• 2014 March/April – God Have Mercy on America

    God Have Mercy on America

    “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

    By Mike Wingfield

    May the Lord God have mercy upon the United States of America. That is the cry of heart as I am burdened to pray for my country as I witness its moral and spiritual decline. I sense in my soul that our nation is about to suffer a major act of divine judgment. No one can pretend to know what this act of divine judgment will be or when it will occur – but it is coming.

    As I witness my country ever increasingly turn its back on God, I am reminded of the great Jewish prophet, Elijah. Elijah marched into the throne room of wicked King Ahab one day and announced that divine judgment in the form of a drought was about to fall upon Israel. (1 Kings 17:1) Where did he get such a revelation that this was about to happen? Elijah walked with God. He knew that God had warned the Jewish nation that if they ever departed from Him and disobeyed His Word, He would curse them and send a drought as an act of judgment. (Deuteronomy 28:23-24) Elijah saw the spiritual and moral corruption of his people. He knew their sin had reached a point where it was time for God to keep His Word and judge His people. In other words, Elijah was taking God at His Word. In his soul, he sensed that the time of God’s retribution with a drought was imminent.

    Similarly, as I look around America and see the spiritual and moral corruption, I sense in my soul that the time of God’s divine judgment upon our nation is imminent. God will honor His Word! I am not a prophet, and like all believers today, I can never pretend to know the exact timing or nature of God’s divine judgment.

    At this very hour, America continues to exhibit a haughty spirit of rebellion against God and His Word. There is a hunger for the sinful pleasures of every sexual perversion that is an abomination to our Holy God. A lifestyle of violence, lawlessness, and deception permeates the land. Many Americans have turned from the One and only living God and are flocking to various religious expressions of paganism. Too many Americans are fascinated with witchcraft, sorcery, mind-altering drugs, and other bizarre activities that are an offense to the Lord. An ever-growing spirit of greed, accompanied by a relentless pursuit of the idols of money and power, have a spiritual death-grip on the nation. The God-ordained order of marriage and the home is disintegrating right before our eyes. Our nation is spiritually, morally, and politically divided. It appears that the United States stands on the brink of economic collapse and political upheaval.

    However, the greatest problem in America is the godless condition of the majority of local churches. The spiritual and moral collapse of America is a commentary on the failure of the church to be salt and light to the world. (Matthew 5:13-16) The professing church has become a part of the problem, rather than a part of the solution in America! A majority of pastors and church leaders have turned our churches into nothing more than social clubs where people can think about religious platitudes, and continue to applaud and promote godlessness within their congregations. There is very little talk about sin, repentance, the holiness of God, divine judgment, or eternal punishment. It seems that the leadership of American churches promotes and proclaims a message that we can convince God to bless us so we can be happy now. Very little is said about heaven or eternity. In essence, the church has become like the world. Professing Christians thrive on instant gratification. It is all about the god of self. God gets relegated to some lesser position of importance in our daily lives when He should be Number One.

    While reflecting upon all of this, the Spirit of God directed my attention to Daniel 9:1-19. In this great passage, the godly prophet of Israel, Daniel, had discovered that his people were about to be released from their captivity of almost 70 years in Babylon. Being the godly man that he was, Daniel immediately began to wonder if this would be the time when the temple would be rebuilt in Jerusalem. In light of the response of the angel Gabriel to his prayer, it appears that Daniel was also wondering if this was the time the Messiah and His kingdom would arrive.

    While Daniel contemplated the coming of the Messiah and His temple, he realized that his people were not spiritually ready for their long-promised Messiah to come. Consequently, he began to confess his sin to the Lord, as well as the sin of his people, Israel. (Daniel 9:20)

    For a number of years, I have been deeply moved every time I read this prayer of this godly prophet. Daniel had a deep love for his God and his people. He was broken over the spiritual condition of his people and realized that they were not ready for the opportunity to rebuild the holy temple in Jerusalem and to welcome and worship the Messiah.

    Please understand my heart. I am not even remotely suggesting that I should be compared to this godly prophet of God. I am, at best, a spiritual pigmy when compared to Daniel. However, I share his brokenness over the condition of my nation. I too, have a deep love for my God and a sense that the church of America is not ready for the Rapture. And, those who will be raptured are not really contemplating the reality that they will soon stand in the presence of the holy Lord Jesus and give an account of their lives, since the day of their salvation. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

    Should our Lord not come in the next few years, it seems to me that it is highly likely that every Christian in this country is going to suffer the consequences of living in a nation that will experience the divine judgment of God. Only those whose lives are deeply anchored in the Word of God and walking in the Spirit will be able to glorify our Lord and rejoice in the midst of the suffering that will come.

    What I am about to do, I have never done before. The Lord has directed me to write out a prayer of confession and repentance for America in this newsletter. I am seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God to help guide our thinking and praying to provoke us all to get on our knees and cry out to God for mercy on behalf of America. I will include in this written prayer certain Biblical passages that you should read to guide you in this effort.

    Before I begin with this written prayer, I must share with you an experience that I had which I consider not be a coincidence. These kinds of things happen to me all of the time while I am thinking about preaching or writing something. While I was driving to a conference recently, I stopped at a rest area to use the rest room. As I walked back to my van, my attention was drawn to a photo-copied page that was on the dashboard of the passenger side of the car parked beside of me. Before this stop, the Lord had been speaking to my heart about writing out this prayer and I was wrestling with this assignment in my mind. However, when I saw this paper on the dashboard of the car beside of me, I knew that the Lord was dealing with me about this assignment. The topic of the copied page, turned perfectly so I could read it without turning my head, was: “Abraham’s Intercession on Behalf of Wicked Sodom.” As I got in my van and drove away, my mind went back to Genesis 18 and the account of Abraham’s pleading with God to not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. I believe that there is a reason why the Spirit of God chose to give us this great chapter in the Bible. It is a testimony to how the godly must cry out to the Lord for mercy when it is evident that divine judgment is about to fall upon a society. As I drove further down the interstate, my mind was flooded with what the Lord wanted me to write in this newsletter. I could hardly drive for the tears that streamed down my face.

    My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to take this seriously. We must seek the face of God in this matter. I am not motivated to do this because I am a great patriot of America. And, I am. I am motivated to do this because there are still millions of Americans that need to hear the gospel and be saved. I am motivated to do this because I want my God to be glorified in the midst of all of this wickedness, deception, and confusion in America. I hunger to see a real revival among a remnant of godly people and churches! I must also confess that I need to pray this because I have two wonderful grown children with godly spouses, and three little grandchildren that have received Christ. I deeply care about them and what lies ahead in the future.

    As you read this prayer, I sincerely hope you will join me on my knees in brokenness and confession before our God for our own sins and for the sins of America. I also appeal to you to share copies of this newsletter with other believers so they can join us in praying for our nation at this vital hour.

    O Holy Father in heaven, we come to You in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We desire to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. We humbly come into Your divine presence with a sense of awe and reverence. We come before You in a spirit of worship, praise, and thanksgiving. We thank You for the gift of Your eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We acknowledge You as the One and only triune God, revealed in three persons who are equally God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19)

    We thank You for loving us and sending Your Son to die for our sins. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-11) We thank You for the gift of eternal life through His personal sacrifice on the cross, (Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3) and His physical resurrection from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:4-19) We thank You for the promise we have that He will soon return to take us to live with Him in heaven. (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

    Oh Lord, we believe that Your Son, according to Your revelation, created the heavens and the earth, “and all that in them is,” (Exodus 20:11) in six days and rested on the seventh day. We believe that He created the world out of nothing. (Hebrews 11:3) Nothing is impossible with You. (Luke 1:37) You have all power and authority upon this earth and in all of creation. (Matthew 28:18)

    You are holy, righteous, and just. You can do no wrong and have never sinned or acted in an evil way. Everything You have ever done, or will do, is good. You are a good, gracious, kind, and merciful God.

    All of us who have lived on this earth have sinned against You. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Not one of us can say we are righteous or good. (Romans 3:10) At our spiritual core, our souls, we are “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9) None of us, without the work of Your Spirit, are seeking to know You or follow You. (Romans 3:11-12) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6)

    Oh Lord, forgive us! We do not want to wander from Your presence. We want to abide in Your presence by the sweet work of Your Holy Spirit. (John 15:1-11) We acknowledge that without the work of the Holy Spirit we cannot know You or understand the things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) With His help, we want to “trust in the LORD with all of [our] heart; and lean not unto [our] own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) We want to acknowledge Your presence in all that we do. (Proverbs 3:6)

    Oh Lord, we come to You in behalf of our nation, America. We thank You that it has been evident that Your hand has been upon this nation for many years. You have blessed this nation. In Your Word, You have declared: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 33:12)

    We know that this nation as a whole has never been a godly nation. However, we know that from its inception there was a godly remnant that settled this land and established a government that respected, honored, and reflected the Word of God. It has been an honor to live in a land where its people have been free to worship You. We rejoice that we have been able to openly and freely proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. We thank You that for hundreds of years, Your church has been able to saturate this land with the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. We are grateful that we have been able to send out missionaries to the nations of the world to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the salvation that comes only in His name. (Acts 4:12)

    We acknowledge that You are sovereign over all the nations. (Romans 13:1) All of the nations are nothing when compared to You. (Isaiah 40:15-23) The history of the nations from creation to the end are in Your hands. You are the One who establishes the nations, selects kings, and removes them. (Daniel 2:21) We believe that You have chosen this nation as a very special instrument in Your hand for the good and freedom of many nations. It has been Your desire that this nation would give protection to Your people, both Jews and Christians. It is very apparent that this nation has played a very significant role in the establishment, recognition and protection of the nation of Israel in the last century.

    Oh Lord, as we look at America today through the holy eyes of Your Word, our hearts are broken. It is apparent that the attitude of respect and honor for You as the One and only God is rapidly departing from America. O Lord, we believe that the first of the great Ten Commandments that You gave to Israel is still the first commandment from heaven for all mankind: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3) We know that America is grieving Your heart as they follow after other idols and gods that really do not exist. Oh God, have mercy upon America!

    Oh Lord, forgive us for the spirit of rebellion and haughty defiance against Your holiness and Your holy standards written in the Word of God. May there be a spirit of shame, conviction and brokenness that would break out in this land, bringing some to repentance. We grieve to know that our government, media, entertainment industry, and education centers are promoting a lifestyle of sexual immorality throughout the land. We know that such an open acceptance of these kinds of sins are an abomination in Your sight and historically have invited Your divine judgment. (Leviticus 18:18-29) Oh God, have mercy upon America!

    Oh Lord, we live in a land of murderers. We are killing our unborn children for the sake of convenience and selfish ambitions. We are no different from the pagan cultures of ancient history that offered their babies to their gods, while living lives of gross immorality. (Deuteronomy 18:10) Oh God, have mercy upon America!

    Oh Lord, we live in a land of gross demonic deception. Our culture is obsessed with witchcraft, sorcery, astrology, and many other forms of demonic pagan practices and expressions. (Deuteronomy 18:10-14) Our children are constantly playing games that saturate their minds with evil, violence, demons, murder, pornography, and many other sexual perversions. We know that You have said that a person becomes what they think about. (Proverbs 22:6) Oh Lord, we are already reaping the consequences of all of this ungodly and wicked entertainment. We fear for the future of our nation. We know that demons are taking control of the minds of many of our children, while parents are obsessed with gratifying themselves with pleasures and materialism. Oh God, have mercy upon America!

    Oh Lord, we live in a nation where governmental leaders and educators are promoting rebellion against You, the destruction of marriage and the home, the destruction of our nation, and the damnation of our people. They are giving freedoms and privileges to Muslims while restricting these same freedoms and privileges to Christians in every level of our society. Oh Lord, the prophecy of Psalm 2:1-3 is coming to pass in America. Oh God, have mercy upon America!

    Oh Lord, the greatest sin in America is within the professing churches of America. The spiritual condition of America is a reflection of the failure of the church in America to proclaim and live Your holy standards. (Jeremiah 23:16-32) The pastors and people of the churches have sinned against You. Our churches are filled with sin. The lives of professing Christians in most cases are no different than those who make no claim of being a Christian. Most church members do not really want to hear the truth and be convicted about their sins. They have hired pastors who will entertain them and make them feel good about themselves. (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Most professing Christians never read their Bibles and never weep over their sins or confess them to You. The churches of America are filled with sinners who do not know You. Those on the outside of the church see this hypocrisy and have no respect for the church or the Bible. Oh God, raise up godly men who will exhibit the spirit of Elijah and take a bold stand for their Lord. Oh God, send a revival among the saved pastors that have allowed sin to keep them from having fellowship with You. May they repent and boldly proclaim the Word of God and provide their congregations with godly leadership in these days of spiritual apostasy and deception. May they not compromise Your truth. May they not be afraid of anyone but You! May they allow the Spirit of God to work through them to “reprove the word of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” (John 16:8)

    Oh Lord, the church needs to awaken from its spiritual sleep and proclaim that the triune God of the Bible is the One and only God. We know that in this present society a false message of tolerance is being proclaimed. However, these who call for tolerance are intolerant when it comes to the exclusive worship of the God of the Bible. The church must lovingly and firmly take a stand on this truth. The message of the Bible is clear. Jesus Christ, and the gospel message that is anchored in His life, death, and resurrection, is the one and only message of salvation. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5) We have been exhorted to pray for the salvation of others because our Lord “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Oh God, have mercy on the pastors and people in our churches in America!

    Oh Lord, we deserve Your divine judgment at this very hour! We are grieving You! This nation has turned from its Biblical foundation and is promoting evil, lawlessness and rebellion in our homes, communities, schools and universities, and churches. I fear that we have gone too far. I fear that we are about to cross the spiritual point of no return. Oh Lord, I am crying out to You for mercy on behalf of my country. I do this because of the example of godly Abraham when he interceded for wicked Sodom. (Genesis 18:16-33) Oh Lord, I am praying this because Moses did this for his people. (Exodus 32:7-14) This was the heart of the great prophet Elijah, when he took that bold stand and prayed for a display of Your power to turn the heart of his people back to You. (1 Kings 18:21-40) This was the burden of Daniel and of all of the prophets of the Old Testament as You moved them to write to their people to warn them of Your divine judgment because of their sin. This was also the heart of the messages of the seven letters that our Lord Jesus sent to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. Oh Lord, we humbly leave this matter at Your throne. We trust You and believe that because You are merciful, You will not bring divine judgment upon America until it is too late for repentance to take place in this land. (2 Peter 3:8-9) Only You know when Your Spirit can no longer strive with Americans. (Genesis 6:3)

    Oh Lord, above everything else, we want You to be glorified. We are asking for mercy upon America and a revival in the land because we want to reach Americans with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that the day of Your divine judgment upon America and the entire world will come. May Your peace rest in our souls as You keep us in Your care as we wait for that moment when that judgment will come, or we rest in Your holy presence with You in Your heaven.

    “And the Spirit and the bride [the church] say Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17) “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20) Amen.

    The Miserable Failure of U.S. Policies in the Middle East

    For several years now the United States has attempted to intervene in the affairs of nations in the Middle East. The consequences have been disastrous and will continue to be. Barry Rubin, of the International Jerusalem Post, writes: US President Barak Obama’s administration is engaging in over a dozen failed operations in the Middle East, and reason shows just why they’re failing: The Islamists’ philosophy is totally different from theirs. The Islamists are indifferent to the cost of victory.

    “Clearly, the Obama administration does not understand Middle Eastern regimes and terrorist organization, and if it doesn’t remedy this, it will continue to meet miserable defeats.” (The International Jerusalem Post, February 7-13, 2014, p. 20)

    First, the U.S. needs to understand that living in the Middle Eastern neighborhood of nations is very much different from living in the West. Many in the U.S. administration assume that the core problem in the Middle East is due to socioeconomic differences between Jews and Arabs. Therefore, in their materialist, socialist mindset, if we equal the economic playing field in the Middle East, then peace will come. In reality, this has nothing to do with the way people think in the Middle East, especially Muslims.

    What is happening in the Middle East is a reflection of the war in the spiritual realm. Those of us who know the Scriptures understand what is taking place in the Middle East. The Middle East is engaged in a Holy War that is leading the world toward the end of this age. In our western mindset, there is a real separation of church and state (religious and political policies). However, this is not true in the Middle East. In Arab – Islamic countries, the religion dominates the political scene and dictates to it. This is what is really behind the current “Arab Spring.” This is not, as the Western media is portraying, a move on the part of the people of the Middle East to strive for freedom and democracy. What is playing out in the Middle East is a struggle between radical Islam and moderate Islam. Neither the radicals nor the moderates desire a western style of democracy. They view this as being evil. Most Muslims in the Middle East, moderate or radical, hate the U.S. and actually believe that there is more freedom in sharia law than with western style democracy.

    In the Muslim mindset, power is respected and compromise is viewed as being weak. Israeli, Barry Rubin states: “What Obama and his administration do not understand about the Middle East is that in this part of the world, he who wins is he who compromises less, not he who compromises more. … Politics in the Middle East is like a game of chicken, not a game of bridge. … No extent of compromise is going to cause radical nationalists and Islamists to make real peace.” (The International Jerusalem Post, February 7-13, 2014, p. 20)

    From a human perspective, the West is attempting to force Israel to compromise with the Muslims by giving the Palestinians the West Bank. Anyone who is listening to the Palestinian leadership and the majority of Palestinians, knows that real peace will never come to the Middle East as long as there is a Jewish nation in the land they believe belongs to Allah. The Palestinian mindset is a Muslim mindset. From their perspective, the presence of the Jews in the land formerly called Palestine is a total embarrassment to their religion. No matter what the cost and how long they are forced to wait, they must wage this war until they drive out the Jews and possess all of the land. They cannot and will not acknowledge Israel as a Jewish nation.

    Millions of Muslims across the Middle East are committed to their religion and believe that they are destined to rule the world. They are determined to make this come to pass for their god, Allah. They are willing to lie and die to achieve this goal. The godless West cannot engage this war because they refuse to understand that this is a war being waged in the spiritual realm. The West is in a serious state of spiritual decline and is purposely distancing itself from the only One who can help them win this war.

    From a Biblical perspective, this is the final struggle that will lead to Armageddon. The warriors are taking their positions. It is only a matter of time!

    Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

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  • 2014 February – The Sign of the Red Blood Moon

    The Sign of the Red Blood Moon

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

    By Mike Wingfield

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

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

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

    (1 Corinthians 13:8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Moon Picture

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

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

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

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

    Eclipse Picture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Palestinians and Putin Join Hands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (Ezekiel 38:12-13)

    The Ugly Face of Anti-Semitism

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  • 2014 January – Thinking about Time and Eternity

    Thinking about Time and Eternity

    By Mike Wingfield

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    2. Time began with creation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    5. Time is uncertain, while eternity is sure!

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

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

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

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

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

    Blind Hatred toward Israel

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

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

    No Peace

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

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

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

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

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

    A “Bad Deal”

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

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

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

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

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

    Annexing the Jordan Valley

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

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

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