LEARNING DAILY

 

Ephesians 5:27, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

 

Paul is clear that the Lord will “cleanse His church and sanctify her with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).  I am always amazed at the amount of information available regarding the Bible.  When I write this blog, I often look to see what insight I can gain from others on the verse(s) I am dealing with; this includes commentaries, and articles others have written.  There is so much available to anyone who is trying to gain understanding of God’s Word.  The point must be made to be aware of what you read because there is a lot of weird stuff out there as well.

 

It is not enough to know God’s Word.  It is not enough to be able to quote verse after verse of Scripture.  It is not even enough to understand everything Jesus said from an intellectual perspective.  You can read chapter after chapter every day without it changing you.  It begins to change you when you become obedient, when you begin to live out what the Bible talks about.  That all begins with having a “hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness”.  When that happens, “you shall be filled”.  No one can expect to be changed by God’s Word if he/she is not willing to follow it.

 

James wrote this in his letter, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  The Bible has got to be more than a book carried to church – or for the modern generation what they read on a device; it must be thought of as a way to the heart of God and the way to live on the narrow way that He has said we must live on to get to His kingdom and eternal life.  Just listening to a sermon or listening to the Word of God has no lasting value in itself – all true Believers must intend to try to live what it says! (DJSB). 

 

The Bible must not only be read or heard it must be lived!  That includes some pretty difficult choices because now I need to decide between my will and God’s will.  Anyone who has walked for a while with the Lord knows this is an every day choice, usually many times per day. How many times do we fail and choose something of the world instead of God’s way?  Those choices go back to what was written yesterday about what we put on the foundation of Christ.  It will be burned and what is left will be the basis for rewards in heaven.

 

I remember many days in the classroom when I just sensed that students in my Bible class were just hearers of the Word.  Maybe it was my teaching, or they had heard it all before.  I just felt bad that they seemed content with information and did not want to interact with God’s Word in a way that produced an obedient life.  I hold on to the promise that God’s word does not return void. 

 

I do not want my goal to read the Word of God too casually.  I just do not think it was meant to be read that way.  A careful reading and examination of God’s Word and the desire to be obedient to it produces “a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”  That is the Church the Lord Jesus Christ is coming for and I want to do everything I can to make sure I am a part of it.  By the way, I want to do all I can to make sure you are a part of it as well!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Ephesians 5: 27, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

 

Paul uses the relationship between the Lord Jesus and His church to explain how husbands ought to love their wives.  In doing so, there is an interesting comment as to what the church is to be like when He comes for her.  The Church is referred to as the bride of Christ in Scripture.  He is coming for a Church that is holy and without blemish.  The Lord Jesus wants His bride to stand before Him on that wedding day “without spot or wrinkle” meaning without flaws and imperfections; this is not about physical imperfections, but about being pure before Him.  How can that be?  It is about being set apart and coming before Him with a clean heart.  Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

 

Let’s be honest.  You and I cannot in our own strength or ability make ourselves without “spot or wrinkle or any such thing”, nor can we “be holy and without blemish” by our own power.  Our responsibility is to be obedient to the Word of God.  We get on the narrow way by going through the door of salvation which is Jesus Christ.  When a person accepts Christ as their Savior, He sets the person apart and the process of sanctification begins.  Sanctification is a life-long process to transform each of us -the Church – into the likeness of Jesus Christ.  It is the process of cleansing us into being the church without spot or wrinkle and will continue until we are taken into heaven.  This cleansing occurs by hearing and being obedient to God’s Word.  The more Bible we put into our heart the more we desire to be obedient.  It is amazing how much more aware we become of the sinful things we say and the sinful things we do as we try to live obediently to God’s Word.  That is growth and maturity in Christlike living.

 

There is coming a day when our works will be judged.  This is not a matter that will affect our salvation.  In 1 Corinthians 3:10-14, Paul writes about the things that we do to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.  This has to do with every Believer’s degree of faithfulness to God.  This is known as the judgment Seat of Christ.  Here every Believer’s motives, desires, and reasons for serving Christ will be exposed by fire.  Whatever remains will be the basis for rewards in heaven.  Let me emphasize that the service one gives does not save them; works can never earn salvation.  It is the free gift of Jesus Christ.  “Faithfulness in service, however, will earn one the right to give God even greater glory as the faithful lay down their rewards at His feet (revelation 4:10).”  (DJSB).

 

Here is the question I ask you to consider.  Does the church meet the criteria?  Is the Church a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish? 

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also on Me.”   Jesus

 

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you.  Let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  Jesus

 

When I served as principal at two schools, I would try to write something on Friday to encourage the teachers.  Once in a while I would get a response from one of them.  I titled the writing It’s Friday.  Pretty catching, right?!  Well, it’s Friday and, perhaps I will try this in this blog. 

 

It has been quite a week, wouldn’t you agree?  School has begun again bringing all the excitement of being back in the classroom.  Yes, I miss the excitement this time of the year has; I enjoyed the fellowship with teachers and also seeing students return.  With the beginning of the new school year, involvement in watching our granddaughter in volleyball begins again.  It is hard to believe our youngest grandchild is an eleventh grader! 

 

The week’s news has been centered on the country’s leadership failure to withdraw U.S. citizens and our sympathizers from Afghanistan in a peaceful way.   The blame game has been at the forefront of the process with the entire truth not being told.  Leaving any part of the truth out of what is said is a lie.  We have seen our troops killed and wounded again and blame being passed to others.  We are not fulfilling our responsibilities if we are not praying for all aspects of this situation.

 

We have seen that illegal immigrants continue to cross our southern borders in record numbers.  They are bringing untold covid-19 cases into our country; would it not be interesting to find out what percentage of these people are responsible of the spike in covid-19 cases in the U.S. today?  I’m just wondering!

 

Speaking of covid-19, my wife and I have tested positive for the virus this week.  We have hunkered down in the house, taking everything, everyone has told us we need to be taking.  I believe we are feeling better today – just tired and a little weak.  I can certainly see how this thing can cause problems.

 

I’m sure we can see more and more things going on that can rob us of our joy and peace.  That brings us to the verses above.  The Lord Jesus, speaking to His disciples and us today, tells us to not be troubled by all the difficulties seen around us.  Our belief in Jesus Christ does not make us immune or insensitive to the events going around us or going on around the world.  Following Jesus does not mean the circumstances in life will all be turned to the better; what changes is our expectations and how we handle what we are faced with.  With Jesus Christ in our hearts and our daily walk on the narrow way, we acknowledge the reality of sin in the world and the reality of pain and suffering.  At the same time, we trust in God to make good on all the promises He has made to us in His Word.  Through the peace that the Lord Jesus Christ gives us we can endure the trials of Covid-19.  Through the peace Jesus Christ gives us, we can see that the terrible events going on in the world around us are leading to His return and the promise of eternity with Him in heaven.  Today, pause for a time and thank Him for your salvation and the promise of the peace He gives to you to endure your circumstances.  The peace He gives is not what the world is seeking; His peace is guaranteed and eternal!

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

John 14:14, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”   Jesus

 

1 John 5:14, Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His wiil, He hears us.

 

Anyone who has walked with the Lord for very long knows that a verse of Scripture can not be taken and used for their own purpose.  If you have walked with the Lord for a while, you have found out that asking for anything in Jesus’ name is not a magical formula to get something you want.  There is certainly great power in the name of Jesus.  His name is above all names!  But, the power of prayer comes from communion with Him and knowing what He wants, what His desire is.

 

James 4:3 tells us that, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”  James is clear that if we pray and ask as we are told to do but do not receive, we are asking for something that is probably selfish and not in God’s will.  I had been praying and asking God for something for many years.  I was in an area that I thought would be perfect for “what I wanted to do”.  Finally, I asked Him if He was going to give it to me.  In one of the very few times I believe God spoke clearly to me in order for me to understand, He said, “No!”.  That was it; I was asking for so long for something to build me up; I was asking amiss. 

 

The Forerunner Commentary states this, “To ask for anything in the name of Jesus Christ, it must be in keeping with what He is.  To ask in Christ’s name is to ask as though Christ Himself were asking, Therefore, we can only ask for what Christ Himself would ask.  It is therefore necessary for us to set aside our own will and accept His.  If we do as Jesus did, we are sure to receive answers as He did.”

 

So, we study what Jesus did on the earth.  He wants all to come to Him and be saved through Him.  I do pray for those who ask for prayer – those who are sick, those who need direction, those who have financial need, for those who are out of God’s will because of deception.  I pray in Jesus’ name because of the power it brings because answered prayer brings glory to Him.   That is why prayer is answered.  I am also careful to acknowledge that God sees tomorrow when I stumble in living today.  I know that healing occurs for some by being taken to be with Him for eternity.  What a beautiful healing that is. 

 

The Forerunner Commentary had this to say as well and is important to believe. “We must come away with the realization that prayer is not dictating to God, but a humble and heartfelt expression of our attitude of dependency and need.  Because of this, the one who truly prays is submissive to God’s will, content with Him supplying his need according to the dictates of His sovereign pleasure.”

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Philippians 2:9-11, Therefore God also has highly exalted Him given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

I have met and briefly talked with some really big named people.  Let me throw out some names to see if you remember them.  I have met Tom Landry at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting.  I have met John Wooden at a basketball clinic.  I have had breakfast with Sam Walton and also had him tell me he was not happy with the sales numbers for my area of responsibility in a store.  Sometimes I tell people this because I want them to be impressed by who I have met.  By the way, don’t be!

 

There is something about a person’s name; it is really interesting with what your name means.  In history some character quality might be associated with the name.  Proverbs 22:1 tells us, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.”  Ecclesiastes 7:1, “A good name is better than precious ointment.”  What do people associate your name with when they hear it?

 

Any time you read a verse of Scripture that begins with therefore, you need to go back and read the previous verses.  Jesus “humbled Himself to become obedient to the point of death on a cross”.  Because He did so God “has highly exalted Him given Him the name which is above every name”.   Jesus is honored above everyone and everything ever created.  It is important to see that God has ordered all to worship His Son not because He is God but because of His obedience.

 

Did you understand that all would bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue will confess Him as Lord?  That means everyone from Adam and Eve will bow and confess.  What a privilege it has been to be in the family of God, to bow and confess Him the Lord of my life.  I do so knowing He is well pleased when I do.

 

What will it be like for those who have denied that Jesus is Lord and will not confess He is Lord?  No one in God’s universe will escape this bowing to and confessing who Jesus is.  All will bow – willingly or be made to.  I look at the news and know many will be made to.  In doing so they have chosen their own destiny.  Better to decide now who Jesus Christ is and bow willingly rather than to be made to bow and made to recognize that He is Lord.

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Jesus

 

There have been days that I just shake my head with what is going on around me and because of what I see going on in the world.  None of us are immune to the troubles of life and the sinful world we live in.  The Bible tells us to not be anxious and not to worry.  The world tells us lies which causes us to be uncomfortable about our lives.  The leadership in this country is very confusing in what it says about everything.  They cannot even get their stories to match.  I can’t help but shake my head and wonder what has happened to honesty and truth.  Do you feel like you are laboring and/or heavy laden?

 

Jesus offers us rest from the burdens we all carry or have carried.  I do want to be clear (Oh, yes, that sounds like the politicians I have watched on the news.), He is not offering to remove every problem and burden we face.  Too many times preachers and evangelists have not made this point clear.  They say, “Give your life to Jesus and he will take every burden, every trial, every disease away from you.”  So, you do and when these things still are there, what happens?  Here is what Jesus is telling you and me.  When we come to Him and obey His Word – when we walk on the narrow way – He will refresh us.  Those burdens that are placed on you because of the troubles in the world, in your family, at your work place, all the tensions you face and the routine of life will be faced with His help and His grace.  His rest is not absence from these things; He is with us through them.

 

Those that heard Jesus say this understood that “taking the yoke of another meant coming under that person’s leadership and walking in that person’s footsteps.  When believers take Jesus’ yoke, they place themselves under His dominion.  Only then do His followers enjoy the day-to-day release from stress that God intended.” (DJSB)

 

What do you need to take to Jesus today?  Does all the things being said about Covid-19, vaccines, masks burden you?  What about the lies and deceit and the covering of our leader’s backside burden you?  Do you have worries about your family members, concerns at work, financial concerns?  Whatever the burdens you carry are, take them to the Lord Jesus and allow Him to see you through them.  Go ahead – try Him and see He is “gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Philippians 4: 4, Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I say, rejoice.

 

Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote these words.  A Roman prison at this time did not have the comforts we see in our present-day prison system.  The introduction to this letter states Paul was “writing a thank you note to the believers of Philippi for their help in his hour of need”.  It goes on to say, “you can enjoy a oneness of purpose, attitude, goal, and labor – a truth which Paul illustrates from his own life, and one the Philippians desperately need to hear”.  The people of Philippi were quarreling and at odds with those within their church and that was causing problems with proclaiming the gospel of Christ.  Pau’s letter was an exhortation to the church to “rejoice in the Lord always”.  Continue reading and you will see he tells them “to be anxious for nothing, pray about everything making requests known and to be thankful when you do.” 

 

Is this not what the Christian church needs to be doing today?  Should we not have unity in the body of Christ?  When we lived in Iowa, we attended an organization known as the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International.  The founder of this fellowship was a man of Armenian descent, Demos Shakarian.  His philosophy was that Christians should be the happiest people on earth.  Yet, I wonder if that is true today!  We should be living Paul’s words by being anxious for nothing knowing that the Lord is near. 

 

The cure for worry and anxiety is to pray.  The notes in the LSSB tell us that through prayer we renew our trust in God’s faithfulness as we give to Him the things we are anxious about.  There are all sorts of difficulties around us.  Worry about these things can be very troubling.  We gain strength when we rejoice in Him and stand on His promises to us in His Word. 

 

When we pray, the peace of God comes to guard our hearts and minds.  That peace is important for each us.  We can come to believe that God has all things in His control.  Knowing that can help us through the darkest of times, when things seem to be crumbling around us.  It is our hope and the reason to remain strong in the face of all the adversity we are seeing.  It is the realization that the Lord Jesus Christ is always near and that His love will be active in our lives for good.  Prayer, supplication, thanksgiving keeps us under the peace of God which guards our hearts.

 

With what see happening in the world today, rejoice in the knowledge that God is still on His throne, still in control of all things.  Do you see God at work in the world today?  We should and we should rejoice that He could come at any time to take His Church to Himself.  Be alert.  Be watchful. Be working and ready every day for that trumpet to sound.   

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Luke 21:24, “And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all the nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”  Jesus

 

We are living in the “the times of the Gentiles”.  Scholars have not agreed on the meaning of this phrase.  It seems to me that since the Jewish people rejected Jesus as the Messiah, the Gentiles have been allowed to be grafted into the body of Christ.  I am not Jewish; I never have been.  But I have been allowed to come into the body of Christ by acknowledging Jesus Christ as my Savior and look forward to eternal life because of His resurrection.  I am a part of the body of Christ!  I wonder how much longer Gentiles will be allowed to be brought into His family?  When the rapture of the True Church occurs “the times of the Gentiles” will end and God will deal with the Jewish people by tribulation. 

 

Too many believe that the United States is a Christian nation because it was founded on biblical principles. That has certainly changed, perhaps since God was removed from the public schools in the 1960s.  Too many believe that the people of Israel are super spiritual.  But, like the people of the United States are not necessarily Christian because this is supposedly a Christian nation, people living in Jerusalem are not super serious Jews.  They need to be saved through Jesus Christ like everyone else.  Being religious is seldom the same as being a Christian.

 

Israel is going to be deceived into signing a peace treaty with the antichrist.  Daniel 9:25-27 prophetically tells of a time when the Jews will do this.  Everyone wants peace; that has been the ongoing plan in the Middle East since Israel became a nation.  The antichrist will get this done.  When? At the beginning of the seven-year period known as the Tribulation.  The “times of the Gentiles” is over.  The Church is in heaven with the Lord.  Now He turns His full attention to His people, the Jews.

 

Their blind faith in who they believe to be their Messiah is in reality the antichrist.  The tribulation has already been discussed in the study of The Revelation.  You will recall this is a time when the Lord sends to earth all sorts of terrible judgments to get His people to repent.  Remember He sends 144,00 evangelists to the people and He has the two witnesses in Jerusalem to speak to the people.  There will be those who are saved during this time.  But sadly, many will harden their hearts and reject Him.

 

Events happening in this region today do not indicate peace.  Is the times of the Gentiles about over?  Sorry - I do not know!  But you can bet the desire for peace in this region is still a desire.  I would believe the desire for peace and the sudden disappearance of millions of people would be a motivating factor for peace to occur.  There have been many attempts, many peace treaties signed and all have failed!  It seems the time is right for the antichrist to have ready his plan for peace with Israel and the Middle East. 

 

It is time for each of us to be serious about our walk on the narrow way that leads to God’s kingdom and eternal life.  The times of the Gentiles seem to be nearing an end and it is time for God to deal with His people.  Its time for you and me to have a hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness and to be filled by it!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed.  The son of perdition who opposes all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (The underlined is my emphasis.)

 

I am sure I have addressed this before.  Two things have to happen before the Lord Jesus returns to establish His millennial kingdom.  One, there has to be a falling away from believing in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and following Him.   Secondly, the temple must be rebuilt and the antichrist entering it and declaring himself to be God.  The falling away or apostacy will result in total rebellion against God.  The apostacy is already being seen.

 

The emphasis this morning is on the second aspect – the building of the temple.  Right now, there is no temple in Jerusalem.  It must be rebuilt for the antichrist to go into it and declare himself to be God.  In the book of Exodus, God gives Moses directions for building a tabernacle which includes every article that is necessary to worship Him.  Priests would use various utensils to perform the various tasks in their worship.

 

I am going to refer to the writings of Billy Crone this morning.  He has documented his research on what has been done to prepare for the rebuilding of the temple.  His research reveals that the articles given Moses for worship in the temple have already been remade to the specifications of God.  Let me give you a portion of the list and what he wrote about them.

 

Copper Laver – stands between the sanctuary and outer altar; used by the priests to wash their hands and feet before proceeding to the daily tamid offering.

 

Golden Menorah – made from a single piece of solid gold and stands in the southern side of the Sanctuary.  The oil and wicks are attended to in order to ensure it will never be extinguished.

 

Table of Showbread – stands on the northern side of the Sanctuary and is where twelve loaves of bread are placed each Sabbath to ensure the loaves remain perpetually on the table. 

 

Other utensils that have been made ready are the measuring cup, copper vessel, lottery box (used to draw lot to determine which goat will be sacrificed that day), mizrak ( used to collect the blood of the sacrifice and spill it in the corner of the altar), Three-pronged fork used to turn the offerings over on the altar, silver cup, sickle, cleaning vessels, Frankincense censor, incense altar. Silver trumpets, gold=plated shofar, silver-plated shofar, and harp (used by the Levites in the Divine service). 

 

What am I getting at today?  These utensils are ready to be used in the temple – the one to be built.  The Jewish people are ready and wanting the temple to be built.  The priestly garments are made and there is even the necessary red heifer (for purification from sin) has been born in Israel.  Everything is ready for the Jewish temple to be rebuilt.  The days of the antichrist and the seven years of tribulation are very near!

 

For you and me, we must walk on the narrow path that leads to God’s kingdom.  We need to wake up to any complacency we have about the days we live in and must not live in fear.  Instead, an excitement needs to be growing in our spiritual life that the time of God’s rapture of His church is near.  Yes, we live in uncertain times but they are sure are exciting!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Ezekiel 38:11-12, You will say, “Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages!  I will march against her and destroy the people who live in such confidence!  I will go to those once-desolate cities that are again filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations.  I will capture vast amounts of plunder and take many slaves, for the people are rich with cattle now and think the whole world revolves around them!” (New Living Translation)

 

The question is, “Why Israel?”  The hook has been set and nations who hate Israel are gathering to destroy Israel and take over this area.  Notice the above verses show the evil plan that these nations are developing to do that.  Verse 10 shows that God knows what is happening and is bringing this to pass – perhaps right now!  Israel is not safe from attack as we have seen.  However, Israel is safe from defeat as we have seen in previous attacks on Israel (since becoming a nation).  God is protecting His people!  God is causing Magog and allies to believe they can defeat Israel’s defenses.  Notice a time reference has been given.  “I will go to those once-desolate cities that are again filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations.”  This has been discussed.

 

The question goes back to why this area is so desirable.  Let me try to explain some reasons I have found that might answer this question.  First, the location in world geography has always been an important location as a land bride between Europe, Asia, and Africa.  If the trade routes were to be controlled, the land area had to be controlled.  Control of this area is absolutely necessary for nations to plunder the area; this is the “hook in the jaw” from the past two blogs.

 

Moses took the Hebrews to the “promised land’, a “land flowing with milk and honey”.  It was a rich land – it still is.  It is in the heart of the world’s gas and oil reserves.  Recently, one of the world’s richest natural gas deposits was found.  It has been named the Leviathan Gas Field and is located off the shore of Israel in the Mediterranean Sea (look it up on the internet).  This is a big deal because Israel can compete on the international scene with countries like Russia.  Not only is natural gas being found but oil is being found in the Golan Heights area.  That area has been highly contested for years.  According to internet articles, guess who has their sights set on these oil reserves – Russia.  Is there any wonder Russia is exercising its influence with Arab countries?  The hook is being set.

 

But wait – there’s more.  Israel has been able to turning saltwater into fresh water.  Water has become a valuable commodity.  Could it become so valuable that it leads to war?

 

There is one more possible reason that could draw Magog and Arab nations to war with Israel.  The Dead Sea is not really dead!  It is the source of many valuable minerals that people are becoming rich from.  Did you know that there is a health and beauty care brand called AHAVA that markets its products in various retail places around the world.  The important part of this is the Dead Sea is a very rich source of valuable minerals that countries would like to get ahold of.

 

I do not believe that God led Abraham and later His people from Egypt to this land by accident.  Nothing done by God is by accident!  Is the hook being set?  It seems to be. We can see not only the hatred of the Arab nations toward Israel but the desire for plunder of natural wealth by Russia (Magog) and even China.  Examine the evidence for yourself.  Look at what is happening in the world around Israel right now.  There are a lot of signs pointing to the last days!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Zechariah 12:1-3, This message concerning the fate of Israel came from the Lord: “This message is from the Lord, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the spirit within humans.  I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem.  On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world.  None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed.  (New Living Translation)

 

Ezekiel 38:4, I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you to destruction.  I will mobilize your troops and calvary and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed. (NLT)

 

It is really difficult to let the events that have transpired over the weekend go by without comment.  We watched intently the things that were televised from Afghanistan wondering what was happening.  All I could think of was God pulling the nations of the world to the Middle East and wondering what and if this has anything to do with the end times scenario.  How many times was Russia and China mentioned regarding their involvement with the Taliban who has now taken control of the country?  It was mentioned that the only two remaining embassies in Kabul were those from these two countries. 

 

Russia has a definite interest in the Middle East.  Ezekiel 38 prophetically tells us that Magog, the land from the north will invade Israel along with countries of Arab descent; God has said, “I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you to destruction.”  In October of 2019, Iran joined a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union – Russia is a member of this union.  Russia had already been providing aid to the Syrians in its civil war. Essentially this helped Russia strengthen its position in the Middle East.  Why is this important?  Russia is part of the coalition of Arab nations that God will cause to invade Israel.  This event is still to come and is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

 

China’s involvement in this area is a bit of a mystery.  China is quietly becoming influential in North Africa, using business interests to disguise their ambitions there.  Their ambition is to build military bases in the Mediterranean area – so I have read.  Does anyone else wonder what this ambition will lead to?  Articles I have read for this writing mention Israel as an area China is interested in. 

 

So, I am very interested in what is on in Afghanistan!  Magog includes the former nations that made up the former U.S.S.R.  Some scholars include Afghanistan in the area of Magog.  Russia’s present influence in Afghanistan would support this, in my mind.  Events are moving in the direction of biblical prophecy being fulfilled.  Do not be filled with fear!  This only means that the return of Jesus for His Church is near. I remind you of the words of Jesus in Luke 21:28, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  Judgment on the ungodliness and unrighteousness of this world is close.  As Christians we need to be living our lives on the narrow road that leads to the kingdom of God.  Do not walk near the edge!  Live your life seeking, hungering, and thirsting for God’s righteous- ness.  Look to Him as your provider and your strength.  Be encouraged because when you look to Him, keeping your eyes on Him, you will find He is all you need.