Thoughts About the Current Middle East Uprisings

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10).

The prophet Daniel saw what is happening now 2500 years ago by the Spirit of God. The Apostle John saw the panorama of events prior to the second coming of Christ while on the isle of Patmos while under exile for preaching the word of God.

Today in the Middle East the prophetic scenario is unfolding before our eyes. Ezekiel 38 and 39 reveal to us a war that will end all wars, the battle of Armageddon. This battle will include the nations of the Middle East and Northern Africa as they unite to destroy Israel from the face of the earth.

What we are witnessing in the Middle East with the uprisings against our embassies in Egypt, in Libya, and in Yemen, is a lining up of Arab nations that will one day unify to seek Israel’s demise.

We are entering a critical time in history. The world as we have known it is reorganizing. Nothing can stop what will happen except the second coming of Christ! We believers are salt and light in the earth. We are to pray for God’s kingdom to come, for His sovereign will to be done on earth just as it is being carried out in heaven.

Jesus did not tell us to stop traveling to preach the gospel. He did not tell us to become politically correct and cater to itching ears that only want to hear good things that cater to self-centeredness. He did not tell us to hide in a cave, or to go buy land in a remote area and stock up food and resource for terrible times. Jesus DID tell us to OCCUPY UNTIL HE COMES.

And that means boldly and compassionately preach the gospel to every creature with how we live and conduct our daily life. We are also to tell others the story of salvation through the blood of Jesus. People know that things are changing and want to know what to do. The gospel is the good news that Jesus takes care of those that know Him, and that we do not need to be afraid of our future. Our team wins the battle!

I believe the future will include the uprising of radical Islam throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. I believe that we will see war and instability on an ever increasing scale. We will continue to see excessive weather conditions as well as more frequent earthquakes worldwide. We will see inflation in commodities such as food and oil as war hinders commerce and travel in various parts of the world. We will see radical jihadists push their cause in every country that will let down its defences against radicalism. We will see the rise of an Islamic caliphate  (rule of Islamic law) in the Middle East. We will see Turkey become a major player in Middle Eastern affairs between Israel and the Muslim dominated nations. We will see more persecution and slaughter of Christians and Jews in Islamic nations. We will see Christians vilified for their narrow beliefs in the Bible and redemption found only through the blood of Christ.

We will also see the rise of a leader in the Middle East that will help the Islamic nations work together and seemingly bring peace between these nations and Israel. This leader will confirm a treaty of peace with Israel and the Islamic nations of the Middle East and North Africa. He will encourage Israel to build a temple in Jerusalem so they can worship their God according to their laws. This person is called the Anti-Christ in the Bible, but you will think he is such a suave leader with such a nice personality. The name Anti-Christ will never be associated with him. Satan always comes with subterfuge.

This leader will break his peace agreement with Israel after 42 months. He will become an enraged radical Islamist that seeks to destroy both Judaism and Christianity in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Beheadings for the cause of Jihad will become common.

This Jihadist slaughter of Jews and Christians will be intense for a couple of years. Then suddenly, you will see unusual disturbances with respect to sunlight and the night sky. The light of the sun, moon, and stars will greatly diminish, bringing consternation and wonderment to all who see it. Everyone will be affected by it.

This diminished sunlight will be a sign to believers that Jesus Christ is about to come in the rapture of the church to take them to heaven so they can escape the wrath of God that will be unleashed on an unbelieving, rebellious world.

The above mentioned scenario will take about 5 years or so to play out once you see a Middle East peace agreement signed between Israel and its neighbors. That agreement could be soon.

What I have just related can be read about in Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 and 7, and in 2 Thessalonians 2. It’s rapidly approaching. Let’s get ready for a great move of the Holy Spirit. God is about to show off!

The Healing Word

He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (Psalm 107:20).

The will of God is healing and health. It’s important to take some time daily and feed on the word to build up your faith in the Father for healing. Faith comes by hearing the Word over and over again and then practicing it. I woke up last night and spent time meditating on the healing word. Read the following scriptures and then take some time to meditate them. Let them revolve slowly over and over in your mind. This is God’s medicine. Allow it to do its healing work in you!                                      

And said, If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you (Exodus 15:26). So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you (Exodus 23:25). And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you (Deuteronomy 7:15). Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases (Psalm 103:1-3). He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes (Psalm 105:37). My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22). He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:3-5). That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses (Matthew 8:17). Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24). How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38).

The Gap Theory

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:1-2).
 
I was reminded of the gap theory while reading Genesis 1 this morning. If you have a Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, you can read about it in his notes on Genesis. Kenneth Hagin mentions it a few times in his writings as well. When I  heard this theory years ago, it made sense and answered many questions for me. To repeat, it’s a theory, not a doctrine. That means it could have been this way, but there’s not enough proof from scripture to call it a doctrine. So I submit these thoughts in a non-dogmatic way.
 
Here’s the theory. There’s a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. Sometime in eternity past, God created the heavens and earth. But the earth became without form and void, and the light of the sun became hindered from giving light to the earth. Between the two verses something happened that created chaos on earth.
 
Here’s what many believe about the gap after examining the fall of Lucifer and other passages such as Ezekiel 28:11-19; Jeremiah 4: 23-24; Isaiah 14: 12-14; and 2 Peter 3: 5-7. God created the earth in eternity past. It could have been tens of thousands or millions of years ago. He also created a race of beings that inhabited the earth at that time. In this social order, the dinosaurs were on earth along with this man-like creature. Dake calls this race of beings Pre-Adamites, because they were created before Adam. How long they existed, no one knows.

When Lucifer was kicked out of heaven due to rebellion to God, he fell to the earth, and corrupted it. This race of beings was corrupted, and a flood destroyed the whole social order of the time, including the dinosaurs and other strange creatures that existed of which we have fossil remains. After this the ice age emerged as well.

As the theory goes, God then recreated the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:3 through the rest of the chapter. Satan’s rebellion caused chaos on the planet, and God took what was here, brought order, and then created mankind as a new race of living beings.

To many, this may seem far fetched! But if you examine the Hebrew words carefully in the above mentioned passages, there is a bit of light here. Not enough to make a doctrine or to dogmatic about, but enough to say, it could have been that way.

For me, the theory explains the fossils we find that are so unlike our current social order of creation; it explains why the earth could be older than 6000 years. It explains demon spirits, which are different than fallen angels, and which many believe are the spirits of this Pre-Adamite race that was destroyed when the earth became chaotic after God had to judge it and destroy it when Lucifer fell.
   
Another interesting book to read is Kenneth Hagin’s The Triumphant Church. He mentions the Gap Theory there with some detail. Another prolific author that explains this view in many of his writings is Gordon Lindsay, founder of Christ for the Nations Bible school in Texas.
  
There’s so much that we don’t know. But what we do know is that the Father loves us so much that He spent a lot of time creating this world to be a place where life can thrive. He’s coming back to lift the curse from it one day, and we’ll live with Him for eternity here in glorified bodies. That’s enough to make me shout!

The Book of Remembrance

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. They shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him (Malachi 3:16-17).  

It’s a special thing to the Father for us to think about Him, to talk about Him, and for us to occupy our minds with thoughts of Him. He takes notice when we make Him the object of life’s pursuit. He has a book where He records the times we spend with our focus on Him!
 
In the New Testament we’re admonished to let the Word dwell in us richly. Jesus encouraged us to allow the Word to abide in us. The Greek word for abide is meno and it means to settle down in, to remain, or to make a home with. The idea is that the word finds a permanent home in us. The Word is our link with the Father as we walk through life.
 
Jesus told the disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit when He left the earth to go to heaven. He called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of truth. You see, the Holy Spirit is attracted to the Word in us! Really, we are no more filled with the Spirit than we are filled with the Word! Taking time each day to absorb the Word is also taking time to allow the Holy Spirit full reign in us. When we choose to obey the Word, we’re choosing to yield to the Holy Spirit.

Never neglect the Word. The Word is precious to God. The Word is precious to the Holy Spirit. The Word is our connection with heaven. Occupy yourself with the things of the Word today. If you do, you’ll become a favorite with the Father. He longs for you to want Him!

Praise is an Awesome Weapon!

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
to execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord (Psalm 149:6-9).

In the verse above, notice that offered praise becomes a double edged sword in the realm of the spirit. The plans of those opposing the Word and the purposes of the kingdom of God are hindered. The binding of their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron refers to the demonic forces In the unseen realm. Praise stops them in their tracks!

God inhabits praise! There is a manifestation of His kingdom power where praise is offered. The principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, the wicked spirits in the heavenlies mentioned in Ephesians 6:12 are hindered in their exploits of stealing, killing and destroying when saints begin to praise!
 
The children of Israel noticed that when they put the tribe of Judah (the tribe of praise) in the front lines of battle that the fight was easier and they won! Paul and Silas’ prison chains fell off during an episode of praise! Don’t take this lightly, it works!
 
Take up praise as a weapon of spiritual warfare today. When doubt, fear, discouragement, depression, sickness, or lack attacks your life, get out the weapon of praise!

Back in 1985, I was attacked with terrible flu symptoms. Everything hurt! I called my secretary and cancelled my appointments for the day. I was listening to scriptures on healing as I lay in bed, and the Lord spoke so clearly to me. If you believe you’re healed, get up and act like it!  I knew He was right, and got up and began to walk around my bedroom with my hands lifted praising God for my healing. For about ten minutes I ached and hurt and praised! Then, just like a bird flying away, every flu symptom disappeared! I was totally healed.
 
Right in the middle of your life circumstances today begin to offer the sacrifice of praise. You’ll find God kingdom manifesting in your life and you’ll find that the enemy will back up! Praise is an awesome weapon!

The Soldier, the Athlete, and the Farmer

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things (2 Timothy 2:4-7).
 
The Apostle Paul uses analogies here from familiar endeavors to help us understand how we should live before God. We are admonished here to fight like a soldier, to prepare like an athlete, and to work like a farmer.
 
When a soldier signs up to serve in the armed forces, he makes a serious dedication of his life. Boot camp prepares him for the rigors of the battle field. Then he goes through extensive training so that he will be thoroughly prepared to win in battle. From the time the soldier gets up until he goes to bed, his life has been dedicated to prepare for battle. He must not be slack or else it may cost him his life in the day of battle. He must be diligent.

An athlete is a person of preparation. Constantly looking at the goal of winning the competition, he streamlines his life. He carefully watches what he eats so that his body receives maximum nourishment. He tones his muscles so that they work at maximum efficiency. He conditions himself with long hours of exertion to be able to endure the toughest competition. His focus is on being his best so that he can win the prize. His life is a life of discipline. One day of slackness could cost him the trophy.

A farmer is a man of diligence. He’s up before sunrise preparing for the day. His one goal is the harvest. Day after day, he plants the seed, removes the weeds that steal needed nourishment from the soil, and watches over his crops. The farmer must remain diligent with his fields. Laziness will diminish the return on his investment. He must work hard every day!
 
If the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer can give their best for a natural cause, how much more should we give our best for the kingdom of God. The rewards for their exertion are temporary. The rewards for diligence in spiritual things are eternal! In fact, what we do now determines our place and rewards in heaven. Let’s give the Father our best today. Let’s fight like a soldier, prepare like an athlete, and work like a farmer!
 

Prepare for a Holy Spirit Outpouring!

"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.  And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.  "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.  And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls (Joel 2:28-32)


It’s time for us in the body of Christ to fine tune ourselves and get ready to be the best we can be for God! The world situation is changing rapidly and all signs point towards appearing of the Anti-Christ, the confirming of a peace treaty between Israel and her enemies (see Daniel 9:27), the beginning of the seven years of Daniel commonly called the tribulation period, the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ. And during this period of time there will also be a great harvest of souls for the kingdom of God! And there will be a great Move of the Spirit of God!

I believe that as calamity and disaster increase, many will turn to the Lord and be opened to receive ministry. Here are some things that we can do to be ready.

First, commit to an attitude of excellence in all that you do. Colossians 3: 23-24 reads, And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
 
Give everything you do the best you have; on your job and also in your church life. If you volunteer in an area of ministry, give it your best. Be on time to events! Do what you do as if Jesus were your boss. Work as unto Him. Ephesians 6:6-8 reads, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Second, think unity. There is strength when we unify with fellow believers. The power of the early church was in their being in one accord. How we treat fellow believers is how we treat Jesus Himself. An atmosphere of unity is a breeding ground for the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself. Be quick to forgive and quick to love. Believe the best of others.
 
Third, ask the Father to manifest spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:1(NIV) reads,
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Ask the Father to use you in spiritual gifts. In church services, ask the Father for prophecy, diver kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues to manifest. Be open for Him to use you if He so chooses.
 
In your daily life, walk in love and ask the Father to make you a blessing to others. He may choose to manifest the Word of Knowledge or Gifts of Healings through you. Remain conscious throughout your day that He wants to use you.
 
When we gather in church meetings, we actually become collectively a temple of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we individually have Him living in us, but there is a special manifestation of the presence of God among us when we gather together. The depth of the manifestation is determined by our desire for Him. So be on time to your local church services. Show by your actions that you want the best He has and that you want others to receive. Arriving late to a church service on purpose is really showing disrespect to the Father and a lack of desire for Him to give His best. And being late signals others who may be visiting (and that need the Lord) that we really aren’t all that committed to what we believe!
 
These are important days for the kingdom of God. Jesus is coming soon. So many need ministry. Let’s go the extra mile in all we do. It’s time for the Father to show Himself strongly through us.

Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:1-3).