Friday, January 18, 2019
For the last several years I believed, and more so now than ever before, that for reasons of Jesus’ parable of the fig tree, (Matt. 24:32–35), and that “there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations” (Luke 21:25), together with four blood moons on Jewish high holy days in recent years, that all these are the precursor to the “covenant with many” (Dan. 9:27). God has been sending the world, and the Church, signs of the end-times.
Jesus’ parable of the fig tree identifies the final generation of this present age, which began May 14, 1948 with the rebirth of Israel just as God foretold at (Isa. 66:8). And the Seal, Trumpet and Bowl judgments are concurrent events leading to the return of Christ. That these events will be challenging is an understatement, hence our great need to prepare in the testimony of Jesus.
Coming in just two days, in the late hours of Jan. 20th and early hours of Jan. 21st, EST, there will be another blood moon, a total lunar eclipse which again foreshadows the (Dan. 9:27) peace “covenant with many”. Jesus exhorts us to “discern the signs of the times” (Matt. 16:3). In fact, He rebukes those who do not discern the signs of the times. Let’s not be one of them.
Here are the details of this lunar eclipse: https://www.space.com/42976-blood-moon-lunar-eclipse-2019-coming-soon.html. Uniquely, the article states that “The last time New Yorkers could gaze so high at a totally eclipsed moon was in 1797, when John Adams was president; the next opportunity won’t come until 2113.” This unique sign “in the moon” heralds the “covenant with many”. I continue to strongly believe that the time of this covenant has come.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his Jewish Orthodox son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have their proposed peace plan for the Middle East, but won’t unveil it for several months. Time will tell whether the Trump / Kushner plan is that “covenant” or not, which begins the final seven years. While President Trump in no way fills the requirements of the Antichrist, it is possible that his plan, could, however, be signed or put into action by, say, another more non-partisan globally respected figure such as Pope Francis who already signed a May 2015 covenant recognizing Palestine as a sovereign nation state seen here: https://www.timesofisrael.com/vatican-signs-treaty-recognizing-state-of-palestine/
Compare the above May 2015 link wherein Pope Francis affirms Palestine, to this January 11, 2019 article, https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/pope-franciss-advocacy-for-islam-could-destroy-europe wherein his advocacy for Islam continues unabated: “In short, Pope Francis has acted as an advocate for Islam. He has portrayed it as a religion of peace, the moral equivalent of Catholicism, and a force for good.” Pope Francis has spread his false narrative to U.S. churches, causing a deadly false unity between Islam and Christian pastors utterly devoid of discernment.
And the irony of it all is that the Vatican holds legal control of, not just Jerusalem, but all the land of Israel, according to the “FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOLY SEE AND THE STATE OF ISRAEL” dated December 30, 1993. Biblically, the office of the papacy is the only qualified force to make that “covenant with many” (Dan. 9:27). And the maker of that covenant, Antichrist, will ultimately make his seat of authority in Jerusalem.
In one of Nikki Haley’s final statements as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. regarding the Trump / Kushner peace plan, she said, “It is time we faced a hard truth: both sides would benefit greatly from a peace agreement, but the Palestinians would benefit more, and the Israelis would risk more. It is with this backdrop in mind that the Trump administration has crafted its plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.” https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/US-ambassador-to-Israel-Trumps-peace-plan-delayed-for-several-months-576478
Many have asked about the “generation” in Jesus’ Parable of the Fig Tree of (Matt. 24:32–35). God tells us that “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years” (Psa. 90:10). We now end the 71st year since Israel’s rebirth, and the generation that saw that “will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Matt. 24:34). But as for Jesus’ return, “of that day and hour no one knows” (Matt. 24:36), however, we can certainly know the season of it to within a ninety-day period of time! Therein, it’s not mere speculation to believe that about nine years remain till the end of this present age.
Are you prepared to endure the reign of Antichrist to soon envelop the world? God has given us His Word and testimony of truth concerning all this; the Church, however, just needs to believe Him and prepare accordingly. But don’t wait for the Church to lead you in this because it will not. Here’s why: the Church is steeped in its own deception of the pre-trib rapture. And many will, with hostility, be offended when they discover that they loved that lie, and not the truth.
And the world’s scientific communities are aggressively developing the technologies of GRIN (Genetics, Robotics, Information and Nanotechnology). They’re creating enhanced humans that are millions of times more intelligent than God-created humans, just “as the days of Noah were” (Matt. 24:37), via corrupted DNA, Satan’s repeated attempt to destroy mankind made in God’s image, with his deceptive promise that “ye shall be as gods” (Gen. 3:5 KJV).
Fathers, husbands and brothers in Christ, it’s our responsibility to lead our families in the truths of Jesus’ testimony for the end-times. We must pay special attention to this, because we are the spiritual heads and leaders of our homes, not our wives and sisters, for God has ordained it, (1 Cor. 11:3). We’re commanded to provide for and protect our families physically and spiritually. To that end, “if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).
Do we confess to be followers of Christ? Good! Then let’s prove our faith by believing that Christ “must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything” (Acts 3:21 NIV), which occurs “Immediately after the tribulation” (Matt. 24:29–31); for then “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16); at “the first resurrection” (Rev. 20:4–6); “at the last day” (John 6:40, 44, 54); “at the last trumpet” (1 Cor. 15:51–52); when “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!” (Rev. 11:15).
Marlin J. Yoder
