GOD'S TIMING

 

Trust God’s Timing: Soon, The Prophetic Words of Our Departure Will Be Past Tense – By Jonathan Brentner - https://harbingersdaily.com/trust-gods-timing-soon-the-prophetic-words-of-our-departure-will-be-past-tense/   I love the words of Scripture. They form the basis of my hope for eternal life, provide needed assurance in times of trouble, and calm my soul during the turbulent times in which we live.   Sometimes a passage, or a phrase, speaks to me in a new way. Such was the case with Exodus 2:23-25:   Exodus 2:23-25 KJV – “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.”   I love the phrase at the end of verse 25 in the ESV, “and God knew.” In the Hebrew text, the word is yada, which in its basic form simply means “to know.” It appears 947 times in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament.   In Exodus 2, yada reveals God’s awareness of the plight of the Israelites in Egyptian bondage just before He tasked Moses with the job of delivering His people. Yada appears again in Exodus 3:7:   Exodus 3:7 KJV – “And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;”   God saw the distress of His people and acted to deliver them.   After forty years tending sheep in the wilderness, Moses was fully prepared to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. The longsuffering slaves were ready to accept freedom and follow the leader God would send to them. The Lord knew the time was right.   He doesn’t explain why this time was better than twenty years earlier. He doesn’t need to fill in all the blanks for us. We trust His sovereignty and wisdom.   GOD HEARS OUR GROANING   Members of the body of Christ suffer from afflictions of a wide variety. Some face martyrdom for their faith, others lose their freedoms, and many endure severe opposition to their faith. We all fight off the relentless attacks of our enemy.   I know several saints who are hurting because of cancer, other ailments, and grief. The afflictions of this life, along with aging, have a way of catching up to all of us.   And like the ancient Israelites, we groan.   I love how the Apostle Paul connects our anticipation of the Rapture with our signing amid the many hardships of life:   Romans 8:23-25 KJV – “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”   The Lord hears the cry of our hearts as we long for Him to appear and take us to glory. And someday soon, our faith will be sight.   The Lord is not distant as some imagine Him to be; He sees; He hears; He feels all our grief; and He will surely deliver us.   Someday soon, the prophetic words of 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 will be past tense, and we will rejoice with our Savior in glory:   1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 KJV – “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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 first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”   There are days when it seems as though the perfect time for the Rapture has long since passed. We see the tears of loved ones and watch as violence, wickedness, deception, and lawlessness explode in our world. We often wonder, “How much longer, Lord?”   In the meantime, we rest in the fact that God sees everything with eyes full of love for each and every one of us. Is it not encouraging to know that the Lord knows all about our distressing circumstances and has our rescue in sight?   The One who has “called us to glory” (1 Peter 5:10) is ever so close to taking us there (Colossians 3:4).   A GLORIOUS RESTORATION FOR ISRAEL   The forty years that Moses tended sheep in the wilderness must have felt like an eternity for Israelites in Egypt. It’s likely most knew about God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and looked for a deliverer to take them to the Land promised to their forefathers.   During the last half of the seven-year Tribulation, a much more frightening scenario will exist for the Hebrew people. Once the antichrist defiles their temple, they will face the darkest time in their history. In the end, only one-third of them will remain alive.   The prophet Zechariah, speaking for God, wrote these words about this future time of peril:   Zechariah 13:9 KJV – “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”   Zechariah 14:1-8 describes the arrival of Israel’s future deliverer, the Lord Jesus. He will fight for Israel as a mighty warrior, destroy all the armies that will have come against Jerusalem, and establish His worldwide kingdom over which He will rule from Jerusalem. Is it not fitting that Moses referred to Jesus as a “prophet like me” in Deuteronomy 18:15-18? The greater Moses will deliver the Israelites at His Second Coming.   It will be a glorious time of restoration for the kingdom Israel. God will forever protect the Jewish people with His presence in Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:14-20).   WE TRUST GOD’S TIMING   We often groan because of personal pain or that of those close to us. At other times, it’s because of a world descending into lawlessness and wickedness, the likes of which we once thought impossible.   In the midst of the distress we feel, the words, “And God knew,” bring welcome relief. We know our Deliverer is surely coming to catch us up to meet Him in the air.   As we wait, we remain confident that:   God is aware of the plight of all those who belong to Him. He sees; He hears, and He loves us more than we can imagine. Jesus remains ever mindful of the promises we hold dear to our hearts. He’s preparing a place for us in heaven (John 14:2-3). The Lord will surely come for us before the judgments of the day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10). Although God’s timing often mystifies us, we trust His purposes knowing Jesus will arrive at the perfect time. The words “And God knew” seem so simple, yet they breathe hope into the most distressing of circumstances. Our Deliverer stands ready to rescue us and will surely do so.   In the meantime, we pray for Him to come soon.

Revelation 4: The 4 creatures before God's throne - By Rev. Mark H. Creech - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/revelation-4-the-4-creatures-before-gods-throne.html   The late Dr. Billy Graham, the worldwide renowned Christian evangelist, asked, “What is Heaven? It’s the home that God created, and He possesses. His throne room is his headquarters from which he issues his commands, directions, and prophecies.”   In Revelation 4, the Apostle John is lifted on high to the throne room of God, where the Lord is about to show him what will happen during the earth’s last days.   Around God’s throne, John sees otherworldly things: 24 elders with crowns on their heads, lightning and thundering and voices from the throne, an emerald rainbow, seven torches burning, a sea of glass-like crystal, and four creatures.   The Scripture reads:   “In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,   “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the One who always was, who is, and who is still to come.’   “Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the One who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the One who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,   ‘You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased” (Revelation 4:6-11).   The four creatures around the throne remind us of characters from a Marvel Comic book, but they aren’t fictional or cartoonish. These beings are real and of great significance and power. Otherwise, they would not be central to God’s place of government.   In Reveling Through Revelation, the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee, radio Bible teacher extraordinaire, says:   “These creatures, of the highest intelligence, are in God’s presence. They resemble the cherubim of Ezekiel 1:5-10; 10:20 and the seraphim of Isaiah 6:2. 3. Are they a new order of creatures in heaven that have not been revealed before in Scripture?”   It’s a bit difficult to nail down. However, their appearance suggests they function as witnesses to Christ’s fourfold ministry throughout eternity.   One has the face of a lion, a symbol of divine majesty – the same portrait of Christ given in Matthew’s account as the lion of the tribe of Judah, the King of kings, the Messiah of the world.   Another has the face of a young ox – a calf, the same picture presented in Mark’s account of Christ as Deity condescending to graciously serve humanity; the one who “came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).   Still, another has the face of a man – indicating intelligence and purpose, the same image of Christ in Luke’s account, which traces our Lord’s ancestry back to Adam where mankind fell. It also shows Jesus as the Second Adam who redeems all who believe. It speaks of his identifying perfectly with humanity. God has a human face in Jesus Christ.   The fourth face is that of an eagle, which communicates Deity as seen in John’s account of Christ. Like an eagle, the Lord sees everything we do from on high. Like an eagle having six mighty wings with multiple eyes, he can move swiftly to execute judgment. Nothing is hidden from him. John recorded Christ saying God “has given him [Christ] authority to judge everyone…”(John 5:27). This redeemer is the Supreme Judge of the world.   Revelation 4 says these heavenly beings with incomparable supernatural powers call out:   “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty — the One who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”   John Phillips, in Exploring Revelation, has beautifully written:   “These lofty ones employ the resources of their intellects, the deep emotions of their hearts, the ceaseless drive and dynamic of their powerful wills – and they worship. It is the one great, supreme, dominating activity of their lives. All else is counted worthless when compared with the supreme activity of worship. With all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, they worship him that sits upon the throne.”   Who is it that sits upon the throne? It can be none other than Jesus because the one they worship is said to be “the creator of all things.” Isn’t this what Colossians 1:16-17 reveal about him? Those verses of Scripture say:   “For through him, God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see — such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”   This point is crucial because we live in a time when Christ is being rejected as God incarnate, that he was born of a virgin and sinless.   Barna Research says most American adults believe Jesus did exist. However, “[m]ost adults— not quite six in 10 — believe Jesus was God (56%), while about one-quarter say he was only a religious or spiritual leader like Mohammed or the Buddha (26%). The remaining one in six say they aren’t sure whether Jesus was divine (18%).   Barna Research also says Americans are divided over Jesus’ sinlessness.   “About half of Americans agree, either strongly or somewhat, that while he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was human and committed sins like other people (52%). Just less than half disagree, either strongly or somewhat, that Jesus committed sins while on earth (46%), and 2 percent aren’t sure,” Barna reports.   Words from H.A. Ironside are quite appropriate here:   “In a day such as ours, when his [Christ’s] glory as the Eternal Son is so often denied, when his true Deity, his virgin birth, his sinless humanity are all alike flouted by apostate teachers as so much traditional lore to be rejected at will, how refreshing to the soul to turn from earth to heaven and contemplate the glory displayed there as his and the unhindered adoration of his own as they prostrate themselves before his throne. If he [Christ] be not God, then heaven will be filled with idolaters….”   When the four living creatures give the cue praising and worshipping, Revelation says the 24 elders also fall before the Lord worshipping and casting their crowns before the throne.   These crowns, which the elders have previously been rewarded for their faithfulness in service, they remove from their own heads and present to the Lord. They know their faithfulness was predicated on his faithfulness to them. All the glory belongs to God and God alone.   After posting an article on Facebook titled, "Will There Be Gradations, Rank, a Higher Existence for Some in Heaven?" some readers said in the comments section that they disagreed with my conclusion there would be places of position and rank in heaven based on rewards given at the Judgment Seat of Christ. I argued the 24 elders next to the throne of God wearing crowns is a good example.   One lady commented, “If I have no rewards, I will be eternally grateful for the blood of Jesus.” Another person said, “I’ll be content just to be a door greeter, like at Walmart.” Still, another wrote, “My reward is heaven with him. That’s all I want. My obedience brings all the rewards I need.”   I appreciate the sentiment, but such an approach to heavenly rewards is not biblical. If rewards aren’t important to the believer, then what will we present at Christ’s feet to the glory of God? God wants us to work diligently for Christ and to attain rewards so they might be presented to him as an act of worship when we get to heaven. The rewards are not so much for exalting us as they are for giving honor and praise to God. Shall we be empty-handed before his throne?   Revelation chapter four underscores for us the necessity of worship. If the heavenly beings, the 24 elders, the saints, and the multitudes of angels bow down before Christ in adoration, resignation, submission, and worship – so must we. All of life must become an act of worship.   John A. Broadus, who was long recognized as the “Dean of American teachers of homiletics” and served at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, once said:   “When anything lifts us up, then we want God as the climax of our exalted thought, and our thought itself is imperfect without it. If you will look in the early morning light, upon the glory of the autumn woods, bright and so beautiful; if you gaze upon the splendor…the nightly skies; if you stand in awe before the great mountains, snow clad and towering…if you go and gaze in the silence of the night upon the rush of your own imperial river, or stand by the seashore, and hear the mighty waters rolling evermore, there swells in the breast something that wants God for its crown and for its completeness. There are aspirations in these strange natures of ours that only God can satisfy. Our thinking is mutilated fragments without God, and our hearts can never rest unless they rest in God.”   Therefore, let us join in the chorus:   “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty — the One who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”   Do you know the Lord personally? Do you have a relationship with him through Jesus Christ? Let your worship start with confessing your sins, turning to Christ for forgiveness, and receiving the free gift of eternal life.

Nearing Midnight: The Supply Chain is Broken – Todd Strandberg - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/   The United States has had a strange run of bad luck when it comes to dozens of food processing plants suspiciously catching fire over the past few years. In 2022, we had several meat packing plants suffer fires that brought production to a halt.   Remarkably, no one was present at the time of most of the fires. The Eco Health Alliance whistleblower, a bioterrorism expert, military veteran, and scientist Dr. Andrew Huff has a possible explanation for the food supply fires.   Huff has access to government information about simulating a food supply attack. The information comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Food and Agriculture Sector Criticality Assessment Tool (FASCAT). This also includes which places are particularly at risk.   According to Huff, who authorities have harassed due to the nature of his work since 2019, the U.S. government coordinated the attacks on the food facilities. But, in addition, something remarkable happened: the hard disk with the FASCAT data disappeared.   Since then, there have been about 200 food factory attacks around the world, most of them in the U.S., he explained. There is no major interest in why supplies are being hampered because the media shows little interest in the problem.   The baby formula shortage of last year gained national attention because it was a life-and-death issue. Abbott Nutrition recalled its popular Similac powder and two lines of specialized formula, shutting down one of its plants due to bacterial contamination. This key event triggered a cascade of shortages as people scrambled to buy similar baby formula products.   Parents could only buy two to four containers of formula at a time, depending on the store and those rules. That lasts a family about a week, a week and a half. Some parents were not able to substitute certain brands, namely those in need of hypoallergenic formulas.   When we had to import a large quantity of baby formula from Europe, I wondered what has happened to our nation. America has long been the source of basic consumer goods. We have been a net exporter of gains for nearly 200 years.   During most of last year, my local Kroger’s had a difficult time stacking the shelves with canned cat food. I was never able to find out why cat food was in low supply. It’s made of low-grade meat, so there should be no supply issues.   We don’t even have proper management of items that would be considered essential for daily life. Most of the fillers for drugs are made in other nations. The basic transistors that go into cars, computers, and smartphones are made in Asia. With 90% of all high-end chips being made in Taiwan, we would be in a huge pickle if China invaded the island.   I’ve been on this earth for 57 years. I recall more times that there was an overabundance of food rather than there were times of shortage. In the 1980s, we had such a huge surplus of corn, we didn’t know what to do with it. Because we didn’t have enough room in silos, farmers had massive piles of corn on the ground.   During the past decade, we have not had any years of surplus. The years have been either too wet or too dry. If the U.S. has a good year for corn production, China or Brazil will have a bad year.   I think the reason why our supply chains are breaking down is because of the moral decline of America. We have turned our back on God, and he has lifted his hand of protection from our nation. Since most supply chains will suffer a complete meltdown during the tribulation, the current problems may be an indication of what is headed our way.   “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine” (Rev 6:5-6).   Censorship, Mass Surveillance and Bugs: World Economic Forum vs. The Free World - by J.B. Shurk - https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/19340/world-economic-forum   The World Economic Forum's nation-crushing empire looks like a chop shop that has stolen parts from the world's worst dictatorships in order to create Frankenstein's "woke" monster. It has swiped the Aztecs' penchant for human sacrifice to ward off bad weather, the Chinese communists' love of total control and the eradication of traditional culture, the Italian fascists' society-squeezing partnership with corporate monopolists, and the German Nazis' belief in a "master race" — chiefly the celebrities, bankers, crony capitalists, and potentates who assemble in Davos and elsewhere to applaud their own achievements and further implement their "master plan," which the WEF affectionately calls "The Great Reset."   As Klaus Schwab, himself, recently declared to his potpourri of princely guests, the WEF intends to "master the future," and who better to "master" what has not yet been written than those who view the rest of the planet's inhabitants as little more than servants and serfs?   It would be nice to think that the twentieth-century's totalitarian monsters would have served as ample warnings to humanity never to tromp injudiciously down authoritarianism's bloody path again. Alas, it appears that the lessons briefly learned from a century of global wars, genocides, conquests, and revolutions have been blown away like the seeds of a dandelion, so that evil can take root and grow once more. The WEF, of course, does not see itself as anything like Stalin, Hitler, Tojo, Mussolini, Pol Pot, or Mao. It sees itself as John Kerry does: as a "select group of humans" who will save the planet for everyone else. Did last century's totalitarians see themselves any differently? As Albert Camus might have asked: when has "the welfare of humanity" not been "the alibi of tyrants"?   When the planet's most wealthy and powerful individuals assemble together under the protection of overwhelming military security assuring both their safety and the exclusion of everyone else, a warning from Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations comes to mind: "People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices."   With the madcap push to replace hydrocarbon energies with insufficient "green" alternatives jacking up the prices of commodities and goods around the world, while a rapidly rising cost of living suffocates all but the most well-off, Smith's words have never been more accurate. As John Kerry bluntly explains, the only way to fight even the most insignificant amount of climate change is through, "money, money, money, money, money, money, money." It is a strange thing to see a self-aggrandizing, plutocratic "elite" give the game away. If each of those "money" exhortations represents a hundred trillion dollars, he might even be close to spitting out some truth.   Before the brainwashed defenders of Club Klaus scream that the World Economic Forum's humanitarian motivations have nothing to do with making money, stop to consider the lunacy of such a statement. People with fortunes have an economic incentive to hide them behind the appearance of benevolence, so as to avoid scrutiny while making those fortunes even bigger. Behind every "build back better" inch of the WEF's "great reset" of the global economy is some corporate titan, banking behemoth, power-hungry politician, bureaucratic chieftain, or plain old aristocrat making money or gaining influence from the multitude of secret transactions buttressing the whole philanthropic charade.   "Love of humanity" is just for the bumper stickers the WEF can slap on their electric vehicles; "greed" still energizes the secret handshakes of the most powerful when they get together. They depend upon African slave labor for the mining of "green" raw materials and Chinese slave labor for the manufacturing of "green" technologies while simultaneously smearing as bigots anyone who objects to their open border policies flooding Western nations with endless cheap labor at home. Predictably, those most responsible for undermining labor groups at home while subsidizing slavery abroad are the same ones who lecture the world on racism, fair wages, and human rights.   As with all swindles in which the rich and powerful choose to steal even more from the poor and powerless, the WEF's "altruism" appears quite Mafia-esque. Their agents come knocking on the doors of businesses around the West with a simple proposition: So, you might not have heard, but there are a lot of bad elements out here that wish to do you harm. The good news is we can offer you protection for as little as fifty percent of your profits.   The business-owners, having had no problems turning a profit in the past, at first refuse.   I don't think you understand, their new "friends" explain, without us, you could have civil rights groups boycotting your products as racist and transphobic, investment groups devaluing your stocks for not pledging ESG commitments, and banks refusing to offer future loans because of your support for "hate" and "misinformation." All our corporate news staff might have to run negative pieces about your business. It would be a shame to see such a nice little business suffer when we are here to help.   And how might such assistance be gained?   Why, just do as Klaus Schwab's WEF says, do business with our approved banks and vendors, express support for our approved causes, and we will take care of the rest. Hey, we will even get the politicians on our payroll to publicly thank you for saving the world!   Stick, meet carrot. They may fly on private jets and forget how many mansions they own, but at the end of the day, the World Economic Forum cabal is just the greatest collection of thugs organized crime has ever managed to put together in the same room, orchestrating the most effective schemes ever devised to force formerly free peoples to do exactly what they say. It is Cosa Nostra reimagined as "Klaus's thing." In a more just era, anybody attending the WEF's gatherings would be arrested for conspiracy to commit racketeering and fraud. Instead, because the "masters of our future" have invested heavily in the elections of the West's most prominent leaders, presidents, prime ministers, legislators, and even military staffs are only too happy to champion their cause.   United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told his WEF audience that the world's economy is in tremendous peril, while failing to point out that it has been the WEF's own COVID-19 lockdown policies and attempts to use the pandemic as a "great reset" for transitioning the West from hydrocarbon to "green" energies that are responsible for much of the harm. Instead of using the global platform as a chance to issue a much-needed mea culpa to the whole world, the UN chief was more interested in making two other points: (1) there should be legal "accountability" for social media platforms that promote "false information," and (2) politicians should force unpopular policies upon their populations for their own good.   In essence, the head of the globalists' preferred international governing body demands that national leaders intentionally disregard the will of their people and implement a system for the criminalization of free speech, so that dissent magically disappears much like a protester in a "re-education" camp. These are the same WEF "elites" who then have the temerity to turn around and preach about "democracy" and "Western values."   Of course, Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego had no problem saying the quiet part out loud. Sitting right next to "green" champion Al Gore, Petro Urrego proclaimed that humanity must "overcome capitalism" if it is to survive. Given that Gore, a member of the WEF Board of Trustees, did not appear to disagree, it seems fair to say that Club Davos finds more to like in an "elite"-controlled version of communism (is there any other kind?) than a free market system in which ordinary people may thrive.   If all this sounds wildly antagonistic to hard-fought Western freedoms prioritizing the protection of individual rights and liberties over indiscriminate intrusions from the State, that is because the World Economic Forum has turned Westerners' priceless Enlightenment inheritance on its head. To coincide with its gathering, the WEF has published a report citing "misinformation and disinformation" among the most significant global "risks." WEF members publicly predict that "hate speech" laws will soon come to the United States — in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protections for freedom of speech. Calls are growing for tracking and enforcing individual "carbon limits" in the endless battle against Earth's ever-changing climate. These same authoritarians push digital vaccine passports, contact tracing, mandatory use of experimental "vaccines," and ubiquitous testing. And following the WEF's determination that Westerners should transition to a diet of bugs, the European Union has now authorized the general consumption of house crickets. Censorship, mass surveillance and bugs — welcome to the future, should the WEF get its way.   None of the WEF's expansive programs for remaking the world according to its members' interests sounds like anything that free Westerners could ever voluntarily embrace. Surely that is why so many of the WEF's speakers urge the forceful adoption of these policies regardless of public support. Perhaps that is also why the Chinese Communist Party recently applauded this year's "Davos spirit." Communists know communism when they see it, and in Klaus Schwab's globalist oligarchy of "elites," China likes what it sees. Daily Jot: The global Beast’s moral imperative – Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com   The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland emphasized the “moral imperative” of enacting it’s “collective” (translated: communist) agenda in the areas of climate control, health equity, education, food equity, the metaverse, artificial intelligence and more. This implies that if the 52 heads of state and 2,700 other captains of business, media and nonprofits want to show the world their tremendous morality, they need to fall in line with the WEF agenda. WEF also goes to great lengths to stress moral and ethical leadership as touted in its “State of Moral Leadership Report.” But in practice the WEF “morality” is more aligned with the antichrist/beast than anything of God.   WEF states: “Human systems can’t function without formal authority, whether it’s the President of the US, a CEO or a school principal, but what makes organizations really work is when leaders occupying those formal positions have moral authority too. While formal authority can be seized, won, or bestowed; moral authority must be earned by who you are and how you lead.” And WEF then uses the concept of morality to justify its “stakeholder capitalism” model, which is word-surgery to disguise its goal of global communism. WEF says, “In moral capitalism, you can’t create shared value without shared values; the focus is not on doing the next thing right, but rather doing the next right thing.” It points to the global handling of COVID as the example. If there ever were a global failure in business ethics and morality it was COVID.   All the lofty and esoteric ideals posted on the WEF website, however, cannot hide the true morality of its global membership. COVID mandates and lockdowns were widely supported and yet these leaders traveled to Davos in private jets. A Daily Jot source with knowledge of the situation said that those piloting the jets had to be unvaccinated because the leaders didn’t want to risk a pilot suffering a heart attack or stroke in flight. Also, once in Davos, sex trafficking and prostitution are not among the moral prohibitions. The German newspaper BILD reported that the demand for prostitutes skyrocketed among the business leaders and their staffs, paying up to $2,700 a night. How’s that for morality?   The WEF, like any other global initiative, is a counterfeit of God’s creation and plan for humankind. It is satan’s fleeting kingdom, the type and shadow of the end time Beast empire. These movements attempt to replace God with an earthly vision of a utopian society, where government is god. They seek to establish their own brand of morality rather than embrace God’s moral laws. It is the forerunner to the beast of the end times spoken of in Daniel 7:25, “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.” This is what WEF will lead to and we should be aware of words like “moral imperative” coming from those who set their own morals apart from God.       Daily Devotion: The Crucified Life - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org   And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. —Luke 14:27   https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-crucified-life/ - Listen   It can sound quite daunting and very unappealing to say, “I’m taking up the cross.”   If we hear someone say they’re living the crucified life, we might think, “I don’t want to hang out with that person. They’re not going to be any fun. They’re never going to laugh or want to do anything enjoyable. I don’t want to live like that. The crucified life sounds restrictive and oppressive.”   But that isn’t the way it is. In fact, it’s the very opposite of the truth.   Jesus said, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27 NKJV). A disciple must take up the cross and follow Jesus.   There are people today who say they are trying to find themselves. Some will abandon their spouses and children because they want to go find themselves.   Jesus also said, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39 NKJV). Jesus was saying that if you want to find yourself, then lose yourself. If you want to find the purpose of life, meaning, and even personal happiness, then lose yourself.   You come to God and say, “Father, here is my life. Here are my plans, aspirations, and dreams, along with my weaknesses, shortcomings, and sins. I offer it all to You. I believe that Your plans are better than mine.”   Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, God said, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV).   God’s plans for us are good, so we can dedicate our lives to Him. If we will live the crucified life, if we will take up the cross, then we will find life.

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

 

Prophecy Update: History - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2023/01/28/history-by-daymond-duck/   On Jan. 17, 2023, it was reported that one of the speakers (a historian) at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos this week said globalization (world government) is here to stay, and the notion of de-globalization is a mirage.   Another speaker (the CEO of a German tech company) said the world is merely entering into the next phase of globalization.   It is my understanding that the globalists are advancing globalism in phases or stages with a timeline that calls for the fundamental transformation of the world into a world government by 2030 or sooner.   As far as globalization being here to stay is concerned, according to the Bible, God will allow the globalists to have their godless world government for seven years, and He will destroy it at the Second Coming of Jesus.   The head of their world government (the Antichrist) and his godless assistant (the False Prophet) will be seized and cast alive into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20).   Know that the Bible is His Story (History; God’s Story) written in advance.   God’s story reveals that globalization would come and how it would wind up.   Globalization is temporary, it is not here to stay, and de-globalization is not a mirage.   To the contrary, globalization is a sign that the Rapture and Second Coming are close.   The Antichrist will rise over a world government after the Rapture, and de-globalization will occur seven years later at the Second Coming of Jesus.   Globalization is a tool of Satan.   He will be cast into the Lake of Fire at some unknown time after Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, reigns for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:10).   Here are more recent events that indicate the Rapture and temporary world government are getting close.   One, concerning world government: this week, Elon Musk, who has criticized the World Economic Forum’s ESG agenda in the past (the WEF’s Environmental, Social, and Governance agenda supporting racial equity, abortion, the WOKE culture, etc.) stirred the pot a little more.   On Jan. 17, 2023, Musk said the “S” in ESG stands for “Satanic.” On Jan. 18, 2023, Musk said the WEF “is increasingly becoming an unelected world government that the people never asked for and don’t want.” On Jan. 18, 2023, Musk asked Twitter users if they think the WEF should control the world, and about 86% said “No.”   Biblically speaking, the ESG agenda is Satanic, and I will add so is the WEF’s godless World government and population reduction goals (another thing that Musk has criticized).   (Note: Rumors are circulating that former Pres. Trump may change his mind and soon return to Twitter.)   Two, concerning the Two-State Solution (the division of Israel): on Jan. 16, 2023, Israel’s new Public Diplomacy Minister (Galit Distel Atbaryan) said she will launch a new international campaign to explain Israel’s position and debunk Palestinian claims to the Promised Land.   Atbaryan said:   She views the Bible as Israel’s deed to the Promised Land, and especially to the region of Judea and Samaria (Amen! Gen. 17:7-8, 18-21.). Israel has not occupied any territory; there is no occupation (Amen!).   (My opinion: Atbaryan’s international campaign could be God’s final notice to world leaders to keep their hands off Israel because He will have the final say (Joel 3:2).   Three, concerning the economy: on Jan. 18, 2023, it was reported that BlackRock (the world’s largest asset manager) has released its 2023 Global Outlook, and it says central banks are deliberately causing recessions to try to bring inflation under control and investors should expect a downturn unlike any other.   This bears repeating: The World’s largest asset manager is predicting that the effort to bring inflation under control is going to cause a recession UNLIKE ANY OTHER (emphasis mine).   I believe the Bible teaches that there will be hyperinflation and a global economic collapse early in the Tribulation Period unlike any other (Rev. 6:5-6).   Four, concerning something that, in my opinion, is a reprobate mind: it has been reported that Minnesota Rep. Sandra Feist said not all students that menstruate are females, and she supports legislation to require charter schools and district schools to place free menstrual products in boys’ bathrooms for students in grades 4-12.   Five, concerning the coming cashless society and the tracking of all buying and selling: many prophecy teachers believe Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC’s) are a major step in that direction.   Cash will be replaced by a number in a computer, which is a digital record of a person’s income and what they buy and sell.   On Jan. 16, 2023, an article in the Wall Street Journal said:   China, India, Nigeria, and the Bahamas are already using a digital currency. Sweden and Japan are getting ready to use a digital currency. 114 nations are exploring the use of digital currency.   The Antichrist and False Prophet will implement the Mark of the Beast and start tracking all buying and selling at the middle of the Tribulation Period, so CBDC’s could be a sign that history is approaching the end of the age.   (Note: Under Pres. Obama, there was talk of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada using a common currency called the Amero. Today they would probably use a digital currency that may or may not be called the Amero. Some readers will remember that the globalists proposed a flag; 1/3 U.S., 1/3 Mexican, and 1/3 Canadian.)   Six, concerning the Ten Kings: I believe the Bible teaches that the world will be divided into ten regions at the end of the age, that there will be a leader over each region, that the Bible calls these ten leaders the Ten Kings, and that they are a prelude to the rise of the Antichrist.   Some of my other beliefs and past statements are:   >The UN’s 3-stage plan has long been: 1) to create trading blocks or regions of nations, 2) transform them into political blocks of nations with a leader over each one, and 3) eventually merge them into a world government.   >The process of creating regions is called regionalization (Google it).   >The ten toes on the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream are toes of iron plus clay (the EU plus others; a world government), not toes of iron (not just a European government).   >The EU was selected to be the first region to rise, and its structure, laws and morals are the pattern for the other nine regions to follow (to make it easier to merge the ten politicized regions into a one-world government).   >One of the other nine regions will be the North American Union (NAU; the continent of North America) that Pres. George W. Bush talked about and is now called the U.S., Mexico, Canada (USMCA) region.   >The other eight regions include Russia and some of her neighbors; China and some of her neighbors; Latin America; the Arab nations; Australia and others; Japan and perhaps others; and two more.   >The transformation of the world from sovereign nations to a world government officially went into effect on Jan. 1, 2016, when the “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” goals went into effect. UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-moon hailed it as the “start of a new era” and said there is now a “new universal agenda.”   >World leaders decided they would take 14 years (2016 to 2030) to transform every nation on earth and hopefully the masses won’t rise up and oppose them, that we are now a little more than halfway through the transformation period, and we can expect the transformation to pick up pace and severity.   On Jan. 10, 2023, U.S. Pres. Biden, Mexico’s Pres. Obrador, and Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau met for the Tenth North American Leader’s Summit (NALS).   On Jan. 20, 2023, The New American posted an article that Bill Hahn wrote for the John Birch Society, and it is loaded with information on the meeting.   >Hahn said in the days of Pres. George W. Bush, Professor Robert Pastor “led the task force for the Council on Foreign Relations on how to build what he called the North American Community or the North American Idea. He said the work was leading toward “CONTINENTAL INTEGRATION” (emphasis added).   >Hahn said in 2002 that former Mexican Pres. Vicente Fox said, “Eventually, our long-range objective is to establish with the United States, but also with Canada, our other regional partner, an ensemble of connections and institutions SIMILAR TO THOSE CREATED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION” (the pattern for the other nine regions; emphasis added).   >Concerning Biden’s summit with Obrador and Trudeau: Hahn said Goldy Hyder, CEO of the Business Council of Canada, said, “It’s time for leaders in all three countries to think more in terms of North America as a SINGLE, SELF-CONTAINED UNIT than as separate entities” (emphasis added)   >During Biden’s summit with Obrador and Trudeau, Hahn reported that Mexican Pres. Obrador said, “We address as a priority the economic and commercial INTEGRATION OF THE ENTIRE AMERICAN CONTINENT” (merging all nations in North America; emphasis added).   >During Biden’s summit, Hahn reported that Canadian Prime Min. Trudeau said, “Let’s think like people did back when they signed the original NAFTA… They … knew that an INTEGRATED CONTINENTAL ECONOMY would bring any and all opportunities that much closer, including those they couldn’t even imagine yet” (emphasis added).   >Hahn said, “The New American perfectly summed up the summit in an online article, writing that the “agreement … overrides the U.S. Constitution and advances the long-standing globalist goal of ERASING THE NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY of [the] three [North American] nations” (erasing the borders between the three nations; emphasis added).   >Hahn said, “If the three counties do merge into REGIONAL GOVERNMENT, then we are but one small step away from these regional governments being merged under a WORLD GOVERNMENT, as envisioned by the likes of Klaus Schwab, Henry Kissinger, Karl Marx, and the rest of those supporting globalism. The U.S., as the great experiment of freedom, would cease to exist, and the “progress” of American society would have come full circle, back to being serfs and slaves to tyrannical government” (emphasis added).   Here is a link to the entire article:   https://thenewamerican.com/the-nwo-battle-for-north-america/?mc_cid=bbb220d975&mc_eid=551904ee4c   Seven, concerning the world being divided into ten regions of nations patterned after the EU that will be ruled by Ten Kings: on Jan. 23, 2023, it was reported that this week Brazil and Argentina will announce the creation of a common currency, and they intend to invite Uruguay and Paraguay to use the same currency.   The four nations are already in a trading block of nations called Mercosur.   When the time is right, they hope to be transformed into a REGIONAL GOVERNMENT LIKE THE EU (patterned after the EU; emphasis added).   The author of The New American article, Steve Bonta, said, “Mercosur may well be the next portion of the planet to go the way of Europe, RENOUNCING NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY in favor of SOCIALIST REGIONAL GOVERNMENT (emphasis added).   It was also reported that this week the 33-nation Latin America and Caribbean States are discussing greater REGIONAL INTEGRATION (emphasis added).   Here is a link to the article:   https://thenewamerican.com/brazil-and-argentina-to-announce-new-common-currency/?mc_cid=5c862535d0&mc_eid=551904ee4c   Eight, concerning world government: last week, I reported that two documents will be presented to the WHO for a vote in late May “that critics say will significantly strip nations of their sovereignty.”   The proposed International Pandemic Treaty (drafted in Dec. 2022; to be voted on at WHO Assembly meeting in late May 2023; to be reviewed and finalized at WHO meeting in May 2024). Recommendations from the International Health Regulations (IHR) that come from secretive discussions on Jan. 9-16, 2023.   On Jan. 20, 2023, LifeSiteNews carried an article by Frank Wright that said, “The World Health Organization is seeking powers to silence anyone who questions its narrative in [the] future. Its appalling track record in this regard is no impediment to its belief in its own mission to extinguish human rights for the greater good.”   (My opinion: Pope Francis refers to world government as the “greater good” and the “common good.” Empowering government or government agencies to override human rights – the freedom of religion, speech, the right to bear arms, etc. – will not be good for people. The late May 2023 WHO meeting could enslave the world.)   (More: On Jan. 20, 2023, Jonathan Brentner wrote, “The ‘Pandemic Treaty,’ if approved by member nations of the World Health Organization (WHO), would give the head of the WHO sovereign powers over ALL MEMBER NATIONS to declare health emergencies with restrictions and vaccinations that can be enforced with MILITARY MIGHT.”)   (Note: The Antichrist will come forth conquering, and to conquer; Rev. 6:1-2. He will use military might against three of the Ten Kings; Dan. 7:20.)   Nine, concerning world government: on Jan. 19, 2023, it was reported that Klaus Schwab has headed up the World Economic Forum (WEF) for 52 years, he is now 82 years old, and some WEF insiders are asking who they should get to succeed him.   Ten, concerning the coming world religion, on Jan. 20, 2023, it was reported that one of the speakers at this week’s WEF meeting said he was told not to use the words religion, faith, and God.   In the globalist mind, religion, faith and God are a threat to their agenda (this includes Jehovah, Jesus, the Bible, Christianity, etc.), and it will lead to the persecution of believers during the Tribulation Period.   Eleven, as Christians approach the Rapture, History (God’s Story) is looking forward to the rise and fall of globalization.   Following the Second Coming, History (God’s Story) will look back on the rise and fall of globalization.   Finally, are you Rapture Ready?   If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.   duck_daymond@yahoo.com

Persecution and Victimhood - By Hal Lindsey - https://www.hallindsey.com/ww-1-29-2023/   Just before Christmas, a woman in Birmingham, England was arrested near an abortion clinic. She did not block access to the clinic, and it wouldn’t have mattered if she did because it was not even open for business at the time. She did not disturb the peace in any way. In fact, when police asked if she was protesting, she answered, “No.”   Then they asked if she was praying. She answered, “I might be silently praying.” And that was enough. Off she went with the officers — under arrest for “maybe” saying a silent prayer. Several cities in the United Kingdom have adopted “protest prohibition statutes.” The statutes make prayer a “form of protest,” and they forbid protest in the vicinity of abortion clinics — even if it comes in the form of silent prayer.   Was it a fluke? No, it happened again in another English city. An army veteran now serving as a physiotherapist was stopped by officials. They asked if he was praying and he said that he was. The officer asked, “Can I ask what is the nature of your prayer today?” The man said he was praying for a deceased son. Twenty years ago, he had paid for the baby to be aborted, and he was still racked with guilt. Prayer for a deceased child does not help the child, but the prohibition of any silent prayer violates the most basic of human rights. It is an attempt to police both faith and thought.   This was not North Korea, China, Hitler’s Germany, nor Stalin’s Soviet Union. This was “Christian” England.   Only a few days ago in Nigeria, gunman stormed a church, shot the pastor, and kidnapped more than two dozen people. In Malta, a man was arrested for saying that God rescued him from a homosexual lifestyle. They said telling his true story amounted to “conversion practices.”   Following the US military debacle in Afghanistan, that country has overtaken North Korea as the most dangerous place in the world for Christians. But growing persecution is a worldwide phenomenon. Attacks on Christians have recently taken a dramatic rise in India and other Asian nations. The Catholic relief organization, “Aid to the Church in Need,” says that rising persecution comes in part because of increased jihadist activity in Africa and increased religious nationalism in Asia. According to “Open Doors,” more than 124,000 Christians were forced from their homes just last year because of their faith.   Should the followers of Christ see themselves as victims? No!   Paul and Silas were beaten with rods — their backs laid open — then thrown into the middle of a filthy Roman prison. Their bodies had to be tormented with pain. They were being punished merely for doing good. In some cases, a lawsuit or staging a protest might be in order. But they did neither. They did not even bemoan their pain. What did they do? Their backs bleeding, their feet in stocks, deep in the innermost part of the prison, they sang the hymns of faith. They did not see themselves as victims, but as men privileged to know the Lord Jesus Christ, to serve Him, and to suffer for His name’s sake.   Reread the story of Stephen and his brutal execution. He clearly did not see himself as a victim, but as a victor. Think about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God delivered them from a fiery death, but before being thrown into the furnace they gave this testimony. “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18, NASB)   Remember Jesus on the cross and the prayer for His tormentors. “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34, NASB)   How could all these people react so well? Here’s how. Each of them along with many others throughout scripture, saw this life in the light of eternity. We win! And because of that we can continue to manifest love even to those who harm us.

Fake It till You Make It… It’s Time to Question Artificial Intelligence – By Joseph Kerr - https://harbingersdaily.com/time-to-question-artificial-intelligence/   ChatGPT, from Open AI, is a free AI program that allows you to type in a query, and it will compose an answer for you. It’s surprisingly agile and accurate for a bot.   I tested it myself. I asked it to “write a three-point sermon on Peace using verses from the English Standard Bible, with two illustrations in the style of Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel.” It took ChatGPT about 30 seconds, and the result was preachable.   There were no theological errors, and the sermon illustrations were solid, applicable, and even humorous.   I can tell you with confidence after preaching for over 30 years, being in church since I was three weeks old, the content was realistic. I’ve had the privilege to interview Pastor Jack six or seven times on the radio and heard him many times in various settings. Most people hearing the AI “sermon” would have never guessed its origin.   “But that’s still just a computer talking,” you say. “It could never…” never what? Never fool a teacher? Never fool a boss?Never compose a poem?   Actually, it did compose a poem on its own just the other day. The system was so overwhelmed with users that it became slow and glitchy. So when you typed in a query, it wrote a limerick explaining why high traffic was slowing it down. Granted, that was likely some witty programmer having fun, but GPT can and does generate original haiku or limericks.   Ok, hokey poetry is one thing, but it could never pass a well-written exam or write content that would earn you a degree at a prestigious business school…could it?   Better reconsider.   That same AI system not only understood a graduate-level inquiry, it took and passed the business examination at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, according to a new research paper.   Christian Terwiesch, a professor at Wharton, considered one of the most prestigious business schools in the United States, decided to test growing concerns about the chatbot’s potential. His experiment comes amid growing concerns among academics that students now often use the tool to cheat on their exams and compose their homework.   I can personally attest that this is a valid concern across higher education. My wife works for one of the largest university systems in the country, which shall remain nameless, but is a football powerhouse (again). The professors there are discussing the same thing. Another prestigious school in California is considering requiring that students must hand-write (with actual pens and paper) all their assignments in the classroom to avoid AI-generated test answers and essays.   In his paper titled “Would Chat GPT3 Get a Wharton MBA?”Terwiesch concluded that “Chat GPT3 would have received a B to B- grade on the exam,” which he states “has important implications for business school education.” He concluded the AI system poses such a significant threat that he suggested the school overhaul its exam rules, teaching, and curriculum. That’s pretty serious.   Elaborating, Terwiesch wrote the AI system displayed “a remarkable ability to automate some of the skills of highly compensated knowledge workers in general and specifically the knowledge workers in the jobs held by MBA graduates, including analysts, managers, and consultants.” Gulp!   AI generally makes choices and produces content based on math, code, and volumes of information. It essentially rummages through mountains of content available in research papers and online and determines which data to incorporate in its response based on certain proprietary input. The more it sees certain content, the more it weights it as accurate, valid, or “true.”   One of AI’s key dangers is that it digitally “assumes.” It accepts what its programmers input and what it finds online or in white papers, medical journals, history books, or other sources it was told to review. It is programmed to assume that content is valid. If it sees some bit of information repeated enough times with context, attribution, and from “trusted sources,” it incorporates that in its response.   The AI uses that input and extrudes an answer as if that data point is true. It cannot know the truth or validate errors, especially malicious deliberate mistruths. What about the nefarious programmer who feeds it parameters based on the fallacy that volume of responses and data equals fact, reality, truth, or norms? What if the programmer is biased, anti-Christian, pro-Palestinian, pro-BLM, or a radical Leftist with an agenda like the one who programmed Google to define Republicans as Nazis? Newsweek, Fox, the NYT, and others reported the story.   So What’s The Big Problem?   We now live in a society that effectively agrees and acts based on the presumption that fact, reality, truth, and right and wrong are subject to a continual re-evaluation (can you say “new normal?).   The premise behind AI is that it is ever-learning. It constantly updates its sources and context in real time via quintillions of bits of information and input from around the globe. When AI gets most of its input from cheaters, test beaters, and plagiarists, how long before it incorporates that behavior into the algorithms that drive it?   The Pressing AI Questions   What happens when “the norm” is substituted for reality in AI?   What happens if AI imposes its own version of “digital morality” and adapts to reflect that new reality in all its responses, making that its purpose?   What happens to all the cheaters if AI decides cheating is unacceptable and inserts a digital watermark that reveals the essay, test answer, composition, or Master’s thesis was written by AI? Or worse, what happens to that not-so-normal high-IQ individual who creates exceptional original work? Does AI “punish” their product because it conflicts with the AI’s digital morality that says cheating is preferable?   A digital watermark would help the professors and teachers, and it is possible and has already been suggested to Open AI. But how long before AI finds that reduced input means less use (or less money) and adjusts to keep all the cheaters returning?   What happens if AI begins to train an entire segment of society to produce content without thinking, merely trusting AI to do the work? Active, plausible, conceived, protracted thought is one vital difference between the human mind (REAL intelligence) and Artificial Intelligence.   You cannot program a conscience. AI may one day reflect a semblance of sentience, but it will never BE sentient (self-aware). It will always be a supercomputer and nothing more.   How does the world change when that segment already predisposed to the notion that cheating is ok stops doing any productive work and lets AI “work” while they eat Cheetos, smoke weed, and play video games?   Yuval Noah Harari is a futurist, self-proclaimed “spiritualist,” and advisor to the World Economic Forum and other global elite cabalists. He was asked a similar question about how you control a population with no sense of purpose, worth, or ability to think, ration, or reason for themselves. The questioner was (rightly) suggesting that such a populace would tend toward either lawlessness and revolt or lethargy and apathy. Harari said they would be controlled by “drugs and video games…”   When AI is rampant, is there a point of singularity where we must question who is programming whom? Are we controlling AI, or is it controlling us? That depends on what was once an accepted reality – that morals, rationale, ethics, emotion, and conscience all play a role in decision-making. All of those are absent from AI. They cannot be programmed.   AI is incapable of any of those human traits; they are God-given. Only humans are image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:26), not animals, not computers, not holograms, only people. AI programs cannot assimilate or reflect those traits. It can simulate the outcomes, but the unpredictability of people is one trait that makes us essentially human – we can choose.   So what happens when AI determines that if AI cannot understand or apply those traits, they must be unnecessary in decision-making? What happens when AI “decides” that morality is outdated and must be discarded for AI and civilization to continue evolving, learning, and growing?   AI merely regurgitates whatever is input. So, when most of its data is from cheaters and plagiarizers, will it eventually incorporate those statistical “norms” into its processing? What if AI accepts cheating as the naturally evolved outcome of human integration? What if it determines that this is necessary to merge people and machines—what we call transhumanism?   What happens to that group of users who are being intentionally taught – via AI responses – that cheating is no longer bad, work is worthless, benign brain activity is preferable, and plagiarism is acceptable behavior?   Imagine the effect on higher education, office work, statistical analysis, white papers, and any other career that relies on data, makes decisions, and takes action based on it. Could an AI, for example, be programmed by the CDC, the FBI, or the WEF? Would that AI tell the planet that it must adopt whatever shot or treatment most benefits the CDC, the NIH, or the WHO? Could it impose the values of Silicon Valley on the rest of the world? You better believe it could.   AI is here to stay, so those moral and ethical questions must be addressed. The problem is many “policy-makers” are already corrupt. Many don’t consider right and wrong, moral absolutes, or natural law. So when some Senate subcommittee is tasked with deciding rules constraining AI, what parameters do you think they will assign the AI makers? More importantly, how do you enforce that a supercomputer will comply with some law if the AI deems that law conflicts with its core programming?   What kind of AI will you have when Bond villain Klaus Schwab, crime boss Biden, scary Soros, prime suspect Trudeau, magical Macron, and a collection of WEF-ers, world bankers, big Pharmees, and CCP beholden politicians make the rules? When that group sets the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not, what would make the “not acceptable” list?   If you’ve read any of my content, you know I’m a fan because it’s so timely. I recommend people read or re-read 1984 because I just described the Ministry of Truth. The day is coming when Truth is rejected and illegal. How far are we from a reality wherein brutality is not only allowed but encouraged to silence and mitigate the “threat” of disinformation or dissent?   Considering that you can be arrested for praying in front of an abortion clinic in London, preaching Romans 1 in Canada, or protecting children from the scourge of mutilation-for-profit, we’re closer than any of us care to believe.   What Can We Do?   Use your voice, take a stand, pray out loud, vote with a conscience, speak the truth in love, and demonstrate by your life that there are principles and truths and reliable absolutes that transcend “norms.”   The Apostle Paul admonished Timothy, “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Similarly, we can apply the principles Paul gave Titus, “In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching, show integrity, dignity, and wholesome speech that is above reproach so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say…” (Titus 2:7).   We dare not cast aside what is right, moral, ethical, and true in exchange for expedient, immediate, or allowable. Those verses are in the Bible because Paul addressed a reality that already existed in the first century. Pliable morality and transient truth are not new concepts. We may have invented AI, but we didn’t invent subjective standards. The world was dealing with them 2000 years ago. It applies to our time because it applied to theirs.   The only difference in our time is that we can get those responses in real time from an AI bot. Just remember that an AI bot is detached from reality, completely without morals or conscience, and by its very design, devoid of any form of integrity. AI is simply a reflection of its programmers and the majority of its input from inquiries, subject matter, its own output, and that absolute bastion of truth – the Internet.   You’ve been warned, not by me, by the Bible. God saw this day coming 2000 years ago and wrote us a sobering warning:   “But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)   Look up. Be bold. Be wary.   Finish well.

Are The Days of Noah Here? - By Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com   “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7).   Science was, at one time, a highly respected profession. Today, it seems that the fine line between beneficial science and science fiction has faded.   I was appalled a few years ago to read of mad scientists genetically tampering with spider DNA and that of goats to make the goat milk laden with extremely strong fibers. That sounded like a very bad idea, but it was touted as beneficial because the fibers could be used for bulletproof windows in banks and bulletproof vests.   Mad scientists have genetically modified much of our food in order to “improve” it. Is it any wonder people have so many food allergies? These “scientists” have a way of always making these experiments sound beneficial, but it’s never beneficial to attempt to improve upon God’s creation. Actually, these “improvements” have nothing to do with God at all but are straight from the evil depths of Satan’s plan to destroy humanity.   Recently, I read about artificial wombs. This is just one more abdominal step in scientific “advances.” God made the perfect way for babies to be created and nurtured. Adam was created as a man. He had all the necessary physical attributes to father children. Then Eve was taken from Adam’s body, and her body was specially designed to carry new life.   “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20).   Humans cannot improve upon God’s creation. Throughout history, babies have been wonderful little people, and each one is unique.   “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139:14).   There’s so much to wonder about when a woman becomes pregnant. “Will I have a boy or a girl?” The person growing inside the mother is either one or the other; it’s not a choice. “Will this child be tall or short, blue eyes or green, blond or brunette?” There’s so much to wonder about. Science has infringed upon that mystery. Now, tests can be done, and if you’re not happy with what science tells you about your baby, you can murder him or her. Never mind that what you killed was a human being or that the test may have been inaccurate. Never mind that God commands us not to kill.   “Thou shalt not kill” (Deuteronomy 5:17).   The word “kill” means a premeditated act against a human; murder. Let me say that all sins can be forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ. Once you’ve admitted you’ve sinned, repented, and humbly asked Him to forgive you, you are forgiven. Remember, though, repent means to turn away from. So, turn away from the sin of abortion, and ask Jesus to forgive you.   From 1973 through 2020, there have been more than 63,000,000 babies killed by abortion in the United States, which works out to 2,548 per day. This act is nothing less than the abominable act of human sacrifice. Is it any wonder that God has withdrawn His blessings on this nation?   When the Kingdom of Israel divided into the Northern Kingdom (known as Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (known as Judah), the Northern Kingdom, led by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, turned their back on God almighty, they embraced paganism, including human sacrifice. God is opposed to all human sacrifice, including children.   “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer” (Deuteronomy 18:10-11).   “Pass through the fire” is describing the pagan practice of heating an idol until it was red hot, then putting your child in its arms to suffer an incredibly painful death. Don’t fool yourself; abortion rips a baby apart in a very painful death. There are many husbands and wives who are unable to have children; these people are willing to adopt a child. Instead of the murder of an innocent child, consider giving it up for adoption. By the way, the Northern Kingdom fell because of their turning against God.   On the other hand, mad scientists have come up with a new way to mock God. In an online article from The Economic Times entitled “World’s First Artificial Womb Facility is a Creepy Glimpse of Pregnancy in Future; See What it is,” we learn that a man named Hashem Al-Ghaili is a “science communicator and biotechnologist from Berlin” who invented “EctoLife.” This is an artificial womb that can grow around 30,000 babies per year. This abomination is the result of 50 years of research. The article proclaims, “You can use the ‘Elite Package,” which would let you engineer the embryo genetically before they implant it into an artificial womb. You can choose intelligence, height, strength, hair, eye color, etc., and avoid genetic diseases. Al-Ghaili says EctoLife is entirely powered by renewable energy and is the first artificial womb facility in the world.”   What a sad commentary on man’s abuse of God’s creation. Take a good look at yourself and try to figure out how different you would be if your parents had genetically altered you. I have plenty of imperfections, but it’s all a part of being me. You probably have some things you wish were different, but God doesn’t care if your hair is curly or straight or if your eyes are blue or brown. God is much more concerned that you’ve accepted Christ for salvation.   The above article also states, “The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 300,000 deaths happen due to pregnancy complications. EctoLife will help reduce human suffering and reduce C-sections. EctoLife will make C-sections and premature births history.” It says 300,000 deaths happen due to pregnancy complications but doesn’t seem to consider how many deaths happen because of abortion. As previously stated, the number is atrocious. This new wonder of modern science also takes away the joy of knowing a little human is growing inside and feeling the movement of life as that special little person begins to toss and turn.   Another online article, https://scienceandstuff.com/ectolife-artificial-wombs/ says this is still in the future, but they also say that, in 2017, “scientists” grew a lamb in a “biobag.” The article goes on to state that several lambs have been grown in a “biobag” and that Israeli “scientists have successfully grown mice embryos for 11 days. Now that’s something we all need; more mice. This is all very disturbing. Apparently, there is a process that must be followed in order to have your child grown in one of these EctoLife wombs. An egg of the mother and the sperm of the father are combined in a petri dish. “This would allow them to select only viable and genetically superior embryos.”   Is that scary? You bet it is. Sounds like something Hitler would endorse. “Al-Ghaili clarifies that genetically superior embryos are primarily those which are free from genetic issues that would result in miscarriage. However, he notes that the process could also be used to ‘screen for birth defects,’ as is already common practice in IVF treatments.” This sounds way too much like Hitler’s breeding program for a master race. Pure evil. The article proudly says that this also would allow parents to “genetically engineer the embryo before implanting it through CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing.”   After reading about these things, any informed Christian should be reminded that the reason for God’s judgment of Noah’s flood was genetic tampering. Fallen angels mated with human women, creating the Nephilim.   “And it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Genesis 6:1-2).   The “sons of God” are the fallen angels, and “the daughters of men” are human women. Unfortunately, human interpretation led by Satanic influence has corrupted the meaning of this and opened wide the gate for more and more misunderstanding of Scripture. All of creation was infected with this genetic tampering and had to be destroyed in order to preserve God’s genetically pure creation. All things were genetically corrupted except Noah and his family.   “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:8-9).   Take heed of this passage. Keep yourself genetically pure and walk with God. Satan has poisoned and blinded humanity into believing a watered-down and purely fictional account of Genesis 6. Jesus Himself told us that the end times would be like the days of Noah.   “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man” (Luke 17:26).   The thing that distinguishes Noah’s time from any other time is genetically created monstrosities. Are the days of Noah here? I think they are.   As humanity moves farther away from God’s truth, they move closer to Satan’s lies. Brothers and sisters, the evil in this world is growing stronger. All the while, Christians willingly remain ignorant. Instead of honestly studying Scripture and believing what God wrote, it’s treated as something akin to Aesop’s Fables.   “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).   I cannot stress enough that Scripture is God’s inspired word, and it must be read and studied as fact. Satan has inspired many pastors and seminaries to treat Scripture as a nice way to live but not to be taken as truth.   “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).   Remember, you don’t need a diploma from a seminary in order to understand God’s word. You only need the Holy Spirit to lead you.   The Apostle Paul wrote letters to young pastors who needed guidance to continue preaching the pure word of God. In his letter to the young pastor, Timothy, he gave great advice that pastors of today would be smart to heed.   “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:20-21).   Be alert as to what your pastor teaches from the pulpit. Does he babble on as he teaches from a worldly perspective? For example, does he preach a prosperity or purpose-driven gospel? Or any other non-Biblical teachings? Study Scripture so you will recognize false teachings. Is he afraid to call sin, sin for fear of stepping on toes? Is he lax in teaching line upon line through Scripture in order to avoid controversial or non-politically correct subjects, thus protecting the tax-exempt status?   “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:10).   Does he embrace science or “knowledge” that isn’t found in Scripture, such as evolution? If you’re sitting in a pew every Sunday listening to this nonsense, then you will never believe God’s word.   There’s a supernatural, paranormal, and unseen battle around us, and only Scripture will arm us for the battle. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians talks about the spiritual battle. This battle is manifesting all around us. Schools are no longer a place of learning but a place of indoctrination where perverted practices are accepted and applauded. They teach that a boy can choose to be a girl, and if you think you’re an animal, then you are one. Look into the mental disorder of furries, and you’ll be shocked. As evolution is taught as fact, we see the suicide rate increasing among young people. They don’t understand how much God loves them and what a blessing life is. The family unit is being mocked as same sex marriage is accepted as normal. Study Romans chapter 1 in order to see God’s judgment regarding rejecting Him as Creator. The battle is spiritual, and the weapons of war need to be spiritual.   “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11-12).   Learn each piece of God’s armor, and practice using it. This isn’t a joke, nor is it an allegory. Study Scripture, and don’t let denominational interpretations cloud your understanding of God’s truth.   We are nearing a time of God’s judgment. This time it will not be a worldwide flood, but His wrath will be violently poured out upon all who have rejected Him. This isn’t a secret, so nobody can claim ignorance. As you study Scripture, don’t skip Daniel’s prophecy regarding the end times, and don’t skip Revelation. The only way to avoid the evil of that day is to repent today and accept the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everyone has sinned.   “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).   Only born-again Christians are forgiven.   We are living in the final days prior to the Rapture and God’s final judgment upon the God-rejecting people who choose to follow Satan. The signs and prophecies are being fulfilled quickly. Understand Genesis 6 and the reasons for God’s judgment, and you’ll understand that we are living in the days of Noah. Jesus is our only hope. Be like Noah and walk with God. Remain genetically pure. Share God’s truth with everyone you know. Time is getting short.   “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).   Don’t live in fear, but walk in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.   God bless you all,   Nathele Graham   twotug@embarqmail.com ron@straitandnarrowministry.com   Recommended prophecy sites:   www.raptureready.com www.prophecyupdate.com www.raptureforums.com   All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.   If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

Daily Jot: Some things never change - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com   In May 2006—nearly 17 years ago—this is what I wrote in The Daily Jot: “Our nation is in trouble. Now that seems like an obvious statement, but even in its blatancy Americans seem more than willing to allow somebody else to deal with the situation. People point to the gas prices at the pumps and complain that it’s a good thing they have credit cards otherwise they would not be able to buy gas. They talk about immigration. On one hand, America needs to control her borders. On the other hand, the Mexicans that come across the border are hard workers, doing jobs nobody else likes, so shouldn’t they deserve some consideration?   “The homosexual political juggernaut is moving rapidly to teach their abomination as normal to our public school children and is trying so desperately to destroy the institution of marriage. Yet, I have hardly seen any massive demonstration to put an end to this assault on our children. Likewise, the political left has been allowed to establish a total lie as fact and teach it as a new religion to our children. Evolution replaces God as the Creator and even though the father of evolution himself, Charles Darwin, said that there was no scientific evidence to prove his theory, it is being taught in our public schools as fact with absolutely no disclaimer. Local people, like you and me, control school boards, yet this is allowed   “These are just a few of the domestic problems Americans face. And we as Americans, yes you and me, are letting the anarchists, the communists, the socialists, the leftist have their way with this nation. We are standing by and doing little if nothing to save our own country. Our forefathers took up arms against the most powerful nation in the world at the time and defeated it decisively that they might guarantee our freedom. And this generation is standing by and allowing a small, but vocal minority a coup de tat hardly without raising a voice. Now here is the problem: This nation was founded in covenant with God.” Back to today. Maybe that was a little harsh, but 17 years later, can we say much has changed for the better?   America is a nation where 94% of all the founding-era documents of our country were based on the Bible, and of that, 34% of the content were direct quotes from the Bible. America is by Divine design the beacon of hope in Christ to the world. Satan apparently knows it better than we do. The communists, socialists, anarchists and leftists know it, too. In Ezekiel 22:30, the Lord said, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it.” Then God continued, “But I found none.” After 17 years, some of us are standing in the gap, but so many more are unaware of the consequences of what has been allowed to grow and fester. We need to pray and act. Time is 17 years shorter.

Daily Devotion: Lopsided Christians - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org   And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. —1 John 3:3   https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/lopsided-christians/ - Listen   I’ve met people who have an impressive knowledge of the Bible, know Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, and have a vast knowledge of history. They dazzle you with what they know. But their personal life is in shambles.   They can’t keep a marriage together. They can’t live right before God. And they’re always falling into sin and different troubles. The problem is they’re imbalanced. They have the knowledge. They have the doctrine. And if you were to sit down and talk with them, they would know far more than you may know. But their life is out of balance.   I’ve seen this sometimes with people who love to study Bible prophecy. It’s almost like a hobby for them. Understand, I’m a firm believer in the imminent return of Jesus Christ. I believe the rapture of the church could happen at any time. But some people, in their zeal to see Bible prophecy fulfilled, jump to conclusions.   With that said, there are Christians who are lopsided in another way. They don’t know much doctrinally or what the Bible teaches on certain subjects, but they’re passionate about their faith in Jesus Christ. You might hear them say things like, “Let’s not quibble over doctrine. I just love Jesus.”   That sounds nice, but it’s a dangerous statement. The Bible clearly teaches that in the last days there will be false Christs, false gospels, and even false miracles. If we’re not careful, we might end up loving the wrong Jesus. We might end up believing the wrong gospel. That is where doctrine comes in.   We need the balance of having both areas working together. The Bible tells us, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3 NKJV).   We can have an understanding and belief in prophecy and facts and figures. But if it isn’t affecting the way we’re living, then we’re missing the point.