September – By GF Herrin

September

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing.
As we danced in the night,
Remember how the stars stole the night away

Ba de ya – say do you remember
Ba de ya – dancing in September
Ba de ya – never was a cloudy day

(song lyrics by Earth, Wind, and Fire)

 

There is an amazing correlation of events coming together in the timeframe of September of this year. Pick any variety of events that could possibly occur, and there are theories out there. But most importantly, there are “signs in the moon, sun, and stars” (Luke 21:25) that coincidently are occurring on feast days this September.   What does the Bible say about the sun, moon, and stars? Genesis says, “let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14). What does the Bible say about the biblical feasts? Leviticus 23:2 says, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.”

For Bible readers, you must surely know that Jesus fulfilled the first four biblical feasts of the year perfectly already. In 32 AD, on Passover, Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain for the forgiveness of sins. Concurrent with that feast is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, during which the Messiah was laid in the tomb, dead. On that following Sunday, the Feast of First Fruits, Christ rose from the Dead, a type of first fruits of every born again Believer who will be resurrected to an immortal life to be lived in the presence of God Almighty. On the Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the early Believers, who were suddenly anointed with God’s Sprit and spoke the Gospel in tongues to people at the Temple.

So, yet to be fulfilled are the three remaining Feasts:

Rosh Hashanah, (The Feast of Trumpets)

Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)

Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles)

Lunar Tetrad– The fourth in a series of four lunar or blood moon eclipses that have all occurred on biblical Feast days, will take place on September 28th, the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast is generally believed to be a typology of God (Jesus) living with His creation, us. Prior to this occurrence, on September 13th, Rosh Hashanah, (the Feast of Trumpets), there will be a solar eclipse.

The books of Joel and Revelation contain prophecies that speak of a blood moon and a blackened sun that will take place just before the “day of the Lord” (the End Times).

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31).

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood” (Rev. 6:12).

The Shemita – A recent book by Jonathan Cahn (author of The Harbinger) recounts financial (and other) disasters that have taken place in the United States around the time of the completion of the Sabattical year cycle during the years: 1987, 1994, 2001, and 2008 (among others). The Shemita is the year that the people of Israel were commanded to observe every seven years so that the land would regenerate itself and continue to be fruitful.   The Israelites were commanded to let the land lay fallow in the seventh year and to forgive debts that were owed to them.    “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove” (Lev. 23:10-11).

In addition, Israel was commanded to forgive debts and release servants from their debits every seven years. “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord’s release” (Deut. 15:1-2). September 2015 comes at the end of the Shemita cycle.   Could the U.S., the country that has the largest Jewish population in the world, fall under the same covenant requirements as the nation of Israel? The theory is that the U.S. will fall victim to either a financial collapse or a natural disaster in September since the recent trend has been for great calamity to take place during this timeframe.

A pope speaking on Global chaos – Back on May 14th, 2014, the foreign minister of France, Laurent Fabius, made a statement at a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry that startled many and that seemed very out of place. The foreign minister stated that we have 500 days to avoid “Climate Chaos”. Fast forward to exactly 500 days from when that statement was made to September 24th, which just happens the day after the feast day of Yom Kippur. This day also happens to be the day when Pope Francis comes to the United States to speak to the UN and the U.S. Congress regarding a subject that has suddenly become important to the Roman Catholic Church in the last year: Global climate change. Why would he speak before congress regarding something so nebulous and off topic from the mission of any (although the RCC is hardly biblical in its official doctrine) church? Supposedly, it is to plead the case of millions around the world who suffer from poverty today. But, one must ask the question, what is the pope up to? Is Pope Francis the false prophet prophesied of in Revelation 12 and 16 who will perform great signs? Chapter 17 of Revelation clearly identifies the harlot or false religion to come as being located in the city that sits on seven hills. Rome is a city that is well known to sit on 7 hills or mountains. So, it makes sense to understand from that Roman Catholicism, which has a hold on untold millions across the world will become the predominant one world religion, Babylon, that controls many peoples until it is removed.

Asteroid and comet predictions – In April or May, Lyn Leahz, a Christian author, made a YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4c0NS4jLNA

in which she said that she had been told by a retired military friend connected to resources within the space industry or some similar area that a 2.5 mile wide comet was on a course to strike earth in September. Supposedly, the impact date would be right around the 15th to 28th timeframe. The fact that she urges the viewers to pray about this message leads one to believe she is sincere.

Jade Helm – is an apparent military exercise involves United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) with other U.S Armed Forces units in multiple states, including Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Utah, and Texas. The exercise began on July 15th and is scheduled to conclude on September 15th. Troops engaging in the exercise will assume the roles of either occupying or resistance forces. Most locations are in sparsely populated arid regions near small towns. Some participants will wear civilian attire and drive civilian vehicles. The belief of some is that it is a rehearsal for disaster recovery in case a catastrophy hits the U.S. (some of this information was gathered from Wikipedia).

UN to establish a Palestinian State? – Reports say that the “UN Security Council is likely to be voting on a UN resolution which will establish a Palestinian state.” The resolution would include a forcing of Israel to go back to their pre-1967 borders that were in place before the six day war. http://www.infowars.com/something-else-coming-in-september-a-un-resolution-establishing-a-palestinian-state/

Earthquakes coming? – There have been some reports in the last two months that scientists expect an earthquake to occur in the western U.S. soon.    http://www.weather.com/science/nature/news/earthquake-pacific-northwest-big-one-cascadia

Also, records show that of the 40 strongest earthquakes ever recorded, 11 have occurred since 2000. http://www.world-earthquakes.com/index.php?option=sta

 

America, the Deplorable? – Judgment coming soon? Same Sex marriage is now legal and Planned Parenthood sells the bodies of aborted babies for profit, tainting the millions of tax payer dollars that it misuses each year to kill the unborn. The American porn industry rakes in $11 billion annually on pornography each year. Americans spend $83 billion per year on beer alone (according to the Washington Examiner, 2014). 4 out of 10 children are born to unwed mothers per year. America, the Beautiful, is clearly in many ways an abominable and immoral people now. If the rapture were to occur today, it is clear that the United States, would incur God’s wrath in the Great Tribulation. Judgment is long overdue for a land that brags about being blessed by God, yet fails to bless Him.

A New way of understanding the 70 weeks?  The traditional way of understanding the Daniel 9:24 – 27 prophecy of the 70 weeks (one week = 7 years) is to place the beginning of the first 7 weeks (49 years spent rebuilding Jerusalem) in 445 BC (Neh. 2:1, when the decree to rebuild was given) + 62 weeks (434 years) when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as King in 32 AD, with the last remaining week a future event of the 7 year Tribulation.

(See my 6 part article on Dan. 9:24-27 beginning here: http://lamp-light.com/?p=92)

However, in recent years it has come to light that there could potentially be another way of interpreting the timing of the first 69 weeks. Isaac Newton apparently wrote about this, as have others who have recently revealed that another period of 483 years (49 years + 434 years) may also be concluding in September of this year. From an article on the web from brother Randy who posts frequently on Fivedoves.com (http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/june2015/randy628-2.htm) : “the walls of Jerusalem were being REBUILT once again during the period of 1535-1542 AD….and specifically that the Lions Gate was being rebuilt in 1538-1539 AD. AND……the date of Aug 20, 1539 points forward with 62 weeks of years EXACTLY to June 7, 1967 and THEN the 7 weeks of years point forward EXACTLY to Sept 23, 2015, (which is the Feast day of Yom Kippur)……a time when we were ALREADY WATCHING based on Jonathon Cahn’s analysis pointing to Sept 13 and Mark Biltz LAST Blood Moon on Sept 28.

So……Sept 13 >>>> Sept 23>>>> Sept 28.

Rosh Hashanah>>>>Yom Kippur>>>>>Tabernacles. ALL 3 of the FALL Feasts of the Jews !!!!!!!!!!!”

 

One pre-condition to the events of the 7 year Great Tribulation has not taken place yet. That is the establishment or building of the third Temple in Jerusalem. The book of Daniel clearly indicates that in the middle of the 7 year period, the anti-Christ will violate the treaty that he has made with the nation of Israel when he puts stop to the daily sacrifices, “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate” (Dan. 9:27). Therefore, it is mandatory that before the final 7 year period that immediately precedes the Second Coming of Christ, there must be a third temple in existence in Jerusalem.

However, the Rapture could certainly occur today or tomorrow, or in September. We are called to watch. With all of these strange coincidences and events correlating around biblical feast days in September there is every reason to believe that something will occur of prophetic significance, whether it be related to Israel or Christ’s bride, the church.

Remember, Stay Tuned and “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28).

 

 

 

 

 

Called Out to be More

By GF Herrin

Have you ever been called out or recognized for something you have done? Maybe you did something at work that involved going the extra mile or you worked extra hours to get a project finished. Or maybe you just happened to be in a situation where you helped someone in need or offered someone some help when their car broke down on the side of the road? It is kind of humbling to be recognized for work you have done isn’t it? With that recognition comes a gratitude for being singled out for doing the right thing. Sometimes, though, when you are recognized, you feel a certain obligation to keep on doing the right thing since you might feel that more attention will be given to you for how you live your life.

If you are a Christian, you have also been called out. Not to live like everyone else but to live in a Christ like way.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but just as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all that you do, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16).

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul (2 Peter 2:9 – 11).

Notice in these passages that there is a clear delineation between the behaviors of the people before they are saved (red font) and the behaviors that they exhibited after conversion (green font). Before they were saved, the people that Peter was writing to were conformed to the lusts of the world. When we think of lusts we automatically think of sexual lust, as it is the most prevalent. However, lust can occur for any object that is worldly. It may be a lust for food, money, power, clothes, real estate, or temporary distractions such as music, TV, movies, or sports. But it is important to note that these “lusts” were things that were clearly marked as former distractions or diversions that the unsaved occupied themselves with in the past.

So, clearly, there was a sharp distinction between the actions that the people engaged in before they were saved by Christ and after they got saved. Similarly, if you have truly been saved you should be able contrast your present style of living to the one that you lived before you were born again. You should be able to point to a particular time when you repented from your sins and began a relationship with God. This is not to say that you have mastered all of your sins or are perfect. However, in your present life, you should have a conviction or guilt within yourself when you sin. Also, if you are leading a changed life, then you should be regularly reading God’s Word, the Bible. For it is in the Bible that we understand what holy behavior is and what it is not.

In two weeks: The Bible, where did it come from, and how is it relevant to us today?

Next week: September 2015, is it shaping up to be a prophetic time?

I’m Not a Date Setter, but…

By GF Herrin

To my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, who follow my blog posts, I truly apologize for not writing more lately.  To be honest with you, the huge amounts of signs pointing to something significant happening prophetically in the September to October timeframe of 2015 have me almost in shock. I have been weighing my actions and what I should do in my day to day evangelizing efforts and trying to come up with a good plan.

Let’s look at why we as Christians can expect to know when the time is getting close to the Lord Jesus’ return:

1 Thess. 5:1-6

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

 

There are many that I talk to regarding End Times prophecy and the time of Jesus’ return who exclaim, “but Jesus said that we will not know what day He is coming back!” pointing to Matthew 24:36 (also Mark 12:32) “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

And of course, while we may not know that exact day in time when our Lord and Saviour will return, 1st Thessalonians tells us that we can expect to know when that day is approaching. Also, the one feast day (Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets) that seems most likely for the Rapture is a feast day of which no one knew the beginning from year to year. You see, it is based on the occurrence of the new moon, which in ancient days, no one knew the beginning of ahead of time. So, it seems likely that this quote that the Lord spoke was an idiom.

 

Psalms – Renewing our Spirit with His Word

I am continually amazed at the time we live in and all the turmoil in the world that seems to be fulfillment of prophecy. But I must occasionally take a step back for a minute and simplify things. One thing I like to do when simplifying is to read from the Book of Psalms. Have you ever gathered yourself in a remote place or some location where you are alone and simply read aloud from Psalms?

First of all, keep in mind that you were made to glorify the Lord. Then, realize that you were also made for God’s good pleasure. Then, read out loud His word to Him. After all, He uniquely created you. When you speak His word aloud you are in a sense reading it to Him. This is a type of communion experience in which you are drawing closer to Him. In a time when you do not know what to pray, the Book of Psalms has a way of putting you in a frame of mind to draw closer to your heavenly father.

One of my favorite Psalms is chapter 34. I would recommend committing several verses from this chapter to memory. It is believed that this is one of the Psalms written by David (not all of them were). It is considered a Yahwehistic Psalm. Yahwehistic Psalms (Psalms 1 – 41) are dominated by their reference to Yahweh and this divine name (mentioned 272 times in these Psalms. Perhaps, that is why I like Psalm 34 so much. The attention in Psalm 34 is given to God and His divine and all encompassing nature.   When we give attention to God and put our gaze on Him, everything else tends to fall to the background and He becomes pre-dominant in our lives. His absolute power and ability to solve any problem becomes more apparent to us. As a result, our spirit is renewed within us.

 

 

Psalm 34:7 – The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.

David must have been comforted knowing that he was protected wherever he went in his battles against the Philistines and King Saul’s assailants, also. Similarly, we, being the Lord’s children, are protected by His angel. As a matter of fact when the Bible mentions the Angel of the Lord making an appearance, there is clearly the understanding that this Angel is the Lord Himself, (Gen. 16:7; Judg. 2:1, 6:22, 13:2-22) Indeed, many scholars hold the view that this Angel is the pre-incarnate Christ. How amazing to know that the Lord personally is encamped around us and is personally involved in our protection.

 

Psalm 34:14 – Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.

Notice, what happens when we make the conscious decision to stop doing bad things. We have a desire to do good. This should not be mixed up with a false belief that to get to heaven when we die we must do good works. After all, the thief who died on the cross next to Christ was assured that he would see Him in Paradise (Luke 20:40-43), and we know he didn’t have time to do any good works before he repented and placed his trust in Him. Instead, what this passage alludes to is our very nature as humans to either be slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:17-19). When we put our trust in Christ and become born again, our heart is changed and we have a desire to do good things in appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross. Also, anyone who suffers from the sin of addiction (alcohol, drugs, sex, money, food) knows that when they stop practicing that addiction (doing evil) the best thing to do to continue live holy is to start doing good (living for God, spreading the Gospel helping widows , prisoners, and orphans).

 

Psalm 34:15 – The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.

How awesome is this verse?! If you have put your trust in Christ and are not counting on anything else but Him to get you to Heaven, then you are positionally righteousness. That means as a child of God, He has His attention on you and is open to hear your prayer anytime because your sins have been blotted out by Jesus’s payment for them. So, cry out to Him for your needs. More than likely, what you pray to the Lord will be directly what He has revealed to you that you need to bring to Him. I was recently in a dry and waterless place spiritually and as I was driving somewhere in my car, I just uttered those very words to Him. I told Him I really needed His rain (spiritual empowerment). Suddenly, as I drove, I felt His presence and grace overcome me and I began to cry. It was just the personal encounter with El Shaddai that I needed and the experience empowered me for the activities that followed shortly after. Praise Him, as He is surely deserving of Praise! Amen!

 

The Ides of March

 

By GF Herrin

Since the March 17th Israeli election took place, it has become ever apparent that U.S. President and Secretary of State John Kerry seem more determined than ever to strike some semblance of an agreement with the known terrorist nation of Iran. Realizing that the people of Israel have essentially mandated that the vigilant Benjamin Netanyahu stay in office, Obama and Kerry seem determined to sign a treaty no matter what impact it may have on the Jewish state. As the article states below, many have misgivings regarding a deal with such an unpredictable and hostile adversary.

Negotiations with Iran Going Down to the Wire

In the aftermath of the castigation of Netanyahu for his boldness in addressing Congress on March 3rd, it is refreshing to hear someone speak lucidly on how the present administration has suddenly turned its back on Israel lately. Marco Rubio, the U.S. senator from Florida, lays out the unfortunate series of recent events very well.

Rubio Speaks on the Obama Administration’s Treatment of Israel

Remember the quote from the Shakespeare play, Julius Caesar? “A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March”? Some of the origins of this saying date back to ancient religious customs. The March observance of Mamuralia was a Greek ritual that involved a scapegoat in the form of an old man dressed in animal skins and being driven from the city. One wonders if perhaps Israel is the scapegoat that all of the nations are raising a stick to now in an effort to drive them out into the wilderness (see Revelation 12:6).

Or perhaps the scapegoat was God, who seems to be, more than ever, in the United States anyway, being driven out of the moral fiber of this world, and in particular, the United States. Recently, the state of Indiana enacted a religious freedom law that gives individual business owners who are Christian the freedom to not cater homosexual weddings , which are clearly a sin and against basic Christian doctrine. The reaction to the law from homosexuals and the liberal media has been almost beyond belief in its veracity and insistence that humans everywhere are now being discriminated against.

Liberals against Religious Liberty in Indiana

More than likely the roots of the observance of Mamuralia come from the Passion of the Messiah, who, in fulfilling the law of Leviticus, became the real scapegoat for mankind’s sins (Leviticus 16:8-10;20-22).

“Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord’s lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness” (Lev. 16:8-10).

“And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat. Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness” (Lev. 16:0-22).

Ultimately, Jesus’ becoming a scapegoat for us has saved us from the burning pit of Hell and given us a personal relationship with the Living God.

“God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness” (2 Cor. 5:21).

Eye on the End Times

Netanyahu May be Defeated – Will this Begin the End?

By GF Herrin

 

As the Jewish Sabbath begins, a time of uncertainty has begun for the nation of Israel. On Tuesday, March 17th, Israeli voters will go to the polls to decide who will be prime minister for the next five years. At stake is the future defense of Israel’s borders. If Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud party leader, loses, changes are likely to come to Israel.  Netanyahu is a staunch conservative who has steadfastly resisted international pressure to give up land so that a separate Palestinian state can be formed.

However, Netanyahu’s main opponents, Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, seem much more likely to concede land and return Israel to its pre-1967 borders. According to the latest polls, their party has a narrow lead.

http://news.yahoo.com/netanyahu-behind-final-polling-day-election-074847784.html

 

Regarding the danger to Israel if he is defeated, Prime Minister Netanyahu says, “I think our security is at great risk because there is a real danger that we could lose this election. If the gap between the Likud and Labor continues to grow, a week from now [Isaac] Herzog and [Tzipi] Livni will become the prime ministers of Israel in a rotation with the backing of the Arab parties. That will cause such a monumental shift in policy that it will endanger the security of Israel – and anyone who wants to stop it has to vote Likud to narrow the gap.”

When asked by the Jerusalem Post if Israel will be more threatened by Iran and a potentially bad deal that a coalition of countries might make with the terrorist state,the Prime Minister said, “Of course we would be in trouble. They have said on several occasions that maybe the deal isn’t so bad, we can live with the deal. They did everything possible to criticize rather than support me, as I faced enormous pressure and went to explain Israel’s opposition to the deal – which could give Iran an easy path to the bomb and pose an existential threat to Israel.”

Read the article here: What Happens if Netanyahu Loses?

Iran  already possesses the ability to create one nuclear weapon.  If they suddenly become free of the burden of economic sanctions,  they could suddenly possess the resources to create more plutonium with which to produce more. With money flowing into Iran again after years of economic clampdown, the country would also be able to pump untold amounts into  the production of other weapons that would likely usher in a new era of war directed to Israel. In addition, if the U.N. issues a security resolution (as they seem likely to do) to eliminate the sanctions, the reality is that the U.S. Congress, or the next president of the U.S. may not be able to do anything  to stop it.

Major Nations May Lift Iran Sanctions

So, why am I bringing all this up? Well, as we head into next week’s elections, the reality is that three days after voting day on the 17th comes the solar eclipse on March 20th. By now, you are probably aware of the four lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses that will take place around biblical feast days and Jewish holidays in 2014-15 and their  potential significance. This next eclipse is a solar one that will take place on  Nissan 1, the first day of the first month of the biblical calendar.

According to Breakingisraelnews.com, “There will be a total eclipse of the sun for two minutes over the North Pole on Friday, March 20, the day of the Spring Equinox which coincides with the beginning of the Hebrew month of Nissan, the first month in the Biblical calendar year, a solar occurrence that has never happened before in human history.
A total solar eclipse at the North Pole on the first day of spring occurs once every 100,000 years.  For it to occur on the first day of the first month of the Biblical calendar year is, however, entirely unprecedented since this is only the year 5775 according to Jewish tradition, meaning that there has never been such a solar occurrence in human history.”

 

Read More: http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/32497/passover-blood-moon-preceded-by-exceedingly-rare-solar-eclipse-biblical-zionism/#GppkBrxKfTqokoeS.97
I think that if Netanyahu does get defeated on March 17th, then the solar eclipse portends a crucial time that is beginning for Israel. It may be the beginning of the time of the end that leads to the agreement of the covenant with many that will take place before the anti-christ enters the world stage.

Also, it could be very significant if Netanyahu is defeated and Herzog and Livni are in power because they seem to be the types of leaders that will sell out Israel in hopes of securing a type of “Peace” for Israel.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”

Also, we know from the Book of Revelation that there will come a time when not only one Beast, (the antichrist), but two Beasts will take the stage at the end. Many scholars believe that the second Beast (the False witness), since he comes from the earth or land (meaning Israel), will be a Jew who deceives other Jews.

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived” (Rev 13:11-14).

Could one of these Prime Ministers (Herzog or Livni) be the second beast? Only time will tell. We should be watching closely next Tuesday to see who wins the election in Israel, though.

 

 

Eye on the End Times

The Double Standard against the People of Israel

By GF Herrin

It was a rare occasion, momentous even. Anytime a leader from another country gets an opportunity to speak before a joint session of the U.S. Congress, people take note and generally listen with an open mind. One particularly open minded listener noted the similarities of the importance of Benjamin Netanyahu’s March 3rd speech to an address given by Winston Churchill to Congress in 1941 just after the United States’ entry into World War II. Churchill, of course, was a stalwart bulldog who stood up to the tyranny of Nazi Germany. He was perhaps the single most important person of the 20th century and was known for his courage in exhorting both the British people and the U.S. to not give up the fight against Germany and the evil Adolf Hitler.

Another congressional address that comes to mind is one given by Nelson Mandela, shortly after he was released from prison in South Africa. In 1990, in the midst of violence in his country, brought on by clashes between the South African government and those who so longed to see apartheid abolished, Mandela spoke on his passion for his cause. “We went to jail because it was impossible to sit still while the obscenity of the apartheid system was being imposed on our people. It would have been immoral to keep quiet while a racist tyranny sought to reduce an entire people into a status worse than that of the beasts of the forest.”

So it was with courage and morality that Jewish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to an American congress in an effort to warn them about the potentially catastrophic impact that an agreement with Iran might have on Israel and possibly the U.S. Transcript for Netanyahu’s speech If you look at the situation from a rational perspective, Netanyahu is simply a Prime Minister who is a steward of his country. As part of his stewardship, he is and always will be responsible for guarding the nation of Israel from any potential outside attack. From the Prime Minister’s perspective, Iran could easily be the attacker that either destroys them or propels them into its next major war. With all these things in play, any reasonable person would listen to what Netanyahu has to say with an open mind.

However, an open mind was the last thing on display by certain members of congress, such as Nancy Pelosi who literally turned her back on the Prime Minister during his speech. Can you imagine if Senator Bob Dole or Representative Newt Gingrich had turned his back during the speech of Nelson Mandela or any other foreign dignitary in 1990? The press would have been outraged. Dole probably would have been accused of committing atrocities and encouraged to resign! Yet, when the highly visible former speaker of the House of Representatives, Pelosi, and the sitting president of the United States refuse to pay proper respect to a trusted ally and friend, no one shouted out in disgust at the lack of courtesy and diplomacy extended. This slight serves notice that this is a spiritual battle going on in which these folks’ eyes have been blinded by the god of this world.

Netanyahu brought up several bad scenarios that a current proposed agreement with Iran could bring about. The first and foremost scenarios could occur as a result of lifting economic sanctions against Iran. It is a given that ultimately, the agreement would not guarantee  nuclear development will not continue in Iran. Also, Netanyahu pointed out that, “Iran’s neighbors know that Iran will become even more aggressive and sponsor even more terrorism when its economy is unshackled and it’s been given a clear path to the bomb.”
Netanyahu also made it plain in his speech that right now, and going forward, Iran could be hiding nuclear facilities that we don’t know about. “As the former head of inspections for the IAEA said in 2013, said, ‘If there’s no undeclared installation today in Iran, it will be the first time in 20 years that it doesn’t have one.’ Iran has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted. And that’s why the first major concession is a source of great concern. It leaves Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure and relies on inspectors to prevent a breakout. That concession creates a real danger that Iran could get to the bomb by violating the deal.”
Netanyahu also made the following points:

“But the second major concession creates an even greater danger that Iran could get to the bomb by keeping the deal. Because virtually all the restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program will automatically expire in about a decade.

Now I want you to think about that. The foremost sponsor of global terrorism could be weeks away from having enough enriched uranium for an entire arsenal of nuclear weapons and this with full international legitimacy.

And by the way, if Iran’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program is not part of the deal, and so far, Iran refuses to even put it on the negotiating table. Well, Iran could have the means to deliver that nuclear arsenal to the far-reach corners of the earth, including to every part of the United States.

Before lifting those restrictions, the world should demand that Iran do three things.

1) Stop its aggression against its neighbors in the Middle East. Second…

2) Stop supporting terrorism around the world.

3) Stop threatening to annihilate my country, Israel, the one and only Jewish state.”

There has been a harsh reaction within our country and even Israel to Netanyahu’s address. In  fact, there are even anti-Netanyahu demonstrations  that have taken place in Tel Aviv, Israel. One wonders if these demonstrations are being sponsored by the candidates opposing the Prime Minister in the upcoming national election to be held on March 17th. Ultimately, this appeal to Congress by Netanyahu could backfire against him politically and cost him his office. If that happens, it stands to reason that one of Israel’s most devoted patriots will not be able to defend them anymore.

Churchill, a known supporter of the Jewish people once wrote, “The Jews are the most formidable and the most remarkable race that has ever appeared in the world”. Ultimately, it is not their ability that has set them apart but the supernatural hand of God that has blessed, led, and protected them from certain destruction throughout time.  Yet, It is certain from biblical prophecy that a storm is coming to Israel. It is only a question of when it will come. The Books of Daniel (9:27;12:7),Revelation (12:6, 13-17), and Zechariah (13:8—9) foretell of the Tribulation during which two thirds of the Jewish population will be wiped out. I have to wonder if this latest turn of events will allow a weaker leader to become prime minister of Israel. Ultimately, a less courageous leader might make concessions that will make the Jews more vulnerable to a “bad deal” that will lead to a covenant with many that ushers in the “abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15).

Eye on the End Times

Purim – Is it happening again in 2015?

By GF Herrin

Some 1500 years ago (between 486 to 465 B.C.), a young Jewish queen burdened by the impending destruction of her exiled people, courageously came to speak to the one man who had the power to do something about it. Queen Esther, knowing full well the risks of speaking to King Ahasuereas (Xerxes), without getting permission first to approach him. Despite the danger, Esther mustered up the courage, knowing that the survival of Israel might well depend on her willingness to take a stand against the anti-Semitic law written by the evil adversary, Haman.

Now, in 2015, on the eve of the Jewish holiday, Purim, which celebrates the deliverance of Israel from Haman’s destruction, another courageous Jew, Benjamin Netanyahu will speak to the U.S. Congress. Netanyahu comes to speak at a joint session despite the opposition of a U.S. President who is seemingly hostile and indifferent to Israel and will not take direct action to defend the citizens of that country. Congress has the power to help protect Israel from the actions of another evil adversary, Iran. The timing of this situation is uncanny and should not be dismissed by an increasingly Bible illiterate United States.

What has come to light in the last two weeks is that President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have a potential agreement in the works with Iran that could be harmful for Israel. Iran, who has been a terrorist nation for the past 35 years and has already produced enough plutonium for one nuclear bomb, would like to escape the burden of heavy economic sanctions. They are reportedly close to an agreement with the U.S., who is in favor of lifting the sanctions in return for assurances from Iran that they will curtail their production of plutonium going forward. At the negotiation table with Iran, have been the nations of the U.S., Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. Conspicuously missing has been Israel.

The Obama administration has been successful in painting the Netanyahu address to congress as a controversial one. When speaker of the House John Boehner extended an invitation to Netanyahu to speak to Congress, Obama wasn’t notified. Protocol wasn’t followed and that ruffled feathers with his administration. But, truly there is no trust between Obama and Netanyahu, after repeated slights and intentional snubs (even verbal assaults) that the White House has offered to Israel’s leader.

Now, comes the latest news that Obama Threatened to Shoot Down IAF Air Strike in 2014. “The Netanyahu government took the decision to strike Iran some time in 2014 soon after Israel had discovered the United States and Iran had been involved in secret talks over Iran’s nuclear program and were about to sign an agreement in that regard behind Israel’s back.”

Yet it is Netanyahu who was castigated famously by people within Obama’s administration as being “Chicken sh—“for not taking action against Iran in the first place. How is it that when the Netanyahu comes to the U.S. for help he is insulted verbally, yet when he takes actions to protect his country himself he is persecuted, also? How can anyone win with an administration as blatently as inept as Obama’s dare to claim the high ground here?

BBC News, says, that “Mr Netanyahu’s visit will start with an address on Monday to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee – the largest Jewish interest group in the US. Also speaking will be Susan Rice – President Barack Obama’s National Security Adviser. On Wednesday, she said Mr Netanyahu’s visit was “destructive to the fabric” of the US-Israel relationship.” Liberal Democrat senator Dianne Feinstein has described Netanyahu’s plans to speak to Congress as “arrogant” .

These allegations against a Prime Minister simply speaking in defense of his country remind one of Haman’s hatred focused against Israel so long ago. If you will recall, the beginning of Haman’s persecution of the Jews, you will remember that it all began when Mordecai did not pay the proper homage to Haman, thus, incurring his wrath (Esth. 3:5). We seem to be seeing history repeating itself, with Obama being 2015’s version of Haman. The enemy, ever the antagonist of the Jews, is at work once again.

 

 

Eye on the End Times

Will the U.S. make a pact with an enemy who has sworn to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth?

Iran has made no bones about it. The leaders in charge have repeatedly expressed their desire to destroy the nation of Israel. The difference between now and the past is that Iran  now has the weaponry to do it. With its 10,000 centrifuges, it has the capacity to produce one weapon’s worth of enriched uranium.

Now, after months of behind the scenes negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has potentially masterminded an agreement with Iran for them to restrict their production of uranium.

Historic US-Iran nuclear deal could be taking shape

There are several things that stand out about this deal that are potential fulfillment of Scripture prophecies. First let’s revisit Daniel 9:27, which predicts that in the end times, “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”

In the negotiations with Iran, these details have immerged:

1)      “The officials represent different countries among the six world powers negotiating with Iran — the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.” A covenant with many?

 

2)      “The U.S. initially sought restrictions lasting up to 20 years; Iran has pushed for less than a decade. The prospective deal appears to be somewhere in the middle.” Could it be for one week (7 years)?

 

 

 

3)      March 31 deadline – Will the agreement be confirmed immediately after the solar eclipse that will occur on March 20th?

 

 

Could the agreement become a formal treaty with many nations (Israel among them) and Iran? Could the agreement be for a period of seven years? Will the occurrence of the solar eclipse on March 20th be an omen that this agreement that the U.S. is spearheading is a bad agreement for Israel? The only thing this potential fulfillment is missing is a leader from Rome or the revised Roman empire who will step up to take responsibility for the enforcing of the agreement because Daniel 9:26 clearly states that the people who were to destroy Jerusalem in A.D. 70 were from the same place as the prince who would lead the negotiation of the covenant or pact.

 

It may not be that this is the agreement that leads Israel into the Great Tribulation. However, it could be an agreement that eventually leads to the Gog – Magog war, of which Persia (Iran) is a key player.

Eye on the End Times – Israel Being Persecuted Again

 

By GF Herrin

If you read the news last week and are a Bible believing follower of Christ, Benjamin Netanyahu’s urging all Jews to come to Israel must have stood out to you.

http://news.yahoo.com/netanyahu-urges-jews-move-israel-copenhagen-attacks-111012753.html

This type of directive is perhaps is like a banner to the nations or to God’s people to return.

Isaiah 11:11-12 foretold that the Jewish people would return to their homeland a second time after being exiled:

“It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.”

The recent news of anti-Semitic protests in Germany and the U.S,, terrorist assaults against Jews in France and Denmark, and other actions against Jews, are a clear indicator of the Great Tribulation soon to come.

Daniel 12:1 tells us,

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people–everyone whose name is found written in the book–will be delivered” (Dan. 12:1).

Remember the Great Tribulation will be worse than any other time of persecution that the Jewish people have EVER faced. Can you imagine? Think of it, because I want you to remember that in the Holocaust alone, 6 million Jews died.

Why?? Why have the Jewish people been targeted for so long through the ages? After all, the land that they now occupy is only a little sliver of real estate that is slightly larger than New Jersey (the fifth smallest state in the U.S.) Remember that Israel is the apple of God’s eye. And whatever God possesses or values greatly, the enemy also wants. So, ultimately the persecution of God’s people is of a spiritual (satanic) origin.

John’s Revelation tells us that Satan has been actively pursuing Israel since he was cast out of Heaven a long time ago, “When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child” (Rev. 12:13).

So, Islamic extremists, neo-Nazi groups, Jimmy Carter (a known antagonist of Israel), the Presbyterian church USA, or anyone else siding against the nation of Israel are certainly victims of the spiritual influence of the enemy who is contending for the destruction of God’s chosen people.