Welcome to The Prophet Daniel’s Report. This is report #663.
My name is Daniel Whyte III here to remind you that Jesus Christ is coming back soon and that you need to be prepared. This broadcast is not about predictions, nor is it about setting dates as some foolishly have done, however it is all about preparation.
First, today, let’s look at some Signs of His Coming in the news.
The disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 24:3, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus Christ gave them (and us) clear signs that show us when we can begin to expect to see the Coming of the Lord and the end of the world. Looking at world events through the lens of the Word of God, let’s look at some headlines from today’s news that point to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, today, under the Sign category of TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST — According to The Jerusalem Post, The Palestinian Authority and several Palestinian factions have criticized Hamas for its reported readiness to reach a long-term ceasefire with Israel, warning that such a move would “solidify” the split between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The criticism came in response to a report that the Israeli Cabinet was scheduled to debate and review the details of a proposed long-term ceasefire with Hamas. Channel 12 News reported that National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat [MARE BEN-SHAH-BHAT] will brief the ministers on the details of the proposed deal. Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif Qanou [AB-DEL LAH-TEEF KAH-NOO] denied the report, saying the talk was only about “confirming previous understandings related to ending the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.” Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya [KHUH-LEEL AL-HEY-UH] denied that his movement was conducting negotiations with Israel. He said Hamas was only discussing with Egypt ways of preserving the understandings to end the blockade on the Gaza Strip. Ibrahim Milhem [IH-BRAA-HIHM MEEL-HEM], spokesman for the PA government, said that any deal between Hamas and Israel would serve Israeli interests and lead to the establishment of a “new separate Palestinian entity” in the Gaza Strip. PLO Executive Committee member Azzam al-Ahmed [AH-ZAM AL-UHKH-MEHD] said that “the cooperation between Israel and Hamas, together with some countries, “aims to solidify divisions among the Palestinians and geographically and legally separate the Gaza Strip from Palestine.”
Second, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to Ynet News, Iraq’s government warned that its relations with the United States were at risk after deadly American airstrikes against a pro-Iran group sparked anger on the streets with protesters torching US flags. At least 25 fighters were killed in Sunday night’s attacks which saw US planes hit several bases belonging to the Hezbollah Brigades, one of the most radical factions of Hashed al-Shaabi [HASHT AL-SHAH-BEH], a Tehran-backed Iraqi paramilitary coalition. It came at a time when Iraq is caught up in mounting tensions between its allies Tehran and Washington and grappling with huge street protests against corruption but also against Iran’s growing political influence in the country. The Hashed [HASHT], which holds major sway in Iraq, said the strikes “killed 25 and wounded 51, including commanders and fighters, and the toll could yet rise.” Victims were still being pulled from the rubble of bases near Al-Qaim [AL-KAME], an Iraqi district bordering Syria, on Monday. Iraq’s government, acting in a caretaker capacity following the resignation of prime minister Abdel Abdel Mahdi [AB-DEL AB-DEL MAA-DEE] in the face of street protests, denounced the strikes and warned they could affect ties with Washington. A government statement said, “American forces acted on their political priorities, not those of the Iraqis,” adding that such strikes “violate the sovereignty of Iraq”. The attacks “force Iraq to review its relations and its security, political and legal framework to protect its sovereignty”.
Third, today, under the Sign category of INCREASED PERSECUTION OF BELIEVERS — According to The Christian Post, An Islamic State terrorist faction in West Africa killed 11 Christian aid workers in Nigeria in retaliation for the killings of ISIS leader Bakr al-Baghdadi [BAAK-AHR AL-BAG-DAHD-EE] and his spokesman in two separate U.S. military operations earlier this year. The terrorist group known as the Islamic State in West Africa Province released a 56-second video published by the ISIS propaganda media arm Amaq [AH-MAHK] that shows the shooting of one man followed by the beheading of 10 others. Jihadists wearing black masks and beige uniforms lined up behind the hostages — who were all blindfolded — as they carried out the executions. According to the Washington-based SITE Intelligence Group, a man speaking over the video footage says in both Arabic and Hausa [HOW-SAH]: “This message is to the Christians in the world. Those who you see in front of us are Christians, and we will shed their blood as revenge for the two dignified sheikhs, the caliph of the Muslims, and the spokesman for the Islamic State, Sheikh Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir [UH-BUU AL-HUH-SUHN AL-MUY-HAH-JOOR].” Terrorism analysts told the BBC the terrorist group’s attack on Christians the day after Christmas was strategically planned.
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Now, it’s time for Prophecy Bootcamp.
Prophecy Bootcamp is where we deal with the basics of prophecy, the Second Coming of Christ, and what will happen in the future according to the Bible. Our aim here is not to make predictions but to help you get prepared by understanding how things will unfold in the end times.
Our topic for today is titled “Why Christians Should Study Bible Prophecy, Part 2” from Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson’s book “The Essential Guide to Bible Prophecy.”
In the Bible we have an entire collection of truth that affirms the divine authorship and authority of Scripture in its fulfilled prophecies. Hundreds of predictions regarding Christ’s first coming, including His birth, miracles, suffering, death, and resurrection, were foretold long before they occurred. In addition, we have been given numerous prophecies yet unfulfilled. Someone has counted eight times as many prophecies regarding Christ’s second coming as for His first coming. This gives us great confidence that what has yet to take place will be fulfilled just as the prophecies related to Christ’s first coming have been fulfilled.
The Bible provides many other reasons why we should study prophecy.
God evidently considers prophecy important, for He has included much of it in the Bible. Approximately one-third of the Bible’s 66 inspired books were authored by prophets in the Old Testament. Even four of the New Testament’s books–Revelation, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Jude–are primarily prophetic. In total, nearly one-fourth of all the verses in the Bible include prophecy. If we omit the study of prophecy because it is difficult or controversial, we will ignore an enormous portion of Scripture.
Prophecy reveals God’s nature. Prophecy reveals the elevated status of Christ. At His second coming, Jesus will come “with power and great glory” as “King of kings and Lord of lords”. Revelation 1:7 teaches, “every eye will see Him.” Philippians 2:10-11 further reveals every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Prophecy guards against false and unhealthy teaching. Scripture provides an accurate understanding of both how to live today and what to expect in eternity. In contrast, groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses teach an afterlife that includes a special class of heaven for 144,000 people. This is based on an inaccurate view of Revelation 7:4-8. Mormon teachings describe three levels of the afterlife, contrary to the clear teachings of the Bible that teach only heaven or hell as the eternal resting place of the soul. A proper understanding of biblical teaching regarding what is to come provides help on these issues and others that shape our lives today.
Lord willing, we will continue looking at this topic in our next podcast.
In closing, let’s consider what God wants you and I to do in light of His Second Coming.
Jesus Christ said in Luke 19:13 to “Occupy till I come.” In light of that, we are continuing our journey through the book, “Coming Events and Present Duties,” by J.C. Ryle. It is a collection of what he called “prophetic tracts” that focus on the believer’s duty in light of the signs which point to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
This section is titled, “What Time Is It?” (Part 23). J.C. Ryle writes:
I ask every hearer of this address to bring the light of the day of Christ to bear upon his inner man. Set your years, and months, and weeks, and days, and hours in the full blaze of that day, and whatever thing you find within which is akin to “darkness,” pluck it out and cast it away. Keep up no questionable habit. Make no compromise with doubtful practices. Break down every idol, whether great or small. Cut down every grove, and cleanse out every chamber of imagery. Cling to nothing which would cost you a blush under the eye of Christ. Away with it at once, lest He come suddenly and put you to shame! Oh! that He may never say of any person’s heart in that day, “this heart professes to be a temple of the Holy Ghost, but thou has made it a den of thieves.”
Try all your employment of tim by the test of Christ’s second coming. Place in this balance your amusements, your books, your companions, your manner of conversation, your daily behaviour in all the relations of life. Measure all by this measure,–“The night is far spent and the day is at hand. Am I living as a child of the night, or as one who looks for the day?” Do this, and you will cast off the works of darkness.
But how are you to put on the armour of light? Listen to me once more, and I will tell you.
If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue looking at this topic in our next broadcast/podcast.
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CLOSING PRAYER
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Remember the words of the Lord in Matthew 24:42: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
If you are not ready for the Return of Jesus Christ, may I encourage you to get ready today by receiving Him as your Savior. Here is how:
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…” Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now that is bad news, but here is the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Let us join in the prayer of John the Revelator — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God bless you.
BCNN1 WP 