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

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

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

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:11-12).

Jesus Christ is God. That is a fact and is not debatable. Many people have the wrong idea that Jesus was a created being like the angels. Some believe that Lucifer and Jesus were brothers. I can hardly type that because it’s so filled with blasphemy. Jesus was the Creator, but Satan was created. The Apostle John makes it very clear that Jesus was God incarnate.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:1-5).

As one of the first followers, John had spent three years learning directly from Jesus. John watched as Jesus healed the blind, the lame, and even brought some back from the dead. The Greek word translated “Word” is “logos” and is used by the Apostle John as a descriptive title of Jesus. John states that not only was Jesus (the Word) in the beginning “with God” but that He “was God.” Of course, that harkens back to Genesis.

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

The creation account tells us that God spoke things into existence. Don’t be confused by man-made ideas, but place your faith in the truth of God found in Scripture.

The Apostle John goes on to say, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

It’s been said that mercy is not getting what we deserve. For instance, our sin is so great that we deserve eternal death. Still, by God’s mercy, our faith in Jesus Christ will bring eternal life instead of what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve.

“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).

Without the grace of God, nobody could be worthy to be saved from eternal death. I know that I’m not worthy through any effort of my own. Thank God for His mercy and grace through the blood of Jesus… The Word made flesh.

It’s very important to understand that Jesus was fully human and fully God. If you don’t believe that, then you must believe that human sacrifice is condoned by God and can take away sin. Wrong. Jesus had to be human in order to be a kinsman to humanity. Remember, Jewish Law teaches us about our relationship with God. In Leviticus chapter 25, we learn about the need for a kinsman redeemer. If a man had to sell his property, a near relative (kinsman) could redeem what was lost. The book of Ruth is all about the kinsman redeemer, an Old Testament foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer.

Mankind’s inheritance was forfeited by Adam. God had been very clear that Adam and Eve could eat from every tree in the Garden of Eden except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

This command was given to Adam prior to Eve being created. Eve talked with the serpent, ate the fruit, and convinced Adam to eat. They didn’t become like gods, as the serpent said, but they did die. God is always Truth, and Satan is always lies. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden and separated from God. Eternal separation from God has been a curse of mankind ever since.

God put animal sacrifices in place in order to cover sin, but only the blood of a kinsman to Adam, a human, could redeem mankind. (That’s why Mary was merely a human. She was not deity so should never be worshiped. Yes, we can admire her, but never pray to her or worship her.) God never condones human sacrifice. We are to sacrifice our will to His but never offer a human blood sacrifice. The animal sacrifices were only a temporary covering of sin.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4).

Where does that leave us today? There is no temple in order for a Jewish priest to properly offer animal sacrifices, which were only temporary sin-coverings. Today we have a perfect sacrifice… the blood of Jesus. Jesus wasn’t just a human. He was God. His blood was not tainted by Adam’s sin. Today, science tells us that genetic traits are passed from father to son. Jesus had an adopted father on earth, but His true father was the third person of the Trinity… the Holy Spirit. When the angel came to Mary saying she had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah, she had no idea how that could happen since she was a virgin.

“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

Wow! Jesus was our Kinsman because Mary was human, but His blood wasn’t tainted by sin because He had no human father. He was fully human and also fully God.

The Apostle Peter was among those first followers of Jesus. He was a fisherman, but his life was changed because of Jesus. Peter had a lot to say about Christ.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:1-5).

Peter understood more about the truth of God than most Christians today. He knew that being born again was the way to eternal life. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abid3th for ever” (1 Peter 1:22-23).

This is the same truth that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6).

Jesus was God, and we must be born again of the Spirit in order to be a part of His family. You must be a part of His family in order for Him to be your Kinsman Redeemer. If you choose to reject Jesus for salvation, you have made your choice to remain dead in the curse of the original sin that Adam brought upon all of humanity. The gift of salvation is precious, and if you claim to have accepted Christ’s sacrifice for salvation, then your eternity is secure. If you have any doubts or don’t understand what salvation through Christ is, then you need to talk with a Christian who understands.

Your sin condemns you, not God. True faith justifies you. You will never be perfect, but God sees you through the shed blood of Christ. Don’t think that you can be justified by any human. Going to a priest or a pastor to be declared free from sin is ridiculous. Only God can declare you justified.

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:32-34).

Don’t place faith in any man or acts of man. Your eternal life depends upon your faith in Jesus, not humans. Only Jesus is God. Only Jesus can save.

There is no Temple in Jerusalem on which sacrifices can be made, but there is still a Temple. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

There’s no sacrifice that can take away sin other than the one Christ made for you. The Holy Spirit is sealed within every Christian, and He will guide our thoughts and actions. We will always have a sin nature, but we individually need to sacrifice our self-will to God. The Holy Spirit will never guide you into sin. This is the sanctification process. Failing in our walk isn’t failing to receive eternal life. We need to ask God to forgive us when we sin, and then we need to turn away from that sin. We need to turn loose of the idols of our sinful nature.

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

Idols are anything we put before God, such as a car, money, or yourself. Only Jesus is God and is to be worshipped.

The most important thing you can do right now is to be sure that you’ve placed your life and faith in Jesus. If you have, then live for Him. Share that faith with family and friends. Use Scripture as your guide.

John the Baptist called the nation of Israel to repent and proclaimed the Messiah. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matthew 3:1-3).

Jesus called twelve men to follow Him and learn how to spread the Good News. Those men knew He was God. One day Jesus asked the disciples who people said He was. They said the people thought he was a prophet or John the Baptist. Still today, there are many ideas about Jesus. Some say He was a kind and gentle man, some say He was a great teacher, and some say He was the brother of Lucifer or Michael. Some even think He is an alien left here to enlighten us. Scripture reveals the truth. After His general question, Jesus asked them who they personally said He was.

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

Peter had the right answer. What about you? Do you sit in a congregation that thinks Jesus is a created being who is the brother of Satan? Or maybe you’re in a congregation that thinks the man in the pulpit can forgive sin. Who do you say Jesus was… who Jesus is? Many pastors forget to teach the pure truth of the Gospel. They forget that Jesus is God or don’t think it’s an important part of the Gospel.

The same Jesus — who shed His blood on the cross and conquered death for all who believe — will come again one day soon. At His second coming, He will be at war with His enemies. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

The war will be with those who have rejected Christ and chosen to follow the Beast. At least seven years before this final battle, all Christians will be taken Home to Heaven in the Rapture. The only way to avoid God’s judgment is to choose for yourself to accept God’s free gift of salvation. Follow Jesus, not the world.

“Behold I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

We don’t know when this will happen, but we can rest assured that it will happen before the final seven years of life on earth. Because Jesus is God, He will take all believers Home before Judgment is poured out upon those who remain and follow the Satanic leader. If Jesus wasn’t God, this wouldn’t be possible.

If you’ve put your faith in a human, you need to correct that thinking before it’s too late. Even if the Rapture is many years away, you need to be sure you’re clear that Jesus is God before you die. That isn’t a side issue. We are all only a heartbeat away from entering eternity with no second chances. Jesus is your only salvation.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

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

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

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