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Book Review God’s Plan for Heaven, Eternity…Explained :: By David Cogburn

CogburnGod’s Plan for Heaven, Eternity, & the Universe Explained – Conversational Style

Book review by Terry James

Dave’s book is not a new title, but it is new in the sense that it presents greatly expanded Bible truth and helps for Christian living from the original volume. My endorsement for that first edition reads as follows.

Dave Cogburn’s book, God’s Plan for Heaven, Eternity, & the Universe Explained, is a volume I believe is most timely.

By that I mean that this generation, faced by challenges of every sort, from cultural confusion to technological temptations, needs to be turned back toward God’s prescription for living life as it should be lived.

The author has spoken in simple, entertaining style, yet in firm terminology that gives wise direction to the young in particular. But it is a book for all who want to understand how to have an intimate, personal relationship with God now and forever.

I give it a thumbs-up in every sense.

This just-released edition warrants even more effusive praise. I’m most pleased to give it great applause –and recommend it highly to you, the reader.

The title of this book, God’s Plan for Heaven, Eternity, & the Universe Explained – Conversational Style is exactly that. This book, in its new format, summarizes God’s plan in an easy-to-read manner (a relaxed, conversational style) and will help you understand it from the beginning of creation to when the human race is over and everyone is living in eternity with God or separated from God. It reduces God’s plan for humankind from a one-year Bible reading plan to a three-to-four-hour “enlightening” reading plan.

The only thing that truly matters for every human being is eternity, and all of God’s plan is about how to know Him and spend it with Him.

I find Dave’s book superbly unique. It is written for everyone, from people with no Bible knowledge to those with some Bible knowledge—and even biblical scholars will learn things most have never considered before, such as why God created the universe.

Dave Cogburn says there is a definitive reason with which he has never seen anyone disagree. And he goes on to make his case in fine fashion. He says also that most people are aware of what the Rapture is but are unaware of the hidden “STORY” behind it. This story alone, he says, is God’s masterpiece on how His whole plan for humankind will unfold. It is, he declares further, the most awe-inspiring story in the Bible, which culminates with God’s greatest miraculous event in human history. It is, Dave says, “time” for Christianity, and even the world, to marvel at its revelation.

The author also shows the piece de resistance biblical truth most of Christianity “stays away from.”

He relates that God created human beings perfect, but knowing we would sin against Him from the very beginning and be born with a sin nature is the greatest thing God has ever done or will ever do in all of eternity. At the end, the author lets you, the reader, prove that great truth!

This book will help you understand not only what God has done in His plan, but, more importantly, why He has done it that way. It answers life’s most important questions, such as: Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? Why did God create us in the first place? What is the real meaning of being created in God’s image?” It is the “secret” to everything in God’s plan.

Many of you suspect we are living in the end times just before the Rapture, followed by the Tribulation and Jesus’ Second Coming. Dave Cogburn shows why it is our generation that should experience that return, and how close we are to it.

The author looks deeply into God’s plan for His domain in Heaven, eternity, and the universe and finds that it consists of a lot more than the obvious. He presents that Heaven has a transitional destiny many people aren’t aware of. Eternity, he says, is a lot more than most people think. Its revelation makes manifest how you will never look at sin in the same way again. Understanding why God created the universe and how He uses it in His plan helps bring a new perspective to its existence.

Dave hopes to help the reader learn how these three areas of God’s domain are a paradigm shift.

Today, we live in a society that seeks instant gratification, instant information, and instant knowledge. Prepare your eyes, your mind, and possibly even your heart to experience God’s biblical truth in a way that “embraces” that expectation.

This book is a short journey filled with wondrous biblical intrigue that can ignite a new understanding and enthusiasm to learn what God’s plan is all about. Welcome to God’s Plan for Heaven, Eternity, & the Universe Explained – Conversational Style.

I still give it a thumbs-up in every sense. No. Make that two thumbs up!

God’s Plan for Heaven, Eternity, & the Universe Explained – Conversational Style

Author: Dave Cogburn

Order here: AMAZON

Bulletin: Transformed America

During the last days of the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama stated: “We are just a few days from fundamentally transforming America.” Some 8 years later, he said when time to leave the presidency that he would like to just run the country in his sweats from his basement and let somebody be the front person as president. As of Thursday, May 30, 2024, I believe he just might have achieved both objectives.

America was changed that evening from a republic Benjamin Franklin said the founders had given us, if we could keep it, to a third world-type nation Franklin and the others intended to prevent –at the cost of their lives in many cases. The illegal lawfare, as the war against the constitutionally mandated Justice system has been termed, perpetrated by deep state, struck at the heart of this nation once called “the shining light on the hill.”

The actual power behind this perpetration of destroying the republic, the apex bastion preventing worldwide tyranny, is God’s chief nemesis. Lucifer, that old serpent Satan, pulls the strings and pulls and pushes the levers from somewhere in that basement abyss of wickedness.

The real travesty isn’t all the wrongs visited upon Donald J. Trump since he came down the escalator. He is merely the singular figure we can look at to understand Satan’s working out his plan to bring about the hellish regime of his son of perdition.

We watched as if it were all of the hounds of Hades descending upon this one person once he announced his candidacy for the presidency in 2016. His call was to Make America Great Again. The opposition from every quarter began an assault unlike anything seen in the American political process, already a cesspool, correctly called the Swamp.

Trump endured 24/7 attacks from the Democrat Party, the mainstream news, Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and the so-called deep state (all national and international intelligence people that are totally sold out to Satan’s Ephesians 6:12 globalist cabal. Additionally, he was assaulted by those within his own political party whose fortunes are made and maintained through the Swamp’s money-manufacturing machine.

And those mentioned continued to slam at him while he was president. They have ratcheted up those attacks in recent weeks and days. So much so that they have, through uncounted illegal means and unconstitutional methodologies, managed to get him convicted of crimes that don’t exist.

And the news minions can only parrot the Ephesians 6: 12 lying rant that it is Trump and his ilk that are destroying democracy –that are destroying America. All the while, these wicked in the high places are doing the destroying of the republic.

The dark reverse in direction from truth, justice, and the American way was sensed by many millions, not just by Christians or by Trump supporters on Thursday, May 30, when the verdict of “guilty” on all 34 of the phony charges was announced.

The minions seem to have everything going their way, with the chief nation that has stood against global control by them having apparently been rendered unable to resist them.

To make even clearer where all this is going, we consider that June 1 begins Gay Pride Month, an evil from the deepest reaches of that basement abyss of Luciferian control. The LGBTQ, etc., emerge as if from some labyrinthian portal to turn America and, in effect, the entire world into the generation of earth dwellers described by Jesus as living in times “as it was in the days of Lot.”

It is during this time that the Lord said He will next catastrophically intervene into the wicked affairs of mankind. We are most certainly living presently during that time according to every rubric that defines end times.

While the minions within the globalists’ tyrannical high places plot and achieve the quenching of America’s shining light on the hill of human government, Satan’s plot thickens against God’s chosen nation.

Israel, as anyone paying attention knows, is being barraged with hatred from every quarter. The Jewish people were murdered, raped, and tortured in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Yet it is the Jewish people and the Jewish state who are hated and accused of genocide against the very people who voted to be ruled by the Hamas beasts.

The nations of the world are pointing the satanic finger of accusation at Israel. They are demanding that the nation stop the war to destroy the terrorist forces that perpetrated the most deadly acts on Jews since Hitler’s holocaust. Most every nation on earth –including many of the West—are demanding that there be a Palestinian state in the land God promised Israel through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is clearly prophecy for the last days in stage-setting for fulfillment. Zechariah chapter 12 and Joel 3:2 are materializing as we look at the hourly news developments.

The fundamental transformation of America is in process technologically. Artificial Intelligence (AI), which can also be called Antichrist’s Intelligence because the one called the beast will use it in the cruelest of ways, is developing exponentially. Transgender evil and transhuman experimentation and implementation are making strides in attempts to change God’s Order in the most diabolical of ways. The very youngest among humankind are more and more the victims of such horrendous activity.

I am convicted with all that is within my spirit that the God of Heaven has about reached the end of His Holy Patience. Things observed through Holy Spirit-controlled senses, with belief in God’s Prophetic Word at the center of the process, cannot help but come to the Truth of the matters involved. Everything of prophetic import seems to be coming to a head. This world is about to experience a transformation exceedingly more profound than the transformation Barack Obama has seemingly accomplished while wearing sweats in his basement lair.

Jesus Promises: “And when you see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head; for your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).

Deafening Silence! :: By Jan Markell

A ministry supporter in Washington State a few years ago, sent me a flyer that was handed out in his church. It is more mocking. The flyer asks if folks have met “End-Times Eddie” in the church. It denigrates “Eddie” and suggests he is so focused on end-times that he has missed all the present opportunities and people in front of him.

“Eddie” is gloom and doom. Why isn’t he looking for Jesus to bring Heaven to earth right now they ask?

Then, the flyer suggests some questions for the church’s small groups. Here are a few samples:

  • What are your emotions when you encounter “End-Times Eddie”?
  • Is the last days’ message one of hope or fear?
  • Jesus told us to pray for “your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. “What does Heaven on Earth look like today?
  • Who in your life needs Heaven to come to earth right now?

Two things stand out to me:

1) Here is just one more church preaching, “Come, Lord Jesus, but not too soon.”

2) They have embraced the false teaching promoted heavily by the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) that we can have Heaven on earth now. This is called Kingdom Now or Dominion Theology.

Show me just one square mile of this planet that can demonstrate a Garden of Eden-like Heaven on Earth. You will find only chaos. And the church trying to perfect the world for the next one million years won’t fix it.

Those of us who have promoted the important message that the King is coming are painfully aware that young believers no longer uphold Bible prophecy as a key component of the faith. They would rather focus on social justice, the green agenda, and Christian Palestinianism.

When I was a teenager in my church, we had regular prophecy conferences and I never once heard that Israel was “occupying” her God-given country. I never would have heard the denigrating title of “End-Times Eddie.”

I was never taught that we had to “save the planet” because I learned that it was hopelessly lost until Christ’s return. I was never given the delusional teaching that, in time, my church would be able to “save the planet” by seizing the Genesis mandate of dominion — which is about dominion over animals and not mankind.

Kingdom Now or Dominion Theology tries to humanize God and deify man. Sadly, the world will continue to deteriorate and spiral into chaos, forcing man to consider the hope of Heaven and abandon thoughts of a glorified earth. Only when Jesus Christ returns at the Second Coming will all things be made new!

The church is not in the business of taking anything away from Satan but the souls of men. The world is a sinking Titanic ripe for judgment, not Garden of Eden perfection. Jesus will take dominion of the cleansed earth. For men to speak of doing that before the judgment of this earth is spiritually arrogant.

Yet “End-Times Eddie” is the one with unsound theology according to the Washington church, not those preaching this unsound theology that the church can perfect the world.

One of my conference attendees wrote me recently. He had been tagged an “End-Times Eddie.” He writes, “I no longer feel safe talking about the issues you deal with in your ministry. I am scorned and ridiculed by friends, family, and co-workers if I talk about the Lord’s imminent return or any prominent headline. To suggest that life, as we know it may end soon, is simply the ultimate in lunacy to all of these folks. I feel so alone.”

David Barnhart once wrote in his magazine Vine and Branches, “God’s prophetic clock is counting down to the appointed hour. If you don’t believe it, listen to the latest news reports or read the paper. Scriptures are replete with signs, prophecies, and promises of Christ’s return.”

He continues, “The signs are everywhere, yet the silence of the churches is deafening when it comes to proclaiming this vital truth of Scripture. Slumbering preachers and sleeping saints need to wake up to the reality that the King is coming and His coming may be sooner than any of us realize.”

Bible prophecy is given as a light shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19). Talking about it should not instill fear in the Christian; rather, provide confirmation that the “blessed hope” is ever nearer and the time ever shorter to snatch people from the fire.

There are many “End-Time Eddies” around. May their numbers increase. May our pulpits grow bolder and talk about things that really matter. Our message is hardly doom and gloom. It may be about the only good news left. The supposed ‘good news’ that we’re taking the planet back to the Garden of Eden isn’t the truth — it’s an end-time delusion.

I’m honored to be among the “End-Times Eddie” crowd. I’ve got the best news there is. This world isn’t it. God believed the topic of eschatology was so important that He devoted one book exclusively to it: Revelation. Almost 30% of the Bible is prophecy-focused.

This message, when coupled with warnings, encourages evangelism and repentance like no other. So, I’m looking up because the King is coming, perhaps even today.

And today we celebrate #76 for Israel – her re-birth 76 years ago today. She’s not the miracle of the 21st Century. She’s the miracle of all time! If God says He will do it, He does! He’s a covenant keeper.

Pakistan Ministry Update

Dear Brother Terry & all supporters,

Good Morning!

 I am writing to you with a heart full of gratitude and thanks, not only to you but to all our beloved brothers and sisters who have generously contributed their financial gifts to print and distribute “Prophecy Power” in Urdu language.

This unwavering support and dedication to spreading the message of faith and hope have been a source of inspiration for me and countless others. Your commitment to this project has truly made an unbelievable difference in the lives of many, and I am deeply grateful for your partnership in this endeavor.

I cannot express enough how much your generosity means to me. Your willingness to give of your time, energy, and finances to ensure that the message of “Prophecy Power” reaches souls in Urdu-speaking communities is a testament to your love for our Lord Jesus Christ and your passion for His kingdom.

I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our beloved Pastors, Evangelists as well as all brothers and sisters who have contributed their gifts to make this project possible. Your generosity has made it possible for us to print and distribute “Prophecy Power” in Urdu, a language that holds great significance for many souls longing to hear the prophetic message of our Lord’s imminent return.

Indeed, this message is preparing souls for the glorious day when our Lord Jesus Christ will return to this planet earth to collect His Blood-bought people from every corner of the earth. Your support in printing and distributing this message in Urdu is playing a vital role in fulfilling the Great Commission and bringing hope to those who are eagerly awaiting His return.

As we continue to work together in spreading the message of faith and prophecy, may the Lord bless you all abundantly for your selfless dedication and may He use “Prophecy Power” in Urdu to touch the hearts and souls of many, leading them into a deeper relationship with Him.

Once again, from the depths of my heart, thank you, Terry, my dear friend and most loving brother, and thank you to all our beloved brothers and sisters, for your incredible generosity and support. May the Lord continue to guide and bless you in all your endeavors.

In Christ’s unfailing love,

Rev. Anil Jasper

Pakistani Book Funding Update from Terry James

Again, I thank each and every one who has donated to the fund to reprint and continue distribution of “Prophecy Power: Strength From God to Face Your Future” in Pakistan. The great, Heavenly things the Lord is doing through your generosity can only be fully Calculated and Accounted when we stand before Him in Glory some Eternal Day.

Anil, the Pakistani pastor and evangelist, now, thanks to you, has in his hands a new supply of the book he so faithfully translated into his Urdu language – thus to use it to help give his people the Message that Jesus Saves.

Again, I remind that I have received help from friends who have worked to make it possible to take donations with credit cards, and, at the same time, assure that money sent is tax deductible.

Your support goes through a church ministry dedicated to making donations easily and securely in every way. This church retains no funds, but sends the entire amount of the donation. The funding process relays all funds directly to me so I can appropriately distribute them to Anil’s book ministry.

Again, thanks so much to you, our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, who care so deeply about those in this religiously dark region of the world and wish to reach them for our Lord.

You can also send checks, and they will be handled in the same secure way as credit card donations. You will receive an acknowledgment that you can use as evidence of your gift.

Here is how to donate:

By Check:

Make your check payable to Redeemed Life Church
On the memo line, write “Terry James Pakistan Ministry Book Fund”

Mail to:

Redeemed Life Church
405 N. Azusa Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702

By Credit Card:

Go to this link:

Give to Redeemed Life Church
pushpay.com

Or type in this link:

https://pushpay.com/g/redeemed

Write the amount you want to give at the top.
Select “Give one time.”
Select today’s date.
Under “Giving Type,” select “Offerings.”
In the “Memo” box, write “Terry James Pakistan Ministry Book Fund.”

Pakistani Book Funding Update from Terry James

First and foremost, I thank each and every one who has already donated to the fund to reprint and continue distribution of “Prophecy Power: Strength From God to Face Your Future.” The great, Heavenly things the Lord will do through your generosity can only be fully Calculated and Accounted when we stand before Him in Glory some Eternal Day.

Anil, the Pakistani pastor and evangelist, is excited to know he will soon have in his hands a new supply of the book he so faithfully translated into his Urdu language – thus to use it to help give his people the Message that Jesus Saves. We hope to get your generous support on its way very shortly.

In the meantime, I have received help from friends who have worked to make it possible to take donations with credit cards and ensure that money sent is tax deductible.

Your support will go through a church ministry dedicated to making donations easily and securely in every way. This church retains no funds but sends the entire amount of the donation. The funding process will relay all funds directly to me so I can appropriately distribute to Anil’s book ministry.

Again, thanks so much to you, our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, who care so deeply about those in this religiously dark region of the world and wish to reach them for our Lord.

You can also send checks, and they will be handled in the same secure way as credit card donations. You will receive an acknowledgment that you can use as evidence of your gift.

Here is how to donate:

By credit card:

Go to this link:

Give to Redeemed Life Church
pushpay.com

Or type in this link:

https://pushpay.com/g/redeemed

Write the amount you want to give at the top.
Select “Give one time.”
Select today’s date.
Under “Giving Type,” select “Offerings.”
In the “Memo” box, write “Terry James Pakistan Ministry Book Fund.”

By check:

Make your check payable to
Redeemed Life Church
On the memo line, write “Terry James Pakistan Ministry Book Fund.”
Mail to:

Redeemed Life Church
405 N. Azusa Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702

We Are Under Siege Like Never Before :: By Jan Markell

church, storm cross

You might be wondering, what is being besieged? Our borders? Yes. Common sense values? For sure. How about proper theology? Absolutely. We are besieged like never before but, then, this was predicted! There would be a vast “falling away” from the faith. (2 Thessalonians 2)

But I think that this issue goes deeper. Let me explain.

I have watched Bible prophecy attacked, scorned, mocked, criticized, and improperly taught for a lot of years. There has been overwhelming confusion about the last days. Again, that is predicted, so no surprise (II Peter 3:3–7).

In many denominations, it is taught egregiously wrong. Too many churches have all the end-time glory going towards the church (Dominion Theology).

Others say that all prophecy happened in 70 AD (Preterism). Who knew? We missed it! We need to look at eschatology in a rear-view mirror! What strange theology!

A significant number teach that believers go through the Tribulation, even though we are promised to be spared from the wrath to come (I Thessalonians 1:10Revelation 3:10).

Preterist Gary DeMar accused me of holding a “hysteria conference” some years ago. Dr. Ron Rhodes and Dr. Mark Hitchcock—two of the most respected prophecy teachers to date—were going to lead my audience into error and confusion.

We are accused of “checking out.” Because we’re going to be taken out, we don’t run for office or try to make a difference in our confused world. Nothing could be further from the truth! The fact that time is short spurs us to share the gospel.

Author Joel Richardson scolds pastors who are not preparing their flock to meet the Antichrist, even though there is not one Bible reference about believers preparing for anything other than the “blessed hope.” (Titus 2:13)

And even though the writers of the Bible and the early church fathers taught about the Rapture of the church, we are lectured regularly that this theology was founded by John Nelson Darby in 1830! This misrepresentation is almost the most maddening!

What’s worse, he got it from some visionary woman—very troubled—named Margaret McDonald. This theological silliness will likely never go away! I wish these folks would read their Bibles and see the truth.

Just as tragic are the many denominations and pulpits that are totally silent on the glorious news that the King is coming! People write to my ministry telling me that they have visited “every prospective church in town” and not one will address eschatology! For that matter, most won’t address current events, Israel, politics, and other issues of relevance either.

Students of Bible prophecy, then, must tap into ministries and pastors who WILL discuss the topic and that we are in a race towards the end of the Church Age with its accompanying signs of the times. Somebody get excited about these signs, please!

Here is a revealing e-mail from Terry:

“Recently my pastor announced his series on Matthew. I was front and center, waiting for his exposition of Matthew 24. Surely, now he would address prophecy!

Sadly, he promptly announced that ‘prophecy conferences’ will instill fear and confusion, so stay away! His handling of Matthew 24 revealed a safe, ear tickling style and explanation of each verse. His closing comment was as you said, Jan. There are no stunning events today; there is nothing new here. Nothing new at all. Time to move on.

His conclusion: Anything going on today has always been going on.”

If I had just $1 for every similar e-mail, letter and call, I would be living in a mansion in Malibu.

To add insult to injury, churches like this marginalized Israel during her second Holocaust on October 7, 2023. They did not bring the tragedy up in a church service, a prayer meeting, a newsletter, or even a time of announcements! It’s like it never happened!

I could go on and on but you get the point. Bible prophecy is under siege. So, I was beyond overjoyed to learn that Dr. Ron Rhodes has a new book on this very topic: Bible Prophecy Under Siege: Responding Biblically to Confusion About the End Times. And he covers all the bases—and I am so glad he spelled out all the arguments under one cover.

He handles it in an easy-to-understand manner and certainly does not imply that those who are waiting for His appearing are a part of any Rapture Rescue Cult!

Find the book wherever Christian books are sold.


Terry’s Appeal for Reaching Souls in Pakistan!

I am again appealing to all who wish to join in the effort to once again support our effort to reach the people of Pakistan with the Gospel and with the Prophetic Word.

We are seeking to reprint in Pakistan my Quarterly size book Prophecy Power: Strength From God to Face Your Future.

Rev. Anil Jasper, a full-time minister in his country, has translated the book into his native tongue. The result has been successful beyond all my expectations. Perhaps I need greater faith so as not to be surprised at God’s working so powerfully in that land.

Our effort last year, thanks to your loving generosity for those people, has reached many souls with God’s Message that Jesus, Alone, can Save them from sin and reconcile them with God the Father.

Brother Anil Jasper has reported the ongoing success because of your caring in the name of our Lord.

Now, we want to continue to reprint the books so that even greater numbers can be reached as Anil and his team preach and distribute Prophecy Power. This little book is one that really touches those who can read it in their own language. Jesus is lifted up, and God is Glorified!

All signs point to the any Moment Call of Jesus to His Church. We want to be working diligently when He Calls so we will hear the Lord Say: “Well done, good, faithful servants!”

My prayer is that great will be Heavenly Rewards for each who joins in this Christ-centered, end-of-the-age effort. –Terry James

To contribute to the reprinting of Prophecy Power, please send your checks to the address below.

Sorry, but because of my being blind and the complexity of online ordering, etc., I haven’t the ability to take credit cards or Pay Pal or other such electronic monetary ways of funding. Please make checks payable to me, Terry James, and list them on the bottom line of your check to The Pakistan Ministry Book fund.

Please send to the following address:

Attention: Terry James
Rapture Ready
P.O. Box 969
Benton, AR, 72018

Please be aware: I don’t have 501c status, so contributions aren’t tax-deductible in that sense.

This recent letter is from Anil to all who were so generous in funding last year’s printing in the Urdu language.

Dear Brother Terry James,

How are you, your family, and your ministry? We pray for God’s miraculous intervention to reprint Prophecy Power to meet the needs of future distribution. On behalf of our Christians in Pakistan, I wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for you and the contributors’ unwavering support in printing and distributing Prophecy Power.

Your commitment to this endeavor has been truly invaluable, and we cannot overstate the impact your generosity has made on the lives of countless individuals across Pakistan. Through the distribution of Prophecy Power, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of God’s Word and the hope it will prepare uncountable souls for the Rapture of the Church.

Your continued support has not only enabled us to print and distribute Prophecy Power but has also allowed us to expand our reach and touch even more hearts with the message of our Blessed Hope. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in this ministry, and we are continually uplifted by your dedication to spreading the Gospel message.

As we look ahead to future distribution and printing endeavors, we are filled with hope and anticipation for what the Lord will accomplish through our collective efforts. Please know that your generosity is making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities across Pakistan, and we are praying earnestly for God’s continued provision and blessings upon your lives.

Once again, thank you, Brother Terry, and our wonderful friends there for your ongoing support, encouragement, and prayers, especially in these last days.

May the Lord richly bless you for your generosity and faithfulness in teaching, equipping, and preparing souls with His Prophetic Voice.

With heartfelt appreciation and prayers,

Your Brother,

Pastor Anil

Some Things I Never Thought I Would See :: By Jan Markell

Here’s my current list:

I never thought I would see the day:

When churches would see our mind-numbing headlines and stories and suggest that there are perhaps a hundred or a thousand years before Jesus returns! They say we’ve always had perilous times. Nothing is new.

I never thought I would see the day:

The World Economic Forum would meet the week it was minus 40 degrees in my hometown and obsess over global warming and electric vehicles, since they don’t function well right now in Minneapolis. And all of us are cheering for global warming.

I never thought I would see the day:

When the champion of the hurting around the world, the Red Cross, would deny care and medication to Israeli hostages and instead scold the hostages for Gaza’s destruction.

I never thought I would see the day:

When the International Court of Justice would declare Israel guilty of genocide when it was Israel who experienced a genocidal attack. Imagine, portions of the free world siding with barbarians rather than a democratic ally. Did someone say “upside down world?”

I never thought I would see the day:

All of the leaders of sanctuary cities and states would be screaming bloody murder to keep illegals out of their sanctuary cities and states.

I never thought I would see the day:

When a U.S. Secretary of State would tell another country—Israel—they cannot win a war. They cannot defeat terrorists who perpetrated genocide on them.

I never thought I would see the day:

I would watch entire church denominations side with those who perpetrated the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust. What Bible are they reading? They believe Jesus was a Palestinian. Really?

I never thought I would see the day:

The nation of Nigeria, with its Christian population nearly decimated by Muslims, not be put on Washington’s 2024 persecution watch list!

I never thought I would see the day:

When Democrats admit that Hamas or the Taliban or al-Qaida may be crossing our southern border and then brag about our strong national security! Reprobate minds see upside down.

I never thought I would see the day:

When the world would favor elements of society who cry “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” and glorify these thugs. When “Israel Derangement Syndrome” would overtake entire nations, and when universities would favor them, even as Jews hide in closets and secret rooms.

I never thought I would see the day:

When at the most significant time in history, believers would talk about “rapture fatigue” and “end-time burn-out” because they were tired of watching and waiting for Christ’s return. It’s just taking too long.

I never thought I would see the day:

When the tragedy of Lahaina, Maui—with all of its mystery and likely conspiracy—would so quickly be forgotten and the people so pathetically abandoned.

And yet people still trust the government!

I never thought I would see the day:

When lockdowns would become a part of normal society! First it was Covid lockdowns. Now I am learning about climate lockdowns coming. I guess the mantra is, “You will go nowhere and be happy!”

I never thought I would see the day:

That the subject of Israel—who is the primary subject of the Bible—would be the issue causing enormous church splits since October 7. Denominations don’t want to acknowledge that Jews wrote our Bible or play a prominent role today. I guess theology matters to some, and their theology erases the nation of Israel!

I could go on for endless pages with further examples, sadly. The Bible is blunt that the last days would be perilous and filled with unruly and selfish people. It says society would be “given over” (Romans 1). We just didn’t think it would be this bad. 

But God placed you and me in it for such a time as this! We are here on assignment and not by accident. We can be the salt and light needed for our times! The followers of Jesus Christ are to shine no matter what the circumstances and no matter how bad it gets.

Hang on a little longer. And it is the darkest before the dawn—the dawn being the glorious Rapture of the church when we leave this wicked planet behind! Only in Eternity will we cease being shocked by the world and by an upside-down society. Only then will everything make sense. Finally, I will be able to stop saying, “I never thought I would see the day.”

www.olivetreeviews.org

Jan Markell: Our World Is Too Evil For Pastors To Stand On The Sidelines

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The month of October brought a staggering wake-up call to many church members. Some had been in attendance for months and some for years. A few had been active for a decade. They loved their church family and felt the pulpit was sound.

Their church has salvation right, and baptism. The music is acceptable and the youth program is outstanding. It is missions-minded. And, after all, no church is perfect.

The Rude Awakening

But in October, many church attendees were going to get a rude awakening because too many hadn’t done a deep dive on all of the church’s theology.

Many had been grieved over the silence in the pulpit as it concerned Bible prophecy and current events. They accepted the flaw and got daily doses of those items online. After all, the church didn’t get involved in the cultural issues either. It is not unusual for a church to not take a stand.

Then came October 7 in Israel. What would the church response be that next day – October 8? What happened on October 7 was a game-changer! Surely, this would be front-and-center at their church!

It is true—the headlines, photos, and videos coming out of the latest Mideast conflict are not seekersensitive. They won’t make church attendees feel good. Talking about the sensitive situation won’t fit into any church-growth strategy. It won’t encourage anyone to become purpose-driven. It could even create divisiveness.

So, I should not have been so thrown when I began to get e-mails from across the country stating variations of the following:

Jan, I was very dismayed that the church we attended did not even make mention of what was going on in Israel on Sunday, October 8. Nor did the topic arise on Wednesday night—though there were several mentions of the Houston Astros game…

No One Can Say We Didn’t Know

Since then, there has been wall-towall coverage on all media outlets, day and night, for over three months. Can anybody claim they didn’t know? We have now all watched the sickening demonstrations begging the world to “gas the Jews.” Some are saying World War III is at hand. We have evil at a new level on display. The likelihood of terror cells embedded in America, Canada, Europe, and other places is a guarantee.

The Silence of the Shepherds Is Rooted in Theology

And yet, I was hearing many times a day about the silence of the shepherds! Could this silence be rooted in theology? A resounding “yes”!

I encourage all readers to do a study on modern theology. People hear terms that need to be explored: Replacement Theology, Covenant Theology, Amillennial Theology, Dominion Theology, and more. You just might not be in agreement with what all of these theologies entail! Most of these teach that the Church is the new Israel; that God has cast away His people Israel due to unbelief.

Prayer: The Only Effective Weapon

Human suffering has been on display since October 7, 2023. Media outlets that have a shred of integrity, revealed the darkened hearts and deeds of Islamic thugs. There is only one adequate weapon in our arsenal: prayer, and better yet, corporate prayer.

Prayer from the pulpit. Prayer from a radio, TV, or Internet website. Prayer for innocent hostages, although now it is likely too late. Prayer for any innocent caught in a battle crossfire. Prayer for soldiers trying to liberate and set captives free.

And pastors, your people want you to lead in this effort! People are now tired of the silence of the shepherds. Our world is too volatile, too angry, and too evil, to stand on the sidelines and be silent! You must take a stand and set theology aside.

Yes, your theology says you should minimize Israel, but then you marginalize the suffering, which Jesus would never do!

When Should I Leave a Church?

All of my radio guests have stated since October 7 that if a church will not relent on this, then it is time to leave. Period. God cannot bless this church or congregation. It is weighed in the balances and found wanting (Dan. 5:7). It is time to move on to much greener—and more spiritually fruitful—pastures.

Perhaps this is the next big church divider. Churches will either be for Israel, or against her. Which side will you be on? Israel is to become the world’s burdensome stone (Zech. 12:3), but God will destroy ALL who come against Jerusalem (Zech.12:9). You want to be on God’s side!

In the new year of 2024, I pray that all in leadership will at least take a stand against evil, for much of the world is calling evil good (Isaiah 5:20). And evil is spreading like a cancer throughout the world as we trend towards the Tribulation.