Author: Mike Wingfield

2014 February – The Sign of the Red Blood Moon

The Sign of the Red Blood Moon

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.”-Joel 2:30-31

By Mike Wingfield

The Bible tells us that in the past, God spoke to His cho­sen people, Israel, in a variety of ways (Hebrews 1:1), in­cluding through signs and wonders. Our Lord’s Jewish disciples believed their prophets had declared there would be signs from the Lord at the end of this age. Consequent­ly, near the end of His earthly ministry almost 2,000 years ago, they asked Jesus: “Tell us … what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the [age]?” (Matthew 24:3) Part of Jesus’ response to their question is found in Luke 21:25-27: “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. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glo­ry.” Therefore, it is clear that the last days will be marked by strange and unique celestial phenomena that include the sun and the moon.

Before, we examine the celestial signs of the last days, we need to recall to mind the words of the Apostle Paul when he declared “the Jews require a sign.” (1 Corinthians 1:22) The Scriptures indicate that the Holy One of Israel has spoken to the Jewish people through many signs, wonders, miracles, and visual aids. The ministries of many of the great prophets of Israel – Moses, Elijah, and Elisha – were accompanied by these great wonders. With powerful visual aids to communicate divine revelation, God spoke to the children of Israel in the wilderness with the Shekinah Glory, manna from heaven, and water from a rock. He directed them to build a tabernacle where He would meet with them. Many supernatural events were connected to the Ark of the Covenant. He spoke to them through the sacrificial system and the priesthood about His holiness, their sin, and the need of redemption.

When Jesus came, His ministry was also accompanied by signs, miracles, and wonders. After His ascension to heaven, the apostles continued with “the signs of an apos­tle.” (2 Corinthians 12:12) However, a close study of the New Testament will indicate that as the church became more Gentile, the Jewish apostles gradually passed off the scene. As this occurred, the signs, miracles, and wonders connected to the ministry of a Jewish messenger of God ceased. The Apostle Paul proclaimed this would happen.

(1 Corinthians 13:8)

Ultimately, the church will be raptured and the Lord will return to His divine program with Israel. When this hap­pens, supernatural signs, dreams, and visions will return to His people. Speaking to the Jewish people of the Tribu­lation Period, Joel wrote: “And it shall come to pass af­terward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your [Jewish] sons and your [Jewish] daughters shall prophesy, your [Jewish] old men shall dream dreams, your [Jewish] young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” (Joel 2:28-29) In a very unique sense, a divine anointing of power and protection will be upon 144,000 young Jewish men (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1­5) and two Jewish witnesses. (Revelation 11:3-12)

It is evident from the Scriptures, that in God’s eternal plan, the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by amazing celestial signs. Concerning His first coming, Matthew [which many scholars agree was written for a Jewish audience] wrote: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea … there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2) Concerning the second coming of Christ, there are numerous passages that con­nect it with amazing celestial signs. Some of them are:

Isaiah 13:13; 24:23; Joel 2:27-32; 3:15; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; Luke 21:25-27; Acts 2:16-20; Revelation 6:12-14. Within these passages, there are three that pre­dict the moon will appear to be red like blood. (Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20; and Revelation 6:12)

It is Biblically legitimate to view some amazing celestial events as supernatural signs. When Moses recorded the creation account 1,400 years before the time of Christ, He wrote: “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” (Genesis 1:14)

Furthermore, it must be noted that the Scriptures connect the guaranteed survival of Israel with the existence of the sun and the moon. In Jeremiah 31:36, the Lord promised:

“If those ordinances [sun, moon, & stars] depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.” In another prophetic passage, Revelation 12:1, the Bible de­scribes Israel in a symbolic form which includes the sun and the moon. “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven [symbolic picture of Israel]; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Revelation 12:1) So, in a very unique sense, the signs in the sun and moon have special relevance for the Jewish people in general and the nation of Israel in particular.

In light of all of this, it is very interesting to consider the NASA reports concerning some very unique and timely celestial events that will take place in connection with the feasts of Israel this year and in 2015.

Moon Picture

Please notice that there are four red blood moons sched­uled to appear on Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) this year and in 2015. These back to back red blood moons on Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles have occurred seven times previously in history. It is sig­nificant to note that the last two times were in 1949-1950 (Israel’s War of Independence and victory over five pow­erful Arab neighbors) and in 1967-1968 (Israel’s amazing victory in just six days over the same Arab neighbors in June 1967). This leads us to ask: Are we about to witness another war in the Middle East between Israel and her Ar­ab neighbors this year or next?

Another question that is being asked is: Does the appear­ance of these four red blood moons indicate the rapture is about to occur and these red blood moons would be those predicted to take place during the Tribulation? Those who ask this question are quick to point out that these back to back red moons are not scheduled to take place again for over 100 years from now. Also, they observe that it seems apparent that the feasts of Israel are in some way a chronological presentation of the redemptive plan of God for Israel. Christ died exactly at the time of Passover. He is called “our Passover.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) His resur­rection took place on the next Jewish feast, the Feast of First Fruits. 1 Corinthians 15:23 declares that Christ is “the firstfruits” of the resurrection. The next feast was Pentecost, which is when the church began. (Acts 2) Now, looking forward, the next major Jewish feast is the Feast of Trumpets. Many connect this feast with the trumpets of the last days. The last annual Jewish feast is the Feast of Tabernacles, which many Biblical scholars connect to a symbolic reference to the millennial king­dom. So, the fact that these back to back red blood moon appear on major Jewish feasts days makes them very sig­nificant. Before we attempt to Biblically examine these considerations, it is extremely important to examine the Bible and the scientific evidence to determine what creates the conditions for a red blood moon.

Please notice that in the Biblical texts that speak of a red blood moon, there is also mention of accompanying signs on earth that will create “blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.” (Acts 2:19; see also Joel 2:30) In Revelation 6:12 the darkened sun and red blood moon are connected to “a great earthquake.” The prophet Isaiah wrote about the massive global earthquakes of the Tribulation Period and their devastating results in Isaiah 24. In verse 23 he states that “the moon shall [blush] and the sun ashamed [cover its face]…” Collectively, it appears that these verses, as they are interpreted in their context, indicate global earthquakes will trigger global volcanic eruptions that will spew volcanic ash into the atmosphere, blocking out the sunlight during the day and making the moon have a blood-like appearance. Scientists tell us that when we see a deep red sunset or sunrise, we are looking at the light of the sun through volcanic ash in the upper atmosphere.

A red blood moon takes place during a total lunar eclipse. When the earth comes between the sun and the moon, it creates a dark shadow on the moon side of earth. [See the diagram below.] The only light of the sun that reaches the moon is the small amount that shines around the surface of the earth. If this atmosphere is filled with volcanic ash, it will cast a red light upon the surface of the moon.

Eclipse Picture

To help us grasp all of this, NASA gives the following report: “Our planet casts a long shadow. It starts on the ground–Step outside at night. You’re in Earth’s shadow. Think about it!–and it stretches almost a million miles into space, far enough to reach the moon.

“Suppose you had a personal spaceship. Here’s your mis­sion: Tonight, at midnight, blast off and fly down the mid­dle of Earth’s shadow. Keep going until you’re about 200,000 miles above Earth, almost to the moon. Now turn around and look down. The view from your cockpit win­dow is Earth’s nightside, the dark half of our planet oppo­site the sun. But it’s not completely dark! All around Earth’s limb, the atmosphere glows red.

“What you’re seeing is every sunrise and sunset on Earth-­all at once. This ring of light shines into Earth’s shadow, breaking the utter darkness you might expect to find there. Turn off the cockpit lights. There’s a lovely red glow.

“That same red light plays across the moon when it’s in­side Earth’s shadow. The exact color depends on what’s floating around in Earth’s atmosphere. Following a volcan­ic eruption, for instance, dust and ash can turn global sun­sets vivid red. The moon would glow vivid red, too.” (www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/13oct_luna reclipse.html)

Those who want to be adamant that these red blood moons are heralding the Tribulation Period should be very cau­tious. While it is possible that these red blood moons could occur in the Tribulation Period, we cannot be abso­lutely positive. One must remember that NASA and other scientists are making their predictions based upon what has been normal according to our historical and scientific data. The unique geological and celestial developments of the Tribulation demand caution on our part when draw­ing any hard conclusions concerning the chronology of future prophetic events. Nothing like the Tribulation Pe­riod has ever occurred in the history of creation. This will be an unprecedented time of geological, climatic, and ce­lestial upheaval. While speaking about the wrathful di­vine judgments that will come upon the earth during this time, Jesus declared: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, nor, nor ever shall be. … the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” (Matthew 24:21, 29) The prophet Zephaniah described this time as “a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick dark­ness.” (Zephaniah 1:15)

The uniqueness of this period of time is also seen in the impact of the days of great darkness that will come upon the earth due to the collecting volcanic ash in the upper atmosphere. At first, one-third of the atmosphere will be darkened, blotting out the sunlight during the day. (Reve­lation 8:12) Finally, when the end of the Tribulation comes, the entire earth will be enveloped in darkness. (Revelation 16:10) Under normal conditions, this would produce another global ice age. However, just the oppo­site will occur. The inhabitants will suffer increasing scorching heat. (Malachi 4:1; Revelation 16:9) No one can pretend to understand how the Lord will bring about these unique developments. The uniqueness of the celes­tial and geological developments in the Tribulation Period cannot rule out more red blood moons and solar eclipses that are not anticipated by scientists. We must not rule out God’s sovereign rule over His creation. For example, the Lord gave a sign to King Hezekiah, turning the shadow of the sun back 10 degrees. (2 Kings 20:8-11)

I am not trying to minimize the impact that the approach­ing red blood moons this year and next will have as defi­nite signs of the end of this age. In light of the context of the Middle East at this moment, it is very apparent that these red blood moons are heralding some significant de­velopment that relates to Israel. However, no one can pre­tend to know what they are or when these events will take place.

As we watch all of these signs it should create a spirit of expectancy in all of our lives. We should all stand in awe of the possibility that we could be in the presence of our Lord before the sun sets tonight. For those of us who are saved, it should motivate us to be holy – set apart from this godless, wicked, and immoral culture in which we live.

When He comes, will you be ashamed or confident of the record of your life? “And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence,

and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28) Are you abiding in Christ? To abide in Christ is to live in His presence. Read John 15:1-11. When we abide in Christ we will also feel at home in the Bible. It will strengthen us so that we will produce fruit (works) that will glorify our Lord. Are you at home in the Bible? Are you involved in His work for His glory? If the answer to these questions is “no,” then you had better repent or you will “be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28)

“Therefore, be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

Palestinians and Putin Join Hands

Debka File, a special website dedicated to reporting mili­tary and intelligence insights into the Middle East, reports: “Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) launched his ‘diplomatic intifada’ against Israel and exit from the Kerry peace initiative Thursday, Jan. 23, from Moscow. His meetings with President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev marked his breakaway from the US-led peace process with Israel, four months before it was due to expire, and signaled his bid for Russian backing for a Palestinian state.”

(www.debka.com)- link only works if you have a paid subscription to debka.com

This move by Abbas caught the Americans and Israelis completely off guard. It means that all of the recent ef­forts to bring about a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been openly rejected by the Pal­estinians.

As if this was not enough shock, the Palestinian leadership signed an agreement with the Russians that would allow the Russians to develop a $1 billion natural gas project off

the coast of Gaza. This is very troubling because Abbas’

government is not in control of Gaza and British Gas al­ready has the rights to this area. Israelis are concerned that the Russians are making a move to get a share of the valuable oil and gas deposits in the Mediterranean just off of their coastal area.

“The Palestinian leader began his conversation with Putin by calling Russia a “great power” that deserved to play a more prominent role in the volatile Middle East region. …The Palestinians have clearly opted to follow the exam­ples of other Middle East leaders, ranging from Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to Syria’s Bashar Assad, Saudi

King Abdullah and Egyptian strongman Abdel-Fatteh El-Sisi, in making tracks, overtly or covertly, to Moscow. They are opening the door for Russia to fill the void left by American disengagement from the region under the Obama administration.” (www.debka.com– same article-link only works if you have a paid subscription to debka.com)

This report definitely illustrates that Russia has its eyes on the wealth in Israel and is casting its lot with the Arab Muslims. This is certainly setting the stage for the Gog and Magog invasion mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39. Accord­ing this prophecy, the vast wealth in Israel will be one of the reasons behind this Russia/Islamic invasion of Israel.

(Ezekiel 38:12-13)

The Ugly Face of Anti-Semitism

I have made many trips to Israel in the last 29 years. Most of my memories of these trips are very pleasant and have enabled me to understand the Bible, especially Biblical prophecy. The one unpleasant, yet very important, part of my tours to Israel has been a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust and the six million Jewish peo­ple who perished. I would never take a tour to Israel without a visit to Yad Vashem. It has been my practice to make this the last stop on my tour before our group travels to Ben Gurion airport for our trip back home. I want those who travel with me to never forget the Holocaust and what happen there. Anyone who visits this museum will know why there needs to be a Jewish nation called Israel. The Jewish people need to have a home of their own where they can defend themselves against the historical hatred that can be found throughout the pages of history . The Holocaust museum is overwhelming. If a person were to meticulously analyze the records, displays, exhibi­tions, and recorded testimonies, it could take about three days. Each time I visit this place I am moved to tears. I find it hard to grasp how anyone could be filled with hate! It is shocking to me how anyone, and especially those who claim to be Christians, can despise and hate the Jewish people. I have a very deep love for Israel and her people and constant pray for their safety in their land.

The Arab/Islamic world denies the Holocaust. They say it never happened. It is my observation that the Holocaust is one of the most documented events in the 20th century. The Nazis were proud of what they did and they kept me­ticulous records and photos to document what they did. In April, 2006, Germany made these records available to the public. “The files, which make up one of the largest Hol­ocaust archives in the world, are more than 15 miles long and hold up to 50 million documents, some seized by the Allies as they liberated concentration camps.” (http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Germany-to-release­Holocaust-archives-2499590.php)-link only goes to the front page, store has been removed/deleted.

The world just recognized International Holocaust Day on January 27th, the day the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Allies in 1945. Yet, this is nothing compared to Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day each spring. Sirens wail all over Israel for two minutes. Every person stops what they are doing and stands in complete silence for two minutes. Cars on the highway stop and all passengers get out of their automobiles to stand in memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holo­caust.

The shocking evidence that our world is moving toward another Holocaust is evident both in the Scripture and the growing trends of anti-Semitism around the world. The most virulent expressions of hatred expressed toward the Jewish people are found in the Middle East among the Islamic populations. For thirteen centuries, Islam has treated Jews as being subhuman and demonic. Hatred toward Jews today is collectively aimed at the nation of Israel. Every facet of Islamic life promotes the destruction of Israel. Mein Kampf, Hitler’s diatribe against the Jews, remains a best seller throughout the Islamic world. Iran continues to call Israel a “cancer” that needs to be re­moved. The Islamic leadership of Iran continues to call for the annihilation of Israel. As with Hitler’s threats against Jews, the world is once again deaf, or does not seem to care that six million Jews in Israel could perish should Iran launch a relatively small nuclear bomb against the tiny nation of Israel.

Long ago, the prophet Moses prophesied that the Jewish people would be scattered among the nations and find no place of acceptance among them. (Deuteronomy 28:63­67) However, the Lord directed Moses to proclaim that in the last days the Lord would bring His people back to the land of Israel. (Deuteronomy 30:1-6) There are dozens of prophetic Scriptures which proclaim that the Jewish peo­ple would return to their land in the last days. These same prophetic passages declare that when the Jewish people return to their land, the world would join the nations sur­rounding Israel and attempt to annihilate the Jewish peo­ple. (Ezekiel 36:1-9; Joel 3:1-17; Zechariah 12:1-14:3)

This hatred for the Jewish people will culminate during the final seven years of this age before the Messiah, Jesus Christ, returns at Armageddon. During this final seven years, two-thirds of the world’s Jewish population will be exterminated. (Zechariah 13:8-9) Until the time comes when the Lord will rescue Israel, it is the duty and privi­lege of the Lord’s people to stand by Israel. We need to support the Jewish people with our love and prayers. We need to stand with the Lord and His people, Israel.

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2014 January – Thinking about Time and Eternity

Thinking about Time and Eternity

By Mike Wingfield

[Biblical references have been given to help the reader search the Scriptures. We admonish all of our readers to take time to read these Biblical references as they read this newsletter. Those who do this will learn the most.]

Under God’s created order, we are all creatures of time. Think about it: We measure the progression of our experi­ences in seconds, minutes, hours, days, and years. How­ever, as we grow older, we learn that our perspective of time changes. For most children, an hour can seem like forever! But, older adults often comment about how time passes so quickly.

Tragically, most people in our modern culture race through life without ever stopping to think about time and eternity! According to the Bible, God has made man to live forever. Once a man’s time is complete upon this earth (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2; Hebrews 9:27), he will either go into “everlasting punishment” or enjoy “life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46) Consequently, God has “set eternity” in every person’s heart. [Ecclesiastes 3:11-The word translated “world” in the KJV is the Hebrew word “olam”, which means eternity.] This simply means that when we walk with God in His wisdom, we live our days on earth with a Biblical consciousness of eternity. The only people who can do this are believers who walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) Those who do this will saturate their minds with the Word of God so that they can begin to think like God. (Isaiah 55:6-11)

Let us look at five Biblical realities about time and eterni­ty:

1. The Bible is a revelation about time and eternity.

When we consider the Holy Scriptures, we must realize that they are divine revelation. When God speaks, He speaks from His perspective in eternity. While it is diffi­cult for our finite minds to grasp, the Bible repeatedly tells us that God dwells in eternity – the eternal now. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that [inhabits] eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place…” (Isaiah 57:15) When God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, He referred to Himself as “I AM THAT I AM.” (Ex­odus 3:14) God is not bound by time, space, or matter.

When we say that God is not bound by time, it means He is not confined to the progressive events of His creation. God has no past or future. God sees and experiences all of the events of His creation from eternity past to eternity future at the same moment. He dwells in the eternal now. Time dwells in the eternal God, but mortal man dwells in time! This means that time is God’s servant. However, mortal man on earth is enslaved to time. We cannot save it, stop it, or slow it down. Time waits for no one.

God’s revelation does deal with time. God must reveal His eternal plans to finite man within the boundaries of time. He must do this because on earth, man is a creature of time. This is what makes Biblical prophecy so valuable to the believer. The prophetic Scriptures continually paint a grand view of time and eternity within the eternal plans of God. Our finite thinking concerning the movements of God within our framework of time is a very difficult thing to grasp. We tend to think that God is like us and views everything from the perspective of time. For example, when the scoffers of the first century were mentally har­assing the early church concerning the imminent hope of the Second Coming of Christ, the Apostle Peter answered by reminding them that they were willingly ignorant of the very nature of God. He said: “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) Peter was simply reminding these enemies of the gospel that they could not think of God in the terms of man. God is eternal and man on earth is finite, bound by time.

2. Time began with creation.

Without the aid of the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit, man cannot think outside the boundaries of time. When we attempt to think of the absence of time before the creation, our minds go blank. Yet, this is where the Biblical revelation begins: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Genesis 1:1 declares that in God’s eternal plans, this was the beginning of time, space, and matter! Before this divine creative act of God, there was no time, space, or matter! Hebrews 11:3 declares: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do ap­pear.” In other words, Jesus Christ spoke time, space, and matter into existence out of nothing. For those of us who have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and have searched His Word, we have learned that while our minds cannot totally understand all of this, we by faith accept it as being true. “Now faith is the substance [confidence] of things hoped for, the evidence [persuasion] of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

As mentioned before, our perspective of time in our earth­ly experiences is relative. An examination of the Biblical record of the creation reveals that the Lord intended for us to measure time on the earth in relationship to the crea­tion. In Genesis 1:14, He said: “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” God gave us the sun and moon to help fix the measurement of time on earth. A day is the time it takes the earth to rotate on its axis. A year is the amount of time it takes for the earth to make one revolution around the sun – 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds. The concept of the measuring of time is only relative to those living on this earth. When the believer goes to heaven, he leaves the earthly bounds of time.

3. Time should be viewed in light of eternity and the purposes of God.

The overall testimony of the Holy Scriptures gives contin­ual evidence that Jesus Christ is working “all things after the counsel of his own will.” (Ephesians 1:11) “To every­thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Everything that the Lord has purposed will come to pass. (Isaiah 14:24, 26-27) It will also take place at the exact time that He has prede­termined in His eternal plan. (Galatians 4:4) All things are moving toward their divine consummation. (1 Corin­thians 15:24-28) In essence, this is the emphasis of Bible prophecy. The prophetic Word of God gives the student of the Bible a detailed view of the eternal plan of God within the context of earthly time.

The view of time in its relationship to eternity is at the heart of having real wisdom and finding the real purpose in life. Proverbs 9:10 states: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the [Holy One] is understanding.” To have true knowledge, under­standing, and wisdom about life, an individual needs to focus on the person and purposes of God revealed in the Bible. To learn about God and His purposes is to learn about life. This is the only way to answer questions about life: Who are we? Where did we come from? Why are we here? What are we to do? Where are we going?

When a person consistently looks at his life on this earth in light of eternity, he will have wisdom for living. Thus, life will become meaningful and joyful. This truth can be found in Psalm 90. In this Psalm, man is caused to view his life in light of eternity. It begins: “LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlast­ing thou art God. … For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday, when it is past, and as a watch [3 hours] in the night.” (Psalm 90:1-2, 4) In these verses, man is faced with one of the most awesome truths the human mind can try to comprehend – eternity.

Every person has a divinely-appointed time on this earth. (Job 7:1) Psalm 31:15 declares that our time is in God’s hands. The Bible teaches that our lifespan is appointed by God. The days of our birth and death have been divinely chosen according to His eternal purposes. (Job 14:1-2, 5; Hebrews 9:27) In light of this, the Psalmist cried out to God: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

4. Eventually we will join God in a timeless eternity. After much research, I have concluded that no person has a final grasp of this subject. It is very humbling to consid­er the subject of a timeless eternity. As mentioned before, the human mind, even when aided by the Scriptures, struggles with attaining such knowledge. Many Bible scholars I admire have a different view of understanding when and how man will enter into a timeless eternity.

Please allow me to share with you what I believe the Scriptures teach about this matter.

When a believer passes out of this life, he moves out of earthly time and into a heavenly time frame. This heaven­ly time frame is a different perspective on time, unlike earthly time, but not yet timeless as it will in the Eternal State [the condition that will prevail in the New Jerusalem upon the new earth as described in Revelation 21-22]. Notice the cry of the martyred Tribulation believers in heaven in Revelation 6:10: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” It appears that these saints in glory are still creatures of time and are asking how long they must wait until the Lord will fulfill His promise of vengeance upon those who killed them. According to the eyewitness of this event, the Apostle John, the heavenly response pointed to a later time: “…rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”

(Revelation 6:11) It appears that these believers in heaven still have some view of time. Furthermore, it must be re­membered that all of the saints in heaven will return to earth to participate in Christ’s earthly kingdom that will last for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:4)

At the end of the millennial kingdom the original creation will suddenly and supernaturally pass away. Then, time will also cease to exist and all of the saved will enter into eternity with God in a new heaven and earth. In this new arrangement, heaven and earth will become one and the eternal God and redeemed mankind will live together. (Revelation 21:1-3) Theologians call this the Eternal State.

In the Eternal State, there will be no need for the sun or moon. (Revelation 21:23) The glory of God will provide unceasing light, expelling all darkness and night. (Revela­tion 21:25; 22:5) Thus, all marks of measuring time will cease to exist.

There will be no decaying or aging process. (Revelation 21:5) The One who lives in the eternal now will continu­ally make His new creation perfect and timeless.

Memories that bring sorrow to the glorified minds of the redeemed will not be finally erased until they enter into the New Jerusalem. The very first act of God to take place as we enter the New Jerusalem is recorded in Reve­lation 21:4: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” The past will disappear. The former creation and all of its experiences will be gone. Our new eternal minds will be programmed to en­joy and understand a timeless eternity. Long ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17)

Eternity is more of a quality life, than a quantitative life. Think of time as being length. It is a progression of events on a linear plane. However, eternity has height and depth. It is more than forever and ever. Jesus said that it is an abundant life. (John 10:10) It is connected to the rich­ness of knowing God and being in His presence. (John 17:3) In eternity, there will be no focus on time. The glorified mind will simply focus on the rich experiences of a constant life. The redeemed will constantly experience the joys of eternity in the presence of their eternal God.

While everything in eternity is timeless, that does not mean that the experiences of all (God, angels, the devil, demons, the saved in the New Jerusalem, and the unsaved in the Lake of Fire) will be viewed equally. Only God dwells in a timeless eternity that is perceived all at once. Only God is eternally infinite. All creatures, both re­deemed and unsaved, will remain finite in eternity. Glori­fied saints will be “like him,” (1 John 3:2), but will never become infinite!

All of the good angels and the redeemed in heaven will enjoy a timeless eternity that will have order and a person­al intensity of their experiences without any progression or sense of the passing of time. The evil angels and all the unsaved in the Lake of Fire will also focus on the personal intensity of their experience of suffering without any sense of the passing of time. In eternity, the resurrected believer will have a new body and mind, without any reference points to time.

5. Time is uncertain, while eternity is sure!

The Bible is filled with many exhortations that communi­cate the uncertainty of man’s time on this earth, while at the same time his continuation in eternity is made sure. James 4:14 declares: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that [appears] for a little time, and then [vanishes] away.” Notice that this verse depicts man’s life as a va­por. Our life is like the morning fog. It appears for a very little time, and then it is gone. This kind of thinking and evaluation of time on this earth comes when a person looks at his present life on this earth in light of eternity. How one lives his life clearly illustrates what he thinks about time and eternity.

One of the tests that a person can apply to his life to see if he is really saved is found in 1 John 2:15-17. A person who is redeemed will give evidence of the change in his life and thinking by demonstrating that he pursues eternal things that will count for eternity, rather than the tempo­rary glitter that is offered by this world system. “The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (I John 2:17) Jesus continually warned those around Him about this. On one occasion He asked His disciples the following thought provoking questions: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mat­thew 16:26)

It is my personal opinion that the absence of the preaching and teaching of Biblical prophecy in most churches today has created a shallow view of Christian living. Most pro­fessing Christians are living like others who do not claim to be disciples of Christ. When Biblical prophecy is not faithfully and consistently taught, it will create a mindset that only focuses upon the present moment, rather than eternity. While we do need to focus on how we can deal with our problems and the struggles in our churches, homes, and nation, it is my opinion that the core problem is the absence of a longing to be with our Lord in heaven. Read Colossians 3:1-13. When we live our lives for the moment, not thinking about our Lord and eternity, we live like fools.

At the heart of living out Biblical faith is the eternal per­spective that we are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13) Our focus is not upon our earth­ly setting, but upon the eternal city of God, and that mo­ment when we will be with Him, and time will be no more. (Hebrews 11:13-16)

The person who views life from an eternal perspective will have a greater interest in the work of God than the work of his own hands. Psalm 111:2 says, “The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.” A greater pleasure comes in life when one realizes how his feeble, little works fit into the eternal plan of God! To view the hand of God in your daily world brings greater joy than all your own personal works that are bent toward your own needs and glory. It is for this purpose that we have been created. (Revelation 4:10­11) Therefore, the greatest pleasure comes in discovering the work of God in our world, and by His grace becoming a part of it! And, that will count for eternity!

Blind Hatred toward Israel

An examination of history will demonstrate that there has always been a hatred of the Jewish people among the Gen­tile nations. Jesus said to His Jewish disciples: “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 10:22) Hatred blinds people. When people hate some­one, they cannot see any good in the object of their hatred. They only see their sins and faults, which are exaggerated out of proportion. Such is the case with the Israeli Jew.

Aviel Schneider, editor of Israel Today, writes: More than 11 million Muslims have been killed in wars in the Middle East since Israel became a state in 1948. In the Arab-Israeli conflict the number is 46,000 Muslims, which amounts to less than half a percent of the total. In other words, more than 99 out 100 Arabs have been killed by fellow Muslims. … Still, Israel is branded as the aggres­sor and the source of all conflict in the Middle East.” (Is­rael Today, October 2013, p. 2)

No Peace

According to the Bible, there will be no peace in the Mid­dle East until the Messiah-Savior, Jesus Christ, returns to this earth to reign as King over all the earth. As a result of His sovereign leadership, “nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

(Isaiah 2:4) However, the same Scriptures indicate that in the last days, Israel will face endless horrific wars and ru­mors of wars. (Deuteronomy 5:30; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:6-9) Long ago, Jeremiah recorded the desperate Israe­li response to all of this: “We have heard a voice of trem­bling, of fear, and not of peace.” (Jeremiah 30:5) Isaiah prophesied of the incredible Israeli disappointment of the failure of the proposed peace covenant of the last days. He wrote: “From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a [sheer terror] only to un­derstand the report.” (Isaiah 28:19) Today, Israelis are filled with anger, disillusionment, frustration, disappoint­ment, and fear. In the last few decades, they have made major compromises with the Palestinians to bring about a peaceful solution to the conflict over the Jewish presence in the land of Israel. Each time they have yielded to the world’s demands to demonstrate to the Palestinians that they are willing to give up some land for peace, it has been met with greater resistance, hatred, rejection, and terror from the Palestinians. In September 1993, Israel signed the Oslo Peace Accords with the Palestinians as directed by President Bill Clinton. Israel handed over much of the Biblical Land of Israel with the promise to yield more at a later date. Israel’s gesture of peace has been met with more hatred, rejection, and bloodshed.

“Since the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993, more peo­ple died on both sides than before. Israel has had 1,425 victims of terror since Oslo, compared to 415 in the 20 years prior to the treaty.

“On the Palestinian side, about 9,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them combatants including gunmen and suicide bombers. What human rights groups describe as ‘innocent civilians’ have never been targeted deliber­ately; those casualties are usually the result of fighting terrorists in heavily-populated areas. In the 20 years be­fore Oslo, 2,000 Palestinians were killed, including 1,650 during the First Intifada or uprising (1987-1993).” (Israel Today, October 2013, p. 3)

According to a recent poll in Israel, “57 percent of Israelis believe that the Oslo Accords undermine Israel’s security as well as harming the nation politically and economical­ly.” (Israel Today, October 2013, p. 3) When Israel re­cently released hundreds of Palestinian murderers from their prisons as a peace gesture to the Palestinians, they were received as heroes. The reception of these murder­ers, who had killed innocent Israelis, as heroes has demonstrated to Israelis that all talks of peace from the Palestinians are only lies. This is exactly what Isaiah had prophesied 2,800 years ago. (Read Isaiah 28:14-22.)

A “Bad Deal”

Israelis view the recent Geneva deal, which was negotiat­ed between the P5 + 1 nations and Iran a little over a month ago, as a ‘bad deal.’ In essence, this deal allows Iran to keep all of its nuclear facilities and equipment. Iran agreed to dilute fuel stocks of enriched uranium be­yond 5 percent (20 percent is require for weapons grade). However, there is no provision made for the world to monitor the underground sites where Iran is conducting enrichment. In other words, the world is trusting Iran to keep its agreement without any proof of complicity. In light of Iran’s past record this is stupid and dangerous.

All of the nations of the Middle East, including Israel, are upset over this agreement. Israel’s prime minister, Ben­jamin Netanyahu, called this agreement a “historic mis­take.” He said, “Today the world has become a much more dangerous place because the most dangerous regime in the world has taken a significant step toward attaining the most dangerous weapon in the world.” (The Interna­tional Jerusalem Post, November 29-December 5, 2013, p. 7)

Israel has a right to be concerned and feel betrayed by her friend and ally, the United States. Iran has not kept her hatred and threats of annihilation of Israel a secret. Only weeks before the world would allow Iran to continue its nuclear program, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying: “Israel is doomed to ex­tinction.” At an Iranian rally in November, signs and chants of hundreds of thousands called for “death to Isra­el,” and proclaimed, “There is justification to kill all Jews and annihilate Israel.” (A recent letter from Zionist Or­ganization of America -ZOA) The president of ZOA,

Morton Klein, states, “Jewish history has taught us that horrific, genocidal threats against our people cannot be ignored. Iran must be stopped.” (A recent letter from Zionist Organization of America -ZOA)

Those of us who study Bible prophecy know that Iran has evil intensions toward Israel. They will join Russia and other radical Islamic elements in the Middle East to stage a major attack against Israel. (Ezekiel 38-39) One won­ders how these recent events will set the stage for this in­vasion.

Annexing the Jordan Valley

Israel’s political leadership is preparing a vote for the Is­raeli government to annex the Jordan Valley. Not only is it viewed as a prized part of the Promised Land, but is seen as being very significant to Israel’s security. Israel seized the West Bank and the Jordan Valley in a defensive war in 1967. According to international law, Israel has the right to retain the land. Furthermore, the Jordan Valley was part of the land that was tagged by the international community in 1920 for a future Jewish state.

Such a move by Israel demonstrates their rejection of the flawed two-state solution to obtaining peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. This move will certainly enrage the world and bring Israel into greater international isola­tion. However, those of us who know the Scriptures and support Israel’s right to all of the Promised Land, applaud the proposed annexation of the Jordan Valley.

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2013 November/December – The False Peace Covenant with Israel

The False Peace Covenant with Israel

By Mike Wingfield

A very significant development is occurring that signals our world is moving closer to a time of great distress known as the Tribulation Period – a false peace covenant between Israel and her Arab neighbors. According to Daniel 9:27, this treaty will begin the Tribulation Period. This is significant to Christians because the rapture of the church will take place immediately before this false agreement officially begins.

Daniel was a godly prophet to the Israelites during their Babylonian captivity. When Daniel reached his elderly years, the Lord revealed to him that the kingdom of God on the earth would begin after a very unique time of seven years that would begin when “the prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:26), whom we call the antichrist, “shall confirm the covenant with [the] many for one week [sevens of years].” (Daniel 9:27) That same verse of the Bible tells us the Lord revealed to Daniel that the Antichrist would break the false covenant with Israel, consequently reveal­ing his true character and purposes. Daniel tells us that Antichrist will abruptly seize control of the newly rebuilt Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Then, he will begin his systematic annihilation of the Jewish people living in Israel. (Compare with Matthew 24:15-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3; Revelation 12:17.)

In the previous chapter, God revealed to Daniel that this enemy of his people would “destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many…” (Daniel 8:24-25) An examination of many other prophetic texts reveals that the last half of the Tribulation Period will be known as “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” (Jeremiah 30:7) Zechariah 13:8 reports the heart-breaking prediction that two-thirds of the Jewish people will be killed as Antichrist carries out horrific and unspeakable acts of vengeance upon Israel. Near the end of Daniel’s life and ministry, the Lord once again reminded him of this gruesome time for his people: “And at that time shall Michael [the arch­angel] stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Dan­iel 12:1)

In an amazing prophetic text in Isaiah 28:14-22, the prophet Isaiah was given a detailed view of the deadly and deceptive peace process that will lead up to the covenant between the Arab/Islamic nations and Israel. In this text, the Lord revealed to Isaiah that the Israeli leadership in Jerusalem would believe the lies and false promises made by an enemy that was sworn to Israel’s destruction. He warned that this “covenant of death” (Isaiah 28:15) would lead to a massive war campaign by the enemy in which the Israelis would be “trodden down by it.” (Isaiah 28:18)

Therefore, it must be concluded that one of the major signs of the end of this age is a deceptive covenant of peace between Israel and its Muslim neighbors. The Mus­lims will weave a false and deceptive peace, when their ultimate goal is the destruction of Israel. This covenant will eventually catapult the world into the deadly war with God over His sovereign promises to Israel. He has prom­ised to bring them back to their land (Ezekiel 36:24) and set the stage for Christ’s glorious return at the end of the Tribulation Period to rescue Israel from the invading forc­es of the Antichrist at Armageddon. (Zechariah 12:1­14:3; Revelation 19:11-21)

In light of all of this, it is absolutely stunning to read the following report given by messianic Israeli believers who publish Israel Today: “There are more than a few in the Palestinian Authority who are upset over the pending re­newal of peace talks with Israel. Hamas in particular be­lieves the move to be a detriment to the Palestinian cause.

“But Palestinian Authority Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash reassured everyone [in July] that the political process is just a ruse, and part of a larger scheme to defeat their enemy.

“In a sermon delivered in the presence of Palestinian lead­er Mahmoud Abbas and broadcast on official Palestinian Authority TV, Al-Habbash compared the US-driven peace negotiations to the Hudaybiyyah Peace Treaty conducted between Islam’s prophet Mohammed and the Quraish tribe of Mecca.

“Peace talks with Israel at this time are ‘the right path,’

which leads to achievement, exactly like the Prophet [Mo­hammed] did in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah,’ Al-Habbash stated, noting that all of the Palestinians’ achievement to date ‘never would have happened through Hamas’ impul­sive adventure.’

“Al-Habbash explained that, like Hamas, many of Mo­hammed’s companions burned with anger that their leader was negotiating with the Quraish tribe rather than attack­ing Mecca. But Mohammed knew that only a more meas­ured approach would lead to ultimate victory.

“Two years after signing the treaty, Mohammed’s forces had gained enough strength and he launched the brutal conquest of Mecca.

“‘This is the example and this is the model’ that the Pales­tinian leadership is following, Al Habbash acknowledged.

“Amazingly, all of the doe-eyed Israeli commentators who believe that this round of negotiations is for some reason going to be different from all the previous [attempts], fail to take the simple step of listening to what the Palestinians themselves are saying.

“‘Abbas is a real peace partner,’ they shout, while willful­ly ignoring what Abbas’s own ministers are telling the public, in his name and in his presence, without any refu­tation by the president.” (http://www.israeltoday.co.il, July 29, 2013)

This comparison of the treaty of Mohammed with the Quraish tribe has been promoted by the Palestinian leader­ship from the very beginning of the peace process. In September, 1993, only a few days after the signing of the Oslo Peace Accords on the lawn of the White House, for­mer Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat was speak­ing in a mosque in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was caught on tape making these same comments. It is very obvious that their goal is to slowly get all of the land and concessions they can from Israel to weaken Israel and strengthen the Arab/Muslim cause. It is their strategy to eventually bring about the complete annihilation of Israel. This will also be the same strategy used by the Antichrist in his covenant with Israel. It is very significant that the Obama administration has announced that it will soon force a peace covenant upon Israel and the Palestinians.

As one examines all of this, it is very evident that we are moving rapidly toward the perfect conditions that will prepare the way for the Antichrist to step onto the stage of human history. Then, the Tribulation Period will begin. However, the church will already be in heaven.

Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

Significant Developments in the Middle East

The fact that the following developments in the Middle East are all taking place at the same time is overwhelming in the light of prophetic Scriptures. Without question, the Middle East is rapidly moving toward a very dramatic change that will set the stage for the end-time events. As you read these articles, you will note that most of the events that are taking place in the Middle East have direct connections and applications to the future predicted inva­sion of Israel by the Gog and Magog coalition of Russia and her radical Islamic allies. (Ezekiel 38-39) I know that I have repeatedly reported on these news items in recent newsletters. However, the following reports are the great­est evidence yet to indicate that we are getting very close to this prophetic event.

Iran-The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem has reported that the Institute for Science and International Security think tank “now estimates Iran is capable of pro­ducing enough weapons-grade uranium to build a nuclear bomb within a month.” (www.icej.org, October 25, 2013) In his recent address to the U.N., Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned: “Israel will never acquiesce to nuclear arms in the hands of a rogue regime that repeatedly promises to wipe us off the map. Against such a threat, Israel will have no choice but to defend it­self. I want there to be no confusion on this point: Israel will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons. If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone. Yet in standing alone, Israel will know that we will be defending many, many others. The dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran and the emergence of other threats in our region have led many of our Arab neighbors to finally recognize that Isra­el is not their enemy. This affords us the opportunity to overcome historic animosities and build new relationships, new friends, new hopes. Israel welcomes engagement with the wider Arab world. We hope that our common interests and common challenges will help us forge a more peaceful future.”

It is my opinion that Israel will face strong retaliation if it carries out a military attack to seriously damage nuclear facilities scattered throughout Iran. Retaliatory measures against Israel could very well bring the battle of Gog and Magog, as predicted in Ezekiel 38-39.

Turkey-Several developments in Turkey are of great concern in light of Biblical prophecy. First, due to the rise in diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Israel, and the rising levels of anti-Semitism in Turkey, many Jewish Turks are fleeing Turkey – many of them immigrating to Israel. Second, it is worth noting that Turkey is distancing itself from its NATO status and relationship with the U.S. as witnessed in its recent plans to buy Chinese air defense systems. While several sources indicate that most Turks have a fear of Russia, it is apparent that the economic co­operation between Turkey and Russia is growing. The movement in Turkey toward a more radical Islamic posi­tion helps us understand that Russia and Turkey in the immediate future will become friends and military allies against Israel and the West. Please remember that Turkey is one of the nations that will join Russia and Iran in the Gog and Magog invasion of Israel mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39.

Russia & Iran-Israel’s military and security website, DEBKA -file, released a very special report on October 21 concerning the increasing military cooperation between Russia and Iran. “In his four-day trip to Tehran, Russian Air Force Chief Gen. Victor Bondarev and his hosts, Brig. Gen. Hassan Shasafi and other senior Iranian military chiefs, laid the groundwork for a series of agreements to upgrade their military ties to a level unprecedented in their past relationships.” DEBKA-file’s military and Iranian sources report that Iran is deliberately accentuating those ties as a message to the Western powers that if they give the Islamic Republic a hard time over its nuclear program it will go all the way to a full-dress defense pact with Russia. … Tehran has put in special requests for massive Russian technological assistance for upgrading its missile industry by extending the range of their ballistic missiles and improving their precision.

This report reveals the level of deception and lies that are being promulgated in Iran as they continue to develop nu­clear weapon-grade materials. While the Western leaders, including the Obama administration in Washington D.C., continue to talk with the Iranians, the radical Islamic cler­ics that control Iran, with the help of Russia, are steadily moving forward with achieving the production of nuclear warheads. It seems that Israel is the only nation that is sensibly evaluating this issue with any degree of moral clarity.

I remind you that Russia and Iran will be the two princi­ple nations in the coalition of the Gog and Magog invasion of Israel as predicted in Ezekiel 38-39.

Iraq & Russia-After all of the defense, military training, and assistance the U.S. has given to the Iraqis, it is alarm­ing to learn that they are now moving toward receiving military assistance from Russia. “A senior Iraqi govern­ment official announced on October 17 that Bagdad has begun receiving the first shipments of a $4.3 billion pack­age of weapons and military equipment from Russia, in­cluding attack helicopters, surface-to-air missiles and re­lated radar equipment.” (www.icej.org, October 18, 2013)

It is apparent that Russia is increasing its arms sales and cooperation with the Islamic nations in the Persian Gulf to give it a military presence in this strategic region. Based upon Russia’s previous support of the Arab Muslims against Israel in the days leading up to the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and the prophetic Scriptures, we know what the future holds. With the United States’ influence in the Middle East weakening, it would appear that Russia is seizing the moment and preparing to make its move against Israel with the aid of its radical Islamic friends in the Middle East. Read Ezekiel 38-39.

Russia and the Muslims-In a recent article of The Wash­ington Times, Daniel Pipes (a well-known journalist and Middle East expert with the Middle East Forum) reported on the growing Muslim population in Russia. “Not only do ethnic Muslims account for 21-23 million of Russia’s total population of 144 million, or 15 percent, but their proportion is fast growing.” He reports that this is due to the greater child birth ratio of the Muslims compared to the ethnic Russians, the conversion of Russians to Islam, and the growing Islamic immigration (primarily from the former Russian republics of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan) to Russia. Pipes quotes another expert on Russian minori­ties, Paul Goble: “Russia is going through a religious transformation that will be of even greater consequence for the international community than the collapse of the Soviet Union.” Pipes concludes that this growing Muslim presence in Russia will make Russia a part of the Middle East, moving them away from their former Western-orientation. In 2009, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that due to Russia’s large Muslim popu­lation, “Russia does not need to seek friendship with the Muslim world: Our country is an organic part of this world.” Therefore, Pipes correctly concludes that the growing Muslim presence in Russia “will have a profound impact on Russian foreign policy.”

He continues to report that “within a few years, Muslims will make up half of the conscripts in the Russian army. ‘ (www.danielpipes.org, October 21, 2013) Obviously, this report has incredible application and implications for our consideration of the approaching battle of Gog and Ma­gog. (Ezekiel 38-39)

Egypt & Russia-Israel is very concerned about develop­ments in Egypt. This concern was heightened when the Obama administration recently announced that it was freezing most of the United States’ promised $1.5 billion in military aid it gives to Egypt each year. The U.S. said it will withhold the money due to Egypt’s rejection of the democratically-elected government of President Moham­med Morsi. Morsi has strong ties to the radical Muslim Brotherhood. Israel had warned our administration that this is a strategic error. The aid that was given to Egypt was viewed as a part of the 1979 peace treaty that was brokered by President Carter at Camp David between Egypt and Israel. Therefore, Israel fears that its treaty with Egypt will now be annulled by the Egyptians.

In the wake of the Obama administration’s decision, Egypt has announced that it will begin looking to Russia to supply it with arms and military aid. This is not a good development for Israel, the rest of the Middle East, or the world. It is apparent that Russia desires to fill a void in the world, and especially in the Middle East, with the de­clining influence of the U.S. on the international scene.

The Growing International Rejection of the Powerful Influence of the U.S

While Russia and her radical Islamic friends solidify their positions in the U.N. and in the Middle East, it is very frightening to witness the mounting evidence of the inter­national rejection of the powerful influence of the United States of America. The following announcements and public declarations will have very serious consequences for the future of America and the world as we know it.

While the U.S. politicians a few weeks ago were wran­gling over the federal government’s debt ceiling, China’s official news agency startled the world with the following announcement. “As U.S. politicians of both political par­ties are still shuffling back and forth between the White House and the Capitol Hill without striking a viable deal to bring normality to the body politic they brag about, it is perhaps a good time for the befuddled world to start considering building a de-Americanized world.”

(www.ibtimes.com, October 13, 2013)

As the U.S. moves closer to economic suicide, the world is watching very nervously. Most Americans do not un­derstand that their currency is the international reserve currency throughout the world. When a country wants to buy anything from another country, the purchase is made in U.S. dollars. This has given the United States an in­credible economic advantage throughout the world since the end of World War II. No nation in the history of this planet has ever enjoyed the political, economic, and mili­tary clout that has belonged to the United States for the last 60 years! However, when the U.S. dollar collapses, the world will not be prepared for the devastating ramifi­cations that will follow – international economic and monetary systems will suddenly collapse. As a result, the entire world will be engulfed in social, political, and eco­nomic upheaval. It is my opinion that the New World Or­der that the Bible speaks of will be born out of this global economic meltdown. A study of human history reveals that major economic crises always lead to political revolu­tions. (Think about how this happened to Germany in the 1930s and 1940s.)

The economic uncertainty of the U.S. dollar and the Obama administration’s shifting foreign policies have helped fuel radical Islamic elements in the Arab uprisings in the Middle East over the past two years. These upris­ings have sent shock waves throughout the world and es­pecially in the Middle East. On October 23, the Interna­tional Christian Embassy in Jerusalem released the follow­ing stunning report: “The position of the United States, Israel’s main ally, in the Middle East received a shock on October 22 when it was reported that Prince Bandar bin Sultan, intelligence chief of Saudi Arabia, told a recent gathering of European diplomats that his country was pre­paring to make a ‘major shift’ away from the traditional partnership with Washington. He explained that Rhiyad [the capital of Saudi Arabia] has been shocked and alarmed over the Obama Administration’s mishandling of the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ in general and specifically in regards to the civil war in Syria. Additionally, America’s apparent willingness to come to an accommodation with Iran and the lack of progress in Israeli-Palestinians negoti­ations have angered Saudi Arabia.”

“‘The shift away from the U.S. is a major one,’ a source close to Saudi policy said. ‘Saudi doesn’t want to find it­self any longer in a situation where it is dependent. Prince Bandar told diplomats that he plans to limit interaction with the U.S.” (www.icej.org, October 23, 2013)

In order to understand these proposed changes in Saudi foreign policy, it is important to appreciate the fear that the Saudi have of Iran and its proxies in the Middle East. The Saudis fear, and rightly so, that Iran is developing an axis of radical Shiite power across the Middle East. This axis includes Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, all of which is being supported by Russia. One has to under­stand the great Islamic division that makes Iran and Saudi Arabia view each other as enemies. Within Islam there are two major divisions struggling for power and influence in the Middle East. Each of these Muslim power bases has the ultimate goal of establishing a global Islamic em­pire. Iran and many of its friends belong to the more radi­cal elements of Islam, the Shiites, and are numerically much smaller than the Sunni Muslims who make up most of the nations in the Persian Gulf area. Furthermore, the historical animosity that exists between Iran and Saudi Arabia also has an ethnic component. The Saudis and most Sunni Muslims are Arabs and speak Arabic (the original language of the Koran), while the Iranian Shiites are Persians and speak Farsi.

Therefore, we must understand why the Saudis are back­ing away from their traditional alliance with America. They have sought relations with Washington because of the U.S. military protection that has been offered them due to the strategic importance of the region primarily because of the great oil reserves, especially in Saudi Arabia. For example, when Saddam Hussein led an Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in the 1990s, he also had plans to invade Saudi Arabia. The U.S. immediately responded with military protection, and established temporary military bases estab­lished in northern Saudi Arabia.

Consequently, when the Saudis watch the U.S. administra­tion’s change its foreign policies in the Middle East, they are greatly concerned. The U.S. has recently supported the radicals in Egypt (bringing Egypt into the Russia orbit with Iran). Also, the U.S. recently backed away from a retaliatory military attack upon Syria because of the Assad government’s use of chemical weapons against his own people. The attack was called off due to the introduction of a Russian plan to eliminate the chemical weapons in Syria. Saudi Arabia looks upon this with concern because they know Russia and Iran have very close ties with Syria. However, of greatest concern to the Saudis is the U.S. mishandling of the Iranian nuclear threat. Perhaps more than anyone else besides Israel, the Saudis fear what will happen in the region if Iran is allowed to create nuclear weapons.

The announcements by China and Saudi Arabia illustrate that the world is concerned about the apparent decline of America as a major world player. This is of utmost con­cern to the Israelis as they have become so dependent up­on their friend and ally, the United States, for support and defense. Without the strong hand of America in the Mid­dle East, the Israelis know that the growing Islamic threat against them will continue to mushroom. In the last two years, several Israeli leaders have been warning Israel to prepare for the day when the United States will no longer be a superpower nation.

Noteworthy Developments in Israel

Earthquakes Rattle Israel-In September, a 3.5 magni­tude earthquake shook the northern area of the Dead Sea and was felt in Jerusalem. This was followed on Thurs­day, October 17th until Sunday, October 20th, by four earthquakes that were felt in Israel. On Thursday and Sunday, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake centered in the Medi­terranean near the island of Crete was felt in Greece, Egypt, and Israel. Following these quakes there were two smaller earthquakes near the Sea of Galilee.

Israel’s eastern border, formed by the Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, the Arava Valley, and the Red Sea, is a part of the great Syrian-African Rift. This rift valley straddles one of the most dangerous shifting tectonic plates in the world, producing major earthquakes at predictable intervals. Israel’s last major earthquake was in 1927 and Israeli geologists are very concerned that the recent quakes may be a precursor to a very large earthquake that is due to strike Israel at any time.

In light of all of the other previously mentioned prepara­tions for the Gog and Magog war, it is worth noting that the Lord will use a massive global earthquake centered in Israel to foil the attack of the nations that come against Israel. (Ezekiel 38:17-22) Could it be that these earth­quakes are signaling that the next big earthquake will be the one mentioned in Ezekiel’s prophecy?

Netanyahu’s Prophetic Speech at the UN-It is my opin­ion that the recent speech given by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a stunning and timely warning to the nations concerning what is about to take place. Netanyahu spoke more like a prophet of Israel than a poli­tician. He quoted from the Bible at least five times. This is unheard of in a global political body that is anti-God, anti-Christ, and anti-Israel. (Read Psalm 2:1-12; Psalm 83:1-8.) He spoke with great boldness as he exposed the evil agenda of Iran and warned that Israel would not toler­ate Iran’s possession of a nuclear bomb. He reminded the global body that the Jews were an ancient people that date back to the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob about 4,000 years ago. He reminded them that the Jewish people have overcome great adversities to return to their ancient home­land.

In dramatic fashion, he ended his speech with these words:

“In our time the Biblical prophecies have been realized.”

Then, he quoted, both in English and then in Hebrew Amos 9:14-15. He closed with these words: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the people of Israel have come home, never to be uprooted again.”

The world doesn’t know it yet, but when Netanyahu quot­ed from the Bible he was speaking on behalf of God to the nations. How fitting that the God of Israel would use the modern-day prime minister of Israel to deliver this mes­sage of warning to the world! In just a very short time, the Lord is going to speak from heaven “and the heathen shall know that [He is] the LORD, the Holy One in Isra­el.” (Ezekiel 39:7)

Pottery with Biblical Name-Recently, archeologists in Jerusalem uncovered a significant piece of pottery. “The pottery … dates back to at least 586 B.C. … The ancient Hebrew lettering would appear to spell out part of the name of Zechariah, the son of Benaniah, who, we know from 2 Chronicles 20:14, was the father of the prophet Jahaziel, who prophesied to King Jehoshaphat before he departed for war.” (www.israeltoday.co.il , August 19, 2013)