This Side of the Whirlwind: Reject the Tech 5

 

When it is Too Late

What can someone possibly say to friends or family-member who has taken the Mark? Such individuals (previously saved or not) will have now lost any connection to the free gift of salvation![1] Most will believe they have maintained their righteous standing in God, even as they continue going to a local church filled with like-minded fallen believers. However, by this point in the Great Consummation, every federally authorized church will likely expel resistant Christians who refuse to receive the Mark. It is also likely church headship will report errant believers to authorities. Any church previously accepting Non-compliant believers will be forced to close their doors by local or federal government mandates.[2]

As the Mark shifts from an optional product as it is today, to a mandatory government requirement, the tone will significantly change regarding Christians and their resistant Christian communities.

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This Side of the Whirlwind: True Life 6

Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt 2!

(A continuation from True Life 5: Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt)

Fifth link: On Monday while Preacher John and I were driving to Sierra Vista, Arizona we also discussed a Music Minister by the name of Mike Atkins who had recently visited John’s church in Marana, Arizona.  Marana is approximately a two hour drive from Sierra Vista.  I was intrigued by the idea of a person traveling all the way from Kansas to Marana, Arizona to deliver a message to 100 or less people.  I thought, “There can’t be much money in it for him?”  So, I asked John if he could get a copy of the meeting so I could see what this guy was all about.  John said his wife, Ruth, would bring in the VHS recording on Friday when we returned, and so she did. I promised I’d watch the video promptly, and so I did.

Friday night after getting home from Sierra Vista, Arizona I shared the strange week with Pam, my wife, and laughed about how I considered the two women, Debbie and Vera, silly for attempting to deceive me with their obvious collusion over the “supposed” prophecy.  “What a joke,” I said.  What would make these people (their church) believe I would fall for such an obvious deception?  Really, I said, “The idea of two different people giving me the same or verbatim prophecy over the course of two consecutive nights is really absurd!” Pam and I laughed over the unlikely possibility and then went to watch the video of Mike Atkins and ministry.

Steven R. Harrel & Family – 1984

Just twenty minutes later our laughter turned to shock and awe. Here we were in Tucson, Arizona watching a video tape recorded four months earlier in a city two hours north from Sierra Vista recording a church and congregation independent and separate from the church in Marana.  On the video we watched as Mike Atkins delivered his testimony.

Mr. Atkins began, “The first time I realized God was calling me into ministry I was in…!”  Mr. Atkins then relayed three distinct encounters with ministries and or individuals where God called him to serve the Body of Christ.  In each of these encounters someone relayed the following prophecy, “Thus saith the Lord, I will open doors for you that no man can close and eyes that many may see and ears that many may hear.  And I will exult your name beyond your wildest dreams as long as you exult My name, for I love you My son.”  Imagine that, the same prophecy, five times over the course of one week I received or heard the exact same, verbatim prophecy.  Wow! What were the chances of that? Three different people in two different cities and one on a video tape recorded four months earlier.  Pretty unlikely, totally amazing!

Pam told me Mr. Atkins’ renditions of the prophecy did not contain the section which said, “And I will exult your name beyond your wildest dreams as long as you exult My name, for I love you My son.”  However, I distinctly heard that part of the prophecy even if Pam did not.  We have debated this potentially missing element several times over the years.  We cannot seem to agree.  Oh well, only God knows?

Well, Pam and I knew God was doing something even if we did not know exactly what He was doing at the time.  I was utterly confident this was an answer to my prayer in Italy.  We decided to check out the church in Sierra Vista and see if the Lord was possibly leading us their church.  And so He eventually did…

Sixth link: Within a month, September of 1984, I sat in my front room reading from the eleventh chapter of Romans.  About halfway through the chapter I stumbled across the exact prophecy Debbie, Vera and Mike Atkins had quoted sometime earlier.   I placed my thumb in the spot where I found the quote and carried my Bible into the next room.  I said to Pam, “Look, honey, this must be the place they got the prophecy from.  You know, the ‘I shall open doors for you…’ prophecy.  It even has that missing part.” However, as I opened the Bible with my thumb still marking the spot the prophecy was gone.  The scriptures written there on the page had changed.  I searched the Bible in case somehow my thumb had slipped, though I knew this was not the case, and eventually found one location in Revelation which sounded vaguely similar, but not a perfect match.  I know what I saw and read, but could not prove it even if I tried.

Seventh link: Several months later, late March of 1985, one of my brothers lived with Pam and I in Sierra Vista, Arizona for a couple of months.  Without getting into the details, my brother betrayed our trust and then fled the state of Arizona to continue his self-destruction elsewhere.  In the long and short of the situation, I was pretty angry and filled with angst.  I committed myself to forgiving my brother; however, accomplishing this task was far removed from my heart and reality at that time.  Several days after my brother fled, I was sitting in on a prayer gathering when my Pastor arrived unexpectedly.  After our initial greetings, he looked at me and said, “Steve, the Lord spoke to me and said you must develop compassion for your brother and others or He will not use you in ministry.”

I was pretty upset because I deeply wanted to be used by the Lord.  I had grown up in some of the toughest neighborhoods in south Phoenix (Arizona) making me unaccustomed to feeling much for other people, and frankly I liked it that way.  No muss no fuss.  For God to require compassion of me for other people was comparable to asking me to become feminine or sissified.  I thought, “Not happening!”  But then, as I thought it through I realized I wanted to be used by God no matter what.  So, I started fasting and praying for the next two weeks and asking God to teach me compassion.  I did not tell anyone except Pam and preferred to keep this part of my life private.  Two weeks later I still did not feel any more compassionate for others.  In fact I was very frustrated.  It felt like God was asking me to perform the impossible for who I had become.  God does that with us quite often.

Eighth link: After two weeks of prayer and fasting I was invited to a Full-Gospel Business-Men’s Fellowship International meeting.  The Police-Chief from Douglas, Arizona, Johnny Jones, was the guest-speaker scheduled to present his testimony and the evening’s message.  By the way, Douglas is hours away from Sierra Vista and Marana, Arizona by car.  The Pastor and people of my church were not significantly connected with Johnny Jones or his church.

As the evening festivities began, Johnny Jones, Douglas’ Police-Chief entered the room.  He was a large man standing nearly 6’6″ and presented a commanding presence .  He strolled to the platform and began his presentation.  He began, “I wasn’t going to come here tonight until the Lord told me He wanted to deliver a Word for two specific people.  I’ll begin with these two individuals and see what the Lord wants to do after that.”

Mr. Jones then called up a woman named Debbie who recently began to attend our church (not the same Debbie who prophesied earlier).  Johnny pegged issues directly related to her life and then prayed for God to move on her family’s behalf.  I do not know what followed in her life; however, if her encounter with God was anything like mine, I’m sure God responded magnificently.

Johnny then called me up.  As I stood next to this big man of God he reached over and placed his hand gently on my forehead, POW! Lightning shunted through my body as Johnny spoke, “My son, I have told you before! I shall open doors for you that no man shall close, and eyes that many may see and ears that many may hears…”  Then John paused? He quickly continued by saying, “For some having compassion, making a difference (Jude 1:23).  My son, because you have sought me diligently for compassion, I will give you that compassion!” [Then, once again – POW!] Tears exploded from my eyes.  I literally saw tears squirt from my eyes as compassion rolled through me like thunder.  It was as if I could feel all the pains and sorrows and needs of the 120 or more people in attendance. When Johnny was finished praying over me I returned to my seat unable to stop weeping or feeling the needs of the others for more than twenty minutes.  Without getting into too much detail, the process continues even today as God prepares me for the coming ministry and Storm of all storms which will soon follow.

Some time later, I asked Johnny Jones why he stopped the prophecy where he did.  He simply said he presented everything he heard and nothing more.  We will continue next time with the most dramatic presentation of the prophecy, God Himself utters the last of eight verbatim prophecies!  Until next time…

Don’t turn that dial! 🙂 We are in control of the horizontal and the vertical… Cue THE music.

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May God’s blessings guide you to His love!

Steve

 

 

This Side of the Whirlwind: Reject the Tech 4

The Mark Comes!

So, the Mark is coming! When the Mark of the Beast and all its related technologies become commonplace, the modern world, as we know it, will not be accessible to Christians. Believers who reject the Mark will find they cannot survive in the modern world without either submitting to the Mark or fleeing to the mountains for safety. Christian families will not be able to buy food or make mortgage payments. Those who have not planned for the coming crucible (the Tribulation Period of the Great Consummation) will find themselves and their family up a creek without supplies.

When local governments begin to require their citizens to receive the Mark, it will be extremely difficult to say no. No, will not be an option. Before the new technology becomes the nation’s currency standard, everyone will already know someone who has received the Mark. Many will have friends and family who have rationalized away the concerns or objections to accepting the Mark’s bio-implanted tech. People will want to feel good about embracing what they intuitively know is against God’s will. Those who have acquired the device will justify their actions by saying, “Hey, it is the law,” or “We have to eat, don’t we?” Some Christians will even use God’s Word to rationalize receiving the new technology, declaring the Bible requires Christians to obey the government.[1]

According to 1 Thessalonians 5:1–9; the Body of Christ will be able to recognize the time of Christ’s return. At that time, the Christians should be on the lookout for the Mark and the return of Christ. The Bible provides guidance so the saints will recognize the Mark and know how to respond. The Word informs Believers to flee into the mountains when the Abomination of Desolation is erected in the Most Holy Place in Israel’s temple. [2] Bear in mind, Revelation 13:11–18 predicts the coming of the Beast, the False Prophet, and the Mark of the Beast. Any device, technology, or system that must be attached or implanted on or in a person and is also capable of financial management must be rejected. Such a vast financial slash identification system has only become possible in the last decade. Technology, such as the EMV payment system, coupled with the World Wide Web, is just such a system. The prophecies are in place, and the Mark of the Beast is about to begin. The price for disobeying the Lord will be devastating! The following are several possible scenarios for those foolish enough to try and stay in their homes or just in their city.

When the Great Consummation begins, some Christians will attempt to survive by remaining in their homes and communities. Sadly, these misdirected Christians will find family and friends turning a blind eye to their great need even as neighbors betray them to their local government.[3] This is the time of vengeance[4] when a supernatural hatred will flow over the hearts of the non-believers. Such hatred will prompt non-believers to despise anyone serving the Lord.[5] As each believer begins to go hungry and suffer great need for their faith in Christ they will be challenged in every religious ideology which supports their commitment to the Lord and their rejection of the Mark. In those rare instances when authorities do not arrest the believers or their families, their previous circle of influence has either fled to the mountains or drawn away from their faith. Those who were previously faithful but received the Mark of the Beast will now constantly abrade the believer’s rejections and persistently encourage each individual to receive the Mark.

Parents who refused to allow their children to receive the Mark will find their little ones remanded into the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS). And of course, no money or access to a paycheck means no electricity or running water in the average home. CPS will eventually assert such children are being forced into an abusive living environment without reasonable creature comforts, access to government education, or practical connection to children their own age. CPS will quickly remove these child dependents. Though most proponents do not realize why they are against home schooling, the coming of the Tribulation Period is one of the primary reasons home schooling has been under fire by fringe groups over the past few decades.

The average believer remaining in such a challenging anti-Christian environment will soon begin to cave under the raw pressures and doubts. Eventually, most believers will either flee to the mountains or yield to pressures. So great will be the hatred toward Christians or anything Christian related, the animosity will eventually circumnavigate the globe in accordance with God’s Word.[6] No place in the modern world will be fit for true-Christians

 “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death” (Luke 21:16 KJV).

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

When the Great Consummation begins, some may attempt to wait out the two and half years of the Tribulation Period in a prison facility, American prison system or not, these believers should think again. Prison systems will require the Mark, a traceable identification device, be embedded within all prisoners. Every inmate will be required to use the bio-implant in order to pass through security doors, meet roll-call or record food and medical benefits received. Those who choose a starvation diet rather than acknowledge or use the bio-implant will eventually become sick or emaciated. Once an inmate reaches a significant level of physical deterioration, the prison system will simply force-feed the prisoner with concentrated nutritional supplements until the inmate has been returned to a state of reasonable health and well-being. When the Christian prisoner recovers enough to be returned to the general population, the cycle will begin once again. As the process repeats time and again, cycling through a starvation mode and returning to full health, the individual’s resistance to the temptations, such as food and other such stimuli, will eventually erode along with the individual’s determination to remain faithful. With the exception of those who are exceedingly strong-willed and faithful, most people will break down after only two or three repeated cycles. Before long, the believer will likely succumb and embrace the Mark of the Beast. Once the Mark has been willingly embraced, even if only once, the struggle will be over and it will be too late—a treacherous process at best.

[1] Romans 13:1–3, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities …”

[2] Matthew 24:15–21.

[3] Matthew 24:9–13, “and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

[4] Luke 21:22, “For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.”

[5] Luke 21:16–17, “… you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.”

[6] Matthew 10:16–23, “You will be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.”

To continue this subject turn to page 230 in “This Side of the Whirlwind.”  Available in soft-cover study format or E-book: www.Westbowpress.com, www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesandNobles.com, www.Borders.com  www.thissideofthewhirlwind.com

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This Side of the Whirlwind: True Life 5

Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt!

Somewhere between the ages of twenty and twenty-two I realized I was not sure about the validity of my faith, Christianity. In my short life I had been raised as a Christian, received prophecies or Words of Knowledge which had been witnessed and come to pass, been filled with the Holy Spirit seen and actual angel and even encountered demons.  Nevertheless, somehow I still wondered if I were merely seeing through the eyes of my religious upbringing.  Pretty dumb, I know, but there it is.

Well, there I was, 3:00 a.m., standing in the middle of an Italian wilderness staring into the night sky on guard-duty. I had been living anything but a Christian lifestyle at that time and was seriously wondering if any of this Christian stuff really mattered.  So, as I looked into the night sky I began to seriously pray:

Dear God, I believe You are out there; however I’m not sure I believe enough to give up all the things I’ve been doing in my life. You See Lord, the way I look at it is this: I figure that one day, I’ll be 95 years old, and I’ll die, and I’ll just be dead, and I will have given up all the fun things in life, like the money, and the women, and partying, and I’ll just be dead, and the joke will be on me.  The joke will be on me, because I will have given up all these fun things for nothing.   For this reason God, I’ll make this deal with You: if You will show me beyond a shadow of a doubt in my mind, so that I know, that I know, that I know, You are real, and not just some figment of my imagination.  But that You are real, and that I’m an individual to You and not just some guy in a multitude of billions of people on this little planet, but that I am actually an individual to You, and that You have a purpose and a plan for my life.  If You will show me these things Lord and that You are there, then I will serve You all the days of my life.  However, God, if You choose to show Yourself and these things to me, then I will have to put in a catch thirteen for this deal.  Because Lord, no man can truly promise to love a woman or any other thing all the days of his life, simply because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.  We don’t know what we’ll be doing in 40 years.  Therefore, for this reason, I say these things with this catch: If You do show me that You are real, and that I’m an individual to You, and that You have a purpose and plan for my life, then I will serve you all the days of my life “if” You will give me the strength to do so.  Because, only by Your giving me this strength can I possibly hope to actually live up to the promise.  So this I say I will do if You will do that for me and give me the strength.

I know, a crazy prayer.  Well, I was just twenty or twenty-one years old.  I remember feeling like  my prayer was actually being heard, and so it was!

Five years later God answered that prayer in a truly profound and intricately unbelievable way.  The following reveals the miraculous links which bind and validate the upcoming Word of the Lord: there will be eight or nine links in this chain of events.

We will start four months before my first encounter with the prophecy—

First link: In April of 1984 Mike Atkins, a music minister and preacher from Kansas, ministered to a tiny Assembly of God church in Marana, Arizona. Maybe 65 – 100 people total at that time.  While Mr. Atkins ministered, the church recorded Mr. Atkins presentation on VHS magnetic tape.

Second link: Four months later, Monday, August 20^th of the same year I was sent to Sierra Vista, Arizona with John, commonly referred to as “Preacher John” by fellow roofers to repair several apartment complex roofs.  As John and I shared the 90 minute drive to Sierra Vista we began discussing the book of Romans, chapter 7, verses fifteen – twenty-five.  This is the passage where Paul the Apostle discusses the battle between our fleshly man and spiritual man.

Third link: Tuesday John and I continued to discuss Roman’s 7:15-25 while working. After work that day I was invited to dinner with my father and his friends who lived just outside of town.  John did not come.

At dinner we discussed their theology and viewpoints. As I had been raised in a conservative Baptist background I found the charismatic theology of my father’s friends a bit strange and off-putting.  I was not opposed to pulling out Bibles and discussing Bible stories, but it was not common in my circle of friends or family.  Fortunately, I was comfortable in God’s Word. However, that evening was the first time I had encountered another person, besides myself, who heard what they believed was God’s voice. I did not know if her prophecies came to pass at that time.  They did.

Shortly after dinner the Bibles hit the table and “they” began to pray. Boy did they pray!  All I could do was bow my head and pray till they were done.  After many minutes of prayer, one of the women, Debbie, about 26 years old, spoke up and declared, Thus says the Lord!  She then looked straight at me and said, “My son, I shall open doors for you that no man can close and eyes that many may see and ears that many my hear; and I will exult your name beyond your wildest dreams as long as you exult My name, for I love you my son.” The woman, Debbie, then followed this prophecy up with a vision which I will not go into at this time to save time and space; maybe another time?

Fourth link: As John and I worked the next day we continued our discussion on Roman’s 7:15-25. I was unhappily prodded into going to my father’s church the following night, Wednesday.  Once again, Preacher John did not attend.  It was however an excellent presentation of praise and worship during the service.  The small church of seventy or more raised their roof in exultations for 30 or more minutes until suddenly at the peak of praise, a woman, Vera, possibly 55 years of age, announced loudly, “My son, I shall open doors for you that no man can close and eyes that many may see and ears that many my hear; and I will exult your name beyond your wildest dreams as long as you exult My name, for I love you my son.”

The Pastor then pointed at me and said, “Steve, that Word from the Lord was for you! Did you feel those chills running up and down your spine?”  I said I did not, because I did not. And then the Pastor repeated, “Well, that Word from the Lord was just for you.”

I decided the two women must have planned to repeat the same “prophecy” to me. I didn’t know why they would waste their time plotting for my benefit; after all, I did not live in their city or share their theology or possess much money.  Sure, I was a Christian, but not a charismatic rich one.

Well, as it turns out, the sermon that night was on Roman’s 7:15-25. Additionally, as I left the church that evening the Pastor caught me at the door to share a Word of Knowledge he had received about my life from the Lord.  The Pastor said he knew the Lord had called me into Christian ministry two years earlier, and he was right.  The one and only time God spoke into my spirit telling me I would one day minister in music and the Word had taken place almost exactly two years earlier in Temple, Texas.  Only my wife, Pam, knew of this experience and had yet to even visit Sierra Vista at that time.  To add fuel to the fire, the Pastor, Larry Deason, then stated I had problems with my knees and wondered if I would like to be healed.  Of course, as I did have issues with my knees, I said yes.  Pastor Deason then instructed me to lift up one knee at a time as he prayed, “In Jesus name be healed” over each knee.  I didn’t know it then, but I was healed.

The following day as I worked with Preacher John, he commented near the end of the day that he had not seen me work squatting down before. He previously noticed I always bent over to lay shingles or tar the roof.  He wondered what was up.  Amazingly, I hadn’t noticed it either.  I had been squatting down all day while I worked and did not suffer the usual pains associated with bending my knees.  I was healed and did not recognize my knees were not hurting until John mentioned it that afternoon.  Praise the Lord!

Since Pastor Deason prayed for me and God healed me 32 years ago, I have not suffered one more painful encounter with knee issues. Thank you God!

There will be several more links in this miraculous chain of events. Due to the length of this true life story, I will divide the event over another one or two posts.  The really exciting events are yet to come.

Rarely can someone get three people to agree over the same details when they have each witnessed the same incident.  Imagine eight identical, verbatim prophecies given in three different cities over the course of nine months by six individuals.  Now that would be a miracle!  Tune in again for the next, This Side of the Whirlwind: True Life and read about it.

Let me know your thoughts so far: thanks! Steve

To learn of truly significant prophecies, purchase my book, “This Side of the Whirlwind”: www.Westbowpress.com, www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesandNobles.com, www.Borders.com  www.thissideofthewhirlwind.com

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This Side of the Whirlwind: the Latter Days 2

The Latter Days are Now!

What a statement! How can anyone positively declare the Latter Days are taking place at this very moment and impacting our world? How can anyone say the Word declares we are living in a day of prophetic fulfillment?

The answer is simple, prophecy. God’s Word prophesied the coming of the Latter Days with very specific details and what the Body of Christ is to do when the Latter Days occurs. Here are just a few of the conclusive prophecies fulfilled since the Latter Days began 68 years ago. Note, each of these details have been fully met.

1. The prophecies indicate Israel must reemerge as a nation in the Promised Lands after being held captive by a northern country which will enslave the Israelites and places them under a form of cruel bondage (Deuteronomy 30-31; Jeremiah 16:14-18; Jeremiah 23:7-20; Jeremiah 30:1-24).
2. The Jews must have suffered greatly and returned following countless cruelties and death. The Holocaust fulfilled both of these points and many more aspects of the prophecies.
3. The Israelites must no longer be known as the nation redeemed from the land of Egypt; rather, during the Latter Days Israel must become more commonly known as that nation which was redeemed from the lands of the North and gathered from the four corners of the earth. This too has been fulfilled since Israel became a sovereign state in May of 1948 (Jeremiah 16:14-16; Jeremiah 23:7-8; Jeremiah 30:1-24).
4. After being freed by a foreign power, the Israelites must return to their faith in God in the lands of their forefathers in the lands of Israel during the Latter Days (Hosea 3:4-5).
5. Israel’s restoration must have taken place at least once before in their history and then once again after many generations in exile from their God and the Promised Lands.
6. Christians and Jews alike must have access to salvation during the Latter Days (Isaiah 11:8-16).
7. The Latter Days is not to exceed a span of more than 80 years before Christ returns and God’s wrath falls on an unrepentant world (The Parable of the Fig Tree and Psalms 90:10).

These are just a few of the prominent and varied prophecies which positively establish the world is living in the Latter Days at this time and nearly at the end of the world as we know it. If you would like more information on this subject see, “This Side of the Whirlwind” for concrete proofs.

So, what are we to do? What should we, Christians, be doing about the Latter Days?

We, Christians, should be actively providing the salvation message to every person we can. We should be healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead and loving our fellowman even as Christ loves us.  Remember, love is a verb, an action word and not just a feeling.

We must get out of our homes, churches and businesses so we can preach the gospel before time runs out. How many people do we know who are lost, not saved and headed straight to destruction without the saving grace of Jesus Christ we so richly enjoy?  Bear in mind, every one of these people are people Jesus died to save.  I know the way is wide to destruction, but the door to salvation is still open for just a little more time.  Be aware, it is not just the Pastor’s job to reach souls; rather, it is every Believer’s job as a potential brother or sister to invite them to the wedding banquet.  Don’t waste your breath on, “Everyone has their own calling” mumbo-jumbo. That neighbor you say hello to, or cashier you smile at, or the friendly cabbie you tipped today is going to eternal destruction one day if someone they have met, know, meet tomorrow or run into does not love them enough to share the love of Christ: the salvation message is in your hands too.

The Latter Days are here! Like it or not, we are currently living in Bible times, in the last stages of the Latter Days, Christ’s Covenant for the world which happen to be the final days before Christ’s return when apocalyptic world changes will take place everywhere.

So, if the love of Christ is the answer, how can we let so many “we love” slip away?  

Let me know what your thoughts are on this subject?

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This Side of the Whirlwind: the Latter Days?

Living in the Latter Days

 Love is the answer. Jesus said people will know us by our love. But, is loving others the Christian image most often interpreted? No, not generally, or at least not often enough?

Too often the Body of Christ projects unloving, judgmental, prejudicial superior and hypocritical attitudes. Frankly I’ve never met anyone who does not exhibit most of these traits at least once during an average week. Yet, in truth, we also show love. Anyone who says otherwise is also expressing an unloving, judgmental, prejudicial, superior and hypocritical attitude.

So, who must we love? Our family, of course! So then, who is our family?

Jesus said, “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Therefore, anyone who is or will be saved by the blood of the Lamb – IS FAMILY!

Bear in mind, the Tribulation Period of the Great Consummation is coming and not everyone who says they are a Christian will in fact remain saved. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. “Many will say to Me in that day, [at the time of the end] ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ [Former Christians] “And then I [Jesus] will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (NKJV)

The Tribulation Period of the Great Consummation will be a crucible designed to try the Christian commitment.

I bring this up simply because time is running out. In fact, the Time of the Gentiles is nearly at its end. The Church Age is nearly over.

How can we say we love our family when we know so many people who do not yet know the Lord? Wonderful people we see often or live near and are simply too self-conscience, fearful, busy and the list goes on as to why we do not present these potential family members with the love of Christ. The time is very short and getting shorter every day.

We will continue the next blog with evidence the world is currently living in the Latter Days. As living in the Latter Days is very easy to prove, let us answer just a few honest questions for our own peace of mind:

Who does not have neighbors who do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior?

Have you personally presented the love of Jesus to these individuals within the past year?

Is it really okay with you if they die in their sins without ever hearing the gospel message from your lips?

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:25 NKJV)

 

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Living in the Latter Days

This Side of the Whirlwind: Prophecy Fulfilled 4

Breakdown for: The Parable of the Fig Tree

Jesus said:

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – even at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:32–35 NKJV)

Verse 32

In this section of scripture Jesus instructs every believer to learn the parable of the fig tree when He says, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree.”

“The fig tree” in this passage the nation of Israel is represented as the fig tree. In Mark 11:12–14 Jesus also recognized the symbolism between Israel and the bare fig tree becoming unhappy with Israel’s representative lack of fruit.

The scripture continues, “when its branch has already become tender” refers to the newly formed State of Israel.  Interestingly, fig trees produce fruit in two growing seasons.  The spring season or early rains fulfilled during Christ’s ministry and the summer through fall growing season or latter rains represented by Israel’s reemergence and the subsequent coming of the Great Consummation. During the fall season, when the fig tree’s branches have become established, it should represent a developing tree with an abundance of leaves and a steady production of fruit. According to this parable, the nation of Israel should eventually become self-sufficient, practical and productive spiritual society. Primarily, this section of the parable reflects Israel growth as seen today.

When the parable says, “And puts forth leaves”—the clause relates to Israel’s growth and development during the beginning of the Latter Days. Based on previous verses within the chapter, Israel should be in the process of being restored among its peer nations during the Latter Days and before the Great Consummation.

“You know that summer is near …” Summer reflects a prolific time of growth following the spring harvest. Typically, the heart of summer takes place after the first harvest and before the last, or around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles which is representative of the final gathering of productive fruit or the Rapture. The planting and growing seasons referenced here cover the Time of the Gentiles when salvation has become available to the world. With this in mind, the summer you know is near is the period just prior to the final harvest of the Latter Days. The final harvest as previously mentioned consists of two separate times of reaping and harvesting. There will be one harvest for the children of God and one for the lost.[1] The harvest for the children of God will take place during the time of the Rapture when Christ gathers His chosen elect from the four corners of the earth.[2] The second harvest will take place for the unsaved at the end of the Great Consummation near the conclusion of the Battle of Armageddon.[3] Both harvests will take place during a period known as the Day of the Lord. Bear in mind, the Day of the Lord does not take place in a single day but during a period spanning at least one year. The Israelites are not part of either harvest but are delivered by Christ after His return with the Body of Christ at the Second Advent.

Verse 33a

“So you also, when you see all these things”—the period in question represents the time when the individual Christian starts to see prophetic events coming to pass. Understand “these things” as mentioned in the text represents the newly formed “fig tree,” or State of Israel, along with fulfilled End Times prophecies as Israel takes root and prospers during summer or the time of harvest.

Verse 33b

The passage continues, “You know that it is near, even at the doors!” Note the exclamation point. That which is near or even at the doors is the time of harvest, the Rapture. The time of harvest is drawing to a close when the Wrath of God is about to begin and the Second Coming of Christ is imminent. Scripturally, the Wrath of God will take place following the Rapture. The Rapture is “that” which is even at the doors. The parable of the fig tree is repeated three times within the gospels. Each occurrence takes place immediately following a discussion on the Great Consummation and just prior to a discussion on the Rapture. The placement of this parable and prophecy is not a coincidence. Its placement confirms the parable is referring to the period of the Latter Days (Hosea 3:4–5). The parable of the fig tree is warning the world the harvest is near and the Time of the Gentiles is coming to a close. The harvests take place during the Great Consummation, the first during the Rapture and the second as the Wrath of God draws to a close.

Verse 34a

“Assuredly [truthfully], I say to you, this generation …” Jesus spoke to this generation of the Body of Christ, those born after Israel will be reconstituted as a nation. The lives of these people were tethered to the prophecy, which began a seventy to eighty year or less countdown toward fulfillment (Psalm 90:10).

Verse 34b

“Will by no means pass away …” indicates, this generation will not all die before the prophecy is fulfilled. The prophecy will be fulfilled before the average life span of these people of this generation has elapsed.

Verse 34c

“Till all these things take place …” Before this generation dies, this prophecy and all related elements or components (prophecies, visions and or Words of knowledge) will be fulfilled.

Verse 35

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away …” According to the parable the world is more likely to be destroyed or vanish than for these specific prophecies to not be carried out.

The following paragraph is a transliteration of the previous verses and their breakdown:

• When Israel has reappeared on the earth as a sovereign nation and begins to prosper, be aware, Jesus is about to return for the Body of Christ within the next eighty years or less (Psalms 90:10). When all the End Times prophecies and visions begin to come to pass, the world should know and prepare for the Time of the Gentiles to come to its end. Before the span of one generation, when eighty years or less has elapsed, the world will drastically change leadership. Christ’s return will then be imminent.

Through the parable of the fig tree, Jesus is instructing the Body of Christ and the rest of humanity to get ready for His return. No matter how many people may die or how many calamities may take place, God’s Word will be accomplished in accordance with His perfect will.

The primary message behind the parable of the fig tree is not to point out the millions who will likely die or to note how the world will come to its catastrophic end. Rather, the parable of the fig tree is an open invitation from God to every man, woman, and child on the planet while there is yet time. The invitation informs and confirms God’s timetable and purpose for the Great Consummation, the Rapture, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Day of the Lord, and the end of the Time of the Gentiles. God has invited each member of the world to the wedding feast where it matters not if they are a Jew or a Gentile. All who accept God’s invitation by receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Lord are welcomed. An important facet to the fulfillment of the parable of the fig tree is that it confirms every prophecy and vision pertaining to the Time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled by the end of the Latter Days. According to the parable, the date is set and Christ will soon return. At His return, Christ will gather His saints from every corner of the earth.

There are numerous nuances to the parable of the fig tree which are difficult to convey in one or two short blogs.  It is not a single prophecy or section of scripture which confirms the validity of this or any prophecy within This Side of the Whirlwind; rather, it is the overall message found within the book which confirms the complete message and validates its continuity. Read “This Side of the Whirlwind” and discover the hidden message concealed for millennia.

To purchase your copy go to www.thissideofthewhirlwind.com or www.Westbowpress.com, www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesandNobles.com, www.Borders.com

[1] Revelation 14:14–20 and Joel 3:9–17.

[2] Matthew 24:29–31, Revelation 6:12–17, and Revelation 14:12–16.

[3] Joel 3:13, Revelation 11:14–19, Revelation 14:17–20, Revelation 19:15.

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This Side of the Whirlwind: True Life 4

I’m Not Listening?

The weekend at the family cabin had been great fun but the ride home was turning out to be rather painful vehicle-wide. After two children and more than twenty years of marriage things continued to get heated whenever we discussed the number of children we currently had and the number I still dreamed of raising.  This was not one of our happier subjects.  We debated for nearly half an hour before Pam and I finally decided neither one was going to give an inch.  When we did finally pause, our thirteen year old son, Aaron the ever present peacemaker, slipped in a question he hoped would untie the knots of our conflict; he asked, “Hey dad, when did you first realize you wanted to marry mom?”

Who Me?

 

This Side of the Whirlwind: Reject the Tech 3

Reject the Tech 3

The Mark, a biologically embeddable implant containing near-field communication technologies (NFC)(1), will provide a variety of personal functions, including but not limited to mobile banking, individual identification, GPS tracking, and access to all personal financial and medical information. Though the Mark may openly offer consumers a variety of worthwhile applications, its primary function will be to covertly provide governments with a severe level of control over all individuals and their finances. Those who do not possess the Mark will be ruthlessly limited in their ability to manage finances of any kind. When governments the world over convert from cash to cashless financial systems, retailers, wholesalers, department stores, chain food outlets, and warehouses of all shapes and sizes will be forced to accept the Mark of the Beast and only the Mark for all transactions. Businesses will require every employee to possess the Mark so they may meet government requisites, such as taxation and payroll. Employers will require employees to possess the Mark so they can be payroll compliant, managing taxation and the matching payments for Social Security and other types of insurance or installments. All banking will require customers to have the new technology for bank accounts and processing of all checks and credit and debit cards. A person will not be able to purchase anything, including a mortgage or food/health products without the new technology, the Mark.

Before any child may attend school, public or private, obtain health or life insurance, become eligible for any type of government program or services, the child will be compelled to receive the technology for the Mark. In effect, every citizen, young or old, rich or poor, healthy or infirm, everyone will be compelled to obtain the Mark of the Beast, regardless of religion or personal conviction. In this way, governments will be able to gain a unique and powerful control over every citizen in every country. These are the reasons conscience and religious-based objections were overwritten and removed from the laws of the land. Politicians and government leaders were pawns in Satan’s schemes, pulling their strings in order to change pertinent legislation.

The advent of the Internet made the Mark of the Beast possible. The World Wide Web facilitates global electronic integration, enabling the Mark to instantaneously update each bank or financial institution with every purchase. For many years, Internet technologies and software packages capable of maintaining international banking integrity did not exist; however, over the past few decades such technologies have been under rapid construction. Powerful technologies had to be developed before the Mark of the Beast could be successfully implemented on a global scale. Communications and financial technologies, such as smartphones, tablets, smart-wallets, and chipped credit/debit cards for banking and lending institutions require instantaneous connections with secure servers and processing systems. A technology such as the Mark of the Beast will require global financial systems to be capable of implementing a continuous and safe level of transmissions while manipulating trillions of bits of secured real-time data. Today’s international banking is only possible because of processing technologies and software capable of handling the current and potentially future levels of global finance. In 2015, one such software package has been integrated into financial systems throughout the world and recently added to the United States of America’s technologies. The program is called the EMV (EuroPay, MasterCard, and Visa) payment system.(2)

As governments begin developing and executing updated versions of the new cashless financial construct, hundreds of millions of citizens, Christian and non-Christian alike, will scramble to possess the newest and most popular versions of the latest wetware-technologies.(3) Aside from the varied and newly compatible wetware technologies currently on the market, the Mark will be instituted and distributed at the earliest possible moment. Better services mean better biotech and a more efficient and interesting product line for the modern consumer. Today’s wetware contains ubiquitous computing(4) capabilities, which are designed to process personal finances anywhere and with any system. The EMV payment system operates in conjunction with NFC-compatible products functioning throughout the world with companies striving to compete over the global marketplace while integrating their technologies as quickly and efficiently as possible. The integration for the EMV payment system took effect in the United States on October 1, 2015. Any business, corporation, or service within the United States that wants to use the chipped or chip and PIN credit/debit cards must also be in compliance with all EMV standards no later than October 1, 2015. All latecomers are subject to a shifting of liabilities from the payment card companies to the privately owned business entity. Use of the new chipped cards is expected to bolster business for all mom-and-pop stores throughout the world. Unfortunately any vendors or merchants processing fraudulent chipped credit/debit cards without confirming card authenticity through an EMV scanning system will likely find themselves financially responsible for any type of fraud or misuse perpetrated. Though merchants are (supposedly) not required to purchase the new EMV payment system or scanners, failure to do so will likely be financially detrimental to any business.

As businesses embrace the new EMV payment systems or similar types of processing technologies, the global marketplace draws one step closer to implementing the Mark of the Beast. To the man and woman on the street, bio-implants with NFC capabilities will likely just appear as another option for consumers. To the global markets, including every mom-and-pop convenience store, the nearly obligatory technologies will simply represent the cost of doing business. It is doubtful the average consumer will recognize the Mark of the Beast even as it is implanted under his or her skin. The Body of Christ, however, is responsible for identifying the Beast’s deceptions and alerting the saints to all their dangers.

Be advised, Satan’s purpose for the Mark of the Beast is to remove the seal of salvation from every Christian before the Body of Christ can be thoroughly warned. Fortunately, God designed the Mark for a very different purpose: to separate true Christians from pseudo-Christians in preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Only the faithful believer will join the Lord in the skies. Anyone who receives the Mark of the Beast will be left on earth to suffer the wrath of the Lamb! Many of these will be former Christians who foolishly took the Mark or bowed down and worshiped the Beast or his image.(5) It is important to remember this saving principle: the believer who endures to the end, refusing to bow before the Beast, receive his mark, or acknowledge his image will remain saved!(6) I say, “Better safe than sorry!”

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Revelation 12:11 NKJV).

 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5 NKJV).

The text for this blog was primarily taken from pages found in “This Side of the Whirlwind.”  The Mark is not coming, it is obliquely already here. To continue this discussion turn to page 228 in This Side of the Whirlwind: The Mark Comes!

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30144072

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2934241/Swedish-company-implants-microchips-staff.html

1) NFC: near-field communications technology is capable of transmitting payment data without the need for physical contact.

2) EuroPay, MasterCard, and Visa payment system, merchant accounts and credit-card processing since 1998.

3) Wetware: computer hardware and software integrated into the human biological system.

4) Ubiquitous computing: computer technology and processing made to function anywhere and anytime.

5) Revelation 14:9–12.

6) Matthew 24:13, Revelation 3:5.

This Side of the Whirlwind: Prophecy Fulfilled 3

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32, Mark 13:28 and Luke 21:29 each provides a version of the parable of the fig tree. For the purposes of this blog, Matthew 24:32–35 will be used as the main source for the prophecy’s text.

Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away [die, cease to exist] till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:32–35 NKJV)

By approximately AD 73, the majority of the Israelite people had moved from the Promised Land without a clear picture of when they might return. Because of Rome’s scorched-earth policy,(1) the lands in and around Israel left little to sustain the population. There remained a small Jewish presence over the years, but until AD 1946, the Jews ceased to exist as a nation or political power, especially within the Fertile Crescent.(2) Eventually, the former lands of Israel and Judea came to be known as Palestine. For nearly 1,800 years, the Israelite nation did not exist in the Promised Land. Following the Holocaust of World War II, a vast population of Jewish refugees sought support from nations around the globe. Still, rather than invite millions of needy refugees within their borders, many of the nations (mostly members of the United Nations) simply voted to return the Jews to what was previously the land of their forefathers. This initiative gained significant momentum between 1947 and May of 1948 when the refugee problem surged beyond ten million. There did not exist at that time an independent state of Israel. In fact, until then, the Jews did not actually exist as an official or sovereign people of Israel. In fulfillment of Jacob’s Trouble (Jeremiah 30, prophetically fulfilled through the Holocaust), Israel became a sovereign state on May 15, 1948. If Israel’s state of emergency had not existed at that time, the state of Israel would likely still not exist today. During the Israelite procession toward statehood, members of the Israeli community and Zionist movements solicited Jewish families and communities all over the world to return to Palestine by whatever means possible. The newly formed pseudo-Israeli government encouraged Jewish families and communities from around the globe to return to the Promised Land and reclaim their ancient heritage. These Jewish organizations began offering financial incentives, such as tax breaks and cash rewards, to any Jewish family interested in returning to the now growing Hebrew nation. The incentives applied to any Jewish families who would willingly relocate to Palestine for no less than three years. These inducements were not only successful but were the fulfillment of yet another prophecy, found in Jeremiah 16:14–16:

“Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that it shall no more be said, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.”

“Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the Lord, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.” (Jeremiah 16:14–16 NKJV)

In 2 Corinthians 13:1b, Paul made this statement: “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The text implies God repeats important information. When God wants to emphasize something of import, He repeats the information a second or third time to stress its significance. With this in mind, when God says something three or more times by the mouth of Jesus himself, you can consider the information significant. The parable of the fig tree is repeated in three of the four gospels, with each instance immediately following a discussion on the Great Consummation and the Second Coming of Christ. Much of the End Times information found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke is repeated at least three or more times in the gospels as well as other locations within God’s Word.

In the parable of the fig tree, Jesus said, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree.” The phrase directs Jesus’s followers to learn the parable. The fig tree itself is and has been a symbol for the nation of Israel. In chapter 2 of the Song of Solomon, God expresses His passion for Israel, the fig tree, in verse 13: “The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” Scripture often presents Israel using either the fig tree or the olive tree. Typically, the fig tree represents the physical institution or government of Israel without reflecting any spiritual significance. On the other hand, the olive tree tends to represent Israel’s spiritual life, nature, and relationship with God. When scripture points out the spiritual side of Israel, it often does so by reflecting on Israel as God’s olive tree (Psalms 52:8). The oil of the olive tree is sometimes employed to represent God’s Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:12). In prophecies, these terms are utilized to identify a specific type of relationship or connection Israel carries in the text or prophecy. For example, Joel 1:7 states, “He has laid waste my vine and ruined my fig tree …” This segment reflects Israel’s government during the time of the Great Consummation. Scripturally the nation of Israel is considered a wife or love of God.(3) Though God remains a loving husband to Israel, Israel has frequently been the adulterous bride of God (Jeremiah 3:1).

Israel is represented in many forms throughout God’s Word. With this in mind, it is important to note the correct relationship distinction when looking at a specific prophecy. It is also important to add Christians into the mix when appropriate. Remember Joel 1:7 states, “He has laid waste my vine and ruined my fig tree …” The vine represents Christ and the Body of Christ (John 15:5a, “I am the vine, you are the branches …”). Joel 1:7 also presents images of both the Body of Christ and the nation of Israel. It is important to consider every element within a prophecy. Let us look at Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and its relationship to these current issues. God the Great Husbandman or Gardner of Christendom began adopting(4) gentiles into His family once Jesus began His ministry. This process was accomplished supernaturally through the election of grace.(5) It is interesting to note how the newly transformed members of the Jewish nation, Christians, are viewed as wild branches grafted into the natural olive tree.(6) Israel is the natural olive or fig tree. Jesus depicted Himself as the vine with Christians becoming the wild olive branches.(7) Through these and other symbolic representations, Christians were grafted into the natural family of Abraham as wild counterparts rather than natural.(8) These symbols are important when attempting to interpret prophecy. The most important information to take away from this paragraph is how Israel is seen as the fig tree and Christianity is seen as either the wild olive branches or as branches of the vine of Christ. Christians are never viewed as part of the fig tree, nor is Israel viewed as part of the vine. Remember this when considering the parable of the fig tree.

We will breakdown the Parable of the Fig tree by its elements in Prophecy Fulfilled 4.

1) The Romans were renowned for their scorched-earth policy, which required the destruction of anything that might prove useful to an enemy while Rome either advanced through or withdrew from a military arena.

2) The Fertile Crescent is a term popularized by the archaeologist James Henry Breasted, University of Chicago, describing a productive crescent-shaped region, covering the lands between the Persian Gulf and the areas of Upper Egypt.  The Nations of Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Cyprus are included within this region.

3) Isaiah 62:5: “For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”

4) Romans 8:15 and 23.

5) Romans 11:5.

6) Romans 2:28–29.

7) John 15:1–8.

8) Romans 11:5–18.