General Articles

Things Written Before :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR7

Many people won’t study the Old Testament. I’m not sure why. They might read Psalm 23 just for comfort, but other than that and a vague knowledge of the creation account and the flood, they turn right to the New Testament. The Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, but did you ever wonder who those people are? Then, when you get to the Gospel of Luke, the genealogy seems different than listed in Matthew’s account. If you understand who the people are by studying all of Scripture, you will understand that both Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather, and Mary, Jesus’ human mother, descended from King David but through two different sons of David. The story behind each person is very interesting and can be read in the Old Testament.

Each of their stories will help you to understand that God uses people in spite of our imperfections.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

There are many lessons to be learned in Old Testament Scriptures, and prophecy has been given for us to understand the times in which we live. Do you base the future on a fortune cookie or on God’s truth? Nostradamus was no prophet of God Almighty, so turn to Scripture and learn truth.

The world today is a very scary place. In this time of crisis, the Old Testament will make it clear that persecution isn’t new. Read about how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to obey God rather than bow down to false gods of gold. They faced death rather than bow their knees to heathen gods.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

They knew God was able to deliver them from death, but even if He allowed them to die in the furnace, they wouldn’t serve demon gods. God did deliver them, and their testimony was powerful.

Daniel wouldn’t compromise his faith either. The political advisors of the day were corrupt. Does that sound familiar? They hated Daniel because of his faith. They plotted against him and came up with a law making it illegal to ask anything of any god or man; the man asking would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel loved and served God Almighty, and he openly continued to pray to the only true God in spite of the evil decrees of men.

“Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God” (Daniel 6:11).

They went and tattled to the king and had Daniel thrown to the lions. But God had a greater plan. Daniel’s life is a testimony to the power of God, and even the king knew the penalty would be useless.

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16).

Today, as Christians are being told to compromise our faith and stop worshipping openly, the faith these men had is encouraging. Daniel wouldn’t stop worshipping God and praying to Him in spite of man’s laws forbidding it. Study all of Scripture and be sure that your choices are consistent with Scripture, then stand firm on God’s word.

Another example of faith from the Old Testament is Job. He faced the loss of his children, his fortune, and disease riddled his body. All evil comes from Satan. God may allow bad things to happen, but Satan is always to blame. Job never lost faith in God Almighty. Job heard no encouraging words from his wife.

“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die” (Job 2:9). Then a group of friends came to visit him, and they went on and on about how all of Job’s troubles were his own fault. Job finally listened to God and was able to say, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27).

That’s faith we can admire. Long before Jesus walked the earth and gave His life to redeem humanity, Job knew his redeemer lives. Do you have that faith? Do you profess it with your mouth but deny Him by your actions? Take a lesson of faith from Job.

Old Testament Scripture gives examples of faith. In the letter to the Hebrews, there is a long list of people who accomplished great things because of their faith.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:1-3).

The author of Hebrews starts at the beginning and tells us that by faith we believe God created all things. The creation account is found in Genesis chapter 1, and John chapter 1 reveals that Jesus is the Word made flesh and the Creator of all things. Then the writer of Hebrews goes through a long list of men and women who lived their lives day by day but had faith in God and served Him. Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain; Enoch was Raptured prior to God’s judgment; Noah took God seriously and built an Ark. The list goes on, but if you read the history of each person listed in the “Hall of Faith,” you will learn more about your own faith and how believing God is always better than believing sinful man.

Old Testament Scripture is very important for examples of holding fast to faith in spite of what our eyes can see.

Elisha, a prophet of God, and his servant were in a bad situation that brought fear upon the servant. Elisha had thwarted the plans of the king of Syria to destroy Israel because he listened to God. The king of Syria came after Elisha with an army. The servant saw the army and felt fear.

“…Alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15b-17).

Elisha kept his eyes on God and saw His power. What about us? We have more than chariots of fire; we have Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him, and fear not.

Jesus was Jewish and mostly spoke to a Jewish audience, so as Gentiles, we need to study the Old Testament to gain understanding of the New Testament and what Jesus accomplished for us.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).

The Law was given by God to teach about sin and sacrifice. Blood had to be shed in order to cover sin, but animal blood could never take sin away. Read about Passover in Exodus and understand that Jesus, God incarnate, was the Lamb of God who shed His blood for our salvation. Faith in His death, burial, and resurrection takes sin away. We have the fulfillment of Job’s words and know that our Redeemer lives. Jesus fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies by His birth and by His death. We should never take His sacrifice for granted. Like Daniel, we should never stop openly worshipping our God.

Paul’s letter to the Romans contains about sixty quotes from the Old Testament. This letter was written to a Gentile congregation, but still the Old Testament was cited. Scripture, from Genesis through Revelation, is inspired by God. Men wrote the words that the Holy Spirit dictated.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Unless you study all of Scripture, you’ll miss many important points in New Testament teaching.

The letters written to the congregation in Corinth contain a long account of Jewish history. Paul talks about their wandering in the wilderness. Why would this bit of Jewish history be important to a Gentile congregation? The Old Testament is filled with many “pictures” for us to see Christ more clearly.

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11).

The Greek word translated “ensamples” is “typos,” which here means to show a pattern or a picture of something. The Israelites wandered for 40 years because of their lack of faith, but God was always there to lead them and care for them. God provided manna, which is a type of Christ.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world” (John 6:32-33).

When Moses struck the rock, and life-giving water flowed from it, that was a picture of Christ.

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).

If you still have doubts as to the importance of Old Testament Scripture, listen to Jesus. On the day of His resurrection, His disciples were extremely confused and fearful. Two of those men left Jerusalem, walked to Emmaus, and discussed the events of the past week.

“And it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them” (Luke 24:15).

These men had great sorrow, and instead of looking for Jesus, their grief blinded them. The Living Lord was walking with them, but they couldn’t see. Makes me think of Elisha’s servant. Jesus asked what they were talking about, and they gave an account of the problem; they thought Jesus was the One who would deliver them, but He was crucified.

“But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done” (Luke 24:21).

Some women had been to the tomb, but it was empty. These men forgot Old Testament prophecy… they forgot to study things written before. Jesus called them fools.

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scripture the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

What a Bible study that must have been! It’s found in the Old Testament, but we have to study things written before in order to understand.

We live in a time of great turmoil and uncertainty. There are many “experts” who confuse us with secular answers to a spiritual attack. How will it all end? The book of Daniel gives a very concise answer that Jesus confirmed. There will be a final 7-year period of time in which God’s wrath will be poured out upon non-believers. The only way to avoid this time of tribulation is to put your faith in Jesus Christ. He is our Redeemer. In Him there is forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life.

The signs of the times are becoming very clear, and if you haven’t given your life to Jesus yet, do it today. If you have accepted His sacrifice for redemption, then don’t take your eyes off of Him. Find God’s peace in Scripture… both the Old and New Testaments.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

PLEASE NOTE: Friends, I am having some trouble with my email. For some reason, my Inbox is not allowing any emails to come in. If you have written to me in the last few weeks and I haven’t responded, I apologize. Until I get this problem solved, please email me at nathele@embarqmail.com.

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

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It’s Over :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR7

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (II Tim. 3:1).

Be aware that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (II Tim. 3:13).

The right of U.S. citizens to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to buy and sell, etc., is being challenged by the shadow government’s desire to restrict and/or control American’s freedom of religion, speech, right to buy and sell, etc.

Covid is a global medical crisis that the godless shadow government created to justify the establishment of a world government, world religion, and worldwide tracking system to enslave everyone on earth.

The public is being told that proof of vaccination (passports, I.D. cards, or whatever) is needed to bring Covid-19 under control when the truth of the matter is that Covid-19 and the variants are a tool that the rich and powerful are using to bring all people under their control.

It is possible and perhaps likely that this proof of vaccination will eventually be followed by the lockdown and persecution of Christian groups and institutions based on their support for Bible teaching and lack of support for the globalist agenda (the godless world government, godless world religion, abortion, gay rights, etc.).

Before the persecution reaches its peak, Christians will be removed (Raptured) from this earth, and the door will be thrown wide open for the godless shadow government to select a leader to take dictatorial power on earth.

Following his appearance, their so-called proof of vaccination will probably evolve into a data system that will be used to determine who can buy and sell, who can live or die, etc. (Don’t overlook the fact that some of the leaders that want to force everyone to be vaccinated are the same people that want to reduce the population of the earth from almost 8 billion to about half a billion; many support abortion, gay marriage, euthanasia, etc.).

God will allow these godless globalists to select a leader to rule for seven years, but God will ultimately cause them to regret what they have done for all eternity.

A reader recently sent an e-mail to this writer containing part of a message that Dr. Franklin Graham delivered at a Baptist Church in Florida.

Dr. Graham said, “The American Dream has ended.”

Readers need to understand that the one who said “The American Dream has ended” is one of the most highly respected preachers in the world, not a fanatic and not a prophecy teacher, but America must decline if the globalists are going to meet their goal of a world government and a world religion by 2030 or before.

  • Here is a repeat from the article I wrote last week: On July 27, 2021, former Sec. of State Mike Pompeo said, “Collapse from within is possible… Immigration without assimilation, illicit drugs, human trafficking, disputed elections, inflationary risks have become the tools to disassemble our republic in what must surely be an attempt at national suicide.”

I want to close my opening remarks this way: We are not seeing the Mark of the Beast yet (people are not being jabbed in their right hand or forehead; people are not taking the name, number, or Mark of the Beast; unvaccinated people can still buy and sell in most places; etc.).

On the other hand, we are seeing the global development and advancement of technology and policies that many excellent Bible prophecy teachers believe will lead to the Mark of the Beast (forced compliance, loss of one’s job, development of passports or passes, a demand for government databases to track people, a demand to prevent the unvaccinated from entering stores to buy or sell, the spread of anti-Christian rhetoric, etc.).

Also, keep in mind the fact that the Church will be Raptured a minimum of 3 ½ years (and perhaps more) before the global development and advancement of the technology and policies goes into effect as the Mark of the Beast (the Gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church).

Here are other reasons to believe that history is approaching end of the age Bible predictions and the American Dream is over.

One, when Jesus was asked about the signs of His coming, He listed famines, pestilences, earthquakes, etc. (notice that the words are plural as in more than one famine, more than one pestilence, etc.; Matt. 24:7).

Today, the world is trying to deal with Covid-19, the Delta (India variant), Lambda (Peru variant), and Epsilon variant (pestilences plural).

Two, on Aug. 6, 2021, California announced that a low water level caused by drought has forced the shutdown of the state’s second largest hydroelectric plant for the first time since the dam was completed in 1977.

The state will be able to get electricity from other systems.

More: On Aug. 4, 2021, the Dixie wildfire destroyed Greenville, Cal., a gold rush town of about 1,200 people (5 days later, Fox News reported that about 600 buildings have burned and about 13,000 are in danger).

More: On Aug. 6, 2021, it was reported that Lake Powell on the Utah-Arizona border, the Great Salt Lake in Utah, and Lake Mead in Nevada have hit record lows this summer.

FYI: Drought is having a devastating impact on crops, cattle, hog, and sheep production in the U.S. (a very large part of America’s food supply).

FYI: Unprecedented wildfires are also taking place in Greece, Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, and Russia.

Three, during the Tribulation Period, the world will be divided into two groups: those that take the Mark of the Beast and those that refuse to take the Mark of the Beast.

Today, the world is being divided into two groups: those that have been vaccinated and those that have not been vaccinated.

Four, on Aug. 9, 2021, World Net Daily posted an article by Wayne Allen Root that said:

  • Republicans asked for “papers” from migrants who had broken into our country. Criminals. Democrats said, “No, that’s racism.”
  • Republicans asked for “papers” once every two years for federal elections to prove you have a right to vote. Democrats said, “No, that’s racism.”
  • Now Democrats want American citizens, not illegal aliens, not criminals, but patriots born in this country to produce papers 24/7. We’ll need papers to enter restaurants, bars, nightclubs, concerts, casinos, conventions, and hotels and to board a train, plane, or bus. We’ll need papers to enter a supermarket, or we’ll starve to death—all for the crime of being unvaccinated.

Note: U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said the U.S. is at a crossroads, and he is urging U.S. citizens to “resist the mandates, lockdowns, and the harmful policies of the petty tyrants and bureaucrats.”

Five, on Aug. 6, 2021, Natural News reported that the U.K. has admitted that it is building storage areas for bodies in the 32 boroughs of London and the city itself.

These storage areas are being built because the government expects an increase in deaths over the next five years due to their attempts to force people to be vaccinated (some people that are not allowed to buy and sell will go hungry, get sick, etc.).

Writer’s Comment: It is common for some people to ask how bad will God let it get before He Raptures His Church. No one knows the answer to this, but the situation is worsening, and Christians everywhere need to pray about it.

Six, on July 31, 2021, the Carnival Cruise Ship Vista left Galveston, TX with everyone or board vaccinated (every guest, every crew member, every staff member, everyone vaccinated; no unvaccinated people on board).

On Aug. 8, 2021, it was reported that a small number of people on the ship have tested positive for Covid.

Seven, God promised to bless those that bless Israel and to curse those that curse Israel (Gen. 12:3).

  • On Aug. 4, 2021, the Iranian-backed terrorist group that controls Lebanon, Hezbollah, fired three rockets into Israel.
  • On Aug. 5, 2021, Israeli jets struck terrorist targets in Lebanon for the first time in 15 years, and Pres. Biden announced that he will give the terrorist government $100 million dollars in economic aid (borrowed money that will add to inflation in the U.S.).
  • On Aug. 6, 2021, Hezbollah forces fired 19 rockets from Lebanon into Israel, and Israel responded with artillery fire.
  • On Aug. 8, 2021, new hardline Iranian Pres. Raisi met with leaders of the terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and the Houthis, and promised to support their terrorist activities until Israel is defeated.

Writer’s Comment: This could easily get out of hand and lead to the fulfillment of several prophecies (Psa. 83 if that is a war; the Destruction of Damascus as prophesied in Isa. 17; the Battle of Gog and Magog as prophesied in Ezek. 38-39; time will tell.).

Eight, violence is on the increase, and some politicians want to defund the police and take the guns away from law-abiding citizens, but the globalist goal is only partly to prevent citizens from defending themselves against criminals.

The globalist goal is primarily to prevent citizens from defending the U.S. against the shadow government’s takeover of the U.S.

  • For whatever it is worth, thousands of people have marched in Paris and other French cities four weeks in a row to protest the loss of their freedoms.
  • On Aug. 6, protests erupted in Turin, Italy.

Nine, on Aug. 6, 2021, a guest on Fox & Friends said the strongest outbreak of the Covid Delta Variant is in Texas and Florida, and those two states are where the Biden administration has taken the largest number of Covid-infected migrants.

Ten, concerning global pandemics and the Mark of the Beast, on July 25, 2021, The Times of Israel reported on a study that found that people vaccinated before Feb. 2021 are twice as likely to get Covid as those vaccinated in June 2021 for two reasons: 1) Their vaccine effectiveness decreases over time and is becoming less effective every day; and 2) The Delta Variant is more contagious than the original Covid-19, and therefore more able to overcome the resistance of their declining vaccination.

The doctor that headed up the study said, “We definitely need to think about a third vaccine.”

It is the opinion of this writer that the globalists will want people to take a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. vaccination until they bring in the Mark of the Beast.

Update: On Aug. 5, 2021, Moderna said data shows a noticeable drop in antibody levels 6-8 months after a vaccinated person’s second jab, so vaccinated people will need to get a booster shot this fall.

Writer’s Comment: Just a reminder to U.S. citizens that Pres. Biden said, “You’re not going to get Covid if you have these vaccines.”

Eleven, concerning world government: it is widely known that the World Economic Forum (WEF) wants to establish a world government and eliminate private property ownership by 2030 or before.

The WEF even produced a video saying, “You will own nothing, and you will be happy.”

My article “Developing Now,” posted two weeks ago, quoted Tony Koretz who said, “A global medical dictatorship is rising.”

I added that “It is hard to deny that the shadow government is using unelected individuals to dictate policies to nations all over the world.”

On Aug. 3, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the U.S. government’s eviction moratorium, a document that allows renters in areas that have a high level of Covid to not pay their rent.

Put another way, property owners that have rented their house, apartment, etc., to someone else must make the mortgage payments (if the property owner has a mortgage payment), pay to keep the house, apartment, etc., repaired, and the property owner cannot evict the renter for not paying their rent (the renter can live in the house free, and the property owner must pay the bills).

The fact that the CDC (a medical group) can force private property owners to make the property payments and let renters live in the property free sure looks like a global medical dictatorship has taken over.

The real owners of the property are not happy with making the payments and receiving no rent.

Twelve, on Aug. 4, 2021, concerning a Mark on the forehead to buy and sell, it was reported that Amazon is now using palm scanners at 53 Amazon-owned stores, and it plans to expand the program to other stores in the U.S.

Customers can use a simple hand scan to pay, enter or I.D. themselves, and Amazon will give them a $10 promotional credit to sign up.

Before my final word, pastor Keith Watts asked me to include this paragraph in my article (something I can’t start doing for ministries all over the world): “I am asking all prayer warriors from around the world to join with us for a day of prayer, fasting, and repentance on August 16, 2021, for the sake of the Philippines and on behalf of over 110,950,213 precious souls. We will be fasting from the time we wake up until we go to bed, interceding on behalf of the lost souls in the Philippines.”

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