Hebrews

Jerry Mongello continues sharing about Israel's place in God's plan and where they fit in what is going on today. Ezekiel Wars and Psalm 83 Wars against Israel have yet to be fulfilled. O God, Do Not Keep Silence A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 83 O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! 2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. 3 They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. 4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” 5 For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant— 6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, 7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, 10 who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.” 13 O my God, make them like whirling dust,[a] like chaff before the wind. 14 As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, 15 so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane! 16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord. 17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, 18 that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON SECTION III, PART 2 This week we will look at Israel's wars and God’s favor in those wars and what is Satan’s strategy? In last week’s message we discussed how the word of God is dominated with the verses identifying God as the God of Israel, Israel as the chosen people, and Israel’s return to the land. What I didn’t cite was that all the prophets with the exception of Jonah [that is 16 out of 17 prophets] mention Israel’s return to the land that God gave their fathers. I left off with the verses below. [Luke 13:34-35 NKJV] 34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen [gathers] her brood under [her] wings, but you were not willing! 35 "See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until [the time] comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' " Prior to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, He sets the condition for His return. The Jewish nation rejected Jesus as their Messiah after indisputable proof through signs, wonders and the authoritative word of God the father. Because they were unwilling to accept their Messiah, Jesus prophecies that their house [meaning Jerusalem] is left desolate. We know that this prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD and 132AD, which we will discuss in a little bit. Like the event of today the rejection of Jesus did not take God by surprise. Approximately 750 years before the rejection, death and resurrection of the messiah it was prophesied through the prophet Hosea. [Hosea 5:1-15 NKJV] 1 "Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For yours [is] the judgment, Because you have been a snare to Mizpah And a net spread on Tabor. 2 The revolters are deeply involved in slaughter, Though I rebuke them all. 3 I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled. 4 "They do not direct their deeds Toward turning to their God, For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, And they do not know the LORD. 5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. 6 "With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the LORD, But they will not find [Him]; He has withdrawn Himself from them. 7 They have dealt treacherously with the LORD, For they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage. 8 "Blow the ram's horn in Gibeah, The trumpet in Ramah! Cry aloud [at] Beth Aven, '[Look] behind you, O Benjamin!' 9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke; Among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure. 10 "The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out My wrath on them like water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed [and] broken in judgment, Because he willingly walked by [human] precept. 12 Therefore I [will be] to Ephraim like a moth, And to the house of Judah like rottenness. 13 "When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah [saw] his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb; Yet he cannot cure you, Nor heal you of your wound. 14 For I [will be] like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, [even] I, will tear [them] and go away; I will take [them] away, and no one shall rescue. 15 I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me." This brought me to a point in this study where I questioned what is the enemy’s strategy, what is Satan's plan and how it applies to current events in this country and in Israel? If you go to war it is important to know your army’s assets. What are your strengths and weaknesses, but more important is to know the enemy. So what is Lucifer’s plan, purpose, objective, etc. Does he really believe that he can defeat God? One on one, he is not God equal, he is created, he is not all knowing, he is not all powerful [omnipotent] he cannot be everywhere at once [omnipresent]. The Clue is in Luke 13:35 where Jesus said “I say to you, you shall not see Me until [the time] comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' " If there is no nation of Israel to call out to Jesus there is no second coming of Christ. First point Lucifer never said he would defeat God. [Isaiah 14:12-14 NKJV] 12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [How] you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Second point is Lucifer is the god of this age. [2 Corinthians 4:3-6 NKJV] 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [Matthew 4:8-9 NKJV] 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." [John 12:28-31 NKJV] 28 "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, [saying], "I have both glorified [it] and will glorify [it] again." 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard [it] said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. [Ephesians 2:1-2 NKJV] 1 And you [He made alive], who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, There is no doubt that Lucifer/Satan is the ruler of this world. Recent events show that Satan is coming out from behind the bush. He is coming out in the open. Satan hates God, God’s Son, God’s creation man and woman and God’s chosen people. Satan has these basic objectives; Destroy, divide, and distort. Destroy; eliminate the Jewish nation and the Jewish people. If there is no nation of Israel or Jewish people there will be no return of Christ. Destruction of humans, pre-born babies, murders, drug overdoses, war, pandemics, euthanasia, etc. Divide; Racism in any form, antisemitism, religion differences, climate change, young against old, sport teams, Democrat party vs Republican party, Liberal vs Conservative, left vs right, Protest marches/riots in US and Israel, division between US & Israel, division between Israel and the UN, Iran named vice president of UN General Assembly, etc. Distort; distorting truth [no absolute truth], canceling free speech, trans surgery on children and adults, gene research which joins human and animal genes together eliminating the human race, implanting AI into humans. Previous wars in Israel – God hand on Outcome. The Battle for Beersheba 31 Oct. 1917, World war I The Australian Light Horse Divisions (numbering 800) began the charge more than six kilometers from the town, accelerating to full gallop over two kilometers out. The riders were not armed with swords, so they used the bayonets off their rifles instead. The Turkish garrison had 28 artillery guns, nine machine guns, two aircraft and 4400 men, including 1000 experienced riflemen. Yet, the horsemen galloped on – a shock and awe campaign would have to do. And it certainly did. As the thirsty horses smelled the water from the wells available just ahead, they put their heads down and galloped fearlessly towards the stronghold. The Turks were caught so off guard that they forgot to lower the sights on their weapons and kept shooting straight over the head of the horsemen. On 31 October 1917, the Australian Light Horse Divisions secured Beersheba, bringing to a close a crucial battle in the Sinai Palestine Campaign. So important was the Battle of Beersheba, that it was a pivot upon which turned the fortunes of Allied efforts against the Ottoman and German Empires in the Middle Eastern Theatre of the war. Just days later, on 2 November 1917, then-British foreign secretary Arthur Balfour had reached out to Baron Rothschild with the famed Balfour Declaration, declaring that the British government viewed “with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” Note: Israel celebrated 75 years of being a nation. In 1947 UN General Assembly Resolution 181 called and approved a two state solution, which Israel accepted and the Arabs rejected. The War of Independence started after Israel became a State, and they were attacked on May 14, 1948 by Egypt/ Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. Israel had a 100,000 man army, who were trained by the British during World War I. Arab army approx. 2 million. Israel lost 6,000 during the war and the Arabs lost 7,000. Israel becoming a nation in one day and after becoming a nation going to war was prophesied in Isaiah. [Isaiah 66:5-8 NKJV] 5 Hear the word of the LORD, You who tremble at His word: "Your brethren who hated you, Who cast you out for My name's sake, said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, That we may see your joy.' But they shall be ashamed." 6 The sound of noise from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the LORD, Who fully repays His enemies! 7 "Before she was in labor, she gave birth; Before her pain came, She delivered a male child. 8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? [Or] shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children. Not only is the nation’s return prophesied, God calls on the land and mountains to be revived. [Ezekiel 36:6-22 NKJV] 6 "Therefore prophecy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, and the valleys, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and My fury, because you have borne the shame of the nations." 7 'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "I have raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that [are] around you shall bear their own shame. 8 "But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come. 9 "For indeed I [am] for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. 10 "I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. 11 "I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better [for you] than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I [am] the LORD. 12 "Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, My people Israel; they shall take possession of you, and you shall be their inheritance; no more shall you bereave them [of children]." 13 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because they say to you, 'You devour men and bereave your nation [of children],' 14 "therefore you shall devour men no more, nor bereave your nation anymore," says the Lord GOD. 15 "Nor will I let you hear the taunts of the nations anymore, nor bear the reproach of the peoples anymore, nor shall you cause your nation to stumble anymore," says the Lord GOD.' " 16 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 17 "Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. 18 "Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols [with which] they had defiled it. 19 "So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds. 20 "When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name--when they said of them, 'These [are] the people of the LORD, [and] yet they have gone out of His land.' 21 "But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went. 22 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I do not do [this] for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. In October 1956 Israel invaded Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. In five days the Israeli army captured Gaza, Rafaḥ, and Al-ʿArīsh—taking thousands of prisoners—and occupied most of the peninsula east of the Suez Canal. The Israelis were then in a position to open sea communications through the Gulf of Aqaba. 1967: Six-Day War Arab and Israeli forces clashed for the third time June 5–10, 1967, in what came to be called the Six-Day War (or June War). In early 1967 Syria intensified its bombardment of Israeli villages from positions in the Golan Heights. When the Israeli Air Force shot down six Syrian MiG fighter jets in reprisal, Nasser mobilized his forces near the Sinai border, dismissing the UN force there, and he again sought to blockade Elat. In May 1967 Egypt signed a mutual defense pact with Jordan. Israel answered this apparent Arab rush to war by staging a sudden air assault, destroying Egypt’s air force on the ground. The Israeli victory on the ground was also overwhelming. Israeli units drove back Syrian forces from the Golan Heights, took control of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and drove Jordanian forces from the West Bank. Importantly, the Israelis were left in sole control of Jerusalem. General Yitzhak Rabin & General Moshe Dayan 1973: Yom Kippur War – PM Golda Meir The sporadic fighting that followed the Six-Day War again developed into full-scale war in 1973. On October 6, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur (thus, “Yom Kippur War”), Israel was caught off guard by Egyptian forces crossing the Suez Canal and by Syrian forces crossing into the Golan Heights. The Arab armies showed greater aggressiveness and fighting ability than in the previous wars, and the Israeli forces suffered heavy casualties. The Israeli army, however, reversed many of its early losses and pushed its way into Syrian territory and encircled the Egyptian Third Army by crossing the Suez Canal and establishing forces on its west bank. Still, it never regained the seemingly impenetrable fortifications along the Suez Canal that Egypt had destroyed in its initial successes. The fighting, which lasted through the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, came to an end on October 26. Israel signed a formal cease-fire agreement with Egypt on November 11 and with Syria on May 31, 1974. On March 26, 1979, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty 1982: Lebanon War On June 5, 1982, less than six weeks after Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Sinai, increased tensions between Israelis and Palestinians resulted in the Israeli bombing of Beirut and southern Lebanon. President, Ronald Reagan 2006: Second Lebanon War In July 2006 Hezbollah launched an operation against Israel in an attempt to pressure the country into releasing Lebanese prisoners, killing a number of Israeli soldiers in the process and capturing two. Israel launched an offensive into southern Lebanon to recover the captured soldiers. The war lasted 34 days but left more than one thousand Lebanese dead and about one million others displaced. Several Arab leaders criticized Hezbollah for inciting the conflict. Nevertheless, Hezbollah’s ability to fight the Israel Defense Forces to a standstill won it praise throughout much of the Arab world. Future Wars, there are going to be three major wars coming in Israel’s in future, not counting these small skirmishers they have been having. These wars will be Psalm 83 war, Ezekiel 38 & 39 war and the Battle of Armageddon. We only have time to speak about Psalm 83. A few things that came out in the news; Israel is planning to fight a multiple front war; Israel is surrounded by Iran proxies. Iran unveiled their first hypersonic missile that can reach Israel. The UN voted Iran as vice president of the General Assembly. Not long after leaving a US-led maritime coalition, the UAE appears to be joining a new naval alliance. Saudi Arabia announced that they would cut oil production by 10%. All these news articles in my opinion push for a Psalm 83 war. [Psalm 83:1-18 NKJV] 1 A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from [being] a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more." 5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah 9 Deal with them as [with] Midian, As [with] Sisera, As [with] Jabin at the Brook Kishon, 10 Who perished at En Dor, [Who] became [as] refuse on the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 Who said, "Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession." 13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like the chaff before the wind! 14 As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire, 15 So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, 18 That they may know that You, whose name alone [is] the LORD, [Are] the Most High over all the earth.

On America, Where are we in Bible prophecy? [1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV] 32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command. First, I would like to start with a quote from Franklin Graham Franklin Graham was speaking about the times we are living in today, to members of Christian National Radio Conference. “Living in a cancel culture that wants to destroy Christian organizations,” adding that “we cannot back up, we can’t retreat, don’t apologize for the Gospel — just declare it, just preach it.” I would add to Franklin’s quote, they are not just trying to cancel Christian organizations they want to cancel God, Jesus and Christianity as a whole. Jesus said in. [Luke 19:13 KJV] 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. You don’t OCCUPY BY BACK UP, BY RETREATING, BY APOLOGIZING FOR THE GOSPEL. On America, Where are we in Bible prophecy? [1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV] 32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command. First, I would like to start with a quote from Franklin Graham Franklin Graham was speaking about the times we are living in today, to members of Christian National Radio Conference. “Living in a cancel culture that wants to destroy Christian organizations,” adding that “we cannot back up, we can’t retreat, don’t apologize for the Gospel — just declare it, just preach it.” I would add to Franklin’s quote, they are not just trying to cancel Christian organizations they want to cancel God, Jesus and Christianity as a whole. Jesus said in. [Luke 19:13 KJV] 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. You don’t OCCUPY BY BACK UP, BY RETREATING, BY APOLOGIZING FOR THE GOSPEL. On America, Where are we in Bible prophecy? [1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV] 32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command. First, I would like to start with a quote from Franklin Graham Franklin Graham was speaking about the times we are living in today, to members of Christian National Radio Conference. “Living in a cancel culture that wants to destroy Christian organizations,” adding that “we cannot back up, we can’t retreat, don’t apologize for the Gospel — just declare it, just preach it.” I would add to Franklin’s quote, they are not just trying to cancel Christian organizations they want to cancel God, Jesus and Christianity as a whole. Jesus said in. [Luke 19:13 KJV] 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. You don’t OCCUPY BY BACK UP, BY RETREATING, BY APOLOGIZING FOR THE GOSPEL. The LORD God of Israel - mentioned 2,983 times in 319 verses. God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 243 times in the old & New Testament Chosen people 45 times in 18 verses My people 234 times, My people Israel 323 times in 81 verses 12 Reasons God’s not done with Israel and that the future of Israel is important!!! a. The promise to return to Jerusalem. b. Jesus promised to the Jewish people a kingdom to come. c. Gather Israel from all the nations is mentioned 39 times. d. Covenant with Israel. e. God promised David a king and throne forever. f. Israel was never fully inhabited, the land that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 15. g. The Sun, Moon and stars are still in the sky. h. The future antichrist will desecrate the Temple according to Daniel 9, quoted by Jesus concerning the temple that has not been built yet. i. Daniel 9- The full 490 years prophecy has not been fulfilled; the last 7 years still remain for Daniel’s people!!! j. The fullness of the Gentiles have not been fulfilled. k. God is not a lair. l. The Gospel has not been preached in all the world.

What in the WORLD is going on? Part 2 5-28-23 Last week we discussed the introduction of conflicting ideologies in the Garden of Eden, and how that has continued to wreak havoc in the world ever since. We also discussed the importance of John 8:31-32 John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Conversely, if we are NOT abiding in His Word, will we or even CAN we know the truth??? The answer is no! Apart from Jesus, who IS the way and IS the truth, and IS the life, as revealed in His Word, we can never know the truth or be free! We also discussed how ALL things pertaining to life and godliness are found in the knowledge of Jesus as recorded in Scripture. 2 Peter 1:2, John 1:1-4, John 5:39 We discussed that we should be like the sons of Issachar: 1Ch 12:32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; And we discussed the importance of Christians not being people who are triggered (violent explosion just waiting to happen). What's the best way to avoid that? 1Pe 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED." 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1Pe 3:16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. This week we will be discussing Agendas, end goal, of the two (and there's only two!) ideologies; God's agenda: Truth vs Enemies agenda: Everything else! We'll start with God's agenda. As we read last week, Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,' Isa 46:11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. Fun facts: These were not idle words! Consider vs 11 above; Isa 46:11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. This passage references a particular man in history. His name was Cyrus, the ruler of the Persian Kingdom. See Isaiah 44:24-45:7 Isa 44:24 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; Isa 44:25 Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; Isa 44:26 Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, 'You shall be inhabited,' To the cities of Judah, 'You shall be built,' And I will raise up her waste places; Isa 44:27 Who says to the deep, 'Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers'; Isa 44:28 Who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid." ' Isa 45:1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: Isa 45:2 'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. Isa 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. Isa 45:4 For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. Isa 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, Isa 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; Isa 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.' Isa 45:8 "Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it. Isa 45:9 "Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' Or shall your handiwork say, 'He has no hands'? God describes Cyrus's military career and capture of the Babylonian empire in detail through the prophet Isaiah. Here's the amazing thing though, Isaiah records this detailed prophecy 150 years before it happened! God called Cyrus by name, which means God even decided what Cyrus would be named, AND God outlines his military career and exploits before they happened, so God carefully orchestrated his military exploits, all the while describing them in past tense! Tradition records that when Cyrus arrived at Babylon several days after his general conquered the city, Daniel met him at the city gate with the Book of Isaiah in hand and showed Cyrus these prophecies with his name on them! Cyrus was so blown away that he freed the Jewish captives immediately and assisted them in returning to their homeland. Never forget that if God has an agenda, IT WILL COME TO PASS!!!!!!! Despite what you may see with your eyes that might suggest otherwise, GOD IS IN CONTROL! What is God's agenda for man? Gen 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Gen 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Gen 3:9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" In a word, FELLOWSHIP! But not just as He fellowshipped with Adam and Eve in the beginning, something much better! Col 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, Col 1:25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, Col 1:26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. Col 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Rev 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Rev 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. Rev 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Rev 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." Rev 21:6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. Rev 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. God's agenda, if you will, is the redemption, restoration, glorification, and unification of mankind to Him in Christ Jesus for the purpose of eternal fellowship and the mutual love between God, who IS love, and all who come to Him through Jesus Christ by faith. John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." John 4:26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." That's the short version of God's agenda; To love and be loved and worshiped in return. So what about the enemies agenda? As we read last week, Jesus said in John 10:10 John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. The enemy seeks to separate God from His creation. To steal, kill and to destroy that which God loves. John 3:16... His weapons start with pride and include doubt, confusion, division, outright lies, lies woven with partial truths, hatred, murder, envy, strife, adultery, idolatry, etc. Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" What seems like an innocuous question is actually something never seen before by man; Questioning what God said. Gen 3:2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; Gen 3:3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " Gotcha!..... Gen 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. It is only at this point that the devil makes an outright contradiction of God's command... Gen 3:5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Gen 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life. 1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. Satan uses anything at his disposal to distort the truth and drive people away from God. Nothing is off limits! He is relentless, tireless, ruthless, deceptive, prideful, rebellious, immoral, degenerate, full of hate, wrathful, and power hungry. One of his strongest weapons is to use our own ungodly desires against us! Jas 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Jas 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Jas 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. He is the god (little g) of this age and desperately wants to hang on to that title, even though it is a temporary position! (see Rev 12:9, & 20:1) He is the accuser of the brethren who accuses us day and night before the throne of God. He is the coming antichrist, the red dragon, the serpent of old. He was a murder from the beginning, and remains so to this day. Hell was created for him and his fallen angels, not for man. Yet his desire is to drag as many as he can there. These are just some of his methods and titles but the goal is always the same, he only comes to steal, kill, and destroy! Competing ideologies with the associated competing agendas is the root of everything we see going on today. How can we be sure of which is which? Mat 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Mat 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Mat 7:14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Mat 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Mat 7:16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Mat 7:17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Mat 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Mat 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. The most complex appearing situation or topic can be evaluated by this simple truth: You shall know them by their fruit! This is a foundational truth that applies to understanding our times from a Biblical perspective. And it doesn't just apply to false prophets! This principle applies to agendas and the details at work to bring them about. Gymnast Builder Boxer Pick a news story, virtually any news story, listen to the report AND assess the manner in which it's presented, and you can likely tell what ideology is being supported! Along with knowing that God has an agenda (which Satan opposes) we also need to be secure in the knowledge that God has a schedule and a timeline associated with it. Nothing happens by chance or blind luck! There are events that happen at the end of our history that are being prepared and propagated right now! Last week we discussed Genesis 11, how Nimrod, the first recorded world dictator, unified humanity AGAINST God's command to multiply and fill the earth (spread out) by building a city and a tower to make a name for themselves in direct defiance to God's will. God confounded their language, thereby sending them throughout the earth. That was a picture of what will transpire during the tribulation period when there will be a global government, religion, commerce, and power structure of the devil's making. God disrupted his plans in Genesis 11, because it wasn't time yet! However, the devil has never abandoned his plan for full control which we call Globalism! One worldwide power control system with a single wicked ruler will be a reality, but only in God's timing. It appears the time is closing in rapidly... There have been two primary entities that stand in his way: The United States and Israel. These two nations have to be dealt with in order to bring about the enemies agenda. There is actually a "trigger" in the Bible that sets into motion the events that wrap up history. That trigger is the Nation of Israel! Every born again believer has a part to play in the kingdom. If we are to be effective in the kingdom we must: Be born again! Abide in His Word and be His disciples Know the truth and be made free Know them by their fruit Put on the whole armor of God Stand!

What in the WORLD is going on? A Weekly Study, livestreamed on our Facebook page at 10:30. https://www.facebook.com/valleychristianchurchmorenovalley 5-21-23 Pastor Martin Saine begins our new study, here at Valley Christian Church, in Moreno Valley, CA, addressing the question, "What in the world is going on?" Luk 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; Luk 21:26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. OT Example for us today: 1Ch 12:32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 3 points: 1) Having understanding of the times. 2) To know what Israel (God's people) ought to do. 3) Having all their brethren at their command (unity in mission). The world is a mess, and people know it! There is an uncertainty, an edginess, a unsettling atmosphere pervading society. The world is on edge, like one big giant nerve! The modern use of the word "triggered" is an indication of just that. Triggered used be used to indicate a weapon has been discharged or an event set into motion. You can only trigger something already prepared, just waiting to go off! The trigger is not the event, it is the release of the event! Recently it has been updated to indicate an event which sets off an emotional response- typically negative. If someone says words to us that causes us to meltdown, guess what? That meltdown was just waiting in the wings, looking for an excuse to blow up and burn us down! That's how society is acting today. Just a giant seething outrage looking for an outlet or excuse! As hard as I look, I can't find the word "triggered" in my bible... We're going to take a few weeks to talk about what's going on in the world, what it means, and how we are to respond (Biblically). Before we get into specific details, we need to discuss the MANNER in which we look at world events. The technical term for this is our World View; and we ALL have one! Panthism, Ostrichism, Ignorism, Still world views! Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. We all have to deal with the world around us, even if we don't want to! As Christians we are in a battle! Everyone looks at world events through one or more of the three basic perspectives. Secular, naturalist, humanist. Religious - Non-Biblical Biblical- Judeo-Christian In some cases we will attempt to hold to several views at the same time, which leads to desperately trying to resolve conflicting issues. 1) Secular, non-religious, naturalist, humanistic. This worldview seeks to resolve world events and issues based on what is seen, felt, experienced, emoted, and thought out; in other words, belief in only what can be seen. Belief in only what is seen has many pitfalls. Stage view example.... Simplistically, we can only see so much. If we believe in only what is seen, we have no choice but to believe in what others have seen (or at least what they tell us they have seen) to fill in the gaps for us. This gives rise to reliance on "experts", the "highly educated", the better informed, the more experienced, etc., to populate our worldview for us. While there's nothing intrinsically wrong with experts, education, experience, etc., we must never forget that each expert, highly educated, more-informed person we use to fill in our perception gaps, has their own world view which pervades their thought process, and thus their report to us! Example: Sue and I go to the beach on a bright, still, cloudless 85 degree day and spend the entire day there. Later asks Sue "How was the beach?" Sue responds; "It was wonderful! I had the most relaxing peaceful day! I haven't had that much fun in months! The sound of the waves and rythm of the ocean was so soothing and the weather was perfect!" Someone asks me the same question; "Holy Cow it was hot! I sat there baking in the sun like a lobster in a pot for hours. Even my sweat was sweating! Sure was nice to get in the car and turn the air conditioner on!" PERSPECTIVE! The same event can be reported different ways depending on your perspective view. Sue LOVES the beach and doesn't mind the heat. However, I am MISERABLE when it gets over 80 degrees and bright sunlight hurts my eyes! If we went to the beach on a windy, overcast 65 degree day I'd be in heaven but Sue would be miserable. If you ask someone what's happening in the world, that's exactly what you're likely to get; their view that's been filtered through their perspective and opinion. Weather report on our fictitious Beach Day for example... "Unprecedented Heat Wave sweeps through Newport Beach" OR "Gorgeous weather returns to the Beach Communities..." Discuss reporting vs "commentating"... Likewise, a worldview based on emotions and/or feelings is an even riskier proposition because everybody feels different and emotions can have an even greater control over our views than our intellect, if we allow it! This leads to "Everyone did what was right in their own eyes"... Worldview 2: Religious, Non-Biblical, "moral". Religious views (moral living) as found outside the Bible are far too numerous to list. These belief systems can be founded on one deity, or millions of deities. Each religious system will have its own view on world events which will color its interpretations and assumptions. Religion in a nut shell, is mans attempt to relate to, appease, or satisfy the particular god or gods that we chose to believe in, on our terms and by our efforts. Worldview 3: Biblical Worldview. This view states that everything we need to know in order to interpret the world around us is contained in the pages of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. 2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 2Pe 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 2Pe 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God. Joh 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. Joh 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. Joh 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. Joh 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. These three passages provide us with a path to know, understand, and properly react to ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO LIFE AND GODLINESS! 2Peter 1 tells us that all things pertaining to life and godliness are found in the knowledge of Him who called us (Jesus) John 1 tells us that in the beginning was the Word- (who is Jesus) who was with God, and who was God. John 5 Jesus said the Scriptures testify of Him. So...we can safely say that all things pertaining to life and godliness are found in the knowledge of Him (Jesus) as revealed in the Scriptures- His Word. This is the view we will concentrate on during this series because CHRISTIANS SHOULD HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW!!! By all appearances the world IS a mess and we need something to filter it through to show what is truly going on. Scripture is that filter! Joh 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Scripture reveals what is true, tells us how to interpret events in light of what is true, AND instructs us in how we respond to both God and our fellow man. Jesus said in John 8:31-32 Joh 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. Joh 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Propaganda does not make us free, truth does! Truth does not bow at the altar of propaganda or "narrative". Isa 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. Christians need not check their brains at the door! Because we will be discussing a number of "hot button" topics we need to prepare ourselves in advance to let truth and reason through the lens of Scripture be our guide, not emotion or culture, or popular ideas, or any other thing. Most importantly, we MUST know that God is in control. Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,' Isa 46:11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. Genesis 1-11 Since God declares in Isaiah 46:10 "there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done...." Could we expect to see examples in Genesis, the book of beginnings? Absolutely! Genesis 1: Creation of heavens, earth, and all that is in them up to Adam. Concludes with; Gen 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. No sin, no conflicting wills, no disobedience, no decay, no death, all was perfect and "very good" Genesis 2: Recount of creation, Garden of Eden, Adam placed in the garden, forbidden to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and names all the animals. Eve is created, marriage instituted, concludes with; Gen 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Everything is still "very good" as blessed in chapter 1. There is still no conflict or alternate agenda. In Genesis 3 the enemy is introduced. The serpent comes to Eve, tempts and tricks her into disobeying God's command, thereby introducing CONFLICTING IDEOLOGIES! This is the origin of the root problem that will exist until Revelation 20:10 when conflicting ideologies will finally be done away with. Keep in mind these conflicting ideologies are not separate but equal, right vs left, they are Truth vs everything else! Truth is not merely a set of ideas or facts; Truth is a Person! Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Jesus contrasts God's will and the enemies agenda: Joh 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. What satan did in the garden was introduce his language into Gods' creation: Joh 8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Joh 8:43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. Joh 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. Joh 8:45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Joh 8:46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? Joh 8:47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." The battle that began in the Garden of Eden was over who's voice would we heed, who's language would we accept, and ultimately, to whom do we belong? Do we want the Truth, or do we want something, anything else but the truth? And that much hasn't changed. So man falls in Gen 3, sin is introduced into creation and death is the result, but God promises the "Seed of the woman" would crush satan's head. Man's depravity (genetic purity) progressed so rapidly that by Genesis 6 God declared He would destroy everything on the earth that breathed! God spared Noah and his family in the Ark while He destroyed every breathing creature on earth and started over with Noah, his three sons, and their wives. In Genesis 9 God tells Noah and his sons to replenish the earth, and institutes government: Gen 9:1 So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. Gen 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. Gen 9:3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. Gen 9:4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. Gen 9:5 Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. Gen 9:6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man. Gen 9:7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth And multiply in it." In Genesis 10 something interesting shows up in the lineage of Japheth: Gen 10:8 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. Gen 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD." Gen 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Nimrod, the first recorded world dictator, a mighty hunter "in the face of" or in defiance of, the Lord, founded a kingdom in Babylon with a particular goal in mind. Gen 11:1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. Gen 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Gen 11:3 Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. Gen 11:4 And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." Gen 11:5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. Gen 11:6 And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Gen 11:7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." Gen 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Gen 11:9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. This has been, and continues to be, the enemies agenda from the very beginning; Unite the world Against, and in the face of God! His agenda does not require unity with each other, as long as they are unified AGAINST God and against the truth! There is a battle raging for the hearts and souls of our children, our families, our friends, even our very existence as God's children. We need to set our minds firmly that the current events we look at have this root, and we will NOT respond the way the enemy desires (no triggering!) but will instead search the scriptures daily to see what things be so! I pose that the world is not a mess, but rather is ripe for harvest!

What in the world is going on?? Luk 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; Luk 21:26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. OT Example for us today: 1Ch 12:32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 3 points: 1) Having understanding of the times. 2) To know what Israel (God's people) ought to do. 3) Having all their brethren at their command (unity in mission). The world is a mess, and people know it! There is an uncertainty, an edginess, a unsettling atmosphere pervading society. The world is on edge, like one big giant nerve! The modern use of the word "triggered" is an indication of just that. Triggered used be used to indicate a weapon has been discharged or an event set into motion. You can only trigger something already prepared, just waiting to go off! The trigger is not the event, it is the release of the event! Recently it has been updated to indicate an event which sets off an emotional response- typically negative. If someone says words to us that causes us to meltdown, guess what? That meltdown was just waiting in the wings, looking for an excuse to blow up and burn us down! That's how society is acting today. Just a giant seething outrage looking for an outlet or excuse! As hard as I look, I can't find the word "triggered" in my bible... We're going to take a few weeks to talk about what's going on in the world, what it means, and how we are to respond (Biblically). The battle that began in the Garden of Eden was over who's voice would we heed, who's language would we accept, and ultimately, to whom do we belong? Do we want the Truth, or do we want something, anything else but the truth? And that much hasn't changed. Truth is not merely a set of ideas or facts; Truth is a Person! Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Jesus contrasts God's will and the enemies agenda: Joh 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. What satan did in the garden was introduce his language into Gods' creation: Joh 8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Joh 8:43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. Joh 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. Joh 8:45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Joh 8:46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? Joh 8:47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." So man falls in Gen 3, sin is introduced into creation and death is the result, but God promises the "Seed of the woman" would crush satan's head. This has been, and continues to be, the enemies agenda from the very beginning; Unite the world Against, and in the face of God! His agenda does not require unity with each other, as long as they are unified AGAINST God and against the truth! There is a battle raging for the hearts and souls of our children, our families, our friends, even our very existence as God's children. We need to set our minds firmly that the current events we look at have this root, and we will NOT respond the way the enemy desires (no triggering!) but will instead search the scriptures daily to see what things be so! Pastor Martin says, "I pose that the world is not a mess, but rather is ripe for harvest!"

We conclude our study of Genesis today, looking at the final blessings and prophecies for the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. Benjamin: Gen 49:27 "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he shall devour the prey, And at night he shall divide the spoil." Ravenous wolf implies a violent spirit, devouring and tearing like a wild wolf, eating his fill and only then dividing up whatever remains. When the kingdom divided into North and South (Israel and Judah), Benjamin remained loyal to the Lord and did not defect to the North. They didn't get lost..... Ezekiel 48 and Zechariah 14 mention Benjamin having a portion and inheritance during the Millennial Reign. Interesting note: "Benjamin's Gate" mentioned in Zech 14:10 alludes to a literal gate from Benjamin's territory into the Holy District as outlined in Eze 48 during the Millennial Reign of Christ, which will ultimately fulfill Moses blessing in Duet 33: Deu 33:12 Of Benjamin he said: "The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders." Notable Mention; King Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin. Ehud who delivered Israel in Judges 3 was also a Benjamite. Queen Esther's uncle Mordecai was of the line of Benjamin and obviously Queen Esther was also. And of course, the apostle Paul (Saul) was of the tribe of Benjamin. And Benjamin is sealed in Revelation 7... Judah: This is the final tribe we'll look at, even though it's out of order! Gen 49:8 "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you. Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? Gen 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. Gen 49:11 Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey's colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes. Gen 49:12 His eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth whiter than milk. Gen 49:8 "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you. God depicts Judah as a lion resting in his den after a kill, who nobody dared wake up or mess with. While this was true at times in history, it will be completely fulfilled during the Millennium when the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is on the throne! Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Rev 5:2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" Rev 5:3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. Rev 5:4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. Rev 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." In Psalms 60:7 and 108:8 we're told: Psa 60:7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet for My head; Judah is My lawgiver. Deut 33:7 And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies. Psa 108:8 Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet for My head; Judah is My lawgiver. Notable persons: Caleb Othniel, the first Judge (Judges 3:7-11), Caleb's son-in-law Elimelech- Naomi's husband from the book of Ruth Boaz Perez King David King Solomon, along with the rest of the Kings of Judah Jeremiah the Prophet as well as the prophets Amos, Habakkuk, Isaiah, Joel, Micah, Obadiah, Zechariah, and Zephaniah The Prophet Daniel (Jesus called him a prophet in Matt 24...) Hannaniah, Azariah, Mishael Joseph the step-father of Jesus Mary the mother of Jesus Mary's cousin Elizabeth, and hence John the Baptist... And most important of all, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, King of the Jews, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! Gen 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing. Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

We would like to invite you to join us each week as we look at what is going on in current events in light of the Bible. Read Genesis 1-11 and you will find a microcosm of human history, in human behavior, and satanic opposition. There is a consolidation of power in human and satanic government, while in God's kingdom, He has the power and He calls us to order and to be obedient to His order. In this series we will look at God's Kingdom order and the events of today, hot button topics that need to be viewed through the lens of the Word of God. We will not be intentionally offensive, but we will respond in love and become Biblically literate to understand the things of God as it pertains to world events. So join us on Facebook for our livestream each Sunday at 10:30 (approximately), or here on Rumble for weekly videos.