What Many Misunderstand About Jesus' Humility - MICHAEL YOUSSEF CHARISMA NEWS

Those who only see Jesus as the gentle Lamb of God forget that He is also the fierce Lion of Judah. (designerpoint/Pixabay.com)

What Many Misunderstand About Jesus' Humility

1:00PM EDT 8/14/2019 MICHAEL YOUSSEF  CHARISMA NEWS

Those who only see Jesus as the gentle Lamb of God forget that He is also the fierce Lion of Judah. When Jesus said, "I am meek and lowly" (Matt. 11:29), He did not mean that He is soft, timid or weak. Rather, He is power under control.

Christ's humility reveals much about His matchless power and extravagant love. When He took on flesh, Jesus restrained His power—power that can create from nothing and utterly undo everything—choosing instead mercy and grace. When tempted, He remained without sin. When spat upon, He did not retaliate. Knowing His disciples would forsake Him, He washed their feet. What takes more power than to leave the glory of heaven and come to earth to save and serve undeserving sinners?

Don't misunderstand: Jesus also had moments where He expressed righteous anger. He rebuked the Pharisees for their legalism. He overturned the tables of those who had turned His Father's house into a marketplace. Whenever we see Jesus respond in anger, it is always righteous, always appropriate.

Jesus is not a passive teacher, a detached guru or a peace-loving hippie. In Revelation 1:12-18, we read that the glorified Christ has eyes of blazing fire, feet of bronze, a voice like rushing waters, a face like the sun and a sword coming out of His mouth. This image made the apostle John fall at his feet as though dead—and it should fill us with awe and wonder that such a great and holy God would give His life for us.

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Prayer: Lord, You are the Lion and the Lamb, holy and humble, just and merciful. Thank You that You care for me—that You exert Your power for my good out of Your grace. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"[H]e made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, ... Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" (Phil. 2:7a, 9, ESV). 

Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through creative methods, Leading The Way's international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives here at home and around the world.

For the original article, visit ltw.org.

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The Two Bible Verses North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-un Is Terrified Of - HELLO CHRISTIAN

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Jesus' Matthew 19 Commandment Under Attack - MICHAEL YOUSSEF/LEADING THE WAY CHARISMA NEWS

Jesus spoke very specifically about marriage in Matthew 19. (Public Domain)

Jesus' Matthew 19 Commandment Under Attack

 2/24/2017 MICHAEL YOUSSEF/LEADING THE WAY  CHARISMA NEWS

Today, we are surrounded by a culture that is constantly attacking God's plan for marriage and family life. The Lord Jesus Christ addressed this crisis in Matthew 19.

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" (v. 3). Instead of giving them the grounds for divorce, Jesus gave them the grounds for marriage: 

"He answered, 'Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning "made them male and female," and said, ""For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh" So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man put asunder'" (Matt. 19:4-6).

When we consider the crisis in our families and marriages today, what should be the response of a Bible-believing church? I believe our response is to trumpet loudly and without fear or hesitation what Jesus said in Matthew 19 and what God the Father said in Genesis 2: that marriage belongs to God's created order. From the beginning, the Creator made them male and female. It is not up to us to mess around with this holy union.

Prayer: Father, I pray that You would forgive our nation for what we have done to the institution of marriage. Help me to stand up for what You have put in place and to be a powerful picture of what a Christ-centered family should look like. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"... for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. ... Then the rib which the lord God had taken from man, He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man" (Gen. 2:20c, 22).

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Michael Youssef Warns of Impending Terrorism in the US: The Barbarians Are Here - PETER WOODING/ASSIST NEWS

A member of Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces takes his position during a battle with Islamic State militants in Andalus neighborhood of Mosul. (REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani)

Michael Youssef Warns of Impending Terrorism in the US: The Barbarians Are Here

2/21/2017 PETER WOODING/ASSIST NEWS  CHARISMA NEWS

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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While the debate continues over recent US immigration policy, Dr. Michael Youssef's latest book, The Barbarians Are Here, highlights the urgency for Christians to respond to the current crisis of radical Islamic terrorist attacks in the West.

"For decades, Westerners were vaguely aware that Islamist barbarians were in the deserts of the Middle East, executing infidels and raiding villages with unrecognizable names. Then came the terrorist attacks of 9/11, followed by attacks at the Boston Marathon, San Bernardino and more. Now terrorists seem to be emerging everywhere, unleashing senseless death and destruction on our nation. They are here, and their goal is nothing less than global conquest," said Dr. Youssef. "There is hope to overcome the threat Islam poses to the free world—but we must act now before it is too late."

He added: "This book is not an assault on Muslim people. I love Muslims and have all my life. This is why, with God's help, I founded a ministry which is now actively proclaiming the gospel, discipling the lost and helping the persecuted throughout the Muslim world. However, I am not afraid to call Islamic terrorists what they are."

Of the more than 40 books he has written, Dr. Youssef believes that The Barbarians Are Here is the most important book he has ever written: "This book is the culmination of my 42 years in the ordained ministry. It is the apex of my passion to reach the lost for Christ and proclaim the gospel of the truth of Jesus Christ. I say this not out of pride or because of something that I have done, but because its message is a burden that God has placed on my heart."

Even before its official March 7 release, the book has already seen an overwhelming response, with hundreds of thousands tuning in to a TV special and ordering the book, already making it a top seller in its genre.

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West, Executive Director at the National Center for Policy Analysis, has commended the book for its bold insights, saying: "The world has witnessed a policy of delusion, appeasement and denial when it comes to engaging the global Islamic jihad movement. Dr. Michael Youssef sounds the clarion call on this clear and present danger, providing a critical exegesis of what we must do."

R. Albert Mohler, Jr, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has also provided a strong endorsement of The Barbarians Are Here, and said: "This book is an illuminating discussion of the times and of the challenges Islam poses to the advance of the gospel. Let this book shape how you think, pray and take the gospel to the ends of the earth."

Dr. Youssef concluded: "We are not doomed to destruction, even though the barbarians are already here. But we haven't a moment to lose. I want to urge you with every ounce of my being—read this book." 

This article originally appeared on ASSIST News Service.

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Report: High-Ranking ISIS Leader Gives His Life to Jesus - JENNIFER LECLAIRE CHARISMA NEWS

Peter and friend (Courtesy of Leading the Way)

Report: High-Ranking ISIS Leader Gives His Life to Jesus

12/27/2016 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  CHARISMA NEWS

Jennifer LeClaire is now sharing her reflections and revelations through Walking in the Spirit. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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You've heard of Muslims getting saved after dreams of Jesus. Now, a high-ranking ISIS leader has reportedly given his life to Jesus after watching a Christian television broadcast.

His name is Muhammad*. After watching Leading The Way's satellite TV channel, he had a plan, according to Michael Youssef's ministry.

That plan: to kill a member of Leading the Way's follow-up team.

"Muhammad called the number on the screen. 'I need to meet with you,' he told Peter*, one of Leading The Way's follow-up team leaders," according to the ministry.

For security purposes, the ministry is strategic about vetting callers before meeting with them in person. But follow-up team leader Peter discerned God's voice urging him, "This time is different. Go and meet this man—and be bold with him."

According to the ministry, Peter met with Muhammad and boldly proclaimed the gospel to him. After they parted ways, the ministry reports, God continued to speak to Muhammad, revealing Himself in a dream and bringing great conviction upon him.

"He shaved his beard—the symbol of his radical devotion to Islam," the ministry reports. "He decided to follow Christ. And he reached out to Peter once more, desperate to meet with him."

"Peter, I have a confession," Muhammad told him. "The first time I was going to meet you, I intended to kill you, and I am sorry."

With that, Leading the Way reports, the ISIS leader fell on his face and repented before the Lord.

"This former ISIS leader is now your brother in Christ," the ministry says. "His conversion happened just weeks ago, and by God's mercy and grace, he is already serving Christ where he lives. Only God can change an ISIS leader. Only God can transform hearts—and yet we are blessed to join Him in His work of reaching the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ." 

*Names changed for safety purposes.

Charisma House has raced to publish a teaching book based on this prophetic word so you can apply biblical principles in cooperation with the angels of abundant harvest. Visit angelsprophecy.com to learn more and read what James Goll and others have to say about this teaching.

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, co-founder of awakeningtv.com, on the leadership team of the New Breed Revival Network and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening; Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God; The Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter. Jennifer's Periscope handle is @propheticbooks.

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Rise of the Mahdi: The Antichrist Poised to Enter World Stage? - Paul Strand CBN News

Rise of the Mahdi: The Antichrist Poised to Enter World Stage?

03-02-2016

CBN News Paul Strand

ATLANTA -- Some of the most violent Muslims are trying to bring their messiah into the world, popular Pastor Michael Youssef details in a new book.

But in the pages of The End Times & the Secret of the Mahdi, Youssef suggests the shocking surprise is that this figure will turn out to be the evil Antichrist described in the Bible.

Over the centuries, people have guessed incorrectly again and again that the Antichrist -- that ultra-violent world dictator -- was soon to appear.

Unprecedented Time in History

But Youssef, head of the global outreach ministry Leading the Way and founder of Atlanta's Church of the Apostles, believes only now are conditions set for the coming of that evil one.

His book details how what's going on in the world right now is leading straight toward those events prophesied in the Book of Revelation and elsewhere in the Bible.

"I came to the conclusion that we are coming into the period of time like we have never seen before in history," Youssef told CBN News in an exclusive interview.

Hailing from Cairo himself, Youssef said he deeply loves the Islamic people, but believes Islam is hurtling the world toward the dark days of the Antichrist, as the promotional video for his new book shows.

In it Youssef says of the Antichrist, "He will lull the world into believing in him, even worshipping him as their messiah. But he will end up abusing humanity like it's never been tormented before."

Watch the promotional video below.

The Mahdi Is the Antichrist

This biblical scholar's been researching Islam's beliefs in their end times' messiah alongside the Bible's revelations about the Antichrist. What he writes about is described exactly by his new book's subtitle: "Unlocking the Mystery of Revelation and the Antichrist."

His conclusion is stated in that same promotional video for the book: "Christians know him as the Antichrist. Sunni Muslims know him as the Muslim Christ. Shiite Muslims know him as the Mahdi."

Youssef quotes Muslim scholars in his book on what Islam preaches about their messiah.

"When their messiah comes, he's going to cover the whole world," Youssef said. "He's going to rule the world. And he's going to declare himself to be a Muslim. And he's going to turn on the Christians and the Jews."

"And we know, of course, the Bible said the Antichrist is going to come and he's going to turn on the Christians and the Jews," he noted.

Youssef laid out for CBN News other parallels he sees between the Mahdi and the Antichrist.

"He will call himself  'the man of peace.' That he's going to come at a time of chaos and confusion and people longing for somebody to guide them and lead them and bring them peace because they will be worn out," Youssef shared.

Both the Bible and Islam talk about this figure's seven-year global reign from Jerusalem and say this figure of peace will turn hyper-violent.

"He's going to begin to persecute people. He's going to demand their worship," Youssef said. "Same thing on the other side -- that he's going to kill everybody who does not worship him."

Ushering in the Mahdi

Youssef says some Shiites have actually been trying to bring about the prophesied time of the Mahdi, to make it happen themselves.

"He will appear when the world is in chaos and he will bring peace," Youssef explained. "So [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad, the former president of Iran, basically wanted to stir up trouble and get the nuclear weapons so they could attack Israel and create an atmosphere of chaos, so to force their Mahdi -- or the 12th caliphate -- to show up."

And some of the most violent Sunnis are also trying to set off the end times.

"Particularly those who the Middle East people call Daish or ISIS or IS," the pastor stated. "They also have that concept that when chaos and bloodshed reign supreme -- and that's why they're shedding so much blood -- that their messiah will come."

So if Pastor Youssef's belief is correct that this Muslim messiah will be the Antichrist, it's the first time in history believers of a major religion have been actively working to bring him into the world and welcome him.

No Fear for Those in Christ

But Youssef insists Christians should not fear.

"The Lord said, 'When you see these signs, lift up your head, for the day of your redemption is drawing nigh.' And so, far from being afraid and worried and concerned, we should be rejoicing," Youssef said.

Many believe the Bible warns that the world will be deceived by Antichrist's global false religion, which at first will tolerate and bring all religions together.

In his book, Youssef writes about the already popular 'coexist' bumper sticker with the Islamic crescent forming its "C," the Jewish Star of David for "X," the witchcraft or pagan pentacle dotting the "I," the Taoist yin and yang symbol for "S" and the cross of Christ as the "T."

Churches Welcoming 'Chrislam'

Youssef also told CBN News about another way major religions are merging.

"There is something that is rampant among mainline denominations called Chrislam," Youssef stated.  

"And there are churches in Canada and the United States where they read from the Koran as well as the Bible. There are churches that have the Koran in the pews," he said.

But, he added, there's a way to be immune from false religion.

"If a person is a genuine believer in Jesus Christ, he will not be deceived," Youssef insisted. "The Holy Spirit is going to give us discernment that we will be able to tell the difference."

Christ Is the Only Way

And though they may be cursed as intolerant, Youssef preaches it's time for Christians to insist Christ is the only way, not just one more option.

"We don't hate anyone. We love everyone," he said. "But there's only one name under heaven by which men and women can be saved. And His name is Jesus."

What Youssef emphasizes when he broadcasts around the world from Leading the Way or preaches anywhere he goes is that Christians need not fear all those scary events in the Book of Revelation.

But, he said, they do have to go through that horrifying time of the Antichrist before they can get to the victorious return of Jesus Christ.

Watch here: CBN News

The Antichrist and the Muslim Mahdi (Part 2) - MICHAEL YOUSSEF

The Antichrist and the Muslim Mahdi (Part 2)

10/3/2014   charisma news

Mecca, also called Makkah, is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of his 1st revelation of the Quran.

In my last article, I explained the Judeo-Christian understanding of the Antichrist and that he will somehow be intertwined with Israel—and more specifically, Jerusalem.

Because Islam borrowed a great deal from Judaism and Christianity, it is not surprising that they too have a figure with a messianic complex—the Mahdi, or the Guided One.

Muslims see the Mahdi as a savior who will lead a global revolution and establish a worldwide Islamic empire. The Mahdi will rule the Earth as the final Caliph of Islam (a caliph is both a political ruler and a spiritual representative of Allah on Earth).

Muslims revere Jesus (whom they call Isa) as the Masih or Messiah. In Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi will arrive at the same time that Isa returns. Isa will descend to Earth in Syria, east of Damascus, dressed in yellow robes, and will assist the Mahdi, who will rule over the world for seven years (or, in some Islamic traditions, nine or 19 years). At the end of the Mahdi's rule, there will be a Day of Judgment for the entire human race.

The parallels between the biblical Antichrist and the Mahdi of Islam are chilling. Both are associated with the End Times and the Judgment. Both are said to possess political, military and religious power, and head up a one-world religion. The Mahdi will force all non-Muslim people to convert to Islam. Like the Antichrist, the Mahdi will establish Jerusalem as his capital, from which he will rule the Earth.

Islamic scholars Muhammad ibn Izzat and Muhammad Arif write, in Al Mahdi and the End of Time: "The Mahdi will be victorious and eradicate those pigs and dogs and the idols of this time so that there will once more be a caliphate based on prophethood as the hadith states. ... Jerusalem will be the location of the rightly guided caliphate and the center of Islamic rule, which will be headed by Imam al-Mahdi. ... That will abolish the leadership of the Jews ... and put an end to the domination of the Satan who spit evil into people and cause corruption in the earth, making them slaves of false idols and ruling the world by laws other than the Sharia [Islamic law] of the Lord of the worlds."

Though Muslims revere Jesus as a prophet, they deny that Jesus is the Son of God. Jews and Christians are, to Muslim fundamentalists, "pigs and dogs" who must either convert to Islam or be eliminated. Bible prophecy makes it clear that the Antichrist will target Jews and Christians for destruction, just as Islamic prophecy states that the Mahdi will wage war against Jews and Christians. Those who oppose the Antichrist's worldwide religion will be executed.

Muslim scholar Imam Muhammad Baqir states clearly how the Mahdi will establish his one-world religion: "There must be bloodshed and jihad to establish Imam Mahdi's rule." And Ayatollah Ibrahim al Amini of the Religious Learning Center in Qom, agrees: "The Mahdi will offer the religion of Islam to the Jews and Christians; if they accept it, they will be spared. Otherwise they will be killed."

Daniel tells us (and Jesus affirms in the Olivet Discourse) that the Antichrist will establish "the abomination that causes desolation" in the Temple in Jerusalem. The apostle Paul adds that the Antichrist "will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God" (2 Thess. 2:4). Since the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., as Jesus predicted, this has led some (not all Christians) to suggest that the Jewish Temple must be rebuilt on Temple Mount before the Antichrist can be revealed to the world.

Yet the golden-topped Dome of the Rock shrine and the Al-Aqsa mosque stand on Temple Mount today. One of the Islamic Hadiths (traditions) records that their Prophet Muhammad said, "[Armies carrying] black flags will come from Khurasan [Iran and Afghanistan], no power will be able to stop them, and they will finally reach Eela [the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem] where they will erect their flags." In Islamic tradition, black banners symbolize violent conquest, and Muslims await the Mahdi's conquest of Jerusalem, when he establishes his reign from the Temple site.

Daniel 9:27 tells us the Antichrist will establish a seven-year covenant with Israel—but he will break the covenant after three-and-a-half years, defiling the Temple with "an abomination that causes desolation." The Hadiths of Islam also speak of a seven-year covenant that the Mahdi makes with Israel: "The Prophet said: There will be four peace agreements between you and the Romans. The fourth will be mediated through a person who will be from the progeny of Hadrat Aaron [Honorable Aaron, the brother of Moses] and will be upheld for seven years."

There can be no doubt: Muslims are preparing to accept the Mahdi as their leader—and the Mahdi is indistinguishable from the world leader we know as the Antichrist.

I bring all of this to your attention so we can have a knowledgeable perspective when viewing current events unfolding in the Middle East.

But Christians should not fear.

Regardless of whether the Antichrist comes in this generation or a hundred years from now, those who have placed their faith in God's Messiah, Jesus the Christ, fear no one nor even death. Their eternity is secure in the One who is the only One to defeat death and rise from the grave.

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the founder and president of Leading the Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and on-the-ground ministry teams. Youssef was born in Egypt.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.