Times And Seasons

Sound judgement, with discernment, is the best of seers.
- Euripides

Times And Seasons

Almost 2,000 years ago Pliny the Younger noted, "Everyone is prejudiced in favor of his own powers of discernment." Given the heightened degree to which we are all telling ourselves a story, it's even more true today. The question is, just how close is our narrative to that of Scripture? With hundreds of sects and denominations, have we invested the effort to Biblically judge between the many Christs the One true? To what extent do we actually believe, teach and/or obey the genuine gospel?

What of more subtle issues? Up to and including accurately discerning the times and seasons in which we live? Intentionally or unintentionally, modern Christianity has a history of all but upending the obvious meaning of Scripture's most important meta messages. Both in regards to the Bible's context as well as content.

You interpret the sky well enough, but you refuse to notice the warnings all around you about the crisis ahead.

- Luke 12:56 TLB

It's a sobering fact that the information age, particularly given the rise of social media, has produced vast quantities of disinformation. An irony soundly denounced by all sides of the aisle.

Millions of the most educated men and women to ever exist, to say nothing of their less informed counterparts, profoundly disagree on many aspects of nearly every vital issue facing mankind. A sad state of affairs made all the more tragic by ubiquitous and growing levels of temptation and deception, entitlement and sin. An unfortunate situation further exacerbated by recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, with vast medical and social, economic and religious ramifications.

Such dire straights, with even greater looming on the horizon, make it all the more imperative that Prophetic Christians quickly learn to honestly and correctly evaluate the current and growing challenges of our age. For our own sake, and that of our family and friends, country and world.

Woefully, the only thing exceeding the level of our current and future need is our unpreparedness. Unprecedented worldliness is rampant within both modern society and Churchianity. Just as serious Bible study and prayer are at all time lows. A one-two punch leaving the average church attender unable to quote, much less rightly interpret and obey, 10 verses in a row. And largely unwilling to stop and seriously pray even 10 minutes daily.

Hundreds of various sects and denomination clearly indicate the afore mentioned tendency to disagree extends throughout modern Christianity. Such a plethora of doctrinal and lifestyle errors arise from a variety of genuine and disingenuous reasons. Confusion and issues with God, apathy and antagonism, personal and corporate agendas, just to name a few. Even among the Bible's adherents, surprisingly few take the whole Bible seriously. Many are too busy to care. Others feel guilty. Many verses are too violent. Others can be offensive. Some passages seem mythological. Others beyond the realm of sci-fi. All such objections deserve answers. Many have been thoughtfully exposed and Scripturally explained by Quantum Christianity throughout GodBlog's over 100 articles, 50 modern psalms and thousands of modern proverbs.

Scripture itself presents a variety of challenges. With 773,692 words arranged in 31,173 verses, the Bible is no easy read. For several reasons, Scripture was not designed as a simple instruction manual. Its books and chapters, passages and verses, were neither written or arranged topically. And while often cited as why, Scripture's compilation by more than 30 authors over a period of 1,500 years is only one reason. The principal explanation is rarely heard. Simply put, the Bible is designed as a test.

While evidence for Scripture's Divine inspiration and authority abound, so do its detractors. Nevertheless, the New Testament succinctly warns we will each give account of all we've done or failed to do, every idle word and perhaps our every thought. Such exacting standards, with no less than Heaven and Hell at stake, provide compelling evidence of an examination with everlasting consequence.

Thankfully, life as faith itself, is an open Book test. In the Bible alone, religion and science reach their zenith. As do every other genre. From action and adventure, to crime and mystery. From thriller and occult, to fantasy and science fiction. Each on a global and eternal scale!

Like many final exams, Scripture explains eternity's test has several components. When it comes to salvation, Christ and His apostles placed their greatest emphasis on living faith. The only two times Jesus is directly asked how to get to Heaven, the Good Samaritan and the Rich Young Ruler, He explains the best way to love God is by caring for the poor and needy. The same holds true in regards to the Sheep and Goats, as well as the Rich Man and Lazarus which provides the only Biblically recorded conversation between humans in the afterlife!

Additional exam points may well be rewarded for our level of care and attention to life's great questions. As scored by eternity's perspective. How carefully have we invested the perviously undreamed of blessings of modern life? Have we correctly discerned the reasonableness of faith? Particularly when it comes to life's ultimate concerns? To what degree do we believe that God is and a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him? How well do we appreciate all we've been given? Including the promise and potential of Christianity? In matters of following Christ, are we worldly and lukewarm or sanctified and radically obedient?

An essential element of faith's test is to what degree we appropriately comprehend and respond to the context of Scripture. The understanding of which is an essential element to correctly interpreting the Bible's massive content. Put succinctly, creation is at war with (alongside or against) its Creator. There is no neutral ground.

Spiritual warfare is not a remnant of ancient mythology, but rather Heaven's reality. Scripture reveals an incredible angelic rebellion instigated by the supreme archangel Lucifer, now known as Satan, the Devil, the Dragon… having marred the very history of eternity and all but re-shaping our own.

The ramifications of conflict theology are extensive. If Christianity’s a cruise ship, sailing merrily from here to Heaven, then certainly Christ's costly atonement is sufficient passage. The cross of Christ is indeed all anyone could ever need. If however, Heaven and Earth are currently at war with fallen angels and devils, Christianity is a battleship and we must follow our Commander and Chief's example and directives by daily shouldering our own.

Even if Biblical Christianity could be likened to a pleasure cruise, given Churchianity's collision course with so many modern temptations and deceptions, up to and including immorality and the blood red mountainous iceberg of abortion, in certain respects might even many well intended ministries be reduced to simply arranging deck chairs on the Titanic?

So is Christianity a cruise or gunship? We must decide. And do so quickly and carefully. Military directives and drills, cramped quarters and sea rations, would be absurd on a pleasure cruise. So too, civilian itineraries and activities, opulent suites and sumptuous banquets, would be anathema during a time of war.

The nearly universal refusal to fully admit the simple fact that the overarching context of Scripture is that of conflict theology accounts for a myriad of unnecessary confusion and misunderstanding. A denial deeply affecting such crucial issues as repentance and salvation, Bible study and prayer, worship and discipleship, fellowship and church, entitlement and worldliness, immorality and sin to name but a few.

Misconceptions Abound

With obvious errors in regards to such major concerns, it's little wonder complex matters requiring greater discernment and perception are continually misconstrued. As Jesus warned God's people in His day:

"Then he said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once that it is going to rain, and so it does. And when you feel the south wind blowing, you say that it is going to be hot, and so it is. You frauds! You know how to interpret the look of the earth and the sky. Why can’t you interpret the meaning of the times in which you live?” Luke 12:54-46 Phillips

Erroneous doctrines go far beyond profound problems regarding Biblical interpretation of basic tenants. They afflict all aspect of modern theology up to and including eschatology, as exemplified in the prevalent misnomer of a pre-tribulation rapture. Consider Churchianity's response, or lack thereof, to the current global COVID-19 pandemic. The modern world has never yet seen its equal. Not since the 1918 Spanish Flu has a pathogen killed so many. Never have billions been forced into extended lockdown. Never has the global economy been in such disarray. Never have non essential businesses, including religious institutions, been ordered to close their doors. Never have Christian churches around the world been shuttered on Easter Sunday.

Never has such a universal crises been so clearly defined. Nor the unique spiritual opportunity such suffering affords, so greatly ignored.

By the end of May 2020 churches across America, and much if not most of the world, had been shuttered for months. Bowing to pressure he helped create, on May 22 President Trump finally declared that in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, houses of worship were essential and ordered state governors to remove bans against congregational gatherings. He also directed the CDC to issue reopening guidelines. Some states complied, others not so much.

Conspicuously absent from church gatherings, on line or in person, were remarks targeting, much less prayerful confessions regarding, our doubtful habits and besetting sins. Beliefs and lifestyles having reduced modern Christianity to our current deplorable state. False doctrines embraced by scores of sects were resumed, rather than repentantly redressed. Habitual justification of anemic faith, by teaching and obeying half the Gospel or less, continued unabated. Reinforced by the false comforts of assumed salvation and presumptive worship. Even when more often meeting online than in person.

Subdued services up to and including that of Pentecost Sunday failed to note the height of irony. Millions continued sheltering in place on the memorial of the birth of the church by Holy Ghost fire dancing on the heads, and speaking through tongues, of fully sanctified 1st century believers. Few among them soulfully lamented the spiritual pandemic of powerlessness so blatantly pervasive in the 21st.

For example, there was little or no brokenness nor repentance over modern Christianity's lack of power to miraculously heal the sick. A core gift of the Spirit that Jesus, His apostles and brother James assured was both our spiritual birthright and Christian responsibility. Few, if any, recognized to what degree that which might have been our finest hour was in fact our darkest. Fewer still entered into the crucible of James 4's Prayer of Anguish in pursuit of the vital promise of James 5:

"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:14-16 NKJV

Such signs of the times bode poorly for modern Christianity, and society as a whole. As do every other indicator imaginable. The threat of present and future global pandemics abound. Economic tribulation reverberates worldwide. Forty three million sought unemployment benefits in the U.S. alone. Coast to coast rioting and looting, violence and murder, over the justifiable death of career criminal George Floyd going unchecked for months. Not to mention a series of other false martyrs used by Antifa, Black Lives Mater and Democrats to promote and propagate the greatest unchecked anarchy in recent U.S. history. To the point of choreographing race riots with militias on both sides (if link does not play click here to download militia video). All this while calling to defund the police after already making the crucial job of society's protectors all but impossible.

Scripture is clear such manipulations of facts and logic, much less the rebellion and anarchy they promote, are forbidden and will prove disastrous for all parties involved:

"Doom to you who call evil good and good evil, Who put darkness in place of light and light in place of darkness, Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20 MSG

Accompanying the devastating fallout of unprecedented global and national impacts of COVID-19 has been the most obvious and successful campaign of disinformation. Often supporting BLM rioting and looting, violence and murder. Domestic terrorism on a national scale sponsored by powerful liberals within government, media and business. Power brokers aiming the gun and pulling the trigger on American society during a flawlessly manufactured low point. Reinforced by vast supply lines of support and genuflection by main line media, major corporations and political organizations.

The liberal leaning ACLED (The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project) reported that in the three months "between 24 May and 22 August, ACLED records more than 10,600 demonstration events across the country. Over 10,100 of these — or nearly 95% — involve peaceful protesters. Fewer than 570 — or approximately 5% — involve demonstrators engaging in violence. Well over 80% of all demonstrations are connected to the Black Lives Matter movement or the COVID-19 pandemic."

Referencing this study, in September 2020 an article published in The Guardian maintained, "The vast majority of the thousands of Black Lives Matter protests this summer have been peaceful, with more than 93% involving no serious harm to people or damage to property, according to a new report tracking political violence in the United States." Thus admitting 7% BLM riots involved "serious harm to people or damage to property." The Guardian article further explained, "Between late May and the end of the August, ACLED and Princeton researchers documented 7,750 demonstrations associated with the Black Lives Matter movement in more than 2,000 different locations across the United States."

According to the accounting in three months there were 542 (7% of 7,750) seriously harmful and/or destructive BLM riots across the U.S. by mostly peaceful protestors…

Michelle and former President Barack Obama's 2020 DNC speeches supporting BLM's "peaceful protesters" provide blatant examples of calling evil good and good evil. Here is a deplorable excerpt from each:

Former First Lady Michele Obama:

"Empathy: that's something I've been thinking a lot about lately. The ability to walk in someone else's shoes; the recognition that someone else's experience has value, too. Most of us practice this without a second thought. If we see someone suffering or struggling, we don't stand in judgment. We reach out because, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." It is not a hard concept to grasp. It's what we teach our children. And like so many of you, Barack and I have tried our best to instill in our girls a strong moral foundation to carry forward the values that our parents and grandparents poured into us. But right now, kids in this country are seeing what happens when we stop requiring empathy of one another. They're looking around wondering if we've been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value. They see people shouting in grocery stores, unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe. They see people calling the police on folks minding their own business just because of the color of their skin. They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here, that greed is good, and winning is everything because as long as you come out on top, it doesn't matter what happens to everyone else. And they see what happens when that lack of empathy is ginned up into outright disdain. They see our leaders labeling fellow citizens enemies of the state while emboldening torch-bearing white supremacists. They watch in horror as children are torn from their families and thrown into cages, and pepper spray and rubber bullets are used on peaceful protestors for a photo-op."

Every bolded word, and more, provide a sorrowful study of hypocrisy and/or unabashed deceit:

Since when is "empathy" defined as supporting months of BLM's unchecked violent and deadly rampage across the entire country. How is looting and torching the life's work of innocent business owners "the ability to walk in someone else's shoes; the recognition that someone else's experience has value, too."
It's certainly true that inflating erroneous police crime statistics, while ignoring years of Black on Black violence and murders within inner cities, occasions "looking around wondering if we've been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value." Particularly in the Obama's own city of Chicago where within weeks of their speeches there were 18 murders in 24 hours.
No one is supporting and BLM is not targeting "torch-bearing white supremacists." Rather just about everyone else. Including the retired 77 year old black police chief David Dorn who was assaulted and left to die on the sidewalk outside of a pawn shop he was hoping to protect from "peaceful protesters."
"Peaceful protestors" hardly describe the hundreds, if not thousands, of violent criminals that have largely been free to rampage at will.

Former President Barack Obama:

"Joe and Kamala will restore our standing in the world – and as we've learned from this pandemic, that matters. Joe knows the world, and the world knows him. He knows that our true strength comes from setting an example the world wants to follow. A nation that stands with democracy, not dictators. A nation that can inspire and mobilize others to overcome threats like climate change, terrorism, poverty, and disease. But more than anything, what I know about Joe, what I know about Kamala is that they actually care about every American. And that they care deeply about this democracy. They believe that in a democracy, the right to vote is sacred, and we should be making it easier for people to cast their ballots, not harder. They believe that no one – including the president – is above the law, and that no public official – including the president – should use their office to enrich themselves or their supporters.They understand that in this democracy, the Commander-in-Chief does not use the men and women of our military, who are willing to risk everything to protect our nation, as political props to deploy against peaceful protesters on our own soil. They understand that political opponents aren't "un-American" just because they disagree with you; the free press isn't the "enemy" but the way we hold officials accountable; that our ability to work together to solve big problems like a pandemic depend on a fidelity to facts and science and logic and not just making stuff up…. Because that's what at stake right now. Our democracy."

Another shameless example of liberal politicians applauding liberal politicians for turning truth on its head:

"Joe and Kamala know… our true strength comes from setting an example the world wants to follow." Rioting and looting, violence and murder, burning police buildings and defacing public property based on a narrative of lies is hardly an example the world wants or needs.
No one has even suggested impinging the rights of "peaceful protesters." A description clearly opposite the agenda of destruction and mayhem demonstrated by Antifa, BLM and most Democratic leaders.
The "way we hold we hold officials accountable" is for the liberal media to provide endless forums promoting politicians and community leaders calling evil good and good evil. All the while denouncing voices of sanity and reason.
Supporting and promoting months of nationwide anarchy, based on inverting truth and statistics opposes "fidelity to facts and science and logic" and is the very definition of "just making stuff up." As is the recent "scientific discovery" of modern gender theory, insisting that biological men can be women, and vice versa, whenever and however they want to.

Even a majority of Republicans have done little to nothing to stoutly stand against such obvious evil. Up to and including President Trumps refusal to date to enact the Insurrection Act to put down domestic terrorism.

Never before has the spiritual and societal battle line been drawn so clearly. Even the genocide of abortion is largely unseen. More a religious and moral issue than continual in your face BLM rioting and looting, violence and murder. A campaign of terror supplemented with the tearing down of monuments, while bestowing martyrdom and sainthood on felons. Again, with the approval of a majority of the most powerful individuals, corporations and organizations in America. If not the world.

All this as the specters of apocalyptic events appear looming on the horizon. Some, like Matt Walsh, a cultural and political commentator, pinpoint glaring lapses in judgment and common sense. One of the most listened to podcast in the world is The Ben Shapiro Show, also on Daily Wire. Episode 1159 is entitled, Do You Speak Woke? Ben details how this new language claiming to promote inclusivity is actually an effective tool, employed by the aristocracy and media to signal solidarity with liberal intelligentsia's strategy to divide and conquer America. And the world.

Nonsensical buzzwords such as systemic and environmental racism, economic and environmental justice, gender pronouns and transgenderism, are less about forwarding rational and coherent sociopolitical arguments than signally unity with the ruling elite's agenda. A kind of signet or code, along the lines of Avenger's whispered and shouted, "Hail Hydra." Woke's idioms and expressions, cancel culture and BLM rioting have been nearly universal recognized and received by international media and corporations, globalist and liberal politicians. A tragic development, clearly in keeping with the adoption of the kind of Doublethink and Newspeak undermining society in George Orwell's infamous dystopian novel 1984.

Others also forward more nefarious social and spiritual scenarios. Regarding a COVID-19 vaccine, there are a great many reasons for caution, up to and including genuine concerns in regards to efficacy and safety, not to mention medical professionals questioning plans to roll out genetic manipulation and even nano technology. GB highly recommends watching Dr. Carrie Madej video, Human 2.0" A Wake -up Call To The World. If video link fails to play click here to download an important 20 min video).

Dr. Carrie Madej's short video introduces some troubling aspects of Transhumanism, particular in the areas of RNA augmentation and internalizing nanotechnology. Many purposed COVID-19 vaccines, as in the case of Pfizer's reported 90% effective version, are completely different types of vaccine. Dr. Madej warns, they contain new technologies "that can change the way we live, who we are and what we are. Very quickly." And possibly irrevocably. She, and many others, maintain that while the Human 2.0 agenda is to offer amazing upgrades to the human condition, it comes with dangerous and serious strings attached. Fastracting genetically modified RNA presents a series of problems. Circumventing the 5-6 year span of traditional phase 1-3 trials reducing the time frame to months is unprecedented. Without clinical data, the potential for systemic long term side effects in humans is unknown. Dr. Madej explains that similar technology used in animals has produced "increased cancer rates, increased mutant genes (mutagenesis), and also increased auto immune reaction." In the later case, the opposite of the desired outcome.

Another concern is the proposed use of Hydrogel introducing a Luciferase enzyme along with the vaccine. Modified DNA or RNA would use synthetic manipulation to code for the virus which would be transcribed by cellular nuclei. Our bodies would then create antibodies and improved T-cell response. This process, known as transfection, is widely used in genetically modifying food products. Often resulting in less healthy varieties.

Vaccine manufacturers maintain RNA modification will not alter the human genome. This seems unlikely since transfection can be permanent, as in the case of many GMO's. If synthetic DNA or/or RNA is assimilated into human genomes, it may then be legally patented, which could imply ownership.

Luciferase has bioluminescence properties allowing scanning to reveal a digital code or pattern, providing a vaccination record and identification (number, barcode, branding).

Dr. Madej explains Hydrogel is considered an invention of DARPA. One application is the continual and real time monitoring of body functions. Possibly through nanotechnology. Such constant observation would immediate impact issues of privacy and freedom. Medical and otherwise. This kind of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence is a two way street, allowing for not only transmission but reception. Information could be downloaded into us. With without consent. Might such engineering "effect our mood and behavior, how we think or our memories?"

Rushing genetic modification into production is problematic on many fronts. Including legal mandates like (PREPA) providing "vaccine manufactures with zero liability for any harm done to any human." Some maintain treatment can be forced under certain conditions. Yet, "They cannot force a vaccine if there is a viable treatment for COVID-19. Doctors around the world are being censored about treatment options or prevention. Because if there's a true treatment or prevention they can't force this treatment on us."

Some speculate such rapid and radical changes are structured to promote sociopolitical control. Escalations designed to forward the infiltration of global society, leading to the introduction of a New World Order. Possibly even the ushering in of the long foretold Antichrist, as well as the Mark of the Beast. The appearance of both, as Scripture plainly warns, predating Christ's prophesied Rapture of the Church. It's not hard to imagine a scenario where the primary, secondary and tertiary effects of global catastrophes such as COVID-19 play a significant role in the beginning of sorrows warned of in the gospels, epistles and Book of Revelation.

Many questions remain unanswered. Many mysteries persist. Yet amongst the COVID-19 affliction and aftermath, a single spiritual concern looms large. What will it take to move modern Christians to reevaluate our present disastrous course? What more need be threatened? If not forever lost? How much greater the disaster before we replace presumption with Biblical faith? When will fellowships and churches come with brokenness and contrition before the God we so casually invoke and yet daily offend? Are we ready to open the door to Christ through necessary pre-revival repentance in hope of experiencing our own Pentecost, with hundreds if not thousands of upper rooms?

Most needed now is a cure many find worse than the disease. A Scripturally accurate diagnoses of apathetic and anemic powerlessness. A prescription of rigorous honesty and radical discipleship. Followed with a comprehensive treatment of James 4's Prayer of Anguish. Such a regimen is the only way for modern Christians to cure our free fall from grace and be reconciled to God. In this way, 21st century believers can truly follow Jesus and rest assured of salvation. By fulfilling even His more demanding commands, particularly in regards to Christ's judgment of His church.

If Foundations Are Destroyed

As far back as David's day, the Bible warns of spiritual and societal foundations being destroyed:

"The bottom’s dropped out of the country; good people don’t have a chance?" But God hasn’t moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn’t changed. He’s in charge, as always, his eyes taking everything in, his eyelids. Unblinking, examining Adam’s unruly brood inside and out, not missing a thing. He tests the good and the bad alike; if anyone cheats, God’s outraged. Fail the test and you’re out, out in a hail of firestones. Drinking from a canteen filled with hot desert wind. God’s business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, Setting us straight. Once we’re standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye." Psalm 11:3-7 MSG

Any realistic hope of identifying and overcoming such extreme current and coming spiritual and societal challenges, will require appropriately addressing our doctrinal and lifestyle errors. A massive paradigm shift indeed. A change of mind best exemplified by an example of genuine repentance. In his book, Competent To Counsel, Jay E. Adam's posed the question, "When is a thief not a thief?" Not when he stops stealing. That's just an out of work thief. Rather, as Scripture requires:

"Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work." Ephesians 4:28 MSG

Here we see Biblical repentance requires adhering to all three steps of the trifold military command, "Stop. About Face. March." Like living faith, such a maneuver requires our minds, hearts and wills working in concert.

With our minds, we learn to more honestly discern the reality of our situation and develop a plan to respond accordingly. With out hearts, we practice coming boldly before the "Throne of Grace" with the kind of brokenness and contrition David's great Psalm 51 assures God "will not despise." With our wills, we turn from our wicked ways that the Lord might hear from Heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land. All part and parcel of God's summary formula for repentance found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and upgraded in James 4's unique 14 step prescription against worldliness.

To begin with we must identify at least some of the many areas 1st century Biblical Christianity and 21st century modern Churchianity are out of sync. If not at odds. A daunting assignment, particularly given the myriads of various denomination espousing differing Christs and varying doctrines across the board. Once major errors are discovered and corrected, more subtle inconsistencies must be discerned.

In rightly determining the times and seasons, one fundamental yet frequently overlook issue is our place in Biblical history and prophecy. As the father of the Jews, many approximate the birth of the patriarch Abraham at around 1948 BC, or roughly two millennia prior to Christ. In time, Moses would deliver both the Jews from Egypt and the Law during the miraculous Exodus and journey to the promise land. Throughout the initial time of the Jews, Gods attention was firmly fixed on Israel. For better and worse their kingdom was born and established, attacked and defended, reproofed and ruined.

By the time of Jesus, Israel was all but crushed under the harsh boot of Rome. Yet, just as Scripture foretold, rather than welcome their longed for Messiah, they conspired with their oppressors to crucify the Lord of Glory. After which, Christ's apostles, and a relatively small contingent of initial Jewish Christians, were instrumental in opening wide the Kingdom of God to the Gentile world.

Understanding the plans of God is a quantum undertaking. On the one hand, while the Bible affords amazing insights into Omnity's thoughts, Scripture itself explains:

"I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work." God’s Decree. "For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." Isaiah 55:8-9 MSG

On the other hand, the Bible repeatedly reinforces the fact that its revelation is not only supremely trustworthy, but to be thoroughly studied and obeyed:

"God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It’s up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation." Deuteronomy 29:29 MSG

What is revealed is that after Christ's rejection and crucifixion, resurrection and ascension the apostles tarried in Jerusalem in intense intercession. In glorious response, the fullness of the Spirit was poured out on the fledgling Church on the day of Pentecost. Shortly thereafter, both Peter and a godly centurion named Cornelius received heavenly directions resulting in the Gentiles being ushered into the Kingdom. Fully saved and filled with the Spirit:

"Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right…" While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." Acts 10:34-35, 44-48 NIV

Scripture explains that the disobedience and hardening of the nation of Israel occasioned a change in season. A time for the Gentiles to be offered their place in the purposes of God. History and Scripture tells a tale of the Jews weaving back and forth between extreme faithfulness and rebellion. Alternately recommending and condemning them. The life and ministry of the apostle Paul provides both a metaphor and insight into Israel's on and off again relationship to God. So intense was his love for the wayward people of God, Scripture bares witness he would have willingly traded his salvation for theirs were it possible. He did become a walking eyesore, baring 195 scares as a result of being beaten five times within a lash of his life for his compassionate yet uncompromising stance against Israel's rebellion and hardening of heart.

In the final words of the Book of Acts, Paul summarizes the passing of times seasons from the Jews to the Gentiles:

"The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: "'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' "Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"

Listen we did. The Gentile church grew from a small seed to a majestic tree with 2.3 billion adherents. Just as Paul predicted, and later explained, when discussing God's special attention turning from the Jews to the Gentiles:

"The next question is, "Are they down for the count? Are they out of this for good?" And the answer is a clear-cut No. Ironically when they walked out, they left the door open and the outsiders walked in… Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there’s bound to be some holy fruit. Some of the tree’s branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren’t feeding the root; the root is feeding you. It’s certainly possible to say, "Other branches were pruned so that I could be grafted in!" Well and good. But they were pruned because they were deadwood, no longer connected by belief and commitment to the root… If God didn’t think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn’t give it a second thought. Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot. But don’t presume on this gentleness. The moment you become deadwood, you’re out of there." Romans 11:11, 16-19, 21-22 MSG

Here as elsewhere, Christians as a whole, and Gentile believers in particular, are cautioned to "Behold the kindness and severity of God." Divine attributes in direct response to both the blueprint of God as well as increasing and/or decreasing levels of spiritual sensitivity and obedience among His own people. Jews and Gentiles alike.

In the same chapter, the Holy Spirit explains through Paul that just prior to the Day of the Lord, the season of God's favor will once more turn to the Jews:

"I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?" Romans 11:13-15 NIV

Great news. Except the prophesied timing of the restoration of the Jews would seem to coincide with a great falling away among the last days Gentile Church just prior to, and/or during, the Great Tribulation:

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." 1 Timothy 4:1 NIV

"Now in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] come. Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God." 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 AMP

Paul and Peter, James and Jude all warn that many will join the trend of too quickly assuming salvation and thereby replacing Biblical faith with presumption. Even to the ruinous point of the deadly sin of profanity. Here, Paul the Apostle of Grace, cautions that in some, if not many instances, "later times" Gentile believers will go so far as to "abandon the faith…"

How, you may ask? Like almost everything else, such apostasy will likely take place in various stages and by varying degrees. Many have rightly suggested today's worldliness and worse, both without and within modern Christianity, are signs of just such times.

While bad news to be sure, there is hope in the knowing. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. At least for those with the eye's, ears and hearts willing to see, hear and understand. While discussing end time events, during His Olivet Discourse Jesus explains, "See, I have warned you about this ahead of time."

In regards to the last days, Christ's warnings are clear:

"This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again. If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God’s chosen people, the trouble will be cut short." Matthew 24:21-22 The Message

Luke's gospel adds a following:

"But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man." Luke 21:34-36 MSG

Such passages introduce a Biblical principle as crucial as it is commonly overlooked. From Noah's floodwaters to Revelation's fiery holocaust, Scripture cautions preparation to escape cataclysm must be BEFORE judgment begins. During or after is too little too late. Zephaniah's end time prophecy regarding the Day of the Lord is a persuasive case in point:

"'I’m going to make a clean sweep of the earth, a thorough housecleaning.'" God’s Decree. 'Men and women and animals, including birds and fish—Anything and everything that causes sin—will go, but especially people.'" Zephaniah 1:2-3 MSG

"So get yourselves together. Shape up! You’re a nation without a clue about what it wants. Do it before you’re blown away like leaves in a windstorm, Before God’s Judgment-anger sweeps down on you, Before God’s Judgment Day wrath descends with full force. Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people who live by God’s justice. Seek God’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life. Perhaps you’ll be hidden on the Day of God’s anger." Zephaniah 2:1-3 MSG

The New Testament also elaborates against planning on "getting holy in a hurry" if and when tribulation occures. Regarding the Before Principle, the author of Hebrews cites Noah as an example:

"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith." Hebrews 11:7 NIV

Here we find godly or "holy fear" an essential aspect of saving faith. A virtuous discipline best developed long before trouble strikes. Particularly when realistically hoping to escape man made calamity. Much less God's judgment.

Exodus or Exile?

Hundreds of millions of modern Christians give concerns such as those mentioned little or no thought. Tens of thousands of erroneous messages and inappropriate worship song's offer false comfort by reinforcing the unconditional love and mercy of God over and against His holiness and judgment. While God is extravagantly loving and faithful to show everlasting mercy on whomever He will, the word "unconditional" does not appear a single time in the Bible cover to cover. What does appear are 1,455 "ifs" denoting conditionality. Many dealing the free conditional gift of salvation. The only kind of salvation offered by Scripture. As Jesus clarified:

"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here. These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards." Matthew 7:21-27 MSG

Hundreds of thousands of well educated clergy and laity alike fail the test of "accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth." Most are unfamiliar with repentive and honest Bible study and interpretation. Particularly in regards to the rules of emphasis and inference. Not to mention overlooking or undervaluing the context of conflict theology, an essential element in comprehending Scriptures vast content.

Even those discerning some or much of the above often cannot see certain crucial aspects of the forest for the trees. Some vital concerns, such as the impact of abortion on the Church and the importance of being authentically pro-life remain hidden in blindspots. Consider the somewhat famous end time book, "The Harbinger… The Ancient Mystery that holds the Secret of America's Future." As is the case with so many recent and influential Christian books, the author Jonathan Cahn failed to mention the word "abortion" a single time. Even given the total of over a billion clinical and contraceptive abortions represents 4-8 times the entire Earth's population in Christ's day. The same Christ who repeatedly warned in such crucial teachings as the Sheep and Goats and Good Samaritan, Rich Man and Lazarus and Rich Young Ruler, that each of our eternal destiny's will be largely determined by what we did and didn't do to and for His "least brothers."

Late to the pro-life party, this same Jonathan Cahn recently introduced "The Return" with a partial focus on abortion, while calling for a Sacred Assembly to address the course of America and the world. His short introductory video is well made and contains many undeniable truths. Nevertheless, several serious errors remain. Both in kind and degree. Please see detailed post event analysis at the end of the updated version of GB's article Sacred Assembly.

Calling the Sacred Assembly is indeed what Old Testament prophetic advice requires. Scripture's "in case of emergency break glass" option, nothing less can possibly mitigate the current and future trouble and tribulation swiftly coming to try the whole Earth. A genuine Sacred Assembly is our one and only hope of turning Divine judgment into a new Pentecost, paving the way for renewal, revival and reformation. Not of the world, but of modern Christianity.

Sadly, these necessary events far exceed our current grasp. Such well intentioned efforts place the cart before the horse. First and foremost is the need for genuine and abiding pre-revival repentance. On a scale previously unknown. One matching the depth and height of our myriad sins of commission and omission.

At this stage of the game, driven back beyond our own in-zone, if not out of the stadium, we must individually and corporately understand and enter the crucible of James 4's Prayer of Anguish to even get back on the field. And do so before and during the each step of the way, from pre-revival repentance to appropriately seeking a new pentecost. From renewal, through revival to reformation.

We must also become skillful and adept Prophetic Christians. Correctly discerning when, where and who we are in light of what God has, is and is about to do. At least some fraction of Prophetic Christians must come to our senses, face the truth of our critical situation, and take the difficult steps prescribed in James 4.

Prophetic Christians are exceptionally honest and studious Bible students and intercessors, grasping much of both the context and content of Scripture. Such men and women seek God in faith, reasoning that He's said what He means and means what He's said. They're persuaded "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Both in His mercy and love, as well as harsh words and judgment of His church. Possessed of deep and abiding repentance, they labor for revival in the hope and fear of God. Understanding both the love and "terror of the Lord" they endeavor to persuade others to choose eternal life rather than death.

Knowing they too are sinners, they treat others as they would be treated: firm, fair, factual and friendly. They compel the lost, including apathetic and disobedient Christians, to come into the Kingdom by first speaking the truth in love. Should compassion fail, they spend themselves and their lives trying to pull lost humanity from the fire.

Yet even with such recommendations, few if any are ready and willing to "pray through" the Prayer of Anguish as commanded in James 4. Rather, like iron mixed with clay, while in many ways nearer the Lord than others in understanding and service, when it comes to true power evangelism and discipleship, we find ourselves all but off-line. We also often find ourselves lacking in one or more areas of radical discipleship. Thus short circuiting our attempts of being capable of praying the kind of effective, fervent and righteous prayers that avail much.

Even so, Prophetic Christians also often fail to correctly discern the Times and Seasons. The nuances of those in which we live, and that which is swiftly approaching. For example, having attended and/or led well over a thousand corporate prayer meetings, a rarity in themselves, far more often than not I've listened to intercessors out of tune and step with the what the Spirit is saying to the modern church. Once, deep into an all night prayer meeting that I had arranged, a well versed Christian women with decades of prayer meetings under her belt, skillfully wove together a beautiful tapestry of Scriptures. Most focusing on the promises of God, including those made to Joshua and the Israelites during the Exodus. While sincerely offered, what she and so many fail to realize, is that our time and place in history, and the Scriptures, is not in keeping with the Jewish Exodus but Exile. The Old Testament passages we should be mining for prayerful meaning are not those of exaltations of Joshua but the lamentations of Jeremiah. As well as Habukkuk's complaint and the glaring warnings of all the minor prophets.

Judaism had the glory and deliverance of Moses and the Exodus. Christianity the glory and empowerment of Christ and Pentecost. After nearly two millennia of obedience and blessing, disobedience and reproof, the long foretold Exile created the Jewish diaspora. In keeping with Ezekiel's terrible prophecy, a third of Israel died by "disease or hunger," a third was slaughtered by the sword and "a third thrown to the wind and chased by killers." Along with others, Isaiah, recognized as perhaps the greatest of the major prophets, warned of six woes. Even going so far as to walk about naked for three years to make his point. Understanding the times and seasons strongly suggests that prayers and songs reflecting the Exodus are discordant with Biblical revelation of our time and place in history. Those reminiscent the Exile are far more in keeping with our present and future challenges.

As an example, consider the difference between Abraham and Lot. The patriarch Abraham was the father of our faith. As warrior, prophet, and extraordinary intercessor, he clearly earned the distinction of "man of God." So much so, that prior to raining sulfuric fire down on the region, the Lord felt it necessary to inform only one man on the entire planet:

Then God said, "Shall I keep back from Abraham what I'm about to do? Abraham is going to become a large and strong nation; all the nations of the world are going to find themselves blessed through him. Yes, I've settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe God's way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that God can complete in Abraham what he promised him." Genesis 18:17-19 MSG

Because of his honored status before God, Abraham was given an extraordinary opportunity to intercede, wrestling with God for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Or perhaps it was Lot’s family and friends that concerned him. But what occasioned this distinction? Likely it was Abraham's previous preparation and practice of seeking God to discern the truth of four critical spiritual issues. Who he was? Were he was? When he was? What God was doing? Abraham understood the importance of knowing God's will and interceding until seeing it realized in the lives of those he loved. As a whole hearted man of worship and obedience, he had likely worked diligently to daily build his faith. In so doing Abraham grew into a commitment level meriting the distinction of a man of God.

As for Lot, the Scriptures testify he was a godly man:

"God decreed destruction for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. A mound of ashes was all that was left—grim warning to anyone bent on an ungodly life. But that good man Lot driven nearly out of his mind by the sexual filth and perversity, was rescued. Surrounded by moral rot day after day after day, that righteous man was in constant torment. So God knows how to rescue the godly from evil trials. And he knows how to hold the feet of the wicked to the fire until Judgment Day." 2 Peter 2:6-9 MSG

Peter uses Lot as an example of God rescuing the “righteous" and “godly" from trials. Too many modern Christians, if they ever even read this verse, speak and act as if assured God would do the same in our case. Why? Because we might read the story? The most common response is because we believe. Yet remember James' warning that even the demons believe, to the point of trembling with terror. The Bible is clear that God's free gift of eternal salvation is received only through living faith.

Additionally, untold millions of obedient believers, the likes of which the world is unworthy, have and will be martyred. Even in the 1st century, Divine intervention was rare. With deliverance more the exception rather than rule, in this context “rescue” would seem to refer to spiritual insight and support in the face of persecution and martyrdom, as well as eternal salvation and reward. C.S. Lewis put it this way, “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.”

In the Book of Acts Peter declares that “God is no respecter of persons.” This being true, there is yet reason to hope for the spiritual rescue for those who are willing to adopt lifestyles like Lot. Who in righteousness fully engaged his culture, to the point of being "driven nearly out of his mind by the sexual filth and perversity." Surrounded by moral rot and decay, day after day, that “righteous man was in constant torment.” Not as an apathetic of grumbling bystander, as hundreds of millions are today, but as an active spiritual combatant. Like Moses, Lot chose the rigors of a resistance fighter, rather than enjoy the false peace of a sympathizer or fleeting rewards of collaboration.

How few of us in the First World Church today live as righteously as Lot? As Jesus warned, “Remember Lot's wife.” Remember as well the grim fate Lot's daughters and whole family nearly suffered at the hands of Sodom's mob:

"...the men of Sodom...called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.” So Lot ...said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.” And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. Genesis 19:4-9 NKJV

Striking the crazed mob blind, the angels continued their rescue:

"Do you have any other family here? Sons, daughters—anybody in the city? Get them out of here, and now! We're going to destroy this place. ... Lot went out and warned the fiancés of his daughters, "Evacuate this place; God is about to destroy this city!" But his daughters' would-be husbands treated it as a joke. At break of day, the angels pushed Lot to get going, "Hurry. Get your wife and two daughters out of here before it's too late and you're caught in the punishment of the city." Lot was dragging his feet. The men grabbed Lot's arm, and the arms of his wife and daughters...and dragged them to safety outside the city. When they had them outside, Lot was told, "Now run for your life! Don't look back! Don't stop anywhere on the plain—run for the hills or you'll be swept away." Genesis 19:12-17 The Message

Thoughtful consideration of this story’s horrendous ending yields additional insights. Among them is the fact that Abraham was so correctly tuned into who, where and when he was, as well as to what God was doing, that while living safely outside the impact zone, God confided in him rather than Lot. Abraham’s wholly dedicated lifestyle afforded him uniquely intimate intercession. Furthermore, as a man of God, Abraham and his family were repeatedly afforded a kind of protection that Lot’s was not.

While being a godly man saved Lot's physical existence, in nearly every other respect his life was effectively destroyed. His wife was turned into a pillar of salt. His sons-in-law, friends and those he had ministered to in Sodom were burned alive. Perhaps second only to Noah's flood, Lot became humanities greatest reminder of judgment against sin. Lot’s daughters, fearing barrenness, would get him drunk and become pregnant by incest. Unlike Abraham, Lot's legacy would for all practical purposes disappear from the Scriptural record, only to resurface as the heathen nations of Moab and Ammon. Both continual thorns in the flesh of God's people Israel:

Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day. Genesis 19:36-38

This vital passage on the judgment of God against individuals and societies who's sins have reached Heaven reveals many crucial truths. First among them is that Scripture clearly differentiates between Abraham, the man of God vs. Lot a godly man. Next, that Lot's lot was far from pleasant. Outside of saving him and his daughters physically, their rescue likely appeared to the three of them more as smoldering judgment.

Both Abraham and Lot were certainly the Old Testament equivalent of Prophetic Christians. Even so, the difference between them in understanding when, where and who they were in light of what God had, was and was about to do made all the difference in the world. To them, their immediate and extended families, and all those they loved and served…

Few today trouble themselves with the moral of such stories. Hundreds of millions of modern believers mistakenly feel confident they are beyond such reproach. Unfortunately, this popular worldview again demonstrates a tragic and persistent Biblical disconnect. There are thousands of direct and indirect passages where God commands and encourages, confronts and warns, disciplines and even destroys His own people. Up to and including Revelation's fearful account of Jesus judging His Church.

Some still object, going so far as to insist God's Church is above Satan's deception. Yet this was hardly the case even with such powerfully anointed men as Samson, David and Solomon. Today, far from achieving half the practical righteousness of the famous of Scripture, our lifestyles may be more in keeping with the moral decay and disillusionment of unbelievers. If so, rather than anticipating the praise of God, might we be storing up wrath against the day of God’s wrath?

Eyes, Ears and Hearts

Paul's final words in the Book of Acts heralded the transition of God's specific attention from the Jews to the Gentiles. Yet he was also quick to recognize Israel's past faithfulness in certain respects:

"What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God." Romans 3:1-2 NIV

The world is forever indebted to the Jews for creating and preserving "the very words of God." Not to mention lineage of Christ and birth the Church. Yet, as tragic as it is ironic, they themselves failed to heed Old Testament's instructions and warning reinforced for centuries by their own major and minor prophets. The final note in their swan song was Israel's rejection of not only their Messiah, but His Kingdom instituted by the righteous among them, for all out sakes, through the miraculous ministry and faithful martyrdom of His apostles.

As the transitional apostle to the Gentiles, Paul's continual persecution and eventual death orchestrated by the Jews and executed by the Romans was a final extension of Christ's suffering going the extra, extra, extra mile on behalf of Jews and Gentiles alike:

"But part of my work is to suffer for you; and I am glad, for I am helping to finish up the remainder of Christ’s sufferings for his body, the Church. God has sent me to help his Church and to tell his secret plan to you Gentiles." Colossians 1:24-25 TLB

Given past behavior is often indicative of future performance, Jesus could easily foresee the Jews forcing the change of time and season from that of Jews to that of the Gentiles. Concerning which Christ leveled a terrible indictment against the rebellion and hypocrisy of the people of God in His day:

"You’re hopeless! You build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed. The tombs you build are monuments to your murdering ancestors more than to the murdered prophets. That accounts for God’s Wisdom saying, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, but they’ll kill them and run them off.’ What it means is that every drop of righteous blood ever spilled from the time earth began until now, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was struck down between altar and sanctuary, is on your heads. Yes, it’s on the bill of this generation and this generation will pay." Luke 11:47-51

Prophetic Christians do well to notice that the wording of Christ's dire warning introduces the principle of generational judgment. Such dreadful pronouncements are intended to put inattentive people groups and sinful societies on public notice.

" Next Jesus let fly on the cities where he had worked the hardest but whose people had responded the least, shrugging their shoulders and going their own way. “Doom to you, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had seen half of the powerful miracles you have seen, they would have been on their knees in a minute. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you. And Capernaum! With all your peacock strutting, you are going to end up in the abyss. If the people of Sodom had had your chances, the city would still be around. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you.” Matthew 11:20-24 MSG

Here again we see that Scripture, and life, are indeed a tests generating the gravest of results. Not merely for the Jews, who literally wrote the Book used in eternity's open book test, but by extension humanity itself. This holds doubly true for modern Christianity, on which the end of the age has come. A principle largely overlooked yet frequently reinforce by Scripture:

"These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else…" 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 MSG

"Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says: "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see." Revelation 3:14-18 MSG

Christ's chastisement of Laodicea is concerning and telling for a variety of reason. Earning the worst report card of the seven churches and/or church ages, Laodicea alone receives no compliment. Jesus' complaints however are many and cause for alarm. Up to and including His threat to vomit them out of the body of Christ for levels of worldliness and self deception. Serious charges, more indicative of modern Christianity than any other church age throughout history.

Why such a stinging rebuke by Jesus agains His own church? Why, given that impoverishment was a hallmark of 1st century believers, is this seventh and final church and/or church age so assured of its wealth and self sufficiency?

1. Might this passage be a warning echoing down through the millennia regarding the spiritual dangers of riches, Dangers Jesus repeatedly emphasizes in His conversation with the Rich Young Ruler and teaching in Rich Man and Lazarus?

2. Further, might these verses be prophetic in the sense of recognizing that the last church age would take for granted and over indulge in unprecedented levels of wealth and ease afforded by God through the rise of technology?

Most versions render the final verses on Laodicea along these lines:

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:21-22 NIV

Why would Jesus offer the worst of the seven churches the greatest reward ? Other of the seven churches face serious outside opposition, from the seat of Satan to persecution and even martyrdom! Laodicea biggest problem seems self deception, yet those victorious merit being ceremonially seated on the very throne of heaven? Two answers to this puzzle present themselves:

1. Self deception is far more difficult to overcome than one might think.

2. This last of the seven churches is a type of the final church age, thus Laodiceans will have to pass the final exam by surviving the Great Tribulation period. Note: This is yet another reason for Churchianity to immediately come to it’s senses, plunging itself honestly and accurately into every form of Christian discipline and sacrament.

Recorded for the benefit of Christendom throughout history, Christ’s judgment of His churches has particular merit and meaning for global Christianity today. Never before has a church age been nearer the Great Tribulation period. Yet given epidemic levels of me-ism and disobedience, prayerlessness and Biblical illiteracy, modern Christianity represents the least prepared off all believers to suffer the rigors of such testing. Particularly troubling is Churchianity’s predilection for the presumptuously inaccurate “Pre-Tribulation Rapture.” Rather than studying and teaching the Mid-Tribulation Rapture timeline revealed by Jesus, Paul and John, it’s been necessary to concoct a previously unknown “secret rapture” to fit the modern heresy of unconditional love and acceptance in regards to salvation and sanctification, discipleship and eternal security.

Christ's reprimand is eerily reminiscent of Paul's charge against the Jews in the final chapter of Book of Acts. Both reference the sad but frequent refrain that God's own people often critically lack Scriptural discernment and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Without spiritual eyes and ears, hearts and minds to accurately comprehend and appropriately respond, Jewish and Gentile believers alike risk extreme temporal and eternal danger.

Given the extent of today's global condition and crises, in keeping with the fearful message to Laodicea, a singular question arises. Just how much louder must Christ knock?

" Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches." Revelation 3:20-22 MSG

The Apostle John's Book of Revelation is remarkable on many levels. Within its pages John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, reveals the greatest time of suffering and death Earth has ever known. Just two of his sixty predictions will take the lives of half of humanity!

Our generation has been given unprecedented and tremendous gifts and would do well to remember Christ's warning, "to whom much is given much is required." Besides reaping the answers to the prayers of all generations we also have 2,000 fulfilled Bible prophecies and the pages of the Scriptures's final Book of Revelation coming alive as a prophetic witness of Biblical authenticity.

The Apostle John, perhaps well educated in the knowledge of his time, still knew far less about the world than today's average elementary school student. Even so, he was able to look ahead into the future and describe in detail what were then unimaginable events. Two thousand years later the honest reader of his words can see the stage being set for the last chapter of human history as many of of his prophecies begin to unfold!

For example, the nation of Israel is a key player in Revelation's drama, yet in the Apostle John's day Israel was being ground under the boot of Rome, a global power showing no signs of weakening. For John to suggest Israel would become the center of world wide attention was ludicrous. All the more so after 70 A.D. when the Romans literally wiped it off the map. Yet in 1947 A.D. Israel reappeared in the same location. Never before or since has a nation having vanished for two centuries, much less two millennia, suddenly reemerged so. Israel's resurrection as a nation, not to mention its global status, is unprecedented in human history. Adding to Israel's miraculous modern history is the unbridled hostility of billions of Muslims, hundreds of millions of which all but surround the small plot of land Israel resides on. About the size of San Bernardino County in the Los Angles basin, Israel's population has been as little as 3 million. The Muslim nations nearby occupy as much territory as the United States, with over 300 million and yet in every war and conflict Israel has not only survived but conquered its attackers. The odds of Israels reappearance, growth and national prominence are astronomical. Additionally, there are a host of other previously impossible predictions all testifying to the validity of John's awesome and awe-full prophecy. These include the potential of a nuclear holocaust and fallout (see U.S. Nuclear Target Map), as well as the technology necessary for the Mark of the Beasts, both for the first time in human history at the stage of development necessary for the kind of implementation Scripture warned of two millennia ago.

The Alive After The Fall video is a short but well produced overview of last day prophecies in light of recent events. It also offers a reasonable though fearful handling of America's currently apparent place in Biblical prophecy, along with resources to help equip individuals and families to survive what may well be coming. GB highly recommends watching the video, but if necessary you can click here to view the transcript.

For additional information on this topic, please peruse the many hyperlinks provided throughout this article. Other articles along this line include Prayer of Anguish, COVID-19, Pre-Revival Repentance, A New Pentecost, Prophetic Advice, Sacred Assembly, Renewal, Revival or Reformation, Prophetic Witnessing, Context Then Content, Satan, Litmus Test, and Eternity…The Wager.

Update 2022

It should be abundantly clear things changed substantially in 2020. Nationally and globally, the world has never scene the like of even the following short list:

1. Covid-19 and variants, of questionable origin, mandates promoting and/or requiring untested and dangerous MRNA “vaccines” and “boosters” with negative efficacy and even deadly side effects revealing unprecedented control of healthcare and politics by the collusion of pharmaceutical companies and bureaucrats. To the point of threatening the removal of medical licenses of physicians prescribing safe and reliable treatments proven effective against respiratory and other illness. Example: In 2015 Ivermectin won the only Nobel Prize award for treatments of infectious diseases since six decades prior. Also report by Fortune Magazine (not right wing magazine) reveals that a simple home remedy of saline solution used for "Twice Daily Nose Flushing Can Reduce Covid Hospitalization and Death Researchers Find" by 85%. This study was conducted Fall 2020, and could have helped prevent 3/4 of Covid deaths.

Sample Daniel Horowitz: "Twice Daily Nose Flushing Can Reduce Covid Hospitalization and Death Researchers Find" by 85%
Sample Link: Steve Deace **9/15/22 Circumvent Medical Cartels with Dr. Harvey Risch** Simple straight talk from preeminent honored immunologist and cofounder of The Wellness Company TWC.health
Sample Link: **Ivermectin Nobel prize** In 2015, the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine, in its only award for treatments of infectious diseases since six decades prior, honoured the discovery of ivermectin (IVM), a multifaceted drug deployed against some of the world’s most devastating tropical diseases. Since March 2020, when IVM was first used against a new global scourge, COVID-19, more than 20 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have tracked such inpatient and outpatient treatments. Six of seven meta-analyses of IVM treatment RCTs reporting in 2021 found notable reductions in COVID-19 fatalities, with a mean 31% relative risk of mortality vs. controls. During mass IVM treatments in Peru, excess deaths fell by a mean of 74% over 30 days in its ten states with the most extensive treatments.
Sample Link: Daniel Horowitz: **9/26/22**The Woman Who Survived American Hospital Holocaust with COVID in Plano TX**: One could make a movie about Gail Seiler’s experience in a Plano, Texas, hospital during the pandemic. Our hospitals have become killing fields. From remdesivir and illegal DNR orders to denial of treatment, forced starvation, and abuse based on vaccination status, Gail experienced the horrors that hundreds of thousands of other Americans suffered in the hospitals. Except, thanks to her husband and help from state Senator Bob Hall, she wound up being forcibly extricated from the hospital after 14 days of torture (7 days no water…). Even though the doctors said she wouldn’t last a day longer, she is now perfectly healthy and is trying to raise awareness about the hospital genocide.
Sample Link: Daniel Horowitz: **The Risk of Cancer from Both the Shots and Perpetual Mask Wearing with Guest: Dr. Colleen Huber | 6/3/22** “Clot shots. Poisoning of Americans (World) beyond belief, as they prepare to stick babies as young ad 6 months old. HOW IS THIS NOT THE ISSUE OF OUR TIME? That it perpetuates the virus, destroys the immune system, and causes every ailment known to man… And yet to this day, it’s like it doesn’t exist. It’s a complete lockout…” “If you don’t get it you have your career destroyed. If you do get it you have your body destroyed. And then everything they plan on doing there on down with it. And everything it represents, with biomedical state, track/trace, transhumanism... Dr. Colleen Huber: Neither Safe Nor Effective: The Evidence Against the COVID Vaccines (Cancer Researcher/Get eBook).
Sample Link: **Died Suddenly** Documentary featuring video of alien and deadly clots being pulled from arteries and bloods vessels during autopsies, surgeries and from a beating heat. Never before seen clots harming and killing large cross section of population after receiving MRNA “vaccines” and/or boosters. Devastating effects on US military and civilians. Extreme rise in prenatal death and birth defects among newborn. Cover up and collusion by. governments, health care and media industries. Great Reset agenda of elites through population reduction and control.

2. Economic and institutional, social and quarantine lockdowns crippling businesses and institutions, education and families, from the elderly to children.

Sample Link: Steve Deace: **The Thirty Tyrants** USA adopts China’s citizen control polices
Sample Link: Steve Deace: **Time To Start Believing In Conspiracy** Theories

3. Individual mandates and social distancing, mask and "vaccine" requirements restricting interaction, breathing and health.

Sample Link: Steve Deace: **A Clarion Call Go On The Offensive** Interview with Dr. Peter McCullough
Sample Link: Steve Deace: **8/24/22 The jobs/Dr. Ryan Cole**Excellent interview with Dr. Ryan Cole who is treated over 500,000 Covid patients and has impeccable credentials explaining the clot shots are extremely dangerous and genetically mutating.

4. BLM and Antifa’s spreading of widespread rioting and looting, violence and lawlessness in the name of blatantly FALSE narratives such as Critical Race Theory (CRT) and systemic police brutality. Both undermining the foundations of society by “calling good evil and evil good.” All the while elevating career felons like George Floyd to sainthood status while ignoring the plague of black on black violence and murder, particularly within liberally controlled inner cities like the Obama’s Chicago.

Sample Link: Candice Owens: **George Floyd was a Criminal (Facts)**
Sample Link: Matt Walsh: **Episode 571: 9/24/20 Summary of BLM "Martyrs"**
Sample Link: Matt Walsh: **It’s officially time for BLM to be labeled a domestic terror group.** DNC comments:
Sample Link: Matt Walsh: **When the media says unarmed black shootings:** Actual case by case review
Sample Link: Matt Walsh: **Police Shooting Stats:**

5. Campaigns of disinformation and destruction by the emerging Iron Triangle of liberal governments, legacy media and global corporations influencing and poisoning the hearts and minds of billions.

Sample Link: **Crimes or Cover Up** Glen Beck Exposing The Worlds Most Dangerous Lie: History of C19 conspiracy with dates and facts.

6. Wokism’s ridiculous and dangerous plandemic of social engineering’s impact on lower and higher education, spread by the super carriers mentioned above.

Sample Link: Ben Shapiro **Daily Wire. Episode 1159 is entitled, Do You Speak Woke?**

7. The impact of Transgenderism’s incoherent and devilish reversal of truth and goodness on genuine science and health care, parenting and morality, teens and children.

Sample Link: Matt Walsh: **Episode 727: The Evil Quacks Mutating Our Children**: Reviews Irreversible Damage The Gender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Schreier
**Transgender Craze Seducing America**: interview with the author Abigail Schreier: Chowchilla prison article

8. Political attack on democracy, particularly in the U.S. by media bias and censorship, election fraud, registration tampering.

Sample Link: **Dinesh D'Souza** Author and filmmaker (2,000 Mules) Dr. Simone Gold, the founder of America's Frontline Doctors, tells us how she went from being a guest speaker at the Capitol on January 6 to facing a 60-day prison sentence for doing nothing.
**Epoch Times**
Sample Link: **The Real Story of January 6th** Epoch Times New Investigative Report and Video:
Sample Link: **Jason Whitlock Fearless Blaze Media** Ep 124 | January 6: Little Lies Lead to Huge Deception | Kamala, Biden, AND Ted Cruz ALL Get It Wrong
Sample Link: Matt Walsh: **Might Be Time For A National Divorce:**

9. Drug cartel control of southern border unleashing illegal alien invasion of 2 million immigrants in 2022. Horrifying abuse, violence and death of women and children, sick and elderly by the most outrageous smugglers and traffickers in American history enabled by Biden administration, democratic policy and republican controlled opposition. On national and state level. Immigrants extorted $10-50,000 by cartels to allow illegal crossing into US.

Sample Link: **Texas Tribune Arrests along U.S.-Mexico border top 2 million a year for the first time.** https://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/19/u-s-mexico-border-arrests-record-2022/amp/
Sample Link: **Tucker Carlson Battle For The Border**

10. Drug cartel designer drug epidemic and death rate. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. The U.S. government does not track death rates for every drug. However, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collects information on deaths involving many of the more commonly used drugs. Nearly 92,000 persons in the U.S. died from drug-involved overdose in 2020, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids. Up from less than 20,000 in 1999. Thats a 350% increase in 2020 with higher rates in 2022..

Sample Link: **CDC Fentanyl Facts**
Sample Link: **Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.**
Sample Link: **National Institue on Drug Science 92,000 persons in the U.S. died from drug-involved overdose in 2020.**

11. Escalation of US violent and property crime rates. Current odds are 1/178 that an American resident will be murdered during their lifetime.

Sample Link: **Blaze Media current odds are 1/178 an American resident will be murdered during their lifetime.**

12. Fuel and energy, transportation and economic crises created by faulty governmental policies and false media narratives.

Sample Link: **Tucker Carlson Insane policies, energy and fuel crises.**
Sample Link: **Daniel Horowitz The Only Ones Who Can Save Democrats Are Republicans and Diesel Shutdown.**

13. Republican party is Controlled Opposition enabling Iron Triangle of liberal politics, media and corporations to deconstruct Judeo/Christian values. 12 Republicans declare "lawfare” on Christians by voting for so-called "Respect for Marriage Act" codifying federal support for homosexual marriage.

Sample Link: **Steve Deace 12 Republicans who voted for the so-called "Respect for Marriage Act."**
Sample Link: **Daniel Horowitz The Only Ones Who Can Save Democrats Are Republicans and Diesel Shutdown.**

14. President Biden and Iron Triangle target Christian conservatives and/or MAGA Republicans as extreme and/or greatest threat to US.

Sample Link: **Washington Post President Biden declares MAGA Republicans represent extreme and/or greatest threat to US.**
Sample Link: **Fox News President Biden twice threatens Second Amendment supporters with F15's.**

15. Worldwide manipulation and control of all the above, as well as governments and economies, national budgets and banking, healthcare and communication, goods and services… by global elites implementing a Great Reset thus instituting a New World Order.

Sample Link: **Monopoly: Who Owns The World**
Sample Link: **Great Reset Introduction** Prager U interview with author and commentator Glenn Beck

Conservatives and Christians continue to fail to appropriately respond to all the above and far more:

Sample Link: Eric Metaxas: **Letter to the American Church** Eric Metaxas wrote the definitive 24 hr audiobook biography on Bonhoeffer. His point is the American church is letting unprecedented evil arise and will perish today if we fail to respond to Bonhoeffer’s warning against cheep grace to the German church.
Sample Link: Steve Deace: **3/8/22 Americans: A Very Serious People**. (We are the problem. Including republicans & Ukrain is the new Covid).
Sample Link: Steve Deace: **3/13/22 Weekend Of American Debauchery** (Hopeless…)
Sample Link: Steve Deace: **8/3/22 The People Are The Problem** (There are no red states)
Sample Link: Steve Deace: **8/9/22 We’re Quickly Running Out Of Time** Crossing A Line: DOJ - FBI Raid on Trumps House. Coming for you…

Such atrocities, and more, have been researched and documented, warned against and explained in detail by reliable professionals in related fields. See sample links above.

Many are, and far more will take issue with God, asking is He fair? How can God be good, yet remain silent and distance in the face of such global loneliness and depression, bitterness and loss, illness and disease, pain and death.

The Bible provides answers to all such questions and more.

Quantumly, Earth is many wonderful things. Sadly, it's also a physical and spiritual kill zone. A battlefield about to get exponentially worse. With too few the wiser.

Understanding the Bible's most emphasizes meta messages is a necessary prerequisite for rightly interpreting Scripture. Developing spiritual sensitivity through diligent practice is also indispensable in learning to discern the reality often obscured by secular and religious culture. As Jesus warned:

"Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously." John 7:24 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

"But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature]. For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]." 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 Amplified Bible

Given the quantum nature of living out our faith, it’s preferable to major on the positive rather than dwell on negatives. After all, even when fractured into scores of denominations and plagued by worldliness, a lot can be said for modern Christianity. We enjoy our beautiful churches and programs. We’re comforted by encouraging worship and messages. We value relationships with leaders and fellow believers. All well intentioned attitudes the New Testament seems to support:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 New International Version

Notice this appealing list begins with whatever is “true.” Then, as if to lay a secure foundation, it continues with “noble” and “right” and “pure.” Far from promoting positivism and unity at the cost of honesty and discernment, such passages underscore the need for first the former and then the latter.

C.S. Lewis, yesterday, while less than correct on a few key issues, is rightfully recognized as one of, if not the most insightful Christian authors of the 20th century. He also lived through two world wars, wounded by friendly fire on the battlefield of WW1. He saw the reality of Conflict Theology first hand, particularly as England was besieged during WW2.

About God allowing this carnage and man's inhumanity to man, three of his more famous quotes may prove helpful:

1. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

2. God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.

3. The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation.

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