"The Prophetic Time Clock - Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" - Inspirational Weekend

Israel, as God's covenant people, is also the prophetic time clock as you will realize when you study God's Holy Word.  Many people today are not aware of this fact, as the false doctrine of replacement theology teaches that the Church has replaced Israel and what happens to Israel has no relevance in today's world.    When God made a covenant with the Jewish people in ancient times, it was an everlasting covenant.  Bible Prophecy revolves around Israel as my previous post concerning the Psalm 83 war and the Gog of Magog war makes clear; as well as does other previous posts of mine here.

The fact that the world is now in such a chaotic and dangerous state has many people alert to what the future may or may not hold; still others don't have a clue what it all means.  If people would read their Bibles and study Bible prophecy, they would have a better grasp of what is transpiring and realize that we are living in the last of the last days.

It is time to wake up before the alarm goes off !  The alarm being God's wrath being poured out on ungodly persons during the Tribulation period.   The Rapture of the Church (Jesus' true followers) is imminent and we need to be watching for His return.   We want to be taken to heaven before the horrors of the Tribulation period begin.  I seem to be stuck on repeating certain information over and over, but that is because it is so important...life saving !... and the fact that there may be new readers to each new post of mine.   Below is a recent video featuring Bill Salus and his belief about the Elam prophecy found at Jeremiah 49:34-39.  He believes that this prophecy concerning Elam is probably next to take place, even before the Psalm 83 war and also before the War of Gog and Magog.

Elam is found in today's Iran.   According to Mr. Salus, Elam goes back to over 4000 years ago, before the days of the patriarch Abraham; and the Elam prophecy was written by Jeremiah around 596 BC.   Basically, the belief is that some type of nuclear disaster will happen there at the Bushehr nuclear plant located near tetonic plates and the possibility of an earthquake happening in the area is very likely, causing a radioactive disaster.   Either that or Israel could attack and destroy the plant.  For more information, Google under "Elam prophecy".  Bill Salus has also written a book on the Elam prophecy found here.

Just a note here, as Bill Salus states in the video above, the Rapture does not trigger the Tribulation period.   We are not told in the Bible how long after the Rapture happens that the 7-year Tribulation begins.  There could be a considerable time gap, or maybe not.   What triggers the Tribulation is when Israel signs a peace treaty or covenant with the antichrist as written in Daniel 9:27:  "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."  The "one week" mentioned in this verse means seven years.

If you are a Christian, you need not fear all the turmoil, unrest, and terrors of today's world.  You should be cautious and alert and informed, to be sure.  But even if you should die for your faith, you have the promise of being with the Lord forever.  "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation."  -  Isaiah 12:2

For those who mistakenly think Christians will have to go through the terrible Tribulation period, there is this verse, "Much more then, being now justified  by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him"  -  Romans 5:9.   Also, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 tells us, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."   For true believers, Jesus, at his death on the cross,  took our deserved wrath upon Himself.  The price was paid for us.   We should be grateful and praise God continually for His great love and tender mercies !

Don't get confused and overly concerned about what prophecy occurs when.  Be grateful that God has told us what the future holds but, more importantly, live a godly life and be occupied until Jesus returns in doing the work of the Lord, the doing of the Great Commission found at  Matthew 28:19-20,  "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and  from ancient times the things that are not yet done, Saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.........Yeah I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it."  -  Isaiah 46:9-10, and 11b

  

"The War Of Gog And Magog" With Video by Chuck Missler - Inspirational Weekend

In my photograph above, the sun is setting on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.   In many ways, the sun is setting, so to speak, on this current world situation of confusion and chaos we find ourselves in now.   I know you are familiar with the occurrences of violence and the immorality, as well as the fact that many in the world have adopted an anti-God attitude.  But all signs point to the fact that we are living in the end times, the last days.   And what is happening in the Middle East with Russia and Iran and Turkey and the conflict in Syria is one of the signs that point us to the prophesied Gog of Magog war, when various countries in the region attack Israel for its gas and oil riches, as well as the fact of an extreme hatred of the Jews by Israel's surrounding enemies.   

One thing about it, if the battle of Gog of Magog is near, then the Rapture of the Church is even nearer as most scholars agree that the Rapture happens before that war.  That is good news that the Rapture is so close to happening; that is, if you are a saved, true believer it is good news to you.   

Following is a video by Chuck Missler, a Bible prophecy expert, in which he goes into detailed information on the Gog and Magog war, as prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39.  I recommend that you read those two chapters in Ezekiel, although Chuck Missler quotes Ezekiel 38 extensively in the video.    (Please note, this Session 1 discourse automatically continues to Session 2 on Gog and Magog)

God uses the Battle of Gog and Magog to bring Israel back to Him (Ezekiel 39:22).  The same can be said of all the other events during the Tribulation period.  The Church, the true believers, were caught up to heaven in the Rapture prior to this battle, so God is concentrating now on leading Israel to believe in Him and in Jesus as the Messiah.  I highly recommend that you watch the above video as Chuck Missler gives valuable information above and beyond what others attempt to explain.  

Why should you be concerned about the Battle of Gog and Magog?  After all, it happens during the seven-year tribulation period, (probably during the first 3 -1/2 years), and if you are a believer you will be in heaven then. Actually, some scholars believe that the Magog coalition  and attack may end no later than 3 - 1/2 years before the 7 year tribulation actually begins.  This is because Israel will burn the enemies' weapons for fuel for 7 years (Ezekiel 39:9).  This is no problem for the first half of the tribulation while things are peaceful, but not feasible during the second half of the tribulation because the Jews will flee Israel then (at the mid-point of the tribulation) rather than dealing with this energy supply (Matthew 24:15-22).  Therefore, these scholars suggest that Gog of Magog Battle will happen and end before the Tribulation even begins.  

As I stated previously, for believers the fact that events are lining up as preparation for Gog & Magog Right Now !!  means that we will be raptured very soon.   Thank you, Lord !!  We need to share the Gospel with family members and others immediately, before it is too late.  However, some will become Christians during the Tribulation as the Bible tells us at  Revelation 7:9-14.  If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ before the Rapture of the Church, you will end up suffering through the horrors of the Tribulation period.   Therefore, it is important to study and know Bible prophecy because, one way or another, you will be affected.  

It is important to note that the enemy countries that border Israel have already previously been defeated by Israel in the Psalm 83 war.   Following is Psalm 83:4-8  -- "(4) They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. (5)For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:  (6) The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; Of Moab, and the Hagarenes; (7) Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek;  the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre, (8) Assur also is joined with them:  they have holpen the children of Lot. "  I am sure you are familiar with the current Middle East chant, "Israel will be wiped off the map", which echoes verse 4 above.  

After the victory (Psalm 83) over the above bordering countries, Israel will have a sense of peace and security, which may explain why Ezekiel 38:11 says, "And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,"  The fact that Israel got rid of its walls and "gates" make it seem like easy prey to the Gog of Magog invading forces.   But God !   God steps in with supernatural events to protect Israel from these Magog forces.  You can read about the earthquake that happens just as these invaders arrive in Israel, as well as fire, brimstone, and hailstones and more at Ezekiel 38:14 through to Ezekiel 39:9.   So the army of the Magog invaders will be destroyed by God Himself !   God makes it clear that this is to make His name known  (Ezekiel 39:7-8; 38:23).

Not to forget, the countries that invade Israel in the Gog and Magog war are listed in Ezekiel 38:2-6. Chuck Missler, in the above video, shows who they are and uses charts/maps to do so.   Magog, as scholars agree, is Russia; Persia is modern day Iran; Togarmah is Turkey; and if I remember correctly, Gomar includes Germany and Eastern Europe. Mr. Missler and others believe the word "gog" is referring to something of a satanic or evil origin.

The main thing is, Bible prophecy has come true in the past (for instance, the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus Christ the Messiah came true, as the New Testament makes clear); so if prophecy has come true in the past, it will come true in the here and now and in the future.  People need to make sure that their lives and their hearts are "tuned in" to God, and that they have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus -  that they put their faith in Him and believe that He rose from the dead.  Romans 10:9 tells us,  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."  Don't delay !

"But this I say, brethren, the time is short:  it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."     -   1 Corinthians 7:29,31

"Is Something Missing? Could It Be The Abundant Life?" - Inspirational Weekend

Do you ever feel like something is missing?  Or that you are missing out on something in your life?  I guess all of us at times feel like there has got to be more than the humdrum, everyday common chores and jobs and existence.   Like, oh, so boring!  Like there is no getting out of the rut you are in? At least, some people feel they are in a rut; I used to feel like that, but no more.   Not since I have tried to put the Lord first in my life and am trying to please Him as best I can.   I am not bragging on myself, I'm bragging on the Lord for changing my heart and my attitude.   So that nagging feeling you have that something is missing could be the abundant life that Jesus promised us, His followers.

What is this abundant life?  It is to live life to the full in faith in Jesus Christ.  It is to have a close, personal and intimate relationship with God through Jesus, our Savior.  

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  -  Jesus speaking at John 10:10  (KJV)

Jesus is referring to abundant life from a heavenly viewpoint, not an earthly one.   Some people read the above verse and think of a prosperous life, or one filled with prestige and power on this earth.   Not so !  Remember that Jesus Himself was poor and meek while on this earth; there is no guarantee that Christians will be rich and powerful, although some of them are just that.   

An abundant life is one that is heavenly or spiritually abundant.  Christians have the Holy Spirit; how abundant is that !!  They have the love and protection of God and Jesus and the hope of eternal life; how awesome !!  And what a comfort to the soul to believe and realize these truths.   Material things in this world do not compare to these blessings of abundant life from a heavenly perspective.   This reminds me of the apostle Paul who had many hardships after being converted to Christianity, yet he truly had an abundant life in Christ.

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  -  Paul at Philippians 14:12-13.

I went through an extremely difficult time for a few years, and that verse 13 of Philippians 14 helped see me through as I repeated it over and over,  "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."   There were other verses as well, but that one helped the most and kept me hanging on.   

The word "abundant" in the Greek is "perisson", meaning "exceedingly, very highly, superfluous, beyond measure.......".   Only Jesus could promise us a life like that.   This brings to my mind the Scripture found at 1 Corinthians 2:9,  "But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."  The apostle Paul also says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."  -  Ephesians 3:20 

These Scriptures are very encouraging and give us something to hope for and to look forward to.   Goodness knows we need that in this chaotic world in which we live; these last days that now have the threat of World War Three looming ever closer, not to mention all the immorality and the certain collapse of the world's economies.     But if you are familiar with Bible prophecy and are a true believer,  you know there is hope for you with a bright future..... an eternal future with the Lord.   You will not panic, and you will still have a peace in your soul that is from God.   True peace, love, joy, and more are given to us by the Holy Spirit which sealed us at the time of our salvation and will see us through all the turmoil.  (Galatians 5:22-23).

"I have a great need for Christ, I have a great Christ for my need."  -  Charles Spurgeon  

Someone once said, "If the outlook is dark, try the uplook."   Look to Jesus for deliverance and protection.  Faith can work miracles in a person's life and in his attitudes.   To God be all the glory!

Following is a sermon by Adrian Rogers on the abundant life.  

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."  - Colossians 3:1-2

"Will Earth Be Hit By Fire From The Sky - by a CME?" - Inspirational Weekend

Before I discuss the main topic (Fire From the Sky- a CME), I wanted to share a video concerning breaking news in the Middle East.   As many of you know, Israel is God's prophetic time clock;  much of prophecy revolves around the tiny nation of Israel, God's covenant people forever.  Russia, Turkey and Iran have joined forces, so to speak, to form what Kevin Clarkson of Prophecy in the News calls a strategic triangle. This is exactly what is prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39, and is a prelude to the war of Gog and Magog.   Following is a very short video concerning this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsUTCI4WWY

Now, speaking of fire from the sky, 4 years ago, July 23, 2012, earth had a near miss with a CME, or a coronal mass ejection from a powerful storm on the sun; the strongest in over 150 years.  We all went about our business as usual, oblivious to the danger we almost encountered, as the media did not tell us about the event till much later.  Here is a link to one article about its occurance.   

Whereas a solar flare is mostly local events on the sun, CME's are large bubbles of magnetized gas (liquid fire....plasma like) which erupt into space.   Here is more information about them. A natural EMP disaster, like a CME, would render the whole planet into a shut down scenario.   Following is a video with much valuable information on all this that takes us to prophecy in the book of Revelation.   

In case you did not watch the above video,  I will highlight some of the information in it.   In a previous post I shared Revelation 8:7-9 , which Brent Miller in the above video also talks about.

Revelation 8:7 says, "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up."   According to Brent Miller, this is describing a CME; liquid fire and hail, and mixed with blood from people on airplanes being killed and blood from any birds killed during the CME blast.   

Revelation 8:8 follows:  "And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;  (verse 9 says:)  "And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed."  Miller believes this is describing a supervolcano in the ocean.   

The verses above and following are describing what is known as the trumpet judgments.   Revelation 8:10-11 says,  (10) "And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; (11)  And the name of the star was Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter."  This "star" is probably a meteor.

Keep in mind the above Scriptures are referring to what happens during the Tribulation period when God is using His wrath to execute vengeance and judgment on ungodly and wicked mankind.   True believers will not go through the Tribulation as they would have already been raptured to heaven prior to this Tribulation.

I urge you to watch the video above as Brent Miller is quite the scholar and prophecy expert and he gives you valuable information in a clear and concise manner.  In the video he discusses many other interesting facts that I did not highlight here.   Keep in mind what one famous preacher has said:

"The LORD has His own sovereign modes of action: He is not tied to manner and time as we are, but doeth as He pleases among the sons of men."  -  Charles Spurgeon

Although believers will not experience the Tribulation, things might get worse for us before that time. As many of you are aware of, Christians right now are suffering persecutions and beheadings and other hardships.   We need to remember what Joshua 1:9 says,  "Have I not commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  - Hebrews 13:5     See also Deuteronomy 31:6.

There is a verse at Deuteronomy 28:34 that is speaking of another time and place, but could possibly be applicable to the Tribulation period:  "So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see."  -  King James Version.   Following is the same verse in the Contemporary English Version (CEV) : "What you see will be so horrible that you will go insane."  That will be the case, maybe, of many in the Tribulation.   You do not want to be on earth during that time !   I urge you to make sure you get right with the Lord before it is too late and you miss going to heaven in the soon to happen Rapture.

"All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."  -  Jesus at John 6:37

Tommy Ice Video On The Gospel And Another Video Of 13 Reasons To Believe In The Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Inspirational Weekend

The above photograph of the Hawaiian Black-Crowned Night Heron I took on the island of  Kauai, Hawaii, near the beach.   Notice how alert he is and he seems to be surveying his surroundings with keen interest.    It reminds me that we, as Christians, need to be alert to the times we live in - meaning the last of the last days -  and watching for the  soon return of Jesus to take us home to heaven in the Rapture.   And not only to watch for it, but to be ready.  That means having a close personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus.   If you have such an intimate relationship, then you most likely are leading a godly life; a fruitful life.   

In my last post  I mentioned how sharing Bible prophecy was a wonderful evangelizing tool.   Yesterday, a video was posted to You-tube featuring Tommy Ice who talks about how vital the Gospel message is and in it he said that, along with the Gospel, Bible Prophecy is also excellent to use to evangelize.   He gave pertinent information about several things.   Following is that video :

Recently, I ran across an article by Tommy Ice concerning the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.  Many scholars believe that there was no evidence  (other than the Bible) of any kind about it before 1830,  but this article has a paragraph about the Pre-Trib Rapture being mentioned over a 1000 years before 1830 and which was dated somewhere between c. 374-627.  Please read the article found here .  It was fascinating to me, and to all of you who crave information about end time events, you will find it a good source.

Most Christians believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, myself included.   However, many believe that the Rapture will occur at the mid-way point of the Tribulation, and still others believe the Rapture happens at the end of the Tribulation period.   It is the Pre-Trib belief that gets the most attacks and is most hated.  To me, that just helps to prove that it is the accurate view.   The devil always attacks the fiercest at what is the truth.

If you know the Rapture of the church is near, you will live a more godly life and will be in more of a state of readiness for Jesus' return.  The main thing is to seek first God's kingdom  (Matthew 6:33).  Put God and Jesus first in your life.

I John 3:3 states,  "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."

Following is a video which gives 13 reasons to believe the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation.

Both of the above videos are excellent "spiritual food" and I hope you take the time to view them; they are short but full of much needed information.  If you are not sure of your standing with God, now is the time to pray and ask for forgiveness in sincere repentance.  Pray for Jesus to come into your life; believe His shed blood at Calvary washes away your sins; surrender all to Him and make Him the Lord of your life.   Believers today are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

"In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
- Ephesians 1:13

"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
- Ephesians 4:30

This seal guarantees our salvation.   It also means that, as believers, we have eternal life.  What an awesome gift!  We ought to be singing praises to God all day long for His great love and mercy !  And it should give us a humble and grateful heart.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."   -   Jesus speaking at Luke 21:28 concerning the signs of the last days.

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh."  - Jesus at Matthew 24:44. 

"Reasons to Study Bible Prophecy" - Inspirational Weekend

Why should you be concerned about Bible prophecy?  Most people don't give it a thought, and many pastors will not teach on it from the pulpit.   One of the reasons pastors don't preach on Bible prophecy is because they were not taught about it in seminary.   Others do not want to disturb their congregations with it and perhaps lose membership over it.   And many pastors today preach a watered-down, people-pleasing sermon to "tickle the ears" of their congregations in order to keep everybody happy and to make them come back for more feel-good and comfy experiences.   What ever happened to Spirit-filled sermons, a sticking to the true message of the Gospel and spelling out the consequences of sin?  And an emphasis on being a follower of Jesus Christ?   And that Hell awaits unrepentant sinners?

There are still some good churches out there with true men of God as pastors.  Thank the good Lord !

When Bible prophecy is not preached in churches, it is like eliminating one fourth of the Bible as not important or useful or relevant.   "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."  -  2 Timothy 3:16-17  (KJV)

Following are a few facts from the Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy by J. Barton Payne:

"There are 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament and 578 in the New Testament for a total of 1,817 prophecies   These prophecies are included within 8,352 verses of the Bible.   

Since there are 31,124 verses in the Bible, the 8,352 verses that contain prophecy constitute 26.8 percent of the Bible's volume."   That is actually a little more than 25% of the Bible !  

It is obvious that God wanted to tell us about the future.   I find that Bible prophecy builds my faith when I realize how much prophecy has come true already.   My previous post  on Daniel's 70 weeks shows how he prophesied hundreds of years in advance about Jesus, the Messiah.   And of course, it came true....things like that build a person's faith and trust in God's Word and keeps you coming back for more.   I personally cannot get enough information on Bible prophecy; the more I read the more I want to learn.    

Besides building your faith, Bible prophecy exposes just how awesome God is to know the future and to help orchestrate events to bring prophecy to come to pass.   When you read the promises of God that give you such hope, you grow to love and experience Him even more.   And isn't that what it is all about?  Love.  

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."   - 1 John 4:10-11

Christianity is the only religion that says "Done!"  Christ died for us so that His shed blood could wash our sins away when we believe in Him and in His resurrection.      All other religions are about "Doing" this or that to obtain heaven or some form of higher being.   

Remember, before the fall and sin, God created Adam and Eve in order to have fellowship with them.  Today, God wants to have fellowship with you as well.   Christianity in a sense is not a religion,  it is a relationship.   A strong, personal, intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   That is what the Lord wants most of all.  And of course obedience.   If you have a close relationship with the Lord and love him with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind (Mark 12:30), you will be less likely to sin.  At least, not deliberate and willful sin.  

In addition to building your faith and showing how awesome God is, Bible Prophecy is a great tool to evangelize with when it comes to leading the lost to a saving belief in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Many people have come to Christ after hearing Bible Prophecy about the end times and the horrors of the soon to come Tribulation period.   And I am sure that preaching about the Rapture of the Church has also helped lost souls as well.  No one wants to be left behind when the Rapture occurs to face the Tribulation later.   Granted, there are some scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-4) whose hearts are so hardened that they may never see the truth of the gospel.

We live in perilous times !   Look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 :  "(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."   Notice that verse 5 says to have nothing to do with sinful people described here.   (Except, of course, to witness to them about Jesus).

Though we are in the last days and times are chaotic, believers in Christ have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13) and faith to endure, and help from God to persevere and be strong while waiting for the Lord to return to take us home.

Keep praying, study God's Word, and keep looking up !

"The Prophet Daniel's 70 Weeks And The Abomination of Desolation" - Inspirational Weekend

This information might end up being rather lengthy, but I will endeavor to simplify as much as possible.   To begin with, Israel and the Jews are God's chosen people; He made a covenant with Abraham and the nation of Israel....an everlasting covenant.  The modern day "replacement theology", where supposedly the Christian Church replaces the Jews and God is "through with the Jews", is not biblical at all; the Bible simply does not support replacement theology which you can readily discern if you study God's Word diligently.   

Daniel was a Jew who was taken to Babylon as a young captive, along with many other Jews, when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem.  The Babylonian captivity was God's punishment upon the Jews who had previously rebelled against God.   Actually, the first captives, which included Daniel, were taken to Babylon in 605 B.C.; the second group of captives were taken in 597 B.C., which included the prophet Ezekiel; the third deportation was in 586 B.C., when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed by the Babylonians.   

Daniel was a godly man, and when he was over 80 years old (around 538 B.C.) he read the writings of the prophet Jeremiah and perceived that soon the Jews would be released from Babylon as a free people.   In Daniel 9 it explains how Daniel prayed fervently for his people and pled for mercy.  The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel in answer to his prayer and told him of future events, some of which would be immediate and others that would occur in the far distant future (Daniel 9:20-23).

The following is from Daniel 9:24-27 :   " (24) Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to anoint the most Holy.  (25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:  the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  (26) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  (27)  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. " 

Almost all scholars agree that the seventy "sevens" are  seventy weeks of years which equal a period of 490 years.  The prophecies would start at the time a decree was made to rebuild Jerusalem, and this was given in 445 B.C. by king Artaxerxes of Persia.  From that decree to the time of the Messiah would be 483 years.  Using the Jewish 360-day calendar year, 483 years after the decree brings us to A.D. 30, when Jesus, the Messiah, made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem  (Matthew 21:1-9).  Remember that the prophecy said that after 62 weeks the Messiah would be "cut off", which occurred when Jesus was crucified.   

Of these 70 weeks, 69 have been fulfilled.   This obviously leaves one more "seven" to be fulfilled. There is a very long time period between the 69th week and the 70th week.   The final "seven" is known as the Tribulation period, which will occur sometime after the Rapture of the Church (true believers). 

Daniel 9:27 speaks of the antichrist and how he will make a seven-year covenant with Israel. This is the beginning of the Tribulation period.  But after three and a half years he will break that covenant and the antichrist will stop the sacrifices in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and will cause the abomination that causes desolation, as spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 :  "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)"

The holy place refers to the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 21:28;  Psalm 24:3).  Daniel 9:27 makes it clear that it is a person who causes some sort of desolation in the holy place, the temple.   Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 where it speaks of the antichrist as sitting in the temple of God, showing himself to be God.   Revelation 13:14-15 speaks of how the beast (another name for the antichrist) makes an image of himself, for all the people to worship.   It may be that this image is set up in the holy place, the temple, for all to worship, which would definitely be an abomination that causes desolation.   This is more likely, maybe, than the antichrist himself being seated there in person.  

It is good to know that at the end of the Tribulation, when Jesus makes His Second Coming (not the Rapture of the Church which happened years previously)  ,  but His Second Coming to earth, Israel will repent and will accept Jesus Christ as its Messiah.   Also, when Jesus destroys all enemies at the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation, He will then set up His rule as Lord and King during the 1000 years of peace and paradise on earth.      I could continue all this further, but it may be best to save more for another future post.    Below is a video about Daniel and his prophecies.  

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. "  -  Revelation 21:3