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Jeremiah 49 Elam Destruction

July 13, 2025 7:36 am / Leave a comment

Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel, has perhaps framed my thinking in this commentary.

He says that US B-2 bombers “need to visit Yemen” after Houthis missile intercepted.

“We thought we were done with missiles coming to Israel, but Houthis just lit one up over us in Israel,” the ambassador noted after the first missile attack since the Iran war. “The law of Yemen is the law of Tehran,” he wrote. “After we strike the head of the serpent in Tehran, we will also strike the tail of the serpent in Yemen” (Rapture Ready News, July 2, 2025).

Huckabee’s words validate that the 12-Day War between Israel and Iran, as it has been termed, isn’t over. This is no surprise to any Bible student who is familiar with God’s prophetic Word. The war with Israel’s surrounding enemies has been waged for thousands of years, and we know from Bible prophecy that the conflict hasn’t come to an end with the B-2 bombers dropping multiple bunker-buster bombs down the center of the mountain hiding the Iranian Fordow nuclear facility.

The leak to CNN and others from out of the Department of Defense claiming that the huge ordnance sent into that facility three hundred feet beneath the mountain didn’t finish off the Iranian nuclear program, whether true or not, has created a strong sense that there’s more to be done to end the Iranian regime’s nuclear-weapons ambitions.

The leakers inside the DOD, who are being pursued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegset and by the Trump administration, are thought to be of the deep-state variety. These, it is charged, want never-ending war, particularly in the Middle East, to feed the greed of the so-called military-industrial complex. (That, plus the desire to bring down the presidency of Donald J. Trump.)

Some who study Bible prophecy from the pre-Trib perspective have suggested that this strike to rid Iran of its nuclear program was the fulfillment of the following Jeremiah 49 prophecy:

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them: And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD. But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 49:34–39)

The prophecy certainly seems to fit, in some respects, with what the Israel’s IDF and America’s B-2 attacks wrought in Iran.

My good friend Bill Salus, whom I believe has a Holy Spirit-directed focus on the evil in the Middle East against God’s chosen nation, Israel, wrote several years ago with uncanny accuracy about the Jeremiah 49 prophecy.

In this prophecy Jeremiah declares that a time would arrive when the Lord would be furious with the leadership of Iran. We know this because Jeremiah 49:38 says that the kings and the princes will be destroyed. This most likely represents the Iranian government in place when the prophecy occurs. The Lord would never destroy good kings and princes, so we can safely presume that bad Iranian leadership is the problem.

An example of good Iranian leadership was King Cyrus the Great of Persia who lived between 600-529 BC. Isaiah 44-45 predicted his arrival on the world scene a century before Cyrus was even born. Isaiah called Cyrus by name and confirmed that he was anointed by the Lord. If Iran’s current supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was a good leader like Cyrus, then Jeremiah 49:34-39 would not be a NOW prophecy. The Lord would be pleased with the Ayatollah, rather than furious with him.

But why is the Lord fiercely angry with the government of Iran at the time of the prophecy? The reason is because Iran wants to launch something powerful somewhere. This is why the Lord will break the bow at the foremost of Iran’s might in order to prevent such a lethal launch.

But where does Iran want to launch something powerful? (The Now Prophecies by Bill Salus, Prophecy Depot Publishing, 2016)

Despite the Israeli Defense Force reportedly taking out almost all the Iranian regime’s leadership, and most of the nuclear scientists involved with the weapons program, and American bombers “totally obliterating” the Fordow facility, according to President Trump and Secretary Hegset, there is growing evidence that Iran is back at it. That is, enough of Iran’s nuclear program survived to begin anew the development of nuclear bombs, some sources say.

Satellite and other surveillance apparently observed a number of eighteen-wheeler type trucks moving from the Fordow facility just before the attack by the B-2 bombers. This indicates, to those who are concerned, that the ninety-something canisters of enriched uranium were removed to another location or locations. That nuclear material, the sources say, was almost at the point of being usable to construct the nuclear weapons the regime is determined to affix onto the nose of their ballistic missiles.

Whatsoever the case, it’s obvious that the total destruction indicated in the Jeremiah 49 prophecy against Elam hasn’t yet been fulfilled. The inhabitants haven’t been totally dispatched from the area. The nuclear fallout that many of us think is part of this prophecy that will scatter the inhabitants of Elam far and wide hasn’t occurred. Not yet.

My thinking, as I wrote above, as framed by Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s words on the need perhaps for the B-2s to again be used, is that Iran will again be struck in powerful attacks. With the brilliance of Israeli intelligence and the sophisticated technologies to detect movement of assets, one must presume that if the canisters of enriched uranium or whatever was transported to safety, Israel—and America—know with precision where they now are.

I very strongly suspect that at the appropriate time, if these nuclear materials exist, they will be hit. Could this be when the full extent of this prophecy about Elam’s destruction reaches the beginning of its fulfillment?

    ***Please donate to this Gospel Witness effort in Pakistan ***

Dear Rapture Ready family, my translated Sunday School-size book “Prophecy Power: Strength From God To Face Your Future,” has been reprinted in Pakistan, thanks to a generous donation by a friend of the RR ministry. Just as we are so grateful to each of you who have contributed in past efforts, we are most grateful to him, and thankful to our Lord for that funding so the book can go forth with God’s word to those so in need in that sin-darkened area of the world.

The Pakistani minister who translated my book into his native language must travel far and wide –and at great personal risk due to the hatred of Christianity, as you know.

There is a great need for travel and other expenses in the preaching, teaching and distribution of this book.

The pastor reports much positive response to the efforts, as the people are hungry for good news. And the Gospel is the Ultimate Good News!

So please, if the Lord is speaking to you in spirit, donate to this important Great Commission cause so near the end of this quickly fleeting Age of Grace.

Again, I have no doubt that great will be your Heavenly Rewards.

To donate, please send to my attention.

I’m sorry, but checks are the only option this time in this effort. Please make them payable to me,Terry James, putting on the line at the bottom the words: “For Pakistan”.

Please send to:

Attention: Terry

Rapture Ready

P.O. Box 969

Benton, AR 72018

Almost Persuaded

July 6, 2025 12:48 pm / 2 Comments on Almost Persuaded

When I heard the words I sat a bit straighter in my chair while the president ended his uncharacteristically brief speech. He was reporting the “total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear facility buried 300 feet below a mountainous terrain.

In ending his speech Mr. Trump thanked the pilots who flew the B2 bombers that released the “bunker buster” bombs. He thanked the Israeli military for their work in making it possible to fly to the targets in an uninhibited way. He then thanked God and followed that by what made me sit straighter in my chair.

The president of the United States said: “We love you, God.”

Never had I ever heard such words coming from a president of the United States. And it came from a man I have always supported yet have said he isn’t a godly man –but is “God’s man” for this time and place so near the end of this Church Age.

What does this statement mean? Is it a statement just for speechifying? Is it a comment of momentary elation over a spectacularly successful mission sent by this presidential administration? Is it made just to solidify and satisfy the president’s evangelical Christian base? Is it a genuine thanks to the God of Heaven made by a worldly man who has seen the light and now is a believer for salvation of his soul?

His statement of love for God did come from a tone of heartfelt gratitude.

Regardless of the reason for saying “We love you, God,” it is, in my view, a most significant, even profound, matter in this profoundly late prophetic hour.

Upon reflection of the statement and things going on that give evidence of God’s great hand in all things involved in not just Iran and the bombing of the nuclear facility, but in all matters surrounding this president, my thoughts immediately leaped to the Apostle Paul and his meeting with King Agrippa.

Paul was accused falsely of blasphemy, fomenting uprising and for crimes of sedition and with other charges. He claimed the right of a Roman citizen and was brought before King Agrippa.

The apostle laid out before the king how he had greatly persecuted Christians, but that Christ disrupted his journey on the road to Damascus. He told of Jesus’ words to him and all the rest. How he was thus converted to the Christian faith.

Festus, who brought him before the king, was incredulous. Here is the account.

And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. (Acts 24-29)

So, I am led in my spirit to wonder, based upon his being spared death in the assassination attempt, whether our president, in view of his “We love you, God,” prayer-like words stem from his conversion like the Apostle Paul’s, or to the “almost I am persuaded” words of near conversion like in the case of King Agrippa.

I prayerfully hope, of course, that it is the former rather than the latter of those possibilities that is the case.

But the real point in pursuing this line of thought with this commentary involves the number-one prophetic indicator of where we stand on God’s prophetic timeline. I mean, of course, the nation Israel.

A prominent Jewish writer presented for me a most interesting segway into my thinking regarding matters somewhat akin to the Apostle Paul’s meeting with King Agrippa. The writer offers a novelist’s perspective into the Jewish look at Bible prophecy. It fits within our theme “Almost persuaded.”

“The Bible is a story,” the Yeshiva University philosophy professor told a global audience Thursday evening. “It has a beginning, middle, and an end—and we are the characters writing its final chapters.”

[Rabbi Yosef Bronstein’s] thesis was unlike anything being said by other commentators: this isn’t about ancient prophecies coming true, but about understanding ourselves as active participants in a divine narrative that began with creation and is racing toward its climactic conclusion. By Sunday night, as President Trump announced Iran’s nuclear program had been “completely and totally obliterated,” Rabbi Bronstein’s vision of real-time biblical storytelling seemed prophetic.

The author of “Engaging the Essence: The Torah Philosophy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe” wasn’t offering traditional religious commentary. Instead, he presented something far more compelling: a framework for understanding current events as the latest chapters in the ultimate story ever told.

“The Bible begins with Genesis—’In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’—and ends with the eschatological perfect world where God’s presence is revealed for all to see,” explained Rabbi Bronstein, who leads a rabbinical training center in Efrat and holds a PhD in Talmudic studies. “In between, you have an unfolding story where God is constantly trying to push the world forward from creation all the way to redemption.”…

Three days after his presentation, as Iran’s nuclear facilities lay in ruins and the world witnessed what seemed like divine intervention through human action, Rabbi Bronstein’s vision of participatory biblical narrative seemed less like literary theory and more like an instruction manual for understanding our times.

We aren’t just witnessing history—we’re writing the Bible’s final chapters. And the story, Rabbi Bronstein suggests, is approaching its long-awaited happy ending.(“We Are Characters in God’s Story” – Scholar Reveals How Israel’s War Writes the Bible’s Final Chapters, Elie Mischel, Biblical News Israel365 June 23, 2025)

This author, an orthodox rabbi, is persuaded that God’s story of humankind is right and true and he can see it developing to a “happy ending”. But he, along with all who are of belief held within Judaism, as well as all other belief systems not centered in Jesus Christ, are almost persuaded, just as was King Agrippa almost persuaded when Paul preached to him. Sadly, tragically, theirs, apart from coming to belief in God’s only way to salvation –His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ—is destined to end in eternal separation from God and heavenly bliss. It will, for these, not be a happy ending.

This is why it is vital that we who name that majestic, Holy Name witness as never before to those who need to come to Jesus, who is the only way, truth, and life that leads to the Heavenly Father and happiness in Heaven forever.

Here, again, is how to witness to those who are not yet persuaded.

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)

Last-Days Lawlessness and Power

June 22, 2025 8:40 am / Leave a comment

In 1887, in a series of letters to Bishop Creighton about the moral issues of writing history about the Inquisition, British historian Lord Edward Acton wrote, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” His understanding of the human psyche bordered on prescient, it seems, considering the all-out quest for power that saturates the American political culture at present.

Former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger famously said: “Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.” Growing up in Germany as a boy, because of lawlessness among governmental leaders, he became pessimistic about human nature, skeptical about the inevitability of progress, and deeply committed to the values of order and stability. To these ends, Kissinger viewed power, not moral ideals, as the driving force of history. (This according to “Henry Kissinger and the Seductions of Power,” Iowa Capital Dispatch, https://iowacapitaldispatch.com.)

In America, at this late moment of this Age of Grace, we certainly have to consider Dr. Kissinger’s viewpoint, brought about from his experience in the power struggle he witnessed early in his native country. Stability, in this world of lawlessness, in reality, comes not from moral ideals, but rather from power. There is no reasoning from a morally correct position that will calm the paid-for rage/chaos that has swept the streets of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities. The organized No Kings rioters claim they’re protesting the Trump administration’s use of ICE (the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to carry out raids against those who have illegally entered America.

While the violent rioters are held up as bastions of righteous cause by mainstream news media, and the Trump administration is falsely accused as authoritarian and an evil wielder of power, the lawlessness expands to what looks to be prophetic levels.

Jesus, in the Olivet Discourse, told about how things will be as His return nears:

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24: 12 NKJV)

To my way of seeing this, in an important sense, the Lord’s words could be taken that the lawlessness being demonstrated to champion illegals staying inside America stems from the absence of love for this nation as founded. I realize much more is involved in the meaning of Jesus’ prophecy here, but there is an undeniable coldness in the way the vicious rioters throw at police and ICE agents frozen bottles of water and chunks of concrete taken from curbs they’ve sledgehammered, in addition to the property they loot and damage at every opportunity.

It is telling of just how appropriate it might be to consider Jesus’ prophecy for this particular time, because almost half of the members of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate either back the lawlessness by supporting the rioters, or, at the very least, offer no condemnation.

This is because one political party has demonstrated time and time again that power is what they seek above all else. They want to swell the voting base with illegals—almost all of whom will support them—no matter the cost to other, legitimate, citizens. Their aim is to garner all power into their political party. Love for country and lawful conduct within government and society is out the window with this party. In this ideology, they’re in agreement with the ideology that sparked the 1917 revolution in Russia: “The end justifies the means.”

To those on the totally reprobate political left in America today, power is indeed the ultimate aphrodisiac.

Indeed, as Lord Acton presciently said, “power corrupts.” And they—the leftists—seek absolute power, and at any price—even to the undoing of the document that gave us a constitutional republic…the American government that Benjamin Franklin told someone the founders had given we the people (adding, “If you can keep it”).

The lawlessness we witness taking place on an increasing level hourly is but another ingredient that adds to the last-days prophetic puzzle. It is a large part of “all these things” our Lord told us to look for at the moment He is about to come for us in the Rapture:

And when you see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head, for your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:28)

Jesus will soon return to this unlawful, politically corrupt planet to establish righteous rule and lawful conduct among earth’s inhabitants. It will take His omnipotent power to bring about His millennial (thousand-year) reign.

But it is His power that can bring about a change in the minds and spiritual hearts of humankind even now, amidst this current time of lawlessness and chaos. He can take away the sinful, destructive thoughts, thus the evil actions, of each person who will receive His grace gift of salvation.

Here again is how to receive that gift that renews the mind and dispels lawlessness while empowering with God’s righteousness:

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)

Rapture or Rupture

June 17, 2025 10:42 am / 8 Comments on Rapture or Rupture

For immediate posting

Author’s note: Events we are witnessing revolving around God’s chosen nation, Israel, speaks to my spirit in ways I’ve not sensed to this point. Christ’s call to His Church must be very near indeed.

It is time as never before to look up and lift up our heads, for our redemption (the Lord Jesus Christ) is drawing near.  He is, I believe, on the very cusp of stepping out onto the clouds of Glory to call to Himself all believers of this Church Age–those alive and those who have already passed into His presence.

I heard again this week an interview between Scottish Christian broadcaster Sheila Walsh and Dr. David Jeremiah regarding the Rapture. This and the likely prophetic import of things happening surrounding Israel prompted me to again post this article, which was previously posted January 3, 2022.

Rapture or Rupture

Twenty something years ago, Pat Robertson was on his network, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). I remember him saying in an almost amused, mocking tone that there would be no Rapture of the church. He declared that if that were to happen, it would completely disrupt all of the human condition across the world.

Planes would be crashing, cars would be wrecking, trains would run wild, and destruction of every sort would take place in such a moment. That’s not going to happen, he said. There will be no Rapture. He implied rather that there will be a “rupture” of all culture and society across the world. The Tribulation would be the implosion that wrecks everything, rather than the explosion a so-called Rapture would cause.

I remember distinctly Pat talking with his then co-host Sheila Walsh, the Scottish Christian broadcaster. As a side note, I presume Sheila has since moved on from agreeing with Mr. Robertson and his dismissing the pre-Trib Rapture “theory,” as he called it. I’ve heard her just within the past year on air with Dr. David Jeremiah, who teaches solidly on the pre-Trib Rapture of the church. She seemed to agree totally with all he said on the prophetic topic.

Over the years, there has been banter coming from those who adamantly hold that the pre-Trib Rapture is a myth. These sometimes use the word “rupture” to sneer at the idea of a Rapture, which we believe is Bible truth as taught by the Apostle Paul—and, by the way, by the Lord Jesus as well. He said the following as recorded by the Apostle John.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1–3)  

In these words of the Lord we are told, I’m convinced, the same as the Apostle Paul foretells.

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)

For all the fun-making against pre-Trib Rapture and those of us who believe it to be the next catastrophic intervention by Christ into human affairs, they can’t erase these powerful promises. That is, they can’t without spiritualizing and allegorizing as they make their case. They have to conclude that neither Jesus nor Paul meant what they said in a literal sense.

There is, however, a biblically prophetic passage that speaks, I believe, of a rupture. It is a key prophecy that will take place immediately after the Rapture of the Church. As a matter of fact, we’ve seen this rupture beginning for some time. It will be the tear in the fabric of this world system that will rip civilization the way Mr. Robertson once feared.

The prophet Zechariah forewarned of this coming rupture.

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (Zechariah 12:3) 

The prophet is saying here that when the world takes on Jerusalem and Israel–God’s chosen city and nation—it will be a load too heavy to lift. They will be injured severely, or ruptured, in their attempt to remove the city and nation from being in the place where God put them.

We’ve seen almost daily leaders from countries surrounding modern Israel declaring they will destroy the tiny Jewish state. Those such as Nasser and Sadat have tried to do so. Israel not only remains, but is now in a stronger position than ever, even though constantly threatened.

Antichrist and his juggernaut will finally manage to invade Israel, following all of Israel’s surrounding enemies being destroyed in the Gog-Magog attack of Ezekiel 38 and 39.  But the man of sin will, too, be severely injured and ultimately bound in chains and removed to eternal punishment. Israel will become the chief nation of the entire world during the Millennium—Christ’s thousand-year reign on planet earth.

Thankfully, all who accept Christ now, this side of the Rapture, will not endure the rupture the whole world will suffer when God again begins dealing with His chosen people, the Jews.

Here again is how to avoid being part of that future injury—that rupture—that will condemn the soul to eternity apart from God.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)

HOW TO BE SAVED AFTER THE RAPTURE

June 16, 2025 2:18 pm / 3 Comments on HOW TO BE SAVED AFTER THE RAPTURE

A Concise Handbook for Spiritual Survival During the Tribulation

By Roy R. Reeves

Book review by Terry James

Readers will be delightfully surprised, I think, to see just how readable and understandable, and woven into a brief presentation, is this book on what can be a complicated prophetic matter.

Roy Reeves has the gift of powerfully yet simply addressing questions we who deal with prophetic matters from the pre-Trib view have been asked over the years. I am most pleased to offer, with my full endorsement, this book to all who have such questions.

How to Be Saved after the Rapture: A Concise Handbook for Spiritual Survival During the Tribulation was written first and foremost for unsaved individuals still on earth after the Rapture. However, it is also for pre-Rapture readers who can benefit from the concepts being presented. The book aims to:

  • Show that the Bible provides an opportunity for people to be saved during the Tribulation.
  • Discuss what they must do to obtain salvation.
  • Explore the challenges to being saved after the Rapture and elaborate on how to deal with the trials saved persons will then face.

The book is written with simplicity of language so that it can be read in a short time by people under the duress of the Antichrist’s oppressive rule. Concepts are presented in a manner that doesn’t require any theological or church background for understanding. Thus, it is hoped the ideas addressed can be quickly understood even by those with little knowledge of Scripture and limited time for study.

The book begins by describing what happens with the Rapture, what it all means, and the dire conditions that result. Since many people left on earth will probably feel salvation is impossible, the next section demonstrates clearly from Scripture that people not only can be saved, but millions will be—even during the Tribulation. With that fact established, the basics of what a person must do to be saved are then presented. Subsequent attention is given to the danger of false salvation. During the Tribulation, deception will be intense, and the reader is warned to trust solely in salvation by the only Way to God: the Lord Jesus Christ. A chapter is then devoted to how to know conclusively that one has truly been saved.

The book then turns to what the saved person needs to do next and elaborates on the difficulties associated with this. Discussion entails the risks of walking out one’s salvation during the time of the Antichrist, but also the necessity and rewards of doing so. Finally, the book reveals that there is true hope and a glorious eternity for those who are saved and endure. No matter how bad things get, the glory of Heaven makes any amount of suffering trivial compared to what awaits those who follow the Lord.

After the concluding chapter, appendices for pre-Rapture readers are provided. These discuss what individuals should be doing now and neutrally explore controversial ideas about exactly who will remain on earth after the Rapture. A list of other resources for those left behind is also included.

Again, I wholeheartedly give my full endorsement on this book, which is a volume most important for these closing hours of the Church Age.

This little book will be excellent to hand to lost friends, to your saved friends to use as witnessing tools, and to place in advantageous places for those who will be left behind when the Great Event happens.

How to Be Saved after the Rapture: A Concise Handbook for Spiritual Survival During the Tribulation

Author: Roy R. Reeves

Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishers 

ISBN: 979-8-89597-356-1

The book can be ordered from Amazon at this link: How to Be Saved after the Rapture

 

However Positive, God’s Golden Age Will Not Come About Through Efforts Made In Washington D.C. :: By Jan Markell

March 26, 2025 1:35 pm / 6 Comments on However Positive, God’s Golden Age Will Not Come About Through Efforts Made In Washington D.C. :: By Jan Markell

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If you listen to conservative media—which I do, by the way, and appreciate much of it—we are entering a “golden age.” Those who understand the concept of the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ realize that it is the true golden age. But, that is not what the news analysts are referring to!

Their perspective is that the dumpster fire of the previous administration, who thought about evil continually, is in the rearview mirror. Righteous people didn’t think they could be shocked and re-shocked with the debauchery of the left, but each day’s rundown of offenses were worse than the previous. When you have a Romans 1 mentality, you just think evil continually.

The leftist cabal had been drowning in evil and when voted out of office, they received an appropriate smackdown. But they are by no means on permanent hold. They are licking their wounds. They are plotting and scheming and planning a comeback. But in the meantime, at least in Washington D.C., they have some appropriate chains on and they have some restrictions.

Hundreds of evil outfits are being shut down through the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Yes, Elon Musk has troubling aspirations that include brain chips that sound Tribulationesque, and no watcher of the times is ignoring these things.

So, Is God’s End-Time Agenda on Hold?

So, is this a respite? Maybe a reprieve? Has Satan’s agenda been put on hold? Is the rapture now on hold? Do you think that the globalists are going to relax and willingly turn their agenda over to President Donald Trump? Do you think that Klaus Schwab & Associates plan to take a four year hiatus and go quietly into the night? Do you think that Yuval Noah Harari will fade away because he acknowledged that a Trump victory would be the “end of the global order?”

To all of the above, a resounding no way!

Let’s always remember that God’s agenda never pauses. It is never on hold. If we think He is not acting— that He is not raising the curtain on the last act—it is only because He wants more to be saved. He doesn’t employ stall tactics.

God’s plan of the ages began before time began. It is never early. It is never late. It is always right on time. The “birth pang” markers we are to watch for have not diminished! North Carolina hurricane destruction was a recordsetter. Los Angeles fire destruction was unprecedented in modern history. They were warnings that time is running out.

The Powerbroker’s Goal Is Still One World

I appreciate similar thoughts by author and commentator Jonathan Brentner who states, “While it might be tempting to think there’s been a pause in the mad rush of events leading up to the start of the Tribulation period, the elite powerbrokers of our world remain busy. They are working behind the scenes to quickly set the stage for when they can openly enslave the world under their domain.”

Brentner additionally says, “It’s tempting to think that way. I have found myself wondering if perhaps there’s been a pause in the parade of events leading to Jesus’ soon appearing. However, two thoughts bring me back to reality.

“First, I remember Jesus’ assertion that the fulfillment of Bible prophecy will happen at the time sovereignly set by the Father (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7). God knows the precise time when He will send His Son to get His Bride and bring her to glory. He already took into consideration all that we see happening today, when He long ago set the time of our departure from this world.

“Second, I’m aware that a strong undercurrent in world affairs remains, which after the rapture will directly lead to the Antichrist’s covenant with Israel, which will mark the beginning of the sevenyear Tribulation for the world. The lawlessness of those who seek to destroy our nation remains on full display.”

Brentner concludes, “So, does that mean that world events are accelerating toward Jesus’ appearing? I prefer to put it this way: the stage-setting for the future oneworld government has not ceased or slowed down in any way.”

“In the Last Days, Evil Will Wax Worse and Worse”

Evil never takes a break. It never re-groups. It never gathers in a huddle to plot and scheme. It just keeps charging forward. It says in II Timothy 3:13 that “evil waxes worse and worse.” And it has escalated exponentially since October 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded southern Israel and perpetrated genocide on Israel.

In March, Islamic radicals stormed through Syria, wiping out religious minorities, including Christians. The same is happening in parts of Africa.

Most often the targets are “people of the book”—Jews and Christians. This is a sure sign that we are not in any kind of “golden age.” The people in Ukraine have no “golden age.” Nor do the targets of Haitian gangs, nor victims of Islamic terror in parts of Europe who believe in open borders.

Further evidence is that following the October 7 slaughter, the world cheered for Hamas. What a perfect illustration of evil being called good (Is. 5:20); of an upside-down world under the sway of the evil one.

God’s Golden Age

We are all thankful for the many actions of the new administration to rein in evil, waste and corruption! But even better news than this is that God has given us a wonderful promise: Jesus is preparing a place for us and will take us there to be with him forever: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” (John 14:2-4)

After that seven-year time period, we return to a golden age back on earth—the Millennium. It’s not perfection, but it’s good enough to be called a golden age. Kids can play near snakes and the animal kingdom even loves one another.

So, get excited when there is talk about a coming “golden age,” but keep it in the right context and in its rightful place in prophecy. It doesn’t come about through any efforts in Washington, D.C. Rather, thanks to the Hand of God, in His timing.

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.

Zechariah 12: The War Before Armageddon – By Bill Salus

March 1, 2025 8:49 am / 1 Comment on Zechariah 12: The War Before Armageddon – By Bill Salus

The overwhelming vast majority of conservative Bible teachers strongly believe that the war in Zechariah 12 will take place at Armageddon when all the nations of the earth come to attack Israel. Then, as per Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19, the Lord single-handedly destroys these invading armies. However, every Bible translation of Zechariah 12 has Israel, with the help of the Lord, militarily defeating all the peoples that came to attack them.

The Zechariah 12 war happens in the future when the Arab nations sharing common borders with Israel besiege Jerusalem and Judah. These invaders are soundly defeated by Israel’s military with the Lord’s help.

Conversely, the war of Armageddon in Zechariah 14 is a totally separate war that takes place subsequently when all the nations of the earth with their armies attack only the city of Jerusalem. In this siege, they successfully capture half the city, which leaves Israel in a completely defenseless situation. Thus, the Lord steps in, and He personally defeats all the world armies in Revelation 19:15-21.

The primary purpose of this in-depth Bible prophecy study is to show that Zechariah 12:1-9 IS NOT dealing with ARMAGEDDON but IS dealing with the conclusion of the ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT. This conflict is the topic explored at the end of this article.

The Separate War of Zechariah 12:1-9

The three verses below mostly explain what happens in the Zechariah 12 war.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem” (Zech. 12:2).

“’In that day,’ says the Lord, ‘I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness’” (Zech. 12:4).

“In that day I will make the governors of JUDAH like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; THEY shall DEVOUR all the SURROUNDING PEOPLES on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem” (Zech. 12:6, NKJV; emphasis added).

In Zech. 12:2, the surrounding people lay siege on Judah and Jerusalem. In Zech. 12:4, the Lord divinely intervenes to level the playing field. Zech. 12:6 points out that after the Lord intervenes, Israel decisively defeats the surrounding peoples.

The key to understanding this separate war is to recognize that these verses above only identify “the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left hand” of Israel. This is in contrast to “all the nations” of the world that are included in the Armageddon Campaign in Zechariah 14:2 and elsewhere.

All Bible translations of Zech. 12:2 clearly identify only the neighboring nations that share common borders with Israel. A few examples are included below.

“cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples” (NKJV)

“cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about” (ASV)

“cup brings dizziness to all the surrounding nations” (NET)

“cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling” (NIV)

“intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger” (NLT)

“cup of poison to the nations around her” (NCV)

The Hebrew word that identifies these peoples round about Israel is “Sabib,” and it means, “On every side, places round about, round about in a circuit, in the circuit from every side, a circle, a neighbor, or within all the confines of its border.” This word is used in both Zech. 12:2 and 6 to single out the Arab states that border Israel.

One of the first uses of this word in the Bible makes this clear in the verse below.

“And the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in (Sabib), all the borders round about,” were made sure” (Genesis 23:17, KJV; emphasis added).

No part of Zechariah 12 appears to prophesy about the Armageddon Campaign, but for centuries, and even continuing today, most all commentaries connect Armageddon with Zechariah 12.

Here are important questions for those who teach the war in Zechariah 12 is part of the Armageddon scenario.

1.) If Zechariah 12 involves “all the nations of the earth,” why are there no Bible translations that have “all the nations of the earth” besieging Jerusalem in Zech. 12:2?

2.) Similarly, why are there no Bible translations that have “all the nations of the earth” identified in Zech 12:6, whereby the IDF defeats only the surrounding peoples on Israel’s “right hand and on the left?”

3.) If Zechariah 12 takes place at Armageddon, do you believe that in the Armageddon scenario, the Lord will divinely intervene (Zech. 12:4) and empower the IDF (Zech. 12:6) to militarily defeat the Antichrist and “all the nations of the earth?”

4.) Many Bible teachers believe that America will be among all the nations of the earth that will attack Jerusalem at Armageddon. Do you think that, as per Zech 12:6, the IDF will soundly defeat America at Armageddon?

5.) According to Zech. 13:8-9, only one-third of the Jews will survive the Jewish genocide of the Antichrist. These killings happen around the same time as the Armageddon campaign. This remnant will likely become refugees fleeing for their survival. Do you think that Israel’s army at this time will be able to defeat “all the nations of the earth,” including the USA and China (the Kings of the East)?

6.) How can Zechariah 12:2,4-9, whereby the Lord divinely assists and empowers the IDF to defeat the peoples surrounding Israel, actually take place at Armageddon, if according to Zechariah 14, Isaiah 63 and Revelation 19, the Lord HIMSELF, at Armageddon without any IDF help, defeats “all the nations of the earth?”

Comparing the Wars of Zechariah 12:1-9 and Zechariah 14:1-3

“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle” (Zech. 14:1-3).

The passage above declares the Lord will gather all nations to battle against Jerusalem. These international armies wage a highly SUCCESSFUL SIEGE against the Holy City, “the city shall be taken.”

In this scenario, Jerusalem does not become a cup of trembling to the surrounding Arab states, nor to the invading world armies. If anything trembles, it’s the Jews as they witness the ransacking of their houses and the raping of their women. Moreover, capturing Jerusalem is no longer impeded by a burdensome, immovable stone but is easily conquered.

I mention this point because Zechariah 12:3 likens Jerusalem to an immovable rock, “on that day” when God turns Jerusalem into a cup of trembling.

“On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves” (Zechariah 12:3, NLT).

Because this verse says, “all the nations,” the tendency of many has been to connect this with “all the nations” in Zechariah 14:2 and Armageddon. The potential problems with this are:

  1. In Zech. 14:2, there is no immovable stone creating an obstacle to the capturing of Jerusalem.
  2. Zech. 12:3 happens “on that day” that Israel in Zech. 12:6successfully fends off the siege of the surrounding Arab states and not at Armageddon.

Subsequent to this successful conquest of Jerusalem in Zech 14:2, Jesus Christ single-handedly defeats the Antichrist and his armies in fulfillment of Rev 19:11-21. The differences between the Zech. 12:2-6 siege against Jerusalem is starkly different than the one in Zech. 14:2-3. The comparisons are below.

                         —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

*Pre-Tribulation timing is because in the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation Period, Israel is living peacefully as a result of the covenant in Daniel 9:27. Dwelling in this condition, they are not likely at war with the surrounding nations. Then in the second 3 ½ years of the Tribulation Period, the Jews are fleeing from the genocidal attempt of the Antichrist and unable to make war with the surrounding peoples. This timing sequence is explained in more detail in my FUTURE WAR Prophecies book.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Comparing the Wars of Zechariah 12:1-9 and Revelation 16:12-16

Revelation 16:12-16 deals with the events that occur within the Sixth Bowl Judgment, which happens toward the latter part of the Seven-Year Tribulation Period. The details are summarized below.

“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared” (Rev. 16:12).

In this bowl judgment, the kings of the east make their way to the Middle East by crossing over a dried-up Euphrates River. These eastern kings are commonly taught to be the leaders from China and other Asian nations. They, along with many other world leaders, are persuaded by three powerful demonic beings to gather together for a final war against God, which is referred to as “the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

“For they (three frog-like beings) are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14; emphasis added).

“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon” (Rev. 16:16).

The differences between Zech. 12:2-6 and Rev. 16:12-16 are identified below. These comparisons strongly suggest that these are two distinctly different wars.

Comparing the Wars of Zechariah 12:1-9 and Revelation 19:19-21

Thus far, I have demonstrated the stark contrasts between Zech. 12 and Zech. 14 and also between Zech. 12 and Rev. 16. Now I’ll attempt to disconnect Zech. 12 from Rev. 19.

“And I saw the beast [the Antichrist], the kings of the earth, and their [international] armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him [Jesus Christ], who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh” (Rev. 19:19-21, NKJV; emphasis added).

Other Comparative Arguments

So it seems to be strike one, two and three for a strikeout on the potential of Zechariah 14, Revelation 16, Revelation 19 to connect with Zechariah 12:1-9. However, there are a few more questions to answer to safely suggest that Zechariah 12 is not part of Armageddon.

  1. Zechariah 12:9mentions “all the nations”; doesn’t that identify “all the nations” that gather together for the Armageddon scenario?
  2. Zechariah 12:3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11informs the events happen “In that day”; isn’t that alluding to “The Day of the Lord” that takes place at Armageddon?
  3. If Zechariah 12:10-14is fulfilled early on in the Millennium, then why wouldn’t Zech. 12:2-9, happen just prior at Armageddon?

My answers to these three questions are provided at this link.

How Psalm 83 Connects with Zechariah 12

Could this war in Zechariah 12:2-9, in which the Lord supernaturally empowers the IDF to fight and achieve a decisive military victory over the neighboring people surrounding Israel, be the result of the answered imprecatory prayer of Asaph in Psalm 83?

Zechariah 12:1-9 seems to tell us how the Arab-Israeli conflict ends. This will not happen politically, but rather, it will conclude militarily. The surrounding Arab states, alongside the Palestinians, will make a final attempt to wipe Israel off the map and take over Judah and Jerusalem. It will be an unsuccessful siege that the IDF will decisively defeat.

These surrounding peoples are identified in the prophecy of Psalm 83 and many other scriptures. The central theme within the Psalm is the intent by these Arabs to destroy Israel so thoroughly that even the name of Israel would be forgotten forever.

“’Come,’ they say, ‘let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence’” (Psalm 83:4, NLT).

They seek to possess Jerusalem, Judah, and all of Israel.

“For they said, ‘Let us seize for our own use these pasturelands of God’” (Psalm 83:12, NLT).

These belligerents are identified in my book and companion DVD entitled The FUTURE WAR Prophecies. Also available to read for free online is my article entitled “God Helps Israel Defeat the Arab Armies: (Zechariah 12:1-6).”  This article presents a good commentary on Zechariah 12:1-6.

Some teach Psalm 83 is simply a prayer, but below are a couple of quotes from respected theologians that rebut this idea.

John Peter Lange is a well-respected theologian and the author of the Lange Commentary on the Holy Scripture, which was published in 1877. He points out that those combined against Israel are never mentioned elsewhere as enemies allied at the same time and for the purpose of annihilating Israel. Lange notes:

“With regard to the time of composition, the following difficulty meets us. The ten nations who are here enumerated as being combined against Israel are never mentioned elsewhere as enemies allied at the same time and for the purpose of annihilating Israel.”

In addition, Lange notes there were some individuals during his time who taught that the Psalm was just a general idea about enemies from all sides of Israel. However, Lange believed that the details found in Psalm 83:8 were unfavorable to this view. Here is how he explains it:

“And yet the expressions are of such a nature that we cannot be inclined to consider this enumeration as only a poetical individualizing of the general idea: enemies from all sides (De Wette, Hupfeld). The position of Assyria as an auxiliary of the sons of Lot, that is, of the Moabites and Ammonites, is especially unfavorable to this view.”

Psalm 83:8 points out that Assyria, one of the ten confederate members, actively helps “the children of Lot” in this war prophecy. In modernity, Assyria represents Syria and Iraq; and Lot’s children, who were Ammon and Moab, are Jordan today.

“Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah” (Psalm 83:8, NKJV).

The next commentary on Psalm 83 below is from Bible scholar Merrill F. Unger, who was a professor of Old Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. The following words were published in his book in 2002 entitled Unger’s Commentary on the Old Testament on pages 866-867.

“This psalm is the last of the Asaph series (Psalms 73-83), of which prophetically glimpse Israel’s future trouble and deliverance into Kingdom blessing…. Probably its fulfillment will come in some pan-Arabic coalition and attack on the Israeli State before the church is taken out, or at least before Daniel’s seventieth week begins.”

Thus Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12 are seemingly related prophecies. By the time Zechariah 12:2-9 happens, the following prophecies should also happen concurrently or already have been fulfilled and none of these seem to be part of Armageddon:

  1. IDF vs SYRIA                                     (Isaiah 17:9, Jer. 49:23-27)
  2. IDF vs HEZBOLLAH (LEBANON)  (Psalm 83:7, Ezek. 28:20-24)
  3. IDF vs PALESTINIANS                     (Obadiah 1:18, Ezek. 25:14, Psalm 83:6)
  4. IDF vs HAMAS (GAZA)                    (Zeph 2:4, Ezek. 25:13-14, Psalm 83:7)
  5. IDF vs JORDAN                                 (Isaiah 11:14, Jer. 49:2, Ezek. 25:14)
  6. IDF vs EGYPT                                   (Isaiah 19:1-18, Psalm 83:6)
  7. IDF vs SAUDI ARABIA                     (Ezek. 25:14, Jer. 49:8)
  8. IDF vs HOSTILE NEIGHBORS         (Zechariah 12:6, Ezek. 28:24-26)

I’ll conclude with a final quote from my dear friend, Dr. David Reagan, on Zechariah 12. David used to teach that Zechariah 12 was part of Armageddon, but after reading my teachings and doing his own extensive research now recognizes that it’s not likely part of Armageddon.

David Reagan, “The Wars of the End Times, Part 2.”

“The first the War of Israeli Extermination is described in Psalm 83. Psalm 83 states that the immediate neighbors of Israel will launch a war for the purpose of wiping out Israel as a nation…. The outcome of the war is not specifically stated in Psalm 83, but we know from other Scriptures that Israel will be victorious. For example, Zechariah 12:6 says, “That in the end times Israel will be like a firepot among pieces of wood, and a flaming torch among sheaths so that that they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples.” … “Bill Salus believes this war of annihilation will boomerang on the Arab nations and will result in their overwhelming defeat producing great territorial expansion, enhanced national resources for Israel, and yes, peace for Israel.””

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Prophetic Proof: Jerusalem and Judah Belong to the Jews – By Bill Salus

March 1, 2025 8:46 am / Leave a comment

This article will prove prophetically through Zechariah 12:1, as supported by a sequence of historically fulfilled foretold events, that Jerusalem and Judah belongs exclusively to the Jews. This article concludes with this proof.

Zechariah’s prophecies in chapter 12:1-9, foretell of a coming siege upon Judah and Jerusalem by the surrounding Arab states. Presently, these Arabs contest Israel’s rightful sovereign claims over Judah and Jerusalem. These  Muslim countries believe that Jerusalem is Islam’s third holiest city and that Judah is under Jewish occupation, but actually belongs to the Palestinians. Ultimately, the Arabs will try to forcefully take over Judah and Jerusalem. Below is a brief overview of this future siege in Zechariah 12:2,4,6.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.”  (Zechariah 12:2; KJV)

In that day, the Lord will intervene to prevent this. First, by making Jerusalem likened to a cup of trembling, dizziness or intoxication in some translations. This will initially stagger their efforts, but then secondly, they are hit with three heavy supernatural blows.

“In that day,” says the Lord, “I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.” (Zech. 12:4)

Remember that when Zechariah wrote, the soldiers rode into battle upon horses, rather than flew in on fighter jets or drove military tanks. Therefore, I will translate these events into modern-day warfare concepts.

The LORD will level the field by the following three supernatural blows;

1. “I will strike every horse with confusion.” This suggests that debilitating malfunctions might occur within the Arab artilleries with their jets, tanks, weapons, transport vehicles, etc.

2. “I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness.” This implies that the military equipment malfunctions will cause panic and hysteria among the soldiers. By now Jerusalem will certainly become a cup of trembling to these Arab attackers.

3. “I will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.” To top off the failed equipment, it seems that the military GPS guidance and radar systems also quit working.

Now, with the divine interventions above, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are able to decisively defeat the attackers.”

“In that day I will make the governors of JUDAH (IDF) like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; THEY shall DEVOUR all the SURROUNDING (Arab) PEOPLES on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.” (Zech. 12:6, NKJV; emphasis added)

This siege is unsuccessful! Key words are in bold font above to show that the attackers are from the surrounding Arab armies and not international armies. The world armies will subsequently make a siege upon Jerusalem in Zechariah 14:1-2 and it will succeed, but that is part of the Armageddon campaign and not the Arab siege. 

For more details about both the Arab and subsequent Armageddon sieges read my articles entitled, “God Helps Israel Defeat the Arab Armies: (Zechariah 12:1-6),” and “Zechariah 12: The War Before Armageddon.”

Jerusalem and Judah Belong to the Jews

Now, it’s time to prove prophetically that Jerusalem and Judah both belong to the Jews. Zechariah 12:1 intentionally quotes from Isaiah 44:24-28. Isaiah prophesied between approximately 740-701 BC. Zechariah began his prophetic ministry about 200 years later in 520 BC.

“The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.” (Zechariah 12:1)[i]

This sovereign declaration serves as the Lord’s certificate of authenticity concerning Zechariah’s prophecy. This acknowledgment was first made around 720 BC in Isaiah 44.

“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: (forms the spirit of man within him) “I am the LORD, Who made all things, who stretched out the heavens alone, who (lays the foundation and) spread out the earth—Who was with me. Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ To the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’ And I will raise up her waste places; Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers’; Who says of Cyrus, (King of Persia 600-530 BC) ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”’ (Isaiah 44:24-28; emphasis added)             

This Isaiah prophecy was issued over a century before Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians around 586 BC. Isaiah essentially stated that, as sure as the Lord single-handedly stretches out the heavens and spreads abroad the earth, the Jews would rebuild Jerusalem and Judah.

Isaiah was clearly issuing a future prophecy because during his time, Jerusalem was inhabited and the cities of Judah had already been built. In essence, Isaiah anticipated the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah by the Babylonians and the subsequent need to restore it.  

Isaiah 44:26 prophesied that Jerusalem would be inhabited with Jews and the cities of Judah would be rebuilt by Jews. Isaiah 44:28 proclaimed over 150 years in advance, that King Cyrus of Persia would issue the command for the restoration of Jerusalem and Judah.

In 539 BC the Persian King Cyrus conquered the Babylonians and according to Ezra 1:2-4, he immediately commanded the Jews to return to Israel to rebuild the Jewish Temple and restore the devastation in Judah.  

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people, (the Jews)? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.  And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:2-4, NKJV; emphasis added)

Zechariah’s generation served as the living fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. His generation was the one that again re-inhabited Jerusalem and rebuilt the cities of Judah that the Babylonians had destroyed. Thus, his repeat declaration of Isaiah 44:24 is intended to leave no doubt that both Judah and Jerusalem were exclusively sovereign to the Jews.

PROPHECY fulfilled HISTORICALLY is the best PROOF AVAILABLE!         

Zechariah 12:1, which called to remembrance Isaiah’s prophecy about King Cyrus, clearly declared that the Jews possessed God given sovereignty over all of Jerusalem and Judah. King Cyrus commanded the Jews, not the Arabs, to return to Israel and restore their homeland.

Zechariah 12:2 foretells that someday Israel’s rightful claims to these areas would be falsely and forcibly contested by the surrounding Arab peoples. They will attempt a final siege upon Judah and Jerusalem, which Zechariah 12:6 informs will end the Arab-Israeli conflict.

[i] Zechariah 12 verses are taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

______________________________________________________________________

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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!

Merry Christmas, and heartfelt Thanks on behalf of the Pakistan Effort!

December 26, 2024 5:52 pm / 1 Comment on Merry Christmas, and heartfelt Thanks on behalf of the Pakistan Effort!

Dear Brothers and Sisters who have so generously donated to reaching the people of Pakistan with your donations, thank you in the name of our Lord Jesus.

While I’m working to try and send personal thanks –a thing that will take time because of being blind and working with computer voice synthesis–I wanted meanwhile to send this Thank You in this way.

Again, you have reached out to the people of that land in such a loving and generous way that there is no way I can adequately express what that effort means.

I have no doubt, however, that our God Knows how to Express His Approval of such caring and will do so one Heavenly Day at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Pastor Anil Jasper has sent the following to express his gratitude.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

–Terry James

Dear Brother Terry James and Heavenly Supporters,

I strongly believe that you are enthusiastically working hard in the Lord’s vineyard to prepare souls for our glorious and blessed hope. I write to you with deep gratitude and a heart filled with thanks for your invaluable contribution toward the printing and distribution of Terry’s remarkable book, Prophecy Power.

On behalf of myself, my wife Jamila, my children and grandchildren, and the many people who will benefit from the message of this book, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the time, energy, and resources you have all generously invested in this project. Through your support, the powerful insights and prophetic wisdom shared within Prophecy Power will reach a wide audience, providing spiritual guidance, encouragement, and clarity in these challenging times.

Terry’s work is a beacon of truth, and your dedication to ensuring that this message is made available to so many is truly inspiring. I have no doubt that this book will touch lives, spark everlasting hope, and ignite a renewed passion for our Lord’s soon return and understanding among its readers.

Thank you for partnering with us in this kingdom work. Your efforts have made a lasting impact, and I pray that God blesses each one of you abundantly for your kindness and generosity.

May His peace continue to guide you in all that you do, and may you experience the fulfillment of His purposes in your lives.

With heartfelt thanks.

Your Brother,
Rev. Anil Jasper

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