Looking for a Sign :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: June 10, 2023 by RR10

We all want signs that we are following the right path or a sign of what God has planned.

During a very troubled time in Israel’s history, they were being harassed by the Midianites. Israel had been in rebellion against God and were paying for their sins. This was a constant theme with Israel and God.

“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years” (Judges 6:1).

Even though Israel has periodically rebelled against God, He will never desert them. In times of rebellion, God allows them to be overrun by foreign nations, but He will never completely turn away from them. During one of those rebellious times, God called Gideon to stand for Israel. Gideon wasn’t sure he had heard God right and wanted a sign.

“And Gideon said unto God, if thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, behold I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou will save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said” (Judges 6:36-37).

Morning came, and the fleece was soaked, but Gideon still wasn’t convinced. He asked for another sign. He wanted the fleece to be dry while the ground all around was wet. Once again, God patiently gave Gideon the sign he wanted. Gideon went to war; the battle was won, and God was glorified. God calls Christians to battle evil every day, and we need to be prepared. The signs are all around us.

God knows the beginning from the end and uses prophecy as a sign. Too often, we neglect to study the Old Testament because we think it doesn’t relate to Christians. That’s very wrong. There’s much to learn from Abraham, Job, David, the Judges, and all the prophets of God. Prophecy helps us to prepare for the battles we face.

The prophets of old most likely didn’t fully understand what they recorded from God, but they knew that it was important. When Daniel was young, he was taken captive and relocated to Babylon, a very pagan place to live. Although he was young, he never stopped worshipping and serving God Almighty. He knew the Temple had been destroyed, but he still openly worshipped God. When he was given a prophecy about the distant future, he didn’t question God but recorded the words.

Today we have more understanding of their truth. Because we live in the times that were written about, we can see prophecy coming into focus. Daniel didn’t question prophecy, so he knew from Jeremiah that the Babylonian captivity was about to end. Daniel was also given many prophecies, including one that told when Messiah would come and signs of the end of time.

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24).

That verse alone holds a lot of information. God hasn’t replaced Israel, nor has He turned away from them. Also, be aware that a “week” equals seven years, not seven days. The prophecy is about Daniel’s holy city, Jerusalem. Jerusalem would be rebuilt and one day there would be no more sin. How could that happen? Daniel didn’t know how, but he knew God said it, so it would happen.

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again and the wall, even in troublous times” (Daniel 9:25).

This is also a prophecy about Jesus. It has been calculated that from the day that Artaxerxes issued the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (history records that date) until Jesus entered Jerusalem to the praises of the people, Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled to the day.

The Scribes and Pharisees should have known, but they chose to ignore prophecy. God knew they would. Their ignorance allowed other prophecies to be fulfilled. The prophecy given to Daniel reveals that the Messiah would be killed and Jerusalem would be destroyed again. History confirms this happened. Why do so many people question the truth of God’s word? Like the religious leaders of old, many religious leaders today choose ignorance. Jesus had publicly given many signs that He was the Messiah. He healed many people and cast out demons, but the Scribes and Pharisees still wanted a sign.

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:38-40).

Scripture was their sign. The religious leaders knew the Law and the Prophets, but they refused to believe that prophecy was being fulfilled in their lifetime. Biblical prophecy will be fulfilled whether we choose ignorance or not.

The Apostle Peter was a witness to all the miracles that Jesus did and heard His teachings. Peter didn’t attend a seminary, so he wasn’t confused by man’s interpretations. He was a fisherman. Jesus saw his character and knew what Peter could accomplish if given the chance. Peter stumbled a few times in his walk, but when he finally realized his calling, there was no turning back. I guess he might have been somewhat like Gideon and was surprised that he had been chosen for important work for the Lord. Even though Peter was an eyewitness to the healing of deaf and blind people, and he heard the voice of God the Father booming out of Heaven, he knew prophecy was better proof than those signs.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:19-21).

If you’re living in fear of all the wars and diseases that trouble the earth, then you need to open your Bible and study prophecy. There are hundreds of prophecies in Scripture that Jesus fulfilled. Since those were fulfilled, why would you doubt that the other ones will come to pass? Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Amos, Zechariah, and others all give insight into today’s world and what will soon come to pass.

We live in the end of days. Daniel was shown prophecy about our world today. He saw that Jesus would be crucified and that Jerusalem would be destroyed.

“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:26-27).

The Messiah would be “cut off” (killed) and reveals that the temple would be rebuilt. It was rebuilt but destroyed again in 70 AD. Many Jewish people are actively working toward rebuilding the temple. Three pure red heifers have been found, and that is an important part of rebuilding the temple, which has to be rebuilt before the man we call the Anti-Christ is in power. It will happen just as God foretold in prophecy. The temple will be rebuilt, but the Anti-Christ will defile it. It’s a sign, but a sign that evil is still in the world.

There are many more signs of prophecy being fulfilled. Again, look to Scripture for answers. Prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, He had a quiet talk with four of His disciples. These men were curious. Before embarking on a study of these verses, keep in mind that the ekklesia (Christians) had not been born yet. Jesus had not been crucified, nor had He risen from the dead. Pentecost was still in the future. Jesus’ Jewish disciples asked questions about Israel.

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming; and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3).

No matter which Bible translation you read, it’s only a translation of the original text. The word translated “world” is “aion,” which should be translated “age.” The disciples had finally understood that Jesus was going away, but they wanted to know when He would return. They knew that when He returned, the oppression would end. They didn’t understand that He had to die, and when He returned, the oppression He would end wasn’t Roman rule but Satan’s evil. The first point Jesus made was not to be deceived by false Messiahs.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5).

If you don’t study Scripture, you’ll easily be deceived. Then He gave general “signs” to watch. “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:26).

If you listen to the news media, you’ll hear of many wars. Russia is at war with Ukraine, but that’s just a stepping stone to their ultimate goal of controlling the Middle East, specifically Israel. Iran hates Israel and attacks on a regular basis. Go back and study the book of Judges. We know Israel has been in rebellion and mostly doesn’t honor God. It’s time for them to return to the God of their fathers and fight. Unfortunately, they’ll only call out to God after seven years of tribulation (read Revelation). Today, Israel is tired of rockets and terrorists attacking them, and war is looming.

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…” (Matthew 24:7a).

As we read this, it seems redundant. “…nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom,” but once again, going back to the original language will help to make it clearer. “Ethnos” is translated “nation,” which is a people group… ethnic groups. We see daily that there is fighting within a nation because ethnic groups can’t get along. There are also many wars between nations. Do you see any of these signs happening? I do, and it’s all very troubling.

The signs continue and can cause great concern. “…and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matthew 24:7b).

If you follow the earthquake events, you’ll understand that there are thousands happening each month, and they are getting stronger. Pestilence is also a sign. Most of us remember the craziness of the last few years over a man-made disease. People willingly allowed the government to control every part of their lives. There will be more of the same coming as the world is being conditioned to accept a one-world leader… the Anti-Christ and his mark. But that’s another story for another commentary.

Jesus also told of famine. We see problems beginning now. Food shelves aren’t stocked like they once were. Animals have been dying, fires break out in chicken houses, and thousands of chickens die. Our food supply is being tampered with, so the food we buy is not the food that God created for our nutritional health. Scripture also tells of another type of famine.

“Behold the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11-12).

Oh my, this is happening! Preachers are politically correct instead of Biblically correct. Drag queens are invited to preach in some congregations, and it gets worse by the day. People are starving for God’s truth.

Remember, Jesus wasn’t talking with His disciples about today’s world but the way the world would be just before His second coming. “All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8).

The word “sorrows” is from the Greek word “odin,” which means “birth pains.” I’m sure many who are reading this can relate to that feeling. I remember walking the floor all night because of pain as my baby was beginning to get in the position for birth. It hurt, but the pain would intensify. The pains grew stronger, and finally, it was very painful. As my husband held my hand, all he could do was encourage me. Then, it was time, and the baby was born, and the pain was worth it. As we watch the signs coming to pass in our own time, we know we are very close to the final seven years of history. As it gets closer, we need to encourage each other.

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11).

Don’t forget that Jesus wasn’t telling the disciples about the Rapture but about Daniel’s 70th week… the tribulation. That’s an event that will happen after the Rapture. Jesus took our punishment at the cross, and Christians will be taken to Heaven prior to God’s judgment being poured out upon the entire earth. In His words to the disciples, Jesus gave many, many more signs to look for, and we see the shadows of all of them falling upon our world today. The days of Noah and the Days of Lot are especially prominent as genetic manipulation and sexual perversion are all around us.

Brothers and sisters, don’t be a part of the sin in this world, but set your sights upon Jesus and His promise. Even though we see the signs happening, Christians have the promise that we will be taken Home before the Anti-Christ begins his reign of terror.

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

When Jesus returns to establish His Kingdom on earth, we will come with Him. That final battle will be over quickly. No evil can withstand the King of kings.

Looking for signs? Look to Scripture for signs of the times and act accordingly. Conform your life to Christ’s example. Share the Gospel. The signs say that time is getting short.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.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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The Flag of Righteousness :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: June 10, 2023 by RR10

Concerning the moral rot in America and the Biden administration: on May 30, 2023, it was reported that Uganda has passed some very strong anti-gay laws, and Pres. Biden has responded by:

Threatening to impose sanctions and other penalties on Uganda.
Calling for the laws to be immediately repealed.
Calling the laws a shameful act and an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption.
Calling the laws a threat to everyone living in Uganda.
Threatening to ban Ugandans from entering the U.S.

The next day, it was reported that hundreds of Ugandans marched in the street in support of their government and carrying signs with slogans such as:

No sodomy in Uganda.
We don’t want America’s pro-gay money.
We love our country more than money.
To hell with homosexuality.
Down with Babylon, up with hope.
This is our country, and the law will shield our morals, values, and culture.
For God and country, let the Flag of Righteousness be lifted.

These days, the Flag of Righteousness seems to be flying higher in most of Uganda than in most of America, and the morals of the black government of Uganda (and some of their church members) seem to be higher than the morals of the white government of America (and some of America’s church members).

Righteousness is a matter of one’s relationship with God, not a matter of race.

Uganda’s government has it right, but it is sorely lacking in the government of the U.S. (where many want to replace the Flag of Righteousness with a rainbow flag).

(Note: I don’t feel comfortable mentioning race, but the thought that if any other politician was threatening black people, they would be called a racist kept nagging me. For some reason, Biden escapes the racist label even when he is threatening to harm black people.)

(My opinion: I do not agree that America is Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth mentioned in Revelation chapters 17-18, but there are many parallels, and the prophesied future of that great prostitute is not good. The implications for America are also not good.)

Here are more events that recently made the news.

One, concerning Israel’s prosperity at the end of the age (having silver and gold, cattle and goods): on May 31, 2023, Israel announced the discovery of more natural gas off her Mediterranean Coast.

The field is estimated to have 68 billion cubic meters (BCM) of gas, which is more than five times the total amount all Israel uses in a year.

Two, concerning famine: on June 1, 2023, Leo Hohmann (highly respected author, speaker, writer, etc.), reported that:

Agricultural and environment ministers from 13 nations (United States, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Panama, Peru, and Spain) have signed onto an agreement to put restrictions on farmers to reduce emissions of methane gas.
The UN Food and Agricultural Organization, World Bank, and other globalist groups have been warning about a coming famine for months, but they are more focused on reducing methane than increasing food production.
It is common knowledge that globalists want to drastically reduce the population of the earth, and three ways to do that are war, famine, and plagues.
John Kerry, America’s climate czar, is excited about taking farmland out of production, limiting the number of cows farmers and ranchers can raise, and billionaires are investing facilities to produce lab-grown meat, insect larvae, mealworms, crickets, etc.

This is real, it is coming to the whole world soon, and these people and groups say they must do this to “save the planet.”

The entire article can be read atleohohmann.com.

(More: On June 2, 2023, it was reported that cattle herds were cut first in Holland, now there is a proposal to reduce the number of cattle raised in Ireland by 200,000 animals, and UK farmers are concerned that their government may decide to reduce the number of cattle raised there. According to the article, “It seems increasingly clear that there is an eco-modernist agenda to do away with conventional meat altogether. It’s not just the Extinction Rebellion mob, either; many of the world’s politicians are on board.”)

(More: On May 31, 2023, it was reported that reducing the number of cattle raised on a farm will put farmers and farmhands out of work. These people will have to find other ways to earn a living, or the government will need to support them.)

Three, on May 30, 2023, it was reported that a woman in the Netherlands said:

“Having a family is against my climate principles.”
“A child is super polluting; just think of how many diapers you use.”

She is being praised for getting an abortion to “save the planet.”

(More: On June 2, 2023, it was reported that activists in Chicago are demanding that the shootings be treated as a public health crisis.)

(My opinion: If the World Health Organization (WHO) is given power to control everyone’s life during a perceived health crisis, then climate change, violence, opposition to the LGBTQ agenda, and many other issues will be treated as a perceived health crisis, and the government’s control over people will continue until the Second Coming of Jesus.)

Four, concerning great wickedness on earth during the Tribulation Period: the Executive Board of the WHO has 34 members. On May 31, 2023, it was reported that a member from North Korea will serve on the WHO Executive Board for the next 3 years. North Korea is a nuclear-armed communist nation that reportedly starves its citizens, operates prison camps, executes citizens for political dissent, arbitrarily detains citizens without legal representation, and more. It is mind-boggling that world leaders would give global power to someone from North Korea.

Five, concerning world government and a system to track everyone on earth: the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced plans to create a global system called the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) to track the movement of people, their vaccination status, and other facts that they want in a global file that they will have access to.

The European Union (EU) has already created a system (called the EU Digital Covid Certificate) to do some of this in EU nations.

On June 5, 2023, the WHO and the EU held a joint press conference to announce that they will work together to transform the EU system into a global system.

The transformation will begin this month (June 2023), the EU system will be just a first step in the global system, and the global system will be progressively expanded in the coming months.

During the Covid Crisis, to qualify for a travel passport, EU citizens were required to prove that they had been vaccinated, or that they had recently tested negative for Covid, or that they had fully recovered from Covid.

Some EU nations wanted tighter regulations, and they segregated citizens that refused to be vaccinated.

Anyway, the current EU system is the first step in a WHO global tracking system, and its development has started.

Six, concerning world government and climate change: according to a data and research group called carsMetric, there were 1.45 billion cars in the world in Nov. 2022, and if nothing changes, that number will increase to 2.1 billion by 2050. On June 6, 2023, it was reported that the World Economic Forum (WEF) wants the number of cars on earth to be limited to 500 million in 2050 to reduce carbon emissions. This would require more people to use public transportation, share a vehicle, ride a bicycle, or walk. They also want to force vehicle owners to replace their gas-powered vehicles with electric vehicles, and most people will not be able to afford those.

Excuse me; I slipped; most won’t be here because of the population reduction, and those that are “will own nothing and be happy.”

Everyone needs to start opposing this globalist climate change insanity.

Seven, concerning deceit: on June 6, 2023, Tucker Carlson posted an 11-minute video on Twitter, and almost 70 million people watched it in the next few hours.

Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families, watched it and said Carlson’s overarching theme was, “We are being lied to 24 hours a day, seven days a week about virtually everything.”

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