely near, even at the door.


**John has done extensive study on Obadiah, and I highly recommend his blog. http://johnmcternan.name/ 

Hezbollah Control of Southern Lebanon

Whether the trigger is oil, rockets, borders, terrorism, or the dispute over control Jerusalem which the prophets place so much emphasis on, it is certain that we are nearing the Day of the Lord!  Keep looking and watching and praying.  Jesus Christ is Soon 2 Come!

Prophetic Headlines

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