As we approach the age of the Anti-Messiah, the increase in tyranny is palatable, and it leaves a nasty taste on our souls. Everywhere we turn there is another despot waiting to take charge, inflicting pain upon anyone with a conscious. Unfortunately, these tyrants are the ones to whom we’ve given the responsibility for teaching us right from wrong; a distinction that they themselves seem unable to make properly, yet they continue to write the laws of the land.
Water, a God-given element that is necessary in large amounts for the proper functioning of our bodies, access to which has always been guaranteed to any who needed it, is now being restricted just as much as any other natural resource. Collecting rainwater now illegal in many states as Big Government claims ownership over our water and it’s not just the individual that is under attack, as the government is keeping Tombstone, Ariz. from accessing drinking water that they had been accessing since the 1880’s. The pipeline was damaged during a forest fire and the monsoon season, and the present administration has filed a lawsuit to prevent them from fixing the pipeline under a strange interpretation of the Wilderness Act. The government’s suggestion that the city should fix the problem with shovels and a horse is absolutely ludicrous!
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10)
It seems that there is nothing more valuable to the average American than money. It constantly amazes me what people will do for money. The average New Covenant believer (Christian) is not immune to its lure, as too many watchmen are more interested in converting cash currency into gold and silver then preparing people for the tribulations ahead.
The tyrants among us understand the allure of money, and use it to their advantage. It has been discovered that most people can be bought, their moral compass easily compromised, if the right amount can be found. A one-time Christian singer who wasn’t making much money and decided to do something about it has been quoted as saying, “I guess you could say that I sold my soul to the devil.” At least she’s being honest; too many of us have sold out yet continue to wear the mask of faith. The average person may be fooled, but there is no fooling Adonai.
The word despot is becoming more common these days. Its original meaning is, “master of a household, lord, absolute ruler,” but has come to mean any person who acts like a tyrant. Claiming unlimited power, they oppress any and all who would come against them and as we can plainly see, their increase does not bode well for the Body of Messiah. Listen up folks, there is a reason the Great Tribulation is called the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.
Jacob is the given name of a man later called Israel, and since the Jews are the most well known of the children of Israel, many falsely believe that Jacob’s Trouble is a time of trouble only for the Jews. However, tyrants and despots attack those who have any moral foundation and they don’t care who they hurt. Like Esau before them, today’s despots care little for justice and mercy, and have only evil plans for the children of Jacob.
Years ago I believed that there was no way that the Anti-Messiah could rise up to power while the Christians remained on the planet; the good people of God would never allow such an evil person to gain power and would rise up too strongly against him for his success. I have since changed my mind; today’s New Covenant believers (and even the Old Covenant believers) care little for justice and mercy. It didn’t take much to buy them off either; it turned out that a little entertainment was all that was needed. “Seeker friendly” churches care little about the souls of their congregants; they seek numbers for numbers translates into money, which has become the sign of success even within the Body of Messiah. How sad.
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7)
Having lived during an age of tyrants and despots, Jeremiah understood what it was like to live during a time of tribulation. This prophet coined the term terrorists, announcing terror on every side. As we are now living in a time of terrorist and terrorism, we should pay close attention to what Jeremiah has to say. He goes on to tell us:
‘For I am with you,’ declares the Lord, ‘to save you; for I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly and will by no means leave you unpunished.’ (Jeremiah 30:11)
He will not destroy us… completely. This indicates that there will be some of us who are caught up during this time – martyrs. He will chastise His people, refining us to remove the dross. Chasten, another word used rarely these days, means to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; we are not talking about penalties for bad behavior, but correction to improve our good behavior. Each time we step outside of His will, as a loving Father it is His responsibility to steer us back on course and due to our natural stubborn desire to do things our own way, His corrections often require pain.
We should not desire to be rescued from calamity, but desire His strength and guidance through it all. “Rapture practice” is only for people who do not believe that God can protect them in the midst of tribulation, and these same people will find their faith severely tested once they realize that the Anit-Messiah as taken his throne, and they have not been raptured out as promised by their leaders.
Those who study their Bible from beginning to end understand that Adonai has a purpose for His people in the end times. Although few in number, the true called-out assembly of God will shine forth like the noon-day sun and the darkness will not be able to overcome the brightness of their shining. These are the true children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the true Israel; those who are obedient to God in the face of great tribulation will not be put to shame, but will stand firm in the face of the enemy.
These are the same people who are experiencing tribulation RIGHT NOW, whether it be the shake-up of their church, family, or the uprising of Islamic hordes who seek only to remove their heads… or burn them alive in the very buildings that should be a sanctuary from the evil hordes. Under the rule of tyrants, there is no respect for tradition or religion; in fact, respect is no longer earned, but demanded at gunpoint. Good has become bad, while the rewards for evil are great. Therefore we find a marked increase in bad behavior even in the best of churches and families.
The Lord is shaking His people as never before, preparing us for the trouble that lies ahead. Learning to rely upon Him now, through daily prayer and sacrifice (of our wants and desires), will give us the strength we need to overcome the judgments around us, as well as the constant attacks of the enemy.
Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33)
Just as Yeshua overcame the world, we too have been called to overcome the temptations of the world and rely completely upon Him for our protection and our guidance as well as our provisions. Money will eventually run out, but Adonai’s provisions will never expire. When tempted to “go along to get along,” or to compromise our beliefs for the job or relationship or whatever, we should bear in mind the wondrous benefits available to those who stand firm and overcome the world…
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’ (Revelation 2:7)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’ (Revelation 2:11)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’ (Revelation 2:17)
He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; (Revelation 2:26)
He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5)
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (Revelation 3:12)
He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)
Tyrants and Despots
As we approach the age of the Anti-Messiah, the increase in tyranny is palatable, and it leaves a nasty taste on our souls. Everywhere we turn there is another despot waiting to take charge, inflicting pain upon anyone with a conscious. Unfortunately, these tyrants are the ones to whom we’ve given the responsibility for teaching us right from wrong; a distinction that they themselves seem unable to make properly, yet they continue to write the laws of the land.
Water, a God-given element that is necessary in large amounts for the proper functioning of our bodies, access to which has always been guaranteed to any who needed it, is now being restricted just as much as any other natural resource. Collecting rainwater now illegal in many states as Big Government claims ownership over our water and it’s not just the individual that is under attack, as the government is keeping Tombstone, Ariz. from accessing drinking water that they had been accessing since the 1880’s. The pipeline was damaged during a forest fire and the monsoon season, and the present administration has filed a lawsuit to prevent them from fixing the pipeline under a strange interpretation of the Wilderness Act. The government’s suggestion that the city should fix the problem with shovels and a horse is absolutely ludicrous!
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10)
It seems that there is nothing more valuable to the average American than money. It constantly amazes me what people will do for money. The average New Covenant believer (Christian) is not immune to its lure, as too many watchmen are more interested in converting cash currency into gold and silver then preparing people for the tribulations ahead.
The tyrants among us understand the allure of money, and use it to their advantage. It has been discovered that most people can be bought, their moral compass easily compromised, if the right amount can be found. A one-time Christian singer who wasn’t making much money and decided to do something about it has been quoted as saying, “I guess you could say that I sold my soul to the devil.” At least she’s being honest; too many of us have sold out yet continue to wear the mask of faith. The average person may be fooled, but there is no fooling Adonai.
The word despot is becoming more common these days. Its original meaning is, “master of a household, lord, absolute ruler,” but has come to mean any person who acts like a tyrant. Claiming unlimited power, they oppress any and all who would come against them and as we can plainly see, their increase does not bode well for the Body of Messiah. Listen up folks, there is a reason the Great Tribulation is called the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.
Jacob is the given name of a man later called Israel, and since the Jews are the most well known of the children of Israel, many falsely believe that Jacob’s Trouble is a time of trouble only for the Jews. However, tyrants and despots attack those who have any moral foundation and they don’t care who they hurt. Like Esau before them, today’s despots care little for justice and mercy, and have only evil plans for the children of Jacob.
Years ago I believed that there was no way that the Anti-Messiah could rise up to power while the Christians remained on the planet; the good people of God would never allow such an evil person to gain power and would rise up too strongly against him for his success. I have since changed my mind; today’s New Covenant believers (and even the Old Covenant believers) care little for justice and mercy. It didn’t take much to buy them off either; it turned out that a little entertainment was all that was needed. “Seeker friendly” churches care little about the souls of their congregants; they seek numbers for numbers translates into money, which has become the sign of success even within the Body of Messiah. How sad.
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7)
Having lived during an age of tyrants and despots, Jeremiah understood what it was like to live during a time of tribulation. This prophet coined the term terrorists, announcing terror on every side. As we are now living in a time of terrorist and terrorism, we should pay close attention to what Jeremiah has to say. He goes on to tell us:
‘For I am with you,’ declares the Lord, ‘to save you; for I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly and will by no means leave you unpunished.’ (Jeremiah 30:11)
He will not destroy us… completely. This indicates that there will be some of us who are caught up during this time – martyrs. He will chastise His people, refining us to remove the dross. Chasten, another word used rarely these days, means to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; we are not talking about penalties for bad behavior, but correction to improve our good behavior. Each time we step outside of His will, as a loving Father it is His responsibility to steer us back on course and due to our natural stubborn desire to do things our own way, His corrections often require pain.
We should not desire to be rescued from calamity, but desire His strength and guidance through it all. “Rapture practice” is only for people who do not believe that God can protect them in the midst of tribulation, and these same people will find their faith severely tested once they realize that the Anit-Messiah as taken his throne, and they have not been raptured out as promised by their leaders.
Those who study their Bible from beginning to end understand that Adonai has a purpose for His people in the end times. Although few in number, the true called-out assembly of God will shine forth like the noon-day sun and the darkness will not be able to overcome the brightness of their shining. These are the true children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the true Israel; those who are obedient to God in the face of great tribulation will not be put to shame, but will stand firm in the face of the enemy.
These are the same people who are experiencing tribulation RIGHT NOW, whether it be the shake-up of their church, family, or the uprising of Islamic hordes who seek only to remove their heads… or burn them alive in the very buildings that should be a sanctuary from the evil hordes. Under the rule of tyrants, there is no respect for tradition or religion; in fact, respect is no longer earned, but demanded at gunpoint. Good has become bad, while the rewards for evil are great. Therefore we find a marked increase in bad behavior even in the best of churches and families.
The Lord is shaking His people as never before, preparing us for the trouble that lies ahead. Learning to rely upon Him now, through daily prayer and sacrifice (of our wants and desires), will give us the strength we need to overcome the judgments around us, as well as the constant attacks of the enemy.
Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33
Just as Yeshua overcame the world, we too have been called to overcome the temptations of the world and rely completely upon Him for our protection and our guidance as well as our provisions. Money will eventually run out, but Adonai’s provisions will never expire. When tempted to “go along to get along,” or to compromise our beliefs for the job or relationship or whatever, we should bear in mind the wondrous benefits available to those who stand firm and overcome the world…
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’ (Revelation 2:7)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’ (Revelation 2:11)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’ (Revelation 2:17)
He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; (Revelation 2:26)
He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5)
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (Revelation 3:12)
He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)
