The Time Is At Hand: Is THIS Part of the Great Delusion?

Tags

1 Peter 5:8, 2 Thessalonians 2, 2 Timothy 3:13, Annie Bukacek, Beast system, Dr Annie Bukacek, Dr. Pamela Popper, End Time Events, End Times Great Deception, great delusion, Last Days, Pam Popper, Seeking whom he may devour

I want to cover a few odds and ends today regarding what is happening in the U.S. This blog is all about the Bible, End Time events, and deception (especially deception in the Church), and this information is pertinent and relevant. Moreover, what will be covered today is yet another sign that we are in the last of the Last Days, the beast system is rising, evil is growing worse and worse (2 Timothy 3:13), and we as Christians must be alert and vigilant for the enemy of our souls is seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). For, really, what if THIS is part of the great delusion spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2? What if? I mean, isn’t this whole unreal COVID 19 “thing” affecting the whole world?

Now, down to business. I want to inform you that in various states across America, the governors and secretaries of health have mandated that all staff and residents of nursing care facilities and assisted living places be tested for COVID 19 whether they are symptomatic or not. Ultimately, the residents still have the right to refuse such a test. But the staff do not. It is mandatory for staff. For those who do not comply, DOH’s “recommendation is to be consistent with policies for other mandated tests, such as a compulsory TB test.”(“FAQs,” https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVID-19-SNFMemoryCareTestingFAQ.pdf). At one facility in particular COVID 19 testing has become “a condition for employment [and] if a staff member refuses the test without medical justification, we will accept that as a voluntary resignation effective immediately.” Along with this, according to Erie County in New York state all facilities must send the results “to a statewide lab reports database. ECDOH reviews the results daily and then the ECDOH contact tracing team contacts those with a positive COVID-19 diagnostic test and begins case investigations. “Contact tracing is a standard tool in public health to identify and isolate individuals with a communicable disease,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “With COVID-19, we are working with these individuals to identify their close contacts, advise those contacts of the need to quarantine and offer them diagnostic testing.””(New York’s WKBW Buffalo regarding contact tracing in Erie County, https://www.wkbw.com/news/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know-about-covid-19-contact-tracing-in-erie-county)

Falling a bit farther down the rabbit hole, unbelievably, in Texas they are using new tracing technology among workers and residents at nursing care facilities, and actually, they say they’ve been using this for awhile in at least 6 of their nursing homes. It is called CarePredict. “…When a staff member at an Amarillo assisted living facility called in sick, they immediately turned to their digital contact tracing technology… Here’s how it works: CarePredict uses “beacon” technology to connect with wristbands worn by every staff member and resident in the facility, tracking their movements or interactions with each other and the environment.” According to CarePredict’s chief business officer Gerald Wilmink, “This was designed to identify when a seniors activities and behaviors change, and then we would make predictions for whether they were at risk for a fall, for depression.” (“Texas Senior Living Facilities Using Wearable Tech for COVID 19 Contact Tracing,” https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/nursing-home-investigations/texas-senior-living-facilities-using-wearable-tech-for-covid-19-contact-tracing/). When it comes to Beacon technology, “Think of the phrase “beacon of light.” That’s kind of what a beacon is, from a technology standpoint–but instead of a lighthouse emitting light into the sea, it’s a small Bluetooth radio transmitter.” (“What is Beacon Technology and How are Businesses Benefitting,” https://www.rightpoint.com/thought/2018/11/16/beacon-technology)

The Contact Tracer Estimating Tool built by George Washington University is also being utilized by health departments for the sake of determining how many staff are needed in order to contact trace in various areas around the country. (“Texas Senior Living Facilities Using Wearable Tech for COVID 19 Contact Tracing,” https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/nursing-home-investigations/texas-senior-living-facilities-using-wearable-tech-for-covid-19-contact-tracing/). And according to Governor Burgum of North Dakota, “North Dakota is excited to be among the first states in the nation to utilize the exposure notification technology built by Apple and Google to help keep our citizens safe,” Burgum said. “The Care19 Exposure app will help us improve contact tracing and continue our ND Smart Restart by notifying people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, reaching the greatest number of people in a way that protects their privacy. As we respond to this unprecedented public health emergency, we invite other states to join us in leveraging smartphone technologies to strengthen existing contact tracing efforts, which are critical to getting communities and economies back up and running.” (“Burgum: ND to Launch Second Contact Tracing App Using Technology Developed by Apple and Google,” https://www.health.nd.gov/news/burgum-nd-launch-second-contact-tracing-app-using-technology-developed-apple-and-google)

Furthermore, since at least the beginning of April, Stanford University has been tracking the sewage of California’s Bay City Area. More than likely at this time they have begun “analyzing those samples for traces of genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. That freezer is becoming a library of what the Bay Area’s bowels have revealed as the pandemic has progressed, and if all goes according to plan, it will become a blueprint for how studying sewage might provide a way for cities to detect flare-ups of Covid-19.” (“One Way to Potentially Track COVID 19? Sewage Surveillance,” https://www.wired.com/story/one-way-to-potentially-track-covid-19-sewage-surveillance/) This type of sewage surveillance has been going on for some time, including in Israel regarding polio — or so it has been reported. (“Sewage Surveillance is the Next Frontier in the Fight Against Polio,” https://theconversation.com/sewage-surveillance-is-the-next-frontier-in-the-fight-against-polio-105012) And on top of this, a small town called Lynden, Washington up near the Canadian border boasts they are the only town in Washington state investing in such surveillance of their own sewage system, (Lynden Tribune online, June 17, 2020 https://www.lyndentribune.com/news/fastest-way-of-knowing-virus-in-the-sewer/article_c8e89af0-b0c1-11ea-8c55-bb0987ab4fda.html).

And though HR 6666 regarding contact tracing has come to a standstill in the House, HR 6800 which “contains the essence of HR 6666” passed the House on May 15th and was just heard by a committee in the Senate. (Mary Holland, chairwoman of Children’s Health Defense, as well as a government website. Please check out these sources: “CHD’s Mary Holland Talks HR 6666,” https://childrenshealthdefense.org/news/chds-mary-holland-talks-h-r-6666/and “HR 6800: The Heroes Act,” https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr6800)

And when it comes to the staff and residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to the CDC, there are plans for “serial testing after the initial facility-wide testing to facilitate cohorting and identify new transmission events early.” (“Performing Facility-wide Sars-CoV-2 Testing in Nursing Homes,” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/nursing-homes-facility-wide-testing.html)

In other words, this mandatory testing is not a one time thing. This is going to be on going, is country-wide, and appears to be more about contact tracing than our health. This is not for our benefit nor our good. After all, since when have the rulers of this world be beneficent? This is the enemy’s plan to steal, kill and destroy us, and the rulers of this world are in league with him for world power.

Based on this as well as government sites, the test of swabbing is unreliable at best, especially on asymptomatic people. (“Should I Get Tested for Coronavirus Just for the Heck of It?” https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/05/31/865932474/should-i-get-tested-for-coronavirus-just-for-the-heck-of-it and the youtube Dr. Pamela Popper “Misinformation, Inaccurate Tests, and What’s Next,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDls2VIJ7ys) And the NIH even did a study on an asymptomatic person who tested positive for COVID 19 (again without symptoms) and the 455 people who had had contact with that individual. Of those 455 people, 0 –that is ZERO– of them ever tested positive for COVID 19. (“A Study on Infectivity of Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Carriers,” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0954611120301669).

So what is all this hubbub about? A virus that Dr. Fauci, in an article written by him and two other doctors in a prestigious medical journal, compared to a mere flu? (COVID-19 – Navigating the Uncharted,” https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2002387). Is this what Dr. Fauci predicted as the “surprise” pandemic that would happen during Trump’s first term as U.S. president? (“Fauci Warned Trump Administration a ‘Surprise Outbreak’ Was Coming in 2017,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3twYon8pc). Is this indeed what was planned at Event 201 in October of 2019? (“Event 201 and How It Eerily Predicted the Coronavirus Outbreak,” –Begins at about the 3.5 minute mark– https://banned.video/watch?id=5e6ae8d38af6590072b2e2b5).

Or maybe its about Coronavirus positive papayas, or goats, or birds, as President Magufuli pointed out in a recent speech. That’s right, the Tanzanian government carefully swabbed the inner part of a papaya (otherwise known as pawpaw), put a human name on the test sample, and stealthily sent it in for testing to an official lab. It came back positive for coronavirus. A papaya. Are we now to quarantine the papayas? How about the goats? Or the birds? (“Don’t Worry Tansania! We Even Took Samples from Car Oil,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rXGZ_UsYJc and the article “Tanzania’s Magufuli – Taking on Coronavirus and Imperialism” https://news.yahoo.com/tanzanias-magufuli-taking-coronavirus-imperialism-232656236.html)

And to put this all in perspective, worldwide according to worldometer real time stats as of June 18, 2020 (https://www.worldometers.info/):

226,720 people have died of the season flu this year;

628,063 have died in traffic accidents this year.

782,141 people have died from HIV/AIDs this year;

2,325,883 have died from smoking this year;

3,536,498 children under age 5 have died this year;

3,821,443 died of cancer so far this year;

19,786,073 abortions have been performed this year;

Compare that to 456,286 who have presumably died from Coronavirus. I say “presumably” because the CDC early on directed doctors and coroners to, without testing, make assumptions on death certificates regarding the cause of death. (“Montana Physician Dr. Annie Bukacek–How COVID 19 Death Certificates Are Manipulated,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzoOZC9WT1E) Indeed, from these stats it appears that the real pandemic is that of the murder of the unborn. But that is a topic for another time.

With this in mind, is this COVID 19 pandemic of panic perhaps the great delusion? (2 Thessalonians 2) After all, so many have bought into it, including churches and pastors in spite of many looming unanswered questions, unreliable media and medical info that is constantly changing, and on and on. Or is it merely the preceding delusion that leads up to the great one? For indeed, this is laying the groundwork for the beast system wherein people world-wide will be greatly deceived, and the beast will be worshiped as god. Incredibly, we are watching the final chapters of this age of the earth unfold right before our eyes. Indeed the time of the Lord is at hand. Let’s be ready, Christian. Jesus is coming soon!

The Time Is At Hand: A Call To Remember

Tags

Christ's Return, End Times Deception, Jacob's Trouble, L.A. Marzulli, Martin Luther and the Black Death, Martin Luther and the Bubonic Plague, Matthew 24, Prophecy Politics and the Supernatural, the beast system, The Bride of Christ, The Rapture

There is a lot going on in the news today around the world. First there was the pandemic of panic regarding COVID 19. It inundated the news; every channel covered it from morning till night, nonstop. Then it was all about the economy imploding if businesses staid closed for too long. Now it is all about the riots across this nation. And though our American news media is not covering it, there are riots around the world as seen on online news outlets such as 24News and Sky News. The world is burning. The world is rioting. In Greece the rioters have burned the American embassy. France is more violent than anything we have seen here in the U.S. as they declare that “black lives matter.” But, when the French rioters are asked what does that saying mean, they do not even know. When the rioters are asked why they are rioting, they say for “freedom”. When they are asked if they are doing this for George Floyd, they respond with questioning looks and wonder who the reporter is talking about. In other words, the French rioters do not even know why they are rioting; they are just doing it. Even so, this year so far there have been horrific fiery infernos in Australia, locust plagues in Africa, the COVID 19 shutdown, and now riots.  (L.A. Marzulli,”PP&S Update 6 8 20-The 2020 Leaked Calendar and the Cure for Covid-19?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyjtFl0nP5s)

 

Today, I want to call us all to remember Matthew 24, and what Jesus warned us about there. First of all, He implored us to beware of deception. That means, we must not swallow everything the news media is telling us. Since when have we swallowed hook, line, and sinker everything we are told by the news? They want us looking at certain things in order to distract us from what is most important. Like the wizard behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz, they want us to focus on the screen with the Great and Powerful Oz, to be distracted by all the noise. But, oh that we all had the discernment of Toto, Dorothy’s little Sky Terrier dog, who pulled back the curtain and revealed what was really happening.

It’s time to turn down the noise. It’s time to see through the deception. We must be alert. We must be vigilant. We must be on our guard. We must be sober. We must always have on the full armor of God. We must seek the Word daily and be in tune with the Spirit daily in order to hear what God is saying to the Church. For the enemy of our souls is actively seeking whom He may devour. But, we must submit to God, and resist the devil so that he will flee.

You want to know what is really happening in the world and why? The world is in its death throes. This world is passing away. As the Beast system rises (of Revelation), this world is being shaken. Before an earthquake, scientists have found that about 30 seconds before a quake there are tell-tale vibrations in the earth that can be detected. This brought about the early warning system that some have in place, especially in California. The earth and this world’s system is in that vibration phase. Soon, the quake of the Great Tribulation, also referred to as Jacob’s Trouble, will hit this world with great force such as this world has never seen before!

But, guess what? We as Christians are not of this world. We are the ambassadors of a heavenly Kingdom. We are not Republicans, Democrats or anything in between. We are monarchists for we serve the King of kings and Lord of lords. And God’s kingdom is coming!!! As this world falls apart, everything is aligning perfectly for the coming of God’s spectacular kingdom, world without end!!! In other words, in spite of the chaos and the perception that all is falling apart, in God’s eyes, everything is actually falling into place. So, we need to see things His way.

And I want to remind you that we are the Bride of Christ. And the Bible promises us that we are not destined for the wrath of God that is to be poured out on this earth and all the evil therein during the Great Tribulation. No!! Jesus promised to return for His Bride in order to take her (that’s us) to Himself, to catch us away, to fly us home to the Father’s house. Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first, then we which are alive and remain will be caught up to meet them in the air, and so we will forever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). In other words, before the Great Tribulation, Jesus is going to snatch us away to the safety of the home He’s built for us.

Remember the end times’ road signs I taught you about? Remember that the more the signs the closer we are getting to our destination? Well, look all around you, look at the news, look again at Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13. Look at 2 Timothy 3, 2 Peter 3, 1 Timothy 4, and Revelation, Daniel, Zechariah, and Joel. The road signs are everywhere!!!!

Wonder what is next? I believe I see war looming on the horizon, more than likely a war involving Israel. There is lot going on over in Israel all during this lock down, they have been preparing to annex the West Bank. There is a peace treaty in place with the U.S. that supports this move (January 28, 2020). How did we miss this? Well, COVID 19 hit, and it’s all the media could talk about! But, I smell war, and indeed, it is coming.

I also feel it in my gut, deep in my soul, and have for the last few years, that something even more important and incredible is immanent, something that will leave the world breathless and in shock: Jesus is coming to get His Bride!!!!!!!!! And, He is coming SOON.

Are you ready? Do you know how to be ready? Ephesians 5 is a good place to start. It is said in chapter 5 that we as His Bride are prepared through the washing of water that is the Word of God. In other words, we MUST BE IN HIS WORD!!!! Secondly, we are called to LOVE ONE ANOTHER (John 13-17, 1 John).

In John 14, Jesus encouraged His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled. He was going away, but He promised –like a bridegroom to his bride—that He would return for them. Not only this, but He sent them the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, so that they would not be alone. And on top of this, the Father sent the dynamite empowering of His Spirit that we might be His witnesses until His return. We are not alone. We are not comfortless. The God of all comfort is with us. He never leaves us, never, never, never, never, never!!! He never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever will forsake us! Not not ever! (Hebrews 13). And He wants us to comfort one another even as He has comforted us (2 Corinthians 1).

During the Bubonic Plague (Black Death), Christians remained to nurse the sick. They were not foolish. They did not thrust themselves in harm’s way, but they did not leave. Martin Luther was one of those, and writes about it for all to now read. And through those Christians, the light of Christ shined forth all the brighter. (“Whether One May Flee From A Deadly Plague,” https://blogs.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Plague-blogLW.pdf)

Don’t let the world redefine who we are. Don’t let any government official redefine what we do. Don’t let any virus redefine the purpose of the body of Christ. Don’t let anyone or anything change who we are and what we are to be about, especially in these last of the Last Days just before Christ’s IMMANENT return!!!! Remember this!!!! We are the Body of Christ. We do not want the liver to be separate from the gallbladder, nor the mouth from the heart, nor the hand from the foot. We NEED each other. We are family! We are not alone. You are not alone! Love each other. Reach out to each other. Pray for one another. The world will know us by our love for each other, and perfect love casts out ALL fear. I’m going to repeat that, perfect love casts out ALL fear! Did you hear that? Did you hear it in your spirit? There is NO FEAR in love!!!!!!! (1 John 4:18). And do not forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25).

So, I call you all today, to love one another. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit is still among you, and is in you and in this place. Let’s redeem the time for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16); let us speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19), and let us remember Jesus is coming soon (Revelation 22) and comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). So, when you are tempted to get down, remember to “lift up your eyes, for your redemption is drawing near!” (Luke 21:28)

The Time Is At Hand: My Testimony and God’s Sovereignty

Tags

Bible prophecy, Calvary Chapel, Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, Celeste Solum, Children's Health Defense, Deuteronomy 28, God's sovereignty, Last Days, Messiah of Israel Ministries, Pastor Jack Hibbs, Revival, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the beast system, Zev Porat

I want to share a testimony of God’s sovereignty. After all, He was the one who miraculously opened the door for me to have my job as a chaplain, and only He could shut that door. I had been out of work for 3 years for various reasons (illness, injury, many closed doors) when I became a volunteer at a certain facility. After being a volunteer for less than 3 months, someone approached me about being the assistant chaplain. Then, before I had even filled out an application, before that job was ever posted, before I was even interviewed, I was hired!!! It was indeed MIRACULOUS!!!! I want you all to know this. God opened the door! And doors that God opens, no one can shut. Even so, God powerfully kept me in the position of assistant and then promoted me to lead chaplain and blessed me with a godly co-worker/assistant.

 

Over the past 2 months, I have felt a great urgency in my spirit, and I worked with every fiber of my being. Somehow, I knew my time was short at the facility. I did not know why or how or when, but I just knew. And though my choice was recently taken from me (as I was told to do something contrary to my conscience or else there is the door), I want you all to know that God is sovereign in this. He is in control. The One who brought me there and opened that unseen door for me, is also the One who has closed that door at this time.

 

But, God is doing awesome things!! God is moving around this world, specifically in third world nations. Over the last 3 months and in spite of all the negativity in America’s newsrooms, I have been encouraged through international videos on youtube of the faith and repentance and incredible demonstrations of overflowing love for God in our Christian brothers and sisters worldwide. I am including links below of this move of God throughout the world. From thousands kneeling in a Peruvian town square, to thousands of prisoners in Guatemala crying out to God in repentance, to people kneeling with arms raised on block after city block in Brazil, to people’s singing resounding through apartment complexes over night in Brazil, to policemen turning into street preachers in India, to the military turned preachers and singers in the Dominican Republic, to the Prime Minister of Jamaica publicly praying in repentance along with his people, people in Venezuela kneeling in a city park, little children of Mozambique crying out with loud voices as they pray over a map of the world, to people kneeling along block after block in Kenya, to Christians holding services on rooftops and balconies in Pakistan — God has been moving in revival around the world!!!

 

But, America and Europe have been silent. Lulled by complacency and comfort, they yawned and thought “this too shall pass.” But, it has not, and will not. First COVID 19, there was talk of the economy imploding, then the churches remaining as closed and silent as the grave, talk of our food sources under attack, and now the riots from sea to shining sea and worldwide is finally waking up the Church of the west. First the Churches of California and Minnesota stepped up to the plate and reopened on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. I also know of one in Florida, one in Tulsa, Oklahoma that I used to attend, and others I am sure that I do not know about.

Recently, the church leading the charge in all this, Calvary Chapel Chino Hills headed by Pastor Jack Hibbs, had an incredible prayer meeting wherein he read from Deuteronomy 28 and stated the stark truth that America is a “cursed” nation because of our disobedience, then knelt with his entire congregation in repentant prayer like Daniel in Daniel 9. Furthermore, in Atlanta, Georgia, Christians of all races prayed in public, knelt in public, worshiped in public. Indeed, revival has begun.

 

Along with the links below, there have been some incredible articles written at https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/  regarding this move of God, what God is doing, and where we are in history. There have also been some eye opening articles/videos posted at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s website (he is the nephew of President John F. Kennedy) https://childrenshealthdefense.org/. And another great site that has video after video  of what God is doing in Israel is evangelist Zev Porat’s Messiah of Israel Ministries: https://www.messiahofisraelministries.org/ He is also on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salvation7771  Please, vigilantly check these out and take the time to read/listen so that you can be aware of what is really happening.

 

We are in the last of the Last Days. The Bible is clear. The signs are everywhere. We are living in exciting and prophetic times! Jesus is coming back soon!! The Great Tribulation is just around the corner. I encourage you all to be in the Word. To know what God has said. To be aware. To be alert. To be vigilant for the days are evil, the darkness is growing, the beast system is rising, the time is at hand. In God’s great mercy He has given Christians this time of isolation to seek Him and get back into His Word (I pray we’ve not busied ourselves with distractions instead!); He has used this time of quarantine to awaken us, this time of questioning to lead us to the truth of His soon return, this time of fear to lead those who do not know Him to believe and be saved. Jesus is coming SOON! Let’s be ready!

Links: (Plus there are more incredible videos on youtube at Your Living Manna and Christian News World)

Around the World:

Prisoners in Guatemala turn to Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKx8hVdyHLQ&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=6

More Prisoners turn to Christ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZYw0_S5XdU&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=3

Thousands of Christians praying in Peru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cK9lvMYvzU&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=4

Jamaican Prime Minister and people Repent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIcwCxAsH5E&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=2

People praying around the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKqo0xftjPg&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=11

Brazil prayers of repentance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRpAm6HMHI8

Christians seeking God in India: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYtY3IWDL3s&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=12

Christians crying out to God in Kenya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_OWjVD9yi4&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=10

Pakistan street worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efxURatmH4g&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d

In America:

Public prayer/worship in Atlanta, Georgia a few days ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MFFB_XbV6c&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=56

Jack Hibbs leading in prayer service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh69TB9oax0

Street Preaching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nX1TBGyRTU&list=PLqBchSDaCwonT-kqP2BBT9EGfeAg8Iq_d&index=14

Very IMPORTANT Things to be aware of:

Vice Chairwoman Mary Holland: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/news/chds-mary-holland-talks-h-r-6666/

Take Action: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/advocacy-center/tell-congress-that-h-r-6666-covid-19-testing-reaching-and-contacting-everyone-trace-act-is-unconstitutional-and-threatens-the-liberty-of-all-americans/

Dr. Popper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDls2VIJ7ys

Dr. Buttar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65XVhF56cUQ

Dr. Tenpenny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTiGZnqFTys

Dr. Mikovits: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/news/the-truth-about-fauci-featuring-dr-judy-mikovits/

Greg Reese: https://banned.video/watch?id=5e8c9ef7475781009430c49d

Days of Preparation: Son, Go Get Your Bride!

Tags

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 5, Crystal Lewis, Jesus Is Coming, Jesus' Return, Jewish Wedding, Jewish wedding covenant, Pentecost, People get ready Jesus is coming, Shavuot

Throughout Scripture, a theme of marriage and covenant has been threaded into the fabric of its message. From Adam and Eve, to Rebecca and Isaac, to Ruth and Boaz, to Joseph and Mary, and amazingly, God and His people, the covenant of marriage has permeated the Bible’s pages. It can be no surprise, therefore, when Jesus not only began His ministry at a wedding, but also uses imagery and word pictures of marriage throughout His ministry. Indeed, Jesus did not just come to save us, He came to make a covenant with His Bride. Communion itself communicates this incredible truth. But, let’s begin at the beginning.

In the middle east back then and today, a wedding is everything to the people. In the Jewish culture of Jesus day, it was no different. When a man of whatever age desired to marry a young woman, he would write up a covenant containing promises and guarantees that he would go and present to her publicly. His father and her father would be present, and according to some historians, this meeting would take place at the city gate where all judicial transactions and agreements would convene. And, the more witnesses the better. So, the whole town might be in on the covenant between the two.

After his promises and guarantees were read aloud to her, she would either agree or disagree to the proposal. Upon agreeing, the bridegroom would take a cup of wine and hand it to her. If she drank of the cup, it would seal the deal. Upon drinking it, he would also drink and then would say, “I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until I drink it anew in my father’s house.” And everyone would attest to this. Furthermore, he would end all by essentially saying, “I will go now and prepare a place for you, and will come again to get you.”

And so, the bridegroom and bride were considered married by all present, but they would not consummate the marriage until the place had been prepared, and the bridegroom would return to get his bride. (Example: Joseph in the story of Mary and Joseph, determined to “divorce” Mary. Though they had not consummated the marriage, they were recognized legally as being married). The timing of the wedding was in the hands of the bridegroom’s father. For no one knew at what time or day the father would send the son to get his bride.

During this time of separation, the bridegroom would obtain building materials and decorating materials, and would over time (for things were slower in those days) would build a chamber on to his father’s house for his bride. Furthermore, the bridegroom would plan every detail of the wedding supper.

The bride, during this time, would also be busy making herself ready. First of all, she would veil herself, declaring to all that “I am chosen.” She would surround herself with up to ten bridesmaids, depending on the size of the family, who would help her to prepare. They would help her to be faithful; they would help her to remain pure; they would help her to make her dress. And again, things were slower back then. It might take weeks for merchants to come through town with special fabrics for her gown. Special attention was placed on the making of the dress, and great time and effort was put into this.

Then, there would come a time when all was ready, and the waiting would begin. There might be talk of the progress of the bridegroom’s building project. Usually the wait would be around a year. So, by the nearing of the end of year everyone was on the edge of their seat, waiting.

During this time, the Bride wore her dress to bed so as to be ready when her beloved would suddenly come. Her attendants slept with her, and the attendants of the bridegroom slept with him. Their lamps were always burning, waiting.

Then, in the middle of the night – yes, it was always the middle of the night – the father would waken his son and say, “Go get your bride!” His son would jump to his feet, arose his attendants, and they would grab their lamps and burst into the streets. A cry would go forth into the night, and people all through the town would awaken to the excited shouts of the bridegroom and those who accompanied him, and the blowing of the shofar (a trumpet made out of a ram’s horn).

The bride and the bridesmaids would awaken to the commotion, and everyone would get up in a flutter of breathless excitement. All that they’d been waiting for had finally come! The bridegroom was coming just like he’d promised! “I go to prepare a place for you, and will come again to receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

Then, the bride and bridegroom meet in the street. In a potent, heart stopping silence they might behold each other for a moment and everything would appear to be put on pause momentarily before the excitement of the moment continued. All in white, clean and bright, without spot or wrinkle (after all she’s been sleeping in her dress!), sparkling and brilliant, breathtaking, the bride stands ready, and the bridegroom strong, handsome and eager, stands ready to accompany her to the father’s house. It is then that she is placed upon a litter. She does not walk nor run to the father’s house. In Jesus’ day they referred to her mode of transportation as being “flown” to the father’s house. She sat upon the litter, and then the men holding it up would hurriedly transport her, and the whole procession would follow. Once there, the door would be shut. Only the wedding party was allowed in, and all others were shut out. The door would remain shut throughout the entire week-long celebration of the wedding supper.

Did you notice some incredible elements in this that point us to things that Jesus said? He told several parables about wedding suppers (Luke 14; Matthew 21; Luke 12), the ten virgins (Matthew 25), the Father’s house (John 14), the Father being the One who knows the day and the hour (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32), going to prepare a place (John 14), not drinking of the fruit of the vine again until in His Father’s kingdom (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25), and of coming again to receive us to himself (John 14). Not only this 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 speaks of the Bride “flying” to meet Jesus in the air. All of this was the language of the covenant of a wedding. When we drink of the juice the Lord’s supper, we as the Bride agree to the marriage covenant of Jesus. We, as the Bride, are set a part and chosen, and are to be veiled and remain pure, unspotted by the world. And we as the Bride, must make our garments clean and bright, without spot or wrinkle through the washing of the water of the Word of God (Ephesians 5), until the day that the Father turns to Jesus and says, “Son, go get your Bride!”

Incredibly, the story of Jesus begins with the wedding at Cana of Galilee (John 2), and ends with the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19).

We will not know the day or the hour that the Jesus will be sent to get us, but we can be aware of the season because we are children of light (1 Thessalonians 5). Indeed, there are signs of Christ’s soon return all around us (Daniel; Revelation; Zechariah; Matthew 24; Luke 21; Mark 13; 2 Timothy 3:1; 2 Peter 3).

As we now are in the season of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church who is the Bride of Christ, let us turn our eyes to Jesus, our soon and coming King. We are in the season of the budding of the fig tree (Matthew 24), the budding of the grape vines (Song of Solomon), and the time of the marriage of Ruth and Boaz. Let’s set our heart on our Bridegroom, allow His Spirit to search us and know us (Psalm 139), make sure our garments are whitened by God’s Word. Truly, let’s be ready!!!

Revelation 22:17a, “17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!””

 

Days of Preparation: Who is King? (A letter to American Pastors)

Tags

1 Samuel 12, 1 Samuel 12:17, 1 Samuel 8, Christ is head of the Church, Exodus 34:22, Founding Fathers, King George III, Matthew 22:15-22, No king but King Jesus, One nation under God, Pentecost, Puritan Founding Fathers, Puritans, War for Independence

Dear Pastors,

I have been praying to the Lord concerning you and this nation. Before the Constitution & Bill of Rights or even the Declaration of Independence, we were subjects of the king of England. It was in those days, that we lived under the Magna Carta and were guaranteed by law that we would have representation. However, King George III withdrew that right under the law. As our Puritan Founders fervently prayed, wrote letters to the king, had meetings with officials, and discussed this grave issue amongst themselves, they came to realize that the king had disobeyed his own law. They wanted to honor God by honoring the king, but the king was not above the law. No one is above the law. It was then, that the Declaration of Independence was born which declared that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The king had disobeyed his own laws and disregarded the cries of the people, thus King George III was in rebellion, not the American people.

Following the War for Independence, one nation under God was established, and the Constitution and Bill of Rights, based on God’s law, were drafted as that which would never be dissolved regardless of emergency or war or whim of any legislature or president or court. Every ruler was under this law and under the supreme eminence of God. Not only this, but incredibly the people elected the rulers, thus, hiring them and becoming the employer of those rulers. As the United States of America we have been unlike any other nation in this world – aside from Israel itself. We have no king, no prince, no tyrant, no prime minister, no dictator, no emperor. We had no king, but King Jesus, and this indeed was one of the rallying cries of 1776.

Israel was the only other nation that had been established under God and under God’s laws. God had delivered them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, fed them with manna, sustained them with water from the Rock, empowered them to take the promised land, and the list goes on and on of what the Lord did for them as their King and Lord. Thus, when Israel asked for a king, the prophet Samuel’s heart broke. “Give us a king to judge us,” they said. “And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:6-7). And so, in 1 Samuel 12, Saul is made king at the beginning of the wheat harvest (1 Sam 12:17) – that is Pentecost, for Pentecost is the day of the first fruits of the wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22). And Samuel said to them “I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves,” (vs17).

Is not Christ still the head of the Church? Is not America still one nation UNDER GOD? Is the Constitution/Bill of Rights still the law of the land? Let’s render to God what is God’s! (Matthew 22:15-22) Just like Caesar’s image was on the Roman coin that Jesus was handed, God’s image is on each of us and Christ’s name is on each church building. Any law stating that churches may not reopen is unconstitutional and unbiblical. We are under God, not the governor. We hired the governor, and the governor is now disobeying God’s law. In effect and in no uncertain terms, your continued compliance in the name of obedience, has deemed the governor/president to be head of your church. Is Christ head or is the governor head? Will you be like Israel who on Pentecost chose a human king to lead them? Or will you like the Puritan/Calvinist Founders of this nation submit to God? This Pentecost, it’s your choice. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! No king but King Jesus!

Days of Preparation: Pentecost & the Book of Ruth

Tags

Acts 2, Counting the Omer, Deuteronomy 16, God's Feast Days, Jew and Gentile, Leviticus 23, Pentecost, Ruth and Pentecost, Shavuot, The Book of Ruth, Zev Porat

We are reading the book of Ruth in the Bible this week because this story happens during Pentecost and the weeks leading up to it, and it is commonly read among the Jews on Pentecost. My church never read Ruth on Pentecost, and yours may not have either. Most churches probably read Acts 1-2 which recounts the birthday of the Church. So, you might ask, “why is Ruth considered the book to be read at Pentecost?”
To begin with, Pentecost is God’s harvest festival. Actually, all of God’s feast days center around agriculture. Of God’s seven Biblical feasts, Pentecost is the fourth. Three of God’s feast days God commands that all men attend. They were to drop everything and go up to Jerusalem. Pentecost is one of those three.
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word Pentecost come from the “Middle English, from Old English pentecosten, from Late Latin pentecoste, from Greek pentēkostē, literally, fiftieth day…” Those fifty days leading up to Pentecost are called “the counting of the Omer.” Omer means a sheaf of wheat. It is during these fifty days that the barley harvest is completed and the wheat harvest is begun.
So, when does one begin counting up to fifty? Resurrection Sunday. On Resurrection Sunday the count up begins until one reaches the fiftieth day called Pentecost. It is on the day of Pentecost that the first fruits of the wheat harvest were waved before the Lord in the form of two loaves of bread made with yeast.
Incredibly, the main story of the book of Ruth is centered around a young Gentile widow named Ruth. She chooses to accompany her widowed and broken Jewish mother-in-law Naomi back to the land of Israel and to serve the one true God. When they arrive in Judah, it is the time on God’s calendar that is between Resurrection Sunday and Pentecost, known as “the counting of the omer.” Because Ruth and Naomi had no other source of income and were poverty stricken, Ruth goes to work gleaning in the harvest fields of a godly, wealthy, highly respected, older man named Boaz. The story culminates with the stunning betrothal/wedding of Boaz and Ruth on the day of Pentecost! Yes, that is the day that they became committed to each other, and thus, this is the story that is read each Pentecost.
Naomi is representative of broken Israel, while Ruth is representative of the Gentile church, and Boaz is representative of our Kinsman Redeemer Jesus. This story depicts the incredible story of redemption and unification of both Jew and Gentile in Jesus Christ. Not only this, but the book of Ruth is a love story, a wedding story, the story of a beloved Bride who selflessly worked the harvest and made herself ready for her godly Bridegroom.
On the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, God poured out His Holy Spirit upon the 120 disciples who were gathered in the upper room of the Temple. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, they spoke in the languages of the nations, declaring the glories of God and drawing the attention of the masses from all over the world that had gathered for the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. And Peter stands up to preach that we are in the Last Days, and that in the Last Days God would pour out His Spirit on ALL, not just the Jews. This was the message of Pentecost: the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus is for ALL whom the Lord our God will call, the redemption of both Jew and Gentile. And thus, the Church became Jesus’ godly Bride who went out to work in His harvest field of the world.
Sources:
“‘Counting The Omer’ – Messianic Rabbi Zev Porat” Explains,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WMAWZZCv_E

“Counting of the Omer,” https://rabbiyeshua.com/articles-by-kehilat/item/8-counting-the-omer

“Pentecost,” from the Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pentecost-Christianity

“Pentecost,” Merriam Webster Dictionary 1828, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pentecost

Main Biblical Passages of Reference: Leviticus 23 & Deuteronomy 16

Days of Preparation: Remember!

Tags

Battle Hymn of the Republic, Founding Fathers, Freedom is not free, Memorial Day, Pentecost, Repentance, Revival, the seven churches in Revelation

“8 “Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O you transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me…” (Isaiah 46:8-9).

This Memorial Day, let us take a moment to reflect on those who have fought and died for this nation. It is during Memorial Day that we as Americans are to reflect on the great cost of freedom, for freedom is never free. It came at a high price and must be preserved at a high price.
Our Founding Fathers knew the high price all too well. They had sought to appease King George III, had written numerous letters to the king, had meetings with officials, and desired to honor their ruler and the law. When the King did not honor them, they sought the Lord in fervent prayer. It was then that they realized that the King had disobeyed his own law called the Magna Carta. The king must be under his own law and not above it. And one nation under God was born, a nation of the people, by the people and for the people was created and a Constitution and Bill of Rights was crafted under the steady vigilance of our Founding Fathers. They sacrificed their lives, their comforts, their families, their fortunes, their reputations, that we might be free of the tyrannical rule of a king who considered himself above the law.
Memorial Day is a day to remember these sacrifices. The sacrifices of the Founders and the sacrifices of those we have known in our lifetime. Let us not forget them!
Furthermore, we as Christians are also a part of a spiritual nation, a holy people, children of God. Our kingdom is not of this world, but is in our hearts and the King of our kingdom is coming soon. The founders of this spiritual kingdom, the prophets and apostles, lived lives of sacrifice on behalf of God’s word. The world hated them, and killed many of them.
Inspired by their testimony and driven by eternity, many throughout the years sacrificed their lives, their families, their comforts, their fortunes, and their reputations that we Christians today might be spiritually free. So, even as we memorialize our fallen military heroes today, let us also memorialize our fallen spiritual leaders who gave their all for the cause of Christ.
While we are remembering those who fought and died, let us reflect on the state of this nation and the church today.
In the words of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, God is “sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat”. He is sifting the wheat from the chaff. Across this nation of America, God is doing just this to His people. For nearly three months, God has brought this nation and the church to a screeching halt. In His great mercy, He has during this time of isolation and quarantine, called His people to refocus, reassess and repent. He is saying, just like He said to the 7 churches of Revelation, “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” And what God is saying is loud and clear.

Indeed, Christians around the world are repenting too. From Brazil, to Pakistan, to India, to Guatemala, to Jamaica, to Peru, to Kenya. From sea to shining sea, Christians are kneeling in prayer for block after block after block along city streets, in front of buildings, on cracked sidewalks, crying out to God in repentance and for healing. On top of that thousands are coming to Jesus in Guatemalan prisons as policemen-turned-preachers are impacting lives for God’s glory. Even nations, via their national leadership, like Jamaica, are humbling themselves, repenting and turning back to God.
In these days leading up to Pentecost, like the 120 disciples isolated themselves in the upper room in Acts 1 may we too, in America and around the world, isolate ourselves and seek God’s face. May we at this time truly and sincerely surrender ALL. Once broken and empty of all sin before our awesome, holy God, let’s ask the Lord to fill us afresh with His Holy Spirit, to empower us from on high. And, then stand back and see what God will do once more this Pentecost!

Days of Preparation: A Call to Pray

Tags

1200 california churches, Acts 1, Acts 2, Awakening, California churches, declaration of essentiality, Habakkuk 2:14, Joel 2, John 20:22, Kentucky judge rules in favor of churches, Maryland Pastor, Ourpouring of the Holy Spirit, Revival, Stacey Shiflett, Tarry in Jerusalem, the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father, thousands of Minnesota churches

None of us ever likes to hear the word, “wait.” Nevertheless, that is exactly what Jesus told His disciples to do in Acts 1. He commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until the Father sent His promise of the Holy Spirit to them. In John 20:22, Jesus had “breathed” on His disciples, and said, “receive the Holy Spirit.”

In the beginning, God breathed into humanity the breath of life, and they became living souls. But, after Adam and Eve’s disobedience, we all “died” (Romans 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:22). For God said that in the day they would disobey and eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve would surely die. From that day forward, humanity has been dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). We were spiritually dead.

But, Jesus “breathed” on them, and they became new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old had passed away and all had become new, and we are now the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). The disciples were made new creations that day, and were filled with the Holy Spirit.
But more was to come…not just an infilling, but an empowering! Let’s now read the details of Jesus’ Ascension Day from Acts 1:
“1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

From this account we find that they obeyed Jesus and waited. They as good Jews knew that Pentecost was coming, and they knew that that day would have huge crowds gathered for the celebration. They knew from their history that God on that day had come down upon Mount Sinai in fire and smoke and great thundering and power (Exodus 19). And though they did not know for sure what God was about to do, they knew that the Father was going to empower them to be His witness unto the uttermost parts of the earth.
So, behind closed doors and unanimously, 120 of them all together and in agreement, steadfastly continued and persevered in fervent prayer. And there, in the upper room, they steadily endured for ten days.
We right now are counting up to the commemoration of Pentecost on May 31st. It is nine days away. As we are swiftly approaching that commemoration of the birthday of the church, let us too be in prayer as they were.
Strangely enough, we resemble them more so now than ever before at any other time in history, for just like them, we are shut away. So, let us, like those gathered in the upper room, be unified in perseverant prayer. In a time when the doors of churches have been closed and Christians have been huddling at home and pastors have been uncertain about what to do, let us stand steadfastly in prayer that God would again pour out His Spirit and would again empower His people.
It is amazing that churches across this nation are unanimously agreeing to reopen on May 31st regardless of government mandates. Over 1200 pastors and upwards to 3,000 churches throughout California have signed a “declaration of essentiality,” while thousands of churches (Lutherans, nondenominational, etc) in Minnesota are standing together against their government that has allowed for grocery stores and abortion clinics to remain open this entire time and has now called for bars and restaurants and malls to reopen but not the Church. And a Kentucky federal judge overturned their governor’s order to close churches, deeming there was no “compelling reason” to curtail a church’s freedom to worship. A Baptist pastor in Maryland reflected to a television news journalist that we are in the Last Days, and the Church is supposed to be meeting even more now as the Day of the Lord’s return draws nearer (Hebrews 10:25). And, many pastors, like our American Founding Fathers, have come to a very weighty decision: to obey God rather than man. Not only this, but they are also coming to the realization that these man-made rules are unlawful and unconstitutional, and our rulers are to be held accountable to the law of the land.
Through this unprecedented time in history, God mercifully is calling His people back to His Word, back to prayer, back to full dependence upon Him, that His people might awaken and realize that the time of His return is NEARER now than ever before.
So, I am calling you to prayer, like the disciples in the upper room and in unity with Christians across this nation. Let us pray for God to pour out His Spirit once again, in accordance with His Word in Acts 2 and Joel 2. For He promised that in the Last Days He would pour our His Spirit on all flesh. The Last Days started with the disciples on Pentecost, but we are still in those days and are nearing the end of those Last Days. Over the next 9 days, let us close ourselves away and wait expectantly upon the Lord; let us fervently pray for an awakening, for a revival, for God to move upon His Church once again, and for this land to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea! (Habakkuk 2:14).

Sources:

“Up to 3,000 California churches say they’ll reopen this month, ban or no ban” https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/05/21/up-to-3000-california-churches-say-theyll-reopen-this-month-ban-or-no-ban/

“Thousands Of Churches Stand Up To Democratic Governors’ Lockdown Orders: We Are Opening. Period.” https://www.dailywire.com/news/thousands-of-churches-stand-up-to-democratic-governors-lockdown-orders-we-are-opening-period/

Pastor Refuses to Stop In-Person Church Services:

Days of Preparation: The Oil and the Light

Tags

arise shine for your light has come, Arise Shine!, Jesus' Return, Luke 12, Matthew 25, parable of the 10 virgins, Perry Stone, the Mystery of the 10 Virgins, The Rapture, Zev Porat

In Matthew 25:1-13, we read the story of 10 virgins. From this story we assess that all were virgins, all had lamps that were burning, all were waiting for the Bridegroom, and all fell asleep. But there is one very important thing that they did not have in common: extra oil. Here is there story:

“1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

It appears from what Jesus says at the conclusion of this story is the importance of watching. Jesus says in more than one other place to be alert, to be watchful, to be vigilant, to never let down one’s guard (Matthew 24:42-44; 26:41; Mark 13:33, 35; Luke 12:35-38; 21:36). Why? Because we are called lights of the world. Even as God is light within light, and there is no shadow of turning with Him, and Jesus declared that He is the light of the world, we too are to be perpetually shining out into the ever growing darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16,
“14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Philippians 2:13-16
“13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

Now, in order for our lights to continue shining out, we need oil. In the days of Jesus, lamps were lit with oil. That was the fuel of the time period, much like now we utilize electricity. Thus, if they ran out of oil, the light would go out. And when the light would go out, there would be pitch darkness, because they did not have street lights or yard lights on just in case.

Even so, if we run out of oil, our lights will go out. And if our lights go out, who will shine? If our lights are under a bushel, then everything becomes darkness. Again, there is no back up. We are the lights of the world, shining out in this perverse and crooked generation.

Thus, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, 8 says,
“1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”

So, what is this oil that we MUST NOT RUN OUT OF? Is it the Holy Spirit as some teach? After all, throughout scripture oil has been referred to as the Holy Spirit. That might work, except that one cannot buy the Holy Spirit. After all, in this story of the 10 virgins, the 5 are told to go and buy oil. Acts makes it clear via the Apostle Peter that one cannot buy the Holy Spirit. In Acts 8, Peter rebukes Simon the sorcerer for wanting to purchase with money the empowerment of the Holy Spirit which produced an open demonstration. According to verse 19 Simon had said, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter responded in verse 20, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!”

The oil must go back to Jesus’ emphasis in Matthew 25:13: watchfulness. We must be watchful. We see the importance of watching with our lamps continually lit in Luke 12:35-40:
“35 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39But 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. 40Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Does this mean that we literally, physically have to stay awake? No. But, it does mean that we must be spiritually vigilant, never letting down our guard, never becoming lethargic nor apathetic, never allowing the world to seep in, never allowing the entrancing music of the world to lull us to sleep, never allowing for a false sense of security. To be watchful is to be in the word of God that it might purify and transform us (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5), to be praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5), and to be aware of the signs of the times so that the day of the Lord does not take us unaware (1 Thessalonians 5).

The oil therefore, could be likened to our watchfulness, our vigilance in reading and applying God’s word, our prayer life, and our discernment of the spiritual seasons. We need this oil in order to keep our lamps burning, and our lamps must keep on burning and never be extinguished because if our lights go out, all will be darkness. Remember, in Jesus’ day there were no street lights, no yard lights, no front porch lights to back people up if their lamp went out. So, if their lamp went out, all would be completely black. Spiritually speaking, that applies to all Christians throughout the centuries, for our lights must continually shine out into the spiritual darkness of this world. And for those lights to shine without ceasing, we as Christians must be in the word, must be praying, and must be paying attention to the signs of the times. If we do not, then our lamps will go out, and we will be unprepared for the Lord’s soon and sudden return. So, let’s trim our lamps, refill our oil, and shine on. Let’s “1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1).
Let’s be ready!

Other Messages with Further Insight:
“The Mystery of the 10 Virgins,” https://perrystone.tv/programs/mfps_0981_hd_2019_07_26mpg-488a73

“Arise Shine! For Your Light Has Come,” by Pastor Zev Porat,

Days of Preparation: God’s Divine Construct

Tags

Acts 2, don't give up, God's Divine Construct, Jack Hibbs, last day outpouring, more than conquerors, Moses, Moses and the 70 elders, Numbers 11, overcoming depression, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Zev Porat

Numbers 11:10-15
“10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.”

In this passage we see that Moses was overwhelmed to the point of not wanting to live anymore. He felt that God had put a burden on him that was too heavy, and he could not bear it anymore.

Do you feel that way today? There are Christians right now worldwide who are feeling this way today. They’ve lost their job, and they don’t know how to provide for their family. They need surgery, but doctors are not doing surgeries right now. They are in pain, but their therapists are unavailable because they are “self-isolating”. They are lonely because in the name of compassion their friends/family will not visit them. They feel trapped, isolated, depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, and that nothing makes sense. Is this you too?

In this story of Moses, Moses was overwhelmed. He was the one to whom nearly 3 million people came for answers, and he could not please them. He felt alone and heavily burdened, and threw up his hands in surrender.

But, God does not give us more than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). He divinely constructed us. He knows our build and make. An Architect builds a building with specifications otherwise known as “specs”. These specs are so important that without them a building would not be built correctly and costs would be exorbitantly high. “Simply put, construction specifications are documents prepared ahead of construction to describe how building should be carried out by contractors and subcontractors. As its name implies, they are descriptions that go beyond what photos and videos can explain and require a high-level of detail. As a rule of thumb, specifications will usually never over-explain how to build. The vast majority of problems occur when specifications fail to provide enough information. Without the dedication and proper execution of these documents, issues will likely arise when the project is finally executed.”*

Just like an architect knows how much a building can bear before they place any weight on it, and has every specific written down for the contractor, God also knows what each of us can bear. He is both our Architect and Contractor. “6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6)

So, God told Moses to gather 70 elders from among the people, and He would take from the Holy Spirit upon Moses and give of the Spirit to the 70 men. Those 70 men, including 2 who were not with the group, prophesied when God placed His Spirit upon them.

Now, what can we learn from the rest of this story? Moses had enough of the Holy Spirit for 70 men. Think about that! Read and reread that! Moses may have felt overwhelmed, but he had enough of the Holy Spirit resting upon him for 70 men!!!

And what of us? Are you a Christian? Do you have the Holy Spirit within you? Moses did not have the Holy Spirit inside him. He had the Holy Spirit upon him, but the Spirit did not reside within him. Furthermore, did you obediently wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit like Jesus told His disciples to do? Did you receive the empowering of the Holy Spirit? Not only is this in Acts 1-2, it is also in Acts 19 wherein the people of Ephesus had believed in Jesus and were saved (were Christians) but had not yet received the empowering nor even knew who the Holy Spirit was. And even if you did and have done this, God wants us to be continuously filled and refilled with His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). So let’s obediently seek Him for more of His Holy Spirit today!

We are going through tumultuous times, perilous times, the times that try men’s souls. Suicides are on the rise, depression and anxiety are sky rocketing. According to pastors like Jack Hibbs (Real Life Ministry–source below), researchers like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of https://childrenshealthdefense.org/ (source below), and even politicians (was stated by the President himself (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQj4OS_h3Ts), the very real coronavirus crisis ensuing right now is that of mental health not runny noses.

But, I want to remind everyone that God is our Architect. We have been made with a divine construct. God was very specific when He made us, and knows what we can bear. Not only this, but He gave us His Holy Spirit, and He wants to empower you with great power from on high that you might go through this very day as more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus who loves you! (Romans 8:37). Let us have our lamps burning and our extra oil with us (Matthew 25); let us “strengthen the hands which hang down and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:12-13). Indeed, through His Spirit, and in the words of Zev Porat, “We’ve Got What It Takes!”

If you are feeling depressed today, and are a Christian, give it to the Lord! He’s not given you a spirit of heaviness but of praise (Isaiah 61). If you are afraid today and are a Christian, remember that God has not given you a Spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). If you are overwhelmed today, and are a Christian, say I am more than a conqueror, and give it to the Lord! If you are lonely today, and are a  Christian, remember that Jesus never leaves us or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5), and give it to the Lord! If you just want to sleep all day, choose to get up, and give it to the Lord! If you are not a Christian and are going through these things today, it’s time to become one so that you too can stand on the promises of God for yourself and overcome!!! (Look below the sources for further instruction).**

Jesus said in Matthew 11, “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

AND…

“Let EVERYTHING that hath breath, praise the Lord!!”
(Psalm 150)

Sources:

*“Construction Productivity Blog,” https://blog.plangrid.com/2018/02/building-101-what-are-construction-specifications/

“Covid Time… The Real Fight We Are In,” sermon by Pastor Jack Hibbs, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUYTFn-65aw

“This Will Affect Everyone,” message by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-5Zpmh6yPI

“Construct, Divine Design,” sermon by Pastor Zev Porat,

 

**Becoming a Christian

To become a Christian, simply confess your sins to God, for He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). For those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved! (Acts 2:31 and Romans 10:13). Then, ask Jesus into your heart, and request that He empower you with His Holy Spirit (Acts 1-2 and Acts 19).

At this point, you will need to tell others you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, for if we confess the Lord Jesus with our mouths and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, then we are saved! (Romans 10:9-19). Baptism in water must follow this confession of faith (Mark 16:16). Even Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3).

Then, it’s time to get into the Bible! A good place to start is the Gospel of John in the New Testament. It’s page number will be in the Table of Contents of any Bible.