HEADLINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH - PROPHECY UPDATE



Date 11/15/15? PROPHECY UPDATE NEWS HEADLINESYesterday's Prophecies - Today's HeadlinesHEADLINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH?TRACKING BIBLE PROPHECY mag: Bataclan an Islamist target due to Jewish ownersEiffel Tower goes dark as France mourns 129 killed in worst attacks on French soil since WW IIThree Teams of Coordinated Attackers Carried Out Assault on Paris, Officials Say; Hollande Blames ISISBomber in Paris attack had Syrian ties, posed as refugeeA suicide bomber had a ticket to the France-Germany soccer game, but his explosive vest was found during a security check at the gateISIS Claims Responsibility, Calling Paris Attacks 'First of the Storm'Obama: I don't want to speculate at this point in terms of who was responsible for thisObama Criticized for Claim That ISIS Is 'Contained'Paris attacks expected to intensify calls for Obama at G-20 summit to find stop to Islamic State'Act of War': Will Congress finally vote to declare war on ISIS, after Paris attacks?'This time it's war': French press react with horror to attacksPutin calls for unity against 'terrorism' after Paris attacksFrance must 'annihilate' Islamist radicals, far-right leader Le Pen saysHezbollah chief condemns Paris attacks, vows retaliation for Beirut bombingsAssad says France's 'flawed' Middle East policy partly to blame for attacksDonald Trump says tough gun control laws in Paris contributed to tragedyParis attacks may reshape U.S. presidential raceIraq says it shared intel that France, US, Iran were targets France-bound airliner grounded at Amsterdam over threatening tweetMizzou Campus Activists and Black Lives Matter Complain About Paris Stealing the SpotlightAs Paris Burned, UK Muslims Told To 'Struggle' For Islamic State In Unprecedented Islamist Show Of ForceDutch populist Wilders seeks halt to 'Islamic invasion'Paris attacks provoke fresh migrant fears in EuropeSome EU Nations Go Public: Christian Refugees More Welcomed Than MuslimsThe Latest: German minister: Refugees not to blameAt least one man linked to Paris attacks registered as refugee in Greece: policePoland says cannot accept migrants under EU quotas after Paris attacksUS Republican candidates urge stricter limits on Syrian refugees after Paris attacksSyria refugee crisis: U.S. opens centres to speed vettingSyrian refugees beginning to arrive in New OrleansFrench Jews call for war on Jihadism as terror engulfs ParisNetanyahu: Israel shares intel with France in terror fightNetanyahu: We aren't responsible for the terror against us, just like the French Israeli leaders express condolences, declare 'wake up' call against Muslim extremismNetanyahu: Civilized world must unite and fight Islamist terror plagueFar-right settler rabbi: Paris attacks are payback for the HolocaustNetanyahu: Don't blame terror attacks against Israelis on the settlementsIDF demolishes homes of four terrorists involved in recent killingsIsraeli Army Begins Broad Reserve Call Up for West Bank Deployment in 2016Report: Netanyahu faces possible arrest in Spain over Marmara affairHaifa airport evacuates terminal after passenger suspected of carrying explosiveLibya IS head 'killed in US air strike'G-20 leaders meet in Turkey amid Syria crisisParis attack puts terrorism center-stage as world leaders meet in TurkeyDevil is in the detail before new round of Syria peace talksKerry says Syria negotiators agree to speed up peace processSaudi Arabia to continue support Syrian rebels if Assad does not leaveUN chief: World has 'rare moment' to end violence in Syria Burundi violence: Belgium and EU act over 'rising risk'S. Korea police detain over 50 as biggest protest in years turns violent in SeoulMore Central Americans fleeing violence to enter U.S., suggesting another major surgeInvestors face quagmire of falling earnings, higher ratesFed could move to raise rates in December but maybe notYuan Set to Join IMF Basket in Step Toward Currency Big Leagues5.7 magnitude earthquake hits near Kushikino, Japan5.3 magnitude earthquake hits near Makurazaki, Japan5.3 magnitude earthquake hits near Sabang, Indonesia5.2 magnitude earthquake hits near Ofunato, Japan5.0 magnitude earthquake hits South of Tonga10 dead, 27 missing in landslide in east China villageBrazil Dams Collapse: Toxic MudslideFrance to go ahead with climate summit, with tough securityObama still plans to attend Paris climate summit despite terror attacksThe Rise of the College CrybulliesFeeling Woozy? It May Be Cyber SicknessPROPHECY UPDATE NEWSLETTERSTAY INFORMED, GET EQUIPPED, BE ENCOURAGEDPre-Millennium - Pre-Tribulation - PrePARED*If you missed an issue or did not receive your daily copy - All Newsletters are archived at:?? TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...?Featured Article: Why Did God Do That??The Consequences of Dividing Israel:?French President Hollande was top target in multiple terror atrocity in Paris?The Migrant Jihad Has Begun in Paris??Vengeance and Retribution?He Who Dies With the Most Toys, Loses?Till My Change Come. . .??Is happiness a lost cause??? ?Why Did God Do That? - A Bible Study by Jack Kelley - get a lot of questions about the relationship between God and Satan. Most of them are from people who want to know how God can tolerate Satan in His presence, and as far as I can tell the Bible offers no explanation for this. All we know is that Satan regularly comes before the Lord to accuse us and will continue to do so until he's finally expelled from Heaven at the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Rev. 12:10-11).?Questions like this are motivated by simple curiosity and are understandable. It's a mystery to us and we always want our mysteries solved. But lately I've also begun to receive some questions that are clearly born out of frustration and even anger. These questioners point out all the death and destruction Satan has been responsible for, adding that untold millions have been lost forever because of him. They ask, "Why couldn't God have just destroyed him when he rebelled and saved humanity all that grief?"?Others ask why God even created Satan in the first place, knowing he'd become evil? It would have saved us a lot of pain and hardship had He not done so.?To me this type of question is an example of the pot questioning the potter, as if they're angry with God for allowing such an adversary to remain in our lives when He could have easily gotten rid of him. This implies that God makes us suffer unnecessarily, which we know is contrary to His character. But before we get into a possible response to this (no one knows the answer for sure) let's review the background we've been given on our age old enemy.?How You Have Fallen From Heaven, O Lucifer?Our first glimpse of Satan was when he turned up in the Garden in the form of a "serpent" (enchanter in Hebrew) to beguile our original parents. But from Isaiah 14:12-20 and Ezekiel 28:11-19 we can piece together a profile of his origin, fall and destiny.?The name Lucifer comes from Isaiah 14:12 (KJV). It's a Latin word that means light bearer, translated from the phrase, heylel ben shakhar in the Hebrew version of the verse.? Heylel means shining one and comes from a root meaning boastful, and ben shakhar means son of the dawn. It's sometimes incorrectly rendered as morning star, which is really a title reserved for Jesus (Rev. 22:16). He's most commonly known as Satan, from a Hebrew word that means adversary.?Ezekiel 28:12-14 indicates he is a created being, "the model of perfection, full of wisdom and beauty" and anointed (chosen) as the guardian cherub on the holy mount of God. Combining the Ezekiel and Isaiah passages we can infer that he was the head of the congregation of angelic beings, charged with leading them in the worship of the Almighty, and chief guardian of His Throne.?The "boastful" part of his name came to bear when wickedness was found in him (Eze 28:15). Excessively proud of his beauty and wisdom, he rebelled against God and uttered his infamous five "I wills".?"I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High" (Isa 14:13-14).?He convinced one third of the angelic host to join him (Rev. 12:4) and mounted an unsuccessful rebellion against God. In the ensuing judgment He lost his position at the top of the angelic hierarchy and his ultimate destiny was determined (Ezekiel 28:16) although for reasons not revealed to us, the execution of his sentence has been delayed until the end of the age. In the meantime although he's clearly identified as God's adversary, he's still treated as a dignitary by the angelic host.?Even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 9)?Here's How It All Began?Although no one knows for certain, I've always liked Hal Lindsey's opinion.? In one of his books (I don't remember which one) Hal speculated that at his judgment Satan hurled two accusations at God that started everything: "You're not just and You have no love." Of course God knew this would happen, and according to Hal He was prepared with a four part response to these accusations.?1. He created man, a being vastly inferior to the angels but sharing with them the properties of intellect, agency (power of choice) and eternal life, and gave him dominion over Planet Earth.?2. He gave man a set of rules to live by, and ordained that obedience to them was a requirement for life. Any violations (sins), even those committed only in the mind, would be punishable by death. There were no loop holes, and no one would escape judgment. Perfect justice.?3. Then He sent His Son to live a life in total obedience to these rules, the only man ever to do so, granting Him the right to govern the universe and receive all its worth as His inheritance.?4. Finally, He offered His Son's life to purchase a pardon for all the sins of mankind, decreeing that by accepting His death as payment for our sins we could live in God's presence forever and share in this inheritance as His adopted children. Perfect Love.?What Do You Say To That??Satan's reaction was to immediately steal control of Planet Earth by deceiving Adam & Eve into thinking they could "become like God" (Gen. 3:5). This deception caused them to disobey the only commandment God had given them and is how Satan has made himself the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4), and the prince of this world (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11), bringing the whole world under his control (1 John 5:19).?This was confirmed in the wilderness temptation when, in an attempt to thwart God's plan to save mankind, Satan offered Jesus all the Kingdoms of the Earth if Jesus would worship him instead of obeying God.?The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." (Luke 4:5-7)?Jesus didn't dispute Satan's claim, as He would have had it been false, but refused to disobey God.?But the deceiver has deceived himself. Too proud to apologize to God, he thinks to defeat Him (another foolish boast), even though his own defeat was clearly determined at the cross (Colossians 2:15). While the Church currently restrains his authority over the earth (2 Thes, 2:5), after we're gone he'll be free to do his worst in a desperate effort to maintain control of it. But it won't be enough, and having finally been expelled from Heaven (Rev 12:7) he will be defeated (Rev. 19:19-21), bound in the Abyss for 1000 years (Rev 20:1-3), and ultimately cast into the eternal fire (Rev 20:10).?What Was The Question Again??Now let's come back to the original question. Since God knows everything in advance, why did He create Satan and elevate him to such an exalted position? He knew Satan was going to become evil so why did God do that??This is a good question, and I've never seen a good answer to it. The Bible doesn't explain it either. So here's my two cents worth. Since God knew every detail before any one of them came to be, it must all be part of His grand plan. Nothing has been a surprise to him, nothing has caused Him to re-think or adapt. Everything has served His purpose.?And what is that purpose? To reveal His character to the angelic host through His interaction with us. To show that He's absolutely righteous, absolutely just and absolutely loving all at the same time.?His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephes. 3:10-11)?Remember, He created a set of laws that were wholly just, although after we had acquired our sin nature no one could keep them. Even though the penalty for even a single violation was death, He allowed no exceptions and no exemptions. Then He became a man Himself and bore the penalty for all the sins of mankind, dying in our place. Finally, He let everyone choose for themselves whether to accept His remedy or not, telling us in advance both the benefit for acceptance and the penalty for rejection.?He spoke this to us, He wrote it in the stars, He sent the prophets to teach us, and documented it all in His Word in such a way as to make it impossible to miss. He placed the desire to know Him in our hearts and said that everyone who asks will receive, everyone who seeks will find, and to everyone who knocks the door will be opened (Matt. 7:7-8).?In summary, we don't know how God is able to tolerate Satan's presence or why He let him remain among us. But we do know that He did everything consistent with His character to make it possible for us to overcome our adversary and find our way back to our Creator.The Consequences of Dividing Israel:?French President Hollande was top target in multiple terror atrocity in Paris- ?Editor note: Bill Koenig at - list the following headlines leading up to the terrorist attacks on France. In his book, Eye to Eye: He documents the Consequences of Dividing Israel - What do these major record-setting events have in common? ?* The ten costliest insurance events in U.S. history * The twelve costliest hurricanes in U.S. history * Three of the four largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history * The two largest terrorism events in U.S. history ?All of these major catastrophes and many others occurred or began on the very same day or within 24-hours of U.S. presidents Bush, Clinton and Bush applying pressure on Israel to trade her land for promises of "peace and security," sponsoring major "land for peace" meetings, making major public statements pertaining to Israel's covenant land and /or calling for a Palestinian state. ?Are each one of these major record-setting events just a coincidence or awe-inspiring signs that God is actively involved in the affairs of Israel??Headlines:October 14: France's Proposed Solution to Israel-Palestine Conflict Sidelines U.S.: Invited 19 other countries and the Arab League to peace talks?October 16: France urges stepped up international action to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict?October 17: 'France advancing plan to deploy international observers at Jerusalem's Temple Mount'?October 20: France's war against the Jews - Caroline Glick ?November 12: Jordanian officials arrive to set stage for Temple Mount cameras?Hollande says Nov. 13 Paris attacks an 'act of war' by Islamic State group?Debka Article: The geography of the six Paris locations targeted by terrorists Friday night points to precise advance planning in support of a primary target, namely, French President Francois Hollande, while at the same time sowing bloody havoc in the French capital, frightening tourists away and shaking the French governing system to the core. The cost in lives has not been finally tallied. Estimates range from 127 to 153 with dozens of people injured.?debkafile's counterterrorism sources note that the parties who orchestrated the deadliest terrorism attack on any European capital took into account that President Hollande would be attending a friendly French-German football match at the Stade de France, presenting them with a high-quality target for assassination or capture as their hostage. Saturday, the president was the first French official to explicitly accuse ISIS of "an act of war" against France.?One of the terrorists shouted before he died, "Francois Hollande's foreign policy is to blame!" Another was reported by a witness as shouting "This is for Syria!" while spraying gunfire in one of the targeted restaurants: The other attacks on at least six locations were a kind of vicious subplot with the dual purpose of bloody terror per se as well as a diversionary tactic to confuse French security forces and keep them running around in several directions. The president's bodyguards were meant to be distracted by two earsplitting explosions staged by two suicide bombers outside the stadium.?The guards however quickly whisked the president out of the stadium in time to escape harm.?Whatever their primary objective, coordinating so many simultaneous terror attacks by a large team called for months of preparation, precise intelligence, a variety of weapons and a large team of dedicated killers backed by exceptional staff work and organization.??Our analysts attribute the multiple assaults to a collaborative effort between Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. Together they were capable of putting up the necessary resources which included: -?1. A group of at least 20 terrorists for executing the six attacks. The French Prosecutor's office reported Satuday that seven died in suicide bombings and the eighth was killed by security forces when they raided the concert hall, where dozens of hostages were being killed. Others may still be at large.?Our sources suspect that the survivors of the group are lying low and may be planning to emerge for a second round of atrocities in the coming hours or days, like after the Charlie Hebdo episode ten months ago, which was quickly succeeded by a massacre at the Jewish kosher store.?2.? A second group of back-up confederates was made up of drivers, who drove the terrorists to the scenes of attack and were ready to extricate any survivors. They handed the attackers their bomb belts, automatic weapons and explosives and acting also as spotters who watched and recording the movements of French security forces. They also photographed the incident.?3. A command group planned the attacks, enlisted operatives, directed and coordinated them, and maintained communications among the different teams.??At least 200 operatives at various levels were completely in the picture and directly involved in at least two months of advance planning.??The night of November 14 will be remembered for the failure of France's Director-General for Internal Security (DGSI) and Director-General for External Security (DGSE) - or their refusal - to pick up the slightest clue to the massive preparations afoot for a horrendous, wide-scale terrorist outrage against their capital city.??Reclusive Muslim communities populate whole Paris suburbs and often practice an extremist Islamic life style which does not recognize the authority of the French Republic. When French police are forced to enter those areas they take care to have an armored military escort with automatic rifles. Rife with crime, poverty and deprivation, these communities are perfect breeding grounds for terrorist networks.?The alienation of the Paris Muslim community and the experiences of young radicals in former Islamic terrorist operations in the past two years have raised a high wall against penetration by French intelligence and police services and any attempts by them to enlist informers, undercover agents or collaborators able to whisper a warning when trouble lies ahead.?The French agencies therefore work in the almost total absence of human intelligence from Arabic speakers conversant with the local dialect, and rely almost exclusively on "signal Intelligence" (SIGINT) for warnings of a deadly threat of the kind that swept Paris Friday and is unlikely to end any time soon.?Since it could not have been the work of 200 lone wolves, but only a large organization with headquarters in Syria and Iraq and impressive multinational capabilities, it is hard to understand how the far-reaching preparations for a multiple Paris terror assault were not detected by any Western signals intelligence branches, including ECHELON, the all-seeing American digital surveillance system and its small brother, Frenchelon. This is bad news for other Western capitals, which ISIS has placed under threat.?The Migrant Jihad Has Begun in Paris - Robert Spencer - least one jihad attacker was a "refugee." Will European leaders reconsider their migrant policy? ?That didn't take long: one of the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadis who murdered at least 160 people in Paris on Friday held a Syrian passport and passed through Greece in October. In October, he was a "refugee" seeking asylum in Europe from the Syrian war zone; in November, he was murdering French civilians for the Islamic caliphate. The Migrant Jihad has begun.?French and European authorities can't say they weren't warned. Last February, the Islamic State boasted it would soon flood Europe with as many as 500,000 refugees. And the Lebanese Education Minister recently said that there were 20,000 jihadis among the refugees in camps in his country. Meanwhile, 80% of migrants who have recently come to Europe claiming to be fleeing the war in Syria aren't really from Syria at all.?So why are they claiming to be Syrian and streaming into Europe? An Islamic State operative gave the answer when he boasted in September, shortly after the migrant influx began, that among the flood of refugees, 4,000 Islamic State jihadis had already entered Europe. He explained their purpose: "It's our dream that there should be a caliphate not only in Syria but in all the world, and we will have it soon, inshallah." These Muslims were going to Europe in the service of that caliphate: "They are going like refugees," he said, but they were going with the plan of sowing blood and mayhem on European streets. As he told this to journalists, he smiled and said, "Just wait."?A year before that the Islamic State issued a call for jihad murders of French civilians: "If you can kill a disbelieving American or European - especially the spiteful and filthy French - or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him in any manner or way however it may be."?Then after the attacks the Islamic State issued a statement claiming responsibility for them, and warning: "Let France and all nations following its path know that they will continue to be at the top of the target list for the Islamic State and that the scent of death will not leave their nostrils as long as they partake in the crusader campaign, as long as they dare to curse our Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), and as long as they boast about their war against Islam in France and their strikes against Muslims in the land of the Caliphate with their jets, which were of no avail to them in the filthy streets and alleys of Paris. Indeed, this is just the beginning. It is also a warning for any who wish to take heed."?So war was declared, and acts of war carried out - and the response has been drearily predictable. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere was swift to try to dissociate the Paris attacks from the migrant influx into Europe: "I would like to make this urgent plea to avoid drawing such swift links to the situation surrounding refugees." Alas for de Maiziere, there was the inconvenient fact of that Syrian "refugee" who pass through Greece on his way to jihad in Paris.?Meanwhile, Barack Obama was true to form, not mentioning Islam or Muslims in his statement on the Paris attacks, and not giving a hint that it was his precipitous and politically motivated withdrawal from Iraq that created the vacuum that allowed for the rise of the Islamic State. Indeed, the Islamic State could end up being the most significant legacy of the Obama Administration. Obviously American troops couldn't have stayed in Iraq forever, and the Iraq project from its beginnings was based on false assumptions about Islam, ignoring its political, supremacist and violent aspects; but Obama's hasty and ill-thought out withdrawal took into account none of the realities on the ground: the Sunni/Shi'ite divide, the Iranian influence in Baghdad, the Sunnis' unwillingness to participate in the Baghdad government and the Shi'ites' refusal to allow them to do so in any significant way, and more. France today is paying the price for the willful ignorance and short-sightedness of Obama and his administration.?The Leftist media is firmly stuck in willful ignorance mode as well. Salon published a piece entitled, "Our terrorism double standard: After Paris, let's stop blaming Muslims and take a hard look at ourselves," and another entitled, "And so the hate speech begins: Let Paris be the end of the right's violent language toward activists." The Guardian worried that after the Paris jihad murders Friday, "far-right groups may well fuel more hatred." Neither Salon nor the Guardian, nor any other mainstream media outlet, published any realistic assessment of the advancing jihad threat in France and the West in general.?And so as the Western intelligentsia fell into familiar patterns of response, it only ensured that there would be many, many more attacks, in Europe and the U.S., like the one in Paris Friday. It seems as if no amount of disconfirming evidence will move the establishment Left to remove its blinkers, discard its politically correct fantasies, and face the jihad threat realistically. The Leftists in the corridors of power are today ensuring that there will be much, much more bloodshed.?Vengeance and Retribution - Belle Ringer - ?'Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their disaster is at hand, And their doom hurries to meet them.' - Deuteronomy 32:35????? The world is still reeling from the horror of the Parisian terror attacks.? We Christians join the inhabitants of earth as we mourn the overt display of Evil that occurred two evenings ago; even as we struggle with what our response should be.? We look to Scripture for comfort and understanding, and one message comes through loud and clear... our God is a God of Justice, and He will repay those who choose to align themselves with the Enemy.? ????? As today's verse instructs us, we see that God proclaims that Vengeance is His.? We are not to take that task and burden upon ourselves.? In other words, He will avenge the injured and the innocent; He will bring a full and complete punishment upon those who dare to follow Satan so boldly. ????? Their idolatry of a false god, and their rebellion against the One True God will be rooted out and exposed for what it is.? I like what Matthew Henry has to say on this subject:? "The Lord will never disgrace the throne of his glory by allowing this transgression to go unanswered.? But notice that the retribution will happen "in due time"; when they least expect it.? When sinners deem themselves most secure, they will suddenly fall into destruction.? That is when "their foot will slip."????? And in case the minions of Satan think they will escape God's payback, they need to understand that His hatred of sin, His strict justice, and His faithfulness to His threatening's as well as His promises, demands that He carry out His vengeance... in His timing and in His way.????? They need to remember God's vengeance against Sodom and Gomorrah, and against Edom, and even against His chosen people, Israel, when they rebelled against Him.? The one thing He always made sure of... that they would know that He was Lord!? Nothing has changed.? The enemies of God may think that their reign is ascending, and that the kingdom of the beast is perpetuating his darkness and confusion, but the Lord has declared that "the day of their disaster is at hand, and their doom hurries to meet them." ????? We must not forget that there are other Saints who also have been slain by those influenced by the AntiChrist spirit, and they are crying out from beneath God's altar; they are the souls of those who have been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained.? There are new Saints being added to that number each day, as Christians across the Middle East give up their lives, rather than deny their Savior. ?????? Once again, we should consider the words of Matthew Henry:? "They commit their cause to Him to whom vengeance belongs. The Lord is the comforter of his afflicted servants, and precious is their blood in his sight. As the measure of the sin of persecutors is filling up, so is the number of the persecuted, martyred servants of Christ. When this is fulfilled, God will send tribulation to those who trouble them, and unbroken happiness and rest to those that are troubled."?????? It is not for us to understand how or when God will exact His vengeance.? It is enough to know that there will be a reckoning one day soon... and those who have been deceived by Satan will receive their due.? Lord, have mercy on all those who loved you unto death.MAGOG RISING - DVDMagog Rising - Preview TrailerMore than 2,500 years ago, God gave?the prophet Ezekiel an astonishing prophecy to give to the world, one that would be fulfilled in "the latter days." Many Bible scholars feel that the prophesied events, found in Ezekiel 38 and 39, could be fulfilled in the near future, and that we might already be witnessing the stage being set and the actors being moved into place, in light of current events happening in the Middle East, right now.?In Ezekiel 38, Russia, Iran, and an alliance of Muslim nations invade Israel due to a "hook placed in the mouth of Russia" to bring Russia down to invade Israel. That hook could very well be the natural-gas fields discovered off the coast of Israel or the more recent finding of massive oil deposits in the Golan Heights.?With Russian and Iranian military forces now cooperating? and engaging in combat in Syria, just miles north of the border of Israel, people are asking if these events are setting the stage for the fulfillment of what Bible scholars call the "War of Gog & Magog" that is supposed to take place in the End of Days??Join us in this exciting new DVD as we examine Ezekiel 38 & 39 and the infamous war of Gog & Magog, and compare it to today's headlines and current events in the Middle East.?This DVD will be released on *November 27, 2015, and you can pre-order this DVD right now. When you pre-order one of our DVD's not only are you making sure that you receive your DVD as soon as it is released, you are also helping to offset the production costs of these very expensive projects. (*subject to change).?TO ORDER THIS NEW DVD - CLICK HERE?The Burden of Damascus and The Psalm 83 War - PreviewNow Shipping!The Fate of Damascus and the Psalm 83 War?About the time of the end the biblical prophet Ezekiel tells of a future invasion of Israel by a vast coalition of nations, known as the battle of Gog and Magog, we find this in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. As we read the headlines in the newspapers of today, and witness the conflicts in the Middle East, it's not hard to imagine that this invasion prophesied over 2600 years ago, could be fulfilled in the immediate future.? Ezekiel 36-37 predicts a gathering of the Jews to the nation of Israel, which will be followed by this massive invasion.? For 19 centuries, the Jewish people were scattered throughout the world, and until May 14, 1948, there was no nation of Israel to invade.? With the nation of Israel now a reality, the stage seems set for the war that will usher in the tribulation and the rise of the Antichrist; a war that will end with the destruction of Israel's enemies by God Himself, and lead to the signing of a peace treaty with the Antichrist.?As you read Ezekiel 38 and 39, it isn't just the creation of the nation of Israel that makes this prophecy seem likely to be fulfilled in the near future.? The nations that God tells us will form this coalition against Israel seem more likely now than perhaps ever before to form just such an alliance." The leaders of this coalition will be Russia and Iran, and currently both of these nations are right on Israel's doorstep, under the pretense of battling ISIS in Syria. I believe that there are a couple of unfulfilled prophecies that will lead-up to this massive invasion of Israel, and as we read today's headlines, we find that the fulfillment of these two prophesied events,?could happen very soon!First Reviews:"Wonderful works and video - wonderful explaining - thank you so much, congratulations God bless you I'm very glad for this gift" - L. Teodoro?"Awesome video" - L. Medley?"Amazing info!! Thank you... I felt in my spirit this same conclusion months back" - Leyito?"Very interesting and I believe about to be fulfilled.? Thank you." - D. Nichols?"Awesome video! You left a smile on my face. Thank you so much." - J. Anthony?The Fate of Damascus and the Psalm 83 WarTo Order this Video on DVD Click Here!CONVERGENCE - of the End Time Signs - DVDIs Now Shipping!!!?Now, also available on USB?Flash-drive?or as a Digital Download???CONVERGENCE Reviews:?Randy,? I just watched "Convergence" this morning and it was excellent!!? So well done, my friend.? The graphics and the news footage used are wonderful!? I love that you put in print what the narrator is saying!? The people's comments are good and the prayer is wonderful, too!?? I am so pleased and grateful to be putting this DVD in my packets!? God bless you.? Please pray with me that God will use these packets and DVDs for His glory and that people will watch the DVDs!!!!? I see how the USA is pushing Israel to give up their God-given land so things could rapidly decline for this nation.? I am so happy to be warning people and to put this excellent DVD in their hands!? Thank you again! - L. Rhone (Iowa)?"I loved this DVD, from beginning to end the message was clear that all the End Time Signs are converging upon the world, just as the Bible predicted. I cried during the part about the Jewish Aliyah when they landed in Israel and kissed the ground. Great Job!" ?- D. Koerner - (California)?Randy,? "Convergence "is so good I am watching if for the 3rd time! - L. Rhone (Iowa)?Outstanding video! Come quickly Lord Jesus! - ?monstermovieman? Just shared on my facebook, hoping to get some people to wake up and ask the Lord into their hearts! - L. TownHi. This is Cheryl, from New Hampshire. Thank you? so much for Convergence. I just received it today. I just finished watching it.??It was FANTASTIC!!? I Praise God for your Ministry. I've been praying that God would prepare the hearts of my family members when I show them the video. I'm praying that God would give them the understanding and?keep them interested to watch it to the end and also keep them awake. ???-------------------------------------------------?Our Best DVD Ever?I believe CONVERGENCE, is the best DVD that we have ever produced! It's jammed packed full of stunningly vivid images and Hi-Def clips, that thoroughly show that we are in the end of the End Times, right before the Rapture and the?Tribulation.??100 % Worded?This DVD is 100% worded for the hearing impaired. Every word the narrator speaks, is clearly on the screen.?A Must See DVD?Every believer needs to watch this DVD and then share it with their friends, family members, and co-workers. Every church, and small bible study group, should watch this DVD and use it to evangelize. There is an?invitation?at the end of the DVD, that gives everyone the opportunity to ask Jesus into their lives!?Evangelistic?tool?It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, well, then a DVD, with thousands of images, must be priceless. Today's generation does not read books as much as us old school people. But, hand them a DVD, and they are more than?likely?to watch it.??Timely?The CONVERGENCE DVD could not be more?timely! It coincides exactly with today's headlines and current events, leaving no doubt, that all the end times signs are happening, just as Jesus predicted.?ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!??CONVERGENCE of the End Time Signs"CONVERGENCE of the End Time Signs" -?Bible Prophecy fulfillment is in a period of acceleration, a time of Quickening, the world is racing towards Armageddon, now more than ever we must be ready! We are about to enter a time like no other time, a time that no man has ever seen, a time like no other time in the history of this world, as a matter of fact we are about to enter the end times. Since the dawn of mankind, there have always been wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, disease, strange-weather and false Christ's just as Jesus predicted. Fast forward nearly 2,000 years since Jesus made this prediction, and you have today's headlines lining up exactly with the Word of God. The big thing?isn't?that these events?are happening today, is that they are all happening at the very same time! Bible prophecy is being fulfilled right before our very eyes.? Fulfilled prophecy is increasing in frequency and intensity just like birth pains, and Jesus said when you see these know that I am near, even at the door.All the signs of the last days are converging at the same time. Bible Prophecy is happening right before our eyes and like birth pains, ?the predicted events are happening more frequently and more intently. Never, in the history throughout the world have so many forces, including economic, scientific, techno-logic, ecologic, cultural, geopolitical, moral, spiritual and religion, converged together to bring this world that's already teetering over the edge into the abyss, to a point of no return. "CONVERGENCE" brings it all together and will clearly show where all this heading and what people need to do!CONVERGENCE -This DVD is Now Shipping!!!CLICK HERE TO ORDER?He Who Dies With the Most Toys, Loses - By Donna Wasson - of us have heard the saying, "He who dies with the most toys, wins!" Really? Who came up with that little platitude of bovine batter? It must have been some ancient ding-bat because human beings have bought into this lie for thousands of years. Egyptian tombs are filled with fabulous riches of gold, precious gems, household items, chariots and even the bodies of the poor, unfortunate servants and horses the deceased owned.? ?These favorite things were stuffed into the tombs of wealthy individuals with the hope they would enjoy using them again in the next life. What a major bummer for their consciousness to flip over into eternity, only to realize what was considered precious and irreplaceable on earth, is completely worthless now.? ?As they look around, fully aware of their surroundings and still possessing a body of sorts, with physical senses, and understanding vastly superior to their best day on earth, when the horrible realization hits them that everything they believed their whole life was wrong; with the awful knowledge that the nightmare they're experiencing is forever.?There they are, alone in suffocating heat and darkness, with only the distant screams of the tormented for company. There's no golden chalice to hold water with which to quench their thirst. No servants to ease their suffering or talk with. No way out. No hope. EVER. But hey, at least they have vivid memories of all that awesome stuff they once owned, right?? ??A wealthy young man came to Jesus and asked Him, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do,? that I may have eternal life?" Matthew 19:16 (KJV). Jesus told him to keep the commandments, and listed some examples.? Verses 20-24 tells the rest of the story.? "The young man saith unto Him, 'All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?' Jesus said unto him, 'If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."?"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, 'Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter in to the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."? ?The Bible tells us this man had "great possessions." Strong's Concordance reveals this means that he owned a great deal of land and/or estates. He had MORE than enough to live comfortably, yet cherished these things more than the thought of following Jesus. He walked away "sorrowful." The Greek for 'sorrowful' is "lupeo," which not only denotes sadness, but also 'to grieve or offend' someone. I think this is the most likely meaning of this exchange between Jesus and the rich, young man.? ?Note that Jesus didn't tell him to go and sell ALL that he had. Christ never ordered anyone to give up all earthly possessions as the price for following Him. The disciples voluntarily left everything they had to be His disciples, but they were quite poor to begin with. It wasn't much of a financial sacrifice for them; besides, all their needs were met while they were with Him.?But this rich young man had obviously been born into great wealth, which he would have been expected to manage, increase and leave to his own children. He was most likely offended that Jesus wanted him to sell his excess and give the profit to the poor! After all, that wealth was to be his legacy.? ?Yet, this is exactly what the early church did. In an often misunderstood account in the Book of Acts, the new Christian converts in Jerusalem sold their excess properties and 'stuff' to raise money to distribute to the poor and needy around them.? ??"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."? Acts 4:32-35 (KJV)?If you read carefully, these people decided on their own initiative, out of gratitude and joy for what the Lord Jesus had done for them, many of whom had seen Him after His resurrection with their own eyes, to sell their excess lands and houses. They freely chose to give this money to the apostles, who then distributed the proceeds to feed, clothe and house the poor believers among them. No one forced or required them to do this, nor did this mean the disciples demanded everyone live in some kind of hippy-style, communist commune.? ??James, the half-brother of Jesus, stated the Lord's view on what type of lifestyle truly pleases God.? "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."? James 1:27 (KJV)??Later on, he points out,? "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have no works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them 'Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled'; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." James 2:14-17 (KJV)? ?In other words, don't go up to someone on the street who is obviously hungry and cold, slap them on the back and say "God bless you! May you be filled with food and sleep warm as toast," then walk away without meeting their physical needs. How absurd would that be, yet I'm sure that is all too often reality today.? ?So, the story of the rich, young man who walked away from following Jesus is really remarkable. Jesus didn't direct him to sell ALL he had, leaving his family destitute, in order to follow Him. He told him to sell his excess and give the proceeds to the poor, thus laying up for himself great treasure in heaven. But the thought of doing so was offensive to this man. He chose to keep a tight-fisted grasp on the things of this world rather than please God.? ??James must have had some lengthy conversations with Jesus about this. He says? "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17 (KJV)? Now, don't misunderstand-there is nothing wrong or sinful with being rich. Abraham, Joseph, David, Job and many other Bible characters were very wealthy men. They had FAR more than they needed to live comfortably, but they all made sure they resisted the temptation to hoard their wealth. They were all generous with those who were in need around them.? ??That's the key. We are to hold on loosely to the things of this earth. The Word is full of caution regarding money and material things. Timothy warned against those in the church who were materialistic. He said such people were full of "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself, but godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."? 1 Timothy 6:5-8 (KJV)?? ?No kidding people, you can't take it with you. This message permeates the Word of God, yet look at the scratching and clawing we see here in America every day; more, bigger, better, higher, deeper, faster, shinier, flashier...I can't imagine the disgust God holds for this nation. We are the richest people on the face of the earth, yet most people are unsatisfied, spending their lives wanting more. Always reaching and striving for more.? ??"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither..." Job 1:21 (KJV) As a hospice RN I can attest to the fact that we're all born naked and screaming, only to end up on a cold, stainless-steel table under the gaze of strangers, naked and mute, mouth hanging open, eyes staring at nothing, with empty hands. Doesn't matter who you are; rich, poor, famous, unknown...we all end up in the same, ridiculous, embarrassing circumstance. Humbling, huh?? ??If you're a wealthy Christian, beware. "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (KJV)? (emphasis mine). Being rich isn't the issue. Trusting in, and loving your riches to such an extent that you have a difficult time helping those in need around you, IS an issue.?Think about it. Are you willing to generously give in circumstances where you won't receive a receipt to claim a tax-deduction? What do you do when you see some grizzled dude on the side of the road, holding up a sign saying he's homeless, or out of work, or hungry? Do you pull into the other lane and pretend you don't see him? Do you count the seconds until the light changes to green, then go about your business, forgetting all about him??Or do you go out of your way to drive to the nearest fast-food place, buy him a sack of food and a drink, battling traffic all the way back, to hand it to him with a smile? Do you ever stop to think how many people in this country are out of work? Are you aware of what a dreadful time most food banks are having, keeping up with demand from hungry families?? ?Is Christmas the only time you give much thought to giving to the less fortunate in your community? Do you stick a five-dollar-bill into that red bucket while the fake Santa rings his bell, feeling all satisfied and smug as you head into the mall to spend hundreds of dollars on a load of crappola you and your family don't need?? ?Have you ever considered anonymously arranging to pay the light bill for that struggling, single mother in your office? What about paying for the little dab of groceries for the senior citizen in line ahead of you, who struggles to live on a fixed income? Have you ever secretly arranged with the waitress to cover the lunch bill for a couple of soldiers or police officers, just to bless their day with kindness and appreciation?? ?Even if you don't have much money to spare, everyone can do something giving and kind for someone every day. Believe me, when you look around it doesn't take long before you spot a genuine need. Does someone need help carrying something or getting a door opened by themselves? Can you bake cookies for the lonely, elderly neighbor down the street whose spouse just passed away?? ?Is there someone within your church congregation that needs assistance with housework, laundry or childcare while they're going through chemotherapy? Are you able to offer them a ride to the doctor's office or grocery store? Can you cook dinner for them once in a while? How about taking your kid's outgrown clothes, shoes and toys to see if anyone at the battered women's shelter can use them, before giving them to Goodwill?? ?If we're honest with ourselves, most of us could clean out our closets, hold a garage sale and give the proceeds to a homeless shelter that shares the gospel with the destitute people they feed and house. You'll be blessing others and cleaning out stuff you don't need at the same time!? ?This world is FULL of hurting, lonely, desperate, lost men and women who need to be shown the love of Jesus. Handing a homeless person a gospel tract will mean a whole lot more if their stomach isn't growling, or they aren't shivering with cold! Stick a crowbar in your wallet for crying out loud, and enthusiastically participate in the holiday giving program your church offers. If they don't have one, take the initiative to get one organized.? ?I could go on and on with examples, but you get the drift. Compared to the vast majority of folks on the planet, Americans are incredibly wealthy. We have enough food, decent shelter, health care and clothing. Our kids are able to go to school, and most of us own cars, TV's and other luxuries. Our needs are more than met every day.? ?Our children aren't being sold into slavery or having to spend their days, rummaging through garbage dumps for something edible or items to sell. We have clean hot and cold water pumped into our homes, along with proper sanitation. We're able to bathe and wash our clothes. These things are but a dream for untold millions.? ?As the holiday season presses in upon us, I urge you to resist simply giving lip-service to God for His many blessings. Take a few moments to meditate on His incredible provision, and really thank Him for all He's given you. Thank Him for His forgiveness and salvation. Thank Him for your family. Honor His name and worship Him for the incredible, powerful Father God He is.??Put down the Christmas wish-books and take a realistic look at all the stuff you think you want, but don't really need. Consider foregoing the gifts you might receive, and use those resources to anonymously bless someone in real need. Remember:? "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth..."? Matthew 6:3 (KJV). Be sneaky. It makes it a lot more fun that way!??Don't be the fool that dies with the most toys. They don't 'win' anything at all. They're just pathetic losers!?? ??author:? bensmomi99@??Till My Change Come. . . - Jack Kinsella - ?If you've ever been to the funeral of a loved one, you can understand why many people believe that the death of our body means the end of our identity, the end of our thoughts and memories, the end of our consciousness.?Your loved one, when alive, was warm, animated and engaged with life.? Now they are cold and still and totally disconnected from life.? All that you knew them to be is gone, seemingly never to see or be seen again.?I read somewhere that one of the distinguishing characteristics of mankind is that man is the only animal that knows he is going to die.? Although everything dies, only man knows that includes him.? But why do we fear it? ?When somebody dies, only the mortal remains are left behind.? What happens to our consciousness?? Do you have a body?? Or are you a body?? Is your body 'you'? Or is your body your possession??An atheist would argue that the body and the consciousness are one and the same.? When the body dies, the consciousness dies as well.?In this view, you are your body.? There is no 'ghost in the machine'.? Your brain produces your mind, and your mind is what makes you think that you are you.? The atheist credits 'reason' for his reaching this 'enlightened' perspective.?But to qualify as an atheist, one must know EXACTLY what happens to the mind, will and emotions when the body dies. ?If they even entertain the possibility that death is a great unknown, then they are not atheists.? They are now agnostics.?(For a worldview that claims 'reason' as its father, it really isn't very reasonable.)?Assessment:?As early as Job's time, God had revealed the existence of the Redeemer Christ, and the PHYSICAL resurrection of the dead.? Job not only expected to see Christ with his PHYSICAL eyes, (Job 19:25-27) but he expected his physical body to be changed.?"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." (Job 19:25-27)?"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2)?". . . all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. . . "?Job awaited the call of the trumpet at the Rapture, thousands of years before it was generally known as doctrine.?"Thou shalt call . . ." (Job 14:14-15)?But in all these Scriptures, the reference is to the PHYSICAL body which is 'asleep' -- and NOT the spirit.? Solomon addressed the eventual end of both body AND spirit.?"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12:7)?Physical death is NOT the end of consciousness. The Apostle Paul spoke of physical death as the time when the spirit is "absent from the body" but "present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)?Jesus Himself explained what happens to us spiritually when we experience physical death.?"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. . " (Luke 16:22)?Lazarus the beggar died PHYSICALLY, but his spirit was carried by the angels into Paradise.? The rich man died PHYSICALLY and was buried, but his spirit was very much conscious in hell.?"And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." (16:23)?Note the following facts from this passage of Scripture.? Lazarus, Abraham and the rich man were all there, and they were all conscious of their surroundings.?"And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. " (16:24)?The rich man was conscious of his torment, was capable of addressing Abraham, and was aware of Lazarus.? Abraham was equally conscious of HIS surroundings, as well as those of the rich man, and was capable of giving reply.?"But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." (16:25-26)?Not only that, the rich man, (who was NOT in the Lake of Fire, but hell, which establishes this story as playing out in real-time at some point before Christ's resurrection -- rather than after the Great White Throne Judgment), was not only conscious and aware of his surroundings, but his earthly memories remained intact:?"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." (16:27-28)?The rich man remembered (and still cared for) his father and his five brothers as living individuals that he knew from his earthly life.?His PHYSICAL body was dead (or 'asleep') but his soul was very much 'alive' in the sense of his consciousness.? So, what happens when we die?? We are absent from the body, but there is no cessation of consciousness until the resurrection.?When John writes: "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection," (Revelation 20:5) he is addressing the PHYSICAL resurrection of the dead whose consciousness remains awake in hell with the rich man until final judgment.?Once the resurrected body and spirit are reunited at the Great White Throne, they are cast, both body and soul, into the lake of fire.? John says, "this is the second death," since it refers to both the physical and spiritual separation from God for eternity.?As to the 'dead in Christ' -- they are also conscious, but in Heaven in the presence of the Lord from the moment of physical death until the Rapture.?Furthering Job's theme of 'the change' Paul writes,?"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1st Corinthians 15:51-52)?At the Rapture, some believers will not yet have experienced death.? They shall be instantly changed into their incorruptible bodies.? Those who have experienced physical death will be reunited with their bodies, which will be raised and changed.?But their spirits and consciousness are already awake and alive and in the presence of the Lord.?Those who are 'asleep' in Christ are those who have experienced PHYSICAL death, but are consciously very much alive in His presence.?At the Rapture, the Bible says that;?"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise (physically incorruptible) first: Then we which are (physically) alive and remain (in our natural bodies) shall be caught up together with them (changed and incorruptible) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17)?Our loved ones who have gone home to the Lord are ALREADY in His Presence, enjoying Heaven and its unimaginable joy and riches.? They are NOT mouldering in the grave, unconsciously awaiting the call of the Trumpet.?They are alive and aware and eagerly anticipating the opportunity to meet with us in the air and embrace us once more.? ?"Wherefore, comfort one another with these words." (1st Thessalonians 4:18)Is happiness a lost cause? - Greg Laurie - Greg Laurie reveals only secret to 'filling a hole in your heart'?French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal wrote, "All men seek happiness. This is without exception."?I believe that deep down inside, everyone wants to be happy. In fact, I think God prewired us that way. Augustine said, "Every man, whatsoever his condition, desires to be happy."?We may sometimes look at the rich and famous and think, "If I could live their life, I know I would be happy."?Would we??Not according to Jim Carrey, who said, "I hope everybody could get rich and famous, and will have everything they ever dreamed of, so they will know that it's not the answer."?And comedian Dave Chappelle once said in an interview, "The higher up I go, for some reason, the less happy I am."?That is nothing new. The Bible says that "hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied" (Proverbs 27:20, NKJV).?So is happiness a lost cause??Not according to the Bible. Psalm 144:15 says, "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!" (NKJV). Happiness comes from a relationship with God.?People with faith in God are happy because we have hope. Hope brings believers happiness because we know there is more to life than what we experience in this world. We know there is an afterlife. We know there is a meaning to this life. We know that life isn't just random.?Here is something that may come as a surprise to you: God is happy. Jesus said, "I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" (John 15:11, NLT).No doubt about it, Jesus was happy. No wonder children were drawn to him. People were drawn to Jesus because they could see his happiness.?In Romans 9, the apostle Paul described Jesus Christ as "the eternally blessed God" (verse 5, NKJV). The word blessed could be translated "happy."?But not everyone sees God that way. Some may think that God is perpetually ticked off, or, at the very least, disinterested in us.?In Numbers 6, God instructed Moses to have the priests pronounce this blessing on the people: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace" (verses 24-26, NKJV).?God looks at you and smiles. He cares about you. He knows every detail of your life. God is not distracted. When you are calling out to the Lord, he isn't checking out the newest Instagram post. He is looking at you. He is thinking about you. He loves you.?The Bible tells the story of someone who should have been happy by this world's standards. He had everything we usually think a person should have to be happy. But he wasn't happy at all, and that caused him to go to Jesus. He is often called the rich young ruler.?To be a ruler in those days, you had to be at least 30. This young man had climbed the corporate ladder, if you will. He was a powerful man. Today he would be the equivalent of a rock star, a pro athlete, or someone who has come into a lot of money early in life.?I can imagine him coming to Jesus in a tricked-out chariot with latte in hand. "Hey, Jesus," he essentially said, "What good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?"?Jesus said, "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother'" (Mark 10:19, NKJV).?Jesus wanted to show this young man how much he needed forgiveness, because he had broken the commandments.?But the young man said, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth" (verse 20, NKJV).?The Bible says that "Jesus, looking at him, loved him" (verse 21, NKJV).?But then Jesus called his bluff. He said, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me" (verse 21, NKJV).?We don't read of Jesus ever saying this to anyone else. So why did Jesus say this to him? Because this young man was breaking the first two commandments: 1) Have no other gods before him, and 2) don't worship false gods.?Some people worship stuff. Some people worship themselves. Some people worship their careers. Some people worship what they drive. This man worshiped money, and he "went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (verse 22, NKJV). He went away sad instead of happy.?Today, each of us has the same choice this young man had. You can be sad, or you can be glad. You can believe what God says in the Bible, put your faith in Jesus, experience joy and happiness in your life, and have the hope of heaven when you die. Or, you can live without God and continue trying to fill a hole in your heart with all the stuff this world has to offer.?Happiness doesn't have to be a lost cause. The choice is up to you.?????FROM THE HEART??IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY,?TRULY,?THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT??Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks!??If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now!What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake?"Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!""Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack.2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others.3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update.I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks!Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13Prophecy Update is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt -?non-profit?organization, and all your donations are tax deductible.??If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to:DONATE NOW?Or Visit our website: write us at:?Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516???We are very pleased to offer all our readers this FREE download on Bible Prophecy from the Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia - Just download and enjoy and be blessed! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family members.Click below to download!"AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING"?If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven?Find out, visit:Prophecy Update - GoodSearch Toolbar Prophecy Update Toolbar is free to download and allows you to raise money for our cause every time you search or shop onlineDID YOU KNOW?You can submit an article, leave a comment or praise report at email:prophecyupdate@bak.Maranatha! (Lord Come Quickly)??"On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand."??"Let Us make the short time we have left count for all eternity!"??YBIC-RandyStay Connected?? ?? ?? Prophecy Update - PO Box 40516 - Bakersfield, CA 93384 ................
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