Category: Prophecy

PTNews

P r o p h e tic Truth in the N e w s

October 2024

   Published monthly by Mike Wingfield Ministries

All Bible references are from the KJV   

Israel at the End of Days

“This people have I formed for myself; they shall [show] forth my praise.”

Isaiah 43:21

By Mike Wingfield

The ever-changing developments in the Middle East, particularly Israel, seem to indicate that God is setting the stage for His unique time of global judgment. This time that we are marching toward is called “the Tribulation.” And before it begins, God will supernaturally remove his church from the world. That means as believers, current events indicate we should be living in anticipation of the sudden Rapture of the church! Will this be the year that Jesus comes? Only time will tell.

Since Jesus ascended back to His Father in heaven almost 2,000 years ago (Acts 1:9), believers have been looking for Jesus’ return as He promised (John 14:3). As the early church believers moved through the decades following Jesus’ ascension, the apostles exhorted the believers to be looking for His imminent return. When the apostle John wrote the final book of the Bible, Revelation, Jesus repeated His promise, “I come quickly” (Revelation 22:12, 20).

A detailed study of the prophetic Scriptures points to an exact setting that would unfold at the end of this age. At the center of those events is God’s chosen nation of Israel. According to God’s eternal plan recorded in the Bible, the Jewish people, and the land that He gave unto them will be the epicenter of the dramatic and deadly events of the last days. God has chosen His people and His land to display His sovereignty and glory to all the nations at the end of time. The prophet Isaiah wrote about Israel’s central role in God’s eternal plans in his amazing prophetic book. In chapters 41-44, Isaiah portrays Israel as His servant and says that He will protect and use as His witnesses and servants at the end of days.

The nation of Israel is God’s prophetic time piece. God’s eternal story of redemption is bound up in Israel’s people, land, customs, and religious feasts. At the center of God’s focus is His land and His people – Israel. They are “the apple [pupil] of his eye” (Zechariah 2:8). God has placed the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem at the geographical center of the earth (Ezekiel 5:5).

Obviously, as Jesus said, no one can know “that day and hour” of His coming (Matthew 24:36). However, in His Parable of the Fig Tree, Jesus informed His disciples that when one examines all the prophetic pieces of the puzzle, he will be able to discover the season [general time frame] of His coming. He simply promised that the generation that witnesses all the prophetic pieces of the approaching Tribulation Period coming together will not all pass off the scene until the end comes (Matthew 24:32-34). It is my firm belief and conviction that we are that generation.

My heart aches as I watch events unfolding in Israel. After many years of examining the prophetic Scriptures, I am convinced that we are watching final events fall into place that will usher in the Tribulation Period. The storm we call the Tribulation Period is approaching and that means believers will soon be in the arms of Jesus in the Father’s house.

Israel’s has a newly-elected government that is biblically conservative. In Israel’s modern history, since its rebirth in 1948, it has always been governed by a secular government. The turmoil and division that have erupted since this conservative government was formed is Israel compels me to believe that the Tribulation is near. Clearly, Israel is a sharply-divided nation, and the divide is between the Israel’s mostly secular population, and the very conservative religious groups. These conservative group’s support Israel’s unique role in world history, as spelled out in the Bible. Israel has existed for 75 years and this is its 35^th government.

In the last few decades Israel, just like America, has been sliding further away from God and toward the liberal political left. The previous Israeli government was one of the most liberal, secular governments in Israel’s modern history. Many of the people who were in positions of leadership were anti-Zionists. That simply means they did not view, nor did they support the idea that Israel is a Jewish nation.

The liberal policies of the former government, especially in its last few months, were very damaging. A mostly a care-taker government headed by Prime Minister Yair Lapid sent a shock wave throughout Israel. Therefore, in this last election, the nation voted in a biblically conservative government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For the first time ever, the religious parties in Israel garnered enough votes to create the largest political parties to form a new government with Netanyahu’s conservative party.

This new government intends to lead the country according to the mandates given to the Jewish people in the Bible. Israel Today declared, “Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is back and eager to lead Israel including making the Bible a central part of Israeli society” (Israel Today, December 30, 2022). At the center of these plans are the two leaders of their religious parties, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Both men are being demonized by the liberal Israeli society and the global media and governments. “The two men’s combined goals are to strengthen Israel’s character as the Jewish state by taking steps, among others, to increase security against terrorism, as well as criminal violence, open the Temple Mount to Jewish worship and increase and consolidate the presence of Jewish residents in the towns and cities of Israel’s biblical heartland – Samaria and Judea” (Israel Today, December 22, 2022). Get ready for a great storm of hate and rejection that will be hurled against Israel. It is coming!

Clearly, the spiritual wars between God and Satan, and between good and evil, are heating up. Psalm 2 tells us that the godless people of the world will violently oppose God and demand that a godless one-world government be formed. The world will reject God and His Son, the Messiah (Psalm 2:2). People of the world will refuse to bow to God’s Word, and especially His commandments. They will demand to be set free from their binding truth and authority (Psalm 2:3). The new Israeli government will be the bullseye of this war. At the center of this war will be the law of God, the land of God, and the will of God.

As we move through the days until Jesus comes, I am convinced there are seven major developments that we need to watch concerning Israel and the end of days. I can promise you that 2023 will become an increasingly difficult time for Israel as these developments continue to unfold. Let us look at them.

1. The Increase in Anti-Semitism

One of the most prevalent signs of the last days is the global hatred for Israel. According to the Bible, when the end comes, the world will hate Israel and be zealously plotting its destruction. Speaking to His Jewish disciples on the Mount of Olives, Jesus said, “Ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9). This is the proverbial canary in the coal mine for the world. It clearly warns that danger and the end are near!

Satan’s attack upon Israel and the Jewish people is in essence an attack upon God and His eternal purposes. If Satan can destroy Israel or annihilate the Jewish people, He will have defeated God. From the beginning of time, he has made this his aim. Satan heard God’s promise to Abraham. He saw the hand of God upon the Jews in Egypt in the days of Pharaoh. He saw the miracles of God in the days of Moses. Therefore, he has made it one of his major objectives to attack the nation of Israel and to kill the Jewish people in a desperate attempt to defeat God.

In the last half of the seven-year Tribulation, the global hatred against Jews will be spurred on by the antichrist. This evil global leader will make the Jewish people and their land, including Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the center of his diabolical scheme to control the world. The militaries of the world, under his control, will march to Israel at the end of the Tribulation with a goal of annihilating the Jewish people and seizing control of their land. This final attempt is what we call “The Battle of Armageddon” (Zechariah 14:2-3; Revelation 16:12-16; 19:11-21). The tentacle of lies that will draw the nations against Israel is fomenting all over the world at this very hour!

The hatred for Israel and Jewish people is escalating out of control on many American college and university campuses. Jewish students are witnessing increasing acts of violence. For the first time in the history of America, many people are attempting to hide their Jewish identity. Some fear for their lives.

Fueling this hatred are the radical Islamic communities. The minds of Muslims around the world are being poisoned by their radical religious leaders. Radical Islam spawns deep hatred and contempt for Israel the Jewish people. Adding to Israel’s dilemma are godless governments controlled by socialists and communists. And as all of this transpires, those who hate Israel have found an ally in the liberal news media. Israel’s enemies continually manipulate the media to spread their lies and deception, in an effort turn world opinion against Israel.

This hatred for the Jewish people has blinded the eyes of the godless masses, so that they do not realize they are in conflict with Almighty God. This same thing happened to Pharaoh and his mighty army as they charged after the Jewish people and marched into the Red Sea where they were destroyed by God (Exodus 14:13-31).

2. The Ingathering of the Jewish People

Just as in the days of Moses in Egypt, when the Jewish people were facing an attempt to annihilate them, the Lord used this threat to take them out of the land of their sojourning and lead them back into the Promised Land. According to biblical prophecy, this is happening again (Jeremiah 16:14-15). Because of the mounting hatred being poured out upon the global Jewish community, many Jews are expressing the desire to immigrate to Israel.

In Ezekiel 36:24, God promised the Jewish people living in the last days, “For I will take you from among the heathen [Gentile nations], and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.” The past year, 2022, was a record year for immigration to Israel, with more than 70,000 new immigrants from 95 different countries. Most of these Jewish immigrants were from Russia and Ukraine. This is a direct fulfillment of Jeremiah 16:14-15.

3. The Spiritual Awakening of Jews

Another amazing spiritual development is unfolding in our world which rejoices the heart of God. Jewish people are increasingly turning to Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Savior. Joel Rosenberg, a prolific author of many books and a born-again Jew living in Israel, writes, “A great spiritual awakening is underway in the Jewish community worldwide, but particularly in the United States (The Rosenberg Report, November 28, 2022).

Rosenberg also reports, “A landmark study by LifeWay, the research branch of the Southern Baptist Convention, found that there are 871,000 Americans of Jewish descent who hold the same theological beliefs as Evangelical Christians. … Perhaps just as dramatic and historic is the fact that Jewish people are showing a greater interest in listening to the Messianic prophecies, reading the New Testament accounts, and trying to process the Gospel message for themselves more than ever before” (The Rosenberg Report, November 28, 2022).

Just before Christmas, Israel Today released the following report, “More than 25 prominent rabbis from Israel and abroad issued a statement calling for a renewed look at Jesus, Christians, and the New Testament faith… What we are now witnessing is the undoing of 2,000 years of Jewish rejection and animosity toward Jesus, a miracle by any estimation. For the out-and-out refusal by Jews to accept Jesus is slowly, but surely, coming to an end, as growing numbers of prestigious Orthodox rabbis welcome Jesus back” (Israel Today, December 22, 2022).

These reports represent a major sign that the Church Age is about to end. In Romans 11:25, the Apostle Paul wrote that a spiritual awakening of the Jewish people would coincide with the end of the Church Age. According to the Book of Revelation, during the first half of the Tribulation, 144,000 Jews will come to Christ for salvation (Revelation 7:1-8). These Jewish men (Revelation 14:1-5) will spread the gospel throughout the nations and win many from all nations to Christ (Revelation 7:9-17).

4. The Internal War with Israeli Rebels

According to the prophetic Scriptures, during the Tribulation, the nation of Israel will be plagued by a godless government that will be in defiant rebellion against God. According to Isaiah 28:14-22, at the end of days, a group of influential government leaders in Jerusalem will foolishly attempt to lead Israel into a peace covenant with an enemy that is sworn to their destruction. These leaders will ignore the Word of God. God calls them “scornful men” and “mockers” of God’s truth. This is the perfect picture of the former Israeli government leaders who are opposing the new Israeli government under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Lapid spoke to the U.N. General Assembly on September 22, 2022. In his address, he lied to the UN by stating that the Jewish people were ready for a two-state solution, indicating that they were ready to once again surrender a part of the Promised Land. This is a core issue with Lapid’s liberal political party and other secular Jews who are against a strict Zionist agenda for Israel. However, the election which followed in November proved that the majority in Israel oppose this godless agenda.

Since they lost the election in November, Lapid and his colleagues have continued to call for civil unrest and rebellion against the newly elected government headed by Netanyahu and his right-wing conservatives. Israel has been seeing massive demonstrations, supported by the liberal media. Seemingly, Israel is at the point of civil war. Many fear that this could lead to the eventual collapse of the modern state of Israel. However, as students of the Bible, we know this will not happen.

One of God’s major purposes of the Tribulation for the Jewish people will be to spiritually refine the nation, removing all the unsaved Jews (Isaiah 4:3-4; Zechariah 13:8-9). Concerning this time, the Lord declares, “And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me” (Ezekiel 20:38). When the end comes at Armageddon, the entire remaining Jewish nation will be saved.

5. The Growing Passion for Temple Worship

Under this new Israeli government, there seems to be a renewed passion to fulfill what the Scriptures say concerning the restoration of Temple worship on Mount Moriah – the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The religious Jews in Israel understand that the most holy ground in Israel is the Temple Mount. They know this is the only place chosen by God for temple worship (Deuteronomy 12:10-14). It was the location of all the temples in biblical times. They also understand that according to many Scriptures, they will return to the Temple Mount to build a temple and re-institute temple worship.

There will be two temples built on the Temple Mount in the future. The first will be constructed during the Tribulation (Revelation 11:1-2). Finally, a massive temple will be built upon the Temple Mount during the Millennial Kingdom of Christ (Ezekiel 40-44). This temple will become the focal point of worship for all nations (Isaiah 2:2-3).

After 2,000 years of exile from their Promised Land, the Jewish people began their return during the 20^th century. The nation officially began on May 14, 1948. Within hours, five powerful Islamic nations that neighbor Israel attacked the new Jewish state. Miraculously, after 18 months of war, Israel won. However, Israel was not able to gain control of the ancient city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount has been considered the third most holy site for Muslims according to their questionable historical traditions. Therefore, the old city of Jerusalem and Temple Mount have remained in the hands of the Muslims. The Arab country of Jordan became the caretaker of this holy site.

When the Six-Day War broke out in June 1967, the Arabs once again attacked Israel, stating it was an illegal occupant of a land that had belonged to the Muslims. The land had been conquered 13 centuries earlier by Muslim invaders. After soundly defeating the Arabs, Israel took complete control of the areas controlled by Jordan from 1948 to 1967. For the first time in 2,000 years, the Jews were able to walk on the Temple Mount and freely pray at the Wailing Wall. However, in 1967, the secular Israeli government, out of fear of a major war with the Muslim world, decided to allow Jordan to retain control of the Temple Mount and maintain the worship on the site where two historical Islamic structures were located.

Since this time, the world has forgotten the historical significance of the Temple Mount. Many Arab Muslims continue to view this mountain as the third most holy site in the Muslim world. While ignoring the Bible and archaeological evidence, they stubbornly claim the Jews have no right to enter the Temple Mount area. Muslim authorities who control this mountain have a radical mindset and they vehemently oppose any Jewish or Christian activities on the Temple Mount. Unfortunately, the world blindly sides with the Muslims in this debate.

From 1967-1980, most Jewish governments ignored the many requests by Jewish groups to pray on the Temple Mount. Out of fear, many opposed any Jewish presence on the mountain. However, since 1980, several Jews have been allowed to ascend the Temple Mount.

With the election of the new Israeli government, these restrictions imposed upon Israelis are being challenged. Just days after the new Israeli government was sworn in on December 27, 2022, National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, announced he would enter the Temple Mount. On January 3, 2023, he quietly strolled across the Temple Mount for about 13 minutes. This simple walk across the Temple Mount by Gvir was hailed by the media as a brazenly dangerous and provocative act. Even the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden opposed Gvir’s actions, stating that the Temple Mount should be used exclusively for Muslim worship.

Stating that Jews cannot pray on the Temple Mount is like saying Christians cannot pray in their churches. It ignores all the biblical, historical, and archaeological facts that prove that the Temple Mount was a place of Jewish worship for 1,600 years before the religion of Islam came into existence.

Clearly, this is a satanically motivated effort to prevent the fulfillment of the coming of Messiah and His temple in Jerusalem. This present Israeli government is bold and passionate to claim its right to the Temple Mount. Obviously, we are now entering into a new era of conflict over the most important piece of property on the face of the earth.

Muslims know that Jewish groups are preparing for temple worship. Just last Fall, several unique red heifers were flown to Israel in preparation for the red heifer sacrifice and the re-institution of the laws of purification and dedication of temple priests (Numbers 19). Without this sacrifice, no Jewish priest could function at the newly rebuilt temple on the Temple Mount.

The struggle over the Temple Mount is about to enter a new phase. Satan and the demons of hell will do everything in their power to keep the Jews from controlling the Temple Mount. All of hell and approximately 99.97 percent of the global population are opposed to Israel’s control of the Temple Mount. However, the Lord will prevail. The God of Israel is about to display His power and authority, and as a result, the whole world will know that He is the Lord God!

6. The Struggle for the Land of Israel

The conflict over the area the world calls the “West Bank,” biblical Judea and Samaria, is also about to enter a new era of global attention and crisis. This area is the heartland of the Promised Land. In an unconditional land covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15, God promised to give the Jewish people this land forever (Genesis 13:15). Most of the events recorded in the Bible took place in this area. Anyone who questions these statements does not know the biblical record.

God promised His people that when the end of this age would come, He would return them to their land. The Scriptures repeatedly exclaim that the returning Jews would be in conflict with their neighbors over this land (see Ezekiel 36:1-7).

Since the beginning of the modern nation of Israel, its secular-minded governments have been willing to appease their Muslim neighbors concerning the Jewish presence in the Promised Land. They have surrendered to the global pressure to not anger their Arab neighbors. However, this is about to change.

For the first time in its modern history, Israel has government leaders that are willing to be bold and take a stand on the promises of God. Recently, the new government stated its official policy, “The Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right to all parts of the Land of Israel. … This government will promote and develop the settlement of all parts of the Land of Israel—in the Galilee, the Negev, the Golan Heights and Judea and Samaria” (Israel Today, December 29, 2022).

This policy has angered the Biden administration in Washington. President Biden adamantly opposes the Jewish occupation of the “West Bank” and views it as an integral part of a Palestinian State. After the Israeli government released its policy about the disputed lands, Biden said, “…as we have throughout my administration, the United States will continue to support the two-state solution and to oppose policies that endanger its viability or contradict our mutual interests and values.” Biden’s comments are in line with the United Nations, but not with God!

Once again, Israel stands in opposition to the entire world on its right to all the land of Israel. However, God stands with them, and they have nothing to fear. God has vowed “to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:9).

7. The Rise of the Russian/Turkish/Iranian Coalition

According to Ezekiel 38-39, three nations will form a coalition against Israel at the end of this age. They are Russia, Iran, and Turkey. For the first time in modern history, these three nations have formed a coalition and are waging war in the Middle East. The Israeli government recognizes the nuclear ambitions of Iran as a major threat to Israel’s existence. The Israeli leadership has made it clear — defending the nation is its top priority. As you read this newsletter, Israel is weighing military options to destroy Iran’s ability to make a nuclear bomb. Netanyahu is warning that Iran is only months away from fulfilling its nuclear ambitions. This is a ticking time bomb for the world. When Israel strikes Iran, it will more than likely set in motion the attack by the Russian/Turkish/Iranian coalition. Before this happens, I am convinced that the Rapture will occur, and true believers will be in heaven with Jesus.

The prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament wrote about the conditions that would prevail in Israel at the end of days. It is very clear that these conditions have arrived.

Be ready for the shout that will take us out!

PTNews

P r o p h e c y T o d a y N e w s

July 2022

Published monthly

All Bible references are from the KJV

(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)

P.O. Box 13006, Roanoke, VA 24030-3006

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This World is not our Home

“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Hebrews 13:14

By Mike Wingfield

As believers in Jesus Christ, we grieve over the moral, economic, and political collapse of our nation and world. A spirit of lawlessness has enslaved America. At the heart of this lawlessness is the rejection of God, His Son, the Bible, and the Body of Christ – the church. Read Psalm 2. Years ago, I described the United States as standing on a cliff, ready to plunge to its death as a free nation. It is apparent that we have leaped from the precipice and are in a rapid freefall that will end in our sudden demise as a sovereign nation. We are being deceived if believe we can turn the tide of wickedness, immorality, violence, and foolishness that are gripping this nation.

The Bible records for us the process of a nation that arrives at the spiritual point of no return. When this occurs, God gives them up. Read Romans 1:18-32. We have arrived at such a point. In my opinion, based on Scripture and what we see in our nation, we are beyond turning back. When God gives up on a wicked culture, He removes the work of the Holy Spirit in the consciences of the wicked and they are left to the demise of their own foolish and wicked desires. As evidence, I point to the militant demand for the acceptance of all forms of sexually deviant lifestyles. We are also witnessing riots and protests in rebellion against the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse the federal government’s control over abortion. These events and others clearly demonstrate the wickedness that has permeated this nation. Some people today are like the militant homosexuals who surrounded the house of Lot and demanded that he release the two young men [who were really angels of God] so they could sexually abuse them throughout the night (Genesis 19:4-11).

Listen to what the Bible says about a society where wickedness rules in the hearts of men.

Psalm 7:11– “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.”

Psalm 9:17– “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

Psalm 10:1-18– Read this Psalm and think about what we are witnessing in America.

Psalm 12:8– “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.”

Psalm 14:1– “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

As believers, we must be careful to not allow the hopelessness of our world to cause us to worry, despair, or be depressed. We must focus upon the blessed hope that this world is not our home. The Bible tells us these days would come. Clearly, they are now here. We are witnessing a powerful testimony that the coming of our Lord is very near. His time of wrathful judgment is coming upon the wicked world system and those who promote it.

I fear that many professing Christians have allowed themselves to fall in love with the world. Their love for the world is greater than their love for their Savior and their true home in heaven. Christians today are enamored with the world’s forms of entertainment [TV, movies, music, computer games, sports, etc.]. But they have little or no time for God. Most professing Christians never read the Bible. Their hobbies, sports, and recreation are more important than pursuing a passionate relationship with God.

I am convinced that most Christians in the West do not want Jesus to return now. They are very comfortable in this world. The world is satisfying the fleshly longings of their lives. Their faith is weak, and they would rather live here than in heaven with Jesus. This is evidenced by the fact that the preaching of the prophetic Word frightens them. The hope of the imminent Rapture should comfort us (1 Thessalonians 4:18) and give us hope (Titus 2:13). The believer should take great comfort in the vengeful wrath of God that will be poured out upon the wicked during the Tribulation. Read in the book of Revelation what the angels and church in heaven will say when they know that the vengeful wrath of God is taking place on earth (Revelation 11:15-19; 19:1-3).

Most pastors are only preaching about the blessings of God in this life here on earth. This is not the foundation of our faith. We have been made for God and eternity. What this world has to offer is empty compared to the food for our souls when we walk with God. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

When the Bible refers to “the world,” what does it mean? The original languages of the Bible have three primary words that speak of “the world.” It can speak of the land or creation, the age or time in which we live, or it refers to the ungodly world system. Predominately, the New Testament uses the Greek word kosmos to refer to the order or system of the world that appeals to our sinful nature. This word is used 186 times in the New Testament. The frequency of the reference to this world system should cause us to realize that this is a subject that is very significant for the believer to grasp.

The kosmos speaks of the deceitful power, possessions, prestige, positions, and pleasures that this world system has to offer. It was the prideful desire for these things that caused the good angel, Lucifer, to fall into sin (Isaiah 14:12-14). Now this angel is called Satan, and he has brought his prideful desires to earth to bring death and corruption to all of mankind. It is his goal to bring men and governments into his orbit of influence. He wants to use them as pawns to attack the God Who made everything for His glory. In John 12:31, Jesus referred to the devil as “the prince [ruler] of this world.” This clearly indicates that Satan is in control of this world system. When Satan tempted Jesus at the beginning of His earthly ministry, he offered Him control and ownership over “all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them” (Matthew 4:8). Jesus rejected Satan’s offer because He knew this would lead Him to serving the devil. Satan is still offering power, possessions, prestige, positions, and pleasure to all who will worship and serve him. Most people on earth have accepted his lies and are only living for what the devil has to offer.

My friend, you cannot serve God and the world system. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and [the things of this world system]” (Matthew 6:24).

Satan tempts us with the things of this world because he knows they will lure us away from God. You cannot walk in the Spirit and desire the ways of the world system. Read Galatians 5:16-21. They are opposed to each other. They war against each other. The Bible says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16). The spirit of this world system is evil, sensual, and is of the devil, not of God (James 3:15).

Before we came to Christ, we were following the way of the world. We were following Satan. The Apostle Paul described the former life of the believer as those who “walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

When a person comes to Christ for salvation, he must repent of his sins. His enemy is his own sin nature, the world system, and Satan. Those who walk with God will always be at war with these three entities. This is the daily struggle of the Christian life.

God expects us to overcome the alluring ways of this world. 1 John 5:4-5 says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Jesus prayed the night before Calvary for His disciples. Listen to His prayer, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16). Jesus had repeatedly warned His disciples that the people in the satanic world system would hate Him and His followers. We are not like the lost. Our goals, thoughts, lifestyles, and words should be different. We do not fit in with their godless way of thinking and living.

God expects us to live in this world, but to not allow the world to overcome us and make us like it. Our assignment is to proclaim the gospel of salvation and convince people they need to become like Christ and His true church. We have been called to a life of holiness (1 Peter 1:13-15).

If we are walking with God and in the power of His Spirit, we will not be comfortable in this world. This world is not our home. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). The heartbeat of our lives will be fixed upon our home with Christ in heaven. We will “set [our] affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

There are at least six biblical reasons why this world should not be our home.

1. The World is Ungodly.

As previously mentioned, the world system is controlled by the devil. It is a system that is evil and is the exact opposite of the nature of God – Who is holy. That is why the Bible declares that anyone who loves the world does not have the love of the Father in Him (1 John 2:15). It is impossible to love evil and holiness at the same time. They are directly opposed to one another.

When a Christian looks to the world with great affection, he is demonstrating that he is not walking in the Spirit. Instead, he is walking in step with his own sin nature, which is anchored in this world. He is living for self rather than Christ. We should not allow the world to pour us into its mold. We are commanded, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). We must reprogram our minds so we can think like God. That is done only through serious meditation upon the Word of God. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). We are set apart from the world when we allow the Word of God to take root in our thinking (John 17:17; James 1:21).

2. The World is Temporal.

Man was originally made for eternity to live in the presence of God (Hebrews 13:14). This world system is only temporary. We are commanded to not love the world because it is passing away (1 John 2:17). When we live only for the things of this world, we are working for something that will eventually disappear. The Bible declares, “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:17).

This home, our present world, is like a dilapidated house that has been inspected and slated for demolition. In contrast, God is eternal (Psalm 102:25-28). If we are like God, we will invest in things and matters that are eternal. Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust [consume] and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust [consume] and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). The treasure of our heart is where our heart [mind] is. Think about that. What do you think about the most? Are you heavenly minded, or worldly minded? That is where your treasure is!

3. The World is the Enemy of God!

As followers of Christ, we stand with Him against His enemies. The Bible asks us to examine our heart and ask this question, “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4) Then, the Bible declares, “Whoseover therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

The world hates God and all that is of God. Jesus told His disciples that the world hates that which is of God and loves its own (John 15:18-25). We are at war with the devil and his world system. We must guard our hearts and fight the good fight of our faith with God’s armor (Ephesians 6:10-17). Too many churches are attempting to make the church like the world to win the world. That is impossible. We must call the saints of God to come out of the world and live holy lives. We cannot flirt with the world and walk with a holy God!

When we give our soul to the world, we are acting like spiritual adulterers (James 4:4). To become a Christian is to make Christ the Lord and love of your life. No one and nothing should come before Him. He must be first in our lives!

4. The World Overpowers the Soul!

It is the goal of Satan and his world system to kidnap our hearts and souls and lead us astray from the presence and blessings of God. The Apostle Paul gave the following warning, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Those who are of this world operate in a realm of spiritual darkness. The ways of God are foolishness to them. Their whole way of life is enveloped in a world that promises to give man what only God can provide.

There is not enough room in the human heart to follow God and the world. Jesus shared a parable about a person who claimed to be a believer. Jesus compared the heart of the person to the seed of the gospel that was sown in the soil the human heart. This believer’s heart crowed out the word of God because of the thorns and weeds that were present in the soil of his heart. Jesus explained the problem as follows, “He also that received the seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

Unfortunately, after more than 50 years of ministry, I have noticed that most who attend church on a weekly basis and claim to be saved are spiritually unfruitful. That simply means they are not really serving the Lord and producing spiritual fruit [works] that will count for eternity. The reason for this is that the cares of this world have crowded out the influence and impact of the Word sown in their hearts. Sitting in church, they may be convicted. However, when they leave church, their minds drift back to the cares of this world and they forget about what God has said to them. Therefore, their life is spiritually empty, and they are living just like those in the world who do not know Christ.

It takes great discipline and time in God’s Word to overcome the influence of the world upon us. We must develop great spiritual vision to focus on the blessings that we cannot see, rather than focus upon the tangible things that overwhelm our lives. Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-18.

5. The World does not Feed the Soul

We have been created as a physical/spiritual being. We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Unlike animals, we have an inner being – a spirit, soul, and conscience. When we are physically born in a state of sin, our inner man is dead (Ephesians 2:1). When we are saved, our inner man is born-again. Therefore, we must feed the soul, just like we need to feed the body. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). When the inward man is fed, that is when we have peace, power, strength, confidence, contentment, and joy. The world system cannot feed the soul. For the soul, the world brings deception, turmoil, weakness, confusion, and frustration. The stuff of this world does not fill the hunger of the soul that was created to have a relationship and fellowship with God.

The things of this world may deceptively satisfy a person for a while. But soon they will be empty again. Only Jesus and the things of God can bring eternal joy to the soul. Jesus said to the woman at the well in John 4, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13-14).

6. This World is not our Home.

When the mind of the believer is transformed by the truth of God’s Word, he will realize that this world is not his home. Our home is wherever Christ is (Colossians 3:1-4). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). The Bible proclaims that we are “strangers and pilgrims” on this earth (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11). A stranger is a person that does not belong where he is. He is different from the local people around him. He may look, dress, and act differently than those around them. His language will set him apart from the culture. When fashions, actions, and language are ungodly, the believer should refrain from what is customary.

A pilgrim is a tourist. He knows he is just visiting until he makes his journey home. This is the attitude the believer should have about living in this world.

The walk of faith that illustrates the believer’s lifestyle of longing for home, while avoiding being attached to this world, is best illustrated in the contrasting lifestyles of Abraham and Lot.

Abraham was called by God out of the pagan culture of Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 12:1; Hebrews 11:8-9). As Abraham walked by faith, he received the revelation from God about “a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). As he wandered about on the earth as a stranger and pilgrim, he kept looking to the future, and longing for the city of God (Hebrews 11:13-16).

When Abraham’s and Lot’s shepherds began to quarrel in the Promised Land, they needed to separate. Abraham allowed Lot to choose between the hill country, and the plain of Jordan which was well-watered near the five wicked cities by the Dead Sea (Genesis 13:5-10). Abraham knew that His God would provide for him, and He was not concerned about the choice Lot would make. Lot chose the well-watered plains, which did not require trusting God for rain. Lot was also drawn toward the wealth and pleasures of the cities of the plain. We know from extra biblical records that these five cities were along the caravan route of the ancient world and provided a variety of wealth not available in the hill country where Abraham was living. The lucrative trading within these cities allowed the people to explore the sinful pleasures offered by their opportunities and the constant traffic from the ancient world. One of these cities was named Zeboim, which means “wild place.” In comparison, these cities were the ancient version of Las Vegas.

Unlike Abraham, Lot chose to be a citizen of a wicked world system. He chose a land that was more conducive to the easy way of life away from God. Lot’s life was anchored in what the world had to offer, while Abraham’s life was focused upon pleasing God.

Lot’s lifestyle cost him dearly. When the time came for God to extract Lot and his family from the cities He was to destroy, they did not leave with a willing heart. Most of Lot’s family would not leave and were destroyed in the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:14). Lot’s wife loved her family and life in Sodom so much that she disobeyed God and looked back, turning to a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). Lot’s choice and lifestyle cost him the lives of his family! What a heavy price to pay!!!

I fear that far too many believers, like Lot, have set their sights on the world’s lifestyle and pleasures. We need to be like Abraham. We need to walk by faith, trust God, and keep looking for the city built by God.

The Lord is coming to rescue us from the destruction and death of the Tribulation Period. Are we ready to go? Or are we like Lot and his family who were far too attached to the pleasures of this world and therefore reluctant to leave a world marked for destruction from the wrath of God?

“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)

Be READY for the shout that will take us out!