War and Rumors of War :: By Jim Towers

I can’t tell you for a certainty that the attack on the Iranian Nuclear sites by Israel will evolve and eventually involve the U.S., but it is likely that we may be, since we are allies of Israel. Right now, Israel is surrounded by its enemies, just waiting for someone to give the command to attack. This is all predicted to happen in the Bible.

Is this the precursor to the war of Gog and Magog that will happen in the last days? If it is, that would imply that the rapture is very close to happening, and we may live to see it or participate in the great escape that it will be. This event will take believers away into the heavenlies and away from the hell that will ensue when “World War Three” begins. Whatever name you give these wars, the Bible says that these things are sure to happen – and the Bible is never wrong about such matters. Surprisingly, many, if not most, people are unaware of the life-threatening world events taking place even as we speak.

Some even talk about the plans they have for inhabiting Mars and making millions to leave for their children, while others go around seeking to be entertained. Granted, we need escape from the concerns that dog us, but far too many of us never give a thought about God or our need for a Savior, instead relying on mind-altering drugs and booze to blur the brutal realities of life. But some are going to be blindsided by the events taking place right now.

I traveled from Naples, Florida, to Lansing, Michigan, to see relatives for what I believe to be the last time, and the things I encountered while traveling through the Bible Belt were astonishing and disheartening. When I stopped at a motel to rest, I was prompted by God to get up and leave after only a couple of hours of sleep. Upon leaving, I found I was surrounded by druggies, prostitutes, and thieves who were eyeing my spiffy car. And although I paid good money, I had to leave such morbid surroundings and resorted to sleeping in my car at rest stops. Once there, I was able to crash at my sister’s house, who lives alone.

After a couple of days of her arranging a family gathering for my visitation, I attended a music concert with her and my brother K.C. yesterday at a park in Lansing, Michigan, where I was raised. And as I looked over the hundreds of people in attendance, I couldn’t help but wonder how many of them would be raptured away to escape the horrors to come. It took a while to get into the groove before that vision faded away and I could enjoy the rest of the show. Still though, the thought of so many lost souls lingered in my mind until the show ended.

Some, including my little brother, think I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders – and he’s right. I just can’t seem to relax and really enjoy life anymore. I just know too much about what lies ahead for humanity, and it causes me grief that the Christian church isn’t doing or saying enough about these world events and warning their congregations to prepare and to focus on delivering souls into the waiting arms of God.

Where is the man of God? Where is the warrior standing for truth? Where is the man imbued with the Spirit of God? We desperately need such men in these evil times. HELP! Indeed, God doesn’t really need our help, but He has given us the privilege of experiencing the joy in reaching out to others with concern for their eternal well-being. At this stage of the game, He could even wipe out his creation like He did with the great flood or at Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness.

While here in Lansing, I told a store clerk that the atmosphere in Lansing today was like visiting Sodom and Gomorrah in real time – with young people with green hair and both men and women with tattoos all over their bodies, each one trying to outdo the other with outrageous costumes. While there, I was approached by a young man who asked me if I’d like to purchase a recording of one of his original “rap” songs. “I’m an artist in need of food,” he said. So I just happened to have a couple of Taco Bell gift cards left over in my car that I give out to those in need of a meal whenever I encounter them. He replied, “I don’t eat there.”

Then, upon seeing a dime store plastic (the kind that glows in the dark) cross hanging from a string around his neck, I asked, “Are you a Christian?” He answered a resounding “Yes” as he grasped the little cross and held it toward me. I then asked him to quote a verse from the Bible for me – any verse. His eyes grew wide, and after stalling for a moment, he blubbered, “ I don’t know none.” The cross was obviously a ploy to bamboozle people of faith to take pity on him, which I did – but for other reasons. The young man was a drug addict in need of a hit and was only out to get the money for it. I gave him the Taco Bell card, and we parted ways.

Saturday, I am looking forward to seeing and meeting many new relatives at my niece Natalie Norton’s world-class restaurant named “Darb’s Patio” in nearby Eaton Rapids, Michigan. A huge crowd is expected from all over Michigan and Ohio. Among the visitors to see me are three Firemen (David, a Hazmat lecturer; Johnny, a Criminal Justice Lecturer who happens to be my favorite nephew; Nurses; and now a doctor who just graduated with honors – Christopher, Natalie’s son. Included are three recently baptized believers!

In my latest book (which I am presently wrapping up), I note all the prophetic events that are taking place – while they happen – as I reach the end. At present, the attack by Israel on the Iranian nuclear sites and killing three adversarial leaders as well. Presently (June 13), Iran is retaliating with drones  – was the last entry. I can only hope that it will reach the masses before the rapture or war sweeps us all away. In the meantime, I will be calling America to repent, receive Christ, be baptized, and prepare to meet their maker.

YBIC

Jim Towers

***

You can write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com or visit me at www.dropzonedelta.com. You can also find me on my newly restructured website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com, which now features videos of worldwide events taking place in the present time, as well as proof of God’s existence and the reality of Biblical places, and Moses himself.

 

Parables Concerning the Kingdom, Part 1(Matt 13) :: By Donald Whitchard

Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-9, Mark 6:1-6, Luke 4:16-30, Luke 8:4-8

(Matt 13:1-23)

Summary: Matthew, Chapter 13, presents a series of stories, or parables, that Jesus used to illustrate the concepts of the kingdom of God, the approaching judgment, and the work of the devil. Listen, if you have ears to hear.

The thirteenth chapter of Matthew’s gospel focuses upon the parables of Jesus.

As the Master got into a boat while teaching the people on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He told a story about a man whose job it was to sow seed into ground that had been tilled in order to grow crops. In the parable, the seed fell on varied types of ground, which represents those who hear and either react to or ignore the Word of God.

Some seed fell to the wayside (13:4, 19) and were devoured by the birds. This describes a person who hears the gospel yet does not understand it. There is no one to teach or help them in their ignorance of spiritual things. The devil sees this as an opportunity to “devour them” (Matthew 9:35-38; 1 Peter 5:8). They are unprepared and lack the spiritual knowledge needed to counteract his schemes. This is why we need to be ready to give a defense of our faith in Christ and be obedient to His call to tell the world about Him while there is still time (Mark 16:15; John 4:35-36; 2 Corinthians 6:2).

Jesus described the seed that fell upon rocky ground (13:5, 20-21), which represents the individual who hears the Word of God and receives it with joy. This person has made a “decision for Christ” and possesses a spiritual euphoria. However, this same person begins to experience troubles and persecutions of varied kinds. He decides that his so-called “conversion” is not worth the effort or trouble and walks away from the faith he claimed to have (1 John 2:19; Hebrews 6:4-6). This person is, in reality, a false convert who ends up as an angry apostate and was never saved in the first place.

There were seeds that fell among thorns (13:7, 22). Here is another illustration of a person who hears and apparently receives the message of the LORD with gladness yet gives more attention and time to the cares and concerns of the world. This is a case of someone who wants to be in both worlds. One of these will prosper while the other withers away. No true Christian should want to see this present fallen world as something on which to hold, as it will eventually be destroyed, forever purged of evil, and be recreated into a new heaven and earth (Isaiah 11:1-9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21-22).

The seed that fell on good soil (13:8, 23) is self-explanatory. When someone hears the gospel, receives it with joy, and then makes a serious commitment to persevere through troublesome times, that seed is spread in his life so as to bring about a harvest of souls. Spiritual fruit is the best evidence that our lives have been truly transformed by the Lord Jesus (Psalm 92:13-14; John 15:5; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11; James 3:17).

He concluded by telling the people to listen and understand what had just been taught (v.9).

Jesus gave the apostles the ability to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God, even though this had not registered in their minds yet (13:11). This would be made clear on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them in the upper room (Acts 2:1-42), empowering them to proclaim the gospel and eventually write the New Testament, preserving the Word of God for all generations (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

The work of the apostles ensured that we have everything we need to know about the LORD. Nothing else needs to be added.

Verse 12 deals with the importance and responsibility of teaching the Word of God. It is not something to be taken lightly (Acts 17:11). Those who have been given this responsibility from God yet do nothing about it have it taken away from them and given to someone else. Jesus said that an unbeliever’s response to His parables was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah (vv.13-17), where God told him that the people of Israel would not respond to his message (Isaiah 6:9-10).

The apostles were blessed by this new revelation, which had not been revealed to the prophets and the righteous people of old but was now revealed to them. Some readers and scholars have found difficulties in harmonizing the concept of truth being revealed in such a way that unbelievers cannot understand it. After some study and prayer concerning this issue, I believe that the best way to interpret it is that there was a long background of unbelief and disregard of previous revelation by the people of Israel. They sinned away their day of grace and opportunity. They had allowed their love of sin to blind them to the obvious.

You can read this message yet be totally unaffected by it due to the fact that you love your sins and do not want to part with them. You are the description of the degenerates Paul mentions in Romans 1:18-32 and 3:10-18. You are inching closer to the edge of the cliff, ignoring or ridiculing the cries and pleas from others to turn around and come to Jesus Christ for mercy, grace, peace, salvation, and be forever freed from the curse of death and hell.

You laugh and sneer at the holiness of God, and the words of Jesus are just so much drivel to you. There will be a day, my friend, when all of the pleas, witnessing, sermons, copies of the Bible, prayers, and the calling of God will not matter anymore. You will be dead and in hell and have all eternity to regret yet be unable to repent of your stupidity and refusal to humble yourself before God and call to Him to save you.

I hope that this got your attention and that you do something about it NOW (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:28-30; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-10; James 4:13-14).

Jesus told these stories for a reason. You are the reason that He came to this world (John 3:16). If you have ears to hear, then listen.

donaldwhitchard@outlook.com

https://ocosbe.org/donald-whitchard