Uncategorized – Page 6 – Prophecy Today News

October 2019 – The Ashes of Auschwitz

October 2019

The Ashes of Auschwitz

“I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10

By Mike Wingfield

A few months ago, I approached my board of directors and shared with them that I was being compelled by the Lord to visit the former Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland. Part of me did not want to make this trip. I have been to the museum of the Holocaust in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, many times. However, this did not seem to satisfy the yearning God had put on my heart. I told myself that I was too busy and my schedule was full. After sharing my heart with my board, they approved my request and I made the trip during the first week of August.

I cannot begin to tell you how this experience has made a lasting impact in my personal life and ministry. Without question, this was one of the most sobering and heart-wrenching experiences in my life. God spoke to my heart in many ways, some of which I will share with you in this newsletter.

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.

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. Since the call of Abraham 4,000 years ago, Satan has made this his aim.

Both secular history and the Scriptures testify to the violent global rejection of the Jewish people in the history of the nations. The plague of anti-Semitism has been with the Jewish people since the birth of the nation in Egypt more than 3,500 years ago. The Psalmist declared, “Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say” (Psalm 129:1). While speaking to His Jewish disciples about the end times, Jesus said, “… and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9). Hundreds of years before the time of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote to the Jewish nation and delivered God’s message, “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10).

As you examine the pages of Jewish history there have been many periods of horrific persecution and rejection. However, one of the most deadly attacks upon the Jewish people took place during the Holocaust more than seven decades ago. During this 10-year period about 6 million Jewish people were killed.

During the horrific days of World War II, the Nazi regime developed a plan to re-engineer the human race by removing the undesirable minorities that did not measure up to its standards. At the heart of these liquation efforts was the annihilation of the Jewish people. This plan was personally created and orchestrated by the Chancellor of Germany, Adolf Hitler, who was the leader of the Third Reich from 1933 to 1945.

Most people do not know that the plan to liquidate the Jewish race during the Holocaust was in part fueled by the teaching and writings of Martin Luther, who preceded Hitler by 400 years. Luther, a former Catholic monk in Germany, is best known for becoming the leader of the protestant reformation. While we can thank the Lord for many of the efforts of Luther, we need to take note that his teaching concerning the Jews and understanding of Biblical prophecy continued to follow the teachings of the Catholic Church. Like so many in his time, Luther did not know the prophetic Scriptures. He believed in what is today called “Replacement Theology.” This dangerous and erroneous teaching promotes the lie that God has permanently divorced the Jewish people from His covenant and replaced them with the Gentile church.

Luther hated the Jews. He wrote a book called The Jews and Their Lies. In this book, he wrote, “First, their synagogues should be set on fire. … Secondly, their homes should likewise be broken down and destroyed. … Thirdly, they should be deprived of their prayer-books and Talmuds. … Fourthly, their rabbis must be forbidden under threat of death to teach any more. … Fifthly, passport and traveling privileges should be absolutely forbidden to the Jews. … Sixthly, they ought to be stopped from usury [charging interest on loans]. … Seventhly, let the young and strong Jews and Jewesses be given the flail, the ax, the hoe, the spade, the distaff, and spindle, and let them earn their bread by the sweat of their noses. … We ought to drive the rascally lazy bones out of our system. … Therefore away with them. …

“To sum up, dear princes and nobles who have Jews in your domains, if this advice of mine does not suit you, then find a better one so that you and we may all be free of this insufferable devilish burden — the Jews.” (https://www.wnd.com/2017/04/was-martin-luther-an-anti-semite/)

One can easily see how Hitler, 400 years after these words were written by Luther, could use this ideology that was already a part of the church in Germany. During the years leading up to the Holocaust, Germans were fed a constant diet of anti-Semitism. Jews were ridiculed, falsely accused, and portrayed as a burden upon society. They were quickly denied employment, education, and the basic freedoms of life. They were forced to wear a yellow star on their clothing to mark their Jewish identity, attracting rejection and inhuman treatment.

The plan of Hitler was successful. A great majority of Germans supported his goal of the extermination of the entire Jewish race. For example, Hans Frank, the governor general in Nazi occupied Poland in 1944, stated, “The Jewish are a race that must be totally exterminated.” In preparation for their final demise, the Jewish people were forced to leave their homes and were forced into designated ghettos. A million or more Jews died in the ghettos while waiting to be transported to the death camps. They died of starvation and diseases, succumbed to the harsh conditions, or were killed by the Germans.

When the time came for their transport to the death camps, they were driven like cattle into railroad cars. Hundreds were crammed into each railroad car. They were forced to stand up for most of the journey that in some cases took days. There was no water, very little food, and no bathroom facilities. Ventilation was poor. Many died on t hese trains before their arrival at the concentration camps, hundreds of miles away.

During the early years of the Holocaust there were more than 50 death camps scattered across the Nazi-controlled areas of Europe. During the last three years of the war, the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp in Poland became the major center for the Nazi efforts to exterminate the entire Jewish race. It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million Jews were killed at this camp.

When the trains arrived at Auschwitz, or its sister camp, Birkenau, only 3 miles away, the Jews were separated based upon who was fit for work. Those who were not able to work – the elderly, children and infants, mothers with small children, or the sick – were immediately sent to the gas chambers. Statistics suggest this usually represented about 70 percent of those on the train. They were led to an area where they were forced to undress and told they were going into a large shower room. Hundreds were forced to enter. When the door was finally locked, the German agents dropped Zyklon B pesticide into the chamber. As the poisonous vapor filled the room, these poor people screamed and cried out for help until they died about 20 minutes later.

After the deadly vapor had dissipated, some of the Jewish prisoners were forced to remove the dead bodies. Most of them were taken to the crematorium area. It was the goal of the Germans to cremate as many Jewish bodies as possible. At the height of the war, they were cremating an average of 4,756 bodies per day. Many other Jewish people were murdered and buried in massive graves just outside of the death camps. Tons of cremation ashes were dumped into the rivers and ponds around the areas of Auschwitz and Birkenau.

Those who were kept as prisoners were forced to live in crude barracks. They were forced to surrender all personal belongings, were issued prisoner clothing, and were photographed, and tattooed with a number. They were tattooed with a number because in just a few short weeks they would lose so much weight they could not be identified by the photo taken at the time of their entrance into the camp.

The goal of the camps was to make these prisoners slaves of the German war effort. It was their intention to kill these prisoners in about four months by starving them and submitting them to horrific and inhuman living conditions. They worked in the intense heat of the summer and during the harsh cold winters with no extra clothing or heat. They worked for 14-15 hours per day and their food rations consisted of weak coffee, water, a few pieces of moldy bread, and a small cup of very watery soup. They slept in bunks with about a dozen people and had only a few minutes each day to visit the bathroom.

Each morning, at daybreak, the prisoners were forced to gather outside for roll call. In some cases they had to stand in the intense heat or sub-zero temperatures while they waited for everyone to be accounted for. If someone was found to be too weak for work, they were sent to the gas chambers.

The entire camp was surrounded by an electrified bob wire fence. Sections of the camp were also isolated with the same kind of fence so that they could prevent a massive rebellion or attempt to escape. Guard towers were located along the perimeter of the fence. German guards were told to shoot any prisoner who tried to escape. Those who did kill prisoners trying to escape were rewarded with cigarettes, vodka, and attendance at parties.

Some prisoners faked an escape so that they would be killed. It was their way of ending their torture. Those who did escape were usually tracked down by dogs and returned to the camp where they were hung in the presence of their fellow prisoners at roll call the next morning.

Finally, the Germans realized that they were going to lose the war, and the prisoners would be set free after the death camps would be discovered. Therefore, they began to erase as much evidence as possible. They burned down the wooden barracks at Birkenau. They forced thousands of Jewish prisoners to march to other camps deeper into the German occupied areas. This march took place in the cold and harsh conditions of winter. Many of the prisoners were already frail, and had no shoes or clothing to endure the freezing conditions. Many prisoners that collapsed in the snow were shot. The path of this march was littered with frozen Jewish bodies.

Hitler lost the war and he did not complete his mission of eliminating the Jewish race. His war was doomed to fail because He was in direct conflict with the God of Israel. The Lord promised Abraham that He, the Almighty, would curse those who curse His chosen people (Genesis 12:3). The continued presence of the Jewish people is guaranteed by the God of Jacob. He has declared, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). Furthermore, the Lord used the Holocaust to briefly soften the heart of the international community and bring about the creation of the modern state of Israel. These two events are wielded together in God’s prophetic plan. Psalm 102, which seems to be an amazing prophecy about the Holocaust, connects the suffering of His people with the building up of Zion. Ezekiel’s amazing prophecy of the vision of the valley of dry bones teaches that God will resurrect the dead nation of Israel and call the people back to their ancient homeland. God said, “Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (Ezekiel 37:12). Many of the people who returned to Israel had the tattoos on their arms as survivors of the death camps.

As I reflect upon my visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau I believe I now know why the Lord directed me to make this visit to Poland to see the actual remains of the Holocaust death camps. First, I am reminded that the doctrine of replacement theology created the atmosphere for the Holocaust. This doctrine, which rejects God’s eternal promise given to Israel, attempts to denigrate the Jews with a false interpretation that the church has replaced Israel as God’s chosen people. As witnessed by Luther, this leads to a twisted view of the prophetic Scriptures and ultimately to a hatred for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Most of the pastors and churches in the United States hold to this deadly and deceiving doctrine. This is being duplicated around the globe and is setting the stage for the final rejection of Israel. Furthermore, most of the church today is Biblically illiterate concerning Biblical prophecy.

My visit to these death camps also impressed upon me the level of deception that accompanied the hate-filled mission of the Nazi regime. From the very beginning, the Nazis lied to the Jewish people about their plans to eliminate them. They told them they were being selected for work. The sign over the gates at Auschwitz, which is still there today, reads, “Work will set you free.” As the trains arrived and people walked through this gate, the Germans forced Jewish prisoners to form an orchestra and to play soothing music to calm the Jews on their march toward death. When the Jews entered the area to disrobe and enter the gas chambers, the orchestra was there and they were told they were going into the chambers to take a shower. Shower heads were installed to add to the deception.

At the heart of this evil regime was war and death. They had plans to create a utopia without God and to re-engineer society for their own benefit. The Muslims, socialists, and communists within the United Nations and in our own U.S. government are doing the same thing. They are deceptively orchestrating everything toward war and death so they can create a New World Order that fits their political or religious deceptive frame-work. During Hitler’s rise to power, the masses were so deceived that they placed their complete trust in a man who was filled with hate and evil. The world is being uniquely prepared to do this one more time. The international community is being prepared for the arrival of Antichrist. When he steps on the stage, much like Hitler did at a time of economic hardship in Germany, the world will eagerly embrace him and he will lead them to their death and eternal doom in their opposition against God. Concentration camps and the death of hundreds of millions are a part of the immediate future of our world. Read Revelation 13:11-18.

Iran’s relentless aim to annihilate the Jewish nation of Israel illustrates just how late it is in these last of the last days. In the last few decades, Iran has openly declared that it will ultimately rid the world of the presence of the Jewish nation. In spite of this threat, much of the world continues to do business with Iran as if nothing were wrong. China, Russia, Turkey, India, and many of the European nations continue to purchase oil from Iran and blatantly disregard the economic sanctions that the Trump administration has placed upon Iran. During the years of the Obama administration, these nations joined the U.S. supported of Iran’s march toward the development of a nuclear program. It was no secret that Iran’s aim was to develop nuclear warheads. While very few nations would openly admit it, it appears that the world is ready to sacrifice the future of the nation of Israel upon the altar of economic convenience. In reality, they do not really care about the Jewish nation of Israel.

This is one of the reasons why President Donald Trump and his administration are hated so much within the U.S. and the international community. President Trump wants to make America great and support the future of Israel. This does not fit within with the diabolical agenda of those who want a New World Order. The liberal left in America and Europe hate Israel and are blind to the dangerous threat of Islam. They are so filled with hate that they are blind to the truth.

Conditions are ripe for the appearance of the Antichrist and his deceptive and deadly government that will hate believers in Jesus Christ and the Jewish people. He will decapitate Christians (Revelation 13:15; 20:4). He will declare a war to annihilate the nation of Israel. This is called Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).

According to the prophetic Scriptures, the attack upon Israel and the Jewish people will reach unprecedented levels in the last few years of the end of this age. Today, Israel is surrounded by 22 Islamic nations that hate the only Jewish nation in the world. These nations have a population that is 60 times greater and a land mass that is 640 times larger. Yet, because God is on Israel side, the Goliath of hell is no match for little David who has declared “the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).

A greater holocaust for the Jewish people is in the immediate future. They can see it coming. A few years ago, Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, expressed the fear that “we currently face as great a threat to the safety and security of the Jewish people as the one we faced in the 1930s — if not a greater one.” (www.religionnews.com/2015/05/21/people-hate-jews-judaism-commentary)

Zechariah 13:8-9 indicates that God will preserve one-third of the world’s Jewish population during the final 7-years of the Tribulation Period. This entire Jewish remnant will be saved (Zechariah 13:8-9, Daniel 12:9, and Romans 11:26). Today’s Jewish global population numbers about 15 million. That would indicate that about 10 million will perish during the Tribulation. The red dragon of hell (Satan) has declared war on the Jewish people (Revelation 12:1-17).

This war is heating up and is about to travel across America. Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

Political Changes in the U.S. and Israel

The world has two political leaders, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who are fighting against the creation of a New World Order. These two men are also willing to go to war with Iran to halt its wicked agenda. It is not an accident that these two leaders are hated by the world and are currently fighting for their political futures.

As a result of the recent elections in Israel, it is not clear whether Prime Minister Netanyahu will be able to put together a right-wing coalition to form a government that will enable him to continue with his conservative agenda. Should a more liberal government take control in Israel, it could pave the way for a more secular government that would accept the lies of the Antichrist and his false offer for peace. This false peace covenant that will start the Tribulation Period (Daniel 9:27), will be made with an Israeli leadership that the prophet Isaiah described as being those who scoff at the Biblical land covenant and the messianic hope of Israel (Isaiah 28:14-22). The time is getting late! Be ready!

August 2019 – Living in a Culture that Loves Satan

PTNews

August 2019

Published monthly

All Bible references are from the KJV (Examining the News in Light of Biblical Truth)

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

Living in a Culture that Loves Satan

.pdf

By Mike Wingfield

For true followers of Christ, it is very evident that our world is in a free-fall toward the final hour of horrific spiritual darkness. Christians who are walking in the light of the Word and are in fellowship with a holy God can see the spiritual darkness all around them. This shroud of darkness is sucking the souls of people around them into a black hole of deception and death at an unprecedented rate.

There has been an ongoing spiritual war between the forces of heaven and hell since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Satan and his demons know what the Bible says about their future doom and they are consequently focused on intensifying the battle to defeat God’s plans for His Messiah. They know they must attempt to stop Jesus from fulfilling His Father’s eternal agenda.

When Jesus came to the world the first time, He centered His ministry in Galilee. This area was called “the Galilee of the nations” (Isaiah 9:1). It received this title because the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee was occupied by wicked pagan Gentiles who were worshiping demons. The entire area, including the Jewish territory on the western side, was influenced by this pagan culture. Likewise, people suffered from demon possession. More than 700 years before Jesus came, the prophet Isaiah predicted that the people occupying this area would be living “in the land of the shadow of death” (Isaiah 9:2). The demons had taken control of the people and they were being “driven to darkness” (Isaiah 8:22). This great prophet of God also proclaimed that the people in this region would see “a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Most Bible scholars agree that the context of Isaiah 9 is a prophecy about the coming Messiah. Consequently, Jesus, during his time on earth, was constantly rescuing people by casting demons out of them. As Jesus approached His sacrificial death on the cross, He declared, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12:31).

On Jesus’ first visit to earth, He triumphed over Satan, his demons, and their evil agenda. About 70 years later, He revealed Himself to His apostle, John, who was isolated on the isle of Patmos and declared, “I am he that [is alive], and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death” (Revelation 1:18).

From the perspective of our eternal, omnipotent God, Satan is a defeated foe. However, the spiritual battle is still raging because Satan is desperately trying to defeat God. It is his finite, sinful will that keeps him focused on doing what he fears is impossible. He really has no other option.

As we approach the end of this age, Satan knows that his time is growing short and that he must intensify his war against God. A part of his strategy is to deceive the nations into following his wicked agenda. His ultimate goal is to have the nations of the world worship and serve him. The Bible tells us that when the end times come, the global population will be in love with Satan (Revelation 9:20). They will openly worship and serve him. Some people will do this in ignorance, while being deceived by others and Satan’s schemes. Satan’s desire is to entice their sensual feelings and appeal to their sinful will. These people will cling to seducing demonic spirits (1 Timothy 4:1). However, there will be others who will be fully cognizant of their commitment to Satan and his demonic hordes. Some will openly and adoringly embrace the devil as their god.

I recently saw the evidence of this. While waiting at an airport for my flight, I saw a young couple boarding their plane for a flight that preceded mine. They were wearing large black top hats. It was very apparent that they wanted to draw attention to themselves. The young woman was wearing a t-shirt that said, “Satanic Fanatic.” I must admit that I was stunned to see this person proudly wearing her allegiance to Satan as a badge of honor.

Several weeks before this, I was sitting in my car at a local Walmart. My attention was drawn to the car parked in front of me. I did not want to stare at the car since a young man was sitting in the driver’s seat. In a few moments, he got out of the car and went into the store. I gazed at the car and after a few moments, I decided to get out of my car in order to casually walk around the car to more closely examine it. I could not believe what I saw! In the back window area there were two large black plastic scorpions facing each other. The symbols of death, aliens, and demons were prominently displayed around the car. The word “tattoo” was plastered across the top of the front windshield. The license plate on the car brandished one word– “carnage.”

As I witnessed this, I immediately thought of the details of Revelation 9. This chapter of the final book of the Bible speaks of one of the most chilling judgments of God that will be poured out upon the earth during the Tribulation. In this divine judgment, God will send one of his angels to open a bottomless pit on earth. The text reads, “And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power” (Revelation 9:2-3).

It is apparent from the text that this chapter speaks of two demonic invasions of earth that will occur immediately before the mid-point of the Tribulation. The first demonic invasion will bring pain and s uffering. Demons will materialize as flying creatures that have scorpion-like tails. They are described in symbolic detail in Revelation 9:7-10. These demons will attack the sinners on earth, striking them with their scorpion-like tails. This sting will bring unbearable pain upon its victims for five months.

In the last section of Revelation 9, the apostle John wrote about the second wave of this demonic invasion of earth. This invasion will be both painful and lethal. A demonic army, numbering 200 million, will come out of the Euphrates River (the former area of the Babylonian Empire). This same area is today the heart of the Islamic world and the current center of Islamic jihad aimed at creating havoc and carnage to attain global control. This demonic army will slay one-third of the earth’s population (Revelation 9:15). These demons will materialize as weird creatures with serpent-like tails. They are described with in detail in Revelation 9:17-19.

In my opinion, we are living at a unique time when many people are being prepared to worship these demons and be fascinated with them when they appear. Satan is using various forms of media to carry out his diabolical plot, including sci-fi movies, violent and sensual video games, and rock music to lure people into his trap of death and eternal damnation. People’s fascination with tattoos, body piercings, alien beings from other planets, and the occult give even more evidence that Satan and his demons are hard at work. It is highly likely that when these demons materialize as described in Revelation 9, the demon worshippers on earth will be enamored with them. Sadly, they will run toward these demons, only to be stung with their scorpion-like tails.

The young man who owned the car that I saw in the Walmart parking lot is certainly focused upon these creatures. The fascinations that flood his mind tell me that he has been captivated by Satan’s agenda which will unfold during the Tribulation Period.

As we consider all of this, we must recognize that we are living at a time when people have no Biblical insight and have seared their conscience. They are living without any influence from the Holy Spirit to restrain them. As a result, they have no fear of evil, death, and deception. They have reached the spiritual point of no return. They have lost the ability to reason or have any common sense. As I mention in my book, Living in a World with No Conscience, this is the kind of world that is open to demonic possession. You can order copies of my book from this ministry.

In my book, I wrote, “the work of the Holy Spirit in man’s conscience is the only means whereby God can restrain a person from the deadly dangers of sin. According to the Bible, a nation or individual can spiritually reach a point of no return. This means that the Lord’s work of grace and restraint in their conscience ceases, and they are left to their own foolishness and ultimate eternal demise. A person or culture reaches this point when the Spirit of God can no longer do a work in the human conscience to produce a fear of evil that can lead them to repentance. When this takes place, God gives them over to their destructive ways (Romans 1:24-27). This spiritual point of no return is irreversible! John MacArthur, Jr. states in his excellent book, The Vanishing Conscience, ‘Obliterate the human conscience, and you will raise an amoral and unredeemable generation.’

“When this takes place, another horrific spiritual tragedy takes place. When a person no longer has a functioning conscience and is completely driven by his sinful rebellion against God, he will be open to demonic oppression or possession. The Bible informs us that demons, who are fallen angels (see Revelation 12:4), roam the earth looking for individuals to enslave. Simply stated, they are looking for a person who will become their puppet. They want a person whose conscience has been seared. This person will have no inhibitions. Therefore, the demons will be able to use that person’s body and mind to accomplish their hellish agenda while destroying their victim at the same time. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 gives the following warning about the end of this age, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of [demons]: Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”

When people have no conscience and they are influenced by demons, they will act like animals. They will be filled with a spirit of lawlessness, greed, violence, murder, hatred, immorality and arrogance. (Read the complete list in Romans 1:29-31.) They will exhibit unmerciful behavior, while also being unloving and unthankful. Moreover, they will be fierce, lack self-control, and have a deep passion for sinful pleasure. A person influenced by demons will hate God and all of those who want to be like God. (Read the complete list in 2 Timothy 3:2 thru 5.) If we are honest, we must admit that this is a description of the current American culture.

“Sadly, the reality of demons and hell is not being taught in our so-called evangelical churches today. And while churches tragically neglect their duties, the Bible says that the future of a nation depends upon the good conscience of its citizens. This creates the foundation upon which a nation lives and works. If that foundation is weakened or destroyed, the nation will be destroyed also. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do” (Psalm 11:3)?” (Mike Wingfield, Living in a World with No Conscience, pp. 36-38) If you have not read my book, I urge you to purchase a copy. My book addresses the question – Has America reached the point of no return?

Satan is very busy preparing this global generation for his final assault on God’s eternal agenda. He is marshaling his forces in his desperate attempt to defeat God.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we do not need to fear any of this. “Greater is he that is in [us], than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We are on the side of Almighty God! We are on the winning side. When the end comes, Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10). All of those who follow him will join him in that eternal place of damnation (Revelation 20:15).

Those who are redeemed will be with their Lord in the New Heaven and the New Earth, where the former sinful and painful things “are passed away” (Revelation 21:5).

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Soldiers and Mike — Mike with two Israeli soldiers on his last tour

Latest Population Stats

Israel recently released its latest population statistics. Now, 9.021 million people call Israel home. Jewish people make up 74.2 percent (6.697million) of the population. The number of Arab citizens now stands at 1.89 million, which is 20.9 percent of the total population. It is estimated that about 45 percent of the world’s Jewish population now lives in Israel (The International Jerusalem Post, May 10-16, 2019, p. 9).

Just as the Bible predicted, the world’s Jewish population continues to migrate back to their ancient home land. The Bible predicts that eventually, all Jews will move back home to Israel. Listen to the declaration of God in Ezekiel 39:25-28, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.” According to the Scriptures, the final regathering of the Jewish people to Israel will take place at the end of the Tribulation Period. When the millennial kingdom of God begins, the entire Jewish population will be redeemed (Romans 11:26). They will return to Zion to live in the presence of their Messiah in their land.

Making Water Out of Air

According to the prophetic Word of God, the end of this age will bring a life-threatening drought and a shortage of fresh water (Revelation 11:6; 16:4-6). There is one nation that is more prepared than any other nation to deal with this calamity – Israel.

More than one-half of the state of Israel is desert. To the south and east, Israel is surrounded by semi-desert and desert land. Israel does not have adequate water for its present population living on the western side of the Jordan Valley. More than 23 million people depend upon the water sources in this area. Water is being drawn from the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, and underground aquafers. However, all of this is not adequate to care for the residential, agricultural, and commercial needs for water.

Israel is a world leader in the management and creation of water. The Israelis have developed an ingenious series of innovative water conservation measures. More than 86 percent of the wastewater in Israel is collected and filtered for agricultural use. For several decades, Israel has designed and used a drip-irrigation system to grow their crops. A series of plastic pipes are laid down in agricultural areas. Near each plant there is a brass orifice in the pipe where water is pumped and released at each plant near the roots in the soil. Irrigation systems that spray water into the air are inefficient, allowing too much of the water to be wasted as it evaporates. Water tanks are also filled with plant food so that each plant also receives the right amount of nutrients for optimal growth. And electrode is inserted in the ground in a few plants in sections of the field. These electrodes constantly measure the amount of moisture in the ground. When the moisture is too low for plant growth, it sends a signal to the computer that controls the pumping of the water to the plants so that it turns on the water and plant food to flow into the field. When the right amount of water saturation has taken place, the electrode sends another signal to the computer to turn off the water flow to the field. This ensures that the crops will not be over watered, which minimizes the waste of water.

Israel not only manages its use of water, but it also creates an abundance of fresh water. Israel is a world leader in desalination of ocean water. Their desalination plants produce 55 percent of all of the fresh water consumed in Israel.

desalination plan Sorek, Israel — An Israeli desalination plant at Sorek

One Israeli company, Watergen, has developed the technology to make water out of air. This process operates much like a dehumidifier. The water generator takes in the air through a heat process and removes the moisture. This moisture is filtered, and collected; minerals then added to create pure drinking water. These water generators are being manufactured for homes and larger commercial usage. There are plans to have an application for cars, so that people will have a constant source of fresh water as they travel. All of this ingenuity would also eliminate the demand for plastic bottles, which are a problem for the global eco system (The International Jerusalem Post, May 10-16, 2019, p. 24).

Jesus was a Palestinian?

For several decades now, Muslims have been claiming that Jesus was a Palestinian. It is true that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, which are now occupied by Muslim Arabs. However, this does not make Jesus an Arab Palestinian.

The Bible is adamantly clear about the lineage of the Jews and Arabs. Jewish people trace their ancestry back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 1:1-17). The Arab people’s ancestry goes back to Abraham, Ishmael (Genesis 25:12-18), Esau (Genesis 36), and the sons of Abraham and Keturah, Abraham’s second wife after the death of Sarah (Genesis 25:1-11).

Therefore, the Bible gives overwhelming evidence that Jesus was not an Arab Palestinian. He is an ethic Jew with a proven ancestry. The reason for Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is because Joseph and Mary were both descendants of King David, the king of Israel, and needed to register for taxes in the city of their ancestry – Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-4). The prophet Micah, 700 years before the birth of Jesus wrote, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

Why would the Islamic world want to make Jesus a Palestinian Arab? They do this in an attempt to erase the Jewish history of Israel. This is part of a larger argument that is based upon a false claim that the Jews are new comers to the Holy Land. The Muslims claim that all of the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – were devout Muslims. This is also an attempt to deceive the evangelical Christians into supporting the Palestinians’ claim to the land. Believe it or not, there are many Christian groups who believe these claims and support the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s claim over the land and the city of Jerusalem. This demonstrates that many so-called Christians have twisted the Word of God to their own means. Those who have done this have unknowingly made it impossible for Jesus to be their Savior. Jesus taught that “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). When Jesus sent out His disciples, He instructed them to not go to the Gentiles, but “rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). In the book of Revelation, Jesus is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” (Revelation 5:5). Clearly, if you side with Islam about the identity of Jesus, you are worshipping another Jesus and cannot be saved! Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. They do not believe that He died on the cross or arose from the dead. To Islam, Jesus is nothing more than a prophet who is merely a godly man. The Islamic teaching about Jesus is an open denial of all that the Bible teaches.

“Israel is A Dreamland”

Some of the Sunni Arab states from the Persian Gulf continue to move toward a reserved recognition of Israel as a Jewish state in the midst of their Islamic world. As this develops, journalists and diplomats from these countries are beginning to visit Israel for the very first time.

As these Arab visitors come from their arid desert countries, they are wowed by what they see in Israel. One visiting journalist recently said, “This visit to Israel is like touring a dreamland. If only we would be able to bring hundreds of people from our countries so that when they go back, they can tell what they saw and felt.” (worldisraelnews.com, July 23, 2019)

This reaction of wonder and awe is a testimony to the fulfilled promises that God gave to His people about their return to their ancient homeland. The land of Israel at the beginning of the 20^th century was a desolate wasteland. Since the beginning of the return of the sons of Jacob, they, with the blessing and wisdom of God, have been able to transform the land into an agricultural and commercial miracle. Long ago, God spoke to the land of Israel and promised what would take place when her children would return from the nations of the world. “But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 36:8-11).

It is amazing to visit the Holy Land and witness the ongoing miracle of the transformation of land as God has promised. I have been going to the land of Israel for more than 30 years and I have witnessed this amazing marvel. However, some of the amazing progress in the greening of the land of Israel has been a result of the hard work and agricultural technological advances of the Israelis over the last 100 years. It has been especially intriguing to watch the gradual greening of the desert in southern Israel. On several occasions, my tour groups have traveled through these desert areas. To our amazement we have witnessed the growth of large Israeli farms (kibbutzim) that are pumping water up from the large underground aquifer to irrigate their crops. They are expanding the massive groves of date palms that flourish in the desert heat, with the application of the irrigation water. These dates are very large and they are scrumptious. I know because I purchase them and bring them home. A stop at kibbutz Yotvata is very rewarding. This desert farm operates one of the most popular dairies in Israel. Their rich fields of alfalfa, watered by irrigation, provide the cows with the perfect nutrients they need. My tour groups have feasted on the dairy products at this kibbutz. Their ice cream of many exotic flavors is creamy and tasteful. It is some of the best ice cream I have ever eaten.

Amazingly, all of this is only a small token of the incredible miracle that will take place in Israel’s desert at the end of the Tribulation. Then, God will send a massive earthquake in this desert and flood portions of the desert floor, making it a fertile swamp and a place of incredible vegetation (Isaiah 35:1-2, 6-7). Those who walk through this refurbished desert during the kingdom will refer to it as being like “the garden of Eden” (Ezekiel 36:35).

July 2019 – Showdown with Iran in the Persian Gulf

PTNews

July 2019

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

.pdf

As we move into the summer months, escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran have the potential to lead to a multinational conflict. On May 18, 2018, President Donald Trump removed the U.S. from a nuclear deal with Iran that was signed with Iran under the Obama administration in 2015. At the same time, President Trump announced he would impose sanctions aimed at crippling Iran’s economy until its radical leadership disengaged the nation from its quest to create nuclear weapons.

It is apparent that the liberal political leaders in the U.S. and Europe are in fervent disagreement with these actions by President Trump. Should war break out, these liberals, with the support of their friends in the global media, will accuse President Trump of being a war hawk.

In recent days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that anyone who does not agree with President Trump is “living on another planet.” The world is blind to the reality of Iran’s aggressive quest to acquire nuclear weapons. Those who oppose Trump and Netanyahu fail to consider that Iran is the largest global state sponsor of Islamic terrorism. Iran’s radical Islamic régime is driven by an apocalyptic vision of destroying the world in order to bring about the appearance of the Islamic messiah, known as the Madhi. They believe this will lead to the establishment of a global Islamic empire. These religious fanatics already have the blood of hundreds of thousands of people on their hands. They believe it is their religious obligation to sacrifice themselves in order to achieve their Islamic agenda that is a part of their doctrine of the last days. One can only imagine what they would do if they acquired nuclear weapons.

It must be understood that the architects of the Iranian nuclear deal have a common goal with the liberal political leaders around the world. They want to move us to a New World Order that openly embraces socialism. The Democrats in the U.S. and the liberal socialist leaders of Europe believe they can advance socialism and bring about a New World Order if they continue to create chaos that will lead to the collapse of our current political structure.

Their chief objective in brokering the Iranian nuclear deal was to bring the West to its knees, and to advance the foundation to achieving their political agenda.

In other words, it appears that the liberal socialists of the world and the radical Islamic leaders, like those in Iran, are playing a political game of chicken. Both of these groups want to control the world and create a one-world government. For the moment, they have decided to tolerate each other to ruin their political opponents, like Trump and Netanyahu. Finally, according to their wishful thinking, when that is accomplished, they plan on turning on each other to fight for the right to control the world.

The Bible indicates that when the end does come, the Antichrist will rule the world. I am convinced that the Antichrist will be a Muslim and his global kingdom will be an Islamic Empire, centered in the area of the ancient Babylonian Empire. In Isaiah 14:4, the Antichrist is called “the king of Babylon.” In Revelation 17-18, he is depicted as a beast that is controlled by a religious harlot, Islam, that bears the title, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Revelation 17:5). In Revelation 16:12-16, the Antichrist’s call for Armageddon comes from the shores of the Euphrates River, located in Iraq – ancient Babylon. Furthermore, Revelation 17:12-13 indicates that several non-Muslim political leaders will join the global kingdom of the Antichrist. Then, at the very end, these leaders will turn against the Antichrist and his kingdom and attack him (Revelation 17:16-17).

What we are see in the Persian Gulf this summer is very critical in the developments that are moving our world closer to the end-time events. Let us review the words and actions that have brought us to this point.

On April 22, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz with force. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage way in the Persian Gulf, which is a vital shipping lane to 88 percent of the oil and gas exports that flow out of the nations of the region to other parts of the world, including Japan, China, and India. This shipping lane is extremely busy as empty oil tankers and full oil tankers pass each other every few minutes, carrying 40 percent of the world’s oil. Crude oil is the number one export among the economies of the world. Any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz would be a serious threat and create a global economic crisis in a very short period of time.

In response to this threat, on May 9, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the Iranian leadership that the restraint of the U.S. administration should not be misinterpreted as a lack of resolve to engage Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons. Pompeo made it clear that the U.S. will not tolerate Iran’s aggression in the Middle East. He said, “The regime in Tehran should understand that any attacks by them or their proxies of any identity against the U.S. interests or citizens will be answered with a swift and decisive U.S. response.”

In preparation for a confrontation with Iran, on May 10, the Pentagon sent B-52 bombers and a Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Persian Gulf area. The next day, May 11, Patriot missile defense batteries were deployed to the region. Almost two weeks later, on May 24, the U.S. announced it would send an additional 1,500 troops to the Middle East and would also sell $8.1 billion in new weapon systems to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (all located on the Persian Gulf near Iran).

On June 9, as the tensions with Iran continued to mount, the Pentagon ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region. This move was designed to send a very powerful message to the Iranian leadership. This aircraft carrier is one of the finest and most powerful in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet. If Iran should decide to start a war with the U.S., we are prepared to quickly respond to any military aggression. On June 10, the Pentagon sent additional B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf.

On June 12, in the face mounting military might arrayed against them, Iran continued to escalate the situation by using their terrorist proxies in South Yemen to fire missiles at a civilian airport in southern Saudi Arabia, wounding 26 civilians. The next day, Iran sabotaged two Japanese oil tankers operating in the Persian Gulf by magnetically attaching mines to their hulls. Four days later, Iran announced that it would increase the amount of uranium it will enrich, which is in direct violation of the nuclear agreement that is still in force with the European countries that signed the deal with Iran in 2015.

On June 18, the day after Iran’s announcement to increase uranium enrichment, the U.S. sent an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East. On June 20, Iranian terrorist proxies in Yemen fired missiles into Saudi Arabia, damaging a desalination plant. On the same day, Iran shot down a $240 million U.S. Global Hawk unmanned surveillance drone that was flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claimed the drone was in its airspace and that its presence was a clear provocation of international law. The Iranian military leadership stated it did not want to go to war with the U.S., but it is up to the task if needed.

On the same day, the U.S. prepared to strike three targets in Iran, but at the last minute President Trump canceled the attack due to estimates that up to 150 Iranians would be killed. President Trump’s decision demonstrated to his political opponents that he has great patience and he is not anxious for a war with Iran. This is not political weakness, but a sign of political strength and moral character.

The objective of the Trump administration is to pressure Iran to give up its goal to create nuclear weapons and to cease its state-sponsored terrorism around the world. The Trump administration is calling upon our European allies and the international community to impose sanctions to help cripple the Iranian economy. However, some nations are balking at Trumps’ call and they continue to do brisk business with Iran. The main violator is China. China is one of Iran’s major oil customers. Approximately 33 percent of Iran oil is exported to China. India, Italy, and Japan are also among Iran’s major oil customers.

If a war between Iran and the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East materializes, it will help set the stage for the next big biblical war in the last days – the battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39. Russia has already signaled that it will support Iran in this current crisis. (See our ministry website for details.)

Israel is rightfully concerned that Iran may ask its proxy terrorist partner in Lebanon, Hezbollah, to attack the Jewish nation as a means of distracting the U.S. Iran wants the U.S. off its back so it can continue to develop nuclear weapons. Israeli and American leadership are adamant saying they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

The Global Threat of Islam

According to a recent e-mail from World Net Daily, there are many voices from around the globe warning that the radical elements of Islam are planning to conquer the world. Moderate Muslims are warning, “If Christians don’t wake up, if Christian leaders don’t wake up, then we Muslims who fled from extremists can’t help you anymore. We tried warning you.” Recently, a Palestinian sheikh, Abu Hanifa Awda, addressed Islamic worshippers at the silver dome structure, al Aksa Mosque, on the temple mount in Jerusalem. He said, “Indeed, oh people of Jerusalem, this is the heartland. This is the land of the oath of allegiance. This is where the banners of the Caliphate [Islamic Empire] will flutter. This is where the military convoys will gather, and this is where the brigades will assemble under their banners, heralding in a new dawn – dawn of justice – and the birth of a divine state: the Caliphate that will follow the guidance of the Prophethood. … Policies will be designed here. From here, armies will set out to conquer the world – the mighty army of Islam, with all its brigades. One brigade will liberate Palestine. Another one will ‘ravage the homes’ [as is written in the Quran]. A third brigade will ‘destroy whatever would fall into their hands.’ A fourth brigade will take revenge against Bashar Al-Assad and Russia. A fifth brigade will liberate all the plundered Muslim countries. A sixth brigade will cross the oceans and put the enemy to shame. A seventh brigade will lay siege to Rome. An eighth brigade will turn the White House black. A ninth brigade will impose the [Islamic slave] tax on London. A tenth brigade will pray to fend off fear and danger on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains and the Andes.”

I remind you that this threat came from an Islamic preacher in Jerusalem. This will be a part of the global control center of the Antichrist from the mid-point of the Tribulation. And it will continue until the final hours of Armageddon (Zechariah 14:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:1-2). The voices of darkness know what the Bible has declared will come to pass.

Asteroid to Hit Earth in September?

Scientists are saying there is a remote possibility that a rather large asteroid may strike earth on September 9. They are saying there is only a one in 7,000 chance this will happen. Some are predicting that it will pass by earth at only 4.2 million miles (Breaking Israel News, June 10, 2019).

This article also mentions one of the most dramatic encounters earth has had with an asteroid. “Perhaps the most severe asteroid impact in modern history was the Tunguska event in 1908. The explosion over the sparsely populated Eastern Siberian Taiga flattened 770 square miles of forest, yet caused no known human casualties. The explosion is generally attributed to the air burst of a meteor since no impact crater has been found. The object is thought to have disintegrated at an altitude of 3 to 6 miles. Early estimates of the energy of the airburst range from 10–15 megatons of TNT or roughly 1,000 times greater than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Studies have yielded different estimates of the meteoroid’s size, on the order of 200 to 620 feet” (Breaking Israel News, June 10, 2019).

In light of this report it is interesting to observe that Revelation 8:10-11 declares that an asteroid will implode in earth’s atmosphere. It will contaminate the earth and much of its fresh water rivers, lakes, and fountains with a bitter substance. This development will take place as a part of the third divine trumpet judgment, probably about a year or more after the beginning of the Tribulation.

Israel Dedicates Trump Heights

On Sunday, June 16, Israel dedicated a new village on the Golan Heights in honor of U.S. President Donald Trump. Many times since his election in 2016, President Trump has demonstrated that he is a true friend of the state of Israel. This was especially evident with the United States’ official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The U.S. Embassy was relocated to Jerusalem on the 70^th anniversary of Israel, May 14, 2018. Earlier this year, President Trump signed an official document in Washington that recognizes the formerly disputed area of the Golan Heights as being a sovereign part of the state of Israel. The Israeli government is now showing their gratitude to President Trump by establishing a new village in this historic part of ancient Israel.

According to the Bible, this part of the Promised Land, called “Bashan,” was given to the Jews by God. It was conquered by Israel and given to the tribe of Manasseh under the direction of Moses, as recorded in Deuteronomy 3:1-13. According to Jeremiah 50:19, after the defeat of Israel at the hands of the Babylonians almost 2,600 years ago, God promised that in the last days, He would return His people to this part of the Promised Land.

The Golan Heights was given to the Syrians as a part of the French mandate after World War 1. The Syrians used this high ground as a military launching pad to make life miserable for the Jewish farmers living in the Galilee. Finally, the Syrians were defeated and driven out by Israel during the 6-day war in June, 1967. In 1981, Israel annexed this land as an official part of the state of Israel. However, all of the nations, including the U.S., failed to officially recognize Israel’s declaration of sovereignty and referred to this area as “disputed land.” With these recent announcements by President Trump, the world is now being force to decide if they will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the Golan as a sovereign part of the state of Israel.

According to the prophetic Scriptures, Israel and the U.S. are standing against world opinion on these matters. However, God is on Israel’s side. The nations are about to enter into their final confrontation with God. This conflict will lead to two major wars mentioned in the Bible – the Battle of Gog and Magog on the Golan Heights (Ezekiel 38-39) and the Battle of Armageddon in Jerusalem (Zechariah 12, 14).

God’s prophetic clock in heaven is ticking and it is getting very late! Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

Check out the following link to watch the dedication of Trump Heights. www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue =7&v=Hw1-LPR_WqA

Christian Persecution Alarming

A BBC report in May indicated that genocide and persecution of Christians is reaching alarming levels. The report indicates that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world. Moreover, Gatestone Institute reports, “Religion ‘is at risk of disappearing’ in some parts of the world,” it noted, and ‘in some regions, the level and nature of persecution is arguably coming close to meeting the international definition of genocide,’ according to that adopted by the UN.” (www.gatestoneinstitute.org) As expected, most of this persecution is coming from areas where Muslims rule.

Here are some of the most alarming facts from the BBC study as reported by Raymond Ibrahim of Gatestone Institute:

– “The persecution of Christians is perhaps at its most virulent in the region of the birthplace of Christianity—the Middle East & North Africa.”

– “In countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia the situation of Christians and other minorities has reached an alarming stage.”

– “Christianity now faces the possibility of being wiped-out in parts of the Middle East where its roots go back furthest.(https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14281/genocide-of-christians).”

“Super Trump”

No other American president has ever supported Israel like our current president. As a result, praise for President Donald Trump is soaring in Israel. Israel has a new hit song, “Super Trump,” sung by the Jerusalem Boys’ Choir.

Here are the lyrics:

“Super Trump, is Jerusalem’s prince

Super Trump, to the sky he will reach,

Halleluya from the city of Zion In the name of our Lord,

He will fight like a lion If the whole world stands against us

And only Micronesia is rooting for us

When the sons of Ishmael harm our land Don’t you worry, Trump takes a stand

If in ISIS they are shouting S.O.S And in Gaza the Hamas, have started packing bags

If UNESCO joins with the B.D.S. Don’t you fret at all,

Trump is standing guard

If Iran is cracking nukes every single morning

And the world shuts up, and doesn’t even care

One fine day, no one will hear them calling Cause super Trump is here, and always standing guard.”

To hear this song, check out this link and enjoy. www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=vFK6a4JBrWU

Mike’s Report from Israel

I want to thank many of you for praying for my tour group to Israel, May 27- June 3. People in my group were from Virginia, Indiana, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Kansas, and New Hampshire. We had a wonderful tour. Everyone was spiritually blessed. We especially enjoyed a tour of the Golan Heights area, looking into Syria and Lebanon. We visited Caesarea Philippi where Peter made his confession about Jesus in Matthew 16. This is also the location of the beginning of the major tributary of the Jordan River. The abundant water there gives testimony to the abundant rainfall Israel enjoyed this past winter.

Other highlights of the tour in Galilee included a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, and a devotional time on the Mount of Beatitude. We enjoyed walking in the footsteps of Jesus in Capernaum where Jesus spent so much of His time preaching and performing miracles. It was also my privilege to baptize eight people of our group in the Jordan River.

After our tour in Galilee, we made our way down the Jordan Valley. It is always a treat for me to watch everyone’s reaction as the scenery changes and we transition from the lush green vegetation around the Sea of Galilee into a semi-desert climate as we approach the lowest place on earth near the Dead Sea. Just the day before, our group stood at the base of snow-capped Mount Hermon (over 9,200 feet in elevation). The next day, we drove through the arid desert at the Dead Sea. This is one of the things that make a visit to Israel so intriguing. The country is very small and yet it has great diversity when it comes to climate, vegetation, birds, and animals.

Our visit at the Dead Sea took us to the rocky mountain fortress of Masada, where almost 1,000 Jews made their last heroic stand against Rome in the first century. From this lofty mountain we could look to the south to the area of Sodom and Gomorrah. Next, we visited the place where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered more than 70 years ago. After this visit, it was time for fun. Some in our group experienced the unique ability to float in the waters of the Dead Sea that are about one-third salt and minerals.

After this, we began to leave behind the desert as our tour bus made the winding climb from 1,400 feet below sea level to Jerusalem, just 17 miles up in the Judean mountains, about 2,400 feet above sea level. Our emotions soared as our bus traveled into the city and we saw the city of Jerusalem and its famous Temple Mount.

Jerusalem is always the highlight of my tour. After breakfast the next morning, our first stop began with a visit to Calvary and the Garden Tomb. After standing in these holy places, we gathered under the trees of the beautiful garden for a time of worship that touched our souls forever. From here our bus took us to the top of the Mount of Olives for a majestic view of the Old City and the Temple Mount. We walked down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the mountain. Here, we gathered under the ancient olive trees to worship and mediate upon the suffering of our Savior on this holy ground.

The following days took us in and around the old city of Jerusalem as we traced the footsteps of Jesus in the closing hours of His earthly ministry. At one place, we stood on the very stones where Jesus was abused by the Roman soldiers before He began His journey to Calvary.

Our group always enjoys our visit to the Wailing Wall. Here we touched the ancient stones and prayed at the only wall in Jerusalem left standing from the time of Jesus. This year, we were privileged to be in the Old City during Israel’s celebration of Jerusalem Day. The streets were packed with young Israelis celebrating the reunification of the city of Jerusalem during the 6-day war in June 1967.

Why not pray about joining me in March next year.