God Decreed It :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: December 2, 2023 by RR10 Category:Daymond Duck, General Articles

The 30^th chapter of Jeremiah is filled with God’s promises to the children of Israel.

It was meant to console and inspire the people by offering hope to the nation.

It certainly did, and it still does.

One promise tells us Jerusalem would be rebuilt in the same place it always was (upon her own heap; Jer. 30:18).

This is why Jerusalem exists where it does today.

God decreed it.

A second promise tells us the population of Jerusalem will greatly increase (“I shall multiply them, and they shall not be few” Jer. 30:19).

That is why the population of Jerusalem has grown from about 3,000 people in the 1840s to almost one million today.

God decreed it.

A third promise tells us God will punish anyone who harms Israel (“I will punish all that oppress them” Jer. 30:20).

That is why Israel’s enemies keep losing wars with Israel.

God decreed it.

A fourth tells us Israel will have their own leaders (“their nobles shall be of themselves” Jer. 30:21).

That is why Israel is ruled by Jews (not Babylonians, Romans, Muslims, etc.).

God decreed it.

A fifth promise tells us the Jews will be God’s people, and He will be their God (Jer. 30:22).

That is why the entire world is turning against Israel.

Most Jews have not yet returned to God, but they will soon learn that they are His people, and He is their God.

God decreed it.

A sixth promise tells us the judgment of the Lord will fall upon the wicked (“God’s fury will fall with pain” (Jer. 30:23).

That is why the devastation in Gaza is so bad.

God’s fury is falling upon people who have committed terrible wickedness.

God decreed it.

When will these promises be fulfilled?

God said, “In the latter days ye shall consider it” (Jer. 30:24).

Hang on because God said He will make a full end of the nations that the Jews returned home from (Jer. 30:11).

(My opinion: I cannot predict the future, but I know that the Middle East problems are going to lead to a worthless 7-year peace treaty, the rise of the New World Order, and the destruction of the nations (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 13:7; Dan. 2:41-45.))

Here are some articles that made the news recently:

One, concerning Israel’s attacks at and or near hospitals in Gaza: in his weekly report (Nov. 16-23, 2023), highly regarded Prophecy teacher Amir Tsarfati said, “The ferreting out of the Hamas infrastructure has continued through the past week. Al-Shifa Hospital has been a primary target because the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) must go to where the enemy is. The terrorists were the ones who chose to base their operations in tunnels below essential humanitarian targets. Any innocent lives who may be caught up in the battles are the result of the evil combatants who drew the war to the hospital. They are not the fault of the Israeli forces who warned all civilians ahead of time that they were coming so as to minimize any collateral damage.”

(FYI: To his credit, Amir Tsarfati has been invited to Washington, DC, to speak at several venues, including some congressmen and senators in the coming days. That may be over by the time this article is posted.)

(More: On Nov. 27, 2023, Elon Musk visited Israel. After watching videos of Hamas murdering women, children, and others, Musk said, “There’s no choice but to kill those who insist on murdering civilians. You are not going to change their mind.”)

(My opinion: Sadly, Musk is right because Hamas said they will do it again and again until Israel is destroyed. If Hamas is not going to stop, Israel has no choice but to eliminate them.)

Two, concerning financial aid to rebuild the Gaza Strip after Israel’s war with Hamas is over: on Nov. 22, 2023, it was reported that the Arab Gulf nations are talking about two conditions:

One, there must be a change in leadership of the Palestinian Authority before the Arab Gulf nations provide any financing.
Two, Israel must produce a political plan for dealing with the Palestinian issue.

(My opinion: Israel has produced many plans in past years, and all of them have been rejected. It is impossible to produce a political plan that everyone will accept.)

Three, concerning possible corruption in the Democrat Party: on Nov. 22, 2023, it was reported that recently released video recorded by a member of the Washington, DC, police department on his phone of demonstrators at the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, shows a plainclothes police officer with a badge hanging around his neck telling another police officer, “We go undercover as Antifa in a crowd.”

Some demonstrators who were arrested on Jan. 6 have said police urged them to enter the Capitol.

The video has been turned over to the Congressional House Oversight Committee for investigation.

(My opinion: Someone was using undercover police disguised as Antifa to urge Trump supporters to enter the Capitol, where they would soon be arrested.)

Four, concerning the decline of America and the rise of a godless one-world religious system: on Nov. 23, 2023, Pres. Biden released the President’s annual Thanksgiving Proclamation, and for the first time in American history, the Pres. of the U.S. omitted all references to God or faith.

(My opinion: What should Christians expect from a president who loves and promotes the godless New World Order, abortion, the gay agenda, etc.?)

Five, concerning world government:

On Nov. 22, 2023, the Estonian Parliament notified the World Health Organization (WHO) that it is rejecting the International Pandemic Treaty (Accords) as well as the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHRs).
On Nov. 25, 2023, it was reported that Slovakia has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) that it will not sign or ratify the WHO International Pandemic Treaty (Accords).
On Nov. 28, 2023, it was reported that New Zealand announced that it will not be pushed around by the UN and the WHO anymore, and it will not agree to the IHR amendments.

More countries need to do this.

These two documents will change the WHO from an advisory organization to a controlling international authority.

They will require the surrender of national sovereignty to an unelected world government during a potential crisis.

Six, concerning theft and the decline of America at the end of the age: on Nov. 26, 2023, it was reported that organized shoplifting and soft-on-crime policies cost New York State retailers $4.4 billion in 2022.

A bipartisan bill to create a task force to find ways to deal with it was vetoed by the governor last week.

Seven, concerning wars and rumors of wars (perhaps Psa. 83, Isa. 17, Ezek. 38-39): on Nov. 27, 2023, an advisor to Iraq’s Prime Min. said if the current truce is not turned into a permanent one, “the entire region (Middle East) is on the verge of a devastating conflict that may include everyone, and the extent of its expansion or how to control and stop it is not known.”

Eight, concerning the Mark of the Beast: on Nov. 24, 2023, Canada and the EU agreed to promote a digital ID system (a pre-requisite for tracking all buying and selling) and to jointly push it in the G-7, G-20, OECD, UN, and WTO.

(My opinion: They have agreed to work together on a global ID system.)

(More: On May 28, 2023, it was reported that the Bill Gates Foundation is attempting to replace cash with a digital ID and digital currency system in Nigeria, and the effort is supported by the World Economic Forum, EU, and several UN agencies.)

Nine, concerning pestilences at the end of the age: due to an outbreak of pneumonia in China, on Nov. 27, 2023, it was reported that China is once again requiring citizens to wear face masks and follow social distancing.

China is also urging children and the elderly to get vaccinated.

Here are some daily updates about Israel’s war with Hamas.

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 (Day 47)

Hamas was supposed to give Israel a list of the hostages to be released at 10 am tomorrow but failed to do it, so the release was delayed for 24 hours.
Because the hostage release was delayed for 24 hours, Israel delayed the pause in the war 24 hours.
An Israeli source said Hamas is making new demands to their hostage deal.
After finding evidence that Hamas was using Al-Shifa Hospital for a command center (Hamas denies it), Israel arrested the head doctor and several other doctors at Al-Shifa and is holding them for questioning.
A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent said Hamas and other terrorist groups are already in the United States thanks to the flood of migrants crossing the southern border.

Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023 (Day 48)

Hezbollah said it fired 48 Katyusha rockets at northern Israel and attacked 10 other fronts in Israel near the Israeli-Lebanon border (Israel retaliated by shelling several sites in southern Lebanon).
The ceasefire is now scheduled to begin at 7 am Friday. 13 Israeli hostages (and 11 foreigners) are scheduled to be released at 10 am, and when they are released, Israel is scheduled to release 39 Palestinians.
Hamas called upon its supporters in the West Bank (part of Israel) and elsewhere to rise up against Israel.

Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 (Day 49) (Day one of a 4-day ceasefire)

Hamas said it cannot locate 10 children that were taken on Oct. 7, 2023.
There were 240 hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023, and more than 100 were from nations other than Israel.
The 4-day ceasefire started (Israel’s border with Lebanon was also quiet).
If both sides agree, Hamas can extend the ceasefire one day at a time by releasing 10 hostages per day.
Palestinians in the southern part of Gaza were warned that the war is not over and they should not return home.
A group of Israeli rabbis said they support the families of Israeli hostages, but stopping the war before it is finished puts the Israeli troops and citizens in grave danger.
Biden said, “I cannot prove what I’m about to say, but I believe one of the reasons Hamas struck when they did is because they knew I was working very closely with the Saudis and others in the region to bring peace to the region by having recognition of Israel and Israel’s right to exist.”
Egypt said it is ready for Gaza to be demilitarized and to be temporarily occupied by forces (UN, EU, NATO, U.S., Arabs, or whoever) to guarantee the security of the Palestinians and Israel (Note: This sounds like a force to guarantee peace and safety in the area. Jordan said the Arabs would not want to send troops there).
Hamas released 13 Israeli hostages, and Israel released 39 Palestinians.

Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 (Day 50) (Day two of a 4-day ceasefire)

Hamas said Israel broke the agreement by not sending enough food to northern Gaza, so it would delay the release of more hostages.
Israel denied that it broke the agreement.
Israel warned that the war would resume at midnight if Hamas did not release the hostages as agreed.
Following several hours of a tense standoff, Hamas said they would release 13 Israeli hostages and 7 foreigners (note: They released 4 foreigners). (note: One female hostage was injured and had to undergo emergency surgery). Israel released 39 Palestinians.

Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 (Day 51) (Day three of a 4-day ceasefire)

Israeli officials believe Hamas is still holding 195 hostages.
Israel struck the airport in Damascus, Syria, and there was major damage.
Hamas released 14 Israeli hostages (one hostage was a 4-year-old Israeli girl) and 3 foreigners.
Israel said the freeing of a 4-year-old hostage is enough to justify the war.
Hamas is seeking to extend the ceasefire.
Prime Min. Netanyahu’s ruling party warned him that if he does not eventually resume the war his government will collapse immediately.

Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 (Day 52) (Day four of a 4-day ceasefire)

Hamas is supposed to release 11 hostages today, and Israel is supposed to release 33 Palestinians, but there are reported disagreements over the names of hostages to be released.
Israel and Hamas are discussing the issues.
Israel and Hamas are ready to extend the ceasefire, but Israel said it will renew the war with full force if more hostages are not released.
Hamas released 11 hostages (2 women and 9 children), and Israel released 33 Palestinians.
Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the ceasefire for two more days and to release more hostages (Hamas will release 20 more women and children).
Israel is seeking the return of about 40 more hostages, but Hamas said they do not know where some of those hostages are.
Israel said Hamas must find the other hostages if they want to extend the ceasefire.
Hamas said it is willing to negotiate the release of Israeli soldiers, but the terms will be different from the release of civilians.
The number of nations that are calling for a peace treaty, the division of Israel, and the creation of a Palestinian state in the Middle East is growing.
S. Sec. of State Blinken will return to Israel, the West Bank, and the UAE this week to discuss more ceasefires in the Middle East.

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 (Day 53) (Day five of the ceasefire; First day of the extended ceasefire.

Hamas has committed to release 20 hostages (women and children) over the next two days, and Israel has committed to release 60 Palestinians.
Israel said it will not end the war until Hamas is destroyed and all the hostages are released.
Hamas said it is not holding all the hostages that are in the Gaza Strip.
Qatar said some of the hostages are held by smaller groups (the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Mujahideen Brigades, and al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades admit that they have some of the hostages).
Hamas detonated three explosive devices near a group of Israeli troops, and Israel said several of its troops were slightly injured.
Hamas released 10 Israeli hostages and 2 foreigners. Israel released 30 Palestinians. Hamas has released 60 Israelis and 21 foreigners to date. More than 160 are still in captivity.
Erdogan of Turkey told UN Sec. Gen. Guterres that Israel must be held accountable in international courts for war crimes in Gaza.

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023 (Day 54) Day six of the ceasefire; Second day of the extended ceasefire.

At the time this article was sent to Rapture Ready, it was unclear if there would be another extension of the ceasefire.

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com

Reach Out :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: December 2, 2023 by RR10 Category:General Articles, Nathele Graham

Christians are very blessed. We have so much to be thankful for. We may not have a lot of monetary wealth, or our health may be failing, but we have the promise of eternal life with Jesus. At this time of year, we should be more aware of that promise.

In the United States, we just took a day to give thanks. Did we give thanks, or did we just chow down on the feast? If we did give thanks, who did we thank? Did you thank God for providing the means for the feast, or was He never in your thoughts? Too often, we forget that without God, we would have nothing.

Even atheists benefit from God’s blessings. Jesus told us to be kind to all people “that ye may be the children of your father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). God loves everyone and blesses even those who deny Him.

One way to thank God is to reach out to other people. Christians are admonished to share what we have with fellow believers, but I’ve noticed that most Christians think that our giving is only to be given to the unsaved. That’s a very nice thing to do, but we’re told to share the Gospel with the unsaved, and we are to help fellow Christians in need. All too often, a Christian who is in great need is ignored. That’s a very sad situation.

The unsaved should be able to look at how the Christian community loves and cares for each other and see Christ living in us. Then, an unbeliever might start asking questions about why we care so much for brothers and sisters. Our love for Christ should urge us to be like Him. Too often, we get so busy in our own shopping, cooking, and celebrating that we forget that there are fellow Christians who are going through great sorrow, or are physically hampered and need brotherly love to help them.

Depression is a common problem at this time of year. If we live long enough, we will all face celebrating Christmas without someone we love. Depression is actually a very selfish thing. It’s all about “I.” I lost my spouse. I lost my child. I am lonely. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the feelings, but no amount of self-pity will bring that loved one back. It will only make you miserable and more depressed. Some people are too proud to admit they have a need, but if you hide your feelings, how can anybody know you need help?

Fellow Christians should be the first to help a brother or sister through the holidays and all throughout the year, but we are all just people and get tunnel vision when the holiday hustle and bustle comes along. If you’re one who is in need this time of year, or any time of year, look around you. There are plenty of people in your own congregation who just might be as lonely as you. Invite them to share time with you.

The early Christians had similar troubles, but these early believers took care of each other. “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common” (Acts 4:32).

Nobody went hungry because they shared what they had. As more and more people embraced Christ, the congregation in Jerusalem grew, and some believers were being neglected. “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1). Seven men were chosen to oversee the way everyone was treated and be sure all were cared for.

Today, the church has willingly given the care of Christians to the government. This allows us to ignore the needs of our brothers and sisters. You might be surprised to find out that there’s a college student in the congregation who is far from home this Christmas. He or she misses Grandma’s special pumpkin pie or their mother’s special turkey dressing. Maybe they miss just talking with their grandparents, and the separation is weighing heavily upon them. Reach out to them. Maybe there’s a man who is facing the holidays without his wife for the first time in 50 years. Reach out to him and help ease his sorrow. If you reach out to others, you show Christian compassion.

If nobody reaches out to you, then you reach out to others. You be the one to offer a willing ear to listen to the college student or the widower. Don’t wait for someone to reach out to you. Doing for others is one way we show Christian love and also help ourselves. You can be sure that there are rest homes filled with lonely people who could use some cookies and a smile. Maybe someone who is bedridden would like you to read to them. Ask the pastor of your church if there is anyone in the congregation who may need some extra holiday love. Then invite them to go shopping or to join you in some other activity. It’s possible that you have a neighbor who might want a ride to church.

There are many ways of reaching out. You’ll find that reaching out to others is a cure for your own loneliness. It’s easy to come up with excuse after excuse as to why you can’t reach out. Too often, Christians leave it all up to others to help. They drop a little extra in the offering plate, hoping that the church will use that offering to help someone. Maybe you fill a shoebox with things to be sent to children in foreign lands, forgetting that there are children in your own congregation who might be in need.

I heard a story once about a congregation that decided to help a local family in need. One family scrimped and saved in order to be able to put as much in the special collection as possible. All the while, they thought of the needy family and how happy they would be with the gifts of food and gloves. Eventually, the day came when it was revealed who in the community would receive the offerings. As it turned out, the family who had sacrificed so much was the one chosen to receive. They didn’t even know they were needy but gave as much as possible.

Isn’t that a lesson to us all? If we don’t look to our own lack of resources but reach out to others, we are richly blessed. I know a lady who is such a blessing to others. She has two friends who are blind. She makes sure to check in on them and to help with whatever need they might have. That’s showing Christian love, and I admire her for all she does. She doesn’t brag about it, but I’m sure her giving ways have helped her through the loneliness after her husband died.

Too often, we tend to think we need to send money and buy things for unbelievers, but the example in scripture is to care for our brethren.

When Barnabas looked for Saul (later known as Paul) and found him in Tarsus, they traveled together to Antioch. While there, some prophets came from Jerusalem “and there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar” (Acts 11:28). Even though all people would be affected by this “dearth,” what did the disciples do? “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:29-30).

Christians were taking care of Christians. Over the years, we seem to have forgotten we are to take care of each other. Agabus and his friends reached out for help, and help was given. Paul learned from this. There came a time of need in Jerusalem. Was it a famine? Maybe it was the fact that the church in Jerusalem had so many Christians they were caring for that they needed assistance in helping them. Whatever the problem, Paul knew that Christians needed help. He reached out to various congregations and asked for help. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

He didn’t take shoeboxes to children but took help to fellow Christians. Too often, Christians in our own congregations are overlooked when there’s a need. It’s easier to drop money into a red bucket while someone rings a bell or fill a shoebox than to invite a widower to dinner. Look around you and reach out to your fellow Christians.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t do anything for non-believers. If sharing a meal in order to share the Gospel is what is required, then by all means, do it. But don’t forget to share the Gospel! Reach out to others in order to help them in times of need, but also, don’t be shy about reaching out to others and asking them to help you in your time of need.

No matter what, always reach out to Jesus and invite Him to be a part of your holiday celebration.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.rapture ready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).