Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
For years, Muslim authorities carrying out illegal construction projects atop the Temple Mount have unceremoniously dumped tons of earth and debris containing treasures of Jewish history outside the Old City walls.
Groups of Israeli archeologists have struggled to sift through the remains, but it is a daunting task.
But it is also a critical task. These remains that are so flippantly, but also so foolishly, exposed to the world by the Muslims are some of the best evidence to debunk Islam’s claims to the Bible’s holiest site.
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Coach tours are now being conducted around a UK town, not far from where I live, to enable Chinese pilgrims to pay tribute to one of their greatest heroes.
James Hudson Taylor (pictured in his later years), who was also a true friend of Israel, was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire, in 1832 and later followed the call of God to China, where he established hundreds of churches and nearly 200 schools. As founder of the China Inland Mission (now Overseas Missionary Fellowship), he became spiritual father to millions of Chinese Christians.
As part of their weekly Songs of Praise programme, BBC Television focused on the visit to Barnsley of a coach-load of British-based Chinese tourists. Interviewed about what Taylor meant to them and filmed publicly praying and thanking God for his ministry, they sang Amazing Grace in their native tongue as they honoured his memory.
“I cannot believe God has used this little place (population 225,000) to do an amazing work among the Chinese,” one of the tourists told the BBC.
Historian Ruth Tucker wrote: “No other missionary in the 19 centuries since the Apostle Paul has had a wider vision and has carried out a more systematized plan of evangelizing a broad geographical area than Hudson Taylor.”
So what was the secret of his success? Firm resolve to follow a clear calling was no doubt a key – he was so determined to identify with the Chinese that he adopted their dress and even wore a pigtail. But despite his primary calling to China, he clearly also saw the priority Scripture set on Jewish evangelism; that even for the Apostle Paul, who was called primarily to the Gentiles, the gospel was “to the Jew first” (Romans 1.16).
He was so convinced of this truth that, in his latter years, he would write out a cheque in support of a Jewish mission on the first day of each year.
This habit began on New Year’s Day 1897 when, at home in Britain, he went round to the house of one John Wilkinson, founder of the Mildmay Mission to the Jews, with what Taylor’s wife Jennie described as “a brotherly note enclosing a gift”. A cheque was accompanied by a note saying “To the Jew first”.
Mrs Taylor continued: “Mr Wilkinson’s warm heart was touched, and he immediately wrote a brotherly reply, enclosing his own cheque for the same amount, with the words: ‘And also to the Gentile’.
“This helpful interchange of sympathy was kept up ever after,” she wrote, “the only change being that each doubled the amount of their contribution.
“Work among God’s ancient people occupied a special place in the prayerful sympathy of both Mr and Mrs Taylor,” she explained.
St Paul wrote: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1.16)
This statement reflects something of God’s heart for the Jewish people, first expressed in Genesis 12.3 as: “I will bless those who bless you…”
Taylor’s attitude and understanding of the place on God’s heart for the Jews will surely have contributed in no small measure to the incredible success of his mission – there are at least as many Christians in China today as there are people in the UK! And that’s despite severe persecution. Now Chinese Christians are working on a plan to take the gospel all the way back to Jerusalem, where it all started!
The most encouraging aspect of watching those Chinese believers paying tribute to Hudson Taylor was that they represented the undeniable evidence that what you sow, you will surely reap. As St Paul urged the Galatians: “Let us not become weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal 6.9)
Cam Newton became a hit with the fans this season, but like many of us, he may need some maturing. (Cam Netwon Facebook page )
An Open Letter to Cam Newton
Cam Newton became a hit with the fans this season, but like many of us, he may need some maturing. (Cam Netwon Facebook page )
Note: This story is updated with new information and an apology. This is the grace I am talking about that we need to give.
Dear Cam:
During the 2015-2016 National Football League season, the whole world has become a witness to how you became a shining example of a man who thoroughly enjoys the job and talents that God has blessed him with. I believe the entire league owes you a debt of gratitude for how you made playing football look like fun instead of someone who is simply drawing a huge paycheck.
As the quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, you brought the joy of professional sports back to the city of Charlotte. Your antics—your dabs and Superman poses after you score touchdowns—may seem obnoxious and arrogant to some, but that could simply be jealousy. Your playful demeanor won over a lot of fans, including myself.
As a former resident of the city and admirer of the team—notice I didn't say fan—I thank you for what you've done to bring enthusiasm back to the Carolina Panthers. I have many friends back in Charlotte, and they're having fun with it, too.
We've watched as the Panthers had an outstanding season, winning 15 of 16 regular-season games. You cruised through the playoffs to the Super Bowl, and you were named the NFL's Most Valuable Player. You deserve every bit of the accolades you have received.
Unfortunately, when you and your teammates lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, your image took a huge hit. It's not because you lost or because of your performance during the game. It was your demeanor in the post-game press conference that disappointed and shocked many.
You sulked. For the most part, you gave one-sentence answers to reporters' questions. Frankly, you acted like a 10-year-old child who had just had their cellphone taken away—not that a 10-year-old should have a cellphone.
You didn't own up to the six times you were sacked. You didn't own up to the two fumbles that led to 14 Denver points. You ended the press conference with the phrase, "I'm done, man."
Not cool, Cam, not cool.
I can't say that I've ever been a fan of yours. As an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide, there's a natural tendency to dislike you because of your affiliation with Auburn University. You made us look bad during your senior year, and you won a national championship in 2010, which makes Tide fans' stomachs turn. But then that's just football.
I actually want to apologize to you for maligning you as a person. The controversy and scandal that surrounded you blinded my eyes so much so that I announced I wouldn't root for the Panthers any more when they drafted you. It was not my place to judge you, and I'm sorry I did. I did not give you the grace that Jesus would have. That showed my own character flaw. Again, I apologize.
As it turns out, I find my spirit actually grieving for you. I never thought I would ever say that. But as a man of God, I find myself now praying for you. Since I wrote this, a reader informed me that you indeed profess Christ, and that's wonderful. I apologize if I made any assumptions about that. Now it's all a matter of maturity in your walk with Him. Sunday's post-game antics only showed a sign of immaturity in you. You were hurt and disappointed because, for the first time in life on a big stage, things didn't turn out the way you had hoped.
Cam, many people are going to call you out for your behavior on Sunday, and chances are, you don't care right now. Deion Sanders, himself a man of God, did just that on national television by saying, "You are the face of our brand right now, you can't do that. I understand the emotions of losing, but you can't do that. A Manning, a Brady ... all these guys who are a prototypical type of quarterback in our game, they're not going to do that ever. Would Drew Brees ever?"
What Sanders should have done was pulled you aside and talked to you about it in private. Or, he should have reacted like Marshall Faulk, who himself knows the pain of losing a Super Bowl. Faulk said, "I've been on that podium in that very same seat. It's tough, it's hard," said Faulk, whose Rams fell to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. "When I look back at how I handled it, I promised to never be that person again. Cam is going to learn from this.
Cam, remember this: Through it all, God loves you and wants you to draw near to Him so you can better handle the adversity in your life. This isn't the first time it's happened, and it won't be the last. But allow Jesus to come into your heart so that you can learn to deal with your trials and tribulations. He's inviting you to do just that.
I suggest you talk with teammate Charles Tillman, whom I interviewed on my Javelin podcast recently. He's a great man of God who can help you.
I know you're disappointed about not winning the Super Bow, but that will pass. With your talent, you will be back there with another opportunity.
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France threatened Israel with recognizing the Palestinian Authority as a nation-state only a day after Iranian business agreements were made with French companies – a deal worth several billion euros. Coincidence? As the saying goes, money talks.
During recent diplomatic tour of Europe, meetings took place with the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Pope Francis, over twenty French business leaders, and French President Francois Holland. The business deals arranged included over 118 Airbus commercial planes and renovations for Iran’s Peugeot car plant, amongst others agreements.
After the dangerous JPOA nuclear deal, Iran has emerged from its isolation in the international community because of its nuclear program. Although Iran appears to some observers as having compromised in the deal, the facts remain that Iran is set back only a small amount of time.
Because of the JPOA nuclear deal, Iran was able to legitimize its illegal nuclear program, allowed to keep its nuclear facilities (guaranteeing a bomb in the coming years), and continue researching and designing better centrifuges to enrich uranium quicker.
The current US administration has put so much political capital into the agreement that the President hesitates to slap greater sanctions on the Islamic Republic when it continues to support terrorism or dares nations to react to its illegal ballistic missiles tests.
President Obama’s decision to drop most of the heavy sanctions has allowed Iran to conduct business with some of America’s most critical international partners. The sanctions relief has given Iran the ability to access $100 billion dollars in previously frozen assets.
While some individuals, companies and organizations in Iran are still sanctioned by the US Treasury Department, countries in Europe and elsewhere are seeking to line their pockets with profits and resources from the world’s number one state-sponsor of terrorism. And while Europe stands to profit, Iran has the chance to grow economically and use strong-arm tactics in the Middle East, including its daily threats of destruction towards the US and the State of Israel.
Posted: 09 Feb 2016 Michael Snyder THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE
On Tuesday junk bonds continued to crash, the price of oil briefly dipped below 28 dollars a barrel, Deutsche Bank was forced to deny that it is on the verge of collapse, but the biggest news was what happened in Japan. The Nikkei was down a staggering 918 points, but that stock crash made very few headlines in the western world. If the Dow had crashed 918 points today, that would have been the largest single day point crash in all of U.S. history.
So what just happened in Japan is a really big deal. The Nikkei is now down 23.1 percent from the peak of the market, and that places it solidly in bear market territory. Overall, a total of 16.5 trillion dollars of global stock market wealth has been wiped out since the middle of 2015.
As I stated yesterday, this is what a global financial crisis looks like.
Just as we saw during the last financial crisis, the big banks are playing a starring role, and this is definitely true in Japan. Right now, Japanese banking stocks are absolutely imploding, and this is what drove much of the panic last night. The following numbers come from Wolf Richter…
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group plunged 8.7%, down 47% from June 2015.
Mizuho Financial Group plunged 6.2%, down 38% since June 2015.
Sumitomo Mitsui plunged 6.2%, down 26% since May 2015
Nomura plunged a juicy 9.1%, down 42% since June 2015
A lot of analysts have been very focused on the downturn in China in recent months, but I think that it is much more important to watch Japan right now.
I have become fully convinced that the Japanese financial system is going to play a central role in the initial stages of this new global financial meltdown, and so I encourage everyone to keep a close eye on the Nikkei every single night.
Meanwhile, the stock price of German banking giant Deutsche Bank crashed to a record low on Tuesday. If you will recall, Deutsche Bank reported a loss of 7.6 billion dollars in 2015, and I wrote quite a bit about their ongoing problems yesterday.
Deutsche Bank co-CEO John Cryan moved to quell fears about the bank’s stability Tuesday with a surprise memo saying its balance sheet “remains absolutely rock-solid.”
The comments come as investors grow increasingly nervous about the health of European banks, which have taken a hit on the fall in energy prices and which face rising concerns over their cash levels.
Of course Lehman Brothers issued the same kind of denials just before they collapsed in 2008. Cryan’s comments did little to calm the markets, and even Jim Cramer saw right through them…
“You know, Deutsche Bank puts out a note saying, ‘listen, don’t worry, all good.’ Reminds me of JPMorgan saying if you have to say that you’re creditworthy then it’s already too late.”
Another thing that Lehman Brothers did just before they collapsed in 2008 was to lay off workers. We have seen a number of major banks do this lately, including Deutsche Bank…
Cryan, 55, has been seeking to boost capital buffers and profitability by cutting costs and eliminating thousands of jobs as volatile markets undermine revenue and outstanding regulatory probes raise the specter of fresh capital measures to help cover continued legal charges. The cost of protecting Deutsche Bank’s debt against default has more than doubled this year, while the shares have dropped about 42 percent.
The following chart comes from Zero Hedge. Nobody on the Internet does a better job with charts than Zero Hedge does. I would recommend visiting them right after you visit The Economic Collapse Blog each day (wink wink). This chart shows that Deutsche Bank stock has already fallen lower than it was during any point during the last financial crisis…
Deutsche Bank is the biggest and most important bank in the biggest and most important economy in the EU, and it has exposure to derivatives that is approximately 20 times Germany’s GDP.
If that doesn’t alarm you, I don’t know what will.
The biggest financial bubble in the history of the world has entered a terminal phase, and the parallels to the last financial crisis have become so apparent that just about anyone can see them at this point. Just consider some of the ominous warnings that we have seen recently…
Billionaire Carl Icahn, for example, recently raised a red flag on a national broadcast when he declared, “The public is walking into a trap again as they did in 2007.”
And the prophetic economist Andrew Smithers warns, “U.S. stocks are now about 80% overvalued.”
Smithers backs up his prediction using a ratio which proves that the only time in history stocks were this risky was 1929 and 1999. And we all know what happened next. Stocks fell by 89% and 50%, respectively.
Even the Royal Bank of Scotland says the markets are flashing stress alerts akin to the 2008 crisis. They told their clients to “Sell Everything” because “in a crowded hall, the exit doors are small.”
And let’s not forget that famous billionaire retail magnate Hugo Salinas Price has warned that the global economy “is going into a depression“.
The chaos that we have seen this week is simply a logical progression of the crisis that began during the second half of last year. If you were to create a checklist of all the things that you would expect to see during the initial stages of a new financial crisis, all of the boxes would be checked.
In the days ahead, keep your eyes on Germany and Japan.
Yes, the Italian banking system is completely collapsing right now, but I believe that what is happening in Germany is going to be the key to the meltdown of Europe, and I am convinced that Deutsche Bank is going to be the star of the show.
Meanwhile, don’t underestimate what is taking place in Japan.
The Japanese still have the third largest economy on the entire planet, and their financial system is essentially a Ponzi scheme built on top of a house of cards that has a rapidly aging population as the foundation.
As Japan falls, that will be a signal that financial Armageddon is now upon us.
And after last night, it appears that moment is a lot closer than a lot of us may have thought.
Are you ready to be part of the Joshua Generation? (Lightstock )
This prophetic word for 2016 addresses neither the world, nor the church at large, but instead the remnant church.
For the past seven years (2009-2015) the Lord addressed His remnant as the Jacob Generation—who with clean hands and a pure heart daily ascended the hill of the Lord to seek His face in the secret place. This remnant received a promise of blessing from the Lord that will now be realized in this next seven-year season (2016-2022).
"Who may ascend the hill of theLord?Who may stand in His holy place?He who has clean hands and a pure heart;who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity,nor sworn deceitfully.He will receive the blessing from theLord,and righteousness from the God of his salvation.This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,who seek Your face. Selah" (Ps. 24:3-6, MEV).
During this next seven-year season, the Lord is bringing forth His rising remnant as the Joshua Generation, who will accompany the King of Glory, the Lord of Armies, into battle. Indeed, the remnant church is entering a season not only of blessing, but also of glory and of war.
"Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, that the King of glory may enter. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift up, you everlasting doors, that the King of glory may enter. Who is He—this King of glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah" (Ps. 24:7-10, MEV).
In order to better understand the season God is moving the remnant church into, we need to contrast and compare the characteristics of the season we have exited with the season we are now entering.
Intimacy vs. Authority
Intimacy with God precedes authority in God. Over the past seven years, the Lord has been wooing His Bride into the holy place. Like Jacob, who at Bethel saw the angels of God ascending and descending upon a ladder through the gate of heaven, the Lord has beckoned His remnant to seek His face in the secret place. As the Jacob Generation has come to know the Lord and His purposes in the former season, He can now trust them with His authority and power as the Joshua Generation in this new season (Gen. 28:16-17).
Knowing vs. Doing
As the Jacob Generation, the remnant church has come to know God. Now as the Joshua Generation, the remnant church must do exploits for God. In these last days, it is crucial that the remnant church arise and expand the rule of King Jesus in the earth. Thy Kingdom come!
"By flatteries he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action" (Daniel 11:32, MEV).
Revelation vs. Revolution
The Jacob Generation, having come to a revelation of God, must now, as the Joshua Generation, lead a righteous revolution for God. Through the spirit of wisdom and understanding, we have come to know God's ways, words and works. Through the spirit of knowledge, we have come to know God's purposes, provision and power. However, in this next season, the Spirit of the Lord is entrusting to us His divine authority and anointing that we might lead a righteous revolution. Moreover, the spirit of council is revealing God's strategic battle plans while the spirit of might is releasing God's power that we might do exploits in His name (Eph. 1:17-19).
Waiting vs. Warfare
Intimacy with God requires waiting on God. As we wait upon the Lord, our strength is being renewed, enabling us to soar as eagles, run through a troop and jump over walls into the enemy camp. In other words, waiting on God produces the strength necessary to war with God. No less than five times did the Lord exhort Joshua to "be strong and of good courage" as he prepared Israel to possess their promised land and depose the giants of Canaan (Josh. 1:6-7, 9, 18; Josh. 10:25; Ps. 18:29; Is. 40:31).
Abiding Under vs. Presiding Over
The Jacob Generation dwelt in the secret place of the Most High and abided under the shadow of the Almighty. In contrast, the Joshua Generation presided over the enemies of Canaan, trampling lions and serpents underfoot. In other words, the Jacob Generation retreated into the presence of God, whereas the Joshua Generation now advances into enemy territory (Ps. 91:1-2, 13).
Concession vs. Possession
Jacob played "Let's Make a Deal" with his Uncle Laban to obtain his prized possession—Rachel. After laboring for seven years for Rachel, Jacob was deceived into marrying Leah, Rachel's sister. After making concessions to obtain what man had promised, Jacob became disillusioned. On the contrary, Joshua led Israel out of the wilderness to take possession of what God had promised. Likewise, the remnant church is entering into a season of possession, as it is our time to possess the promises of God (Gen. 29:18, 27).
Joshua 1:3, 11 says, "I have given you every place that the sole of your foot shall tread, as I said to Moses'" (MEV).
Intimate Worship vs. Warfare Praise
The remnant church is transitioning from ministering to the Lord to ministering for the Lord. As priests, the Jacob Generation worshipped at His holy hill at the feet of Jesus. As kings, the Joshua Generation, through high praise, now executes judgments secured from heavenly courts that bind rulers of darkness over nations (Ps. 149:5-9).
Preparation vs. Promotion
Over the past seven years, the Jacob Generation has been prepared in the crucible of affliction and has found solace in the secret place—hidden away with God. Having passed the wilderness tests of affliction, neglect, abuse and silence, the Joshua Generation in this new season will arise, emerge from the shadows and experience divine promotion.
Reproach vs. Recommendation
The reproach of men experienced by the Jacob Generation will be overshadowed by the commendation of God. In this season, the Lord will demonstrate that He has not changed His mind about the Joshua Generation by recommending and honoring them before men. Those that have stood in the remnant's way in the past season will be of no consequence (Is. 61:7, Josh. 1:5).
Obscurity vs. Opportunity
Years of obscurity will be swallowed up by divine opportunity. While God hid the Jacob Generation to protect and prepare them in the former season, He is now bringing the Joshua Generation to the forefront to fulfill divine destiny. Those who have been faithful over little for years will now be ruler over much. For many in the remnant church, 2016 will be a make-or-break year. God is opening doors for the remnant that no man can shut. Indeed, the remnant church is entering into a season of divine grace and opportunity that we must embrace by faith. It's now or never! No more delay!
"The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder. Then he shall open, and no one shall shut. And he shall shut, and no one shall open" (Is. 22:22, MEV).
Hardship & Pain vs. Harvest & Gain
Jacob labored in the wilderness for seven years to receive and enjoy his prized possession—Rachel. During this painful season of preparation, God produced perseverance, character and hope in Jacob. In this new season, Jacob's hope will be realized, as the Lord moves the remnant from a season of deference into a season of preference. The sufferings of the wilderness will not be worthy to be compared with the glory revealed through us in our promised land flowing with milk and honey (Deut. 26:9; Prov. 13:12; Rom. 5:3-5; Rom. 8:18).
Incarceration vs. Liberation
Jacob suffered a form of incarceration for 14 years under his Uncle Laban, whereas Joshua was liberated from 40 years in the wilderness. The year 2016 is a Jubilee year in which the Lord is liberating His remnant church from reproach, shame, doubt, cynicism and grief. It's a year to proclaim and experience liberty in every aspect of our lives (Lev. 25:10).
Sanctification vs. Supernatural
The degree to which the Jacob Generation sanctified themselves over the past seven years will be the measure in which signs, wonders and miracles will be wrought through the Joshua Generation in this new season. Tomorrow is here! The time is now for the remnant to arise and the Lord to do wonders among us.
"Joshua said to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will perform wondrous deeds among you'" (Josh. 3:5, MEV).
Rob Winters is senior pastor of the Prepare the Way International Revival Center, an apostolic and prophetic expression of the ekklesia in Phoenix, Arizona. He is author of numerous books, including Prepare America! – Hope for a Nation in Crisis, Turning America Back to God and Prophets and Prophetic Ministry. For more information, visit his website atpreparethewayint.com.
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