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END-TIME PROPHECY E-NEWSLETTER ... an extension of www.prophecyfulfillment.com ...
ISSUE NUMBER 22
Rambling Thoughts: Format Change… Salvation is Enough… Disposable Children… Perilous Times
EXPLANATION: My wife and I attended Perry Stone’s Main Event Campmeeting on October 20-24, 2009. This conference, graciously hosted by Pastor Ron Phillips and his congregation at Abba’s House in Hixson, Tennessee, was truly anointed. Perry Stone, www.voe.org, is the most knowledgeable Bible and prophecy teacher I have ever heard. What a joy it is to listen to him explain Scriptures.
Returning home late Saturday evening, I asked my wife to drive the last half of the trip. This respite from driving allowed me to think of a couple of items to include in this newsletter.
FORMAT CHANGE– NEWSLETTERS AND SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON OUTLINES TO BE COMBINED: Due to many responsibilities which steadily grow in spite of my “retirement,” I cannot continue writing and distributing both a prophecy newsletter and a Sunday School lesson outline on separate topics each week. Hereafter, I will combine the two, teaching my Sunday School class from some of the topics in my prophecy newsletter. I hope this change meets with your approval.
I had planned to write this week about Jesus’ prophetic parables in Matthew, chapter 25. I will save these parables for a later date. I desire to say a little something about items that popped into my mind while driving home on I-75 last Saturday evening.
WHEN ENOUGH IS NOT ENOUGH: As previously noted, the prophecy conference was held in the beautiful facility of Abba’s House. The sanctuary of Abba’s House contains approximately 4,000 seats, arranged in an expansive semicircle around a pulpit and stage.
Arriving early for a meeting, I dropped my wife near the door and drove to the parking lot to listen to the remainder of a radio news report and to finish a large cup of coffee. She said she would call me on her cell ‘phone to let me know where she was saving our seats. I received her call and, still drinking coffee, I told her I would join her in five or ten minutes. A few minutes later, she again called, informing me she had moved to the opposite side of the sanctuary.
Upon joining her, I asked her why she changed seats. She replied: “There was a negative atmosphere around the seats I was saving. People sitting behind me kept complaining. One woman said, ‘If I don’t get my miracle tonight, I’m going to stop coming to church services.’ That was it! I moved immediately. I don’t want people speaking negative thoughts into my life, as I worship God.”
I do not know the woman who demanded that God grant “her miracle” that service, but I suspect she did not receive it. If I were God, I would not reward a person with such an inappropriate, demanding attitude.
What miracle should we expect– what miracle should we receive– from God?
If you are a Christian, I submit to you that you have already received the greatest miracle God has to offer you. This greatest miracle is salvation. If you have received this gift, rejoice and feel fulfilled. If God grants any other miracle in your lifetime, praise Him for this extra blessing; but if no other miracle is granted, be content with His greatest miracle of salvation.
Consider a few things that salvation has accomplished for you: ● God came to Earth as Man, in the Person of Jesus, to live among us, teach us, and give His life for you, that through His shed blood you can become a co-heir with Him in Heaven. ● You were born a lowly person, but God has permitted you to be reborn as His son or daughter. ● You were filthy and sin-filled, but God has washed you spotless in His sight. ● You were given eternal life in Heaven through a simple act of faith. ● You will not eternally die (you will defeat death), but you will be raised to eternal life through your belief in Jesus as Savior.
The miracle of salvation is enough for me! If God never blesses me again, I have been given more blessings than I deserve or could ever desire.
During a Passover Seder, Jews sing a song, Dayenu. Dayenu translates to: “It would have been enough.” In this song, fifteen gifts from God are recalled in fifteen stanzas. Five stanzas acknowledge that God brought the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage; five stanzas recall God’s miracles given to the Israelites; and five stanzas rejoice in life in God’s presence. After each stanza, Dayenu– “it would have been enough” (but there was more)– is sung repeatedly and exuberantly.
Christians need to sing an equivalent of Dayenu (something like, salvation from God would have been enough), and we need to quit bellyaching.
It is common for Christians to pray for themselves and for other people. Such prayers are well grounded in Bible teachings. I will not repeat the Scriptures about prayer, which you may know as well as I do.
If I had a serious illness (cancer, for example), I would pray for healing, and I would be grateful for any person who would pray on my behalf. If God should choose not to grant me a miraculous healing, it will not be because He does not love me. If I am given eternal life, I have more than enough miracles for my life. Dayenu! It would have been enough!
Few persons have been as passionate for God and Jesus as the Apostle Paul. He laboriously spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire, was tortured, wrote a major portion of the New Testament, and was martyred for his belief. Read Paul’s desire to be healed of a “thorn in his flesh” and God’s reply (2 Corinthians 12:7-10): And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. God turned down Paul’s prayers for a miraculous healing, telling him that His grace was enough.
Think: If God cured all illnesses and injuries which beset Christians, we would achieve immortality on Earth. We are promised (Hebrews 9:27a): …it is appointed for men to die once…. Why God answers prayers and grants a miraculous healing to some persons, but not to others, is a mystery. A Christian who receives a miraculous healing should be grateful and feel blessed, but a Christian who does not receive a miraculous healing should not feel God has cursed or does not love him/her. God reminds us that He is God and will do all that He purposes (for example, Isaiah 46:9-10).
The title of this section is, “When Enough Is Not Enough.” Never harbor a negative, accusatory, complaining attitude toward God. If you have accepted God’s gift of salvation, you should gratefully say, “Salvation is enough!” Anything else good in your life is just an added blessing. Dayenu!
DISPOSABLE CHILDREN: A sad event unfolded while I was in Hixson.
A completely evil person– presumably a man– abducted a beautiful seven-year old girl, Somer Thompson, as she walked with her siblings the one-mile distance between her school and her home in Orange Park, Florida. Millions of Americans prayed and hoped she would be found alive, but feared the likely outcome to which we have become accustomed.
A few days after her disappearance, it was confirmed that she had been murdered. Her little body was found in a sanitary landfill (garbage dump) a few miles from her home. In her neighborhood, there are 161 known sex offenders within a five-mile radius of her home. Apparently, there is also a previously unknown sex offender who robbed a family of a precious daughter. Read God’s accusation when Cain slew Abel (Genesis 4:10): And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” A more correct translation is “…your brother’s bloods [plural] cry out…” instead of “your brother’s blood [singular] cries out….” The Hebrew dam is plural, implying that not only was Abel’s blood spilled, but also the blood of all generations which would have followed him. This monster in Florida deprived Somer of her life, robbed Somer’s family of a precious daughter and sister, and killed future generations which could have followed Somer.
These occurrences are becoming far too familiar. We have become numbed, and tend to disregard these reports as just another Amber Alert or a missing coed.
I was particularly touched by this murder. A completely evil man abducted her, killed her, and discarded her little body like a bag of garbage. I have stopped reading about Somer’s death. I do not want to know how this little girl was sexually and physically tortured and abused before her death. Her death ironically came as a blessing under the circumstances, as she was removed from the fear and pain inflicted upon her. She now rests in Jesus’ arms, as her murderer awaits his future judgment.
Far too many of our children are “disposable.” Consider the following:
(1) A murderer regarded Somer as “disposable,” as her body was thrown into a dumpster and, then, a landfill with no more regard than disposal of a bag of kitchen waste.
(2) More than 1-million unborn babies are ripped apart in America every year, disposed of in red plastic medical waste bags, and incinerated. I recently wrote about the abortion problem in three newsletters: www.prophecyfulfillment.com/en017a.html , www.prophecyfulfillment.com/en018a.html , and www.prophecyfulfillment.com/en021a.html .
(3) A sad commentary on America’s morals appeared a few months ago. A Kansas abortionist, George Tiller, was shot to death. Tiller was one of the few abortionists willing to perform particularly grizzly partial birth abortions. Tiller had admitted to performing more than 60-thousand abortions. The media, liberal politicians, and feminists mourned the death of this “courageous physician,” but did not mourn the deaths of the tens of thousands of babies he had aborted. Tiller’s life was valued, but not the lives of these unborn babies.
(4) Many children are essentially disposed of by parents who fail to provide the physical, mental, and spiritual nurturing required for these children to become healthy, well-adjusted adults. Many children are physically, mentally, and sexually abused, because they are regarded as disposable commodities. Many children are not led into worship and knowledge of the Living God, and will die to eternal condemnation.
I grew up in Lincoln Park, a middle-income section of northern Knoxville, Tennessee. When I was Somer’s age (during the last half of the 1940s), it was a truly idyllic time to be a child. After eating breakfast, I would leave the house to play with my friends– softball, touch football, dodge ball, marbles, and so forth. My childhood friends and I wandered all over Lincoln Park, and my parents were never concerned for my safety. I am certain that if a child molester had been identified in the neighborhood, the fathers would have had a “little talk” with him, and he would have moved away the next day. In every house I passed, I had a surrogate mama or papa watching over me. If I got out of line, my neighborhood mama or papa would straighten me out, without fear of being sued by my parents. I grew up relatively poor at that time (although I did not know it), and it was certainly poor by today’s standards– but I was well adjusted and happy, and I respected other persons, my teachers, my country, and my God.
“Progress” has robbed our children of such a lifetime now. Sandlot sports have been replaced by organized sports, complete with uniforms, leagues, coaches, and team moms. Children and their parents live in fear of pedophiles. Wedlock pregnancies, use of drugs, and criminal activities in teens are rampant. We are witnessing the unraveling of families and our society.
Of many reasons this has happened, I will mention a few:
(1) We cannot overestimate the deleterious effect of the work of Charles Darwin, published in On the Origin of the Species in 1859. Darwin himself had lingering doubts about his theory, but had faith later studies would prove him correct. We are still waiting for that proof.
The Darwinian theory of evolution is the sacred cow in academia. No one in academia is allowed to challenge Darwinian evolution. A challenger of this theory would be considered an ignorant, Bible-thumping, knuckle dragger, and would commit professional suicide. In a future newsletter, I will present a case why evolution, as taught, violates scientific principles. The violation comes through the lack of application of statistical analysis, the common language for all sciences. Statistical analysis disproves that evolution could proceed by chance alone (that is, without intervention or guidance by a Creator, or Intelligent Designer).
Why is the Darwinian theory of evolution important? Well, generations have been taught– and most believe– that we were just created from nothing and changed (evolved) little-by-little over time without guidance from any god. Therefore since we were created from nothing without the influence of anything, we can conveniently deny that there is a Creator (God).
(2) A number of Supreme Court decisions, beginning in 1948 with McCollum v Board of Education, have removed God from the schools and public spaces. Generations now erroneously believe that the Establishment Clause (First Amendment) separates church and state. The Constitution does not demand that citizens be separated from God, but, rather, guarantees freedom of all religions and prohibits Congress from establishing a national religion (faith). America is now where the Israelites were millennia ago– see 1 Samuel, chapter 8– when they tired of the theocracy God intended and wanted a charismatic king like their “cool” neighbors had. They demanded, “Give us a king.” God obliged, and gave them an evil king, Saul. Americans have tired of God, and we have demanded that God give us a “king” to follow. He is granting our wish, but we will regret it. Without spiritual guidance, our children will not know right from wrong and will not follow God’s laws.
(3) Our children are pampered bored, and have too many “things,” too many diversions, and too many of everything. They would do far better to work more and play less.
But, all is not lost. In the last days, God will deal with a faithful remnant. The predominant church in the last days will be patterned after the lazy, lukewarm church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), which causes Jesus to vomit in disgust. Upon Jesus’ return to an apostate world, He is uncertain whether He will find faith anywhere (Luke 18:8). But a faithful remnant, including young people, will be found (Joel 2:28): [The LORD says] “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”
Children are not disposable. We must cherish them as a heritage from the LORD (Psalm 127:3). We must love, guide, train, and prepare children. God has a use for them in the last days.
I need to point out one other thing: Children are often better treated in some (not all) Third World nations, than they are in developed nations. I suspect the next major movement of God will come from these Third World nations, rather than the United States or European nations.
PERILOUS TIMES: A few months ago, I issued a newsletter, Preparation for Perilous Times: www.prophecyfulfillment.com/en015a.html . Please see that newsletter, if you have forgotten it.
Paul warned (2 Timothy 3:1): But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.
I am more convinced now, than when I wrote that newsletter, that perilous times are here.
I believe God’s pre-Tribulation judgment is being visited upon the world, including the United States. In the United States, we have been transformed from a capitalist nation to a socialist nation, with many socialists and Marxists in high leadership positions. We are deeply in debt, and we must beg countries (China) to buy our debt and keep the nation afloat on borrowed money. Our grandchildren will be indebted for decades– perhaps forever. Our currency is being devalued, and perhaps will soon be nearly worthless, before it is replaced by a global currency. Inflation– and even hyperinflation– surely must follow. Civil unrest will likely occur, as those whose lives are dependent upon a welfare state lose benefits. Christians will continue to be mocked and persecuted. And so forth.
The constitutional republic I have loved all my life will likely be only a memory soon. The Constitution, the basis of all American laws, will continue to be an irrelevant document. At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, one of the Constitution’s framers, Benjamin Franklin, was asked what the nation now had– a Republic or a Monarchy. Dr. Franklin responded, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” Will Americans keep our Republic? It does not seem so.
If all of this is news for you, you are not keeping up with national and world events. If you listen only to the alphabet networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBC), it is easy to understand why you have been kept in darkness. I report some international and Christian news in one of my Websites, www.prophecyfulfillment.com , which sheds light on issues you will not otherwise have.
Prepare now in the best way possible for future emergencies, unrest, terrorist attacks, shortages of food and other essentials, monetizing of our debt (leading to inflation, hyperinflation, possible financial collapse, and introduction of a global currency).
I repeat the following information from the previously cited newsletter on perilous times: 1. An ancient name for God is Jehovah-jireh— "God will provide." As bad as things may get, God will ultimately provide for you, His son or daughter, whether in this life or the next. A Christian, who ultimately overcomes sin and remains faithful, will win! 2. Earth is not your home. You only live here for a brief moment of time. Your real, eternal home is New Jerusalem (Heaven).
3. Prepare for your eternity.
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and
the salvation He earned for you
through His sacrificial death on the
cross. Fear not! Understand that the changes we are now seeing are the changes that must take place to usher in the coming Unholy Trinity– Satan, Antichrist, and False Prophet– during the Tribulation. Never fear these changes. These changes confirm that our God is THE God of the Universe, that our prophetic knowledge is THE true knowledge, and that our faith is THE true faith. If these things were not happening exactly as prophesied in the Bible, I would be anxious. But, I am not anxious. Rather, I say, “Bring it on, Satan! You are going to spend eternity in the Lake of Burning Fire, and I am going to spend eternity in New Jerusalem. Bring it on! Every day of your evil is one day closer I come to seeing my Lord in the clouds, as He calls me home.”
All of the things we now see are paving the way for the coming Antichrist’s one-world government. It is at our door, I believe. More importantly, though, Jesus is at our door. Prepare now to miss the Tribulation by being in Jesus’ presence in Paradise.
INTERNET VERSION: This newsletter-lesson outline can be accessed at www.prophecyfulfillment.com/en022a.html .
DISCLAIMER: I cite only references that you, an email subscriber, can access– The Holy Bible and Websites. I believe information from these Websites is accurate, but Internet sources can contain errors. Exercise discernment, as you read these sites.
IDEAS? If you would like to suggest topics for future newsletters, please email your suggestions to me.
CONTACT ME: If you have questions, comments, or especially if you need to know how to become a Christian, please contact me. I will be honored to try to help you in any way possible.
Raymond Finney 2119 Middlewood Drive – Maryville, Tennessee U.S.A. raymondfinney@ymail.com – (865) 984.1424
Unless otherwise stated, Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version.
May God bless and protect you and your family. Maranatha! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20b)
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