“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).

What is a Christian? Christians are just sinners saved by grace. It isn’t how we behave, or how many times we attend church services in a week, or how many good deeds we do that determines our salvation.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

We may look at someone who attends worship services or is just a very nice person and think they are a Christian, but if they haven’t accepted Christ for salvation, they are a lost sinner. Christians know that we sin, but we have faith that Jesus died to take our sin away. We still live in this fallen world and face challenges and troubles in life, but Jesus shares our troubles and guides us through.

The difference between us and the unsaved is Jesus. We have faith that He entered His creation to forgive the sins of everyone who believes in Him. Christians know that the only way to eternal life is through Jesus. When we accept His free gift of salvation, we don’t stop sinning, but we recognize when we sin and turn to Him for forgiveness. We become righteous in God’s eyes only because He sees us through the blood of Jesus. When we truly accept Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we have assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we will spend eternity with Him.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). 

Christ died for everyone, but you must accept His gift in order to receive eternal life. Once you accept it, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit; God lives in you. Let Him shine through you.

Do you fail in your walk with Christ? We all do. Sometimes we fail in spectacular ways, but more often than not, we fail in many little ways. Does God write us off when we sin? No, He doesn’t. He still loves us and will help us to draw nearer to Him.

I should have an easy time not sinning, because I’m by myself most of the time. Still, my thoughts get me in trouble. I think back to times when people have hurt me, and immediately, my mind thinks of all sorts of non-Christian thoughts. Jesus said that thinking those thoughts is as bad as acting on them. That’s when I need to pray for those people and ask God to forgive my evil thoughts.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

That isn’t always easy. When you pray for your enemies, you take them before the throne of God. You can see how much they need to know Jesus and how much you need His mercy. When you ask God to forgive your own wicked thoughts, you’ll see yourself as a sinner saved by grace, and it will humble you before Jesus.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: 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 5:44-45).

God wants everybody to come to repentance, and He blesses even those who reject Him.

In this day and age, it’s very important that we live closer to Jesus. We are living in the end of days, and Satan knows his time is short. He wants to destroy as many lives as he can as fast as he can, and his wickedness is everywhere.

I remember a time when people weren’t as open in their satanic ways as they are today. Even if a person didn’t claim to be a Christian, they had some respect for Jesus. Today is very different. So many people take pride in wearing satanic jewelry and have satanic tattoos that glorify sin. They get offended if you wear a cross or have a Christian saying on your t-shirt, but they want you to accept their evil ways. That may not seem fair, but you need to feel pity for them and even say a prayer. We are nearing the end of time, and wickedness will increase. These people are very lost souls who need to know Jesus.

Everyone will live forever, but the question is, where? Will it be with Satan in the lake of fire, or will it be with Jesus in Heaven? The choice is up to the individual and must be made before taking their final breath in this life.

Jesus told His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).

This promise from the Creator of the universe should be on our minds continually.

To understand that verse a little better, we must remember that Jesus was Jewish and speaking to His Jewish disciples. For a traditional Jewish wedding to take place, when the man and woman were betrothed, the man would usually return to his father’s house and make a place for them to live as man and wife. When the home was prepared for his bride, the man would return to whisk his bride away to their new home. This is what Jesus meant when He told his disciples that He was going to prepare a place. Christians are His bride, and He will return for us and take us to the beautiful mansion He has prepared. This is known as the Rapture, and I can hardly wait.

Many people have a hard time thinking there will be a Rapture, but they just misunderstand Scripture. We were given prophetic signs to watch for, and they are happening quickly. He’s coming to whisk us away very soon.

It’s easy to see the events happening in the world and feel afraid. Fear comes from not fully trusting the Lord. I think of Peter when he and the other disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. There was a storm, but Jesus walked to them on the water. Peter had faith in the Lord and enthusiastically asked if he could walk out to Jesus. Jesus said yes, and Peter did walk on the water.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31).

It’s really the storms in life that encourage us to cry out to Jesus. If we continue to trust Him, we will get through the storm, but if we focus on the storm, we will begin to sink. That’s when many people begin to doubt their salvation or make decisions that make the storm worse.

As we see the wickedness and evil permeating this world, and the major war about to explode in the Middle East, Christians must keep our focus on Jesus. He will keep us safe.

I’ve noticed a failure in myself. When life is easy, I don’t pray as much as when times get rough. Believe me when I say, I’ve been praying a lot lately. I know Jesus will see me through my struggles, but I need to praise Him more during the good times and struggles.

Soon, there will be war in the Middle East, and many lives will be lost. Have you prayed for the military men as they face battle? I pray they all have accepted Christ for salvation. As it all begins to happen, Christians need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

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

God hasn’t replaced His love for Israel, and we need to love them, too.

Bible prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly, but too many scoffers think it’s all very slow to be fulfilled, and doubt it will be fulfilled. Take heed to what Peter says: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

God wants everyone to repent and find salvation through Christ, so as Christians, we need to love our enemies and represent our Lord in this fallen world. If you study Bible prophecy, you can see what’s about to happen. I’m very interested in the Board of Peace that President Trump has organized. It seems to me as if this has been drafted right out of the prophecy in Daniel.

“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 9:27). The Anti-Christ will confirm the covenant for seven years. Don’t twist my words. I’m not suggesting that President Trump is the Anti-Christ, but this tells us that the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt and that there will be a covenant in place that the Anti-Christ will enforce.

In all of the turmoil in the world, Christians need to grow stronger in our faith and bolder in our witness. Jesus said He will return for us, and a study of Scripture tells us He will come for us before God’s judgment is poured out. Judgment is coming, and there are many people who will be left here to face the worst seven years that have ever happened.

How can I say that? Well, Jesus said it first. His disciples had asked when He would return, and He described signs to look for. Remember, they didn’t ask about the Rapture (they didn’t know about the Rapture), but asked about His Second Coming. There is a difference, and many people confuse the two events. The signs listed in Matthew chapter 24 are all very Jewish, so we know God has not turned away from His chosen people. The Jewish Temple will be rebuilt, and that’s where the Anti-Christ will set up his evil empire.

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judah flee into the mountains:” (Matthew 24:15-16).

It’s a Jewish temple, and Judah belongs to Israel. The Rapture will take Christians Home prior to this, and that’s a true blessing. That’s also why Christians need to witness to friends, family, and enemies now. If God opens a door for you to share the Gospel, be bold and do it. Let the Holy Spirit lead your actions towards others. Tomorrow may be too late.

It’s easy to be afraid as we see Iran claiming they will wipe Israel off the map, but they are only spewing Satan’s lies.  A prophetic battle is brewing, but God won’t allow the total destruction of Israel. As I watch all that’s happening, I begin to let fear enter my heart, but my fears are relieved when I read Scripture and believe God’s promises.

I expect the Rapture at any moment, and I pray there will be many people who come to faith soon. I know of too many people who have rejected Jesus, and I pray for them. If God opens a door for me to witness to them, I will, but prayer is my greatest tool. It’s also important to witness to professing Christians who are openly living lifestyles opposed to God’s will.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:29-32). 

Each of us needs to examine our own walk with Christ and be sure we are walking the walk as we talk the talk.

Prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly, and Christians need to be strong in our faith as we anxiously await the call from Jesus to come with Him to the place He has prepared. It will be soon.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

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

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

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

 

 

 

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:25-28).

Deception is a trick used by magicians. They distract you into looking one way while they manipulate a card deck or other item to seem as if something has happened magically. Deception isn’t a godly attribute when used to deceive people into believing a lie, but most people have used it at one time or another in life. You might tell your child to clean her room. When you go and check on her work, the room is nice and clean. Just don’t look in the closet or under the bed.

When Jesus spoke of the last days, He warned us not to be deceived. Jesus said it, so Christians should be watchful and only trust Scripture. Today there are many people who fill pulpits or write books who are far from Scriptural in what they say. Many people are deceived by New Age teaching or by the “name-it-and-claim-it” preachers, or by those who make it seem as if accepting sinful lifestyles is the Christian thing to do. We can’t change the world, but we can’t allow the world to change the church. Jesus warned us against deception.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).

In today’s world, instead of counting sheep in order to fall asleep, you can count the wolves who seem like sheep.

Deception has been around as long as humanity has been on Earth. Satan deceived Eve with his lies. “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Timothy 2:14).

Satan convinced Eve that God was wrong and the Forbidden Fruit was really good. Deceit is Satan’s favorite tool, and it didn’t stop with Adam and Eve.

God’s plan was to establish a nation to bless the entire world. God called Abraham to be the father of that nation. The nation of Israel came through Abraham’s son Isaac. Isaac and his wife Rebekah had twin sons; Esau was the firstborn, and Jacob was the younger. Rebekah and Jacob conspired to deceive Isaac into giving his blessing to Jacob instead of the older son Esau. Rebekah told Jacob to pretend to be Esau and take Isaac some food. Jacob was willing, but Esau was a man with a lot of hair, while Jacob wasn’t so hairy. Jacob knew that Isaac, who had failing eyesight, would touch him and know he wasn’t Esau.

“My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing” (Genesis 27:12).

Rebekah had a plan for that, too. She dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothing and used the hair from goats to deceive Isaac. Jacob did receive the blessing, but deception always causes turmoil, and there was much bitterness between Jacob and Esau. Jacob was the son whom God chose to establish the nation of Israel, and He would have made the way for that to happen had Jacob not deceived Isaac. Jacob had many struggles because he and his mother didn’t wait for God to act, but relied on deception.

God did use Jacob, also known as Israel, to be the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, and all the world is blessed because of the Jewish people. Christians haven’t replaced Israel, so don’t let anybody deceive you about that; God is not done with His chosen people, and after the Rapture, God will turn His attention back to Israel. They will face terrible times, called the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. Eventually, they’ll turn to God and call on Jesus as their Messiah. Their eyes will be opened, and God will fight for them.

As we draw closer to the end of time, we can understand more of what prophecy discloses. None of the Old Testament prophets could possibly describe modern weapons. During Biblical times, the most advanced weapon was a sword. That was true until recent times. Now we have airplanes, bombs, machine guns, and more.  How could Ezekiel, or any of the prophets, have understood or described nuclear bombs? They could only describe the result of a bomb. When you read the ancient prophecies, try to discern what the prophet was describing through his own understanding.

Daniel wanted to understand the prophecy he was given, but it wasn’t for his time; it was for a later time…our time. “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end” (Daniel 12:8-9).

Daniel couldn’t understand based on his knowledge at the time, but we are very near to the end, and things are becoming clearer. Study prophecy through today’s knowledge. We may not have all the answers yet, but we learn more each day.

Let’s take a look at some recent thoughts about the coming great deception.

There’s a trend nowadays to embrace homosexuality, and this is an abomination before the Lord. Jesus said the end times would be like the days of Lot, and if you understand what was happening in Sodom, you’ll understand how similar sinful lifestyles are today.

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot: they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all, Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is reveled” (Luke 17:28-30).

The Rapture is drawing near, but like it was in Sodom, homosexuality is rampant, and most people aren’t paying attention. Schools have taught the lie of evolution for many years, and God won’t put up with it. He’s the Creator and requires us to understand that truth. Romans chapter 1 is very clear that when God is rejected as Creator, sexual perversion is a judgment.

All of creation is a witness that there had to be a Creator; things didn’t explode and fall neatly into place. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:21-23).

Because of that, God gave them over to sin; homosexuality is a judgment. Even “Christians” tolerate this evil within the congregation, and God doesn’t look kindly on homosexuality within the Christian community. “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:32).

This has become so prevalent in society that now children are taught that even if every indication is that Johnny is a boy, he just might really be a girl. So, he’s given drugs to block his normal body development that allows a little boy to grow into a man, then his body is mutilated because some doctor or teacher has decided to help him be a girl. The same is true for little girls. This is a deception straight from the pit of Hell.

Jesus also told us that the end days would be as the days of Noah. “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-27).

There is a deception by many Bible teachers that the days of Noah were just very wicked times. They were, but this evil was caused by fallen angels having sexual relations with human women. A study of Genesis chapter 6 discloses that the “sons of God,” which were angels, not Seth’s sons, saw the “daughters of men,” human women, and took them as “wives,” thus creating hybrids known as Nephilim.

Today, mad scientists are learning how to mix the DNA of one species with another. That will allow a person who is deceived into thinking he or she is a dog to become a dog. If you don’t believe this is happening, look into transhumanism and/or transspecies. You’ll find that mice have been implanted with human genes, and spiders have been crossed with goats, and so much more. God won’t put up with it much longer. When humans go against God’s natural laws, judgment comes.

Lot had lived in Sodom but didn’t participate in the evil there, and Noah’s ancestors were true to God and didn’t join in with the fallen angels and their agenda. When God’s judgment came, Noah and Lot were protected from God’s anger. Noah was protected through it, but his great-grandfather Enoch was Raptured prior to the judgment. Lot was taken out of Sodom prior to judgment raining down. We can look around us and see God’s judgment will soon happen. Only Christians will be snatched away like Enoch before the Judgment comes. Now is the time to share the Gospel with others, and also be sure of your own salvation. Don’t be deceived.

Another idea about what the Great Deception will be is aliens. LA Marzulli is a Christian researcher who has much information about this subject. More and more people are admitting to seeing UFOs and aliens, and many claim to have been abducted. Even the government is investigating UFOs and the existence of alien beings. These aliens aren’t cute little creatures like ET who just want to go home, but evil servants of Satan.

Personally, I’ve never seen an alien and never hope to see any, but I don’t doubt they exist. I have seen some very mysterious lights in the sky over my house. I can’t say for certain that they were alien spacecraft, but they certainly were unidentified flying objects. I do pray for God’s hedge of protection to guard my home from all evil.

The Apostle Paul wrote about gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Included in that list is “discerning of spirits.” Ask yourself this question: If all spirits are good spirits, then why do we need discernment? He also warned about false apostles who deceive people and claim to be Apostles of Christ.

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Many who are deceived by the idea of friendly aliens call them our “space brothers” and say that we evolved from them. The pope even said he would baptize them. Yep, that’s deception, and a total lack of understanding about who Jesus is and why He entered His creation. Don’t be deceived by people who sound as if they are authorities about our “space brothers.” There’s a spiritual realm around us. God’s angels can come through on occasion, but so can Satan’s evil minions. The way to keep from being deceived is to study Scripture and understand what God says. You’ll never be deceived if you believe God’s word.

A very alarming deception today is AI. Brothers and sisters, be very cautious regarding Artificial Intelligence. The more I study this subject, the more concerned I get. Pastor Billy Crone has done extensive research on this subject and has resources for study. Jesus said, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).

Do you have any idea just how often you use AI and don’t even know it? Do you search the internet? Search engines brag that they use AI. Do you use a program that helps you to write a better research paper? AI helps you do that. Unfortunately, it’s not your own research or knowledge, but AI making you sound as if you know what you’re talking about. Would you like to see Jimmy Stewart in a new movie? AI can make that possible.

You can be assured that every commentary I write is prayed over and has no AI help, but has HS help…Holy Spirit. I’ve even heard of a church in Germany that has no preacher. The congregation sits in pews and listens to an AI robot. Does your pastor write his own sermons, or does AI do it for him?

God tells us that in the end, there will be a one-world government, monetary system, and religion. This can be accomplished easily using AI. The Starlink satellites are a major part of a grid system to watch people and enforce the decrees of the Beast System. Some say that the Anti-Christ will be an AI robot, or at least part human/part robot. AI can be helpful if used properly, but it has the power to deceive everyone. Be cautious when you use it.

So much is happening so fast, but like the people in the days of Lot and in the days of Noah, most people just don’t care and don’t want to believe we’re living in the days that the prophets of old spoke about. The only way to not be deceived is to study Scripture. Don’t just study Sunday school propaganda. Most is very shallow and won’t prepare you for a thumb war, let alone spiritual warfare. Study Scripture. Time is short, and we need to get busy. Pray that God will open doors for you to share the Gospel. Study Biblical prophecy and have answers for all who have questions.

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10) (NKJV).

We are seeing just the beginning of deception and the rise of the Beast System described in Revelation. The Holy Spirit lives inside of every Christian, and He is restraining the evil that’s coming. Christians will be Raptured prior to the takeover by the Anti-Christ. When we are gone, the world will be in shambles. Evil will prevail, and the Anti-Christ will deceive everyone. Avoid deception by studying Scripture and understanding God’s truth. Accept Jesus Christ for salvation, and the Holy Spirit will indwell you. Don’t be deceived.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

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

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

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