Prophecy Line

History’s Most Troubling Name

January 27, 2025 8:36 am / 9 Comments on History’s Most Troubling Name

Author’s note: I decided to reach way back in time in my files of articles I’ve written to present this week’s commentary. I’ve done so because the current Catholic pope continues to declare during 2025 that there are many ways to Heaven–to be saved.

There is no matter more important around which to put forth biblical truth than that involving redemption of lost souls. There is one way to God and eternal Life. Jesus Christ is that only way! He said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father but by me” (John14:6).

The following article was first posted on September 11, 2006.

History’s Most Troubling Name

Many names come to mind when thinking of individuals who have caused great consternation among the generations of earth-dwellers over the millennia.

We can immediately bring them to the surface of our thoughts. Adolf Hitler stands pretty close to the top, so far as people who have troubled humanity during their time is concerned. His was perhaps the most genocidal regime ever, although if we could hear from some of the other generations of human history–for example, that under the regime of Antiochus Epiphanes—we might hear good evidence for those tyrants being the worst ever. Christians under some of the Caesars and holy Roman emperors could also tell horror stories, giving names of dictators who bedeviled them.

Josef Stalin, the Soviet dictator, is another who has troubled the minds of historians and the rest of us in more recent times. He murdered, it is estimated, between 30 and 40 million of his own people, based upon his paranoid concerns that they were out to topple his rule.

Mao Tse-tung, the beast from China, Pol Pot, of Cambodia, and the man on trial for crimes against humanity, Saddam Hussein, the incarcerated Iraqi strongman known as the “Butcher of Baghdad,” are other troublesome names of recent vintage. And we might throw in guys like Iran’s late Ayatollah Ruhollah Kohmeini and even its current tyrant, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as candidates for the most troubling names in human history.

It is such an agonizing thing to do, writing about the next troubling name after bringing to mind all of the above horror-blighted names of history, that I can scarcely do it. But I must, because it is a name that is growing in disrepute, and in hatred among this present generation. The person whose name I will write about is dividing the peoples of earth, just as He said His name would do.

It is doubly agonizing for me to write, because evidence of this growing hatred is already well underway, even in the heartland of America. It is, as a matter of fact, manifesting itself in my own community. So, I didn’t have to go to distant sources or lands to make the point that we’re indeed nearing midnight of this Church Age (Age of Grace).

Proof of the growing antagonism to the name is observable in the portion of an article from a newspaper very near my own home. That’s right. Right in the heart of the Bible Belt. And, I must tell you that Arkansas was just listed as one of three of the states that have the most people who believe the Bible is the Word of God, a supernatural book directly from the mind of the Creator.

Little Rock city directors should apply discretion in the words they use when praying before board meetings, Mayor Jim Dailey said Tuesday night. Dailey’s statement followed the board’s receipt of a memorandum from City Attorney Tom Carpenter in which he cautioned board members about using certain words in prayers.

Prayer to open a board meeting is not unconstitutional but can cross the constitutional line of separation of church and state if the prayer emphasizes one religion over another, Carpenter wrote.

In the memorandum, Carpenter advised board members to avoid phrases such as “In Christ’s name we pray” or “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost” (“LR directors discuss prayer options,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Sept. 7, 2006).

The above report, I realize, doesn’t equate with people considering the name of Jesus in the same castigating way people view Hitler, Stalin, et al. But, again, marginalizing the name of Christ is taking place in the heart of the Bible Belt. The world at large is on the fast track to bring that Holy Name into hated status on a global scale. The being with the worst of all names–Satan—wants the name of Jesus to become the equivalent of the worst, most terrifying figures of history. Satan has sown in the minds of people that Christianity should be seen as narrow-minded bigotry and hatred, as proven in the Crusades, where, Christ-haters imply, many were murdered in the name of Christ.

The tactic continues to work. Tragically, it is becoming a tactic that even convinces some pastors in churches who fall for and preach the line that thinking there is one way to God is foolish at best and hatred at worst. By preaching and teaching that there are many ways to God and Heaven, that the Bible is actually just a book written by men in order to show us how to just get along, these preachers and teachers are calling Christ a liar–putting His Holy Name in the category of the many tyrants of history who led people down the pathway to destruction.

But the Scripture says: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

There is coming a time at the edge of eternity that is awesome in its prospect. Every human being who has been born on this fallen planet will give absolute acknowledgement of the name that is above every other, the blessed name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11)

Fires of Forewarning

January 26, 2025 8:32 am / 4 Comments on Fires of Forewarning

I’m hearing it proclaimed in the strongest terms that God is judging California and punishing that area with the horrific fire because of the wickedness it embraces. I disagree. I say God is not yet judging, not in the sense that His judgment produces punishment from Heaven.

Indeed, the parts of California that are, as of this writing, being devoured by the fires—fanned by 100 mph winds, in some cases—are the center of wickedness the likes of which might make the people of ancient Sodom and Gomorrah blush.

One observer writes the following in that regard:

There is so much anger about the unprecedented fires that are ravaging the Los Angeles area, because there is a widespread belief that they could have been prevented.  Some are blaming mismanaged forests, some are blaming the extreme incompetence of our leaders, some are blaming “climate change”, and some are blaming budget cuts.  But could it be possible that the real reason why Los Angeles is burning is not related to any of those factors?

What is the one thing that sets Los Angeles apart from any other city in the world?

Needless to say, it is the entertainment industry…

Most people living in the western world consume entertainment that originates from Los Angeles almost every single day.

Most of us are literally opening up our minds and pouring in filth on a regular basis, and that has had absolutely devastating consequences.

Of course much of the filth that the entertainment industry produces openly mocks God and misuses His name.

Sadly, the entertainment industry was even mocking God at the Golden Globe awards just 48 hours before the fires hit.

So they mocked God on Sunday at the Golden Globes, couple days later their houses burn down…

The entire planet has been corrupted by the movies, television shows and music that come out of Los Angeles.  On top of all that, L.A. is the epicenter for the global pornography industry. (“Could There Be A Reason Why Los Angeles Is Burning That Nobody Really Wants To Talk About?” by Michael, End Of The American Dream, January 12, 2025)

President Trump said recently the area destroyed by the fires look as if they’ve been hit by a nuclear attack. It sure seems like the judgment of God is being visited on America’s Pompeii, doesn’t it?

No. I think not. I believe what we see happening—the fiery devastation ravaging one of America’s most desirable place to live in terms of environment—is actually an expression of God’s love.

Now, that seems almost as wrong in reasoning as the woke thinking that comes out of California, that state of upside-down, reprobate insanity!

Here I want to say that we are to have love and concern for the people who are suffering so desperately from these catastrophic fires. And they are catastrophic, with entire neighborhoods across a vast expanse having been completely burned to the ground. Let us reach out in compassion, knowing that, but by the grace of God, we could be in the same circumstances.

That said, I’m of the thinking proffered by my friend Tom Hughes, whose ministry is located in California.

He likened what’s going on there to the terminal health dilemma of someone he once witnessed to about the saving power of Jesus Christ.

The man had only days to live when he went to visit him, Tom said. The man wanted to know that if there was a God, why he was suffering such pain.

Tom lovingly and gently told the cancer patient that God had blessed him all his life with a successful life and wonderful family. Despite all the opportunities to accept Christ, the man had rejected God’s offer. The pain was given to call the man one more time. The pain was necessary as a strong measure because God knew the place the man was going without Christ was many times worse than the pain from cancer he was suffering. In other words, God was using the pain to call him to salvation one last time.

Tom’s words to this terminally ill man might sound harsh, but the Lord sometimes works His love and mercy even through the pain of life.

Thankfully, the man did accept Christ before passing into the Lord’s presence just several days later. (The following is the link to Tom’s recounting of this conversion experience: https://youtu.be/kDvItdgONFM?si=OEvKS0bITAoc0Oj7)

Tom Hughes said:

It’s the same thing I see going on right now in America. You see it in the heart of Hollywood. God is shouting to people, “Hey, you better turn to me.” The Bible tells us what’s coming during the Tribulation period.

Wow, folks. God is screaming to us. He has blessed this country with great things–with so many good things, and instead of turning to the Lord, they are turning from Him. And God is shouting to us, because He knows the pain is coming [when His true wrath must punish those who reject His Son.]

For anybody…if you don’t know the Lord, ask Him to forgive you. He will forgive anybody who will come to Him.

Amen! The fires are a merciful call to repentance–perhaps a last, loving call to accept God’s order, rather than the anti-God way of wokeness and rebellion.

What painful calls to repentance might we expect as the time of the Tribulation grows closer by the hour? Once Jesus calls all believers to Himself in the Rapture, the pain will grow infinitely worse as God’s wrath pours out on God-rejecting humankind.

You don’t want to be part of that wrath and of Antichrist’s unprecedented evil.

Here’s how to accept Christ and be kept from that worst time of human history AND from the eternal, truly horrific fire—the lake of fire—following the final punishment of lost humankind at the great white throne judgment.

That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10: 9-10) 

Why Israel Will Likely Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites :: By Bill Salus

January 23, 2025 1:50 pm / 1 Comment on Why Israel Will Likely Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites :: By Bill Salus

“Conditions are ripe to strike Iran’s nuclear program, sec. official says“

“Iran has never been more vulnerable to strikes against its nuclear capabilities,” the official said.… The official added that Israel will not allow a nuclear Iran and, therefore, will continue to prepare to strike the nuclear project.” (Jerusalem Post – 11/22/24)[i]

Don’t be surprised to wake up one nearby morning to this sort of headline, “Israel Conducts Pre-emptive Strikes Against Iran’s Nuclear Sites.” Day by day this scenario becomes more likely. In fact, on October 26, 2024, Israel struck and destroyed Iran’s top-secret nuclear weapons research facility in Parchin.

“Israel destroyed secret Iranian nuke site in October strikes“

“The facility in Parchin was completely destroyed during Israel’s Oct. 26 attack on Iran, according to satellite imagery.” (JNS – 11/16/24)[ii]

This timely article will explore the menu of reasons why Israel will likely soon strike Iran’s nuclear site(s). The reasons will be identified numerically below in no specific order of importance and then expounded upon subsequently.

The Menu of Reasons Israel Will Likely Strike

  1. Israel has a history of striking nuclear facilities.
  2. Israel holds to the “Begin Doctrine” established by Menachem Begin in 1981.
  3. Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
  4. Israel has destroyed Iran’s primary missile defense systems, rendering Iran vulnerable to an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities.
  5. Israel will likely have America’s approval through the presidency of Donald Trump.
  6. Israel will not likely face severe retaliation from Iran’s proxies.
  7. Israel has destroyed most of Syria’s missile defense systems, which enables more freedom to fly safely to Iran over Syrian air space.
  8. Israel has to act now because Iran is on the fast track to obtaining several nuclear bombs.
  9. An ancient Bible prophecy in Jeremiah 49:34-39 may foretell of such a nuclear strike.

1.Israel has a history of striking nuclear facilities.

In modern history, Israel has destroyed two nuclear reactors in the Middle East. One in Iraq and the other in Syria.

Operation Opera in (Iraq): In a surprise attack on June 7, 1981, which was the 14-year anniversary of Israel’s Six-Day War against Egypt, Syria and Jordan, Israel destroyed Iraq’s unfinished Osirak nuclear reactor. This is when the “Begin Doctrine” was established. This doctrine will be discussed next.

Operation Orchard (Syria): Acting in accordance with the “Begin Doctrine,” on September 6, 2007, Israel conducted a preemptive airstrike that destroyed a suspected nuclear reactor at the Al Kibar site in Syria.

2.Israel holds to the “Begin Doctrine” established by Menachem Begin in 1981.

“The Begin doctrine is the common term for the Israeli government’s preventive strike, counter-proliferation policy regarding their potential enemies’ capability to possess weapons of mass destruction (WMD), particularly nuclear weapons…. The doctrine itself was enunciated by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in June 1981, following Israel’s attack on Iraq’s nuclear reactor Osirak in Operation Opera. The doctrine remains a feature of Israeli security planning.” [iii]

The Wikipedia quote above provides a good explanation of the Begin (Menachem) Doctrine. The interesting story behind the implementation of this doctrine was told to me by Israeli envoy to the USA Yoram Ettinger in 2014 at a breakfast meeting. White House correspondent Bill Koenig and I sat down together with Yoram and asked him if he thought Israel would strike Iran’s nuclear site(s). His response is provided in the story below.

Sometime in the first half of 1981, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin called together all of Israel’s top military and key political leaders in a closed-door meeting to discuss how to handle Iraq’s nuclear program. The potential of Iraq possessing a nuclear weapon posed an existential threat to the Jewish state.

Begin sought the leader’s opinions about the potential outcomes of an Israeli pre-emptive strike upon Iraq’s Osirak unfinished nuclear reactor. They were not in favor of such a strike for the following reasons:

  • It could incite the entire Muslim world to unite against Israel in a massive war that might potentially wipe Israel off of the map.
  • It could cause strong condemnation by the international community, including America and the Western world, because they were mostly supporting Iraq in its war against Iran.
  • This international condemnation could lead to harsh sanctions that could topple Israel’s economy.

Additional adverse conditions were also mentioned and the consensus was that this would be a BAD MOVE! Begin respectfully thanked all of his top confidants and then responded by saying something along the lines of, “If we don’t destroy the reactor and Iraq gets a nuclear weapon, this could result in the end of the Jewish state.” He concluded by stating, “We will strike Iraq NOW!”

Shortly thereafter, Israel destroyed the Osirak reactor, and none of the above concerns manifested as a result. This scenario is what led to the implementation of the Begin Doctrine, which is still in place and understood by Israel’s present political and military leaders. Thus, a pre-emptive strike on nuclear reactors has a historical precedent with Israel.

3.Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

“Israel’sNetanyahu says will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons” (Reuters – 4/12/21)[iv]

The Reuters quote above dates back to 2021, which shows that for a long time, Israel has pledged that Iran will not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon. As the headline below evidenced, this pledge even dates back before the JCPOA Iranian nuclear agreement was implemented in 2015. Presently, this pledge is still in effect.

“Netanyahu: Israel Won’t Allow Iran To Get Nuclear Bomb“ (Radio Free Europe – 10/1/13)[v]

4.Israel has destroyed Iran’s primary missile defense systems, rendering Iran vulnerable to an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities.

“Israel took out primary Iranian air defenses, left it ‘essentially naked’”

“Sources tell Fox News airstrikes destroyed remaining three S-300 batteries; Israeli official says ‘majority of Iran’s air defense was taken out’” (Times of Israel – 10/30/24)[vi]

On October 1, 2024, Iran launched about two hundred ballistic missiles at targets in Israel. Fortunately for Israel, they were mostly ineffective. Subsequently, in a retaliatory strike into Iran on October 26, 2024, Israel destroyed a majority of Iran’s missile defenses rendering it essentially defenseless to a future Israeli strike upon Iran’s nuclear sites.

5.Israel will likely have America’s approval through the presidency of Donald Trump.

“Trump Team Weighs Options, Including Airstrikes, to Stop Iran’s Nuclear Program” (Wall Street Journal – 12/13/24)[vii]

According to the WSJ headline above, Donald Trump is already considering the option of airstrikes upon Iran’s nuclear program. Thus, it would be unlikely that he would oppose an Israeli strike. In fact, the headline below suggests that Trump is in favor of Israel going after Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“Trump urges Israel to take out Iran nuclear facilities, rips Biden for urging Jewish state to show restraint” (New York Post – 10/5/24)[viii]

“Report: Israel thinks Trump will back IDF strike on Iran nuke program or order US hit” (Times of Israel – 1/6/25)[ix]

6.Israel will not likely face severe retaliation from Iran’s proxies.

“Iran in a ‘position of unprecedented weakness’ after the fall of Assad in Syria“ (France 24 – 12/9/24 )[x]

Syria, under the leadership of Bashar al-Assad was a major proxy of Iran. Assad allowed Iran to send weapons through Syria to Hezbollah. However, Assad’s government has fallen, and Assad has fled to Russia for asylum. In addition, Israel has destroyed the Syrian shipping corridor that Iran used, which has restricted Iran’s ability to further supply Hezbollah with much needed missiles and weapons.

“Hezbollah Loses Supply Route Through Syria, in Blow to It and Iran“ (New York Times – 12/14/24)[xi]

Hezbollah, one of Iran’s strongest proxies has been severely damaged by Israel in their year-long war that Hezbollah initiated on October 8, 2023. With the supply lines cut off in Syria, Hezbollah’s fighting power has been drastically reduced.

“IDF reveals Hezbollah missile arsenal severely depleted since beginning of operations.”

“The IDF estimates that “80% of Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal within a range of up to 40 kilometers has been destroyed.” (Jerusalem Post – 11/10/24)[xii]

Hamas, like Hezbollah, has become severely weakened in its war with Israel. They have mostly been reduced to fighting in guerilla warfare for their survival.

“Israeli Defense Minister Says Hamas Destroyed as Organized Fighting Force” (FDD –9/11/24)[xiii]

“Palestinian armed groups adopt ‘guerrilla warfare’ against Israel“ (The New Arab – 7/11/24)[xiv]

The dynamics have changed in Israel’s favor as now Iran’s primary proxies have suffered devastating blows. As such, Israel will not likely face severe retaliation from Iran’s proxies should they strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.

As I author this article, the Houthis are steadily launching missiles from Yemen into Israel, but Israel has vowed to make an end of this Iranian proxy as well.

“Israel struggles to deter escalating attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels as other fronts calm“

“The Iran-backed Houthis are stepping up their missile attacks, sending hundreds of thousands of Israelis scrambling for shelter in the middle of the night, scaring away foreign airlines and keeping up what could be the last major front in the Middle East wars.” (AP – 1/2/25)[xv]

“Israel, at UN, warns Houthis risk sharing same fate as Hamas, Hezbollah” (Reuters – 12/30/24)[xvi]

7.Israel has destroyed most of Syria’s missile defense systems, which enables more freedom to fly safely to Iran over Syrian air space.

Israel claims to have destroyed most of Syria’s air defense systems, making it safer to fly over Syrian airspace on route to strike Iran.

“Israel destroys 85% of Syria’s air defense systems“ (Middle East Monitor (MEM) – 12/13/24)[xvii]

8.Israel has to act now because Iran is on the fast track to obtaining several nuclear bombs.

With the weakening of Hamas, Hezbollah and collapse of the Assad regime, Iran appears to be focusing more of its efforts toward developing nuclear weapons.

“Iran expands weaponization capabilities critical for employing nuclear bomb“

“Expert says Iran ‘is moving towards building the bomb at a rapid pace’” (Fox News – 12/20/24)[xviii]

9.An ancient Bible prophecy in Jeremiah 49:34-39 may foretell of such a nuclear strike.

According to a biblical prophecy issued around 596 BC found in Jeremiah 49:34-39, a disaster is going to happen in Iran in the latter days. Jeremiah 49:37-38 declares this disaster is caused by God as a direct result of bad Iranian leadership doing something, or intending to do something that fiercely angers Him.

The prophecy involves the ancient territory of Elam. The modern-day location of Elam where this disaster takes place is in western Iran, hugging the Persian Gulf. (Refer to the map image).

Today, Iran is comprised of the historic lands of Elam and Persia. These are two distinctly different territories that have always been geographically separated by the Zagros Mountains.

But why does God get “fiercely angry” with the leaders of Iran? The verse below holds the key that unlocks the answer to this question.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, (at), The foremost of their might.” (Jer. 49:35, NKJV; emphasis added)

The New Living Translation (NLT) says it this way,

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: “I will destroy the archers of Elam— the best of their forces.”

The modern-day inference is that the bad Iranian leaders want to launch lethal missiles, perhaps tipped with nuclear payloads, somewhere and these evil plans will be denied. God declares that He will, “break the bow,” or in other words, destroy these missile launchers beforehand in order to prevent these deadly rockets from being dispatched.

As per the verse below, this catastrophe appears to cause a humanitarian crisis because in the aftermath the affected Iranians are forced into a worldwide dispersion, which suggests that this disaster could be nuclear-related.

“I will bring enemies from all directions, and I will scatter the people of Elam to the four winds. They will be exiled to countries around the world.” (Jer. 49:36, NLT)

Elam (Western Iran) just so happens to be where most of Iran’s missile silos and portable rocket launchers are positioned. These launchers are mostly aimed at Israel. It is also the location of the following important Iranian military and nuclear-related sites.

Isfahan: Iran’s largest nuclear research facility.

Natanz: Iran’s primary enrichment facility.

Bushehr: One of Iran’s nuclear reactors.

Shiraz: Iran’s special weapons and missile development facility.

These four sites are high-profile targets for Israel to strike. In fact, on April 19, 2024, Israel already conducted a limited drone attack at Isfahan.

“Israel Launches Drone Strikes Near Iranian Nuclear Facilities“

“On April 19 at approximately 3:00 AM local time the Israeli Defense Forces launched drone strikes on targets in and around the Iranian city of Isfahan.” (Military Watch Magazine – 4/19/24)[xix]

There is no evidence that Jeremiah’s Elam prophecy has found historical fulfillment, for which, in light of current events, makes this a potential prophecy to be on the lookout. The absence of historical proof is pointed out in my article available online entitled, “Has the Prophecy of Elam in Jeremiah 49:34-39 Been Historically Fulfilled?”

Thus, if the complete destruction of Elam has not happened historically, then logically this means the prophecies of Elam in Jeremiah 49:34-39 will take place sometime in the future. Who could God be so fiercely angry at now in modern-day Iran? Could it be the rogue Islamic regime who wants to wipe Israel off of the map using nuclear ballistic missiles?

In Jeremiah 49:35, God says He is going to bring about a great disaster in Western Iran. It causes a calamity that necessitates the worldwide dispersion of the indigenous population. Could this likely allude to a future great catastrophe in Iran that destroys their missile launching capabilities and some nuclear sites in the territory of Elam?

In these turbulent times, things are rapidly changing in the Middle East, making it difficult to predict the next major Mideast headline. Who would have thought the Assad regime would collapse so quickly.

Maybe Iran will negotiate another nuclear deal, or there might be a regime change in Iran, but for the menu of reasons identified in this article, it would be no surprise to see an Israeli pre-emptive strike upon Iran’s nuclear sites, and likely SOON!

For the studious readers, below are a few comments and quotes about these four strategic nuclear-related targets and their connections with ancient Elam.

Isfahan: Isfahan province is one of Iran’s 31 provinces. Isfahan or Espahan is the capital city in this province and is Iran’s third biggest city, hosting a population of about 1.5 million people. Below are a few quotes connecting Isfahan with the territory of Elam.

“Located in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, Isfahan is a city formed at a major crossroads of trans-Asia trade and military routes. As such, the city emerged gradually over the course of the Elamite civilization (2700 – 1600 BCE), though artifacts found at Isfahan date back to the Paleolithic period.” [xx]

“In the Pre-Islamic era, Isfahan was home to the settlement that developed into the Elamite civilization (2700 BC) and was the home of the Median dynasty until Cyrus the Great unified Persian and Median lands into the Achaemenid Empire ~ 600 BC.” [xxi]

Natanz: is also located in the Isfahan Province and is about seventy-five miles north of Isfahan, which is also in Elam.

Bushehr: is a province in Iran and is where Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor is located.

“The oldest evidence of settlement in Bushehr province dates back to the era of Elam (2700-539 B.C.), an ancient pre-Iranian civilization.” [xxii]

Shiraz: The city of Shiraz in the province of Fars. The quote below pinpoints Fars in Elam.

“The Elamites’ homeland is a region known as Khuzestan in southwestern Iran. The geographical and political center of most of Elamite history was the city of Susa and its surrounding environs. However, the region of Fars in the Zagros Mountains and Anshan were also considered part of historical Elam.” [xxiii]

For more information about this Jeremiah prophecy you can read about it in my book entitled, Nuclear Showdown in Iran, Revealing the Ancient Prophecy of Elam. This book also comes with a teaching DVD with the same name. These products are available at Amazon or our online store at www.prophecydepot.com

***

[i] JP article link: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-830231

[ii] JNS article link: https://www.jns.org/israel-destroyed-top-secret-iranian-nuclear-weapons-site/

[iii] Begin Doctrine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begin_Doctrine

[iv] Reuters quote: https://www.reuters.com/article/world/israels-netanyahu-says-will-not-allow-iran-to-obtain-nuclear-weapons-idUSKBN2BZ1GK/

[v] Radio Free Europe: https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-netanyahu-iran-nuclear/25123760.html

[vi] TOI: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-strike-on-iran-took-out-radar-sets-to-guide-ballistic-missiles-report/

[vii] WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-iran-plan-nuclear-weapons-def26f1d

[viii] NYP: https://nypost.com/2024/10/05/us-news/trump-urges-israel-to-take-out-iran-nuclear-facilities-rips-biden-for-urging-jewish-state-to-show-restraint/

[ix] TOI: https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-israel-thinks-trump-will-back-idf-strike-on-iran-nuke-program-or-order-us-hit/

[x] France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241209-iran-position-unprecedented-weakness-after-fall-of-assad-syria-proxies-hezbollah-middle-east

[xi] NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/world/middleeast/hezbollah-supply-route-syria.html

[xii] JP: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-828349

[xiii] FDD: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/09/11/israeli-defense-minister-says-hamas-destroyed-as-organized-fighting-force/

[xiv] The New Arab: https://www.newarab.com/news/palestinian-fighters-adopt-guerrilla-warfare-against-israel

[xv] AP: https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthis-yemen-gaza-war-1435d3ac2f16e2faed608fdb5a100e71

[xvi] Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-un-warns-houthis-risk-sharing-same-fate-hamas-hezbollah-2024-12-30/

[xvii] MEM: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241213-israel-destroys-85-of-syrias-air-defence-systems/

[xviii] Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-expands-weaponization-capabilities-critical-employing-nuclear-bomb

[xix] Military Watch Magazine: https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/israel-drone-iranian-nuclear-f14-base

[xx] Isfahan: https://www.archnet.org/authorities/3709

[xxi] Isfahan: https://persiannomad.wordpress.com/tag/history/

[xxii] Bushehr: https://www.persiaadvisor.com/about-persia/bushehr-province/#:~:text=The%20oldest%20evidence%20of%20settlement,an%20ancient%20pre%2DIranian%20civilization

[xxiii] Shiraz: https://www.dailyhistory.org/How_Did_the_Elamites_Become_a_Powerful_Bronze_Age_People

 

These Present Perilous Times

January 20, 2025 9:15 am / 10 Comments on These Present Perilous Times

In the imagination, the Apostle Paul could well have been sitting watching a heavenly jumbo screen of some sort while penning what has come to be recorded as 2 Timothy chapter 3:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was. (2 Timothy 3:1–9)

It does seem that Paul was permitted to look at some kind of prophecy jumbotron screen and see directly into this present hour. Certainly we’ve witnessed and/or endured much during these volatile times that we could use to make the case the great apostle’s words here project for our spiritual understanding of God’s dire prophecy for the end of the age.

Let’s have a brief look at some of this “perilous times” future wickedness Paul presents.

Here again I’m going to stay for the most part America-centric in considering Paul’s prophecy about these vexing days in which we find ourselves. That’s because this nation is the apex of all in recorded history, in terms of so-called civilization’s progress. God’s Word tells us that to those whom much is given, much is required.

Our nation has been materially blessed beyond all others of human history, and spiritually blessed beyond all but Israel. America’s responsibility to the God of Heaven is, I suspect, therefore held in Heaven’s most profound contempt for straying from His heavenly directives for conducting life on earth.

About these perilous times, Paul says the following:

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud…”

Social media frames this perilous-times characteristic as much as any that come to mind.

We start with the photo-taking phenomenon that arose quickly with the coming of the social-media platforms. The nation seems alive with the prideful sin of narcissism in this matter of taking one’s own picture for all the cyber-universe to “enjoy.”

Following hard on the heels of the selfie came the millions of autobiographical stories of the social-media users. These self-aggrandizing pieces, putting forth everything from personal wealth exaggeration to fabulous descriptions of many romantic and other adventures were and are mostly prevarication to the max.

America has led the way in all of this Hollywood-inspired hype. Those who watch the lives of the movie personalities and their fantasy world then mix and weave such reports within their own wannabe lives’ fictions to present throughout cyberspace.

The perilous aspect of all this is that it invades the very souls of men, women, and children, taking them far from reality, and particularly from the fact that they are, rather than perfect people, individuals who need a Savior from the sin that is carrying them down the broad way that leads to destruction.

“…blasphemers, disobedient to parents…”

God is blasphemed in this nation in that America has degenerated from a time–one in which I was raised—when Christian parents had their children in church and oversaw their teaching of God’s Word, to this current moment when the young are, in many cases, turned over to their devices. This parental failure instills in tender minds that they, under the tutelage of cyberspace inculcation, can determine their own course of life.

Whenever they are then confronted with a parental recall to reestablish control, the children rebel, resenting in the strongest terms their devices being restricted or taken away.

“…unthankful, unholy…”

Statistics from the Barna Group and other organizations show a turn from Christian concepts within the American family. Same goes for every other aspect of life in the nation. All we have to do is observe the daily news reports, even from within our own hometown news sources, to understand that we’re an unholy generation.

The Apostle Paul’s forewarning from God in Romans 1:28—to any people who turn their backs on God—rings an alarm for our nation today. It seems we’ve reached the point in many ways that show God is turning this generation over to a reprobate mind. (As evidence of the upside-down thinking, I offer the wokeness insanity we’ve lately been subjected to.)

“…without natural affection…”

This perilous-times characteristic is one I’ve covered many times in this column. My thoughts haven’t changed–because God doesn’t change.

Abortion–shedding the blood of the innocent—is a matter I believe angers God to the extent few other sins reach. The denial that life begins at conception is the lie from Satan for which the world is about to pay a tremendous, wrathful price, I’m convinced.

Abortion, in which a mother deliberately allows the murder of her child while in her womb, is at the very heart of Paul’s forewarning. It is an act “without natural affection,” as is homosexuality. I believe the Lord is going to display for the entire world to see exactly when life begins, in His holy view.

I believe every child will go to be with Christ when He calls in the Rapture—including each and every child just conceived.

Homosexuality is another characteristic Paul forewarned when he labeled it as being “without natural affection.”

Satan constantly strives to take humankind away from belief in God’s order of things. One is the lie that same-sex relations in the matter of sexual pursuit are every bit as legitimate as heterosexual relationships. Another is the insanity of reprobate thinking that people can be whatever gender they think they are, not the one God gave them at birth.

This is a generation steeped in that perilous-times characteristic “without natural affection.”

“…trucebreakers, false accusers…”

There is no better (or worse) example we could consider in thinking on this characteristic than the political process in America today.

Truce-breaking is at every level in this, perhaps the lowest-rated job endeavor in America. Traitorous politicians make and break “deals” without a moment’s concern for whom the action is harmful, whether to opponents or to friends, for that matter.

But it is the area of false accusations that stands out most egregiously in these times. All we have to do is consider the many lies told about former and future President Donald J. Trump to understand we are witnessing Paul’s end-times characteristic termed “false accusers.”

As a matter of fact, the false accusations have become so prolific that they’ve morphed into a malady that refers to a psychological disturbance. We all know about the “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

“…incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good…”

This characteristic can readily be understood in these end times. The word “incontinent” here can mean “addictive” or “in a state of agitation.” This is a precise picture of the tremendous use of illicit as well as prescription pharmaceuticals that saturates today’s American society and culture.

Many of those who exhibit this characteristic rage against those who want only a peaceful existence as they go about their lives. Christian values are particularly targeted by those who want no governance, especially not from the God of Heaven.

“…heady, highminded…”

There are perhaps many ways to look at this characteristic presented by the great apostle. However, I choose to assign this one in particular to American academia.

The colleges and universities of higher education have joined together to try to inculcate young adults to want to change this nation from its founding principles–principles that are influenced by God’s own hand in dealing with the founding fathers.

To paraphrase the Apostle Paul again, “Thinking themselves to be wise, they have become fools.”

Through denying the God of Creation, they teach anti-God, humanistic rebellion. Thereby they continue with the lies from Satan, the father of lies.

And it’s not only the higher institutions infected by the venom of rebellion. The public education system in America suffers this inculcation of evil at every level.

“…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

The one matter that stands out to me in this regard revolves around the churches in the nation that have defected from the true faith.

These have embraced the Sodom-like culture of this late, prophetic hour. They proclaim such lies as “the times have progressed,” thus making changes in order to accommodate is necessary to draw in and retain those who seek to know God.

The current pope, as a tremendously wicked example, proclaims there are many ways to God and eternal life. All religions, he has recently declared, have their route to salvation. He and those who teach this are calling the Lord Jesus Christ a liar.

Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father but by me.” (John 14: 6)

That you and I are within these perilous times at the precise moment prophesied for when Jesus calls all believers in the Rapture is abundantly clear. You don’t want to miss that call. To do so means you will endure the worst time of all human history, according to Christ Himself.

Here is how to instead go into the clouds of Glory to enjoy the wonders God has prepared for those who love Him.

That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10) 

Peace: Still the Mantra in 2025

January 19, 2025 9:13 am / 1 Comment on Peace: Still the Mantra in 2025

While thinking on the inauguration of the 47th president of the United States on this 20th day of January 2025, I reflect on things more than a decade earlier.

I wrote in January of 2010 the following. Peace is more than the absence of war in which blood is shed while weapons destroy and death tallies their toll. Peace is contentment, with prospects for a future free of worry that conflict will disrupt tranquility. There is neither contentment nor tranquility upon this fallen sphere:

Conflict is everywhere one looks. Unsettling issues assault the eyes and ears—the senses—of the world community. Anxieties and perplexities inundate societies and cultures, nations, and continents. The voices of humanity cry “Peace! Peace!” when there is no peace. As much as I would like to bring tidings of great joy—having just celebrated the birth of Christ—I cannot do so from the perspective of what is going on here on earth. The year 2010 just ahead looks bleak for a world of inhabitants who, by and large, reject the only One who can bring peace. The rejection portends the ascent of evil that is prophetically scheduled to grow worse, according to the apostle Paul: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).

That forecast certainly has proven accurate. But it is God’s prophetic Word, not this poor messenger’s predictive acumen, that made the 2010 prognostication an easy one. The times here at the beginning of 2025 have changed only in that the outlook for peace this darkening world seeks flees farther distant by the hour.

While seducers are on the scene in this generation at every level of human interaction, deadly conflict lurks just around the geopolitical corner in the region of planet earth foretold to be the host geographical area of man’s most horrific war. The prince of Persia foments rage against God’s chosen nation, inciting the likes of Iran’s Islamic leadership to create weapons that can destroy Israel, thus hoping to derail God’s prophetic plan to install the King of all kings upon the throne of David. Alliances form that make the wary student of Bible prophecy know that the prophet Ezekiel’s Gog-Magog coalition is coming together. One day the “evil thought” of Ezekiel 38:10 will come to a Russian leader’s mind. All hell will break loose in the most volatile region on earth.

Politicians in America and in other nations lie to their publics, promising resolution to civil and economic strife and perplexities that have no chance of improvement, based upon those leaderships’ self-serving motives and intentions. They seduce the publics they are supposed to serve, and instead rule with deluding words that flow from the mind of the great deceiver himself—the father of lies.

Religious leaders—even supposed Christian leaders—move their flocks in directions away from, not toward, the God of Heaven and His prescription for living a peaceful life on this ever-darkening planet. Indeed, the seducers of religiosity grow worse and worse, and the gospel light dims for America as it has been dimming for so long in Europe, out of which the American republic burst under God’s great providence.

Still, the self-delusion that man-made peace can prevail over this sin-blackened world persists. The cry for peace and safety is exponentially ratcheting up in the region prophesied to host the worst and final war of the age—Armageddon. That cry for peace and safety predicted to characterize the end of the age is front and center in today’s headlines.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly September 27, 2024, laid out the opposition to peace God’s chosen nation faces in this time so near the end of the age:

Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen, I didn’t intend to come here this year. My country is at war, fighting for its life.

But after I heard the lies and slanders leveled at my country by many of the speakers at this podium, I decided to come here and set the record straight. I decided to come here to speak for my people. To speak for my country, to speak for the truth. And here’s the truth: Israel seeks peace. Israel yearns for peace. Israel has made peace and will make peace again. Yet we face savage enemies who seek our annihilation, and we must defend ourselves against them.

These savage murderers, our enemies, seek not only to destroy us, but they seek to destroy our common civilization and return all of us to a dark age of tyranny and terror. When I spoke here last year, I said we face the same timeless choice that Moses put before the people of Israel thousands of years ago, as we were about to enter the Promised Land.

Moses told us that our actions would determine whether we bequeath to future generations a blessing or a curse.

And that is the choice we face today: the curse of Iran’s unremitting aggression or the blessing of a historic reconciliation between Arab and Jew.

But, that cry for peace isn’t working—not yet, anyway. One day the “prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:27) will confirm such a covenant of peace that will temporarily induce euphoria for a fearful world. But the present Israeli prime minister isn’t fooled into thinking such a covenant is at hand. His words haven’t changed since back in 2010. He said at that time: “There’s no more time for excuses. It is time for action.” Netanyahu also said that Israel’s most important challenge is Iran’s attempt to get nuclear weapons.

We have witnessed since that time now fifteen years ago not the trending toward peace between Israel and its enemies, but a severe ratcheting-up of terrorism and war-making. The Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023, have thrown fuel on the fire of Middle Eastern volatility.

Iran continues to be at the center of all of it, with the new president of the United States, as of today, January 20, 2025, promising quick and devastating action against Iran’s nuclear threat, and against the Hamas perpetrators of the most heinous evil against the Jewish state since Hitler’s holocaust.

All of this gloom for this new year is depressing, you say. What a downer to begin 2025! The hope in all of this is glorious beyond imagination, however. It is the “blessed hope” of Titus 2:13 who remains in complete control. For the student of Bible prophecy, whose Lord is the King of kings, all of the foreboding for this world that is passing away means Christ’s return to make all things right on planet earth must be near indeed. The Prince of Peace is about to intervene dramatically into the disastrous affairs of humanity.

Prophecy from Your Pulpit? Book a Lamb & Lion Evangelist!

January 17, 2025 7:37 am / Leave a comment

Pastors, would you like to hold a Bible prophecy conference or service at your church this year?

Our mission at Lamb & Lion Ministries is to proclaim the soon return of Jesus Christ. We do not believe it is possible to know the date when He will return, but the signs of the times indicate that we are living in that season. And, we believe when Christians become excited about Jesus’ return, they embrace a tremendous hope that motivates them to holy living and evangelism. We love to energize the Church with this hope and do so in a number of different ways.

For one, we’re primarily a television evangelism ministry whose program Christ in Prophecy is aired all over the world. Two, we write a lot about Bible prophecy in our books, and our magazine and blog. Three, we attempt to connect the younger generations to the Gospel through our short-form videos and digital media. And, four, we travel all over the world preaching the hope of Christ’s return at church services, Bible conferences, Israel tours, and webinars.

Pastors, would you like to plan a Bible prophecy conference at your church? We can help! Our evangelists can fit such a conference into Sunday services, over a weekend, or across several nights during the week. And, we can adjust the topics to the specialized interests of your congregation.

Our ministry has four outstanding teachers and preachers. One is Tim Moore, our Senior Evangelist and the host of Christ in Prophecy, and the other is Nathan Jones, our Internet Evangelist and co-host. Our team has two additional evangelists, Dave Bowen and Vic Batista. Our evangelists can speak on a wide variety of prophetic topics and use extensive PowerPoint presentations when speaking.

We are a faith ministry, so we have no fees for our services. We expect only that the church will cover our expenses and provide a love offering to Lamb & Lion Ministries.

We’re looking forward to sharing with you what the Bible calls that “blessed hope” about the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. So please, pastors, contact us and we’ll work together to set up a Sunday service or Bible conference at your church. Maranatha!

Rapture: Answering the Critics

January 13, 2025 8:06 am / 9 Comments on Rapture: Answering the Critics

Author’s note: This article was written a number of years ago. It is lengthy in comparison to articles normally presented in this forum. But the Rapture and God’s Word about that great event next on God’s prophetic timeline is of primary importance. Thus it is good to revisit this more in-depth treatment, which is meant answer all who dismiss this wonderful promise by our Lord to keep believers out of the time of history’s worst era, the Tribulation (Revelation 3:10).

Rapture: Answering the Critics

This generation is full of scoffers, mocking the prophesied return of Jesus Christ to earth. This is as the great Apostle Peter said it would be at the end of the Age of Grace (Church Age):

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:3–4)

God’s prophecies are 100 percent accurate, so it doesn’t surprise in the least that there is scoffing and mocking today, exactly as one of God’s prophets said there will be as time nears the Lord’s return. Many signals are occurring simultaneously, and with phenomenal frequency and intensity, pointing to where we are on God’s prophetic timeline. Chief among these are all of the geopolitical dynamic intrigues surrounding Israel–God’s prophetic timepiece. The sneering at the thought that there could possibly be a Rapture just throws fuel on the fire of the end-of-days deluge–the end that is coming in with a flood of last-days indicators as described by Daniel the prophet:

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. (Daniel 9:26)

Daniel was describing what would happen from the time the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would die for the sins of humankind, until the very end of human history at Armageddon. Great, convulsing, prophesied issues and events would, near the very end of the age, he said, gush through the generation alive at the time like a flood.

Daniel’s End-time Flood

One of those predicted events of the end-time flood is the level of anger that will be against believers who proclaim that one of the most stupendous events of all human history will one day–perhaps very soon—take millions upon millions from the earth’s surface in a fraction of a second.

We receive each week any number of emails declaring that the truth we champion regarding Bible doctrine and prophecies–particularly the pre-Trib Rapture of the Church—is everything from ludicrous to heretical. This criticism gets especially intense whenever the raptureready.com website is written of or spoken about in a major media outlet. That is to be expected, because there can be no spiritual discernment among the lost. Believers in Jesus Christ can understand, while those who do not belong to God’s family through belief in His Only Begotten Son cannot understand:

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:11–14)

Defense of Rapture to Lost and Saved

Trying to explain or defend the Rapture to the lost is, therefore, fruitless. There is just no way they can understand or believe this doctrine unless and until they repent, and ask for and accept God’s grace-gift offer of salvation through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross at Calvary nearly two millennia ago. We can go through the vast body of scriptural text, laying out the Bible facts, as we are confident God’s Word presents truth about the Rapture. But, unless and until one is capable of spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit, a person, no matter how intellectually brilliant, can never come to believe those facts. They might even understand the facts in a purely cerebral sense, but to the point of knowing the Rapture is a cataclysmic event in the future of one particular generation of earth’s inhabitants.

So, our efforts to explain the Rapture will meet with quite limited results, seeing as how there is a great spiritual-discernment disconnect when explaining to those who don’t know Christ for salvation. This we accept, thus can move ahead with limited frustration in putting the truth about prophecy and the Rapture before these as best we can.

Dealing with the Body of Christ–all born-again believers—is quite another thing, when it comes to our frustration meter. It becomes a bit more disconcerting when our efforts to put out truth about prophecy and the Rapture are met with the same arguments, no matter how thorough and cogently we organize and present what God’s Word has to tell His children about these matters.

Hard-shell Rapture Detractors

There are, of course, the die-hard Preterists (believing that most all prophecy has been completed or should be spiritualized) and the Reformed Replacement Theology enclaves (those who declare God’s promises have been taken from Israel and given to the Church). These make their livings throwing mudballs–usually with stones at the centers—at those of us who proclaim that Jesus will come for His Church BEFORE the Tribulation era–the last seven years of human history that culminates at Armageddon. These, who refuse to see two programs of God’s dealing with humankind, Israel, and the Church–these two dovetailing into one magnificent prophetic culmination—castigate us who believe God deals with humans dispensationally (the ages of Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, the Church, Tribulation, Millennium, etc.).

Sometimes, it seems fruitless to try to break through the thick spiritual iron wills of these. But, these are not the most troubling that seem to fit the 2 Peter 3:4 description, so far as scoffing is concerned.

More concerning are those who, despite being given, time after time, the same in-depth explanation from God’s Word about the pre-Trib Rapture, continue to come to us with the same arguments to the contrary. This, despite the fact that they visit the Rapture Ready website and can read over 15,000 articles on matters of God’s truth, many dealing specifically with eschatology.

These are Christians who just seem to have it in their determination that they must go through–endure—the Tribulation, about which Jesus said the following: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

The Tribulation, if we can imagine, will be worse than the concentration camps, torture chambers, crematoriums of Hitler, or the most terrible days of the inquisitions with all of the devilish methods of torture. Yet, there seems to be a need–they deludedly think—for some Christians to go through that time, during which Antichrist will do his dead-level best to kill every person who refuses to worship him.

Anti-Rapture Example

I’ve chose one letter from such a Christian. It is a simple and mild letter, no mudball throwing. But, it represents the most troubling of all of the critics of the Rapture of the Church, in my view, because it shows an almost willfulness against accepting God’s promises, summed up by this passage: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Here is what she wrote, in part.

I know that the Tribulation is going to be extremely bad and even worse than I can imagine but I sincerely believe I along with you and other Christians that are living at the time, will be going thru the bad. I am prepared mentally and will do whatever comes my way to either get thru or stand up and say no when needed. If I am one that is to [be] beheaded then so be it. I know GOD will be holding my hand and whatever comes my way, HE will see me thru. If I can be of any use to GOD to help save people then I am prepared to do as HE wants. I have many family members that are not believers now and pray daily that will change. I do believe that many souls will be saved. I know that I am a sinner and do not like verses of the Bible taken out of context. The whole book or at least the chapter needs to [be] read and understood not just a verse here and now to prove a theory that did not even come into being until a couple of hundred years ago.

How is every eye going to see JESUS return if HE comes back in secret. Just don’t believe any are going to be “raptured away.”

The Bible states that HEAVEN will be coming down here not us going up there.

Tragic Misconceptions Unscriptural

The Christian sister makes a number of statements of misconception that are dealt with through hundreds of the thousands of articles on the Rapture Ready website. This is my problem. Many criticisms of us who hold to the pre-Trib Rapture are issued by those who obviously have never mined the rich resources available before making their arguments.

She writes that she is sure she will be going through the Tribulation in order to stand for Christ and help God save people out of that horrendous time. She charges that she has disdain for those who twist Scripture out of context, with those (like us, I presume) using scattered and sporadic verses to make our points.

She, at the same time, provides no Scripture for any of her criticisms of the Rapture “theory,” as she puts it. However, most who make this charge do so, using passages from Revelation that they declare show saints in the middle of the Tribulation. Thus, they conclude, the Church is right there, taking the brunt of Antichrist’s rage and God’s wrath.

Dispensational Discernment Required

Indeed, believers will populate that era by the millions. It will, many who study that period believe, be a time of the greatest coming-to-Christ event in history.

What she–and the others—fail to recognize, or even consider, is that God deals with humanity, including His children, in dispensations. There are saints of the Church Age at present, and there will be saints during the Tribulation. Neither will be together in the same dispensation.

Jesus told us He would build His Church upon the gospel message the Apostle Peter had just given, telling Jesus that he believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God:

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:17–18)

Do you see that? The gates of Hell–Satan—will not prevail against the Church. That’s all about the Church Age saints.

The Revelation tells quite another story for God’s saints. The following is speaking, of course, about Satan’s great tyrant, Antichrist, during the Tribulation era: “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13:7).

The Church will not be “overcome” by Satan, because it won’t be here. The Tribulation saints (those who accept Christ after the Rapture) will be overcome to a large extent–lose their physical lives for the cause of Christ.

Myth-making against Rapture

Our Christian critic-friend proves she has at least done some study, but not from God’s Word. She has read the books and literature of those who incessantly and speciously claim that we who believe in the pre-Trib Rapture have learned our “false” doctrine from a nineteenth-century witch, who somehow influenced John Darby to later perpetrate the hated Rapture theory.

The most ludicrous of the criticisms is that we base our view that there will be a Rapture upon Margaret MacDonald’s vision in the 1800s. It makes me almost nauseous to have to even address this–for the thousandth time, when, if the critics would just read what is already written on the subject on the site, it should quell their proclivity to make such ridiculous claims. But, I will briefly answer again, these who are so intellectually and spiritually lazy.

The Rapture, the catching up (harpazo) was revealed by Paul the Apostle. It is a mystery he gave us through Holy Spirit inspiration, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:51–55 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.

The Rapture was not the concoction of John Darby, who picked up this teaching and gave it improved order of presentation centuries after the doctrine was believed and taught by the early church fathers (in the first two centuries AD.)

The Rapture isn’t built on one or two verses, but on an entire body of Scripture. When viewed in totality, and in context, the doctrine flows with prophetic signals we observe occurring in the world today—i.e., the world isn’t getting better and better, as the Kingdom Now people believe (that the Church will make the world better until Christ can return to set up His throne). The pre-Trib Rapture view puts forward that the world will grow worse and worse. The Church will be removed from earth, then God’s judgment will begin to fall on rebellious earth-dwellers.

Which do we see happening today? The world getting better and better? Or are things looking worse and worse? Read the daily headlines or watch the hourly news, and you will have your answer.

Two Phases of Second Coming

Again, Paul shows us the mystery; he reveals the mystery of the Rapture in 1 Corinthians 15:51–55. The mystery he is expanding upon is the wonderful promise Jesus made in John 14:1–3. Jesus is coming for us—before God’s wrath must fall.

A foreshadowing of that principle is seen in Genesis 19, when God said He could do nothing in the way of sending judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah until Lot was first removed. Lot represented the only righteousness God recognized. It was Lot’s faith—as puny as it was—that kept him and the other few believers of his family from the time of God’s wrath (again, Revelation 3:10).

Our critic asks how all eyes can see Christ return if He comes secretly in some Rapture.

She declares she just doesn’t believe anyone is going to be raptured away, and she states Christ will be coming down to earth, rather than Christians going up to Him.

Again, she and those who fill her head with anti-Rapture rhetoric fail to (or willfully refuse to) see God’s dispensations in dealing with humanity. In the case of the return of Christ, Scripture makes it clear there are two separate returns at least seven years apart.

Jesus will return at some unknown time in the Rapture. He likens that coming to a thief-in-the-night experience for those on earth. They won’t know what has happened, and they certainly won’t see Christ. Paul says it is a moment in time when all believers (the Church) will meet Jesus in the air:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)

Jesus will come the second time, following at least seven earth years, at the close of the Tribulation era, known also as “Daniel’s seventieth week.” This time He will come all the way to the planet, and every eye will behold Him.

There will be absolutely no doubt about this re-entry and landing:

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:11–15)

Scriptural Proof Required

As stated before, each of these things intended to deny the validity and credence of pre-Trib Rapture are dealt with at great length, and in tremendous depth, throughout the Rapture Ready website. All opposing views are carefully dissected, and with Scripture given at every point along the way in addressing any and every question. But, it DOES take determined research to seek out truth found in the articles–truth that is God’s Word, not merely ours.

And, here is the crux of this dear lady’s problem in not discerning truth about Christ’s coming for the Church–for her. She presents not one Bible verse to back up any of her assertions, declarations, or suppositions/postulations. She simply parrots things critical of the Rapture doctrine she has read or heard from those who mock, without anything of spiritual substance to back the criticisms.

My intention is not to pick on her. I want only to use her method of criticism–a method used in almost every instance by those who listen to the anti-Rapture crowd—as an example to show there is no foundation to the denial that the Rapture is a doctrine taught in God’s Word.

This is our answer to such critics. Study the Word of God. Make your criticisms from His Word–as the dear woman says—not from just a verse or two here or there, but from the whole context of the matter, whatever the matter happens to be.

I’ve studied most all of the positions and variations involved in these arguments for decades—which gives away my age, I guess. The pre-Trib view of prophecy is absolutely the only one that makes sense in the totality of scriptural context, and in terms of what we see unfolding today in geopolitics, global socioeconomics, and religion.

Salvation–Rapture Inseparable

The Rapture is an issue incontrovertibly linked to salvation—something Jesus did on the cross, which puts us in God’s family, when we truly believe. That faith keeps us from the time of God’s wrath—both in the coming Tribulation and in eternity. Wrath and judgment must fall upon rebellious humankind because of sin. Jesus paid the price for that sin. He said on the cross, “It is finished.” Sin was forever paid for at that moment, for those who would accept his sacrifice—the only sacrifice God will accept—the precious blood of His Blessed Son.

We are told we as Christians, while in the flesh, will have tribulations (troubles). Certainly Christians have had troubles down through the years. Persecutions—genocide, martyrdom, etc. These horrors are still happening in some places around the world. But, this was not, and is not, God’s wrath and judgment, but was, and is, satanic rage against God’s people. The Tribulation will include satanic rage, but it will be within the horrific storm of God’s wrath and judgment.

Christians (those who have been—as our critic says—saved following the Rapture) will certainly suffer satanic rage, but not God’s wrath. Many will be martyred, as in the times of the early persecutions—like Christians are being martyred in some nations today. But, we are told that we (Paul denotes the difference between Christians of the Church Age and those who aren’t in God’s family by the use of pronouns) aren’t appointed to wrath, but to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are told by Paul to “comfort one another with these words.” We’re not to fear, but to comfort. (Read 1 Thessalonians 4:18 and 5:9–11.)

We will be kept out of “the time of testing” (the apocalypse or Tribulation), John was told by Jesus (Revelation 3:10).

Rapture Ready or Not…

Now, you might not agree, and that’s fine. If you know Christ, you are going instantly to Him anyway, when Jesus says “Come up hither,” as He did to John (Revelation 4:1–2). You will have no other choice, if you are in God’s family.

But, please don’t ever think—or claim—that there is only scattered verses here and there, or that there is no tremendously deep body of scriptural evidence and proofs beneath the truth of the pre-Trib Rapture.

Again, you can disagree, but, please don’t accuse us of not knowing about the other views, and, don’t just blindly accept what opponents falsely say when they lie, proclaiming that we just believe in something a nineteenth-century Englishman said, or that we follow some woman who dabbled in the occult. That isn’t true, and you should look more deeply into the evidence upon which we base these understandings than just to take the word of those who make such shallow and deceptive accusations.

Put this Scripture in a place where you can memorize it–and make it your model truth for avoiding the pitfalls of intellectual and scriptural laziness.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Huckabee and Profound Prophetic Appointments

January 12, 2025 8:03 am / 10 Comments on Huckabee and Profound Prophetic Appointments

Margaret and I were leaving Highland Heights Baptist Church after a Sunday service sometime in the 1980s. As we turned to trek down the side of the church on the road leading to the parking lot, I heard the voice: “Terry! You and Margaret come here. I want to introduce you to Mike Huckabee.”

It was our pastor, Robert McDaniel, who was standing near the frontage road talking with Mike Huckabee, who had delivered the sermon that morning as a guest speaker.

“Mike is running for lieutenant governor,” the pastor said. “I wanted you to meet him and shake hands with him.”

We did so, and spent a few minutes in pleasantries, with my thanking him for his sermon.

Little did I imagine Mr. Huckabee would achieve the level of national and international prominence the Lord chose for him, of course.

He was, and remains, the personification of a Christian gentleman, according to all I have known from reports all these years. This, despite his being engaged in the rough-and-tumble (some would say “wicked”) business of political warfare in our state of Arkansas and in the nation.

There were many in the Christian community in those days when Mike ran for lieutenant governor and later for governor who either questioned a Baptist preacher becoming intertwined with the often nefarious art of politics, or who adamantly opposed such engagement by a Baptist preacher.

I, myself, remember asking why a Baptist preacher would want to become a part of the politicking in our state and nation.

My question has since been answered in my spirit. The Lord has had his hand on Mr. Huckabee–as well as on his daughter, Sarah, who was a youngster when Margaret and I shook hands with her father. She, of course, became President Trump’s press spokesperson and is now governor of Arkansas.

Mike, of course, ran for president, and he and the rest of the GOP field were defeated by one Donald J. Trump. Trump went on then to be elected president in defeating another who was once part of Arkansas government–Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton’s First Lady when he was governor here, and, later, when he was president of the United States.

The 2016 election was, as we recall, a complete surprise to many–especially to the Hillary Clinton presidential-aspiration camp. The shock of that victory continues to reverberate with wave after wave of political and cultural impact.

Point is that God’s mighty hand continues to be on display as He restrains evil, has that “wickedness in high places” in derision, and especially as He brings all into focus for the prophesied wind-up of this Church Age (Age of Grace).

To those who observe developments through the prism of Bible prophecy, no instance of God’s great hand of providential direction and control is more profound than the dynamics involving Israel taking place at present.

We’ve seen God moving powerfully since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Remember, for example, the strategic brilliance employed by the IDF in the exploding of communications devices, killing many enemy terrorists in the process. We who believe Israel’s God neither slumbers nor sleeps know this seeming miraculous action was orchestrated by Heaven, while the Supreme Maestro, Israel’s God, continues to direct the prophetic stage-setting.

That same Supreme Maestro has placed in the president-elect’s mind, I’m convinced, to appoint Mike Huckabee to be the next ambassador to God’s chosen nation. Here is a news brief framing that appointment.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be ambassador to Israel, has long rejected a Palestinian state in territory previously seized by Israel and has repeatedly signaled his staunch support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Huckabee, a former TV host and Baptist preacher, frequently visits Israel and once said he wanted to buy a holiday home there. He has maintained throughout the years that the West Bank belongs to Israel, and recently said “the title deed was given by God to Abraham and to his heirs.”

His argument for a so-called “one-state solution” contradicts longstanding official U.S. support for the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state.

He has described the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas as “horrific” and “beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime” and argued that the U.S. needs to stand firmly behind Israel. (“Trump picks Mike Huckabee to serve as US ambassador to Israel,” AP News, Adriana Gomez Licon, November 13, 2024)

The most important thing about Trump choosing Mr. Huckabee is not that a Baptist preacher will be in the position to wholeheartedly bring America’s full support to God’s chosen nation. Even more profound is that he will have this president’s ear in such an influential way.

This message isn’t only for Mike Huckabee. I want to implore others as well who have Donald J. Trump’s ear. That is, I implore other godly men to advise without reservation as Mr. Trump performs the duties God has appointed him to carry out. That is a main reason they’ve been placed by the God of Heaven into the pathway of this unusual man who will soon again be the most powerful human leader on planet Earth.

God’s men who have this president’s ear, such as John Hagee and Robert Jeffress, have, like Mike Huckabee, a responsibility to inform the president, at every opportunity, about Heaven’s ultimate control over things at this prophetic hour. Your advice in that Holy Spirit sense, gentlemen, is far beyond the Senate’s “advice and consent authority” under America’s constitutional prerogative. Please do not shirk that great responsibility.

Third interview – Lt. Col Robert Maginnis with SkyWatch TV  

January 11, 2025 8:18 am / 12 Comments on Third interview – Lt. Col Robert Maginnis with SkyWatch TV  

Don’t miss this third interview on SkyWatch TV as Col Maginnis and Joe Horn and others discuss Bob’s intriguing insider look at where America stands in today’s geopolitical positioning. –A crucial perspective as we consider God’s Prophetic Timeline in the days just ahead. –Terry James

Are we headed toward WWIII?

Damascus, Drones, And Scandal: An End Of The Year No One Could Have Anticipated :: By Jan Markell

January 6, 2025 2:50 pm / 4 Comments on Damascus, Drones, And Scandal: An End Of The Year No One Could Have Anticipated :: By Jan Markell

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As we head into the new year, several stories transpired at the end of 2024 that we weren’t expecting. The world watched in disbelief as the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which had ruled Syria for over five decades, collapsed in a shockingly rapid and dramatic turn of events. Rebel forces, a coalition of various terror groups united in their goal to overthrow the dictator, stormed the capital, Damascus, and declared the city and country “liberated.”

Several governments have fallen into ruin in the region in recent years including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. Hamas and Hezbollah terror groups have been decimated thanks to Israel. Now Syria has fallen as well, but when evil replaces evil, only more horror follows—unless the region is being primed for stability. Unless the residents are being primed for a savior of sorts.

Here is the take away: The region needs a peace maker. The question on the mind of prophecy watchers is this: With the new Trump administration, is a new level of peace negotiations in that region on the horizon? And could this lead to the ultimate peace deal of Daniel 9:27?

If the church were to be removed in the rapture, would it not be timely for the Antichrist to arise and heal the Middle East—and then the world?

The collapse of the Syrian government and the end of Bashar al-Assad’s regime is not only a geo-political turning point, but could be a moment of profound prophetic significance in light of Isaiah 17.

The passage in Isaiah describes an utter obliteration of Damascus—something that only nuclear weapons could bring about, probably in the campaign of Armageddon. But keep your eyes on this scenario in the new year. And pray without ceasing for Syria’s many Christians—of all denominations. Syria’s “liberators” have their sights on anything and anyone Christian.

For believers who examine global events through the lens of Scripture, the situation in Syria requires serious attention.

Wolves Among the Flock—Again

Late in 2024, a Daystar executive was accused of child sexual abuse and another scandal exploded onto the scene. The details are horrific and we will spare you from them, but Christians, once again, shamed the name of Jesus Christ and further tarnished Christian media.

The network features a few sound ministries that provide moments of escape from the endless hours of heresy, prosperity teachers, hucksters, and fraudsters. When the root of such calamities is the love of money and earthly pleasure, mankind can sink to new lows as evidenced in the details of this story.

But ultimately, more wolves among the flock were exposed. We haven’t seen the end of this yet. It would be good if Christians turned off these outfits and opened their Bibles instead.

Strange Signs in the Heavens

I’m referring to the citing of mysterious drones all over America in late 2024! How bizarre. The Biden spokesmen played dumb—nothing new for them. What could potentially be more evil than eyes in the sky watching our every move? And, over some sensitive areas!

One compelling theory gaining traction and spreading rapidly across the web involves the use of these drones as sophisticated nuclear radiation detectors. Aerospace expert John Ferguson, founder of Saxon Aerospace, suggests the drones’ flight patterns and nighttime operations could indicate missions to detect gamma radiation or other hazardous materials.

Senior Biden administration officials, including representatives from the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Security Council, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense all wanted to play this down! Even though they’re peering into your attic window and back yard!

Conclusion: Government thinks we are stupid sheeple who fall for anything, and that is why Americans said “enough” last election day and chose to change the channel!

The Jeremiah of Our Time Passes

That is the title Time Magazine gave author and prophecy scholar Hal Lindsey, who passed away November 25. We weren’t expecting it, but Hal was 95 years old. His classic book, The Late Great Planet Earth, sold 35 million copies and strongly influenced so many, including this author.

Once Hal opened the door for end-time discussion, two-dozen writers followed him, including Chuck Missler, Tim LaHaye, Dave Hunt, Ron Rhodes, and many more. Publishers were eager to help readers understand how the last days played out due to the success of Lindsey’s first book.

Olive Tree Ministries brought Lindsey to the Twin Cities in 2004 and 2005. He was a bit eccentric but many of us are more than thankful that he impacted our lives. None of these stories were anticipated in 2024. I can’t imagine the surprises that are coming in 2025!

Jan Markell is an author, speaker, host of Understanding the Times radio heard on over 1,000 stations across America, and the Founder and President of Olive Tree Ministries.

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