As Time Gets Shorter The Roaring Gets Louder

And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.

Amos 1:2

After doing a long study and a series entitled, The Lion Roars, on the book of Amos, I was still drawn back to this book again during my personal devotions.  Immediately I was drawn to this verse.  There are three things that need noticing.  First, it is the Lord who is roaring from Jerusalem.  Next, He is addressing the land from North to South.  Finally, the land is mourning.  Let's briefly take a look at each and see if this might just apply to us today as well.

So why is it important to see that the LORD was shouting out to the people from Zion/Jerusalem?  Simply put, this was the place where the temple was and where the established seat of government was.  The problem was that the people of Israel were looking to Dan, Samaria, and Bethel for leadership and guidance rather than the one place God authorized.  They were seeking God in places easy for them to reach, but places where God did not wish for them to go.  The LORD was roaring from Jerusalem to remind an erring people that there was but one place to look--the throne God, Himself, establish and the temple that He allowed to be built in that one place.  It was/is Zion that represents the throne of Christ as the Priest and King.  It is Zion where He paid your debt of sin.  Look to the cross of Zion for salvation!

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:11-12

The Lord's shout was heard from North to South.   Amos was a sheepherder.  Volumes could be written on the word he used to described his job as he purposefully did not use the standard word for shepherd.  The word roughly translates to a "sheep raiser".  It was a job that ensured the flock was the best it could be and that the flock was without without spot or blemish.  It was the job of a common man.  This working man was called on by God to deliver his message about coming judgment, but he too suffers as he saw the drought brought on the land.  The pasture lands were said to be mourning.  Amos was from the pasture region of Tekoa which was about 12 miles south of Jerusalem.  Mt. Carmel was/is a lush region to the north of Isreal, but it too had dried up.  The whole land was agonizing from the roar of the LORD.  Everyone was suffering, including the prophet.  I wonder if he began to seek God with all of his heart to find out what was going on and in the process God called him?

Yes, the land was mourning.  So what?  Does land mourn?  Shouldn't the shepherds have been mourning?  Why were the people not mourning and crying out to God?  It does not say that the priests mourned, so it seems no one was seeking God at all.  This probably goes back to the first note, they all were too captivated with the idols of Dan and Bethel.  God roars through a crisis to get people's attention.  Maybe they were taking the easy worship route without the sacrifice of agonizing, repentant prayer?  They should have cried out to him, but their refusal to mourn, weep, cry, and repent only exacerbated an already bad situation.  Now God will make them mourn so that they will turn.  Sadly, few turned and within just a few decades the people of ten tribes were scattered worldwide until their regathering this century--a key sign that we are in the last days of the church age.  We need to read and heed!  We need to hear God's roar and take action!

The LORD is roaring worldwide!  Heaven is shouting that it alone has the right to rule and set the only parameters for truth.  That truth is Christ.  The offended God, offended by our sin, set the only available means to reach Him through the sacrifice of Christ the Son on Calvary's cross.  Sadly, men today wish to do things their way and ignore God.  As God allowed a 7.7 to 8.2 earthquake and a drought to strike Israel as warnings in Amos' day, God is doing the same today.  Fish and animals are mysteriously dying worldwide.  Earthquakes are intensifying. I read today that there have been 7,163 quakes in just the past 30 days.  Droughts are plaguing countries globally while cutting the amount of available food.  Middle Eastern countries could start the next war over the supply of water not oil.  What is not hit by drought is being destroyed by floods.  The wars and rumors of war are only more intense. Hurricane Isaac was a sure sign that God will not put up with rebellion as this storm affected the city where a wicked event was about to start exactly seven years after Katrina--which also hit the wicked event and shut it down.  Yes, God is roaring loud and He is not happy with those who will not turn to Christ.  His grace has limits, and the limit has just about been reached.

Where are the "shepherds" and "sheep" crying for the harvest.  The fields are rotting and mourning, and there is no one tending them.  Is it not time to share the word of hope and salvation that is inherent in the gospel of an old rugged cross?  What was the first message the Son of God preached?  It is one that seems lost to a church that is too busy with Dan and Bethel to notice.  Here is Christ's first message,  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:12)."  Don't be one of those who is looking to a man or a ministry for direction--seek God.  Don't look to worldly government to better your life--look to Christ.  Dan and Bethel are in ash heaps as this whole world will one day be.  Those who are Christ's, however, will  live forever!  Please do it quickly.  God's roaring will only get louder as a warning to all that time is short and Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!


Please Take Action!
Petition Calling for the Immediate Release and Safekeeping of Rimsha Misrak « Persecution of Christians & Persecuted Churches

Other Posts on Amos
Jesus Christ--Soon2Come: When the LION Roars
Jesus Christ--Soon2Come: The Lion Warns
Jesus Christ--Soon2Come: Understanding the Lion's Warnings

News
Dead Fish, Birds, Cows, Deer, Bison Thousands World Wide! - YouTube
Rebellion erupts over school’s student-chipping plan
Severe Drought Hits Southeast Europe - YouTube
Churches are Using Carnal Means to Attract Visitors (Paul Washer) - YouTube
Mobile phone companies can predict future movements of users by building a profile of their lifestyle | Mail Online
Scientists Successfully ‘Hack’ Brain To Obtain Private Data « CBS Seattle
Nature News Blog: Digital pills make their way to market : Nature News Blog
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/08/30/global-christian-group-takes-up-cause-11-year-old-down-syndrome-girl-facing/
Eerie Bible coincidence for Hurricane Isaac?
*****Water Deficit May Cause New War In Asia: Voice of Russia

Can You Take It? No More Warning

Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Hosea 4:4-6

What a conundrum!  Israel is ever nearer to the destruction that is about to be brought on them by the Assyrians.  Yet, they cannot see that this judgment is from the LORD for their sin.  Rather than hear, they argue about whether it is sinful in the first place--sound familiar?  They will not hear the message that they are erring from God, so they are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  God would love for them to have the knowledge of truth that leads to repentance, but rather than heed the word, they argue and fuss with those sent to warn them.  This is the message of the verses above.  Israel will not understand their undone condition before God.  The LORD commands that they are no longer challenged to repent because they will only debate with those who are sent (v.4).  Then we are told that this lack of knowledge, willfully ignored knowledge of what it will take to have a right relationship with GOD, leads to their destruction.  Hosea was the last prophet sent to Israel.  Soon their rejection of truth and inability to take a rebuke led to their demise.  Yes, what a conundrum!

The Spirit of the LORD will not always strive with man (see Genesis 6:3).  His word is clear enough on what is right and wrong, but when sin reigns and God is rejected in a society, out come the "experts" who wish to philosophize over what God's word "really says".  Just the other day I was reading a news article about a church that was using some fairly worldly means to draw numbers into the church.  The word was clear--their actions were an affront to God's holiness and a mockery of the sacrifice of Christ.  One person dared say that the actions of this congregation were wrong.  Out came the experts.  There were comments like, "It doesn't ever take too long for the Pharisees to show up."  "You are not our judge--God is!" "Take your old-fashioned ideas elsewhere."  This is exactly the message that is shared above.  When people will not hear the truth of the word and those anointed to share it, GOD quits warning and allows them to go along in their delusion.  He has to because they willfully reject His counsel. That is a scary place to be.

Let me say again that we need to understand what sin is so that we can take it to the cross and seek forgiveness and cleansing.  Think of the message of this verse. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8)."  Or what about this verse?  "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us ( 1 John 1:10)."   Sandwiched in between is the often quoted verse 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Just reason with me a minute.  How can you confess if you argue with God about his valid claim that it is wrong?  You can't!

Hosea warned!  He was their last chance.  Hear God as He is shouting to turn to Him before it is too late.  Hear those who lovingly rebuke, reprove, and exhort even as they are commanded by scripture.  Hear Jesus as He calmly knocks on the door of your heart awaiting the permission to enter.  Don't delay when He corrects.  After all, He is Soon2Come!

I highly suggest this page:  Easy-Believism: Another False Gospel | Amos 3:7

Can You Take It?

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Leviticus 19:17

Hate speech.  It is a term that seems to appear more and more in the news and on the lips of many--including Christians.  There are many who seem to misunderstand the message of love that underlies a loving rebuke from God's word or a close friend.  In essence, anything that does not fit into our opinions, viewpoints, and beliefs could be labeled as hate speech.  However, the problem is that we are fallible, prone to error, and sometimes in desperate need of the kind of love that sets us straight.

Consider the verse above from Leviticus.  It is in two parts but has the same message--don't hate; love.  The first part of this verse informs us that we are to reprove another believer if we see grave error.  To not do so is hatred; furthermore, to see a friend or loved one in sin and allow them to go along in the delusion that it is OK is not seen by GOD as love.  An attitude that does not speak out against things that destroy is deceit plain and simple.  Is deceit love?  Think on the message of the following verses for just a moment:

Open rebuke is better than secret love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:5-6

He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.  Proverbs 28:23

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.  Psalm 141:5

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  Matthew 18:15

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Galatians 6:1

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.   2 Timothy 2:4

There are many more, but these are enough to prove the point--are they not?

The second portion of Leviticus 19:17 gives us the reason for loving another enough to share a sharp rebuke.  Sin brings suffering.  To see someone struggling along with a sin which often dulls their senses and blinds their reasoning is to allow the effects of their error to hurt them or others they are associated with.  

Just imagine that you lived in ancient Israel and had knowledge that King David was about to commit adultery with Bathsheba.  Should you have confronted him?  Think for a moment.  What sort of suffering came from that one sin?  David murdered Uriah, as well as many other good soldiers who rushed the walls of Rabbah (see 2 Samuel 11:17 as more than Uriah died that day).  Think of the suffering of those families.  What about the death of the child, the rape of Tamar, the embarrassment brought by Absalom and Ammnon?  All of these events, and others, are directly related to that one sin.  So, in time, do you not think David would have been thankful?  

This post was intended to get to a prophetic verse from Hosea as GOD reveals that a people who will not take rebuke are already under judgment.  Many today consider anyone who lovingly rebukes another as being a hate monger while God sees it as an act of love.  The problem is that too many are focused on what the world says and not what "Thus saith the LORD."  Think about what the world is saying.  Just this week we saw a group put up billboards that said Jesus promotes hate and calls it love.  What would you expect the world to say?  Come out from among them and be ye separate.

I do know that there are those who are hateful and feel it is their mission to be a judgmental prude.  That happens. As an example, I knew a lady who believed that God gave her the spiritual gift of pastoral rebuke--no joke.  I am not talking about Pharisaical hypocrisy!  This is about those friends and loved ones who see the potential danger in our actions, and who warn us in a spirit of love.  More on this later.  Until then, keep your eyes skyward and your ears perked.  Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

Hate or Love?

Turning Values Into Hate

Report Highlights Consistent Pattern of Hostility Toward Christians in US

Christians victims of rising 'hostility' from gov't and secular groups, report says | Fox News

Atheists' road signs attack faiths of Romney, Obama ahead of Democratic convention | Fox News

Billboard calls Jesus ‘Useless Savior’
Complaints cause atheist-funded billboards in North Carolina to come down | Fox News

Blinded

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

2 Corinthians 4:3-5

The Bible is clear.  Mankind has a very real and malevolent enemy who continually seeks to destroy.  Jesus said of this enemy that He comes to steal, kill, and destroy while He, Jesus, comes to give abundant life (John 10:10).  Paul, as shared above, pointed to Satan's ability to blind men's minds.  The sole purpose is to keep them from the cross as it is the only means of salvation.  The devil only wants to keep men from God, and he is working overtime to do it in these last days.

It is always important to remember the tactics of the enemy. Let's take today's hot button issue, homosexual marriage, as an example. What is the devil's purpose in justifying this sin (or any sin for that matter)? It is to destroy for eternity. If a person is convinced that their sin is normal behavior or that it is not wrong in God's eyes, they feel no need to repent and seek restoration with God. To them, it is not wrong, so why do they need a savior? Satan has effectively hid the gospel. 

I give no pretense nor place to hide. Homosexuality is sin and it needs God's forgiveness in Christ. Yet, the destroyer of men's souls wishes our "enemies" to think that it is ok. This is why Jesus always asked us to pray for our "enemies" as He does not enjoy sending them to destruction; furthermore, He wishes that all would repent and be saved. As proof, consider the words the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet, Ezekiel.  "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"  Or consider the words given by inspiration to Simon Peter.  "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Another trick is to make our opinions or the opinions of others replace GOD.  This makes them an idol.  All belief systems, including atheism, require faith to be placed somewhere. As such, they become idols when they rise against the Word of GOD. Our problem is that we are in a pluralistic, materialistic, and relativistic society which is clearly in the process of casting the word of GOD aside. In essence, the Post-modern culture is saying that there is no clear, ultimate truth and every culture and religion seems to have portions of truth. The fact is that there is a solid truth that cannot be altered, changed, nor broken. It was clearly defined by Jesus who, by His life, death, and resurrection, has proven Himself to be the authority. His miracles, ministry, and life are clearly indicators of His qualifications. Even His contemporary critics had to work hard to explain away His power, but their attempts only made it evident that He is who He claimed to be–God our Savior.

 Just a reminder, Truth is true even if no one believes it, and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it! This means that many are choosing to place their faith in their own opinions and theories while discrediting and discounting God and His word. Men place faith somewhere, for instance, Dawkins places His faith squarely in Darwinistic evolution all the while maligning the Lord. Man is by nature a creature of faith. He has to trust in something. Why not trust the Word of God that lasts forever and has infallible evident proofs like an empty grave, a 100 percent accuracy at prophecy, historically validated evidence, and more? Not to mention the thousands of changed lives of those who wholeheartedly gave themselves to Christ and the word. 

Don't become willfully blinded.  Our true enemy is working overtime because he knows his time is limited.  He knows he has an abyssal appointment and then a long swim in the lake of fire.  He also knows that Jesus Christ is Soon2Come,  Do you?

Speaking of Poor Souls Blinded

Billboard calls Jesus ‘Useless Savior’

Atheists' road signs attack faiths of Romney, Obama ahead of Democratic convention | Fox News

A Clash of Worldviews--Without the WORD

But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Jude 1:10

If you have ever shared the truth with someone only to find that they seemed to be speaking a different language with respect to morality, it may be that they are.  The underlying issue is the world view from which they are basing their life.  Both Simon Peter and Jude mention that in the last days a pervasive worldview would arise that had men acting like natural brute beasts.  The Greek word zoon that is translated as beast simply means that they are acting like animals who follow base instincts.  Compare this to the word used for both the Antichrist and the False Prophet--therion.  This word implies a wild and ferocious animal.  In the use of both, there is the idea that men in the last days will be driven by their own fleshly "instincts" over the truth of GOD's word.  This is amazing to note since this is precisely the basis of the naturalistic, evolutionary worldview held by so many.  Sadly, the warnings of scripture clearly show that this idea invades Christ's church and is the structure on which false teachers rest. They deny God's power and presence while they have an empty shell of religion.  It is a form of godliness that denies the power of the Almighty.

At the core of this worldview is the concept that all there is just randomly happened.  All the universe, humanity included, is just a random and chance arrangement of molecules driven by blind forces of nature.  Nature, not GOD, is in control.  Therefore, this world view is anti-supernatural in that it sees no need for a creator nor His agency.  Since there is no God guiding and directing the affairs of the universe, there is also no divine truth--truth being a relative issue.  In essence, God's revelation in the Bible is a lie equivalent to a fairy tale.  Paul chimes in here to note that it is these very folks in the last days who are following fairy tales.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Timothy 4:3a & 4)."

Jude also warns that this worldview will seemingly have the advantage in the last days.  Since God is a myth, and we are products of nature, we are equal to the animals.  Animals, then, have the same rights as humans.  This is the very scenario that Peter, Jude, Paul and others outlined clearly in scripture.  As we see this dominant worldview, one nearly peculiar to this age, it is a clear sign that we are near the coming of the LORD.  This is also why men are acting like animals.  They have been taught that they are nothing more than a brute beast.  Even animals are treated better.  It is safer to be a whale or a dog than it is being an unborn human!  

Back to the word.  It is always important to remember this statement.  Truth is true even if no one believes it, and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it!  The word, brute, used in both 2 Peter and Jude in the statement, brute beasts, is interesting.  It is the Greek word, alogos!  The "a" prefix means without.  Logos means the WORD!  This is the definitive statement of those who put faith in godless ideologies, they are without the Word.  This word is a person as well.  Peter's close friend, John, said it best, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1)." Don't put faith in fallible humanity and its limited knowledge.  Trust Jesus, the WORD, as He alone is truth!  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Furthermore, He is Soon2Come! Why not trust Him in the full pardon of your sins today.  Call on Him in prayer, and HE will answer!

Today's Ominous Headlines

11-year-old mentally challenged Christian girl jailed for blasphemy – The Express Tribune

Such a peaceful sort!

The Middle East

KAHLILI: Iran admits giving WMDs to terrorists - Washington Times 
Israel 'Asks Egypt to Take Armor Out of Sinai' - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News

IDF stations Iron Dome battery in Eilat amid G... JPost - Defense

Samaria Ready for Wartime Evacuees - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News

'Family-Friendly' Hizbullah Terror Theme Park - Middle East - News - Israel National News 

Iranian general dares IDF to str... JPost - Iranian Threat - News

Disasters and Other Signs

Mighty Mississippi low on water as drought hits artery of commerce | Fox News

Officials keep eye on weather as western wildfires burn | Fox News

Dallas Declares State Of Emergency Over West Nile Virus

Have you seen the dead fish on the beach? - YouTube

Idaho evacuations ordered; Wash. residents go home - Yahoo! News

Week of derecho-highlighted storms caused more damage in Ohio than any disaster except Xenia tornadoes and Hurricane Ike, according to Ohio Insurance Institute - Columbus - Business First 

The Approaching Mark and Last Days Tech

Man jailed for collecting rainwater in illegal reservoirs on his property | Fox News

Kane County Chronicle | McIlvaine claims city not letting him use rainwater

NYPD unveils new high-tech system to track crime and terrorism | Fox News

More than 70 per cent of Canadians ready to go "cashless" - Press Release - Digital Journal

» Pentagon Developing Autonomous Humanoid Robots To “Perform Evacuation Operations” Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

Breakthrough: Electronic circuits that are integrated with your skin

A Clash of Worldviews

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. 

2 Peter 2:12-13a

In proper context, the above portion of scripture is distinguishing false teachers and preachers from those who are true to the call of Christ.  Peter's second epistle, a book of teaching specifically for the church and not the world, gives believers pertinent information on how to prevent being "unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:8)."  It also gives clear warnings on how to spot false doctrine and false teachers.  A bit of this was discussed in the previous post The True and the False.  Furthermore, both of the letters of Simon Peter specifically relate to the last days of the church age, the coming Day of the Lord, and the final disposition of this world in judgment.  Another example of this eschatological teaching is found in a post from last year called Following the Instruction Manual.  The overall question is, did the apostle portend the clash of opposing worldviews that is currently found universally?  

Briefly, a worldview is the lens by which a person chooses to view the world around them.  A Christian, then, should seek to maintain a biblical worldview.  Certain elements of this viewpoint would permeate all of their thinking and action seeing that they feel they will be accountable to God for their walk with Christ.  A Christian worldview would contain the following doctrinal concepts:

• The belief in absolute moral truth
• The inerrant nature of scripture
• The truth that the Creator of the universe is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, unchanging, and eternal
• That God still controls the universe today and that He will hold all mankind accountable to His standards
• That God has spoken to man repeatedly and most profoundly in the person and work of Jesus Christ
• That Jesus Christ, the 2nd person of the Trinity, is the Redeemer and only available means for salvation by His shed blood at Calvary's cross
• That Heaven is given as a gift by faith in Christ's atonement and not the result of an individuals good works
• That Satan is real and actively engaged in warfare with believers in a effort to thwart their work of sharing the gospel, and that he is seeking to hide the cross as God's only means of salvation
• That Christ, whose death and resurrection purchased and secured salvation, will return again

As basic as these ideas seem to be to anyone seriously reading the Bible, repeated studies confirm that only a small majority of "Christians" actually have a biblical worldview.  Research by the the Barna Group continually emphasizes this sad fact.

The Holy Spirit, through the pen of the Apostle Peter, revealed that men would arise in the church that acted more like  natural brute beasts than like men and women of God.  In essence, they would be "instinct" driven much like an animal is.  Ironically, this idea is at the very core of today's anti-supernaturalist, evolutionary driven, non-biblical worldview.  Is this the idea that the Lord intended for us to see near the last days?  This idea will be explored more at a later date.  Until then, keep looking up--Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

Are You Watching?

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Isaiah 62:6-7

As the door opened I was shocked to see a mammoth of a man at the door.  He was so muscular that I  nearly cowered at the sight of him.  To make it worse, he was tattooed everywhere visible and wearing leather and chains.  There was no doubt that this massive biker was going to squash me like a bug.  "Holy Spirit, why did you bring me to this door?", was my prayer of "faith?".  I introduced myself and mentioned the Church of God Ministry to the Military church I attended just outside the gates of Ft. Polk, LA.  His expression told me that I might be having a rough day and that the pounding I expected may be soon.  As he began to close the door--in anger--I shouted for no apparent reason, "Keep an eye on Jerusalem--it is the key to the prophecies indicating the coming of Christ."  To my amazement, he swung around, asked me to repeat what I had just said, and then began to cry as I reiterated the  statement that seemed to come out of thin air!  He began to sob--outright tear filled sobbing!  I was still trying to figure out where the idea to mention Jerusalem had come from as it was an unusual statement.  He then said, "That is what my grandma used to always say to me."  Apparently, his grandmother had passed on a few years back, but she was a real prayer warrior who constantly tried to wake him up to his condition without Christ.  The statement about Jerusalem was something she had often said to him so he would not miss the coming of Christ.  Amazing!


In Isaiah's day, the city of Jerusalem was still intact.  However, the morality of the nation was disgusting and judgment was certain to follow.  God, however, was not finished with the city nor the children of Israel.  His ultimate plan was to bring salvation and righteousness.  God would not rest nor have peace until his plans for Jerusalem were realized.  Those plans are not yet fully enacted and that is why Christ, the High Priest, is at work now interceding for the city and all of God's people.  In the redemption of Jerusalem portrayed in this passage, there is a great parallel to God's overall plan of salvation for humanity.  Jesus would not rest until He purchased salvation.  He, himself, would pay the price of redemption by giving His own life as a ransom for humanity.  He, too, takes those men and women who are seemingly abandoned and forsaken and graciously provides love and His continual presence.  As The ultimate Prophet, Priest, and soon coming King, He is still on duty for all believers. What mercy!

His last promise to Jerusalem was to put watchmen over them.  Just as believer's have angels watching and protecting them, God has raised up a mighty prayer force to pray for the City of the Great King.  Every time the prayer, "Thy Kingdom come...", is uttered, believers are praying for God to establish the city where Jesus Christ will reign supreme.  Are you praying for the peace of Jerusalem?  Keep an eye on Jerusalem--it is the key to prophecies indicating the coming of Christ.  It is important!  There is much news today calling us to prayer and reminding us that Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

Pray!
Israeli officials slam Obama's 'wretched' Iran red line - Israel News, Ynetnews
Ahmadinejad calls for annihilati... JPost - Iranian Threat - News
Turkish tank drills on Syrian border seen as warning to Kurds - chicagotribune.com
'Russia sends navy vessels, marines to S... JPost - International
Assad Transfers Missiles to Lebanese Border - Middle East - News - Israel National News
Jewish Home MK calls for a Third Temple in Jerusalem | The Times of Israel *********
Benjamin Netanyahu Says He Would Accept Responsibility for Consequences in Event of Israeli Strike Against Iran | TheBlaze.com
IAF to receive upgraded Arrow interceptor soon - JPost - Defense
Israel Racing against War, Upgrades Missile Shield - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News***
Iran official: Fire from U.S. actions in Syria will 'gobble up' Israel - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper
Israel to Arabs: No Ties with Israel? No Entry - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News
IDF in heavy firefight with terrorists on Gaza... JPost - Defense  ***** 
Shelling, Possible Infiltration on Gaza Border - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News