Edition 45. 18th July  2010

In this edition:

●News makers

●Secret keys to spiritual success

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Recent news items of prophetic significance.

● July 18 2010 (Israel Today) Palestinian leader Abbas not only rejected an American request to restart direct peace talks with Israel, he introduced a new precondition that will make resumption of talks almost impossible. He insists that Israeli premier Netanyahu halt all Jewish construction in Samaria and Judea permanently. This includes east Jerusalem.

There is no doubt that we are on the door step of monumental developments in the Middle East. Right now we are in the lull before the storm.

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Amazing secret keys to spiritual success

Please also read the two editions called "Wise words of old" (edition 17 November 2009 and edition 40, May 2010)

Bible prophecy doesn't only deal with the big-ticket items, but also speaks very personally into our own lives. If God's Word promises rewards to some of his children, then in a way, that is prophetic, simply because it still lies ahead. This edition is related to these deeply personal and individual issues. God has a calling and a plan for every single believer. It's just as prophetic for God to have a plan for Israel, for example, as a plan for you and I.

There are many keys to a successful spiritual life that are universal to all believers, but there are also many keys to victory that apply only to our individual tailor-made lives!

Surprisingly many of the keys I'm going to share with you are little known today, but they are right there in the Bible for any to take hold of. Of course nothing in the Bible is a secret, but I'm calling these "secret keys" simply because they are only for those who diligently seek them out. They are hidden to many others. They are rarely taught today and in fact shunned by many.

1Corinthians 2: 7 "We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory...But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God."

There is such a great wealth of wisdom, experience, transformation, and deep things of God awaiting us. It's God's plan for you and I to experience the fullness of what He has laid up for us. Most believers never even touch the surface. Many don't know that there is so much more for them, because they either don't care, or haven't been taught how to get there.

Hosea 2:14 "I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfort to her."

This beautiful verse implies separation and solitude. The wilderness is not the place of the masses. This speaks of a lone, individual, meeting with God. As we withdraw privately, in deep surrender and humility before our great King, He begins to fill us with His wonderful ways. Of course there is a place for meetings, but that is not where you will grow. Your real growth takes place in your own wilderness, alone with God.

Philosophy:

The word philosophy means "the love of wisdom" and wouldn't we all like to be wise? But be careful, because there are two distinct types of philosophy. Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest anyone deceive you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ."

James 3:15 "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is worldly, sensual, demonic."

Because this wisdom is of the world and it's god Satan, it's all over the place. It's everywhere and very easy to see, pick up, learn and fill your life with. It's in your face through the media, celebrities, politicians, your work colleagues and even in your own family!

This empty philosophy is deeply rooted in the religious traditions of various denominations.

The wisdom that we need to seek is from above, from God Himself. But He doesn't share His deep wisdom with the superficial or the unsaved world.

You cannot know the deep things of God with your pride, ego and self-life intact. The wisdom of God is hidden from the arrogant.

Colossians 2:3 "In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Note that the "treasures of the wisdom and knowledge" of God are hidden.

The other day I was talking with the CEO of a large company who is supposedly a Christian.. He is well known and very clever. But he has an arrogant streak in him. The subject turned to spiritual things and I was shocked at how completely ignorant this 'wise' man is!

The deeper things of God do not come automatically on silver platter to you as a believer. There are many conditions you need to fulfil. That's not popular but it's true.

The way to grow in grace:

John 12 speaks of an alabaster box or pot containing a very precious strongly scented ointment used to anoint bodies at burials. It needed to be broken so that "the whole house could be filled with the aroma." This is a brilliant type of what we as believers need. We need the brokenness that comes through taking up our cross so that the scent of the Spirit of God can be released all around us.

The Spirit of the living God does not surround a self-centred person. Self is the vessel hindering the release of the Spirit. It must be broken.

Universal keys:

The first huge issue is we need to know is that it's impossible to live the Christian life! Formulas, traditions, prayer meetings, laws, rules etc. all have one major flaw to them. They presume it's possible to be victorious in the Christian life, if you just do these things. This is a big lie. Neither you nor your church can live this life successfully. The secret key is to give up and stop trying!

Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, (you name them) all the apostles and even Yeshua /Jesus couldn't live the Christian life! Our Lord pointed to the way of victory. It's revolutionary: John 5:30 "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear I judge and My judgement is righteous because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me." John 8:28 "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of Myself; but as the father taught Me, I speak these things, and He who sent Me is with Me." In the garden of Gethsemane He cried out "Father remove this cup from Me, nevertheless not My will but Yours be done (Luke22:42)

Pretty soon the disciples must have noticed that Yeshua /Jesus was odd! He had an indwelling God that He kept talking to and turning to! Inside of Him was someone else!

He kept saying odd things like "The Father abides in Me" and "It is He who does the work" and "I am one with the Father."

It is only God the Father that can do it! the secret key is in the relationship between Yeshua / Jesus and the Father. Imagine Yeshua / Jesus saying "I can of My own self do nothing"!! How amazing is that? After all He is the King of all Kings! But He was showing us how to be victorious. In the flesh and in His own strength, He could not do it.

What is needed is the surrender of me, myself, I. It's the 'I' that needs to die. Our Lord showed us how to die to self and what it means. The way of the flesh is to lay aside the cross and not to die. The flesh wants to live supremely in its own simple worldly wisdom! Job 15: 8 "Have you heard of the secret council of God, or do you limit your wisdom to yourself."

The most wonderful moment in life comes when you realise that you can't do it and give up trying to. Paul had this experience in Romans 7:15-18 "What I do I don't want to do and what I hate that I do...For I know that in me dwells no good thing...O wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So the answer isn't to try harder and harder, it's to give up and die to self. As we do this a glorious exchange begins. Instead of my own self life comes His life of victory. A very special fellowship now develops with the living God right in the centre of your life!

We are a unique new species and the true church is a beautiful bride. As you go this way you will run into trouble with modern churchianity! It's worth remembering that the institutionalised church will persecute those that don't follow them and those that do follow the truth!

The church of Rome through the ages has manufactured a great counterfeit for the true Christian life. It has become widespread in many other denominations and ministries as well. Many of these institutions are hiding places for counterfeits. They are cross-less! They are not enemies of Christ, but "enemies of the cross of Christ." (Philippians 3:18)

Holiness and separation from the ways of the flesh and the world are a pre-requisite for a truly victorious life. Proverbs 3:32 "His secret council is with the upright."

A reverent fear of God is also required. This is largely missing in today's church. Psalm 25:14 "The secret council of the Lord is with those who fear Him and He will show them His covenant." This an incredibly powerful verse of scripture. It limits those to whom "the Lord's secret council" is given. It indicates that these people will be shown many things relating to God's plan for their lives!

It's impossible to love someone you don't know. It's also impossible to fear someone you don't know. Both are needed for spiritual success. Can you see why so much of the modern church world is in such imminent danger!

The way to victory is by taking up your own cross daily. This is also likened to dying to self, or decreasing so that He increases. The way to resurrection is the way of the death. As resurrection is on the far side of the cross, so is victorious living for us on the far side of death to self and the ways of the world.

Until the day that you see your self-life as an obstruction to God, you will be useless to Him. You may think you don't need to die to self and that God is using you, but it's all empty!

Individual keys:

It's worth remembering that you can't impart God to others. You can only impart the right way. People must go to God themselves. There is no group salvation. Yes we can stand in the gap for others in prayer, but we can't do what they must do.

I've been very encouraged by the testimony of some who have let me know that they get more from this website for the spiritual lives than anywhere else. I know of one young guy who lives on a farm up on a mountain far from here, who diligently reads through this website on his cell phone in the early hours of the morning. Yes that's you Liam!

Most of the younger generation today are in huge trouble, but God is working with many to prepare them and turn them into His apostles!

The point is that we all need to be serious and diligent in seeking the ways of our Messiah. If you seek you will find, if you don't seek there is no promise to find anything.

Daniel 2:21 "He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things". Please note that God operates in exclusivity. This is not popular, but it's God's way, like it or not. God gives more wisdom to those who are already wise!

He blinds and confounds those that are wise in their own eyes."! (Isaiah 5:21) Don't you think it's worth going His way?

There is no big general handing out of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It's only for those who individually meet the requirements.

If you are going the right way there will be the marks of victory on your life:

You will be the living dead and will have the marks of the cross on your life. You will have gone through Gethsemane-like trials and sufferings of putting the flesh to death so that the Spirit of the living God can be released.

You will have lost your life to the world and its ways and you'll recognise and see the enemy.

You will be humble before God and His Word and take a strong stand against the devil and his ways.

You will know and stand for the truth and be offended at what offends God.

You will find that you will grow in spiritual authority and Godly knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

You will be filled with a deep inner joy and peace.

You will have a new holiness and a new natural desire within you to please God.

You will desire to see others advance in the deep things of God.

You will be in control of your money, thoughts and tongue.

You will have a love for Israel, the Jews and Gods plan for the close of the age.

You will have a passionate longing, interest and love for the coming of our Lord and Messiah.

You will find it very difficult to assimilate into much of the modern church.

You will be a glorious oddball.

You will be the apple of Gods eye.

The answer:

There is a very significant all important thing that happens when we apply the cross, brokenness and all these things. We will begin to see the magnitude and greatness of our God. You can't be a big deal and have a big God, it's impossible! If you're a big deal, you have a god made in your image that you can control, but you have a big shock coming!

When we go the way of the daily cross, our daily spiritual victory increases and rises. We need to say "Greater is He in me rather than I am great and worthy." We need to let Him increase as we decease.

In closing this edition let me share with you a great secret. Those who do not take up their cross to follow Yeshua / Jesus will only know Him as Jesus born in a stable. They will know much about His humanity, but they will know nothing or very little of the risen Messiah. They will see the Lamb but not the Lion and will be half-baked believers!

Our Lord of majesty is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is now and forever crowned with glory, but it was the crown of thorns that came first. It's the same way for us. Victorious resurrection life is on the far side of the cross.

He is the creator of all life, Saviour, Lord, King, Judge Alpha and Omega, He holds the universe together and has the keys of heaven and hell.

 If you do not know the Deity of Christ, you will easily be able to exalt yourself above Him because you won't fear Him, but there is coming a day when every knee shall bow to Him and confess that He is Lord, but it will be too late to save you if you don't do this before your death!

If we are moving into greater depths of knowledge, understanding and the wisdom of God, we will be extremely interested in all Bible prophecy. It all relates to His coming. As our lives melt into His we will see things His way and above all we will see many wonderful prophetic things as they approach

Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets."

1 Corinthians 15:51 "Behold I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep (die) but we shall be changed in a moment (atomo, in original) in a twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet..."

Amazingly this verse shows that not everyone will die! How about that! There is one generation, and it is this one, that will escape death and be translated alive in an atomic moment into glory. Roll on the rapture!!

Don't be casual with your life, its earthly journey may end soon and then you will live forever in one of two neighbourhoods.

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Job 12:13 "With Him is wisdom and strength; He has counsel and understanding."

Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 31:20 "You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence."

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Heaven or hell:

Without salvation that comes through the work of the cross you are going to hell. Of course I know that's not politically correct or fashionable to say, but it's the truth. After salvation you need to take up your own cross and die daily, to be truly free. That's also not popular but again it's the only way. If not you will constantly be on the other side of the fence and barred from true spiritual victory

If you go the Biblical way, you will have a lot more than the winds of victory blowing in your face. You will be truly free. You will be free indeed! Don't settle for the average spiritual climate of today. Set your face against the winds of this world and the Spirit of the living God will transform you and lead you into every increasing glory.

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In closing here is a composite, mixed media art work including the abstract and realism.

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Kind regards and many blessings...Shalom and grow in grace!

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Edition 44. July 10th  2010

In this edition:

●News makers

●Why prophecy is important yet rejected.

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Recent news items of prophetic significance.

● July 8 2010 "Palestinian leader Abbas branded as a moderate by the international community, speaking in Arabic to the Arab news media says he prefers war against Israel, but can't do it alone." The western press would not report this. It doesn't suit their agenda.

●10 July 2010. According to sources within the Israeli Defence Force new classified information shows that Hizballah has increased to full strength in southern Lebanon. It is stockpiling in schools and hospitals.

Both of the above items show that Israel is far from being safe. It won't take much to spark off another conflict.

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Why Bible prophecy is so important yet rejected:

There is one big, enormous, overriding issue here: All unfulfilled prophecy points to and deals with the coming of our Lord and Messiah in some way. If Yeshua /Jesus is coming back again what will be the circumstances, why, how, when, what will happen to the world system, what will happen to me? And many other deep, dramatic questions immediately spring to mind.

Is He coming again like before to offer salvation, or is He coming this time for judgement? If He is coming to judge a Christ-rejecting world, can I hide from Him, or will He go away if I just ignore all of this like so many others?

If I accept the fact that He is coming again, I'll be alright won't I, because I've been more good than bad in my life? That's a huge misconception and lie! If you are going to trust your own good works to get saved the passing grade is 100%. To be saved you need to have the living God living in you through the new birth, then you get given as a free gift the 100% perfection of Yeshua / Jesus. Your own good works count only for reward as a believer, but not for salvation.

My church doesn't teach on these things Joel, so why take any notice of what you're saying?

My church teaches self-motivation and a long, happy, positive life for me and my kids if I just believe it and confess it; now don't come and rock our comfortable boat, Joel!

There are many obvious reasons why prophecy is so important, but lets have a look at it all from a pure Biblical perspective.

About one fifth of the content of the Bible is prophecy or is related to prophecy. The very first prophecy occurs right up front in Genesis and centres on the ultimate, end-time fall of Satan and victory of our Lord. Genesis begins with a paradise lost and revelation closes with paradise restored.

Isaiah was a prophet, so was Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. All were prophets! All prophesied of things to come. Many of these Old Testament prophets prophesied of the first coming of our Messiah, some with intricate detail, but everyone of these prophesied of many things relating to the second coming and the close of the present age.

 An impression of the prophet Jeremiah

The New Testament repeats and expands on many of the Old Testament prophetic utterances, but also introduces the very foundational structure for the church. Ephesians 4:11 "He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God..."

These ministry offices are the very pillars of the church! Note that number two is the prophet. Now of course we all know that a lot of these ministry gifts or offices have been turned into nothing than a circus performance by many, but a bigger and more tragic issue is that many churches today have stripped out almost everything relating to the prophetic Word.

The five-fold ministry office of the prophet has been largely removed from the church today, or ignored. In some situations its been turned into the rubber-stamp of a bless-me-now club! The prophet in the church needs to be one who knows Bible prophecy backwards and uses it as his basis to direct, lead, guide and warn.

It is the prophetic word that gives us eyes to see into the future and to see where we are going and where we should not go.

If you or your church removes Bible prophecy from it's menu you are a blind sitting duck!

Let me tell you what happens when your teacher or pastor removes certain Biblical things from his preaching and teaching that he or the congregation deems objectionable. The Spirit of the Living God leaves! That church would be none the wiser, as it continues to operate in the energy of humanistic flesh!

I've seen it first hand. A number of churches that used to be right on the mark with prophetic teaching and utterances have now seen fit to remove it all. They are now Spiritless institutions. Some are spearheading inter-faith activity, some are more politicised than they should be. Some used to be pro-God's plan for Israel and now they're in the opposite camp! They're now blind to the prophetic Word and also to the works of the devil.

Why many cast down Bible prophecy:

First and foremost, we need to understand that we are in a spiritual climate and environment and that's where the battleground is staged.

Our Lord and Saviour is coming soon. If so, then so is Satan for his final hour! Satan comes in camouflage, bringing blindness to his existence and presence. 2 Thessalonians 2 :9-12 "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power, signs and lying wonders and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie." "The lie" being referred to here is that Satan is God.

Can you see it? As Satan approaches he comes with deception. On top of this God sends delusion to those who reject Him. How can these people possibly see and understand the things of God? Both Satan and God are blinding them!!

Perhaps the biggest reason prophecy is rejected is because it's truth. Satan hates truth and always tries to sow confusion into it or replace it. "Our God id not the author of confusion" says the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:3. Then in  James 3:16 "Demonic wisdom brings envy, self- seeking, strife, confusion and every evil thing."The Bible declares that in the last days truth will be cast down in the streets.

The Bible identifies the spiritual climate at the time of the end of the age:

2Timothy 3:1-5 "In the last days perilous times will come, because people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, without self-control...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying it's power and from such people turn away."

Today we are in the me now generation. It's especially evident in the youth of today, but its widespread. There is really only one answer and that is the application of the cross. Death that results fro the application of the cross kills self and this me now existence! As I die to self, I am more and more delivered into victorious living. It was Paul the apostle who said "I die daily" and "its not I that live but Christ who lives in me" and "As I decrease He increases."

Pride and self-opinion are sure ways to become blinded to the things of God. James 4:6  "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble, therefore submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." If God is resisting you because of your pride, Satan will fill the gap! You will never ever be able to see things God's way if He is resisting you!

Unbelief also produces blindness to the things of God, including prophecy:

2 Corinthians 4: 4 "The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God should shine on them."

People will not be able to see or understand prophecy because spiritual sight comes conditionally. If you're not born again you can't even see the Kingdom of God says the Bible. What a shock that is! Then on top of the new birth there is a further requirement for spiritual sight which is to be in the spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14 "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned, but he who is spiritual judges all things."

To see, know and understand the things of God, including prophecy, one needs to be born again and baptised in the Spirit. These are foundational. Then obviously, one needs to study and know the Word of God.

Have you ever tried explaining some of the deeper things of God to an unbeliever? Have you ever felt like tearing your hair out because they just can't see it? Well, this is why.

There is a huge difference between the gospel of the Bible and the gospel of today. Much has been removed for the today's church teaching. The application of the cross and the brokenness that comes with it is all but gone today. "I determined to know nothing among you but Christ and Him crucified" This is the way of the Christian life. Denial of self is central to discipleship. Yeshua / Jesus said "take up your cross and follow Me"

The fear of God has been removed from modern preaching. Today its all about accepting the Lord as a sort of background sponsor to your life. Today the church has created God in its image and a half truth is presented as the whole truth. It's not Jesus come into my very special life. Its me come into His! This is a subtle but huge difference.

If you don't chose the cross you do chose to lay it aside and your life may be full of nice happy, motivational living, but it will be powerless and essentially blind.

Today, spiritual discernment and insight is desperately needed and what he have instead is a world of spiritual blindness!

We have no right to remove from the gospel what Jesus, the apostles and the early church didn't"

We need to know and understand Bible prophecy very well through the teaching and leading of the Spirit of God.

During the dark ages the Catholic church banned the private ownership of Bibles and burned many people at the stake for owning one! Here is Canon 14 of The Catholic Church Council of Toulouse: "We prohibit the laity from having books of the Old or New Testament; we most strictly forbid their having any translation of these books." To this day this counterfeit church discourages the private study and ownership of Bibles. It's not their official stand anymore, but nevertheless its very evident.

They have always and still do insist on the separation of the clergy (priests in frocks) above the laity (ordinary people). They believe that it is their priests who are the dispatches of their truth to the ordinary people. By the way, this is called "the deeds and doctrine of the Nicolaitans", which is found in two of the messages to the seven churches in the Revelation. (also in the book of Acts). 'Nicao' in the original means to conquer and 'laos' means the people. The Nicolaitans were the forerunners of this dangerous heresy of separation of the clergy above the laity and is strongly condemned and "hated" in the Revelation.

It was and still is an evil practise to keep ordinary people in blind subjection to the proud, pompous, arrogant so-called leadership of a dead, blind church.

Ignore prophecy at your peril!

In this day and age of variable values and multitudes of opinions on everything, isn't it wonderful to know that we have something that cuts right through all the rubbish and stands supremely, solidly and securely as it has for multitudes of generations.

Bible prophecy is totally trustworthy. It has never failed and never will!

The beliefs of so many millions of people will be shattered and turned upside down as the prophetic Word unfolds more and more in our day.

On a personal level I can testify that I've had my own belief system challenged and shattered on numerous occasions soon after I was saved and began to study God's Word. The Bible absolutely shocked me as God shed His light on it and started to open my eyes. In many instances I couldn't believe that I was such an idiot and so wrong!

As our Messiah began to break down my pride, I began to see and understand why I was blind to so many things.

As pregnant Elizabeth met with Mary, the baby in her bosom "leapt for joy" at the unseen recognition of the soon coming Messiah in Mary. Now the Spirit of the living God is again causing a "leap for joy" inside His own as our Messiah's coming nears for the second time. But at the same time Satan is preparing people for his coming by bring dull, blind deception!

Here are just the Bible chapter headings of 2 Peter: "Fruitful growth in faith." The trustworthy prophetic Word." "Destructive doctrines." "The doom of false teachers."  "Depravity of false teachers." Deceptions of false teachers." "The Day of the Lord". "Be steadfast." As I turned the page I was greeted with "Deceptions of the last hour" in 1 John.

Prophecy is all open to variable interpretations isn't it?

"Oh, its all open to interpretation" is the oft chanted anthem of today! 2 Peter 1:19-20 "We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts, knowing this that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation."

The above verse is one my favourites. Venus is the morning star. It shines brightest in the darkest hour, just before dawn. What this is saying is that once you realise that prophecy is the most sure thing, the light of God has arisen in your hearts and will shine on prophetic interpretation and the way ahead. Private interpretation is condemned. This simply means that all the varying and different opinions out there do not come from God and His light of revelation.

Many say that there are too many differing Bible translations for any of it to be true. The abundance of poor translations of the Bible is a major problem. But its not surprising actually. If Satan can confuse the truth he can get in with his error. All poor Bible translations are the result of the efforts of man led by himself. There are some terrible translations that deliberately cast doubt on major doctrines. But the Spirit of the living God has seen to it that His truth will endure.

Some Bible translations like the old King James are fine. It has just a few translational errors. Its difficult to read though. The New King James Version is by the far the best and most accurate. it's in modern English, so its easy to read.

I will do an edition on Bible translations soon, as its a very important subject. Be warned it will shock you and upset many apple carts!

The term 'radical' is much aligned these days and in many instances rightly so. Many radicals have a man-made agenda normally with political overtones. But the word radical simply means the 'root". So a true radical believer is one who gets to the Biblical root of issues.

In this day and age there is a great need for a return to true radicalism. If you are not, you will not be rooted in the things of God and you will be rooted in the superficial, variable things and opinions of the world!

This is especially true with Bible prophecy, which is our eye into the future.

The answer:

The answer is simple: Come to God in humility! Then apply diligence in setting you heart after our Lord. Get to know Him privately, deeply, intimately. Cast your life down before Him and into His hands! Take up your cross of death daily.

As you do this you will begin to go through a mighty metamorphosis! You will start to go through a great and an incredible identity crisis! You will begin to change from a self-centred 'me-now' person to an outward looking, giving person. Suddenly, wisdom will start to come your way. You will begin to see with new eyes! Knowledge and understanding of many wonderful things will come to you.

The way up is down. The true Christian life is full of amazing paradoxes that are most important. As we die to self we are more alive than ever. The less we are at home here the more we are seated in heavenly places. We are strongest when weakest. We lose our life to find abundant life. We're wisest when our natural reason is defeated. 

Our great and glorious God of grace and mercy holds the universe together from the smallest atom to the greatest galaxy. He is entirely holy and completely other. He is the great I AM, the Prince of Peace the King of Kings, the King of the Jews, the King of all ages. His Kingdom is here and it's still coming. It will endure forever. And this God is my Father, friend and saviour!

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1John 5:4 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

2 Peter 1: 2-4 "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

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Heaven or hell:

Crowd psychology doesn't crack it. What the majority thinks doesn't mean it's right. There is no safety in numbers with our Lord and saviour. Neither you nor I nor anyone else will be judged on the majority opinion! There's no use trusting in the majority consensus if that majority will go to hell for rejecting our Lord's exclusive salvation plan. There is no ultimate hope outside of the Biblical way.

Salvation can only be a deeply personal thing. No one else can get saved for you. Membership of a church doesn't save you. "I looked and I saw the dead both great and small standing before God and books were opened. And another book was opened which is the Book of Life...anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:12) Hell will be full of multitudes of people, insignificant, small and great. You need to have your own private, deep salvation experience, which will get your name written in the all-important Book of Life!

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In closing here is a painting done by Jacobus Pierneef in the late1800s of a magnificent Baobab tree. These glorious, incredible, enormous African trees live to well over 3000 years, but they will not outlast the truth of Bible prophecy! Because of their deep roots they can survive desert conditions. If we are deeply rooted in the things of God we will also endure. (There are some photographs of some of these giant trees taken by myself in the God's Garden section.)

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Kind regards and many blessings...Shalom and grow in grace!

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Edition 43. July 1st  2010

In this edition:

●News makers

●Miraculous Israel

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Recent news items of prophetic significance.

● The Messianic ministry in Jerusalem, 'Revive Israel' reports a "surge in interest among secular and religious Jews in the person of Yeshua/ Jesus"

● Russian President Medvedev calls for new world order and a "new united future world currency" (FT.Com June19)

● Obama's popularity wanes at home and surges in Europe. Now more popular in Europe than in US.

● Saudi Arabia gives Israel "clear skies" to attack Iran. At the same time reports say that there is currently a large build up of US forces in Iran's neighbouring countries. Some sources now believe an attack is imminent.

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Miraculous Israel past present future:

Israel born in the miraculous:

In Biblical times the land of Israel saw the demonstrative miracle-working hand of God many times. Almost every time it was in favour of His people and against their enemies. On some occasions the supernatural miracle working power of God acted against the Israelites, but only to bring them back to God in repentance.

Genesis 17:15-17 Deals with Gods instruction to Abram (changed to Abraham later) to have a child with his wife. Both were long past childbearing age, but the supernatural power of God was at work and a child was born. The birth of Isaac was miraculous. Then came Jacob. He had his name changed by God to Israel after a supernatural appearance of the Lord.

God made an eternal covenant with Abraham and his miracle seed. This covenant also included the whole land of Canaan as an "everlasting possession." He told Abraham that his seed and offspring would be strangers in this strange land until Moses led them out into the promised land.

Genesis 12: 2,3 "I will make you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you."

In Old Testament times, God worked in an extremely demonstrative way with huge supernatural miracles. The parting of the Red Sea to let the Israelites through and the closing of it on the pursuing enemy was one of many examples.

As we gone on through time we see the hand God continuously at work over His people.

Because of the rebellion of the children of Israel they were told that they would be dispersed and scattered abroad. (Ezekiel 22:15) But in this dispersion, God also told them that they would be miraculously preserved as a people and then returned to their land. Ezekiel 11:16,17 "Although I have cast them afar off among the Gentiles and although I have scattered them among countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone. I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered and I will give you the land of Israel."

God made an eternal covenant with the Jews and not with the Arabs. Genesis 17:7,8  I will establish My covenant between Me and you (Abraham) and your descendants after you for an everlasting covenant to be God to you and your descendants. Also I give to you and your descendants the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and I will be their God. Verse 20,21 "And for you Ishmael (the root of the Arab nations) I have heard you. Behold I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly, but My covenant I will establish with Isaac."

Isaiah 11:11,12 "The Lord shall set His hand a second time to recover the remnant of his people who are left...He will set up a banner for the nations and will assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."

Israel's miraculous victory in six wars:

●It's interesting that Jacob had his name changed to Israel as a result of an all night battle. In May 1948 Israel became a nation. This was right after the Second World War had ended in which Hitler tried and failed to destroy the Jews. On the same day nationhood was declared by the League of Nations (changed to United Nations) Arab armies form six neighbouring countries attacked Israel. It had a very small rag-tag volunteer-army and was outnumbered by hundreds of thousands of troops.

Israeli nationhood marked one of the most important prophetic events of our time.

●After 15 months Israel forced a surrender from the Arab armies. Israel lost 6000 as opposed to hundreds of thousands in this "War of Independence" This resulted in the formation of the Israeli Defence Force. (IDF)

This cease-fire resulted in the dividing of the Jerusalem.

●In 1956 the Sinai War lasted 100 hours before it fell to the IDF with the loss of 230 Israeli's as opposed to thousands.

●In 1967 the Six Day War saw 776 IDF soldiers killed and again many thousands of enemies killed. In this war for some reason many Egyptian and Syrians shot down their own planes and bombed their own tanks. Syria lost 13 Migs on the first day, mostly at their own hand. This war saw the re-uniting of Jerusalem, a prophetic milestone!

Israel's miracle preservation in it's wars of yesteryear.

●Other wars included the 1970 War of Attrition, the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the 1982 Galilee War.

All of Israel's wars resulted in victory against huge numbers. There are dozens of testimonies from many of miracle events occurring. Israel has had six major wars since and including independence. The next one will most probably be the great war of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 &39! Israel will be brought to the brink of destruction in this war, but will win in the end with God's supernatural invovement.

The hatred for the state of Israel and the entire Arabic / Islamic antagonism is prefigured in the following verse.

Psalm 83: 4, 5 "Come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more. For they have consulted together with one consent (heart). They form a confederacy against you."

Zephaniah 2: 8 "I have heard of the reproach of Moab (Arabs / Palestinians) and the reviling of the people of Ammon with which they have reproached My people, and made arrogant threats against their borders."

The Islamic antagonism for Israel and the Jews which is going to intensify greatly very soon, is outlined in the great war of Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Daniel 12:1 "Michael shall stand up the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people. There shall be a time of great trouble such as never was since there was a nation. At that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book."

Gods eternal long-term plan for Israel is revealed in dozens of sections of scripture in both the old and new Testaments. One of the best summaries is in Isaiah 60:1-12. Here are the main points: "Arise shine for your (Israel)light  has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."

Much of the modern church teaches that this and other verses relate to the church and not Israel. This is called replacement theology and is an evil doctrine of devils, that will ultimately result in a second Holocaust! I've covered replacement theology in other editions in the website.

The Miracle of Jerusalem:

Jerusalem can only be described as a miracle city. It has seen more wars and conflicts that one can count. it's been destroyed numerous times, but each time it has risen from the ashes and now awaits the return of our Messiah.

I've walked around the old city of Jerusalem. I've walked around the City of David and walked around the old city walls. I once stood in front of the golden gate, now sealed closed and had all sorts of wonderful thoughts go through my head. I'm not interested in the slightest bit in the tourism stuff and where Jesus walked etc. In fact I have contempt for the commercialisation of those things. But what I am always struck by is the future element. There is an incredible air of anticipation of a spectacular miraculous future all around. It's like excitement building up in a theatre for the greatest drama ever, as you wait for the curtains to open.

Our Messiah will return to this city, to the mount of Olives. He will supernaturally open the golden gate as He walks through to the new temple on the temple mount. Our Lord will not return to Las Vegas, or the Vatican, in  fact he will most probably destroy those with one Word!

The pictures below taken by myself are of the golden gate looking across from the Mount of Olives and David's City a bit further down the old wall.

Amos 9:11 On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down and repair its damages. I will raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old". vs 14-15 "I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them...I will plant them in their land and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them."

Psalm 137:5 "If I forget you O Jerusalem, Let My right hand forget her skill. If I do not remember you, let My tongue cling to the roof of My mouth, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above My chief joy."

Jerusalem's troubles are far from over though. We are going to see big troubles again very soon. Finally, the world's roadmap to peace will end in war and destruction like has never been seen before and then the return of our Lord will finally bring peace.

Zechariah 12:2 "Jerusalem will be a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding people when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will be crushed and cut in pieces, though all the nations of the earth are gathered against it."

Jeremiah 30:7,11 "Alas for that day is great, so that none is like it and it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it...For I am with you says the Lord to save you; though I make a full end of all the nations where you have been scattered...I will correct you in justice."

Zechariah 12:2, 3, 16 "For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem: The city shall be taken, the houses rifled and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations and in that Day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives."..."A great panic from the Lord will be among them, everyone will seize the hand of his neighbour...and the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be gathered together, gold, silver and apparel in great abundance....And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts."

Joel 3:20 "Judah shall abide forever and Jerusalem from generation to generation."

To accurately pray for the peace of Jerusalem (as the Bible commands) one needs to pray that all these events will come soon! it's no use praying as many do: "Lord bring peace to Jerusalem." We need to pray for the Prince of Peace to return soon to Jerusalem and all that is involved in that."

Israel's miracle land.

Amos 9:13 "The mountains shall drip with sweet wine and the hills shall flow with it.

The land of Israel and the whole world for that matter, will soon have the Adamic curse lifted that still lingers on the earth. It will be restored in one of the greatest supernatural miracles of all time to the way it was before the fall in Eden.

At Calvary our Lord had a crown of thorns pushed down onto His head. He paid for and took the sins of the world on the cross, but the crown of thorns represents the curse on nature. The Bible says that at the fall of Adam, the earth sprang forth with thorns. Yes He has paid for it all, but the full positional and glorious manifestation of it all is still future.

Isaiah 35:1, 2, 5"The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them and desert shall blossom and rejoice and blossom as a rose. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice....Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened."

Ezekiel 36: 29 "I will deliver you from your uncleanness and I will call for the grain and multiply it and bring no famine upon you and I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields..."

Isaiah 51:3 "He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the Lord."

The Jerusalem Post always carries this slogan on its front page. "Where once reigned the desert, the flower now blooms."

Even as the spiritual eyes of Israel begin to open to their Jewish Messiah the land seems to be rejoicing in anticipation as well. The desert will fully bloom on His return.

It's very comforting to know that the only hope for the environment of the world and not just Israel is the return of our Messiah. From this point onwards, the curse on nature will be lifted. It will be changes supernaturally. We will have perfect environment. The very nature of animals and all creation will be changed and glorified in a miracle flash.

All the work of the greenies, tree-huggers, new-age bunny-huggers and the like will be brought to nothing, destroyed by our Lord and in a flash, at the Second Coming, the earth will be as it was supposed to be in the Garden of Eden before the fall! (Don't get me wrong, I'm not against environmentalism at all. Outside of our Lord's Kingdom it's all futile.)

Some Christians say that the Jews and Israel don't deserve God's favour and aren't special in any way. As if they deserve God's grace! No the Jews aren't special, it's simply that this is God's choice. For me that's just fine. If God chose the Zulu people to bring salvation to the world, things would be just the same. People would say that they don't deserve it.

What about the verse of scripture that says there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, male and female etc.? This relates to those in Christ or in other words, those who are saved and within God's Kingdom. It has nothing at all to do with God's plan and manner of bringing salvation to the world.

The miracle salvation of the Jews:

Romans 11:1- 25 "Has God cast away His people? Certainly not...For I would not have you to be ignorant of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own opinion, that hardening (blindness) in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, and so all Israel will be saved."

Isaiah 45:17 "Israel shall be saved by the Lord, with an everlasting salvation forever and ever."

Zechariah 12: 10 "I will pour on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of Grace and supplication, then they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son."

Isaiah 60:15 "Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations...you shall know that I the Lord am your saviour and your redeemer the Mighty One of Jacob."

Ezekiel 37 The greatest miracle of all time is found in this chapter. It's called the vision of the valley of dry bones. The vision sees a skeleton putting on flesh and standing up tall. Verse 11-13 "These bones are the whole house of Israel. Our bones are dry and our hope is cut off. Thus says the Lord "Behold O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves and bring you into the land of Israel". "Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves. I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will place you in your own land."

God will bring the Jews to salvation His way and it won't be with the help of the church-at-large. It will of course be with the help of Messianic believers and those in the church with their eyes open to Gods prophetic plan.

Israel's modern enemies:

Anti-Semitism driven by Satan himself has tried to destroy the Jews through the ages. One of the darkest times for the Jews was the period of the crusades which was spearheaded by the Catholic church of the dark ages. The inquisition followed, also led by the Catholic church, which saw many hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of Jews tortured to death. Then came the Holocaust. Each of these failed to destroy the Jews.

If the Catholic so-called followers of Jesus have murdered and killed so many Jews in the past, it's little wonder that the Jews have a hostile attitude to Jesus. Traditional Christianity has Christianized Jesus and removed His Jewishness, thus alienating the Jewish people at large from their Jewish Messiah. Many of the Jews think Jesus was a nice Gentile Christian!

Tragically, many millions, perhaps billions will come against what God is doing and WILL complete in Israel in the very near future. Amazingly they can't see the miracle hand of God at work in Israel's history. They are setting themselves up against the supernatural power of the Almighty God.

If God proclaims something prophetically and does it in history, don't you think that should be a cause for great faith, belief and celebration? I do! Amazingly, many even within the church will side with the devil in disguise, work with him and for him in an attempt to bring about Israel's downfall. God will use their attacks to sharpen Israel, bring them to repentance before destroying all His enemies and delivering Israel in battle and into spiritual new-birth.

Ultimately Israel will survive every attempt to annihilate it and will be victorious in all battles even though in some soon coming wars, it will seem as though Israel is on the losing end

Jeremiah 51:19, 20 "Israel is the tribe of His inheritance...you are My battle-axe and weapons of war, for with you I will break the nations in pieces, with you I will destroy kingdoms.

As the Jews get saved en-mass, so God will turn many of His and Israel's enemies to Himself in salvation. There is coming a time not far from now where the Arabs will also begin to find Messiah. In fact its already starting. This is really wonderful, but it will only be a smaller proportion of the Arab world. The majority will remain Muslim.

I can testify that I am seeing a rising interest in this website from people in many Arab countries and lands of the east. Praise our Messiah!

Just as a 'by the way'...we are now seeing a big swing away from the west in terms of economic growth towards the east. Dark Europe is in its death throws. The US is in ever growing economic trouble. Great Britain is now small, but it's economic woes are becoming great. China, India and numerous other Asian countries are seeing a surge in economic growth. At the same time, these nations are seeing a new exciting whirlwind of spiritual activity and re-birth, while Europe, the UK and some western countries return to the spiritual dark ages.

Miracle Israel will always be a thorn in the side of globalisation. It's therefore an enemy of those trying to create a one world government and currency. The Jews in dispersion were never able to fully assimilate into the nations. This was so that God's ultimate purpose would be fulfilled. Assimilation was always impossible, because it went against God's purpose. In other words God has supernaturally seen to it that Israel and the Jews would always be separate, identifiable and independent.

The cursed satanic church doctrine of replacement theology (which essentially replaces Israel with the church) is nothing more than the devil's attempt at getting rid of Israel with twisted so-called Christian theology. As goes the spiritual so goes the natural. It can be demonstrated that replacement theology led to the Holocaust and will again lead to a second Holocaust not long from now.

The same thinking is behind the Muslim world's desire to destroy Israel. They would never be happy with a two-state solution or parts of Israel and Jerusalem. They want it all. They view the two-state solution as a step in this direction.

I once saw an account of Russian farmers who gathered with shotguns to try to come against UFOs that had supposedly been seen in their area. Just think for a moment of just how stupid it is to try and come against something you know nothing about. If they were real, they would be far superior and not be hostile.

It's infinitely more stupid to try and come against God's supernatural, miracle working power!

Let me add that a dangerous enemy of Israel is all those, especially in many churches who are neutral. Neutrality in the face of God's clear revealed will in His Word is a curse. Yeshua / Jesus says that if you are not with Me you are against me. Isaiah 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness...Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes."

The greatest danger facing the church now and into the near future is that it becomes blinded by pride. As God acts for and on behalf of Israel and the Jews, the church will not like that because it wants it all for itself! Many within the church will be just like the older brother who got jealous of all the father did for the repentant, returning prodigal son.

I ask you personally...what will you do? Will you welcome the once lost son, or will you join the king of pride, Satan?

I speak for myself; I will welcome with open arms my lost Jewish, Gentile and Arab brothers as they see the glorious light of salvation.

Conclusion:

The land of Israel is a miracle. So is nationhood, the city of Jerusalem and the soon coming mass salvation of the Jews.

What is about to dawn on the world is a time of tragic devastation and deep darkness. Hell, from beneath, raises its arms to receive many at their coming. It's also a time of spectacular, wonderful magnificence as the greatest drama of all time unfolds. Untold millions will find salvation...Jew, Gentile and Arab alike.

It's enlightened self-interest to find out what God is doing and work with Him! Trying to resist or come against the miraculous and supernatural is not very clever.

God did not preserve and act supernaturally with Israel and the Jewish people through the ages for no reason! On top of this God outlined His plan for Israel clearly in the Bible. His great and grand purpose not only will be, but is already on track to reach its ultimate glorious goal. What we have is the end-time plan carefully spelt out and it actually is already happening before our eyes.

One has to be incredibly dumb or deceived to come against all of this!

As the world enters the twighlight zone of the present age, and much of the church enters its Laodicean age, so the spectacular, glory of God's new age is dawning. It was all be birthed and will be completed in the miraculous and supernatural and will all take place just the way God said it would.

Jerusalem, Israel is soon to become the world capital of the Messianic millennium age. Our messiah will rule from the temple and true deep lasting peace will flow like a river from here. There will be no World Council of Churches, no world government, no Vatican, no Pope, no denominations, no Christmas, no Easter nor any other occult celebrations. the feats of the Lord will be celebrated and the glory of God will envelop the world.

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Jeremiah 30: 16 "Therefore all those who devour you shall be devoured and all your adversaries, every one of them shall go into captivity. Those who prey upon you I will make a prey, for I will restore your health to you and heal your wounds says the Lord, because they called you and outcast saying: "This is Zion, no one seeks her."

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Heaven or hell:

Jewish women of the Israeli Defence Force, your disguises may hide you from your enemy, but nothing will ever hide you from God. Don't for a moment think that because you are called the "chosen people" you have been automatically chosen for salvation...no you have not. God chose you to bring about His great purposes, but you need to chose Him to become His own child. What a tragedy it would be if God uses you for His purpose and you end up in hell because you didn't chose His plan of salvation!

Young girls from rural Africa, you believe your face paint will keep demons away. I've got bad news for you! No amount of face paint, animal sacrifice or other traditional belief will save you from hell. It's only the sacrifice and shed blood of our great King, Lord and God, Jesus Christ the Messiah, that has the power to save and cleanse you. Being born into a tribal system will not save you, just like being born a Jew will not save them. If you seek to stay in traditionalism, you are on the way to hell. If you seek the truth, you will find it and be set free.

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In closing here is a sketch by Gustave Dore representing Christ's entry into Jerusalem. The next time He comes to Jerusalem will not be as saviour but as Judge of the world! (Thanks to the Adelaide University Library.)

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Kind regards and many blessings...Shalom and grow in grace!

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Edition 42. June 15th 2010

In this edition:

●News makers

●The arising of the Antichrist.

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Revelation 6: 2 "I looked and behold a white horse and he who sat on it had a bow and a crown was given him and he went out conquering and to conquer."

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Recent news items of prophetic significance.

● Iran's president Ahmadinejad calls for cooperation among world states to forge a new world order. (FNA Tehran. 7June 2010)

● In an unprecedented move, Saudi Arabia gives Israel "clear skies" to attack Iran. (The Times Online. 12 June 2010)

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The arising of the Antichrist.

Some say, "Don't get into this antichrist stuff, only deal with the Christ. Oh yes, well why then does the Bible teach on it? And why then does the Bible teach three times more on hell than on heaven? And why then have untold millions of people been led astray, and killed by antichrist forerunners in past history?

No my friends, a very certain way to endanger yourself and be deceived is to ignore or cast down sections of God's word that you deem objectionable. If you try to become God's editor and judge you are greater fool than an amoeba!

There are many things we don't need to know about the antichrist, but there are many we dare not be ignorant of especially in this day. The main big thing is that he will arise on the wings of massive, incredible deception. He'll be very successful at this as well. I don't know what the numbers are but he will successfully deceive almost the whole world.

Incredibly, Yeshua / Jesus warns of exactly this. In the portion of scripture known as the Olivet discourse, the disciples ask our Lord what the signs will be of his coming. Our Lord warns five times in this section about deception!

If He begins the Olivet discourse with the words "Take heed that no one deceives you"...how dare any priest in a frock, very-reverend, or pastor teach that we shouldn't get into these things!!

Many won't teach these things because they themselves are ignorant or deceived and others won't teach these things because it keeps their flock subservient to themselves and what they dish out.

Let me warn you that the spirit of antichrist will arise in association with the church in some way. 1John 2:19, says that "he went out from us but was not of us." He will most probably arise in association with the charismatic church as well as others. 2Thessalonians 2: 9,10 "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power and lying signs and wonders and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth." It's the charismatic church that is enslaved to signs and wonders to the degree of obsession. Many of the "signs and wonders" are lies! Of course there is truth in some of these things as well.

I think it was Tozer who warned that "truth and error travel the same highway."

At the arrival of the tribulation period, there will be a Satanic trinity on the scene. There will be one antichrist, with his sidekick the religious false prophet and a computerised "beast" system of control.

There have been many who came in the spirit of antichrist. These were and are forerunners of the coming antichrist, but not the actual individual who will be taken over and possessed by the full incarnation of Satan.

The tribulation will be the time of the outpouring of the wrath of God, the wrath of Satan and the wrath of man simultaneously. Satan knows that his time is very short.

We don't need to know who the antichrist will be, but we do need to know many things about him and how he works! The easy alternative is simply to put your feet up, be a lazy slob and go with the flow of the religious world. This way will be easy and welcoming, but may land you in hell.

Defining the "antichrist":

The verse below the title picture (Revelation 6:2) at the top of this edition describes the antichrist riding out to conquer. He has a bow but no arrow, in other words, he is a deceiver.  Our Lord and Messiah Yeshua / Jesus is also seen riding out of heaven on a white horse, (Revelation 19:11) but this is the true Christ and He will be the eternal and ultimate conqueror!

The word 'antichrist' itself is interesting in the original text. It's a compound word and means; to come against and then replace. So what we have here is someone who will come against the true Christ and then replace Him with a false Christ. There are two actions involved, both equally as evil.

We have many examples of people who've been forerunners of the antichrist in history, but the spirit of antichrist is at work all around us today and will culminate soon in one individual. The spirit of antichrist is at work in a very big way in modern society to cast down or come against the truth. This is the first part of the dual action of antichrist. Before Satan can have his man welcomed onto the world stage by adoring hero-worshipping masses, he must first of all weaken the church and get rid of opposition.

The main activities and characteristics of the antichrist:

The Bible reveals many characteristics of the antichrist. Here are just a few revealed in his names:

●Man of sin, son of perdition. ●The lawless one. ●The beast. ●The bloody and deceitful man. ●The wicked one. ●The mighty man. ●The enemy, ●The adversary. ●The Assyrian. ●The spoiler. ●The Vile person. ●The wilful king. ●The man of violence.

His activities will be centred around:

●Coming against and replacing truth with error. ●Coming against the true church that says there is only one way to God and then uniting all other world religions. ●Coming against the free worship of the true God and replacing this with the worship of himself. ●Destabilising different currencies and then introducing a world currency. ●Destabilising the world's political systems and then replacing them with a world government. ●Coming against Gods choice in the Jewish people and the land of Israel through wars and conflict, then attempting to make Jerusalem an international city. ●His final fateful act will be to come against the Second Coming of our Lord with multitudes of His saints, at the end of the great tribulation.

Daniel 11:37 He shall not regard the God of his fathers nor the desire of woman nor the regard of any god, for he shall magnify himself above all." Some say that this means he will be a homosexual. It could also mean that he will simply be single. Some say he will be a Jew because of the "God of his fathers" being disregarded. That may be so, but the same applies to a Muslim. His main thing will be to get worship by "magnifying himself"

Mark 4:15 And these are they by the wayside where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately and takes away the Word that was sown their hearts." This indicates that the antichrist (Satan) will hate the Bible and the ministry of evangelism."

Daniel 7:25 "And he shall wear out the saints of the most High Revelation 13: 7 "It was given to him to make war with the saints." This indicates that he will hate and make war with the people who get saved during the tribulation.

Daniel 9:27 "Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (of years), but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to the sacrifice" Mathew 24: 15 "When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, then let those in Judea flee to the mountains" These verses speak of the fact that the antichrist will set himself up in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, from where he'll come against all opposition to himself.

Daniel 11:21 "He will come in peaceably and seize the kingdom by intrigue." This implies that he will arise bringing peace to Israel. But this will be one of his great deceptions.

●Antichrist types:

Hitler

I put no weight on Nostradamus at all, but for those interested, he said that Hitler was foretold by his name Hister and would appear on a white horse. Hitler was also an artist and one of his watercolours was a rendition of himself on a white horse.

There are hundreds of types and shadows relating to Hitler having come in the spirit of antichrist, not least of these being his wish to set up a new world order. In fact he wanted to begin a thousand-year millennium of peace with a puritan race and himself in charge. His satanically charged hatred for the Jews was also a major likeness with the coming antichrist.

Hitler had an association with the church, just like the antichrist will have. He was involved with much Satanism, but had a respect for the Lutheran church. This was only because the Lutherans had an intense dislike for the Jews. He often quoted from Martin Luther's terrible tract of hatred for the Jews, in which he (Luther) says that "the dammed Jews must be burned so that not even a cinder of them remain." (There are many other things in this evil writing by Martin Luther that I will not even repeat!)

Hitler quoted these writings from Luther, which pre-figure almost exactly the Holocaust, in his book Mien Kampf. Hitler was a perfect type of antichrist.

Hitler believed that Jesus wasn't a Jew but a pure Aryan, and not God.

Obama:

Here is another incredible example of an antichrist type although still in its infancy.

Much has been said and written about Obama being groomed by some internationalists to be the ruler of a new world order. This may be true, but he won't be the actual antichrist as he doesn't fit the Biblical bill. But he does most certainly fit the antichrist type in many ways.

Obama believes that all religions are equal and that Jesus is not the only way of salvation. He believes that the cross and blood of Jesus were meaningless. He is a universalist.

Strong's Concordance lists every original word in the Bible and its meaning. Strong's number 1299 (Hebrew) is the word 'Baraq' meaning 'lightning'. In the Greek it is number 913 and is the same word but spelt 'Barack'. Strong's number 1116 is the word 'Bamah' meaning 'an elevated high place'. A transliteration of this allows for 'baw' or 'O' to precede the word.

Now lets look at Luke 10:18 "I saw Satan fall like lightning (Baraq, Hebrew or Barack in the Greek original) from heaven"

Isaiah 14:14 deals with the fall of Lucifer and says "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds and I will be like the Most High, yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the pit." The word 'heights' in the original is the Hebrew word 'Bamah' (Strong's 1116)

So what we have here are the words Baraq Bamah or Barak O Bamah (with transliteration) found exactly in the original words of the Bible dealing with Satan falling from the heights as lightning!

The word for lightning in the Arabic language is also the word 'Barak' and was the name of the winged white horse that supposedly took Mohammad to heaven.

I'm not calling Obama Satan or the antichrist, but there is some powerful evidence here that he is one in the spirit of antichrist.

There is much more on this, but it's not really my style. I just wanted to draw your attention to the subject.

You can get more from World Net Daily here:

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=105527

What still remains to be seen is how far Obama goes in igniting the fury of God by pushing for the dividing of the land of Israel. Joel 3:2 "I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat and I will enter into judgement with them there on account of My people Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations. They have also divided up My land." This verse shows clearly that dividing the land of Israel bring war and not peace.

Zechariah 12:3 "It shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem...I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples and all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces though all the nations of the earth are gathered against it." Here we have one of many verses indicating that messing with Jerusalem will get you destroyed!

So, both the dividing of Israel and Jerusalem will invoke the fury of God and bring war and conflict. Funny isn't it that Obama and his deceived friends are actually working for war and not peace!

The activities of the antichrist (and his forerunners) will be centred on Israel, Jerusalem and the Jews. This is the "apple of God's eye" and His time clock. Zechariah 2:8 "For thus says the Lord of hosts (armies): "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye"

 It also remains to be seen how far Obama goes in creating the new world order. At this stage he is an antichrist type in the making.

False prophet types:

There have been many of these through history and will be more, but I want to pick on these two now because of the powerful message.

Iranian President Ahmadinejad:

Iran's president Ahmadinejad has an interesting lineage. His mother was a descendant of the prophet Mohammad. He believes that he has a "divine" purpose in life, which is to prepare the way for the coming Islamic Messiah or Mahdi. The Shiite Muslims believe that when Imam Mahdi arrives in Mecca soon with his 'lieutenant, Jesus, he will gather an enormous army and destroy Zion, which they believe is Israel, the US and the UK. He'll then set up his rule in Jerusalem from where they'll set up Islamic world rule. Ahmadinejad believes it's his duty to begin this work in preparation for the Mahdi, whom he believes will arrive in his time as president.

The Muslim religion believes that Mohammad was taken up to heaven on a white horse called Barack. Ahmadinejad believes that the soon coming Mahdi will ride down from heaven on this white horse.

Ahmadinejad closed his talk at the UN recently with the following words: "The ultimate promise of all divine religions, will be fulfilled with the emergence of a perfect human being who is heir to all prophets. He will lead the world to justice and absolute peace"

Ahmadinejad has dangerous delusions of grandeur. As such he is a false prophet type in the sense that he thinks he is preparing the way for the Mahdi to rule the world. Antichrist types believe that they are the ones to rule the world.

The Popes:

There are more false doctrines, deceptions and giant errors in this religion than one could count. The most important is of course what constitutes salvation. The Bible clearly speaks of being born again, adult water baptised by full immersion, and Spirit baptism. Catholicism does not practice any of these. To them being saved is eternal church membership! So all the main foundations are missing never mind everything else. This makes them a classical counterfeit church (I do believe that some Catholics will be saved, but this is not the topic now)

Some of the previous popes were pure evil mass murderers, but almost all of them have replaced the truth relating to Israel and the Jewish people with dangerous error. They were the founders of replacement theology now prevalent in main stream Christianity. This doctrine essentially gets rid of and replaces Israel with the church. Remember that the word antichrist means to replace and get rid of truth and then bring in the false.

During the dark ages the Popes killed huge numbers of Jews in the two main inquisitions. The actual number is unknown, but it could have been in the millions.

During the Nazi Holocaust, the Pope stood by silently. His indifference made him an accessory!

The final pope, will most probably be the actual false prophet. He may well be the next one. Its very easy for Catholicism to become the religion of the world. It is the application of the cross into the born again believers life that separates us from the world.

Revelation 17:9 "The seven heads are the seven mountains on which the woman sits." This 'woman' is earlier in the chapter actually a religious being or church. She is called the great harlot and of the abominations of the earth. This is the Catholic church. The Vatican is surrounded by seven hills. The Catholic Encyclopaedia calls the Rome the city on seven hills.

The Catholics believe that each pope is also the "Vicar of Christ" In their language letters are alpha numeric. In other words each letter has a numeric value. So you can add up the value of a word. The term Vicar of Christ is Vicarivs Filii Dei which adds up to 666. There are over a dozen titles for the office of pope and each separately adds up to 666. You may not be aware that Catholics believe that each pope is infallible and divine. In fact he can forgive sin. This is of course nothing but blasphemy. The number 666 will be associated with the antichrist, the false prophet and the computerised beast system. There are many other examples of the Catholics being associated with 666.

The prophecies of Saint Malachy are very interesting. Being extra-Biblical, I would not put undue weight on them, but the future will tell!

He had a vision in 1100s in which he claims God showed him all the successive popes from his time to the last one. He numbered each one with a short descriptive phrase. The original prophecy had 112 popes, but some say that it contained 111 with the last being added later on. We are now at number 111, but Benedict is old and over the hill. So either way time is short.

They are startling indeed, but lets just look at the last few. Number 110 is "The labour of the sun" and corresponds with pope John Paul 11. He was both born and entombed on a solar eclipse day. Then comes number 111 "The glory of the olives" Ratzinger came from the order of St. Benedict from which he took his title. This order has as it's symbol an olive wreath. They are also called the Olivetans.

Number 112 is the last pope and goes by the title "Peter the Roman" In Malachy's vision he adds to this one: "Petrus Romanus will lead his flock through tribulations, after which the seven hilled city will be destroyed and the Dreadful Judge will judge the people.

Francis of Assisi had a similar vision and prophecy in 1226. His prophecy contained many details but the main points are: "This pope will cause a great schism and division. There will be such universal dissentions and persecutions that if the days were not shortened even the elect would be lost". This is also in line with the recently revealed "secrets of Fatima"

All of the Popes are a type of false prophet. The final one may well become the false prophet. By the way, the message to the church of Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29 is a clear reference to the Catholics. They are told that they will be "cast into great tribulation." See edition 11 for more.

Who will be the antichrist:

The short answer is I don't know. It's not Obama and it's not the Pope but the Bible does give many clues and indications of where he will arise from.

The Bible uses various terms to describe the antichrist and where he will originate from.

●Daniel 9:26 "The people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and sanctuary...then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week." It was the Romans who destroyed the city (Jerusalem) and the sanctuary (temple) in 70 AD. So the people of the prince to come (antichrist) will be of the Roman Empire, which today is Europe.

●He is called "the one that imagines evil against the Lord from Nineveh" (Nahum 1:11) Nineveh was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire and is in present day Iraq.

●He is called The "king of Babylon" (Isaiah 14:4) In those days Babylon was part of the Assyrian Empire. But prophetically Babylon refers to the modern world system.

●He is called "The king of the north" (Daniel 11: 7 & 9) Obviously this would be north of Israel.

●He is referred to as the Assyrian (Micah 5:5) as well as the king of Assyria. In ancient times Assyria was present day Iran, parts of Iraq and Egypt, Syria and its northern neighbour, Turkey. (see map below)

Daniel 2 is about the vision Nebuchadnezzar had of the big statue. Each section represents the various world empires through time. The two legs and ten toes represent the world empire in existence at the time of the Second Coming. The two legs represent western and eastern Europe. Both legs need to part of Europe. Today Turkey is the only one from the eastern leg that is awaiting EU membership.

Daniel 8: 9 "And out of one of them came a little horn (the antichrist) which grew exceedingly great towards the south, the east and the Glorious Land. It grew up to the host of heaven and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground and trampled them."

The above verse mentions south, east and the Glorious Land which is Israel, but not the north. This could mean that he arises from Turkey which is north of Israel.

Putting all the above together we come up with only one possible location for the antichrist's origin and that is: A nation north of Israel, part of (or soon to be) the revised Roman Empire or modern Europe. A nation that was part of Assyria, containing Babylon and Nineveh and the only option is Turkey. It's only Turkey that was part of Assyria and is now connected with Europe (the revised Roman Empire)

This also means that the antichrist will most probably be of Muslim origins. He may well be a secular Muslim due to that verse that says he will not regard the god of his fathers. Turkey is Muslim, but quite secular.

Right now Europe is in a huge mess and may break up or be re-aligned. It will soon manifest its final satanically driven end-time configuration.

When will the antichrist ride onto the stage:

There is absolutely no doubt that he will be revealed on the first day of the tribulation period. He will be the one who signs the fateful seven-year peace treaty with Israel. That act will be the defining moment. Before then it's really pointless and meaningless trying to guess who he will be. It makes no difference anyway because he won't be possessed and empowered by Satan until then.

It's highly likely that the rapture of true born again believers will occur on the same day as the revealing of the antichrist and the start of the seven-year tribulation period.

It could all be very soon, perhaps within a year!

A very possible scenario:

The antichrist arrives on the world scene with a peace treaty. This could be due to a war on the go at the time. The great war of Ezekiel 38 and 39 also called the war of Gog and Magog hasn't happened yet. Its also referred to as the third world war. It takes place in Israel as many Muslim nations invade Israel with Russia. It takes seven years to clean up after the war.

But why does this war happen in the first place?

Ezekiel 38: 11, 12 Describes the situation: "You will say I will go up to the land of un-walled villages, to a peaceful people who dwell safely without walls...to take plunder and booty to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited...have you gathered your army to take plunder and to take silver and gold, livestock, goods and great plunder."

Daniel 11: 24 is a parallel verse: He (the antichrist) shall enter peaceably, even into the fattest places of the province...he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil and riches."

The word "fattest" in the original is the word 'masham' derived from 'shaman' which means oil or oily.

Right now Israel is not a land of un-walled villages nor does it have any of it's own oil, although its surrounded by oil -rich countries. We could see a situation where Israel discovers its own oil soon.

See www.zionoil.com for more on this.

Israel is rich in many other things and is the envy of surrounding Muslim nations. On top of this there is an ancient satanically driven hatred for Israel and the Jews in most Arab nations. By the way, much of Russia is today Muslim, especially the southern states, so Russia attacking Israel with many Muslim nations is not hard to picture. (Please read Ezekiel 38 and 39)

This may be the cause of this third world war, resulting in a peace treaty and the revealing of the antichrist. Of course this war may start before. This is just an interesting 'maybe'!

 Conclusion:

The coming of the antichrist is real and soon. The subject is not nice but very important. Because its all part of the Bible and God's truth, we should have an attitude of thankfulness that He has shown us these things ahead of time. It should all cause us to bow down in surrender and worship of our true soon coming Messiah!

Today we need spiritual discernment and not spiritual blindness. We need all that God has given to us and not just selected bits. We need the new birth, adult water baptism, baptism in the spirit. We need all the gifts of the Spirit that God has given us so that we can operate in the supernatural. We need the application of the cross in our lives to do its deadly and liberating work. We need to die to self, the world and the demonic and above all we need to be growing in the love for and knowledge of God and His Word.

We need humility before God as we study His Word and change our lives accordingly. Self righteousness and pride will blind you...that's an absolute guarantee. We need the grace of God and not religion and legalism.

We are entering dangerous days my friends and we need to be able to stand securely in the full knowledge of God and His Word.

On top of this we need to know that Israel, Jerusalem and the Jews are going to come under increasing danger and attack even by her previous allies. We, as believers must stand with and for her. Untold millions of Jews are very soon to become our brothers and sisters in Messiah!

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Jeremiah 31:37 "If heaven above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, then I will cast off the seed of Israel for all that they have done."

Ezekiel 36: 25,26 I will sprinkle clean water on you (Israel) and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take out the heart of stone"

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Heaven or hell:

Young woman, will you be caught by surprise? Will you be one of the untold billions who'll be deceived by the powers of Satan working in the soon coming antichrist? I hope not! You won't be able to just drift into heaven, the pressures will be enormous. You need to start preparing yourself now. You need to reject and accept!!! Reject the majority world opinions and accept the Word of our wonderful glorious Messiah. Eternity is a long time to wish you had set your heart after our Lord.

Old woman, you still have time to change your ways. I know its hard to do especially after a lifetime of deeply rooted tradition! The antichrist is coming and he won't let you off the hook because you're old! Jesus is also coming soon and he will welcome you with open arms if you have made right with Him. Once you meet up with the devil in disguise, you won't be able to change your mind. It will be too late.

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In closing here is a woodcut by Gustav Dore showing the means of salvation, protection, deliverance and the answer to everything...the Cross of Calvary. (Thanks to the Adelaide University Library.)

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Kind regards and many blessings...Shalom and grow in grace!

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