Welcome to The Prophet Daniel’s Report. This is report #668.
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 Ynet News, Blue & White chairman Benny Gantz announced he will bring a peace plan for the Middle East proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump for Knesset approval next week. Gantz, speaking at the 13th International INSS Research Institute Conference, said, “In recent months, we met with U.S. President Donald Trump’s team, led by his adviser Jared Kushner, U.S. Ambassador David Friedman and Ambassador to the Middle East Avi Berkowitz, and discussed the U.S. government’s peace plan. As an Israeli patriot, I tell you that the program faithfully reflects the basic principles of Blue & White’s agenda and forms the basis for future settlement in the Middle East.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced earlier that he intends to approve a motion to apply Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements during a Security Cabinet meeting. Gantz said he would bring the U.S. peace plan – which includes Israeli approval to grant Palestinian statehood – for Knesset to vote on next week. The former IDF chief didn’t miss an opportunity to take a jibe at Netanyahu, mentioning the premier’s legal woes and considering them detrimental to his part in the implementation of the plan. Gantz said: “The Deal of the Century was the second most-historic moment this week. The first and saddening event was when indictments against an incumbent prime minister were filed at court. In order to bring the Trump peace plan to fruition, we need an honest, trustworthy and available prime minister. This is a historic opportunity to shape the borders and future of Israel and find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict instead of running it.”
Second, today, under the Sign category of WARS & RUMOURS OF WARS — According to The Jerusalem Post, The IDF attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in response to a barrage of rockets sent into Israel a few hours prior. IDF airplanes and fighter jets attacked a long line of terrorist targets belonging to Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip. Among other targets, the IDF struck an underground cell belonging to the terrorist organization. The attack significantly deterred Hamas’s ability to build upwards. A few hours earlier, three rockets entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, two of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome system and one which landed in an open field near Sapir [SAH-PEER] College in Sderot [SDEHR-ROHT]. In addition, the day was plagued with numerous incendiary balloons entering Israel from the Gaza Strip.
Third, today, under the Sign category of PESTILENCES & FATAL EPIDEMIC DISEASES — According to NHK News, China’s agriculture ministry says the highly pathogenic H5N6 strain of bird flu has been confirmed at a poultry farm in the southwestern province of Sichuan [SEH-CHU-AWN]. The ministry says that 1,840 out of about 2,500 chickens at the poultry farm died of avian flu caused by the H5N6 virus. The remaining chickens were culled to prevent the infection from spreading. Earlier this month, the ministry said that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu was detected at a poultry farm in Hunan [HOO-NAHN] Province. Chinese authorities are apparently stepping up measures against the series of bird flu outbreaks as they also contend with the spread of new coronavirus [KR-OW-NUH-VAI-RUHS] infections in the country.
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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 “A Variety of Views, Part 3” from Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson’s book “The Essential Guide to Bible Prophecy.”
Pre-millennial. This view says that Christ will return at the end of the church age to set up His kingdom on earth for a literal 1000 years. Most pre-millennialists also believe there will be a period of great tribulation on earth prior to the return of Christ. Some pre-millennialists believe the church will go through the Tribulation (post-tribulationists), others believe the church will be raptured prior to the Tribulation (pre-tribulationists), and a small number believe the church will be raptured in the middle of the Tribulation (mid-tribulationists). Despite these differences in regard to the rapture of the church, pre-millennialists generally believe in the future restoration of the state of Israel and the eventual conversion of the Jews to Christianity.
Most evangelical Christians hold to the dispensational pre-millennial view of eschatology, which looks forward to the rapture of believers to heaven as the next major prophetic event to be fulfilled. This, they believe, will end the church age and prepare the way for the Tribulation and the return of Christ. One Bible passage that suggests the rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Early Christians were unquestionably pre-millennialists. The disciples and those they taught anticipated the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth in their lifetime. Detractors of the pre-millennial view claim that it is relatively new theology. But scholars have demonstrated that pre-millennialism was the dominant view held during the first three centuries of the early church.
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, “Idolatry to be Destroyed at Christ’s Coming” (Part 1). J.C. Ryle writes:
Isaiah 11:18 reads, “The idols He shall utterly abolish.”
The time here spoken of will be plain to all who take the prophecy of Isaiah in its literal meaning. It is the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,–the day when “He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” The event is part of that mighty purification which will then take place in His professing Church–the abolishing of all idols; and the principal subject which claims your consideration in the text is idolatry.
Without further preface, I desire to ask your attention to the four following points:–
1. The definition of idolatry. What is it?
2. The cause of idolatry. Whence comes it?
3. The form idolatry assumes in the visible Church of Christ. Where is it?
4. The ultimate abolition of idolatry. What will end it?
I feel that the subject is encompassed with many difficulties. Our lot is cast in an age when truth is constantly in danger of being sacrificed to toleration, charity, and peace falsely so called. Nevertheless, I cannot forget that I am a minister of a Church which has given no uncertain sound on the subject of idolatry; and, unless I am greatly mistaken, truth about idolatry is, in the highest sense, truth for the times.
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.
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