Hello friends!
First
I want to mention a prayer request and an update about our Iranian
affiliate. But because this e-newsletter goes to so many nations and
thousands of people I only wrote some detail in the mail-out newsletter
within the USA. If you wish an update and are within our CWOWI network
(for those outside the US) you’ll need to email me for details. If you
are within the USA you need to read the mail-out newsletter for details,
as the e-newsletter and the mail-out newsletter do not have the same
content.
I’ll
just say: Please pray for the Iranian believers in the house churches
there, and their main leader in particular over the next month. Thank
you.
Rapture crazy
Many
people were excited about the rapture maybe happening last or this week
‘because everything has been fulfilled that needs to be fulfilled’,
which is incorrect, but if you listen to only 1 stream of the faith
you’d get the idea that all is set. It is not, in spite of what people
on Facebook and the internet proclaim.
While
no one knows when the Lord will return for His body, Paul says that He
will not come as a thief in the night to us – the example being that a
thief breaks in to someone’s home to take that which does not belong to
him, which is how the world will view the catching away of the church as
people are to them, stolen from them.
We
can look at the times and seasons, and in that we know that the next
big event is the Ezekiel 38 & 39 war between Russia and Iran and
their allies against Israel and her allies.
Prophetic insight: Remember what I wrote before
I
had written some time back and even have a cd/MP3 series, how that
Ezekiel 38:1-7 speaks of an alliance between what would become modern
Russia, Turkey, Iran (Persia, which could include Iraq as well), Sudan,
and Libya, among others, telling our modern Russia to ‘be a guard to
them’.
I
had commented that verse 12 says they will attack Israel to take a
spoil, with other nations asking in verse 13, “What do you think you are
doing, are you trying to take a spoil?”
These
verses indicate the response from the world at least initially, will be
verbal – diplomatic – as they watch Russia and allies gather themselves
for invasion. The point I brought up is that in order for such an alliance to think they can invade Israel safely, with only diplomatic objections, means they
will have had to have a series of successful smaller incursions into
other countries that give them the confidence to gather against Israel.
Part of these could include lesser ‘alliances’ like the virtual
annexing of northern Kazakhstan and the firming up of relations with
Belarus, for instance.
This
part of prophecy is just now forming, as the world has witnessed and up
to now only diplomatically objected to smaller advances of Russia into
Chechnya, Georgia, Ukraine, and now Syria. And understand a major part
of this. In 1994 then President Clinton signed a treaty with Ukraine
promising that if they were invaded, the US would militarily defend them
against any invasion.
When
that treaty was tested and the current President did nothing more than
register economic and diplomatic objections, it established a pattern
for what we see going on now in Syria and bolder moves in Ukraine, for
example. This will eventually lead the alliance gathered against Israel
to think things will continue as they have in the past, treaties
promising to defend them they assume won’t be honored, and only
diplomatic and/or economic objections will be the ramifications, while
they are enriched upon wiping Israel off the map. That miscalculation
will be their downfall.
These things must come to pass, and more,
in order to provide this alliance (which is still in process of being
formed), the confidence they will need to think they can invade Israel
with only diplomatic outcry.
Another scripture to consider
A
scripture yet to be fulfilled is Isaiah 17:1, which says Damascus will
be a ‘ruined heap’ or as the Amplified says, ‘Cease to be a city’. That
has never been fulfilled, for it (Damascus) is generally regarded to be
the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. I believe 17:1 will
happen during the Ezekiel 38-39 war, because the invading army comes
out of the north (v15), at least in part through Syria.
What
we’ll see in the coming days and years is boldness on Russia’s part,
and a tightening of the alliance against them Ezekiel states.
Notice
also that Ezekiel says this invasion will come at a time when Israel is
at rest, living safely (v11), which could indicate that there will be a
localized peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians on the West
Bank. Whether there is going to be such a treaty we don’t know, just
that on a local level Ezekiel prophesies they are living in peace and
safety. So it is entirely possible locally Israel is living in peace,
while war looms on the horizon in the surrounding nations.
The war turns out differently than what they think
In
38:21-22 the Lord says He is calling for a sword against the invading
army among all His ‘mountains’. Mountains in the prophetic means nations
– In Daniel 2:34-35 Nebuchadnezzar saw a huge stone crush the feet of
the statue in his vision, and that stone grew to become a huge mountain
that will fill the whole earth. Daniel explains in v44 that mountain is
God’s kingdom which will never be destroyed – so when the Lord calls for
His mountains to join Israel in the fight against the Russian alliance,
know that it will happen. Chapter 39 says Israel wins, they require 7
months to bury the enemy dead, and will be left with a 7 year supply if
goods and resources gathered from the defeated army.
So
rather than be rapture crazy, realize there is a lot yet to fall into
place, and while we may be getting close, let us be focused on living
our lives in the NOW while being wise in the natural. I remember when
the Lord visited me during the Arab spring, as I’ve shared in this
space, and I pressed Him for details. After telling me a few things His
reply was: “But what are these things to you? As for you, you must be
about the Father’s business.” I’ve stayed focused on that since.
Look
for news about Turkey. Look for news about Russia advancing. Look for
news of Israel and local peace with the Palestinians. (It could even be
the region is so focused on ISIS they let Israel alone for a season.)
Ordering our steps
A
good friend’s funeral was today (as I write this), and Barb and I
watched it online – it was web-cast to many nations, such was his reach
and impact. His name was Dave Duell, and we’ve known the Duell’s for
over 35 years. He ordained me in 1980 and the Lord gave him prophetic
words that have since come to pass in our lives. Through the years we’d
have him speak in our churches when we were pastors in the auditorium
setting, and have continued to stay in touch after we moved to Oklahoma.
He
called about 3 months ago saying he was going to be in Tulsa and wanted
to know if I was available for lunch or dinner. Unfortunately I would
be on a ministry trip when he was in town, so we just talked for about
an hour, reminiscing and sharing current things we were doing in
ministry. I’ve told several of his funny and amazing stories for years,
and he shared more details ‘behind the scenes’ for me on a couple of
them.
His
death came suddenly, after a short illness, and I am so thankful the
Father arranged that Dave and I were able to talk on the phone before
his home-going. The older I get the more I am thankful for and notice,
the Father ordering my steps – those are the little graces and
considerations He does for His kids – but you have to look for and
acknowledge them when you realize His hand in ‘coincidences.’
When times are uncertain Hebrews 10:32
says to ‘call to remembrance the former days when you were first
enlightened…’ In other words, look back at His faithfulness, His
coincidences, which are proof of His control in our lives – and based on
that track record we can have faith of His present and future
faithfulness and control in our lives. Rest in the strength of His
character, He has proven Himself!
Trips
– Florida 9/23-29 and New England 10/12-19. (Manchester, New Hampshire
contact is: syto99@gmail.com for information) Email me for hosts’
contact information if it isn’t posted on the header of my emails.
Chris is doing well,
and understands when I have to go on a trip and ‘tell people about
Jesus’. But keep him in prayer please. When I’ve been gone as much as I
have it messes up his sense of when dad is going to be home, and the
group home (and Barb and I) have had anger and cooperation issues with
him not wanting to go to the workshop, where he does crafts and menial
jobs for pay. Thanks!
Barb and I appreciate your prayers and
financial support – we see such a strong presence of the Lord and the
Father in the meetings – often healing of deep issues, often very
personal touches from the Lord.
I know I say it often, but it is heart-felt: Thank you for being part of our lives!
Blessings!
John & Barb (and Chris)
New cd/MP3 series:
(2 CD's $15 or MP3 $5 each)
And the 3 Fall Festivals #1 (2 cd/MP3, $12/set or MP3 $10)
For the first time ever as a stand-alone teaching, John sits down and teaches from the Word and ancient Rabbinical sources
what Judaism teaches about the resurrection of the righteous dead and
their meeting with Messiah during Rosh haShanah, the days leading up to
and including Yom Kippur, which is a type of the return of Jesus, and
about what to expect during the 1,000 year reign of Jesus on the earth,
celebrated in Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. Covering all 3 fall
festivals starting with understanding the rapture as foretold in the
Feast of Trumpets, you'll gain a clearer understanding of the days we
are living in, what will happen on earth while the body of Christ is in
heaven, and insights into the millennial reign.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar