Awaken Bible Prophecy

When House Speaker Mike Johnson first started acting against his purported Christian and conservative principles, I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. The first couple contrary issues were small, so I thought, “Okay, there may be a good reason for this, so I’ll not condemn rashly.” Now I’m not a crazy political junkie, but I read a wide variety of news sources, primarily alternative and Christian. I also still look at Drudge and Fox News to directly see the faux conservative mindset. It was difficult to miss Johnson’s slide coming at me as it did from every direction. What had been a man widely lauded as principled because of his deep Christian faith had become this political person simply not holding that line. What the heck? This Commentary is not intended as a hit piece, so I hope it doesn’t come off that way. It is intended to examine what seems to be the real-time downfall of this man purported to have once been a very solid Christian. The transcript for this audio commentary is available at my website blog under the post with the same title: https://garyritter.com/awaken-bible-prophecy-update-4-24-24-house-speaker-mike-johnsons-descent-into-darkness/ Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

There is a large swath of the church that believes in Cessationism. As GotQuestions.org tells us: Cessationism is the view that the “miracle gifts” of tongues and healing have ceased—that the end of the apostolic age brought about a cessation of the miracles associated with that age. Most cessationists believe that, while God can and still does perform miracles today, the Holy Spirit no longer uses individuals to perform miraculous signs. The questions I have regarding this belief are: Does this view hold water? Why would so many in the church think this is true? What are the implications in the world if Cessationism has indeed caused miracle gifts to no longer operate? The transcript for this audio commentary is available at my website blog under the post with the same title: https://garyritter.com/awaken-bible-prophecy-update-4-17-24-satanic-influence-christian-cessationist-ignorance/ Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

Pressure is building in the world. We are rapidly moving toward a time of great chaos; dare I say it: toward the 7-year Tribulation? Those of us with eyes to see and ears to hear know the reason. Israel is in great peril. Much of the threat is coming about because of the United States. As has often been said: Things are not falling apart; they are all falling into place. That which Jesus warned of is happening. He said in Matthew 24:7-8: For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. We are living in a period where the risk of war is rising on every side in every corner of the planet. The global elites, those who fancy themselves as our overlords, are manipulating the weather to such extremes that we have famines and droughts side-by-side. People are starving to death in some places while others are being swept away by unprecedented floods or buried under impossible levels of snow. There are signs in the skies and earthquakes rocking the earth. The sky, land, and sea are all being deliberately poisoned leading to disease and death. Despite what some so-called prophecy experts may tell you, we are not currently in the Tribulation. What we’re seeing and experiencing are but the birth pains. When the birth itself comes, that will be the Tribulation – worse than anyone can imagine. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

Doing what I do in this blog is a public endeavor that puts my beliefs and thoughts out for all to see. As you can imagine, that results in both positive and negative feedback. One has to develop somewhat of a thick skin to take the various darts and arrows. One other thing I do on rare occasions is to comment on other people’s postings. It’s not a regular practice with me since I have enough to do without fueling more interactions. In recent weeks, however, I decided I had to comment and push back on something that was extremely derogatory toward God. He doesn’t need me or anybody else to protect Him, but there are times I believe we need to act as Biblical apologists. The transcript for this audio commentary is available at my website blog under the post with the same title: https://garyritter.com/awaken-biblical-prophecy-commentary-a-hard-heart/ Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

Since October 7, 2023 when Hamas terrorists brutally attacked Israel and killed hundreds of innocent civilians, one of the things I’ve been saying is that at some point the US will abandon Israel, and she will be on her own. Sadly, our American government, and far too many others in our country – including much of the church, which should know better – are against Israel. Antisemitism has reared its ugly head in every segment of our society and in every corner of the world. This shouldn’t surprise us, of course, because the Bible is clear that this is a spiritual battle. Satan’s last gasp effort to destroy the Jewish state so as to prove God a liar is on display. It will only get worse. The transcript for this audio commentary is available at my website blog under the post with the same title: Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

Is it any wonder we don’t, and cannot, have unity in the church this side of eternity? We have so many different interpretations of Scripture that are so far apart, it’s difficult to find anything about which we can all agree. How do we have common cause in the debate regarding pre-Tribulation Rapture versus post-Trib, or no Rapture, or no Tribulation? In the context of today’s Commentary, how do we who believe in free will (i.e. Arminianism of one stripe or another) and those who adhere to Calvin’s doctrine of election with no free will whatsoever on our part come together as one? Yes, presumably we all believe in the shed blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins and our eternal salvation, but even that has its major differences, as we’ll discuss later. We could probably all enjoy an ice cream social together as brothers and sisters in Christ as long as none of the conversation veers toward anything theological. Is it any wonder we have so many denominations and other schisms in the body of Christ? Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

A friend sent me a link to an online message from about three months ago in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 atrocity of Hamas terrorists attacking Israel. She was a little confused by this pastor’s message and asked if I could comment on it. I had a pretty strong impression right off the bat by the title of the message that I’d find it problematic; as I listened and took five pages of notes, that sense was more than confirmed. In fact, what this man said really fired me up in righteous anger. As a result, I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to outline some of what was said and convey the dangers of this mode of thinking. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

Here we are in the New Year of 2024 - a year that some have said could have a Black Swan event. This is what Britannica says concerning this: Black swan event [is a] high-impact event that is difficult to predict under normal circumstances but that in retrospect appears to have been inevitable. A black swan event is unexpected and therefore difficult to prepare for but is often rationalized with the benefit of hindsight as having been unavoidable. The description could almost be referring to the Rapture. Maybe – maybe not. I know that the majority of you listening to or reading this brief Commentary are certainly rooting for this above all other Black Swan events – as am I. Beyond that blessed event, there are bunches of other potential America or world disrupting crises that could happen. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

Have you ever wondered why it is that so many people deny the wondrous promise of the solid doctrine of the pre-Tribulation Rapture? I’ve attempted in prior Commentaries to outline a number of reasons. Among them are the fact that many continue to believe a flat-out lie that won’t die within this community of pre-Trib deniers. That untruth, of course, is the false notion that John Nelson Darby conceived of the pre-Trib Rapture in the 1800s because of his association with a mystic who had a demonic vision. This fiction has been thoroughly debunked time after time, but the post-Tribbers always come back to it – seemingly unable to shake off Satan’s deceit. In a Prophecy Update I did in September 2023 titled NAR Post-Trib End-Times Beliefs, I noted how Mike Bickle, a well-known NAR Bible teacher associated with the International House of Prayer (IHOP), has based his beliefs, not only on the John Nelson Darby fairytale, but by reading into Scripture what he wants it to say. This is technically called eisegesis and is an absolutely incorrect method of Bible study. We must do what’s known as exegesis, whereby we read God’s Word and interpret the world through that lens. When we attempt to make the Bible adhere to our personal biases, nothing but false teaching can result. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

We’re going to have a little fun today. Well, it’s fun for me; I don’t know for all the rest of you. Because I’m a fiction author, I engage in a lot of “what if” speculations. That’s the only way to write fiction. You have to go down various rabbit trails at times to come up with something that hopefully works and ties all strands of the story together. I do similar mental gymnastics in my Bible prophecy discussions. In order to try to put scenarios together that attempt to tie in all aspects of a prophetic situation, I think it’s necessary to do some thought experiments. That’s what we’ll do today in our “what if” discussion. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

One reliable source I recommend that you may want to follow regarding the Israel-Hamas War is Caroline Glick. She is an Israeli journalist with a sincere desire to tell the truth, and has been doing so for many years. A little-known fact about her is found on the About section of her website: Glick was born in Houston, TX and grew up in Chicago, IL. She moved to Israel in 1991, two weeks after receiving her BA in Political Science from Columbia University. She joined the Israel Defense Forces that summer and served as an officer for five and a half years. And here I thought she was Israel-born and just spoke English well. Her resume is solid, conservative, and shows her to be an avid Israel supporter seeking to bring real news rather than globalist pablum. FYI – she is not a Christian. Caroline has been reporting in depth lately about the Israel-Hamas War. As you might expect, she has been very concerned about the faux support coming from the Biden Administration. Biden and others in the Regime have been speaking out of both sides of their mouths. They express undying support for Israel while at the same time tying Israel’s hands and helping Hamas in numerous ways. We all know that words are simply that. It’s what people do – their actions – that tell us their true intentions. That is definitely the case with our American government. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

About a year and a half ago I spent some time thinking about the coming Antichrist. In so doing, I considered thoughts from various Bible prophecy teachers who wrote books on the subject. My Prophecy Update titled Antichrist Ruminations was the result of my survey. From that effort, because my article was posted on Rapture Ready, that attracted the attention of Charles (Ken) Bassett who wrote the book: Can We Know? Subsequently, Ken changed the book’s title to: God Says Count the Number 666 – Why the Church Can Discover the Identity of the Antichrist, which can be found on Amazon by that name. He then wrote a subsequent book titled: Empire of the Antichrist – Why the Antichrist Will Come from Rome, which expands his thesis. Ken and I started talking and became friends. Recently I asked him a question that niggled at me when I read his books. Here’s that question: In reading your books, you spoke of the Jews fleeing to Pella, if I recall correctly, after the A/C temple desecration. From what I can determine, the Jews might have gone there during their 70AD flight, but why did you choose Pella over Petra for the Tribulation run for the hills? His response, and my reaction to it, are the focus of the Prophecy Update today. As you’ll see, the issue becomes one of timing for Revelation 12 regarding the era to which it refers. Does that chapter describe past events or future ones? Maybe this topic is only one that interests prophecy geeks like Ken and me. On the other hand, because there’s so much focus on Israel today – rightly so – it may be that this is more pertinent than any of us realize. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

Those who read or listen to my preaching on this topic today are probably going to be the choir. As you might imagine, people gravitate to Bible teachers they tend to agree with. For instance, I’ll only listen to somebody spouting Replacement Theology nonsense if I’m researching that person; certainly not as a regular diet. I’ve got better things to do than ingest someone’s heresy on a routine basis. The bottom line for what I say today isn’t a popular position with much of the church, as we’ve seen in recent weeks since the savage, demonic attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023. In fact, by either its blatant support for the so-called Palestinian cause or by its deafening silence, the church as a whole has outed itself regarding its dislike, and even hatred for, Israel and the Jews. Although I haven’t specifically heard Andy Stanley’s position on Israel or “Palestine” – considering his encouragement that Christians should unhitch from the Old Testament since it isn’t relevant to our faith - I can only imagine where this apostate pastor stands in this crucial matter of our times. If a presumed man of God wants to deep-six the Old Testament, you can know for certain that he isn’t a pastor actually preaching the Word of God. In this case, whatever happened to the “entire Word of God?” Apparently, it's just a dusty old tome that has no meaning to enlightened Christians these days. I have plenty more ranting and criticism coming in this Commentary because I feel very strongly that God wants some few of us to speak boldly. A little later I’ll also suggest that He may want even more from some of us concerning His Chosen People, the Jews. This is a critical moment for the church. It’s even more important for individual believers. I’ve said it before and will keep repeating it unless God has me stop: How Christians – and I’m referring here to those who are truly saved – respond to Israel in her need for support from God’s people will determine their fate concerning the soon-to-come Tribulation. This isn’t even a topic the choir likes to hear. You may disagree with my conclusions at the end of this Commentary. However, I urge you to hear what I say by considering it through the lens of Scripture. Don’t believe something just because you heard it from another pastor – even a trusted one. Do your own deep dive so that you fully understand the issue that you’re embracing. Maybe you’ll arrive at the same place you started – but maybe you won’t. Just make sure you have the Biblical basis for what you believe. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter books & blog https://garyritter.com/

Several years before the whole COVID fiasco, I led a mission trip to Guatemala. One of the ladies with us mentioned at one point that she was against vaccines and would never allow her children – of which she had two at the time – to be vaccinated. Being completely ignorant then of the problems with vaccines and any of their sordid history, I essentially responded with, “Oh, okay. Huh.” Impressive – no? No. I hadn’t come across anyone previously who was anti-vaxx, so I had no idea. It seemed a little crazy to me. After all, vaccines have been around a long time and generally acknowledged as being necessary. Haven’t the authorities always said that parents who don’t vaccinate their children are putting others at risk? Heck, I was vaxxed as a youngster and to my knowledge didn’t suffer any adverse effects. Some of you who regularly listen to or read my rantings may disagree, but there you are. Aside from the COVID vaxx, which I’ll discuss a little later in this Update, there really and truly is a long and wretched history regarding vaccines; how they’ve been pushed ceaselessly by the medical profession; how they’ve shown no actual efficacy; how they’ve killed large numbers of people; and how common-sense, non-medical individuals, resisted them because they actually observed their harms. Today, I want to review a little as to how vaccines over the years have actually been responsible for many more deaths than the affliction for which they were developed and targeted. What began many decades ago, and what we’ve seen and experienced with the COVID vaxx, are one in the same. Vaccines have always hurt more than helped, contrary to what the medical professionals and our toxic government would have you believe. But should you be surprised? Given all that our government has done against us – under the subtle control of the Communist Deep State – why would you think this aspect of our lives – our medical health – should be any different? Perhaps when we’re done, you’ll realize it makes sense to proudly be an anti-vaxxer, even as I have become and declare it to the world. Vaccines do not help. They harm. They have been cast upon us forever, and foolish fish that we are, we’ve swallowed their lie: hook, line, and sinker. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter books & blog https://garyritter.com/

A friend of mine, who is a scholar at heart and a new believer, asked me to help him understand the rationale for a pre-Tribulation Rapture. I thought I would take the occasion of his questions to outline my thinking in this regard in this forum. Every Bible prophecy teacher has his quirks and biases that may cause some slight differences in his understanding of the overall pre-Tribulation concept and the timeline for these last days. But there is general agreement on the primary Bible passages that define this seminal event. Here are Larry’s questions that I’ll take a stab at in this Commentary: "I understand the Bible today and I never did prior. But I also understand some of it differently than others have explained it to me. I’ve been trying to understand the rapture and the different beliefs of when; it’s brought me to an hypothesis based on scripture, but I still don’t think I am comfortable putting a “pre” “mid” or “post on it. "Can you point me to the scripture you utilize to outline a pre-trib rapture? I’m also interested in what you think defines the beginning of the tribulation. The problem I have understanding any timeframe for a rapture, is that in order to do that, I feel like a definition of when the tribulation starts must come prior to believing in any timeline. What event do you think begins the tribulation? Or what event do you think occurs immediately after the rapture and what scripture do you rely on for that? I’m seriously interested in learning what scriptures are used to back up any of the timelines for the rapture. Why “pre”? Why somebody else would believe “mid” or “post”? My experience is that many people have a timeline belief of the rapture, but nobody seems to want to share why (based on scripture) they believe the one they do. I can google things just like others, but I’d rather hear from people who have strong beliefs as to why they have them." These are great questions because he’s exactly right. A lot of people believe one approach or another, but only because someone else told them such and such was the right interpretation of Scripture. Unfortunately, this kind of ignorance has a long pedigree. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website & blog: https://garyritter.com/

Psalm 137:5-6 recounts the ode of the Jewish people: If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy! Given the fact that the whole world is drunk with hostility toward Israel and the Jews, including a large portion of the professing Christian community, just like this psalm, we also must continue keeping God’s Promised Land and His Chosen People front and center. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website & blog: https://garyritter.com/

The more I interacted with folks responding to my recent Commentary about Mike Adams and Natural News with their hostility to Israel based on Replacement Theology’s (false) doctrine, that led to a lot of additional thought on my part, and the realization that I needed to take one more stab at this topic, even though I initially had no intention of doing so. Although most of the comments to this post were quite positive, one person took me to task for engaging in “tit for tat”, i.e. encouraging back and forth discussion of these issues among believers. Names are being named and perhaps some folks don’t like that fact. When I personally do that, I try to have two or more witnesses, e.g. video evidence of someone making his position clear, or a written article outlining his stand. For too long the church has been silent in this nation on political, cultural, and social issues. Where has that gotten us with an unbelieving world? Worse, the church has been silent about the heresies within. We’ve perhaps heard some pastors speak who weren’t preaching true Biblical doctrine, and what did we do? If anyone wrote about this or discussed it in a video, the general vague approach was to say, “there is a pastor I heard” say such and such, or “I’m aware of a certain pastor who has done” this or that. Frankly, that’s not useful to allow them to remain anonymous. When those who are in a position of authority in the church, or those in public life who are professed Christians, go off the deep end and spout non-Biblical ideas, or declare certain “truths” that are Biblical falsehoods, or effectively curse Israel, can we really remain vague in these final days about who these people are and what they’re saying? Today we’ll consider some deeper issues of Replacement Theology which is all too prevalent in Christendom. What are some other aspects of this position that we don’t normally think about? How does God view Israel? Can Christians take an opposing stand against Israel by supporting groups like the “Palestinians” and Hamas without consequences? What is a potential bottom-line danger for someone born-again to oppose God by effectively cursing Israel? Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website & blog: https://garyritter.com/

Many of us who peruse alternative media are familiar with Mike Adams and his Natural News website. Over the last several years Natural News has been a good source of information for the many atrocious aspects of the globalists with their attacks on humanity. Periodically, Mike would make oblique statements that touched on Israel in a somewhat negative way. When hearing them, I essentially ignored the potentially deeper meaning behind his comments. The transcript for this audio commentary is available at my website blog under the post with the same title: https://garyritter.com/biblical-audio-commentary-what-happened-to-mike-adams-natural-news-regarding-israel/ Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/

The war that Hamas launched against Israel on October 7, 2023 continues to resonate prophetically. Evidence is mounting that this is indeed (or will become) the Psalm 83 War. Under that assumption, the outcome will have significant ramifications for Israel, the entire Middle East, and as a set-up for the future Ezekiel 38 War, a.k.a. the War of Gog of Magog. Beyond that, it has the potential to radically alter the way the eventual Daniel 9:27 covenant agreement brokered by the Antichrist will shape up. The assumption the vast majority of Bible prophecy teachers have had is that this coming treaty, which brings false peace and security to Israel for a supposed seven-year period, is that it will involve an Arab/Muslim/Palestinian contingent so as to facilitate the building of the third Jewish temple. What if this is incorrect? What if this war results in such a drastic victory by Israel against her antagonists that this idea of a peace covenant with these players effectively becomes a ridiculous proposition? Your intrepid host for this Prophecy Update – that would be me - has a completely different take on the Daniel 9:27 treaty deal. It is so different and so radical that I’m not aware of any other Bible prophecy teacher who has ever suggested it. In fact, it is so “out there” you’ll probably think I’m off my rocker – so far out on that proverbial limb that I’m sawing away at it to my own demise. But, let’s talk about this today, and you can come to your own conclusions. How’s that for a teaser to encourage you to watch or read this Update and to think outside the box – or to put me inside and shut the lid? Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website & blog: https://garyritter.com/

Conspiracies are everywhere. We have them in America. They are certainly abounding throughout the world. The latest to see fruition is what is happening in Israel. To my consternation, it appears as if the conspiracies surrounding Israel are greater than I had foreseen. Because of how I view world events through the prophetic lens of Scripture, I anticipated that the war currently underway with Hamas had to happen at some point in these treacherous days. What I didn’t expect was that a conspiracy within Israel itself – within its own government – would play an integral role in the events that are unfolding before our very eyes. The question I immediately posed upon the advent of these hostilities was – given their extreme nature: Is this the beginning of the Psalm 83 War? It made no sense to me that it would be the Ezekiel 38 War, a.k.a. the War of Gog of Magog. Hamas isn’t in any way a member of the coalition attacking Israel in that major, prophetic conflict. The conspirators in that extremely significant war are Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others – none of which directly border or inhabit Israel. Hamas is the enemy within. As I’ve continued to say: if Hezbollah joins the fray along with other combatants from Israel’s neighboring hostile states, it certainly seems like we’ve got a match for the Psalm 83 War. To date, we’ve got some participation from Hezbollah as they fire a limited number of missiles at Israel. Will they join this war as a full-fledged active partner with Hamas? If so, the prophetic significance is huge. The disturbing and confusing aspect of all this is the absolute unpreparedness of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). That makes no sense unless there’s a lot more going on conspiratorially than certainly I expected. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website & blog: https://garyritter.com/

Recently I was reminded of a little book I read a couple years ago called Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars. Recalling that it is one of the several blueprint documents for the destruction of America and the takeover of the world by the global elites, a.k.a. the globalist Cabal, a.k.a. the demonic spawn of Satan, I thought it would be useful to review it again for this audience. I previously discussed the book almost two years ago in my Awaken Bible Prophecy Update of 11-24-21 titled Cold, Calculating, Conceited – “The Worthy Few”. In listening to that Update once more, I decided that rather than reinventing the wheel with a new version– because what I said then is still very pertinent – I would replay that prior video with this new introduction, and perhaps say a few words at the end. That is what we’re doing today. I think you’ll find that the evil intent I covered two years ago is progressing along quite well – at least from the perspective of those intending us harm. We are also that much closer to our exit – the glorious moment when true believers in Jesus Christ are snatched away from this earth by Him when He comes to takes us to His Father’s house in the pre-Tribulation Rapture. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website & blog: https://garyritter.com/

There is a somewhat popular, so-called doctrine in the world of Christendom called Open Theism that we’re looking at today. Its heritage is that it’s descended from a previously popular belief system known as Moral Government Theology, or MGT. As MGT became more widely known and discussed, it became clear that it was heretical, or as one theologian critically stated, it “must be classified not as a form of Christianity but as heathenism masquerading as Christianity.” That’s a serious indictment and well-earned, as we’ll see shortly. However, since MGT effectively gave birth to Open Theism, and this doctrine is prominent today in NAR circles, we need to investigate both of these theological ideologies to better understand what is being taught in some areas of Christianity. The astounding fact that I came across in researching this topic is that a popular NAR end-times belief system is rooted in Open Theism. That being the case, what this stream in the NAR movement believes and advocates, is ultimately built on a lie. You may think I’m too hard on this whole area known as the New Apostolic Reformation, but as I learn more about NAR, I can only conclude that it is infiltrated by demonic deception. I’m not saying the NAR adherents and their churches which embrace NAR are demonic themselves, but when Christians go down a non-Biblical path, bad things happen. In our case, because I inevitably link my work to Bible prophecy, we’ll see how this affects the post-Tribulation Rapture position versus that of the pre-Tribulation Rapture, which I hold as true. Additionally, I’ll burst some bubbles when I speak about where Open Theism is actually being taught and practiced. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter books & blog https://garyritter.com/

There are a number of NAR end-times beliefs that have puzzled and disturbed me as I’ve come across them through comments made by those who have watched or read some of my Prophecy Updates or Commentaries. One such belief really threw me for a loop when I first saw it. Now that I’ve studied it a little more, I understand where the idea comes from, i.e. why people have it, although I steadfastly disagree with the concept. What was said to me was that this person was looking forward to the Tribulation with great anticipation. He said it would be the greatest time ever for believers because they’d be calling down God’s judgments so as to destroy the kingdom of darkness. Others have repeated that over time, and I had no basis for understanding how these folks could have this mindset. Serendipitously, as I responded to someone else concerning NAR and one of the problems in the movement regarding prayer declarations, I came across a series of articles by Holly Pivec, who has written extensively about NAR, calling out the unbiblical precepts it follows. In one of Holly’s articles – of which I’ll deal with more in a subsequent Prophecy Update – she mentioned a couple of the end-times beliefs originating from Mike Bickle’s International House of Prayer (IHOP). I searched out the links Holly provided, and through that finally came to a realization of where – at least from one source – this idea of the church joyously calling down God’s judgments in the Tribulation came from. This is a post-Tribulation Rapture perspective versus what I hold to which is a pre-Trib Rapture. Frankly these two Biblical worldviews are so contrary to each other that it’s difficult to comprehend that we both trust and believe in the same God. I mean, we’re talking about a chasm of difference between these perspectives. How could we so drastically interpret Scripture in such different ways? I believe I know the reason. I have no doubt that many who take a post-Trib stand are solid believers, just as many of them see and understand that we likewise love and cherish the Lord. Still, the differences – the mindsets – are incredibly far apart, and it’s hard to reconcile. Today we’ll look specifically - but briefly - at Mike Bickle’s teachings regarding the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the church’s role in the end times. Bickle and IHOP are definitely part of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) stream, but I would also say that he probably differs in some respects with others in this movement as to various end times beliefs. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website & blog: https://garyritter.com/

It’s a commonly accepted fact that there is a profound and persistent Deep State in America. It has been referred to as a Swamp. Many of us view it as an evil cabal of demonically possessed globalist elites. There are any number of fact-checking websites that discount the idea of a Deep State as a conspiracy theory. But they provide us with at least a start on defining it. Here is the Cambridge Dictionary definition: Organizations such as military, police, or political groups that are said to work secretly in order to protect particular interests and to rule a country without being elected - The idea that there is a deep state governing behind the scenes is dismissed by some as a conspiracy theory. This is what the Political Dictionary has to say: The “deep state” is a conspiracy theory which suggests that collusion exists within the U.S. political system and a hidden government within the legitimately elected government. Not to be left out is Wikipedia’s take (otherwise known as the CIA definition): According to an American political conspiracy theory, the deep state is a clandestine network of members of the federal government (especially within the FBI and CIA), working in conjunction with high-level financial and industrial entities and leaders, to exercise power alongside or within the elected United States government. - Critics of Trump's use of the term 'deep state' maintain that it is a conspiracy theory with no basis in reality. When President Trump came into office in 2017, one of his stated objectives was to dismantle the Deep State, i.e. to drain the Swamp. Unfortunately, due to his complete lack of discernment regarding the advisors he appointed to sensitive positions in his administration, it seems as if the vast majority of them were part of the Deep State problem. As a result, at every turn they worked against Trump’s interests, which in effect worked against those of the American people. If Trump was basically for America and wanted to restore it to his image of former greatness, and most of those men and women working in the White House and other prominent agencies of power acted contrary to his desires, it should be obvious that the Deep State Swamp is very real. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been the fierce opposition, with the resultant dead ends or badly skewed implementation of so much that could have improved America. Questions arise from this: • How did the Deep State come about? • What is its purpose? • Is it still operating today post-Trump? In this Prophecy Update we’ll examine these issues and more. What we reveal may shock you, but will certainly open your eyes to the reality this nation and the world faces in these final days. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter books & blog https://garyritter.com/

Seeing as how I have an abundance of shorter Commentaries that the Lord has directed me to write, today is another one where I combine several to create the longer Prophecy Update. In this case, we’ll be considering three of these shorter pieces. First we’ll consider the question as to Will We Know That Rapture Day? In this we’ll explore a significant previous Rapture in the Old Testament and suggest that what we’ve always thought, may not necessarily be so. Second and Third, we’ll look at a couple of incidents in the books of 1 & 2 Kings. In Blood Sacrifice we’ll see the power of blood to the demonic realm. Finally, we’ll examine the narrative about Naboth’s Vineyard in the realm of evildoers then and now. Since these are all, in effect, Commentaries like I normally do on Fridays, they are each relatively short, so make sure you’re buckled in and ready to listen quickly. Please note that the transcript is available on my website blog under the post with the same title. Gary Ritter website: books & blog http://garyritter.com/