Deception is growing stronger, and its strength is ignorance of what is going on. I don’t say that to say that I do know, and am therefore not deceived; but I do say it because it is true, and I pray always to our heavenly Father to help me stay within the Spirit of Truth, within the difficult road that leads into the narrow gate to everlasting life with the Lord. We are all susceptible to being distracted and losing our focus and concentration at any given time. (Think about when driving your car, as an example.)
After President Trump cursed Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier last week or so, I was reminded back when the President of the USA was George Bush Sr. when Saddam Hussein of Iraq was shooting scud missiles at Israel, with the threat that these contained chemical warheads. This was the Gulf War, and here in Israel everyone was issued gas masks and instructed how to react and respond when missiles were heading our way. Iraq also fired these missiles into Saudi Arabia, and struck a US airbase there, killing almost 30 US military reservists and injuring many more. But what also stands out to me was Pres Bush and the then Sec of State, James Baker, telling the Israeli PM Itzhak Shamir not to retaliate in any way to the missiles being fired at us. Only a half-year before the War broke out, which was in Jan 1991, Baker denigrated Shamir for not wanting “peace” with Israel’s neighbors by telling him publicly from Congress: “Everybody over there [in Israel] should know that the telephone number [of the White House switchboard] is 1-202-456-1414.”
The US has always had a “look down the nose attitude” towards Israel, and supports it in ways that without it, humanly speaking, Israel could not survive or thrive as a nation. But, there is always the “but”: you will do what we tell you to do! And we have heard this very recently from “the best friend that Israel and the Jewish people have ever had in the White House”, said by none other than Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu. As a Jewish believer in Jesus/Yeshua, it comes across as a groveling and sycophantic appeal to a Caesar whom we are trying to flatter beyond the real feeling that we are only being tolerated, rather than truly respected and regarded. It is not a comfortable feeling, yet we see it played out again and again, including even in the last day or two from Pres Trump to the one who has wanted to lavish upon him the highest honors that the Israeli government can give to almost anyone, not to mention to a non-Israeli. Even during Trump’s first term, despite all of his supportive moves regarding Israel and the US Embassy being moved to Jerusalem, I knew inside that even Trump could turn against Israel, despite his Jewish family and high advisors.
God’s plan is moving on despite there being nothing new under the Sun. Governments make geopolitical decisions at the time thinking them to be in the best interests of their own countries. God has given rulers of all forms of governance the authority to do so, and He will use their free will towards accomplishing His sovereign will. PTL! And while He uses Gentile nations and rulers to be used by Him to chastise and even oppress His own chosen people, He will also judge those same powers severely for turning going beyond what He had allowed them to do, and for turning against them in the end and not protecting them. The Biblical record and prophecies speak much regarding this sobering reality.
I think that current events are being used by God to encourage those who are awake to it that His Word and plan are advancing towards the unprecedented events “that must soon take place”. Those who are indifferent to the times in which we live, or who just assume that we are only in another cycle which will gradually lead into the next, will be far less prepared to face the reality when the storm of all storms suddenly appears and quickly overwhelms the world.
For President Trump and the US, I’m concerned that we may be facing soon a Belshazzar shock event when, at the height of his pride and folly, the writing on the wall hits suddenly and quickly, leading to prophetic and historic change of the guard. In this case, though, it will not be a “guard” of righteousness coming, but one bent willfully on evil to throw truth to the ground and trample it. Israel, sadly, has its part in partnering with it before it realizes “too late” that they have signed a treaty with the devil. Praise God that, as Israel’s Father and Husband, He is going to annul that covenant/treaty with death as it pertains to them! But the consequences will be devastating before they finally call upon the name of YHVH/Yeshua/Jesus to save them!
Remarkably, we have a peace with God in Christ that surpasses all understanding.
It seems that Trump has been trumped at his own game, not having internalized who and what he is up against. Apparently the same is so for most of his Christian advisors. They certainly do not seem to understand the times that we are living in, which is not surprising, but the enemy will take full advantage of that ignorance and complacency.
For me the “proof” that we are in the 70th week will be the resumption of the dailies. Until then, I am not convinced as some seem to be that we have already entered the final seven years leading up to the Lord’s return. Interestingly, Jesus did not tell the disciples to watch specifically for the resumption of the twice daily sacrifices, but rather for the abomination of desolation which follows the antichrist stopping them. It would seem from His sequence of events given in the Olivet Discourse and in Rev 6-7 that believers will be facing a difficult time when we do not accept the “peace plan of the world”, nor the efficacy of the sacrifices by the then still unbelieving-in-the-gospel Jewish people. The many false prophets and false messiahs will greatly deceive the people, and we will be seen as the enemies of peace and of society. Our King has a kingdom not of this world!
I do think, too, that the brit/treaty/alliance (Dan 9:27; the United States are callled in Hebrew Artzot haBrit; the former Soviet Union was called Brit haMo’atzot) will involve a requirement that Israel officially give up on settling the whole of the land of covenant promise, and accept whatever is laid on them “for the sake of their own, and of world, peace”. Covenant-breakers among the “holy people” will align with the Antichrist’s agenda and schemes. Christians will increasingly fall away from truth, and from enduring in the faith till the end regarding not only Israel in God’s plan and purpose, but also in the physical return of the Lord Himself in great power and glory to judge all opposition to the truth of YHVH’s Son, and not only against Israel. He comes again to restore forever YHVH God’s Kingdom on Earth to the redeemed and sanctified nation of Israel, and over all the nations. The salt of the covenant will become more tasteless; the light of the churches more dim. The only hope that God has given any one, or any nation, is Himself — YHVH, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob/Israel; and the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. For those who say that the God of the OT is different than the God of the NT, who do they say is the God that Jesus is the Son of!?
Things are rapidly picking up steam in the determined purpose and foreknowledge of the Creator and Redeemer!
There’s work to be done while it is still day, but the night is encroaching by its shadows. As the saying goes: “the darkest hour is just before dawn”. Then, the glory of YHVH will shine upon His people; for then, they will call upon His name to save them! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Ever thanking and praising God for giving living hope in Jesus/Yeshua.