Date 1/27/15 PROPHECY UPDATE NEWS HEADLINES Yesterday's Prophecies - Today's Headlines 1/27/15 HEADLINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRACKING BIBLE PROPHECY http://www.trackingbibleprophecy.org/birthpangs.php Middle East Quartet meets and discusses role to revive talks toward two-state solution President Rivlin meets with UN chief Ban UN's Holocaust Remembrance Day event canceled due to blizzard Spielberg: 70 years after Holocaust Jews still face antiSemitism Report: 400% rise in anti-Semitic incidents during Gaza war Hamas test-fires several rockets into Mediterranean Hamas to Allow 'Zionist' Products into Gaza to fill the Post-War Gap Israel illegally demolishing Palestinian homes, UN says What the ICC's 'preliminary examination' means for Israel Ya'alon: Iran seeking to open front against Israel on Golan Heights West's emerging nuclear deal with Iran 'unacceptable to Israel,' Netanyahu says Report: US vetoed Israeli sale of attack helicopters to Nigeria New sanctions will improve chance of Iran deal, Israel says Iranian site suggests targeting Israeli PM's sons in response to Syria strike Obama, new Saudi king to discuss fight against Islamist militants Sunni officials in Iraq say Shi'ite militias executed 70 civilians Islamic State group pushed out of Syria's Kobani by Kurds In Mosul, Islamic State turns captured city into fortress US-led forces launch 34 air strikes in Syria, Iraq Japan seeks Jordan's help in gaining hostage's release from Islamic State Piece By Piece, Monks Scramble To Preserve Iraq's Christian History Malaysia Airlines website hacked by group claiming to support Islamic State Syrian opposition starts talks in Moscow, expectations low US sees space for cooperation with India on Islamic State U.S., India reach agreement on nuclear power US Embassy in Yemen to close to the public C.I.A. Strike, First Since Yemen Upheaval, Kills 3 Qaeda Fighters, Officials Say Officials: Mubarak's sons released from Egyptian prison Turkish court orders Facebook to block pages insulting Mohammad BBC Arabic: Avoid calling Paris attackers 'terrorists' Muslim No No-Go Zones? Really? Miss USA's message of peace and love to terrorists widely mocked Philippine Commandos Killed in Raid Over Suspected Terrorist US senators set resolution opposing new Iran sanctions, backing nuclear talks NATO chief: Russia is behind Ukraine rocket attack UN: Deadly Attack on Ukraine City Could Be War Crime EU Renews Push for Sanctions on Russia as Putin Blames Ukraine Russia defiant after more threats from West over Ukraine Russia downgraded to junk status for first time in decade Russian security forces raid independent Crimean TV station Cold War Still On? Banker, 2 Diplomats Charged As Russian Spies in N.Y. Federal government lends hand for Super Bowl security, deploying technology from border Government Employee Crashes Small Drone at White House US gas stations may be ripe for hacking Greece Must Repay Debt, Europe Officials Say Euro bounces back, global stocks up after Greek vote Mountain-Size Asteroid Makes Close Flyby of Earth 5.2 magnitude earthquake hits near Neiafu, Tonga 5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Nabulao, Philippines 5.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Tadine, New Caledonia 4.8 earthquake rattles B.C. coastline near Haida Gwaii 4.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Grant County, OK Sheviluch volcano on Kamchatka, Russia erupts to 25,000ft Sangay volcano in Ecuador erupts to 21,0000ft Reventador volcano in Ecuador erupts to 13,000ft 'Tidal wave of snow' to slam Northeast Hunkerin' down: Tens of millions brace for worst as historic blizzard pummels northeast Northeast Residents Preparing For 'Crippling' Blizzard That Could Dump Up To 2 Feet Of Snow Over 250-Mile Stretch Meteorologist: 2010s officially the snowiest decade in the east coast in the NOAA record - surpassing the 1960s Nor'easters May Become More Intense with Climate Change USAMRIID Reports Genetic Changes in Ebola Virus May Impede Potential Treatments California turkey farm quarantined after bird flu detected Canada resident tests positive for H7N9 avian flu virus Measles Panic Spreads at Bay Area Costco, Walmart 30 babies under isolation as measles outbreak hits Bay Area English Hospitals See Dramatic Rise In Female Genital Mutilation Cases Rev. Libby Lane consecrated as 1st female bishop of Church of England Faith of Christians in Niger Grows Stronger in Face of Unprecedented Violence Pope Francis says 'ecumenism of blood' is uniting Christians PROPHECY UPDATE NEWSLETTER STAY INFORMED, GET EQUIPPED, BE ENCOURAGED Pre-Millennium - Pre-Tribulation - PrePARED *If you missed an issue or did not receive your daily copy All Newsletters are archived at: http://www.prophecyupdate.com/newsletter-archives.html (Featured Article at Bottom) IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER... Netanyahu after rocket fire from Syria: Those who play with fire get burned Why Some Jews Go Home One Word Can Make a Difference Nearing Midnight: Gog Eyeballing Ezekiel-Lure? The Shemitah: The Biblical Pattern Which Indicates That A Financial Collapse May Be Coming In 2015 Daily Jot: Historians pinpoint football's origin in the Bible Daily Devotion: The Christian's Life Purpose Featured Article: The Twist of Cain Netanyahu after rocket fire from Syria: Those who play with fire get burned - http://www.jpost.com/Arab-IsraeliConflict/Netanyahu-after-rocket-fire-from-Syria-Those-who-play-with-fire-get-burned-389155 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to the firing of two rockets from Syria into the Golan Heights on Tuesday, saying that whoever tries to challenge Israel on its borders "will find out that we are ready to react with force." "Israel regards with severity the attack today from Syrian territory. Those who play with fire get burned," the prime minister said. A senior security source said Hezbollah was behind Tuesday's rocket attacks. The source added that the IDF continues to be in high preparation mode for potential further events. "Syria is responsible for what happens on Syrian territory," the source said. "We will see how further events unfold." A second source added that there are no planned school cancellations or special security instructions for residents of the North at this time. The source said the Home Front Command would notify civilians if changes occur. The Hermon ski site, which was closed following the attack was scheduled to remain shut. The IDF returned artillery fire toward the source of the projectiles after they were fired. The army said that it scored a direct strike against the source of enemy fire. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage in the attack. Rocket alert sirens were sounded in the area prior to the attack. The rockets fell in the Mount Hermon area and in Merom Golan. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but it comes just nine days after a strike on a Hezbollah convoy in Syria which has been widely attributed to Israel. Six Hezbollah operatives were killed in the strike, along with six Iranians, including a high-ranking Revolutionary Guards general. Among the Hezbollah operatives killed in the strike was Jihad Mougniyeh, the son of Hezbollah's former military leader, Imad Moughniyeh. Iran and Hezbollah have both vowed to retaliate for the strike. Since the alleged Israeli air strike, the IDF has increased its presence in northern communities as part of a measure to boost defenses around civilian areas ahead of a potential Hezbollah attack. Local residents have seen an upsurge in military traffic in their areas. Israel also deployed several Iron Dome rocket defense batteries to the North last week, however they were not activated in Tuesday's projectile attacks. Why Some Jews Go Home - By Daymond Duck http://www.raptureready.com/featured/duck/dd159.html The Bible clearly teaches that there will be a bodily resurrection of the dead in the future (Job 19:26-27; Isa. 26:19; Matt. 27:52-53; 1 Cor. 15:5-8). Daniel was told that his people (the Jews) will be raised from the dead at the time of the end-a phrase that refers to the coming of their Messiah at the end of the Tribulation period (Dan. 12:1-2). Paul was talking about the church and speaking by the Word of the Lord when he said the dead in Christ (Christians not Jews) will be raised; the living will be changed and all Christians will be caught up (raptured) into heaven together (1 Thess. 4:13-18). This will take place before the Tribulation period. God made an everlasting covenant to give all of the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants forever (Gen. 17:7-8). He said the covenant would go through Isaac (Gen. 17:18-21). And later, He said the covenant would go through Jacob (Gen. 28:13; 35:10-12). Jacob had 12 sons (Gen. 29:31-30:24; 35:16-19). One of his sons was named Joseph. This is the one that was sold into slavery by his brothers for 20 pieces of silver (Gen. 37:28). He was framed by Potiphar's wife and cast into prison (Gen. 39:7-20). He accurately interpreted dreams for Pharaoh's butler and baker (Gen. 40:119) and was eventually brought out of prison to interpret a dream for Pharaoh (Gen. 41:1-37). On this occasion, Pharaoh made him the second most powerful man in all of Egypt (Gen. 41:38-45). Joseph assumed power in Egypt at the age of 30 (Gen. 41:46). He lived 80 more years and died and the age of 110 (Gen. 50:22). Just before his death, Joseph called some of the Hebrews together and said, "I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence" (Gen. 50:24-26). Notice, that Joseph knew about the everlasting covenant that God made to give the Promised Land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 17:7-8). We would expect him to know this because Jacob was his father. Also, notice that Joseph said the time would come when God would cause the Hebrews to leave Egypt and return to the Promised Land; and he wanted his bones taken back to the Promised Land for burial. He believed God would fulfill His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob so this was an act of faith. In fact, it is the reason why Joseph is mentioned in the faith chapter (Heb. 11:22). The book of Exodus picks up where the book of Genesis leaves off. That is to say, with the death of Joseph (Ex. 1:6). Then it skips down to the birth of Moses, the man who would see that Joseph's bones were taken to Israel (Ex. 2:1-10). Moses was born in the land of Egypt and raised in the royal palace. He killed a man and fled into the land of Midian (Ex. 2:11-15). He spent 40 years there and left only after God called him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt and back to the Promised Land. (Ex. 3:1-10). He reluctantly obeyed but when the time came for the Hebrews to leave, Moses directed them to take the bones of Joseph with them (Ex. 13:19). They took the bones to the Promised Land and Joshua had them buried at Shechem (Josh. 24:31-32). Dr. J. Vernon McGee wrote: Why remove his body and bury it in the land? If Joseph knew he would be raised from the dead someday and taken up to heaven, what difference would it make if his launching pad was in Egypt or in the land of Israel? Well, the fact of the matter is that he was not expecting to go to heaven. He expected to be raised in the resurrection of his people in the land for the Millennium---and then for all eternity (Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Volume I, Genesis-Deuteronomy, p. 244) The Jews don't expect to be raised when the church is raised (at the Rapture). They expect to be raised when their Messiah comes to establish His millennial kingdom on earth, and they want to be raised in the Promised Land at that time. On January 9, 2015, four Jews were murdered by Islamic Jihadists at a Jewish deli in Paris, France. Even though these four Jews lived in France, their family asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow them to be buried in the Promised Land. They were taken home for burial and laid to rest in Jerusalem on Jan. 14, 2015. Mr. Netanyahu said, "To all the Jews of France, all the Jews of Europe, I would like to say that Israel is not just the place in whose direction you pray, the state of Israel is your home." Israeli Pres. Reuven Rivlin said, "This is not how we wanted to see you come home, to the State of Israel and to Jerusalem, its capital. We wanted you alive, we wanted you for life." Jews have been going home since the days of Joseph and Moses because they believe in the coming of their Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, an earthly millennial kingdom and they want to be raised in the Promised Land at the start of that wonderful kingdom. Prophecy Plus Ministries Daymond & Rachel Duck daymond.duck@yahoo.com One Word Can Make a Difference - Doc Marquis http://www.newswithviews.com/Marquis/doc104.htm Selah! One word, a very simple word that has a profoundness which few people realize. Selah is a word that is found 74 times in the Old Testament; 71 times in the in the Book of Psalms and 3 times in the Book of Habakkuk. Selah means: to pause, and also to consider. When it's used in the Psalms it's usually a musical mark for ancient cantors (singers) to pause, or as a musical interlude. When we take the word Selah, and its definition of "consider," something wonderful happens. A whole new world or direction of understanding occurs if we understand how to apply it correctly. In Mt. 6:28 - 29 it reads: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed (dressed or clothed) like one of these." Before moving on we need to ask the question: "How was Solomon arrayed (or clothed)? According to the account of the Queen of Sheba, in I Kgs. 10:45,7b it reads: "And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, "and their apparel" (emphasis added), and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her (she was thoroughly and completely overawed by the sheer magnificence of it all). "...and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard." The Queen of Sheba was completely overawed and dumbstruck by the sheer majesty and glory which God had imparted unto Solomon. She noted that she had been in awe at the "apparel" (clothing) that was worn by all in attendance. Solomon would've been dressed in various outfits of royal purple, scarlet, blue, and would have worn costly jewelry of gold and silver fixed with the finest gems possible. And even those who were attending him would've been dressed elegantly. This was the wealth of Solomon's court. Now, let's go back to the lilies of the field. Mt. 6:28 - 29 starts with the single word "consider." We are instructed to "consider" (to think about, to reflect upon) the lilies. Well, a lily is a white petal flower. Upon looking at one initially, there's nothing much about it, that is, until you "consider" it. For 5 years, on and off, I "considered" the lily. And, I must confess, I didn't get it! What was God trying to teach me here? I "considered" (or thought about) the lily, that it was white, how it grew, its size and shape and still I did not get it! Finally, in a moment of epiphany given to me by the teaching of the Holy Spirits, I GOT IT!!! I had been looking at the lily completely wrong for those 5 years. I was looking at it from my human perspective. How would "God," who put it all together, view the lily? I FINALLY GOT IT!!! I took one of the white petals, put it underneath a microscope because God created the lily from a microscopic, cellular level. And once I began to view the white petal through the microscope it took on a whole different perspective. Remember, in God's creation, white gathers together all the colors of the rainbow. A prism will easily divide the white light into its individual colors. As I looked upon the white lily through the microscopic lenses, I saw colors and patterns which defied the imagination. I had no name for some of the colors I had been viewing. And, oh, the patterns along with those colors were breathtaking. It was a moment in which I had brushed up against divinity and truly began to understand just how very small I was in comparison to the true magnificence of God's creation. For all the glory in which Solomon had been covered with in his clothes, it was nothing in comparison to what I had been looking at. I was looking into the Diving Creation of God Himself and how He had been viewing the lily of His creation, all along. And I never, NEVER would've been able to have become a part of that moment of epiphany had I not obeyed the one Word of God when He instructed all of us to "consider." Whenever you see that one word, and it's only one word, "consider," stop whatever you're doing and review what you may have just read. God is trying to teach us something unique, something profound that will have a permanent effect on our lives. Obey that simple little word, "consider," and you will be blessed with understanding of a knowledge your Father is trying to impart unto you. And, if you do, you shall be eternally blessed as a result. God bless and keep all of you...Doc! CONVERGENCE of the End Time Signs CONVERGENCE of the End Time Signs "CONVERGENCE of the End Time Signs" - Bible Prophecy fulfillment is in a period of acceleration, a time of Quickening, the world is racing towards Armageddon, now more than ever we must be ready! We are about to enter a time like no other time, a time that no man has ever seen, a time like no other time in the history of this world, as a matter of fact we are about to enter the end times. Since the dawn of mankind, there have always been wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, disease, strange-weather and false Christ's just as Jesus predicted. Fast forward nearly 2,000 years since Jesus made this prediction, and you have today's headlines lining up exactly with the Word of God. The big thing isn't that these events are happening today, is that they are all happening at the very same time! Bible prophecy is being fulfilled right before our very eyes. Fulfilled prophecy is increasing in frequency and intensity just like birth pains, and Jesus said when you see these know that I am near, even at the door. All the signs of the last days are converging at the same time. Bible Prophecy is happening right before our eyes and like birth pains, the predicted events are happening more frequently and more intently. Never, in the history throughout the world have so many forces, including economic, scientific, techno-logic, ecologic, cultural, geopolitical, moral, spiritual and religion, converged together to bring this world that's already teetering over the edge into the abyss, to a point of no return. "CONVERGENCE" brings it all together and will clearly show where all this heading and what people need to do! CONVERGENCE - This DVD will be released on *March 1st, 2015 - PreOrder and reserve your copy today! When you pre-order a DVD, not only are you making sure that you get your copy early, you are also helping to support this ministry and the product of this movie - thank you!!! *(This is an estimate and could be sooner, prayerfully no later) CLICK HERE TO ORDER CHECK OUT ALL OUR AMAZING DVD'S The End of Times - Israel God's Timepiece - The Rapture - After the Rapture - As in the Days of Noah - Gog and Magog Perilous Times - The Antichrist - Living on Borrowed Time - Angels, Aliens & Armageddon - There will be Tribulation Jerusalem A Cup of Trembling - The Revelation Series The Daniel Series Welcome to Prophecy Update VISIT OUR STORE BY CLICKING HERE READ SOME OF OUR REVIEWS: "Awesome - Great Work - Congratulations!" - D. Koerner "I found it really moving" - D. Bower "The scene inside the church was awesome. I need to go home and lay on my face. Great work man!"- R. Miller "Awesome video! I watched it last night with my family, and we loved it, and plan to share the word about it" - C. Young "My wife and I watched the video and it is outstanding. Biblically solid...... we especially like the clear bible referencing and quoting. The video is a moving tapestry tightly weaved with spectacular photography, bible references, and the signs of the times put together like a jigsaw puzzle. The gospel is presented clearly with tender love. We pray that this DVD gets distributed far and wide. I hope youth ministers have the courage to show this DVD rather than the garbage materials of the emergent church movement." - John Wicklund Board President for Olive Tree Ministries "I received The End of Times DVD today. It is Superb! For those that don't know much, or anything about Bible Prophecy, this DVD should really open their eyes, a great teaching tool. For those that have grown cold or indifferent in the Lord, this should awaken them." T. Nelson "The DVD provides an effective mix of biblical teaching and history, interspersed with the happenings in Israel today. Particularly effective is the emotional ending showing the return of Jewish people worldwide back to Israel and traveling with a sense of destiny. Many commentators have said Israel is God's hour hand, Jerusalem is the minute hand, and the Temple Mount is the second hand on God's timepiece. The video is a great introduction and myth-buster for those who do not know of the importance of Israel in God's eyes or who believe Israel has as much significance in today's world as Madagascar or the Canary Islands." - John Wicklund, Chairman Olive Tree Ministries Board of Directors Got the DVD today and just finished watching it...outstanding!!! Loved it!!! - G. Madison - Oklahoma I watched "Israel God's Timepiece" last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have loved Israel ever since I read the book "Exodus", when I was in the Army in 1958. I do everything I can to support Israel and get people involved in what they are going through, and more than that, to pray for Peace in Jerusalem, according to Psalm 122. Your DVD was a fitting tribute to this wonderful, spectacular country and God's very own "baby". Thanks for taking the time to put it together. Very well done. - J. Masters Mississippi It is really a professional production and I see why it is so well received. In fact we felt it is actually the best film we have seen on end time events. - Bill & Brenda Hicks At first I thought it was going to be another routine message but as it progressed it became more and more impressive. It was a great message. Congratulations on a very well presented and produced DVD. - R. Webb - Williamsburg Another effective witness from Randy and Prophecy Update. The "There will be Tribulation" video describes the purpose and the sequence of events during the final seven years prior to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The linkage to many Old Testament prophecies clearly show the importance of the nation of Israel to this seven-year period. The pictures in the video document a world already full of tribulation- how terrible will be those seven years. Great teaching tool for small groups and youth ministers to present the gospel message through the topic of bible prophecy. - John Wicklund Chair- Olive Tree Ministries Board of Directors "Moving and Inspirational" - D. Koerner, Bakersfield, CA "Your Presentation will literally scare the h-ll out some people. There is enough scripture and warnings of what is coming to cause, anyone, who has put off accepting the Lord's salvation through Jesus to repent now!" - Don Mills - Director of Programming - CSN Radio - Twin Falls, ID Brother Randy, to say it was a great movie documentary is an understatement. Thank you for doing the Lord's work. This movie gave me the chills. - Terrance Alan Kaukauna, WI Thanks so much for the DVD There will be Tribulation...I watched it the other day, finally. It is well done and really holds your attention. In fact, it's unrelenting...which of course is what it needs to be. - Rich and JoAnne - Temecula, CA VISIT OUR STORE BY CLICKING HERE To order and more information - Click Here Nearing Midnight: Gog Eyeballing Ezekiel-Lure? - Terry James - http://www.raptureready.com/rap16.html Russian leadership--led, of course, by President Vladimir Putin--is angry, and doesn't seem to be able to figure which direction to go. This makes for a more volatile situation in that prophetic region of the world than it was even a few weeks ago. When the Saudi oil masters pulled the plug on petroleum prices recently, some major players in end-times prophecy were traumatized. The situation has only gone from bad to worse from that point. None is more adversely affected by the price manipulation than the Russians. The Russian bear's outburst revolves around their ongoing conflict with Ukraine. For sure, the European Union (EU), too, is facing increased suffering, in that their dealing with the angry Russians means they face becoming the whipping-boy--or, if you prefer, the punching bag--for Mr. Putin as he seeks someone to punish in all of this. Europe faces the harshest months of winter just as Russia decided to cut gas exports by 60 percent, sending the continent into crisis. The action is, I believe, mostly to try to intimidate those who would seek to force Russia into comportment more in line with good nation-state citizenship. I am still of the opinion that the American presidential administration was key in convincing the Saudis to drastically cut the cost per barrel of petroleumthus to undercut the fracking industry in the US. At the same time, Mr. Obama can't be unhappy about possibly achieving one-upsmanship over Putin, who has been getting some good press in recent years-"good" meaning good in his own ego-driven opinion of his becoming the next Peter the Great, or whomever, while trying to recapture superpower status for his country like that of the former USSR. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, now 81, recently stated his concern that the West is pushing Putin and the Russians to dangerous levels by intervening in the dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Gorbachev takes the side of his native country, of course, and expressed fear that pressures on the Russian economy in the form of sanctions could be destabilizing to the point of producing military confrontation not unlike that of the Cold War era. While Putin lashes wildly in cutting off gas supply to many nations toward his West through his actions against Ukraine, he is at the same time desperate for ties that can produce better economic times. His ambition to be the great leader who can bring himself and Mother Russia unprecedented, historic power and glory depends on securing mighty economic assets, he no doubt thinks. Meanwhile, to his South, the tiny state of Israel is seeing its fortunes increase exponentially in the area of potential energy export. The following news excerpt gives us a flavor of Israel's possible, even probable, future in the field of petroleum-based energy: Thirty-five trillion cubic feet of gas worth some USD $500 billion has been found in Israel's "economic waters," with the Leviathan field being by far the largest. To give some kind of reference point, Israel's national expenditures for 2013 totaled USD $114 billion. More importantly than covering the national budget is the fact that, for the first time in history, Israel has the opportunity to become energy-independent, as well as a major exporter of natural gas. (Tsvi Sadam, "The Economic Miracle of Israel's Natural Gas Fields," Israel Today, September 29, 2014, http://www.israeltoday.co.il/Default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=25370) A number of reports tell that even some of Israel's traditional enemyneighbors are considering making major deals with the Jewish state for gas purchases to fill desperate energy requirements. For example, Egypt's oil minister has said on state-run media that Israel is being considered as gas supplier to help tackle Egypt's energy crisis. Although such an arrangement would be very controversial, Israel's proximity and better pricing because of supply-and-demand dynamics make it an ideal supplier prospect. The ominous factor in all of this is that Russia is one such prospective supplier to Egypt. The bear is not one to easily accept a competitor who can undercut, as its growling and stomping about in the matter of cutting Europe's supply by 60 percent attests. One can only wonder what throwing additional fuel for anger on the already enraged Russian bear can engender. I'm referring to the fact that Israel's National Planning Commission has announced that it approved two proposed pipeline connections allowing the delivery of natural gas to Jordan. The routes were approved to link Jordan with pipelines from the north at Bet Sheen, and in the south at the Dead Sea. At a time when a modern leader of the ancient area of Magog is almost certainly needing, and voraciously desiring, financial assets to secure power for himself and to develop a superpower military in order to exert hegemony over his perceived sphere of influence, can it be too much of a stretch to consider we could be watching Gog leering lustfully at the lure mentioned by the prophet Ezekiel? Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, to take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. (Ezekiel 38:10-12) The Shemitah: The Biblical Pattern Which Indicates That A Financial Collapse May Be Coming In 2015 - By Michael Snyder - http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/shemitah-biblical-patternindicates-financial-collapse-may-coming-2015 Does a mystery that is 3,500 years old hold the key to what is going to happen to global financial markets in 2015? Could it be possible that the timing of major financial crashes is not just a matter of coincidence? In previous articles on my website, I have discussed some of the major economic and financial cycle theories and their proponents. For example, in an article entitled "If Economic Cycle Theorists Are Correct, 2015 To 2020 Will Be Pure Hell For The United States", I examined a number of economic cycle theories that seem to indicate that the second half of this decade is going to be a nightmare economically. But the cycle that I am going to discuss in this article is a lot more controversial than any of those. In his most recent book, Jonathan Cahn has demonstrated that almost all of the major financial crashes in U.S. history are very closely tied to a seven year pattern that we find in the Bible known as "the Shemitah". Since that book was released, I have been asked about this repeatedly during radio appearances. So in this article I am going to attempt to explain what the Shemitah is, and what this Biblical pattern seems to indicate may happen in 2015. If you are an atheist, an agnostic, or are generally skeptical by nature, this article might prove quite challenging for you. I would ask that you withhold judgment until you have examined the evidence. When I first heard about these things, I had to go verify the facts for myself, because they are truly extraordinary. So precisely what is "the Shemitah"? In the Bible, the people of Israel were commanded to let the land lie fallow every seven years. There would be no sowing and no reaping, and this is something that God took very seriously. In fact, the failure to observe these Sabbath years was one of the main reasons cited in the Scriptures for why the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon in 586 BC. But there was more to the Shemitah year than just letting the land lie fallow. On the last day of the Shemitah year, the people of Israel were instructed to perform a releasing of debts. We find the following in Deuteronomy chapter 15... At the end of every seven years you shall grant a relinquishing of debts. This is the manner of the relinquishing: Every creditor that has loaned anything to his neighbor shall relinquish it. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother, because it is called the Lord's relinquishment. This happened at the end of every seven years on Elul 29 - the day right before Rosh Hashanah on the Biblical calendar. So what does this have to do with us today? Well, if you go back to the last day of the Shemitah year in 2001, you will find that there was an absolutely horrifying stock market crash. On September 17th, 2001 (which was Elul 29 on the Jewish calendar), we witnessed the greatest one day stock market crash in U.S. history up to that time. The Dow fell an astounding 684 points, and it was a record that held for precisely seven years until the end of the next Shemitah year. At the end of the next Shemitah year in 2008, another horrifying stock market crash took place. On September 29th, 2008 the Dow plummeted 777 points, which still today remains the greatest one day stock market crash of all time. It turns out that September 29th, 2008 corresponded with Elul 29 on the Jewish calendar - the precise day when the Bible calls for a releasing of debts. So on the very last day of the last two Shemitah years, the stock market crashed so badly that it set a brand new all-time record. And now we are in another Shemitah year. It began last fall, and it will end next September. Could it be possible that we will see another historic market crash? Author Jonathan Cahn has correctly pointed out that we should never put God in a box. Just because something has happened in the past does not mean that it will happen again. But we should not rule anything out either. Perhaps God is using His calendar to make a point. Cahn believes that if we are going to see something happen, it will probably occur as the Shemitah year comes to an end... Cahn has pointed that, according to his research, the worst of the worst usually happens at the end of the Shemitah year, not at the beginning. In fact, the last day of the year, Elul 29 on the Hebrew calendar, which will occur on Sept. 13, 2015, is the most dreaded day. The pattern revealed in "The Mystery of the Shemitah" is that the beginning of the Shemitah's impact is often subtle, but leads to a dramatic climax. "The beginning may mark a change in direction, even a foreshadow of what will come to a crescendo at the Shemitah's end," he said. And this time around, far more people are paying attention. Back in 2001 and 2008, most Americans had absolutely no idea what a "Shemitah year" was. But now it is being talked about on some of the most prominent alternative news websites on the Internet. For example, the following is what Joseph Farah of WND has to say about the Shemitah year... Farah believes the date Sept. 13, 2015 bears close watching - though he is quick to admit he has no idea what, if anything, will happen in America. "A clear pattern has been established," he says. "I don't believe it's a coincidence what happened in America on Elul 29 in 2001 and 2008. It would be foolish to ignore the possibility that a greater judgment might be in the works - especially if America continues to move away from God and His Word." The Shemitah year that we are in now does end on September 13th, 2015 and that falls on a Sunday so the markets will be closed. But what it comes to the Shemitah, we aren't just looking at one particular day. And it is very interesting to note that there will also be a solar eclipse on September 13th, 2015. Over the past century, there have only been two other times when a solar eclipse has corresponded with the end of a Shemitah year. Those two times were in 1931 and 1987, and as Jonathan Cahn has told WND, those solar eclipses foreshadowed major financial disasters... In 1931, a solar eclipse took place on Sept. 12 - the end of a "Shemitah" year. Eight days later, England abandoned the gold standard, setting off market crashes and bank failures around the world. It also ushered in the greatest monthlong stock market percentage crash in Wall Street history. In 1987, a solar eclipse took place Sept. 23 - again the end of a "Shemitah" year. Less than 30 days later came "Black Monday" the greatest percentage crash in Wall Street history. Is Cahn predicting doom and gloom on Sept. 13, 2015? He's careful to avoid a prediction, saying, "In the past, this ushered in the worst collapses in Wall Street history. What will it bring this time? Again, as before, the phenomenon does not have to manifest at the next convergence. But, at the same time, and again, it is wise to take note." So what is going to happen this time? We will just have to wait and see. But without a doubt so many of the same patterns that we witnessed just prior to the financial crash of 2008 are happening again right before our very eyes. It has been said that those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Perhaps you believe that there is something to "the Shemitah", or perhaps you think that it is all a bunch of nonsense. But at least now you know what everyone is talking about. What you choose to do with this information is up to you. Daily Jot: Historians pinpoint football's origin in the Bible - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com Isaiah 22:18 says of the judgment of the evil servant Shebna, "He [The Lord] will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country." Commentaries agree that Shebna was in the hands of the Lord like a ball in the hands of a strong man, and would be hurled out of his place--thrown at a great distance by a strong arm. Park H. Davis wrote what is known as the first history of football in 1911--"Football: The American Intercollegiate Game"--where he wrote: "This allusion, slight as it may be, is sufficient unto the antiquary to indicate that some form of a game with a ball existed as early as 750 years before the Christian era, the epoch customarily assigned to the Book of Isaiah." Davis chronicles the development of a football-like game played by the Greeks and the Romans through 28 BC. Davis writes: "...among the first acts of Augustus after settling his right to succeed his great uncle, Julius Caesar, was to demand a revision of the football rules." Davis quoted Julius Pollux circa 100 AD in describing the game played in Rome: "The players divide themselves into two bands. The ball is thrown upon the line in the middle. At the two ends of the field, behind the line where the players are stationed, are two other lines, beyond which these two bands endeavor to carry the ball, a feat that can not be accomplished without the pushing of one another backward and forward." Davis says this game, eventually called Calico, was played throughout Italy after the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages and into 1898. Football teaches life lessons, galvanizes communities, and promotes diversity where men are defined not by the color of their skin, but the content of their ability and teamwork. It is the game of leaders as characterized by President Dwight Eisenhower: "Morale--the will to win, the fighting heart--are the honored hallmarks of the football coach and player. Likewise, they are the characteristic of the enterprising executive, the successful troop leader, the established artist and the dedicated teacher and scientist." Presidents who played football include Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, and Reagan-in contrast to the current "president" who says he wouldn't allow his son, if he had one, to play football. NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent says, "The lessons of football--character, leadership, tenacity, and perseverance--are qualities that every one believes to be important to achieving excellence. The value of football inspires the very things that we want to see in ourselves as we experience life and pursue happiness and success. In a day when some are clamoring that the risk with football is too great, we believe that the risk is far greater to an America without football." Those of us who use football to teach character and leadership see the value not only to young men in their overall development, but to a society in remaining strong and vibrant. Daily Devotion: The Christian's Life Purpose - Greg Laurie www.harvest.org For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. -Romans 14:17 Years ago during a visit with Billy and Ruth Graham, I noticed while we were outside that their dog was continuously going around in circles. "What's wrong with this dog?" I asked them. "He's chasing his tail," they told me. I had heard about dogs chasing their tails, but I had never actually seen one do it before. Like that dog, some people are effectively chasing their tails in life. They are chasing after happiness. But the best way to not be happy is by trying to be happy. Our purpose in life as Christians is to know God and bring Him glory. If you will do that with your life, if you will get up every morning and say to yourself, "I want to know God, and I want to bring Him glory," then you will find the happiness that has eluded you. You will find the satisfaction you have always wanted by having your priorities in order. Anything short of this ultimately will disappoint, because true and lasting happiness never will be found in the things this world tells us to look for. The Bible offers something better than happiness, and that is joy. Happiness largely depends on good things happening. When things are going reasonably well, we are happy. If things aren't going so well, we are not happy. But we can have joy despite our circumstances. The problem with happiness is that it's generally derived from accomplishments, accumulation, and, to some degree, through escape. The trouble with that is we won't always be able to accomplish something or escape somewhere. And the things we have accumulated will go out of style, break, get lost, or may be stolen. If we live for happiness, we'll never find it. We'll be like that dog, constantly chasing his tail. FROM THE HEART IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. 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You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or Visit our website: http://prophecyupdate.com/donations/ Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 FEATURED ARTICLE Featured Article: The Twist of Cain - Pete Garcia http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=7976 Fair to say, we live in dark days. The world around us it would seem, has embraced the darkness and frolics flippantly in it, thinking not about what comes next. I have spoken to people here and there, and while some express disbelief, others are distressed over their lives and where it may end up after they've breathed their last breath. It would seem also, that as disconcerting as some view their impending deaths (it is impending for us all I might add), others are dismayed at the lives they have here and now. Even believers struggle to understand why God sometimes allows terrible things to happen to them. For us all, the future, is that long walk, down a dark path, into unknown territory. As for the believer, our day to day life may remain unknown, but our next life is assured. Maybe that is why so many of us long for that next one, over this one. For the unbeliever, this is as good as it will ever get. For many, it is all they know, or all they care to know. For the unbeliever, the flesh is all they've been born into. And the flesh is ruled over by sin, as was present at their birth, an unwelcomed inheritance. For the believer, we have been born anew, into a new spiritual man and given second life. Sin is a cruel and terrible master. It enslaves one in a web of deceit, and no matter how far you fall down into the abyss, it then tells you soothingly, that you are ok just the way you are. Sin at its root, tells you that you not only don't need God, but that you can do for yourself, what God could not. And so to understand the gravity of the magnitude of sin, we must go back to the beginning, and look at a young man, whose life is marred by the terrible consequence of his father, through whom we all share. Adam, who sinned willingly (1 Tim. 2:14), partook of the tree he was forewarned not to do. Upon this discovery, God says to Adam in Genesis 3:17-19 ..."Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." And so Adam and Eve were driven out from the garden in nakedness and shame. God didn't do this because of their deed, but because the Tree of Life was there, and should they partake of it in a state of sinfulness, they would forever be in a constant state of death, but never dying. (Gen. 3:2224) But God, being merciful did not abandon them. He did not destroy them and start over. Instead, God provided for them... Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. (vs. 21) In order for skins to be made into tunics, something living has to be killed in order for them to be covered. Thus, we have the institution of sacrifice initiated. Blood has to be shed, in order for atonement (covering) to be made. And so we fast forward to life beyond the Garden... Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the Lord." Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." Genesis 4:1-7 NKJV What is not known, is whether Adam and Eve had daughters before their first born son Cain. Scriptures only speak to the first male child born. And as would be the case, Cain, like his father, became a tiller of the ground. (Remember the curse) He worked the ground, and brought forth the fruit of the ground as his sacrifice to God. But his sacrifice was not acceptable. (Remember the covering) God reminds him that he (Cain) knows what is right, he only need do it or else, sin will rule over him. And so it does. Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth." And Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is greater than I can bear! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me." And the Lord said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him. Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. (vs. 8-16) From here we see, that Cain would have to wander the earth, seeking a place away from the presence of God, to find land suitable to support himself even just to eat. Cain feared for his life, thinking (and rightfully so) that all this blame would come upon him, and that whoever came across him would take his life. And in God's enduring mercy, He set a mark upon him, so that anyone who met him, would know not to strike him down. Assessment What was the 'mark on Cain'? We don't know. And even though Cain erred, I wonder how a man who has physically walked and talked with God, could still end up in hell. It would seem according to further scripture, that that is where he currently resides. (1 John 3:12; Jude 1:11) It would also seem, that sin (first birthed from Lucifer himself), set his sights on Cain. Remember that in the curse that God pronounced in the Garden, the Serpent (Lucifer) first receives the first and only prophecy ever directly pointed at him face to face. It is here, that Lucifer is told that... And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." (Gen. 3:15) Lucifer then targets Eve's first born son, Cain, and it is to this, we can only assume, that Lucifer begins to entice Cain to yield to the sin of pride. His work and his own efforts of working the ground he thought, was sufficient enough sacrifice to come and bring before God. When his sacrifice (his own efforts) were rejected, something changed inside Cain. Some dark, terrible thought began to fester in Cain's heart. It was here... And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell That sin took root and Lucifer began to work a dark and terrible thought into Cain's mind. The pride of life, (1 John 2:16) began to shape Cain's mind to believe that blood need not be shed for the remission of sins, but that by his own efforts, he should be acceptable to God. Many years later, God finally had to set in stone, the rules that man would have to keep, in order to become acceptable to Him. Of course, no one could keep them, so a sacrificial system was also emplaced to atone for man's inadequacy of keeping God's Law. But even then, man found a way to pervert that as well. Some 1,400 years after the Law was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, Christ addresses the so-called righteousness of the Pharisees, who upheld the letter of the Law, but not the intent of the Law. Christ says to them, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment...Matt. 5:21-22 I don't pretend to know Christ's thoughts on that particular day, but I wonder if He had Cain and Abel in mind, when He mentions this pointed truth, to those who purportedly personified the ability to keep said Law. For believers, the penalty of the Law, is what Christ death on the Cross has saved us from. We are no longer subject to its wrath, because He took that wrath on Himself on our behalf. But the Law has no rule over the believer today. We aren't justified by it any more than the Pharisees were justified in their own day by keeping to the letter of it. D.L. Moody puts it like this, The Law can only chase a man to Calvary, and no further. It was a schoolmaster meant to drive us to the Cross, not replace it by keeping it. If we attempt to justify ourselves by it, we are no better than Cain in bringing the 'fruits of our labor' before God. The Prophet Jeremiah says that the "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9) We cannot earn our own way to God. Blood must be shed on our behalf, in order to wash away our inherited and earned sin we've accumulated over the course of our short existence on this planet. The Good News is that penalty has already been paid. That Blood has already been shed. God sent His Son to earth to become a man, and to live out the Law perfectly, in perfect submission to the Father, and to endure the Joy set before Him, and was obedient unto death, to be that sacrifice for us. He became in a sense, that tunic made of skin, to cover us in our own nakedness. But for those who think they don't need the Blood of Christ... There is a war between you and God's Law. The Ten Commandments are against you. The First comes forward and says, "Let him be cursed, for he denies Me. He has another god besides Me. His god is his belly and he yields his homage to his lust." All the Ten Commandments, like ten great cannons, are pointed at you today. For you have broken all of God's statutes and lived in daily neglect of His Commandments. Soul, you will find it a hard thing to go at war with the Law. When the Law came in peace, Sinai was altogether on a smoke and even Moses said, "I exceedingly fear and quake!" What will you do when the Law of God comes in terror; when the trumpet of the archangel shall tear you from your grave; when the eyes of God shall burn their way into your guilty soul; when the great books shall be opened and all your shame and sin shall be published? Can you stand against an angry Law in that day? Charles Spurgeon The Apostle Paul warns, 'today is the day of salvation', because we are not promised tomorrow. Do not go after the 'way of Cain', because that path only leads to wandering as a vagabond, in a fallen world that will never satisfy you. You will wander in fear and trepidation, at what comes beyond the ends of this life. This life, and your own works, offer no redemption, and in the end, you only stand to spend an eternity separated from your Creator, in a place designed for Lucifer and his fallen angels. And if hell is powerful and desolate enough to entrap the most powerfully created being, you have no hope of escape. You cannot earn your way to God on your own...you must go through the Cross. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven? 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