Friday, May 11, 2018

THE WHO'S WHO OF GOG-MAGOG

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- Jack Kinsella - 
EDITOR'S NOTE: Jack Kinsella went to be with the Lord in 2013, and he wrote the article below in 2006 - fast forward 12 years to 2018 - and I believe we are beginning to see the stage being set for the infamous battle of Gog and Magog. Was Jack a prophet, no, but he certainly had a gift, and for writing and, commenting on Bible Prophecy, with Godly wisdom and discernment - enjoy!
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According to the prophet Ezekiel, there will arise in the last days, a massive military and political alliance more-or-less formally known as the 'Gog-Magog Alliance.'
"Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him . . ." (Ezekiel 38:2)
According to Ezekiel, Gog and Magog will lead an alliance of nations in the last days in a disastrous [for them] invasion against the reborn nation of Israel.
In Ezekiel 38:3, Ezekiel clearly identifies Gog as a person, rather than a place; "the prince of Meshech and Tubal."
The Scofield Reference Bible's notes to Ezekiel claim that "Meshech" is a Hebrew form of Moscow, and that "Tubal" represents the Siberian capital Tobolsk.
That interpretation would make Gog both a 'place' -- the Russian Federation of Nations -- AND a 'person' -- in the sense of a federated Russian leadership.
The Interlinear Bible (Hebrew - Greek - English) renders that verse as:
"Son of man, set your face toward Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; and prophesy concerning him."
(In Hebrew, the word 'Rosh' meant, 'chief prince', or, the 'chief of the chief princes.')
Magog was a son of Japeth, who, together with his brothers Tubal, Meshech, and Togarmah (Genesis 10:2-3) settled what is modern-day Russia and the southern steppes of the Caucasus mountains.
And Ezekiel identifies 'Gog' as coming from the north of Israel. Following the compass due north from Jerusalem will take you through the center of Moscow.
The army of Gog and Magog primarily includes people from the nations of Gog, Gomer, Tubal, Meshech, and the house of Togarmah from the "north parts." They will be joined by Persians from the East, Put from the West, Cushites from the South, and others.
"Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. . . " (Ezekiel 38:5-6)
"Gomer" is mentioned in Genesis as well as Ezekiel. The Jewish-turned-Roman historian Flavius Josephus identified Gomer with the Galatians.
"For Gomer founded those whom the Greeks now call Galatians, [Galls,] but were then called Gomerites." (Antiquities of the Jews, I:6.)
Ancient Galatia was an area in the highlands of central Anatolia (now Turkey). Galatia was bounded on the north by Bithynia and Paphlagonia, on the east by Pontus, on the south by Lycaonia and Cappadocia, and on the west by the remainder of Phrygia, the eastern part of which the Gauls had invaded.
The modern capital of Turkey, Ankara, is part of ancient Galatia.
Historically, 'Gomer' is also linked to the ancient Cimmerians. The Cimmerians eventually settled the regions north of the Caucasus and the Black Sea, in what is now parts of Russia and the Ukraine.
The Cimmerians are believed to have migrated north from the region now called Azebaijanaround the time of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Both the ancient Cimmerians and the Gomerites spoke a form of the Thracian or Persian language.
Tubal was another son of Japheth who settled the area. Josephus wrote:
"Tobal gave rise to the Thobeles, who are now called Iberes".
Josephus' 'Iberes' settled in the area of the former Soviet state of Georgia.
Ezekiel begins his listing of Gog-Magog's allies with Persia, or modern day Iran. Iran's allies, according to Ezekiel, include "Ethiopia" and "Libya."
The Libya of Ezekiel's day wasn't Muammar Ghadaffi's Libya. Josephus writes:
"Phut also was the founder of Libya to the south and called the inhabitants Phutites, from himself."
(Some versions of Scripture render 'Libya' (as does the KJV) whereas others render it 'Put' -- a grandson of Noah.)
Put settled an area that included most of North Africa including Libya and parts of modern Egypt.
"Ethiopia" (also rendered by some versions as 'Cush') was a civilization centered in the North African region of Nubia, located in what is today southern Egypt and northern Sudan.
Cush was another grandson of Noah, and the father of Nimrod. Josephus gives an account of the nation of Cush, who is the son of Ham and the grandson of Noah.
"For of the four sons of Ham, time has not at all hurt the name of Chus; for the Ethiopians, over whom he reigned, are even at this day, both by themselves and by all men in Asia, called Chusites." (Antiquities of the Jews I:6.)
In the 5th century AD the Himyarites, in the south of Arabia, were styled by Syrian writers as Cushaeans and Ethiopians, and it is certain that the present-day areas of Yemen and Eritrea were both ruled together by one dynasty at that time.
The African 'Kush' covered Upper Egypt, and extended southwards from the First Cataract. In addition, the Cushitic peoples, who live around the Horn of Africa and today comprise the Somali, Afar, Oromo and several other tribes, are popularly asserted to be the offspring of the Biblical Cush.
That the Biblical term was also applied to parts of Arabia is suggested by Genesis, where Cush is the eponymous father of certain tribal and ethnic designations that tend to point to Arabia.
Babylonian inscriptions mention the Kashshi or Kassites, and it was once held that this signified a possible explanation of Cush, the ancestor of Nimrod in Genesis chapter 8.
The rhetorical question, "Can the Cushite change his skin?" in Jeremiah 13:23 implies people of a notably different skin color from the Israelites, most probably an African race.
Also, the Septuagint Greek translation of the Old Testament, made by Greek-speaking Jews between 250 BC and 100 BC, uniformly translates Cush as "Ethiopia".
Assessment:
So, this is what we know. We know that Ezekiel predicts that, 'in the latter days' the chief of chief princes of an alliance called Gog-Magog will arise from a location to the uttermost north of Israel.
We know that due north of the city of Jerusalem on the same longitude is the modern city of Moscow.
We know that Gog will be reluctantly drawn into a conflict with Israel. Ezekiel says Gog will be 'drawn' as if he 'had hooks in his jaws' into this conflict.
The Gog Magog alliance includes modern Russia, the Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, North Africa, and the Middle East extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.
We also know that the target of the Gog Magog Alliance is the restored nation of Israel. And finally, we know the time frame. Ezekiel says it will take place 'in the latter days'. Here is something else we know. Ezekiel's alignment of nations was never possible in previous generations.
To begin with, Ezekiel's scenario demands the existence of Israel,
"the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations . . " (Ezekiel 38:8-9)
From Ezekiel's day until May 14, 1948, there was no place on earth called 'Israel'. Prior to 1948, Russia had little interest in the Middle East. The Middle East had been part of the Islamic Ottoman Empire since the time of Columbus.
Ezekiel lived one thousand years before Mohammed introduced Islam to the world. Ezekiel lived twenty-five hundred years before David ben-Gurion announced the rebirth of Israel on May 14, 1948.
The fulfillment of Ezekiel's Gog-Magog prophecy depends entirely on the simultaneous development of two concurrent events; the rebirth of Israel and the rebirth of Mohammedan-style radical Islam.
Look at Ezekiel's main protagonists. There are three.
The first is Gog and Magog, the modern Russian federation. Gog and Magog's participation in the invasion force, according to Ezekiel, comes as a result of God's promise to,
"turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth. . ." (Ezekiel 38:4)
I've often pondered the phrase, 'turn thee back' (Hebrew 'paqad' or 'call to remembrance'). I recall writing a piece for This Week in Bible Prophecy in 1992. The story was about the new Russian parliament suddenly breaking mid-session to rush out to the halls of the Duma where newly-admitted Western missionaries were handing out free New Testaments.
Having just emerged from a lifetime of godless Communism, Russians were eager to hear the Word of God and Christian missionaries were welcomed with open arms.
For several years, Russians were offered this 'call to remembrance' of Scripture before former KGB operative Vladimir Putin slammed the door shut on foreign missionaries. The Russian Orthodox Church -- which was heavily infiltrated by the KGB during the Communist era -- the only legal Christian religion in Russia.
The 'call to remembrance' was over. When Moscow later entered into its nuclear agreement with Iran, the hook was set.
The second of Ezekiel's protagonists is the alliance itself.
Look at the list carefully. Every single nation and region named as Gog-Magog allies is part of the Islamic world. Every single one of them.
Islamic North Africa, [Ethiopia and Libya] including the Sudan, whose Islamic government is currently conducted genocide against its Christian population.
Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and the heart and soul of radical Wahabbist jihadist Islam.
Turkey, (ruled by the Islamic Party), together with most of the Russian Republic's Islamic 'stans'.
Persia, or modern Iran, the 'hook' in Gog's jaw. Iran's nuclear program was built by, overseen, guarded and maintained by Russian scientists, technicians and military forces. Iran's leader has made it something of a habit to mention the destruction of Israel in every speech.
That brings us to the third protagonist in Ezekiel's scenario -- Israel.
According to Ezekiel, the entire invasion force is assembled to one purpose. The destruction of Israel. Israel has but two choices facing it.
Israel can gamble that the rest of the world will restrain Iran's mad mullahs from pulling the nuclear trigger against them. Or Israel can act militarily to remove the threat itself.
A third possibility, although not among Israel's choices, is that the United States will act to remove Iran's nuclear facilities before Israel faces the point of no return. The possibility the US will act in time is just that -- a possibility.
Israel's entire existence has been a gamble, but gambling that the world will protect them from Iran is an unacceptable bet. Gambling on US intervention is a long shot, but the odds are within acceptable ranges, so Israel can afford to sit tight for the time being.
But Israel will only gamble with its existence for so long before it is forced to push all its chips into the middle and take out Iran's Russian-built, Russian-staffed and Russian-guarded nuclear facilities.
Setting the hook in Gog's jaw and bringing all three protagonists together 'against the mountains of Israel' exactly as Ezekiel predicted would take place 'in the latter days'.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

-CROWN FOR THE SOUL WINNER

Nathele Graham 



"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30.
 
If you are a Christian then someone presented the Gospel to you. It may have been that you were raised in a Christian home and your parents nurtured you in God's word and led by example so there was never any doubt in your mind about your need for Jesus. If that's the case then your parents have earned a crown. Or, you may have happened to talk with a friend who presented you with the Gospel and you realized your need for salvation in Jesus. If that's the case then your friend has earned a crown. Every Christian should have a desire to tell everyone about Jesus and spread the Gospel. In fact, Jesus gave us orders to do just that. 

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:46-47. 

Jesus did His part for the salvation of the world by giving His life for us, now it's up to us to do our part and share the Gospel. Every Christian has been commissioned to spread the Gospel but few of us do. Why is that?
 
Many Christians aren't prepared to share God's word. Most of us find it easy to share unimportant things with other people, such as hobbies or political views, but the most important thing that we can share is the Gospel. Could it be that we don't spread the Gospel because we try to complicate it? We think that only very wise men who have gone to seminary are qualified. Wrong. Jesus didn't choose the religious leaders when looking for men to teach, but He chose fishermen, tax collectors, and other regular men to be His disciples. Paul was an exception...he was schooled in the Law and very intolerant of Christians, until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul was given the challenging job of spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. The Gospel message has never changed. 

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. 

That's really pretty simple. State the facts. We are all sinners and Christ died for our sins, He was buried, He conquered death and rose on the third day, and he appeared to many people who were well aware of the crucifixion. Paul also shared his personal testimony. Every Christian has a testimony that can be used to share the Gospel with others. Take a minute and think about how you came to faith in Jesus. Is there someone you know who you can share that testimony with? The person you share with may have questions and it would be good for you to have answers. "I'm a good person, how can you say I'm a sinner" or "I'm too bad so hasn't God gave up on me long ago". Could you give answers to these questions? Study God's word and become familiar with what it says and that will help you to have confidence when sharing the Gospel.
 
Soul winners aren't unique people. They are Christians just like you and me, but they aren't shy about sharing their faith. It seems that in today's world we can share everything except Jesus. Do you have a Facebook account? How many times do you share a cute video of a kitten or your innermost feelings of hurt and anger, but have you ever shared your testimony? Have you ever shared the Gospel? When talking with friends or co-workers do you share Jesus? You never know when the words you say will cause someone to give their life to Jesus. We forget that we live on the mission field. Jesus didn't commission anyone to go build houses in a foreign land and call it missionary work. He commissioned us to spread the Gospel. It's to be taken into all the world, but that doesn't negate the need for mission work in your own town. You may be surprised to find that there are many lost souls in your neighborhood and in your own family. 

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:14-15.

 If you don't share the Gospel, who will? It might be hard to tell sweet little Aunt Bessie that she faces eternal death unless she understands that she's a sinner in need of salvation, but it's important that she hear God's truth before it's too late. The Good News is that faith in the shed blood of Jesus on the cross was the final sacrifice that takes sin away. There's no other way to salvation. It's a gift that has to be accepted by each person individually, but unless a person is told the Gospel truth, how will they know?
 
There are some people who, for one reason or another, think they are a Christian but they have never confessed Jesus as their Saviour. Were you baptized when you were a baby? That wasn't a choice on your part and Baptism won't bring salvation. You need to make your own confession of faith and then choose to be baptized. A soul winner will be able to explain that it's a personal choice that nobody can make for you. 

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10. '

Many people who belong to cults believe they are saved. Can you explain to a Mormon why Jesus isn't the brother of Lucifer? Jesus is God and Creator of everything and existed prior to everything, including Lucifer and the angels. That truth can't be compromised. Many people also think that there are many paths that lead to Heaven. A soul winner will lead a lost soul to the only path that leads to eternal life. That life is found in Jesus.
 
The Bible is filled with examples of soul winning and we need to follow those examples. Jesus sent out missionaries and set the standard for spreading the Good News and soul winning. 

"And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Luke 10:8-9. 

He sent them to nearby towns and told them to heal the sick and share God's word. That's missionary work. You don't need to go somewhere far away, but look for opportunities in your own town, your own home, and even your own congregation. The seventy who Jesus sent out got results. 

"And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." Luke 10:17.

 Scripture doesn't say how many souls these seventy missionaries reached, but they were obedient to what Jesus told them to do...share the Gospel. Another example of soul winning was on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached the Gospel. At first the people who were listening mocked the Apostles, but after Peter spoke plainly to them about Jesus, many were saved. 

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:40-41. 

Peter had been a fisherman, but he spoke the Gospel and people listened. Another time Peter and John encountered a crippled man who was begging for money. 

"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Acts 3:6. This opened the way for Peter to share the Gospel with all who were nearby. You don't need gimmicks, just God's truth and a desire to win souls.
 
God loves everyone, but not everyone loves God. Your love for Jesus should cause you to want everyone you know to come to salvation. You really don't want anybody to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. You can also win a crown for soul winning. 

"Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved." Philippians 4:1. 

It's hard to imagine how many people Paul led to Jesus, but it must be millions. In his letter to the Philippians he called them his "joy and crown". Not only did he tirelessly spread the Gospel in person, but his letters are still bringing people to Jesus. Paul's example of missionary work should be studied and applied today. He didn't hide the Gospel in works, but he boldly presented the Gospel to the lost people he met. He didn't just tell them about salvation through Jesus, he also mentored them, which is something missing in many congregations today. Paul was in Thessalonica for three weeks and when he left they not only knew why they needed to accept Jesus for salvation, but they had been taught deep truths, such as the Rapture. Soul winning and mentoring is easier when you know what you're talking about, so do some study yourself. 

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. 

Few Christians are taught much more than "You're a sinner and need a Saviour" even though they've been "going to church" for decades. Study God's word and be sure to mentor the next generation of soul winners.
 
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" 1 Thessalonians 2:19. Soul winners share the Gospel and bring the lost to Jesus. Be one and win a crown.
 
God bless you all,

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

THE HYPOCRISY AGAINST ISRAEL

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 By Vanessa Panas -


The Hypocrisy Against Israel and Why The U.S Stands with Her
 
"In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God."
 
Israel is in a fierce fight to protect its country and its citizens. There are thousands of Hamas-driven rioters on the Gaza border demanding entry. They are using children as political pawns, taking a page out of the Syrian opposition's recent playbook. The Palestinians in Gaza launched Operation "Right of Return" several weeks ago in which tens of thousands of Palestinians have rioted, threatening to cross over. These rioters are minutes from residential homes. What the media doesn't show you is you can see these homes from the border where the rioting is taking place.
 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently unveiled absolute proof that Iran has nuclear weapons and has had a nuclear program for years. The Israeli Special Forces, The "Mossad," were able to retrieve 55,000 pages of documented Iranian nuclear plans. These documents were hidden in a dilapidated warehouse. Inside the warehouse were Iran's top secrets regarding their nuclear program.
 
Iran is embarrassed. They are also nervous with the release of these documents proving how they are violating the nuclear agreement-a bogus agreement from the start despite claims from the former Obama administration officials and Obama himself.
 
God told us, "For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come into the open."
 
As the IDF protects its border from this threat of invasion, the real human-rights crimes are going unreported. The media shows images of children being brought to the planned riots, but nobody questions why children are anywhere near the violence. The answer is obvious, and I've said it before. The death of one Palestinian child is worth all the dead children in the Middle East. Yasser Arafat would be so proud of the myth and lie he helped create-the Palestinian people.

One of the major claims from Palestinians is "we just want the pre-1967 borders." Yet, when they had these borders prior to 1967, Israel was still under constant attack. There is no right to return to Israel for anyone but the Jewish people. Christianity has more of a claim to the holy land then the Palestinians. After all, they also have a PROVABLE 2,000-year presence in Jerusalem. Originally Jordanian, the Palestinian people were invented in the 1960's by anti-Semites in an effort to once again delegitimize the Jewish people and their ancient homeland.
 
After the second temple's destruction in 70 AD by Titus Flavius and the Roman 10th legion, the Jewish people that survived were taken from Israel and were enslaved. They built the massive coliseum in Rome, which was a house of horrors for Christians and Jews. Christian men, women and children were slaughtered by the thousands, all in the name of sport and to show Rome's power and greatness.
 
The arch the Romans built, glorifying their defeat of the Jewish people, still stands today in Rome. It depicts fresco carvings and paintings showing that the Jews, all of their temple gold, golden menorahs etc., were dragged into Rome. A Roman coin from the period depicts a Jewish woman chained to a tree, weeping, with a Roman soldier standing before her.
 
Tens of thousands of Jewish men and women were massacred and thousands more enslaved. It historically happened, and it's part of the Jewish people's history. Their roots are in Israel. Israel does not belong to the Palestinians; it belongs to GOD, and He gave it to Jacob (named Israel) through His covenant with Abraham!
 
"Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 'As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.'"
 
One of those nations is Israel. Israel is the apple of God's eye. As these Muslim nations keep poking Israel, they are poking God in the eye. It's not a smart thing to do.
"For thus hath the LORD of the hosts said; After the glory he shall send me unto the Gentiles which spoiled you, for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye.'"
 
There are an estimated 80,000 Iranian soldiers in Syria, and Israel is supposed to stand down and be OK with this. NO! Enough! Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu are a formidable force together. Donald Trump is not Obama - our relationship with Israel is once again strong!
 
Our alliance is unbreakable. Why? The United States was founded on the blood, sweat and tears of our founding fathers, who not only had a fear of God but submitted to God. Our founding fathers were Christian men. We worship the same God as the Jewish people: Jehovah; the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end; the God that knows all things; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 
That is why our bond and alliance is so strong. God will bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel.
 
Our forefathers came here escaping religious persecution. This nation was founded on religious freedom. It defends liberty. It also does something else. The U.S defends Israel like no other. If the US, a PERMANENT member of the UN, didn't veto the numerous accusations and resolutions against Israel, they may not even exist today. The UN certainly will not help Israel. The United States was created to spread and protect Christianity, to preach the gospel to the world, and I truly feel to protect the apple of God's eye.
 
Iran is against the wall right now. They are afraid of President Trump. They know he is unpredictable. They know he says what he means and means what he says. When you have Iran against a wall, with Russia as an alliance, that's not a good combo. They will retaliate soon, and Israel is in their line of site. Are they going to strike Israel first? By Benjamin Netanyahu releasing, personally I might add, proof that the Iran deal was packed with deceit and lies, will this anger Iran and Russia to the point of starting a war? Attacking the apple of God's eye?
 
Netanyahu also proved that Iran has indeed been building nuclear weapons, and well before Obama helped them out with cash. That cash helped them speed up their nuclear program and weapons-making capabilities. Iran's main ally, Russia, has warned Israel against any further strikes on Syria, that they will strike Israel if their defense systems given to Syria are hit. All of the end-time countries we were warned of are lined up, ready to strike.
 
"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem."
 
"And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths" (Zechariah 14:12, NKJV).
 
This can only be describing nuclear war. It's on the horizon. The question again is, who will blink first? Who will strike first? We don't know the timing, but we know it's all happening right on Israel's border, just as prophesied. It's Easy to see a two-hundred-million-man army when you consider Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling for ALL Muslims to unite and invade Israel. Just as God said it would happen, it's happening. Is it possible that Israel comes under such an attack and invasion that their only option is nuclear?
 
Israel's nuclear arsenal is better known as the "Samson Option." In Judges 16:28, Samson begged God to allow his strength to return to him one last time! God granted Solomon his strength. With his renewed strength, Solomon destroyed the house of the Philistines. He not only killed himself but took 3,000 Philistines with him.
 
Israel's Samson Option is a last resort if they are being overrun, and the Bible tells us they will be overrun. Israel is well-known to have a large nuclear arsenal. It's estimated at around 400 nuclear warheads. This makes Israel the third largest nuclear power in the world, behind Russia and the U.S.
 
"Then Samson called to the LORD, Almighty LORD, please remember me! God, give me strength just one more time! Let me get even with the Philistines for at least one of my two eyes."
 
When Israel chose the name "the Samson Option," they were notifying the world that if they go down, all of their enemies who struck them will go down right with her. They will have nothing to lose if they use this Samson Option. Israel is surrounded by Muslims that want to kill them. They will rape the women and enslave them. They will murder the young boys and men. Maybe the Samson Option is preferable to what has awaited so many at the hands of enraged Islamic men.
 
This coming persecution and slaughter is nothing new for the Jewish people, but it will be the worst persecution they've ever faced.
 
The Jews have been persecuted and slaughtered for thousands of years, their temple destroyed twice and the people enslaved or exiled. In the 8th century, Muslims forced Jews and Christians (people of the book) to wear identifying clothing. Jews wore a yellow belt or fringes on their clothing under Islamic law.
 
Then, a few years later, Jews were forced to wear a yellow patch in the shape of a donkey, and Christians had to wear a patch in the shape of swine. Beginning around the 12th century, under Holy Roman Byzantine rule, Jews were forced to identify themselves by a yellow star patch they had to wear on their breast. Adolf Hitler simply reintroduced branding of the Jews in the twentieth century; he reintroduced the yellow star.
 
The Spanish Inquisition was a terrible time for Christians, but it was no better for the Jews. The Inquisitions did not start in Spain; it was under the Roman Emperor Pope Innocent III where Jews were first burned alive. The mass slaughter of Christians then easily led to the slaughtering of the Jewish people-all done in the name of "religion." In 1288, the first burning of Jews on the stake happened in France. In 1481, the Inquisition started in Spain.
 
In 1660, people across Europe suffered with what we know as the "Black death" or "bubonic plague." The Jewish people were blamed for this. In reality though, the Jewish people by following God's customs and laws were much cleaner, and this was why they were less likely to become sick. Simply washing hands (as we know today) helped prevent the spread of this disease. So their cleanliness is what spared so many, earning scorn and hatred.
 
Meanwhile, the Europeans' water and sewage system in the Middle Ages wasn't even as sophisticated as the Roman and Greek water systems a thousand years before. Sanitation was primitive. In Europe, the sewage disposal was in the middle of the street, which lead to the spread of the killer disease.
 
Adolf Hitler tried to systematically eliminate the Jewish people altogether, like so many antichrists through time before him. The holocaust lead to the slaughter of over six million Jews.
 
Throughout the centuries, the Jewish people were displaced all over. In 1948, the "remnants of the people" started returning to their homeland in droves and by the grace of God. No more "wandering," looking for a home of their own. After Israel once again became a nation, it was also no longer a barren desert; it became a flower in the desert just as God said it would be.
 
"The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing."
 
Mark Twain wrote the following about Jerusalem when traveling in 1867: "A desolate country whose soil is rich enough, but is given over wholly to weeds... a silent mournful expanse.... a desolation.... we never saw a human being on the whole route.... hardly a tree or shrub anywhere. Even the olive tree and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country."
 
He also did not take note of this mythical "Palestinian" people. Remember, Israel's name was changed by a Roman Emperor, Hadrian, to disconnect the Jews that did return. (More about that here:http://www.raptureready.com/2018/01/09/palestinian-people/.)
 
It was the Jewish people that made Israel bloom, by God's hand-nobody else. Fulfilling prophecy!
 
There is a time of trouble coming to Israel. Jesus told us this was going to be a time of trouble and persecution that this world has never seen. BUT Israel will be saved by God.
 
Jeremiah tells us, "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it."
 
Jesus tells us the tribulation will be a terrible time. God will destroy the nations that attack Israel.
 
"Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you [Israel], I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished."
 
The Jewish people broke God's covenant. They were without a homeland for 1,900 years. They were persecuted, mocked and scorned from Nebuchadnezzar to Hitler. After Hitler, we heard "never again," but anti-Semitism is once again on the rise. The persecution coming will cause the Jewish people to cry out to God, and He will hear them - saving them and restoring them into His everlasting covenant.
 
"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord."
 
God will make a new covenant with the Jewish people, through His son Jesus Christ. The old covenant was written on stone and easily broken. The new covenant is written in our hearts. God will not only remove the hardening but give them new hearts. The Holy Spirit will dwell in them, and they will no longer cry out for their temple but cry out in praise of Jesus.
 
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
 
This new everlasting covenant is through the shed blood of Jesus. When Jesus was here, he instructed the disciples to go and share His message, first to the Jew, then the Gentile. When the Jewish people rejected the Messiah, God sent His message to the Gentiles. But He did not forget the Jewish people. He did not forget His covenant with Abraham.
 
"Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either."
 
Has the hardening of the Jewish people's hearts against Jesus started to soften? God has not abandoned the Jewish people but has kept His promises to bring Israel back to its land in the last days. God does not break covenants. And soon all of Israel will know who the Messiah truly is. In the last century, there have been thousands of Jewish people converting to Christianity. Their eyes are being uncovered and their hearts unhardened.
 
"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26).
 
With this un-hardening of the heart also comes great tribulation. "It will come about in all the land,' declares the Lord, 'that two parts in it will be cut off and perish; but the third will be left in it. And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested.
 
We are living on borrowed time. People have been saying "the end is near" for almost 2,000 years, but we are actually living in the last generation. Jesus told us specifically what the signs of His coming would be. Those signs are becoming clearer every day. Israel needs the United States right now like no other time in the last 70 years. Thank God we have a president that once again protects Israel and her people.
 
As Christians we are to spread Jesus Christ's message; this includes to the Jewish people! In the last days, Christians are needed more than ever. Israel needs your support more than ever. We must not get comfortable and not vote in November. Israel was pushed out and left on her own under the Democratic Party. Don't let them poke God in the eye again!
 
As we get closer to the return of the Messiah, things will get worse. The Jewish people are not the only people that will face persecution. The persecution against Christians has started, but it's only going to get worse. There is comfort in God's word though.
 
"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
 
The spirit is indeed willing to stand for Jesus and proclaim His name, but our flesh is weak in that we will fear our fate whether it's mockery, ridicule or scorn. In other parts of the world it's death! Spiritually we are ready without question or fear. Physically, In the face of persecution or death, we must stand firm, we must be strong in our faith. Never deny Him. If you deny Him before men, He will deny you before His Father. This life is nothing compared to what He has in store for you!
 
"But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."
 
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
 
Jesus prayed to God for strength when He was in the garden. He feared what His flesh was going to experience. His spirit was willing to do whatever God told him. He asked God if it was possible to let this pass. THEN HE DID GOD'S WILL. HE LISTENED TO GOD.
 
"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.' Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
 
He willingly was led to the cross like a lamb being led to slaughter. FOR YOU. He died for our sins. Don't let your flesh decide your spiritual fate; let the Holy Spirit within you lead you. Jesus came in the flesh, God's word made flesh as an example of how we are to live. Don't live for the world; live for God. He came to divide, like a harvester divides the good wheat from the bad. So will Jesus separate us, the good from the bad. Which side do you want to be on?
 
"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."