Has God Raised Up a King Cyrus?

"Thus saith Hashem to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and to loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and that the gates may not be shut." Isaiah 45:1 (The Israel Bible™)

The Nascent Sanhedrin is calling on Russian President Vladmir Putin and US president-elect Donald Trump to join forces and fulfill their Biblically-mandated roles by rebuilding the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Hillel Weiss, spokesman for the Sanhedrin, contacted Breaking Israel News to announce that the election of Trump, who has promised to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, coupled with Putin's expressed desire for the Temple to be rebuilt, prompted the Jewish court to send a letter offering the two the opportunity to act as modern-day Cyrus figures: non-Jewish kings who recognize the importance of Israel and the Temple.

Cyrus the Great, King of Persia in the sixth century BCE, announced in the first year of his reign that he was prompted by God to make a decree that the Temple in Jerusalem should be rebuilt.

Thus saith Koresh king of Paras: All the kingdoms of the earth hath Hashem, the God of heaven, given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a house in Yerushalayim, which is in Yehuda. Ezra 1:2

Cyrus sent the Jews under his rule back to Israel with a considerable sum of money with which to rebuild the Temple. The Sanhedrin plans to call on the two world leaders to take up this ancient Biblical decree and support the Jewish people in their holy mission.

Rabbi Weiss explained that the US elections have made the eternal Jewish dream a very real possibility.

"We are poised to rebuild the Temple. The political conditions today, in which the two most important national leaders in the world support the Jewish right to Jerusalem as their spiritual inheritance, is historically unprecedented," Rabbi Weiss told Breaking Israel News.

The Sanhedrin's letter notes that Trump's upset victory was due to his support of Jerusalem, and reminds Trump of his campaign promise to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively recognizing the city as the capital of Israel. The Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed in Congress in 1995, initiated the moving of the embassy, but has been vetoed since every American president since. The Sanhedrin calls on Trump to withhold the veto after he takes office.

The Sanhedrin also recalled Putin's connection to the Temple in its letter. During his third official trip to Jerusalem in 2012, Putin paid a late-night visit to the Kotel (Western Wall). When he arrived at the holy site, the Russian leader stood in silence for several minutes, offering up a personal prayer, after which he read Psalms from a Russian-Hebrew prayer book.

An Israeli bystander called out in Russian, "Welcome, President Putin." Putin approached the man, who explained the importance of the Temple Mount and the Jewish Temple. Chadrei Charedim, an Orthodox Hebrew news site, reported that Putin responded, "That's exactly the reason I came here - to pray for the Temple to be built again."

Putin at the Western Wall

WATCH: https://youtu.be/fKo0AQNZCSc

After this remarkable exchange, the Sanhedrin sent a letter to Putin calling on him to fulfill his prayer. At the time, President Putin did not respond to the Sanhedrin's request, but now that the incoming US president is a potential ally in the project, the Sanhedrin believes it is time for Putin to take an active role in rebuilding the Temple.

In addition to its requests concerning the Temple, the Sanhedrin is also calling on Putin and Trump to renew the 1920 League of Nations resolution known as the San Remo treaty, which essentially enabled the creation of a Jewish State by dividing the Ottoman Empire. It incorporated the Balfour Declaration, issued by Great Britain in 1917, which gave official recognition and backing for the establishment of Israel.

US President Calvin Coolidge ratified the San Remo agreement in 1925, thus making recognition of a Jewish State legally binding by US law. The Sanhedrin emphasized that it is imperative at this time, when the Palestinian Authority is attempting to rewrite world history by campaigning against the Balfour declaration, to strengthen the historic American commitment to the State of Israel by readopting the agreement.

Rabbi Weiss emphasized that supporting the Jewish claim to Jerusalem would bring benefit Russia and America, as well as the entire world.

"The leaders of Russia and America can lead the nations of the world to global peace through building the Temple, the source of peace," Rabbi Weiss explained. "This will offset the disgraceful UNESCO resolutions that are the root cause of increasing terror and violence."

Last month, the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) passed two resolutions denying any connection between the city of Jerusalem and the Jewish people, ceding to Islam a religious monopoly on many of Judaism's holiest sites.

Signs of divine intervention in Trump victory - Garth Kant -

http://www.wnd.com/2016/11/signs-of-divine-intervention-in-trump-victory/

Michele Bachmann prayed with millions at crucial moment tide turned

Election eve 2016 began without any real sign of a gathering storm. No hint a popular revolt was brewing. In fact, just the opposite.

The networks were reporting the mood in the inner circle of the Republican candidate was subdued, somber, tense, even foreboding - as if fearing the worst.

In direct contrast, the mood in the camp of the Democratic Party presidential candidate was described as confident, expectant and already almost celebratory.

Giddy.

When the first polls closed on the East Coast and the first results began to come in, those moods seemed to be swiftly confirmed by reality. The pre-election polls were not wrong. Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton immediately took the lead.

And she was winning in the battleground states.

She was leading in Florida. She was leading in North Carolina. She was leading in Pennsylvania. She was leading in Ohio. Clinton was threatening to pull away and end the suspense early.

At 7 p.m., there was no sign of a popular uprising led by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. There was no sign at 8 p.m. There was still no sign as time inexorably marched on.

Something would have to break.

And then it did.

Like a scene out of the film "It's a Wonderful Life," people had begun to pray.

But not just in one small town. Across America. And around the world.

Simple acts of faith heralded the first faint wisps of a breeze that would soon become a storm that would shake the world.

It began in Jerusalem.

Christians from many nations gathered in the heart of Israel to pray and fast for the fate of the United States. Americans knelt on stage as the faithful prayed. Organizers instructed them to pray like never before for a just God to deliver his most Christian nation. They called it the Jerusalem Global Gathering.

Christians also gathered to pray for the nation outside the U.S. Capitol. As WND reported, pastor Dan Cummins of the small rural East Texas town of Bullard led prayers for a return to biblical principles.

And it was in Texas that the prayers for deliverance were sent around the world, using modern technology.

A large prayer group had gathered in Dallas, hosted by Ken Copeland ministries. It was broadcast by the Daystar channel. Presenters David Barton and former Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., invited viewers to join in prayer.

Daystar has a global reach of 400 million potential viewers.

As they prayed, something began to stir.

"At the precise moment we began broadcasting on Daystar," Bachmann told WND, "as the polls were still open, and a national audience of believers joined together and prayed in concert, we literally saw the race break in favor of Trump."

"At that very minute."

She presented proof.

"The New York Times documented the shift in voting from that minute."

WATCH : https://youtu.be/NbBhBkZAmFQ

"The Times put out a timeline tracking the election results as they broke for Trump last night," Bachmann continued. "We went wild in the Dallas studio last night when David Barton, Ken and Terri Copeland, and various pastors saw that the victory for Trump began exactly at the precise moment believers corporately, over national television, sought the Lord for His favor upon our nation."

"We knew it was at the exact same time that believers joined in corporate prayer on behalf of voting for a godly platform. Believers brought the Lord into this election, and that made all the difference," added the devout believer.

"That is the story of last night's victory. I have no doubt. The strong right arm of a holy God heard the prayers of His people and graciously answered our prayers," Bachmann reflected.

"It truly explains the Trump victory. I have no doubt. No man can take the credit. Only the strong right arm of a merciful God."

But that was in harmony with the "believers interceding on behalf of the American election last night in Jerusalem, praying in concert with those of us praying in America."

And there is no doubt someone was listening.

In addition to the hundreds-of-millions of viewers within Daystar's reach, the event drew about a million views online.

Bachmann said there had been a genuine repentance and coordinated beseeching of God. She told WND, "We saw the effective fervent prayers of righteous believers availing much."

"And, prayers so specific," she explained, "we prayed for elections by county and cities and districts. We literally watched results follow the faithful effectual prayers of righteous people who had humbled themselves and cried out to God for his mercy. This wasn't credit for us; this was clearly the Lord's gracious doing."

Bachmann proclaimed, "It is the story of the night and the biggest story of the year. I have no doubt."

"We were told more believers came out to vote in this election than ever before," she reflected, and the numbers confirmed that.

Trump benefited from the largest evangelical turnout in history.

Exit polls showed that an overwhelming 80 percent of white evangelical voters (who made up 25 percent of all 2016 voters) supported Trump.

The people - and God - have spoken: by Pat Boone

Trump: President by the sovereign intervention of God: by Michael Brown

Evangelicals of color preferred Clinton, but she did not get the same support from Hispanics and African-Americans as did President Obama.

Polls also showed that Trump recaptured the Catholic vote for the GOP by a margin of 52 percent to 45 percent, after most of them voted for Obama in the two previous presidential elections.

Bachmann said all of this "shows the necessity of believers voting for biblical principles in the voting booth."

Despite the victory, she concluded the work has just begun for the faithful, as well as the president-elect.

"This is not the time for believers to celebrate and turn away from doing our part affecting our society with the salt and light found in the Bible."

"Now is the time," she continued, "for pastors to preach biblically from America's pulpits on the various issues we confront in America."

"This is a beginning for people of faith. It is an opportunity to share the gospel and educate people on the fundamental primacy of the foundation of western civilization: the Bible."

So, what did happen around 8 p.m. Eastern time, when the Times indicated the odds favoring Trump began a dramatic turnaround in his favor?

Did prayers sway the vote, or did they coincide with the moment the tabulations began to swing to Trump?

Either way, there could be a case to be made that the Trump victory was not really the work of man, because man chose Clinton.

She won the popular vote. Just as the polls predicted.

But it was where those people voted that made all the difference. Providentially, perhaps, the shift toward Trump happened in the key swing states needed to push him over the top in the all-important Electoral College.

From that perspective, Trump's victory might indeed be seen, even by the skeptical, as less the work of man, and more of an act of God.

Thessalonians 4:16: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God."

Donald Trump: President by the Sovereign Intervention of God - Michael Brown -

http://www.christianpost.com/news/donald-trump-president-by-the-sovereign-intervention-of-god-171408/

As the political pundits weigh in on the many sociological and ideological factors that contributed to Donald Trump's stunning victory, allow me to weigh in on the spiritual side of things.

I believe Trump has been elected president by divine intervention.

I'm aware, of course, that some people believe that everything happens by the will of God, which means that whoever wins the presidency wins by God's express will.

Yet there are times when there are so many odds against something happening, when it so greatly defies logic, that it is easier to recognize God's involvement.

That, I believe, is the case with Donald Trump winning - and remember, this comes from someone who endorsed Ted Cruz and was one of Trump's stronger conservative critics during the primaries.

Just think of the obstacles Trump overcame, including:

1. The massive baggage of his past, including the release of a vulgar video with his tremendously offensive sexual comments along with numerous women accusing him of sexual assault (as reported by no less than the New York Times)

2. his myriad campaign errors, with enough misstatements and inappropriate remarks to sink several candidates

3. a very strong Republican field, including governors like Bush, Christie, Kasich, Huckabee and Walker, senators like Cruz, Rubio and Santorum, and outsiders like Carson and Fiorina

4. the massive power of the Clinton political machine

5. the overwhelming collusion of the mainstream media.

To be sure, some will say, "Yes, God has raised up Donald Trump, but it is to judge America, not bless America. He has given us what we deserve, and it is not good."

That is certainly a possibility, and either way, Trump's many negative qualities are still glaring and our nation remains terribly divided.

But if, indeed, God has raised Trump up for certain divine purposes, it behooves us to ask what those purposes are.

First, consider this post from Pastor Jeremiah Johnson, now just 28 years old, dating to July of last year.

Jeremiah knew very little about Trump when he wrote these words: "I was in a time of prayer several weeks ago when God began to speak to me concerning the destiny of Donald Trump in America. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, 'Trump shall become My trumpet to the American people, for he possesses qualities that are even hard to find in My people these days. Trump does not fear man nor will he allow deception and lies to go unnoticed. I am going to use him to expose darkness and perversion in America like never before, but you must understand that he is like a bull in a china closet. Many will want to throw him away because he will disturb their sense of peace and tranquility, but you must listen through the bantering to discover the truth that I will speak through him. I will use the wealth that I have given him to expose and launch investigations searching for the truth. Just as I raised up Cyrus to fulfill My purposes and plans, so have I raised up Trump to fulfill my purposes and plans prior to the 2016 election. You must listen to the trumpet very closely for he will sound the alarm and many will be blessed because of his compassion and mercy. Though many see the outward pride and arrogance, I have given him the tender heart of a father that wants to lend a helping hand to the poor and the needy, to the foreigner and the stranger.'"

Obviously, Trump's policies regarding immigration would seem to contradict the final sentence here, but if the rest of this proclamation is true, then perhaps this part will prove true too as well.

Second, consider the perspective of Dr. Lance Wallnau, a Christian speaker and leadership coach who often thinks outside the box. He too felt that God was raising up Trump to be a Cyrus-type leader - someone used by God to help the nation, even though he himself was not a believer - feeling directed to read a passage from Isaiah 45 to Trump (this passage speaks of Cyrus), and say that Trump was called to be the 45th president of the United States.

Wallnau believes that God is using Trump as a "wrecking ball to the spirit of political correctness," claiming, "His emergence is such a destabilizing threat to the vast deal making machinery embedded in both parties that he has the unique distinction of being rejected by both liberal Democrats and establishment Republicans at the same time."

In Wallnau's words, Trump is God's "chaos candidate." (For my 90-minute interview with Dr. Wallnau on this subject, where he took calls from critics, see here.)

But here is the major caveat, even if all (or most of these things) are true: If Trump, indeed, is a divine wrecking ball, then he could do as much as harm as good, and to the extent that he is appealing to the fears and frustrations and anger of a nation, he is channeling some potentially dangerous emotions.

That means that we should pray that:

1. he will continue to surround himself with solid men like Mike Pence, his Vice President, or Rudy Giuliani, possibly his Attorney General

2. he will listen to the godly leaders who have been speaking into his life, like James Robison and Tony Perkins

3. he will humble himself, recognizing that the pride that has brought him this far is the pride that could destroy him

4. he will keep his word about the Supreme Court justices he will nominate

5. he will not compromise the Republican platform in some misguided effort to prove his moderation

6. he will do his best not to alienate those who are horrified by his presidency, instead pledging to be the president of all Americans (that would mean, for example, declaring war on radical Islam without declaring war on all Muslims)

7. he will demonstrate that he will ultimately help our nation as a whole (for example, with good economic policies or by proposing something better than Obamacare)

8. he will learn to act presidential (rather than vengeful and impetuous) on both a national and international level.

In short, if Trump indeed is president by divine intervention, we should pray for divine restraint on his life as well, lest this divine wrecking ball wreak havoc on the nation while tearing down what is wrong. May he be a divinely guided wrecking ball!

"AFTER THE RAPTURE" - Left Behind!!!

DVD - Coming Soon

THIS IS ONE DVD THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO OWN!

Synopsis: If you are watching this DVD and millions of people around the world have just disappeared, you need to know the truth. What you are going to see and hear in the next few minutes will change your life forever!

For 2000 years the Bible has been proclaiming to the world that Jesus would be coming back. Jesus stated in John 14:1, "I will come again."

Because Jesus has returned, millions of people who have put their faith and trust in Jesus as Savior, accepting His free gift of salvation, have disappeared in an event called the Rapture.

You might be thinking that there was something mysterious in the sudden disappearance of millions of people, but the Bible has already explained this so-called mystery. Jesus said that when He came again, He would come for those who are saved. He said, "I will receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:1-4). The Apostle Paul put it this way: "Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet"

(1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

The Rapture happened to those of us who accepted Jesus as Savior, both those alive and those who had died since Jesus was resurrected. Both groups - living and resurrected believers - were caught up to be with Him in the air (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).

We must face the facts and realize that all of us have friends and family members that are going to miss the rapture. In "After the Rapture" we hope to give a step by step explanation of what has happened, why it happened, what to expect next, what they must do, and most importantly, what they must not do!

"AFTER THE RAPTURE" - Left Behind!!!

Coming Soon

You can pre-order this exciting new DVD, release date 11/25/16* (*subject to change) and reserve your copy right now. This is one DVD that every family will want to own to leave behind for their loved one's, but prayerfully our friends and family members will watch this DVD before the Rapture and not miss it, but sadly some will certainly be Left Behind!

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To order visit our store!

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We are not endorsing extreme prepping, but we do believe that we should always be prepared! We believe that the Bible teaches that the Church will be removed before the Tribulation begins! We also believe that until that day, we are not exempt from difficult times, and will experience times of trials and tribulations. We never know when our lives might be disrupted by an earthquake, flood, tornado, hurricane, power outage, or any other number of natural disasters, or even in these times, an act of terror!

As an Eagle Scout and a former scoutmaster, the Boy Scout motto of "Be Prepared," has never been more important than in these times in which we live. We believe that every family should be prepared, and have at least a good first-aid kit, food and water for three or four weeks, and other basic supplies necessary for any emergency or disruption that we might incur. We have affiliated ourselves with some of the biggest vendors in the industry to provide you the best preparedness supplies. Please use the link below, thank you!!!

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Make America Godly Again - By Holly Carnine Spate -

http://raptureready.com/soap2/spate5.html

As millions across the nation breathe a collective sigh of relief, we have been given a gift that is nothing short of miraculous. Although we did not deserve it, given the depravity to which our nation has sunk, God has mercifully intervened and given our country another opportunity to repent and turn to Him.

The platform chosen by Americans speaks volumes to those that have tried to crush both the hopes and freedom of the American spirit. The people have voted for their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The people have voted to be free from the chains of big government and the status quo in our Capital. The voices that have cried out for justice for the unborn, traditional marriage, limited government, and law and order have been heard.

Our Founding Fathers would be cheering right now at this historic victory. Our patriots, past and present, who have sacrificed so much, can know that their sacrifice has not been in vain. America still has breath and fight, courage and hope. This is a victory to all Americans, both the born and the unborn.

Hopefully, in time, our nation will come together and all Americans will realize the undeserving gift our country has just been handed. It's as though we have been allowed one final moment as a nation to get things right and our houses in order.

We've been given another chance to repent and cling to our Creator. We have experienced over the years this truth: Rule apart from God can be ruthless and people who rule without godly morals can leave both devastation and destruction in their wake.

Proverbs 29:2 reminds us, "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Proverbs 29:4 further explains, "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down."

We have seen the tearing down of our country and we have now been given the task to build back up. As we move forward and strive to put our nation on the right track, let's not forget it is God who has given us this opportunity. And yes, we are thankful to all those patriots who pulled together to vote for real and positive change. We are appreciative to all the volunteers who tirelessly fought to make American voices relevant again.

We owe much gratitude to those behind the scenes who have pulled back the curtain and exposed the deeds done in secret. We are thankful to the American people for standing on the side of right and voting their conscience.

We are thankful for being given a platform in which we can believe. We are grateful for the sacrifices that were made and will continue to be made by the Trump and Pence families as our nation closes a chapter in its history and turns a new page.

But most of all, we should all give our utmost thanks to Almighty God...the only One who could have pulled this off this victory! It is He who promises to defeat those that would shake their fists in defiance...those who would want to dismiss Him as irrelevant, antiquated, a fable of the feeble minded.

NO! He is and will always be EL SHADDAI, our Redeemer, our Provider, the King of the entire universe. A God of justice and righteousness whose will and ways will always prevail, whose mercies are new every morning, and who sees and knows all.

NOTHING, absolutely nothing, escapes His attention. Proverbs 15:3 makes this truth crystal clear, "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good."

Thank God for hearing the cries of His people and coming to their rescue. Let's never forget individually or collectively-we all need the Savior.

Jesus said in John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

If you boast in anything today, boast in the fact that your God intervened and performed a miracle on your behalf, just like He did for the Israelites against a hardened Pharaoh's heart; just like he did for Noah in the wicked world in which he found himself, and for Joseph and David.

God has stepped in and fought a giant too big for us to fight. He has kept to His word and proven again He is trustworthy. Thank God for the truth of Proverbs 29:16:

"When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall."

God's justice will always prevail. It may not come when we expect it, but it will always come in God's perfect timing. He is the Judge and holds the whole universe in His hands.

As we move forward, let's not forget to take God with us. If we forget to do so we will inevitably repeat past history:

"But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time." (Nehemiah 9:28)

We will only get it right if we allow God to reign. No man on earth can save us, only God can do that. He is the true Commander-in-Chief and should take His rightful place in our hearts, communities, nation and world.

God gave us a gift yesterday. Now, let's do what should have been done from the start. Let's not just make America great again, let's turn back to the Creator of All, our Almighty Savior, and make America godly again! He is our only true hope.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

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The Full Counsel of God - Nathele Graham - [email protected]

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4. Every word of Scripture is important. It's a treasure of God's truth and evidence of His love. It teaches us His ways and gives us the guidance we need to live our lives to please Him. Each of the 66 books are individual, but interwoven with each other to reveal full truth. The truth found within its pages must be sought after like a valuable treasure. "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" Isaiah 28:10. For instance, you won't find a chapter that defines the Trinity, but you will find that Genesis 1:1 says "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." That rules out the big bang nonsense and evolution, and deeper study reveals that 'elohiym is the Hebrew word translated "God". This word is plural and Hebrew plurals always mean at least three parts. This points to the Trinity. Going on we see that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, then God spoke and creation began. Jumping forward into the New Testament, John explains who spoke. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1. From there John explains that the Word was in the beginning and all things were made by Him. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." John 1:14a. Just from a few verses found in Genesis and in the Gospel of John it's easy to see that the Trinity is a fact and that Jesus is God. Further study reveals that all three Persons of the Trinity were present when Jesus was baptized. Studying line upon line and precept upon precept helps us to understand more and avoid false doctrine.

Most preachers today don't teach the full counsel of God. Instead of teaching line upon line and precept upon precept, it's more common to find that they pick a subject and scratch the surface. Because of that, important truths are missed. It's easy to avoid talking about subjects such as sin and the congregation is left ignorant but happy in their lack of knowledge. This lack of knowledge can lead to a person holding onto their sin, because they aren't taught truth. For instance, the sin that caused God to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah was very grievous. "And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me; and if not, I will know." Genesis 18:20-21. Homosexuality was the sin. In order to stop that abominable sin from spreading, those cities had to be destroyed. Is that just an Old Testament problem? No. Paul gets right to the point in his letter to the Romans. He says that because people know God but don't glorify Him or thank Him, they became fools. "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their woman did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet." Romans 1:26-27. God hasn't changed His mind about this grievous sin, but if the full counsel of God's word isn't taught, this point is missed. When pastors compromise truth in order not to conflict with secular government and protect tax exempt status, only feel-good sermons are preached. God's truth needs to be preached rather than government sin. "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts 20:26-28. People make bad choices, but Paul knew that he had done all he could because he taught the full counsel of God. If a person chose to die in their sin Paul was without blame. Preachers today need to take heed.

You can't walk close to Jesus unless you dig into all of His word, but many preachers refuse to teach from the Old Testament. These men deprive their congregation of understanding. The New Testament has its foundation in the Old Testament, and if you don't study the Old you cannot fully understand the New. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." Matthew 22:29. The Scriptures Jesus referred to are what we call the Old Testament. Why should we study Leviticus or any other Old Testament book? So that we can understand God's expectations. God's law teaches us to recognize sin and helps us to understand that we are sinners who cannot do anything to save ourselves. Scripture shows us that we need Jesus for salvation. "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Galatians 3:24-25. Jesus fulfilled the law, but didn't abolish it. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but the sin in our life needs to be recognized and turned away from. Unless you study all of Scripture you'll continue in your sin. God's grace should change your way of thinking and draw you into fellowship with Him.

Another subject that's ignored when all of God's word isn't taught is prophecy. The Old Testament is full of prophecy, and many have already been fulfilled. Their fulfillment confirms that God's word is true. Many were fulfilled by the birth, life, and death of Jesus. Isaiah foretells the virgin birth, Micah records that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and Matthew and Luke give us details of His birth which fulfilled prophecy. Zechariah prophesied that Jesus would ride into Jerusalem, Daniel gives the calculations to determine the exact day that would happen, and Matthew records the fulfillment. If the Old Testament isn't studied we miss the importance of events recorded in the New Testament. On the day of His resurrection Jesus met with two of His followers who were walking to Emmaus. As they walked they discussed the crucifixion and the empty tomb. They were trying to put it all together and understand what had happened. "And it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them." Luke 24:15. They didn't recognize Him, but continued to discuss all that had happened. Jesus listened, then explained it to them. "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27. What an amazing talk that must have been! This is proof that we need to study the Old Testament in order to understand the New. The Old Testament foretold the coming Messiah and the New Testament confirms the fulfillment of prophecy.

After Jesus finished speaking with those two men, He broke bread with them. It was then that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Then, He vanished! They were amazed and hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the others what had happened. As they spoke, Jesus suddenly appeared in the midst of them. They were terrified! Jesus put them at ease and explained "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures" Luke 24:44-45. It's all there. Prophecy in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament. Jesus confirmed that we need to study God's word line upon line and precept upon precept. Pray over your Bible study and the Holy Spirit will help you understand.

What about the times in which we live today? Scripture has a lot to say about these end times and what is soon to take place. Ezekiel, Psalms, Daniel, and more give prophecy regarding today. If you ignore the Old Testament you will miss the importance of events taking place in the Middle East and how close we are to the fulfillment of prophecy spoken through the prophets and by Jesus. The Rapture will happen prior to Daniel's 70th week, and if you study Paul's letters to the Thessalonians you'll understand this. The Old Testament gives examples of how God removes people who love Him prior to His judgment being poured out. Enoch and Lot are used as examples. We read in the Old Testament "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." Genesis 5:24. This was prior to God's judgment...Noah's Flood. The writer of Hebrews tells us "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had his testimony, that he pleased God." Hebrews 11:5. Lot's story is also used to confirm that the Rapture will occur prior to God's judgment. Lot lived in Sodom among those who committed the grievous sin, but Lot didn't participate in that sin. Two angels were sent to destroy the cities but Lot had to be removed prior to the destruction. "And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city." Genesis 19:16. Jesus lets us know just how significant this was. "But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in that day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:29-30. Peter also wrote about this incident "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 2 Peter 2:6-8. Enoch and Lot both lived among people who committed sin against God, but neither of them participate in it. Nor should you. Christians will be removed prior to God's judgment, so be sure that you won't be left here to face God's judgment as described in Daniel, Matthew, Revelation, and other places in God's word.

Don't neglect any part of Scripture. Use it to witness to the lost and also for your own edification. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16. When Paul wrote these words the only Scripture was the Old Testament, which he used to reason with others about Jesus. "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures." Acts 17:2. Philip also demonstrated the importance of knowing Scripture when he explained to the Ethiopian eunuch how a prophecy in Isaiah was fulfilled by Jesus. "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus." Acts 8:35. Apollos knew Scripture and used it to show Christ to the Jews. "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ." Acts 18:28. These men were regular people who knew the power of God and used Old Testament Scripture to explain Jesus to others. You can too.

Jesus said "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39. His words are as important to us today as they were so many years ago. Search all of Scripture and study line upon line and precept upon precept. Don't neglect the full counsel of God.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

[email protected]

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

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Ron Graham's previous commentaries archived at http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is "theopneustos" God breathed.

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Daily Jot: The Standard of Truth vs Deception - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com

News analysts and Democratic Party campaign strategists are beside themselves that they were so wrong about this election. One Democratic political operator said that the entire party elite, including him, were so confident that they "totally missed it, and so did much of the news media." The news media missed it because they are an extension of the Democratic Party. A study by the Media Research Council indicates that some 96% of the media elite vote Democratic. There is a built in bias in that demographic. When does a reporter, or a poll sponsored by big media, or election predictions by the media cross the line into advocacy for a candidate or an ideology? And how can one be deceived by it?

These are pertinent questions in the wake of the election because they are fresh to discuss. They are also foundational in our current times to the warning Jesus gave in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you." If we, as Christians, are susceptible to the media's bias, we are also predisposed to being deceived. The media is everywhere and touches us in many ways even if we did not have television or cell phones. The media is entrenched in our society to the point that most everyone we come into contact with is an extension of the media and its message in some way, shape or form. This recent election is a case study on deception and the perils of it.

From the onset, the media characterized Donald Trump as a bigot, racist and xenophobe. Although they are removed now, several media outlets put a disclaimer at the bottom of stories about Trump that emphatically said that Trump was a bigot and a racist. The media went right along with the narrative that if you believed in anything Trump said, you were a bigot and a racist. This message has been so ingrained in society that even after the election, people would ask how you could vote for a bigot and a racist like Trump. Then one media analyst suggested that the election was a "white-lash" because racist whites voted for Trump. In reality, a percentage point less whites voted for Trump than for the last GOP nominee, Mitt Romney. Trump actually carried more non-white vote than previous Republican presidential candidates.

The polls were another example. Most all the polls had Clinton winning from the start. The narrative was to convince everyone that Trump did not have a chance. The polls favored Clinton because the sampling was skewed up to 12 points in her favor before even the first question was asked. The point I am trying to make here is that when everything and everyone, even family members and close friends, is pointing at you and saying there is no hope, you are a bigot, a deplorable, unredeemable person, it takes a strong belief in a Standard of Truth to stand against this kind of pressure. If you are deceived, you will give in to it. We have to be an Ephesians 6 kind of people these days, and we must stand on the Word of God, the only standard of truth I know.

Daily Devotion: The Power of a Good Example - Greg Laurie -

www.harvest.org

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. -Philippians 2:12-13

There was a special bond between Paul and the believers in Philippi. They were in great agony over the fact that Paul was in prison and could not be with them. So Paul was saying, "I don't want you to lower your guard spiritually, even if I am not around. I don't want you go into some kind of a spiritual cruise control and not continue to move forward."

Paul wanted the believers to stand on their own two feet spiritually. How were they to do this? We see the answer in verse 12: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

This doesn't say to work for your own salvation. It says to work out your own salvation. This phrase, "work out," means, "to carry it to the goal and fully complete it." In the original language, the phrase also could be translated to mean working a mine, as in mining for gold.

God wants us to carry on to the goal and fully complete our own salvation. In recognition of what God has done for us, we have to realize that He has placed the mother lode of His grace and forgiveness in our lives. We need to mine it. We need to discover it. We need to appropriate it. We need to carry it to the goal.

That may seem like a tall order. It is. But let's not forget verse 13: "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Remember, the calling of God is the enabling of God. If God asks you to do something, then He will give you the power to do it.

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