The Great Invisible War on the Saints

Posted on March 11, 2014 by prophecyinperspective

As God’s prophetic plan unfolds on the earth and in the lives of believers, there is still great resistance from the devil and his demons. There is a great invisible war on the saints. The reality of this invisible war is evident in Scripture!

As Daniel prayed for three straight weeks for God to reveal His mercy toward Israel toward the end of their prophesied 70 year captivity in Babylon, finally he had an angelic visitor who told him what God was planning to do. But he also gives Daniel and us an insight as to the great invisible War on the Saints that is happening all the time. The angel said to Daniel:

“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. (Daniel 10:12-13)

There is an invisible world of which every serious and biblical Christian should be aware. Notice that as soon as Daniel began to pray, the Lord responded by dispatching an angel to go to him and to reveal what God was planning to do. But along the way the angel was actually hindered and delayed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia, which was a powerful demon, who delayed and resisted this angel for fully three weeks. Then another angel, Michael, one of the most powerful angels, came to help him. Interestingly, ancient Persia is present day Iran. There is obviously still an evil and powerful principality over Iran today. Yet, there are also Bible believing Christians there and churches! We should pray for them as persistently and believingly as did Daniel prayed for the Jews dwelling in Persia!

From this we see that there are battles raging in the heavenly realms between the angelic powers of light and the Satanic powers of darkness; angels against demons. There is a great invisible war on the saints going on!

In reality, in Daniel’s day and certainly in these latters days, there is a vast and highly organized structure of demonic beings that hinder and work to thwart God’s purposes as they are directed through the active ministry of His angelic hosts. Both angels and demons are structured in ranks.

We find a description of the ranks of God’s angels described by Paul in his letter to the Colossians. These are described in descending order as thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. (Colossians 1:16)

The demonic ranks are also described by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. These are also described in descending order as principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

It is likely, I think, that the angel that was sent to Daniel was of the rank of a “power.” He may have been one of the lower ranking entities of the angelic realms. He was stopped by a demon spirit probably of the rank of a “principality.” This “prince of Persia” was responsible to oversee and promote the religious, political, philosophical and moral evils of Babylon. Thus, this principality as a powerful demonic spirit under the authority of Satan, had dominion over the king, idolatrous priests and administrators of Persia. This “prince of Persia,” purposed to stop this angelic messenger and he evidently had the authority to “resist” him for a period of time or until a higher authority showed up.

Therefore, Michael, one of the chief princes came to help him. Michael, being an archangel, had the power and authority to overcome this “prince of Persia” and to make the way clear for God’s messenger angel to get to Daniel with his vital prophetic information concerning God’s intention for Israel’s future.

This is why Daniel’s prayer was so persistent. He refused to stop asking until the Lord answered with the truths he was seeking. We should pray the same way: persistently, until the Lord answers. Of course, God is sovereign and He can bring us answers without the agency of angels. But God sometimes chooses to use people, circumstances, and angels as means of answering our prayers. He even uses the delays that demons cause to time His purpose to the very moment that glorifies Him the most. We know that we can trust God for His timing and the ways and means He uses to bring His purposes to pass in our lives.

As Christians, we should realize that Satan is the instigator of political and religious conflict and unrest in nations today. In spite of his evil plans, God’s prophetic plan is still very much unfolding today. But, remember that there is a great invisible war on the saints! I know that this all sounds very mysterious, but it is true none-the-less. The Bible says that there is a “mystery of iniquity” at work in the world today. This is a reference to the fact that the devil is even now seeking to prepare for the coming of the Antichrist onto the world scene and he is deceiving the nations to bring this about. (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

We know that Satan, as the “god of this world,” has and is blinding the minds of those that do not believe. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Believers must understand the nature of the enemy’s methods and devices. Satan intends to fully employ the tools of moral and spiritual compromise and worldliness. He already has possession of the Gentile world powers. But when Christians become yielded to the schemes of the Devil then they give up ground to the powers of darkness. Demons can then establish strongholds in our lives. From these strongholds will come lusts, anger, bitterness, conflict, immoral deeds and false beliefs.

Often, we might allow principalities and powers to defeat our study of Scripture, or our prayer life, our families and even our nation. We must stand against these powers in full spiritual battle dress which Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10-18 as the “whole armor of God:”

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Remember that Satan must respond to God’s authority. You and I have authority against the powers of darkness through Jesus’ name, by faith in His cross and resurrection. Demons hate to hear the truth prayed about Jesus’ dying for sinners and rising again. The devil also distains the truth about the second coming! This is why he has been so successful in getting entire denominations away from teaching and preaching on the personal and any moment return of Jesus Christ!

The devil is also interested in gaining ground in the believer’s life. If you have given ground to Satan through immorality, forgiveness, false cult beliefs, etc., you can and should take back all ground that he has taken by prayerfully putting on the whole armor of God confessing and repenting of sin and walking in obedience to God’s Word. We should also pray against the powers of darkness in their all out assault on the Church in the United States through compromise and shallow teaching, and in many countries around the world in his attack against Christians through violence and persecution. Again, Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 how our weapons are powerful because they are spiritual, this is because the Christian’s war is spiritual:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Remember, that all believers who are truly committed to the Bible and to holy living will be targeted by the demonic realms. You can walk in victory against them as you walk in total abiding trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Your persistence and patience in your faithful yieldedness to the power and direction of the Holy Spirit will bring you victory through Jesus Christ. Especially in these latter days, We need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might to experience daily triumph against the attacks of our enemy who is waging a great invisible war against the saints. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

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Are the kings of the East Rising up?

Posted on March 9, 2014 by prophecyinperspective

Jesus clearly stated that the later days would signal the soon return of the Lord at a time when there would be a great increase of threats of war. Jesus said: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. all these are the beginnings of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:7-8) There is at this time a great deal of saber-rattling between China and Japan over a few islands, but also over un-forgiven issues of the past. There is still a great deal of animosity between these powerful nations over grievances caused by and suffered from WWII in Japan’s aggressions against China. These grievances even extend back into the latter part of the 19th century!

With all of the events happening in Ukraine with Russia’s takeover of the Crimea, the world may not notice this growing unrest that is developing between China and Japan. Revelation 16:12 says: “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” During the latter part of the Great Tribulation the “kings of the east,” likely headed up by China, but perhaps also including India and Pakistan (also feuding nations), will make their way by the hundreds of millions across the dried river bed of the Euphrates on their way to gather for the battle of Armageddon against Israel. (Revelation 16:16)

I believe the church will have been raptured by this time and will, after the Great Tribulation, return with the Lord to the earth when He will establish his thousand-year kingdom. When Jesus Christ returns to the earth, He will stop all the nations that will gather to destroy Israel. All the wicked members of those nations who are gathered to destroy Israel, God will destroy. Yet, the evidence shows that many member of these same nations will survive to be made up of believers at the return of the Lord to Jerusalem. Then the members of these nations, who will have been faithful to protect Israel during the Tribulation, will come to worship the Lord. Among these nations will be China. Isaiah predicts: “Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.” (Isaiah 49:12) Sinim is believed to be a reference to the Asian nation of China probably settled soon after the dispersion at the tower of Babel.

Keep your eyes on these nations which are threatening war with one another, such as Russia, Syria, Iran, China and Japan, North and South Korea, and others. Also pray that the gospel will penetrate these nations so God will raise up faithful believers in them. These nations and “wars and rumors of wars” all have an important bearing on what God intends to do in the latter days. The Church will be raptured at any time, so be sure you are faithful to serve the Lord with courage, purity and a dynamic testimony. We should not get complacent or compromising! At any time the “Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

I believe the “kings of the east” are rising up through their own conflicts. They are inspired by the pride of the devil. In this way, I believe they are being prepared by growing in military and economic strength for future alliances with the anti-Israel forces of the earth, eventually to come against God’s people in the latter days. All of these things signal the soon coming of the Lord!

(If you would like to read my analysis of the current events in Ukraine as they involve the U.S., Russia, Iran and other nations from a prophetic perspective then respond to this post with your request for my Prophecy in Perspective e-Newsletter along with your e-mail address.)

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A.W. Tozer, “We Need Men of God Again”

Posted on March 8, 2014 by prophecyinperspective

The trend in pulpits today is to steer clear from the word of God and for going for all the trendy methods that weak Christianity today is producing. A. W. Tozer has written concerning this weakness among men of God:

“We languish for men who feel themselves expendable in the warfare of the soul, who cannot be frightened by threats of death because they have already died to the allurements of this world. Such men will be free from the compulsions that control weaker men. They will not be forced to do things by the squeeze of circumstances; their only compulsion will come from within–or from above.”

We need to face the fact that the world has gotten into the church, because the world has gotten into men of God. There needs to be a new freedom in the hearts of men of God to preach what God says, instead of what man says. Again, A.W. Tozer:

“This kind of freedom is necessary if we are to have prophets in our pulpits again instead of mascots. These free men will serve God and man kind from motives too high to be understood by the rank and file of religious retainers who today shuttle in and out of the sanctuary. They will make no decisions out of fear, take no course out of a desire to please, accept no service for financial considerations, perform no religious act out of mere custom; nor will they allow themselves to be influenced by the love of publicity or the desire for reputation.”

Any man sensing the call from God to preach needs to be sure it is God speaking to him and to stay faithful to the Bible. The day you feel the fear of man more than the fear of God, is the day that you should get away from the pulpit and seek God in humility until God’s Holy Spirit gets you over that fear of man, and fills you so full of the fear and the love of God for the lost and for making true disciples of Christ that you cannot be quiet about it. If you are faithful to God as a man of God, then God will take care of the rest!

Tozer was right! We need men of God again!

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The Two Phases of the Second Coming

Posted on October 17, 2013 by prophecyinperspective

There is so much in the news these days that show us that many are confused about truth.  The so called Obama Care law is fully supportive of the killing of pre-born children.  The radical Islamic enemies of the United States and of Israel certainly must love such a law that helps to destroy thousands and even potentially millions of future Jews and Christians.  Satan would love such a law as well.  I praise God for any congressman/woman or Senators who seek to take a legal stand to oppose or hinder any law that advances abortion.  The family is under attack as well.  Islam does not support same-sex marriage, nor abortion!  Yet they would not have a problem and might even encourage America to re-define marriage so as to weaken us and to weaken Israel.  Islam would be very supportive of America’s radical leftist fringe, while denying it for their own followers, and would oppose Christians from affirming Biblical marriage.  Why the attack against Christianity today?  Strong biblical Christians are the last bastion of sanity against the rising tide of latter day rebellion.

The Bible predicts growing darkness over the world in the latter days.  Even in the church, Revelation 2-3 shows us that there will be a growing apostasy, that is, a systematic departure from the truth of the Bible.  People have clamored in America for a new kind of leader, but this effort to call up a new kind of leader is not typical only of America, it is a growing desire globally.  The world, more and more desires a new world leader who will, in fact, be worshiped as god.  Revelation 13 describes the appearance of this world leader, commonly called, the Antichrist.  Revelation 13 calls Him the beast!  In reference to the church, Revelation 3:14-22 describes the latter day church of Laodicea (church of the laity, or, of the people, not of the Bible).  In 3:20 we see that things will get so bad in this latter day church that Jesus Christ, that is, the biblical Christ, will be shut out.

This verse pictures Jesus standing outside and knocking for anyone who hears His voice to open the door and admit Him into their personal lives.  In other words, the church of the end times will be so self-focused that there will only be room for a false view of the messiah.  The focus will not be on truth, but on self.  The attention will not be on the study of and obedience to the Bible, rather the focus will be upon, as we are seeing today in many ministries and churches, submission to personalities of popular leaders who will affirm the carnal desires of people in order to draw them into their deceptive teachings. (See 1 Timothy 4:1-4 and 2 Timothy 3:1-9 in context!).  I want to refer you to my previous blog entries to learn more about the nature of the latter day church apostasy that is apart of this global preparation for the coming of the false Christ, the Antichrist.

For the believer in Jesus Christ in these latter days, we need to continue to stand true to the Lord and to abide in His wonderful grace and power as we watch for His return.  He will be faithful and will enable you and me to know the truth of His Word as it is related to the events of our days.  He will show us how to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” ((1 Peter 3:15)  This is why we should be clear in our minds, in the midst of all the confusion of these days we are living in, about the two phases of the Lord’s coming!

People most often speak of the second coming of Jesus Christ, but are not clear as to how this will occur.  The best way that I have found to understand the Lord’s second coming in view of the Scriptural teaching is to view His return as being in two phases.  This is not two second comings, which is sometimes put out there by those who deny the doctrine of premillennial, pre-tribulational rapture of the church.  But the two phases of the second coming of the Lord consist of, first, the Lord’s coming to meet His church in the air at the rapture. (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3-18) then His return to the earth to establish His 1,000 kingdom on the earth. (see Revelation 19: 11-16)

In Titus 2:13 we find these two phases compacted into a single verse.  There Paul speaks of how we are looking for the “blessed hope,” which refers to the rapture, and then he speaks of the “glorious appearing,”  when the Lord will return to the earth seven years later.  The rapture, or, the “blessed hope” will be a sudden event only for the church, before the seven year Tribulation Period, and the “glorious appearing” will be at the close of the Tribulation Period.

The coming of the Lord for believer can occur at any moment.  He will come in the air to call away all who are born again by faith in Him.  It is vitally important that you trust in the Jesus Christ as your personal Savior today.  He will forgive you or your sins and save you for ever.  Believe that He is the Son of God and that He died for your sins upon the cross, and that He rose from the dead, and you will be saved.  Tell Him right now that you believe in Him and then by prayer, receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life as your personal Savior. (see John 1:1-14, esp. 12; 2 Corinthians 5:17) Then read His Word, join with a Bible preaching church fellowship (there are still some), and walk as a dynamic witness for Jesus Christ as you watch for His coming.

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God’s Calling for the Last Days Believers: Stand Firm For Biblical Truth!

Posted on October 15, 2013 by prophecyinperspective

It is amazing to me how many preachers and writers of Christian themes are absolutely caving in to the spirit of compromise that abounds today!  Whatever pastor or ministry that is gathering a crowd or whatever author is selling books, many who are envious of their success are following their trendy teachings without much discernment about biblical truth.  We are seeing an outbreak of Hyper-Calvinistic-Charismatic, Catholic based Contemplative Spiritual disciplines as found in the Spiritual Formation/Mysticism movements. These Mystical and unbiblical teachings have infiltrated well known ministries and are leading many into satanic deception and spiritual bondage.  Others also propound the false doctrines of the Word of Faith, Kingdom Now and Replacement Theology heresies as well as many more unbiblical forms of pseudo-Christian  and New Age doctrines which are misleading people everywhere.  How can this be?  I believe we are living in the latter days when, as predicted, there would be “perilous times.” Paul predicted: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:   For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…” (2 Timothy 3:1a, see context). 

And as many are shying away from teaching sound doctrine and promoting self-fulfillment kinds of teaching, many are, as well, avoiding Bible prophecy and are not teaching the imminent return of Jesus Christ to rapture His church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  There are several reasons for this neglect of sound Bible teaching and of Bible prophecy.  One reason for this is that many do not understand the Bible or  biblical prophecy; another reason is that it may not be as financially profitable for them to simply expound the truths of the Bible and of the coming of Jesus Christ, because that would require a focus on God more than on self-fulfillment.  And still another reason is that they simply do not believe the Bible, but are more enamored with the teachings of man!   All of this has been prophesied, and while it should not surprise us, neither should this sad state of affairs in the latter days church cause us to become apathetic!  God calls all believers and empowers them to stand firm for His truth!  Prophecy student and teacher, David R. Regan states well the need for believers to take a firm stand for biblical truth in these latter days of apostasy when many are pushing the idea that the Church is supposed to establish the kingdom before the return of Christ and to bring in world peace:

     “The truth is that the church was never given the task of conquering the world for Christ or solving all the world’s political and social problems.  We were commanded to preach the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). And yes, we were instructed to stand for righteousness (Matthew 5:13-16).  But the restoration of God’s creation is a task that will be accomplished by Jesus when He returns to reign in glory and majesty from Mount Zion in Jerusalem (Matthew 19:28-29; Acts 3:18-21).

      What’s sad about the apostasy concerning Bible prophecy is that we are living right on the threshold of the Tribulation, when God will pour out His wrath on those who have rejected His grace, mercy, and love.  Satan must be very pleased; because that is a truth he does not want anyone to know.

     One of the greatest events prophesied in Scripture, the rapture of the church, is imminent, and yet apostate teachers are directing people’s attention away from that blessed hope and focusing their eyes instead on the false hope of establishing the kingdom of God on earth without the presence of the King.

     The formidable task we face as believers in God’ prophetic Word is to stand firm and continue to proclaim the truth of the Lord’s soon return to as many people as we can, as quickly as we can.

     There is only one basic defense against the apostasy that is epidemic in the church today, and that is a knowledge of God’s Word.  Unfortunately, public opinion polls show that the average professing Christian today is biblically illiterate, and that conclusion applies also to those who consider themselves to be ‘born again evangelicals.’  (The Popular Handbook on the Rapture, Tim LaHaye, Thomas Ice, Ed Hindson, p. 190)”

Christians today need to begin reading their Bibles for themselves, book by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse!  The reading, study and preaching of God’s Word, the Bible, is the best hedge against heresy!  To stand firm for biblical Truth begins with yours and my commitment to read and to know God’s Word and to put away and repent of all dependence on the false doctrines of man’s trendy, shallow and misleading teachings.  Needed today are men who are committed to expository teaching and verse by verse preaching of the Bible!

 

 

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The Great Delusion of the End Times

Posted on October 7, 2013 by prophecyinperspective

“And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,  that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11, NKJV)

The Bible speaks with remarkable clarity of one of the chief characteristics of the last days: Deception.  2 Thessalonians 2, among other passages in the Scriptures says that one of the marks of the latter days is that of deception.  That is, people who are well-educated and who seem religious and even “Christian” will believe and teach falsehoods so as to lead many thousands astray from biblical truth.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit tells us of a time to come, leading up to and especially after the rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:1-10), when there will be a rising tide of biblical, doctrinal and spiritual deception.  Many thousands will be led away from focus on the coming of the Lord and lulled into a “Great Delusion” that man will establish “peace and safety” on the earth through the leadership of one special leader who is to come.  The whole world grows more and more infatuated with this satanically inspired hope of the arising of a new and spiritual world leader who will direct the earth into a time of unity of nations and religion.  Growing numbers of news shows and books are featuring the deception of people who have died and come back, but what they witness to is often not Scriptural.  Many are trusting false visions or world peace and a coming world leader.  Many who do not read the Bible or sit under sound teaching are unaware when deception is being promoted.

Of course, Christians who believe their Bibles understand that this coming world leader will be the Antichrist.  In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul warns of the nature of this evil world dictator and religious teacher.  Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit is restraining the appearance of the Antichrist at this time. But when the Holy Spirit is removed to heaven with the Church at the rapture, “then shall that Wicked be revealed.” (verse 8) And at that time “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (verses 11-12)  Great judgment will come upon them, but the Scripture states that we should be aware that the preparation for this “strong delusion,” has probably already begun in our own days.  Paul states: “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work.” (verse 7) 

In other words, in spite of the restraining and powerful work of the Holy Spirit through the preaching and testimony of born again Christians on the earth now, there is a growing influence of darkness, delusion, deception, that is, “of iniquity” which is already at work and which is gaining ascendancy in the minds of many today.  It is to be expected that, as we grow closer to the end of the Church Age, there will be a growing departure from sound teaching in the churches and increasing impatience toward Bible believers in Jesus Christ.

We should expect to see in our days a greater willingness to compromise and even redefine the treasured and settled biblical doctrines that the true Church has preached for centuries and which the Lord has commanded to be proclaimed until the return of Jesus Christ.  One of these key doctrines from which the Church is departing is that of the second coming of Jesus Christ!

Prophecy is either ignored or scorned outright from a growing number of pulpits, ministries and teachers these days.  Further, sin which has always been defined as sin is taking on a different look these days.  Some of these sins are no longer to be seen as sin, just psychological dysfunctions or inborn traits that should no longer be shunned but rather “embraced.”

The political leaders that “Christians” are voting into office are avoiding any mention of God or the Bible and seem to be more and more at odds with Christianity.  They even go so far as to stand against the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and His cross.

We are seeing the aggressive removal of crosses, legitimate Christian symbols and expressions of faith all over America today.  Hatred for things holy is reflective of the growing animosity against Christianity around the world.  Every day I am seeing more bumper stickers which use various false religious symbols, including the cross to spell out the word, “Coexist.”  Have you seen them?  Islam is growing more bold to destroy churches and kill Christians in other countries and to delude people here in America, with the help of a very sympathetic President Obama and many compromising Christian leaders, into thinking that Islam only wishes to “coexist” with the Church.  Yet, Islam, when  practiced according to its own true convictions, desires the destruction and subjugation of the Christians and Jews as an inferior and defeated people.

The confusion and division now existing in America, which is greater now than ever in my memory, and which seems deliberately contrived, is yet another in the long list of evidences that there is a working of a “Strong Delusion” in the land, and in the world today.  Sad to say, this delusion is escaping the notice of the Church which is largely distracted and often lulled to sleep by its own tired quest for personal success and self-fulfillment.

But the spiritual delusion keeps getting more pronounced to those who have eyes to see.  For example, US Navy Yard shooter, Aaron Alexis, claimed via an e-mail that extremely low-frequency waves (ELF) forced him to commit violence when he shot and killed twelve innocent people.  Could this be a part of the “Strong Delusion” of the latter days?  Another example is that of Miriam Carey, the 34-year-old dental hygienist who attempted to drive through White House barriers a few days ago.  She was under the impression that  “the president had placed Stamford (her town) under lockdown and that her house was under electronic surveillance.”  While her concern is not beyond believability, I believe she may have been induced demonically to commit this act that was not characteristic of her.  How many Christians would have to admit that evil thoughts have invaded their minds and even induced them to live out activities or behaviors that are contrary to the will of the Holy Spirit.  This is just what appears to be worsening in these latter days.  Acts of violence and murder which are  induced by strong mental “delusions” is on the rise in our day.  Does this have prophetic significance?  I believe it does.  I believe the “Strong Delusion,” which will be prominent in the Tribulation period is even now presenting itself in some preliminary fashion.

Those who take the mark of the beast  in the Tribulation Period, 666, “in their right hand, or in their foreheads” (Revelation 13:15-18), will be among those who will receive this “strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11) Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 3:4 that Satan has “blinded the minds of them which believe not.”  Many who have gotten into internet pornography, drugs, Satanism, and New Age, as well as those trapped in the bondage of worshipping false gods, have to a greater or lesser extent opened themselves to satanic delusion, influence, and even direction.  There is a demonic spirit of insanity that is hard at work in the minds of the lost today.  This is in preparation for what is to come.

During the Tribulation Period multiplied millions will come under the mental command of spiritual powers of darkness to induce them to attack Jews and Tribulation Saints with ruthless abandon on a global scale.  What Hollywood has produced in movies in recent years depicting vile and insane subhuman activity will pale in comparison to the holocaust of wonton destruction that awaits the world of those who will be left behind after the Rapture.

This delusion is rising and is gaining in power over the minds of many millions in these latter days.  Liberalism in education, religion and political libertines who are promoting free love and redefining marriage and family to conform with growing perversions of humanistic philosophy are being inspired and used by the Evil One to bring individuals, families and nations into demonic bondage.  Giving in to the doctrines of devils and toying with the occult will often induce insanity.  In this way, the minds of men and women can be directed by evil impulses to commit not only violent crimes, but also to believe and defend sinful and immoral behavior.  In this way evil is reasoned and supported even by law as normal, and righteousness and biblical morality is disdained as hateful and harshly prejudiced.

This is certainly a time when believers need to read the Word of God as never before.  This study of the Word of God needs to be book by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse.  You might have noticed that many pastors have gotten away from this kind of preaching and teaching.  This is a time when, at all cost, Christians need to seek out teachers who are still  proclaiming the truth of “all the counsel of God,” (Acts 20:27) including the virgin birth and sinlessness of Jesus Christ, His substitutionary death on the cross, His bodily resurrection and personal return which involves the teaching of Bible prophecy.

Only Jesus Christ can turn the darkness of sin and delusion into the light and hope of new life.  Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:6, these encouraging words for us to gain clear thinking in these days:  “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 

But all of this is for nothing unless you trust in Jesus Christ yourself as your personal Savior:  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)  You can get saved right now and have all of your sins forgiven, and receive a new mind, new outlook and new hope for an eternal future that begins today if you receive Jesus Christ, by faith, as your personal Savior: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)  Your delusions can be turned to truth and your defeat can be turned into joy and victory, even in these latter days by trusting in Jesus Christ.  Pray to receive Him as your Savior right now!  He wants you to be ready for Him when He returns.  He is coming at any moment! Are you ready?

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World Events are Proving Bible Prophecy to be True

Posted on October 1, 2013 by prophecyinperspective

In Daniel chapters 2 and 7 we see the prophecies of the arising of four world empires from Daniel’s time until the First and Second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus, in Matthew chapter 24 gives the outline and much detail of the unfolding of End Time events.  As we watch the news of today, and as we compare these and many other prophetic statements of the Scriptures, we can see that world events are literally proving Bible prophecy to be true!

Today, we are very likely living toward the close of the Church age (Revelation 3:14-22)  This age will conclude with the rapture of the Church, when all born-again believers in Jesus Christ will be suddenly caught away to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  Every Christian should become familiar with the Book of Daniel, especially chapters 2, 7, 9 and 12, as well as Matthew 24 and 25, for starters.  Then it will be important for each Christian, who is studying Bible prophecy while seeking to walk in obedience to God’s Word (Psalm 119:9-16), to look prayerfully and discerningly at world events and see how history is unfolding precisely as the Bible predicts.

Jesus said about the signs of the times that the disciples were to look for in Matthew 24:

32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation (genea= “race, kind, family, stock, breed, that is: the Jewish race) will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Keep your eyes on Israel and the affairs surrounding them)  36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  (These are truly indications of the nearness of the hour of the return of Jesus Christ, as we see the growth of wickedness in the world today.)

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has played the true diplomat during his visit to the U.S. when he clearly told President Obama to keep the pressure on Iran and not to be taken in by their smiles.  He called Iran’s President in his speech to the UN, “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”   Mr. Obama does not seem to have a clue as to how dangerous Iran is, but Mr. Netanyahu, as a Jewish leader, does.

Christians need to wake up to the realities of unfolding prophecy to see just how close we are to the coming of the Lord, and to the world-wide judgments that will perhaps very soon come upon the world (Revelation 6:1-17).  The wars, and rumors of wars, earthquakes, floods, pestilences,  unrest and confusion among the nations, and the break down of love and regard toward human life as well as many other indications show us that we are in the latter days of this present age.  God has an amazing and eternal future for all those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior!!

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Does God Speak Through Tornadoes?

Posted on June 4, 2013 by prophecyinperspective

The Bible many times speaks about whirlwinds. In Jeremiah there is a reference to God sending “even a grievous whirlwind” (Jeremiah 23:19).  The focus of this whirlwind is the “wicked.” The wickedness in America has certainly grown to a crises level. Could God be trying to speak to America through these recent tornado outbreaks? I believe He is. God, Who defined marriage, the basic building block of society, as between one man and one woman is now faced with answering rebellious man in America who is seeking to redefine it also as “same-sex” marriage.  The effort is ultimately to destroy the family so the world will be better prepared to be fully loyal to the coming Antichrist.  We see in Matthew 24:15, Antichrist will demand absolute loyalty above God.  In Revelation 13:16-18, we see that no one can buy or sell with out the mark:  666.  Also, in 1 Timothy 4:1, he and his followers will forbid marriage and command even what we can eat.

Further, our federal government is really pushing abortion and sex outside the bonds of marriage as a good thing.  This is why there is a stong desire by the government to require even churches and Christian employers to provide birth-control to members and employees. Requiring them to finance abortions is not far behind! Abortion is basic child-killing.  The ancient practitioners of Baalism and other abominable religions, such as the worship of Molech (Leviticus 18:21; Judges 10:6) in an around the land of Israel practiced such things. Further, because of President Obama’s confused Islamic/Socialist/liberal Christian world-view, America is weak in its support of Israel’s sovereignty as a nation.  So long as America supports and advances the abominable and diabolical idea of a “two-state solution” then we can certainly expect more tornado and hurricane disasters.

Further, violence against the innocent, growing institutional and legal rebellion against the worship of God through the Lord Jesus Christ as is seen in rapidly changing rules in the military forbiding Chaplains and others to pray in the name of Jesus, and now the opening of the Boy Scouts to homosexual members, all tell us that the Bible and those who believe in it are being viewed with increased disdain.  There is also a growing interest in combining sound doctrine with false religions like Islam and Hinduism to form vile hybrids like “Chrislam.”  Again, history shows that there were similar atrocities and abominations in ancient Israel.  They were heavily influenced with the pluralistic and “open-minded” thinking of their day.  God warned them over and over, but they did not listen.  So, God uttered this prophecy against them, but also against any nation of our own day that forgets God:  “Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind:  it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart:  in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly” (Jeremiah 23:19-20).

The recent rash of tornadoes in Oklahoma, and in other states, especially the suddenness and immense and unusual destructive power of them, should make us pay attention.  God, is speaking to America!  Interestingly, this prophecy from Jeremiah says:  “in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.”  This indicates to students of Bible prophecy, that these predictions and their purpose will become clearer in the latter days.  Most prophecy teachers who believe and teach sound doctrine believe that we are now in the latter days.  This whirlwind that God declares that He will send is said to come to manifest the “anger of the Lord” which, Jeremiah states, “shall not return, until He have executed, and till He have performed THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART.” I believe that God is telling us the thoughts of His heart in these recent tornado disasters.

While we see many who believe in God also have their homes damaged and even taken to heaven through some of these devastating tornadoes, we can be sure that God is speaking through the “whirlwind,” and through other disasters and scandals to America today.  It is time for Christians to take a clear stand for God and for His truth! Are you a compromising Christian? Today is a good day to repent and to humble yourself before the Lord and to walk, talk, vote and work in ways that are consistent with Biblical Christianity and faithful to the Lord Jesus.  He is coming for His church at any moment! (2 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Are you watching?

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“The Anger of the Lord Will Not Turn Back”

Posted on May 18, 2013 by prophecyinperspective

The Lord has a purpose in revealing His anger in the Latter days. While many today deny that God is angry at sin, and while many have even redefined sin practically out of existence, the Bible is very clear about both God’s anger and about sin. In fact, the title for this article is a direct quote from the Prophet Jeremiah 23:20 which states: “The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly.” There are at least two very important things that we should realize from this one verse: First, God is angry at sin and He will carry out His judgment against both sin and sinners. Second, God will make known much more clearly how He will unfold His plans for the world in the latter days. In other words, many prophetic Scriptures that were not so clear at the time when they were first given to the prophets will become clearer as the latter days develop.

Daniel writes in 12:4 of his prophetic book that he was told: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” As time goes on, I believe we can expect prophetic events to occur in more and more rapid succession. This is apparently occurring today! We can observe rapid unfolding of political events in America, in the Middle-East, and Israel. In America we see the amazingly rapid and simultaneous events exposing the confusion and satanic power grab of leftist leaders in the Benghazi coverup, the IRS scandal in their targeting pro-life Tea Party organizations, and the violating of the AP reporter’s rights by the government’s obtaining illegal information on the reporters. The recent reports of the Russians making ship-killing missiles available to Syria, the tragic outbreak of tornadoes in Texas, and the general rise in violence through leftism and atheism against the unborn and those already born and who were cruelly murdered by Gosnell and others! The list goes on and on that enumerates the events and the massive rise of violence around the world. Then there is the incredible spiritual deception that is growing every where and bringing religious and satanic confusion into prominence before us. (1 Timothy 4:1f; Revelation 17) These are evidences of God’s judgment. And the rise of these occurrences and events certainly should make us more and more aware of the approach of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Paul makes clear in Romans 1:18 that God’s wrath is very active today and is showing itself as the coming of the Lord draws near: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…” Since Jesus said that the latter days would be like the days of Noah, when sin was running rampant and was subduing the entire world in ungodliness, we can see in these present days the fulfillment of this warning. (Matthew 24:37) Through the prophecy of Daniel in chapter 2 of his book, he stated to king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon that the Lord revealed four distinct empires that would exist from his day down to today, the latter-day. These empires were: Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. Today, globalization is now forming the latter-day form of the occult Roman Empire over which the Antichrist will seek to rule for seven years. Then, as Daniel related, the Lord would return and fill the earth with His victory, rule and presence. (Daniel 2:24-36) Daniel said: “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.” (Daniel 2:28)

Jesus gave many insights and details of the days prior to His return in Matthew 24. As I said, the days of Noah are very significant for our understanding and interpreting the times we are in the now. We are witnessing the exponential growth of wickedness and rebellion in these days. The evil arising through godless leftist and Islamic-Socialist leadership in America alone is truly demonic in its current manifestations. These are predicted manifestations of violence, deception, confusion, and growing ignorance of the masses to God’s truth of the Bible and their increasing gullibility to false and lying political leaders such as we are seeing today. Jesus said in Matthew 24:37-44, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

This prediction covers the days leading up to the great tribulation, and includes the great tribulation itself. The great tribulation will begin only after the rapture of the Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) It will be a time of great and irresistible judgment by God upon the wicked on the earth. (Revelation 6-18) At the coming of the Lord, “one will be taken and the other left.” This refers to those who will be taken away in judgment at the close of the tribulation period and at the return of the Lord to Jerusalem. Those who will be left will be among the ones who will refuse the deceptions of the coming Antichrist and who will also refuse his mark: 666. (Revelation 13:18) These will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ during the tribulation period or at the close of it at His return to the earth. (Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1-6)

God is real, and His prophetic word will be fulfilled to the letter! God will judge sin! But today, He makes forgiveness available through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The shed blood of Jesus Christ for your sins will turn back God’s anger against your sin and against you, whom He must judge, unless a substitute pays your debt in your place. If you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior (John 1:12) then He will apply His payment, as your substitute, to you. But you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! There is no other way! (John 14:6) If you will believe that He is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins and rose from the dead to give you new life; if you ask Him, He will forgive you and He will come into your heart and make you a brand new creation! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” God loves you, and does not want any sinner to come into judgement, but into salvation through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-17) Trust Him as your Savior, live for Him, serve Him and watch for His return. He can come at any moment!

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The Holy Spirit and the Unholy Spirits of the Latter Days

Posted on May 10, 2013 by prophecyinperspective

Christians are saved by the work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit as God. He is the third Person of the Trinity.(Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7, KJV) Jesus said to His disciples that when He went to heaven we would give us “another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive…” (John 14:16-17) The Holy Spirit, the wonderful third Person of the Trinity, is promised to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their one and only Savior. His presence in the Christian’s life is an indication of their being a “son of God.” Paul said to the Romans: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) The Holy Spirit gives Christians, that is, those who are born again (read, John 3:4-16) wonderful peace and freedom from bondage to sin and loneliness which so many feel today because of the working of unholy spirits. Again, Paul said: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba (Dear), Father.” (Romans 8:15) The Holy Spirit gives Christians the knowledge and assurance that they are no longer of this world, that if they were Hindu before or Muslim or Buddhist or New Ager, now, no longer, but a child of God through Jesus Christ. The Bible says: “The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:16-17) Imagine, no longer having to wonder if you are going to heaven, and to have the power of the one true God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, dwelling within you. This is life and freedom indeed!

But there are today, especially in this latter-day unholy spirits, which are demons, which actually lie to the minds of people. They promise people great power if they will just follow the way of sin and rebellion. If they will submit to the control of some world leader or man-made religion, they will be able to be a part of a great world movement, etc. Yet there is no real inner peace, because the Holy Spirit of God does not dwell from within. Only the biblical faith, in Jesus Christ can offer this kind of peace. In 1 Timothy 4:1f we read of how, in the latter days, many will follow the doctrines of “seducing spirits.” (1 Timothy 4:1) The growing violence we are seeing in the world is clearly telling us that the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is near. Recently we have seen horrible evil perpetrated by Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia who was murdering children both in the womb, and outside the womb, after birth, in his abortion clinic, called a “house of horrors.” The Bible says we are to expect these things in the latter days. There are unholy spirits telling these people that it is alright to do these things. Also another evil man, Ariel Castro, in Ohio who callously abducted and held those three girls (and one child) captive for ten years in what is also being called a “house of horrors,” no doubt was directed by evil spirits. We are to expect this evil activity in these days. The Antichrist will arise one day, perhaps soon to make the entire world a “house of horrors.” He will abduct, manipulate, enslave and murder billions. God will judge this, but you do not need to be led by evil spirits to do evil or to neglect or to doubt God. Today you can trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and ask Him to forgive you or your sins. Believe that He is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for your sins, and that He rose again bodily from the dead. He will save you and give you His Holy Spirit to live in you. Then you need to read God’s Word, the Bible, and grow in the wonderful knowledge of God. Through faith in Jesus Christ, you will be forgiven, free, and have the amazing Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, Who is God, living in you and shining the life of Jesus Christ through you forever.

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