World Peace: How It Will Come

Given the cruel, debilitating effects of war, man has often longed for peace. The Bible explains how this much-sought-after state of tranquility will arrive.

The city of Jerusalem presents what may be one of the greatest ironies in the world. Its name means “City of Peace,” and tourists and pilgrims can find the famous inscription “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6) in several places of biblical interest around the city. This inscription is found on monuments and plaques of more than one of the major religions.

Yet neither Jerusalem nor the world has ever experienced real, lasting peace. The city remains uneasy, a nexus of conflicting claims and competing religions. Its holy places—including the Dome of the Rock and the Western, or Wailing, Wall—are among the tensest places anywhere on earth. And, according to the Bible, this city—and the entire world—will prove unable to find true peace in this age of human rule prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ the Messiah.

Why no peace?

Why? Why is it that a city that is so important to three major religions also finds itself the center of conflict? Wouldn’t one think that religious folk would be the best equipped to bring peace to that “city of peace” and to the world? Yet apparently that isn’t so.

God gave us the reason centuries ago through the prophet Isaiah: “The way of peace they have not known” (Isaiah 59:8). What an apt characterization of this world and its weak attempts to bring peace to humanity. People pay lip service to the goal, but lack knowledge of the way to get there.

A clue as to why may be found in the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. It’s easy to miss the significance of the sequence of the horsemen. Notice that the first horse, the white one, goes forth “conquering and to conquer” (Revelation 6:1-2). This first horseman resembles Jesus Christ, the King of Kings who will come back from heaven on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). Yet, in what seems to be a paradox to many, the rider of this horse doesn’t bring peace! Quite the contrary. It is this imposter, the false Christ, whose influence stokes the fires of war, suffering and destruction.

The second, red, horse “was granted … to take peace from the earth” and to cause people to kill one another (Revelation 6:3-4). There is a cause-and-effect factor here: The riding of the first horseman, symbolizing false religion and false philosophies, gives rise to the second—widespread war on the earth.

How much war has there been in recent decades? The carnage is horrifying. Estimates of deaths due to war in the 20th century vary, but one source suggests 35 million human beings died in war during the 20th century (Democratic Peace Blog), while another offers a much higher figure of some 160 million (Scaruffi.com).

Whatever the exact figure, the 20th century proved to be the bloodiest in history, in spite of the efforts of the League of Nations and, later, of the United Nations. And the 21st century isn’t looking good either, as wars continue to smolder in places such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Jeremiah summed it up well in a phrase that has made its way into common usage: “Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 8:11).

Only through the Prince of Peace

Simply stated, on its own humanity lacks the divinely revealed knowledge of how to bring peace. It is ultimately going to require the return to earth of Jesus Christ, and the setting up of the Kingdom of God, to bring true, just, lasting peace.

Notice this wonderful prophecy about the Messiah: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, emphasis added).

He will bring with Him the administration of true justice and the pathway to real peace: “He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4). That time is coming!

But how will this be accomplished? Should we expect this to come about simply by the efforts of national governments? Will the famous “swords-into-plowshares” statue that sits in front of the United Nations building in New York become a reality as a result of peace talks?

No, peace will not come about that way

Instead, once Jesus Christ has returned to earth, He will have to act swiftly and decisively to put down rebellion against His rule. We read of the aggressive action of the last world-ruling empire (one based in Europe) and its leader (one referred to as “the beast”) who “will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:8, Revelation 17:14).

But this evil military campaign will not be successful. Rebellion against the righteous rule of the Messiah will be forcibly put down.

Starting with Jerusalem

Under God’s inspiration, the prophet Zechariah gave us a beautiful description of the changed conditions in the city of Jerusalem under the Kingdom of God. “Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets” (Zechariah 8:4-5).

Christ’s government, and the way of peace that it brings, will expand outward from Jerusalem and encompass the whole earth and its inhabitants.Both the aged and the young will then be free to enjoy the beauty and security of this, God’s capital city, with no fear of bombs or violence.

Once Jesus Christ has returned and set up His rule, peace will expand outward from the city of Jerusalem to finally bring rest to this war-weary world. “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7).

God’s government of peace

God’s government of peace will be established, beginning with the city of Jerusalem. People will stream to that city to learn of God and His ways. “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us to up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:1-2).

Christ’s government, and the way of peace that it brings, will expand outward from Jerusalem and encompass the whole earth and its inhabitants.

A celebration of peace

These events are represented in the biblical Feast of Tabernacles, celebrated each year in the fall (in the northern hemisphere) by members of the Church of God. As one of God’s appointed festivals, it is an annual celebration of the soon-coming time of peace to be brought to earth, not by man’s efforts, but by the miraculous intervention of Almighty God. It provides a wonderful foretaste of the time of peace.

To learn more about this joyous biblical festival, we invite you to read the article about the Feast of Tabernacles on the LifeHopeandTruth.com website. Also, for more information, please see the article titled “1000 Years: Millennium.”

Yes, world peace really is coming. It will be a reality. And isn’t that good news?

To learn more about the coming Kingdom of God, which will usher in the peace humanity has longed for, see the articles in the section “The Kingdom of God.”

Leaders of United Kingdom Government Resigning – Is this a shaking of the UK from God ?

What is your thought on this ongoing shaking in the UK Leadership, is it an act from God or something else. The latest today is Nigel Farage resigns as Ukip leader: ‘I have done my bit. Now I want my life back’

Conservatives – David Cameron, current Prime Minister resigns

UKIP – Nigel Farage resigns

Labour – Many voices are calling for Jeremy Corbyn to resign  … is this the next resignation to happen

Some thoughts believe God is doing some work on United Kingdom. What do you think ?

 We like to ask you to take some minutes to pray to God for His choice of the next Prime Minister of United Kingdom

Call to prayer for Turkey as suicide bombers kills 41

 A pastor who ministered in Istanbul for many years has urged Christians to pray after a triple suicide bombing in the city murdered at least 41 people.

Revd Benjamin van Rensburg, who now ministers in Scotland, also said the attack had left him “shocked” and “very sad”.

Revd Turgay Ucal, from All Saints Moda Church in Istanbul, spoke later on Premier’s News Hour saying that constant terror attacks were damaging community cohesion causing Turks to fear one another.

The pastor also said that Turkey’s hopes of being free from terrorism are sinking because Europe does not appear to have a single strategy to tackle it.

150 people were also injured after three men, believed to be from Islamic State (IS) arrived in a taxi and opened fire on unarmed civilians at the arrivals area before blowing themselves up.

The Foreign Office said it was “urgently seeking further information” about possible British casualties.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack, which took place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, “shows that terrorism strikes with no regard to faith and values”.

Calling on the international community to take a firm stand against terrorism, he said: “Turkey has the power, determination and capacity to continue the fight against terrorism until the end.”

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Turkey has suffered several deadly attacks in recent months which have been blamed on Kurdish separatists or IS.

Several bombings targeted areas popular with tourists while another attack on a military barracks in Ankara killed 28 people.

The latest attack comes three months after Brussels was hit by suicide bombings in an airport terminal and at a central metro station.

IS claimed responsibility for the attacks on March 22nd, which killed 32 and wounded another 270.

Speaking with Premier, Revd van Rensburg said: “I think as Christians we’re called to pray for God’s will to be done, for His kingdom to come.

“When I think about Turkey and what’s happening there things look pretty bleak, but I think what we need to do is to be faithful, to remember our brothers and sisters in the country.

“It is a really called upon Christians living outside the country to pray for Turkey, to pray for peace and stability, to pray for good governments, that the Church would be strengthened during this time.”

Speaking on Premier’s News Hour Revd Turgay Ucal said: “[Some] if they see some different people, not really Turkish, they look suspiciously at these people.

“Before we didn’t fear this much fear of the other person.

“Especially a country like Turkey, [people are] hospitable, very relatable, but now we’re starting to really look around and [are] more fearful.

“When we look to Europe we cannot see clear vision for solving the problems in the Middle East.

“When we they work together against global terrorism or Middle Eastern problems we again get our hope.”   … Read more

Source : Premier Christian News

Jesus Film to be Translated into 8 New Languages

The JESUS film, which is often used as an evangelistic tool and has drawn many to Christ around the world, has been translated into eight new languages.
According to ChristianToday.com, the JESUS Film Project announced that it has translated the film into eight new languages, which means 6.5 million more people can be reached with the Gospel in their own language.
In addition, JESUS Film Project spokesman Joe Class said that people from all eight language groups were given a screening of the film in their respective language.
“It was utterly amazing to go to this location and have community members from eight different language groups gathered together,” Class says. “All of us thanked God for what He’s done to dedicate these to God’s glory. Our hope and our prayer is there would be transformation and [that] churches would be started as a result of this.”
Class also spoke with those who said that the JESUS film was the catalyst for their church plant.
“If you look at the last hundred years and you see how much translation has been done, and then you look at the growth of the evangelical church over that same period, you see an incredible ramping up. There’s just this incredible link between translation God’s Word and the Gospel and churches being planted and people coming to Christ. It’s an amazing phenomenon to be alive at this point in history and watch all this!” Class says.

Is Donald Trump Now a Born-Again Christian?

Donald Trump has described himself as “Presbyterian and Protestant,” a “Sunday church person” and a collector of Bibles.
Now the presumptive Republican presidential nominee reportedly can add “born-again Christian” to that list, too, according to one of the members of Trump’s new evangelical advisory board.
Trump recently accepted a relationship with Jesus Christ as his Savior, making him a “baby Christian,” Focus on the Family founder James Dobson said in an interview posted Friday (June 24) to Michael Anthony’s website, Godfactor. Dobson and Anthony, pastor of Grace Fellowship in York, Pa., spoke after the candidate’s meeting Tuesday in New York City with nearly 1,000 evangelicals.
“He did accept a relationship with Christ. I know the person who led him to Christ, and that’s fairly recent. … I believe he really made a commitment, but he’s a baby Christian,” Dobson said.
Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort declined to comment on the report Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” saying, “I’m not going to speak to Donald Trump and his embrace of religion. You’ll have to talk to him about that.”
Trump himself has not spoken about a born-again experience or a new personal relationship with Christ. … Read more

Hillsong Movie “Let Hope Arise” To Finally Hit Theaters September 16

Pure Flix is distributing HILLSONG – LET HOPE RISE, the highly anticipated feature film that chronicles the spectacular and miraculous rise to prominence of the Australia-based band, Hillsong UNITED.

Directed by Michael John Warren (Jay Z’s FADE TO BLACK), the film explores Hillsong’s journey from a tiny church in the Sydney suburbs to an influential international ministry whose songs are sung every Sunday by more than 50 million people across the globe. Their songs have been translated into 60 languages and the band has sold more than 17 million albums.

“HILLSONG-LET HOPE RISE is so much more than a film about a Christian band or even a church. It is truly a theatrical worship experience,” said Michael Scott, chief production officer and a founding partner of Pure Flix. “It is a dream come true for us, as a studio committed to influencing the global culture, to partner with a church like Hillsong.”

“Anyone who regularly attends a church knows Hillsong’s music by heart. That’s how influential they’ve become,” said producer Jonathan Bock. “And yet despite the fame and adulation, they’re still just a humble worship band trying to do what tens of thousands of other worship bands try to do every week — glorify God through their music. How they balance that is a fascinating and surprising story.”

From a single church in suburban Sydney, Hillsong Church now extends to cities on five continents (including London, Paris, Sao Paulo, Capetown, Rio de Janeiro, and Phoenix) with more than 100,000 weekly attendees, including thriving congregations in New York and Los Angeles. In addition to its local church initiatives, Hillsong partners with international organizations committed to ministry – examples include feeding and educating children in the slums of India, building housing for those living with AIDS in Africa and rescuing victims of human trafficking around the globe.

“We’re thrilled that Pure Flix, the No. 1 producer of faith films in the U.S., is our partner on this project,” said Brian Houston, founding pastor of Hillsong Church. “It’s our hope that by sharing an up-close and unvarnished look inside our music and lives, we can shatter pre-conceived notions of what it means to follow Jesus in today’s modern world.”

ABOUT PURE FLIX

Founded in 2005 by Michael Scott, David A.R. White, Russell Wolfe, and Elizabeth Travis, Pure Flix has become the largest independent faith and family studio in the world. With offices in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Pure Flix has produced, acquired, marketed, and distributed nearly 100 faith and family-friendly properties. Aligned with their mission to transform the human spirit through values-based entertainment, Pure Flix is the industry leader in creating high-quality inspirational feature film content. Pure Flix official website: www.PureFlixStudio.com.

Naghmeh Abedini Tells Christians: My Family Found Jesus as Muslim Immigrants to America

Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of formerly imprisoned American Pastor Saeed, says she and her family came to America as Muslim immigrants before converting to Christianity after witnessing the love of Jesus Christ exhibited by those who helped her.

“I was a Muslim immigrant. I left a devastating war between Iran and Iraq. America gave me the freedom to choose Jesus as my Lord and Savior. When we came to America more than 30 years ago I was treated with love and acceptance by the Christians. I could see the tender heart of Jesus toward foreigners and the lost through the Christians that surrounded us,” Abedini wrote in a Facebook post.

“I have parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and my 95 year old grandmother who all came to America as Muslim immigrants and found Jesus here.”

She added that most of her relatives in America have completed high levels of education and have high positions in major companies, and some continue to identiy as Muslims.

“Others have their own small businesses Including my uncle and my dad who have started small businesses here in Boise that now employ close to a 100 people many of who are refugees from all over the world. This is the America I know and love,” she added. “The America that was founded on Christian values of love, Grace and compassion.”

Abedini spoke out against Christian persecution throughout her campaign to free her husband while he was held as a hostage in an Iranian prison because of his faith. She has pleaded before the U.S. Congress and the United Nations for world leaders to do more to help persecuted people in need.

She also reached out out to fellow Christians on social media with Gospel messages, such as calling on people not to judge others but admit their own weaknesses.

“How much do we boast that our lives and families are not as perfect as they appear? We have to remember that Jesus shines through our weakness. The world will know who Jesus is through our weakness and His strength that shines through our weakness and brokenness,” she wrote in a post in December 2015.

The topic of Muslim immigration to the U.S. has been a contentious one throughout the U.S. presidential election, with presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump again calling on a temporary ban on such immigration in the wake of the Orlando nightclub massacre earlier this month, where a gunman who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terror group killed 49 people.

“I called for a ban after (the) San Bernardino (attack, in which 14 people were killed by a man of Pakistani descent who also was born in the U.S. and his wife, who entered on a fiancée visa) and was met with great scorn and anger but now, many are saying I was right to do so,” Trump said in a speech from New Hampshire following the shooting.

“The ban will be lifted when we as a nation are in a position to properly and perfectly screen those people coming into our country,” he added … Read more

Really America! – Which Candidate is most likely to Stop More Jihadist Attacks?

Let’s not waste too much time on Hillary Clinton. With firepower minutes away and the clout of the entire State Department behind her, Hillary was unable to save even one of her key subordinates in Benghazi. Let’s move on – nothing to see here.

It is not just Benghazi. Hillary’s State Department blocked an investigation of the Orlando killer Omar Mateen’s mosque for fear of offending Muslims.

Hillary now has the distinction of being the only presidential candidate in history who, while promising to defend America from Jihadists – may have already helped to bring on the worst act of Jihad so far on American soil.

Her record follows her and that alone should produce fear in most Americans.

Hillary accuses Trump of fostering fear and hatred, terms she has little right to use unless you have the wit to see it is only her fear and hatred of Trump that is speaking.

It’s not the favorability poll, but the death toll we should be considering for our candidates. It is doubtful that attacks will stop under Hillary Clinton, but radical Jihadist will be put on the defensive from the first minute Donald Trump becomes president.

Deer in the deepest forest fear hunters and no doubt hate to see them in the thickets and in the tree stands every hunting season. Nature doesn’t yield to the social meanderings, folkways mores or the sudden paroxysm that any one social group may feel when they think they are an ignored minority. Usually that makes them fearful that they are hated and in some kind of danger.

In the case of the deer it may now be safer for them to all migrate out of Canada to the U.S. since the Canadian Supreme Court just legalized sex acts with animals. Fear of hunters and now, perverts, may be more than Bambi can endure.

But maybe there is no safe place after all. Here in the U.S. we have NAMBLA an activist group that is laboring to abolish the age of consent so they can have sexual relationships with underage boys.

Little girls are not safe in public bathrooms under the edicts of one Barack Obama who liberals gleefully elected to lead them into the morality of the last days. But that would be an allusion to the Bible which makes just about all sinners feel a little unsafe.

Two ways the sexually deviant crowds deal with feeling unsafe are becoming readily apparent. One is to call upon pride the other is to claim fear. Gay pride is the impetus for parades, gatherings of like minds in public places, southern decadence organizations, rainbow lighting atop New York’s Freedom Tower and the White House, to name a few.

They may be a minority and if they are proud of themselves, what is there to be afraid of? Perhaps they have never heard of the slogan of the U.S. Marines – “The Few the Proud, the Marines,” and that Marines are afraid of no one.

Feigned feelings of fear are frivolous attempts to gain traction in a world where the majority still doesn’t accept a particular lifestyle and moral choices with open arms.

Feelings of fear feigned or not, are what causes lawsuits against bakers and the condemnation of those who yet adhere to Bible truths about the abomination of homosexuality. It is OK to fear people with such beliefs, so far they, the biblically based, can just be ignored, but there will be a day when they will be attacked, detained and worse. Too late, already begun!

The semantics of today’s social engineering and PC postulating is subterfuge, even at its best; it is spawned by liberal minds and presently has only the Obama influence and eight years of fast tracking to its credit. In substance – it is a disaster.

Labeling those who worry about radical Muslim terrorists as “Islamophobic” and those who are watching immorality swallow an entire nation as “haters” is a twisted way of just getting your way at a great nation’s expense.

Some 49 gays were slaughtered in Orlando this week by a radical Muslim terrorist. This represents the confluence of two opposing terms in the PC admixture of words that are used as cover for both kinds of bad behavior. It is semantics that cancels reason and mocks those who have hidden behind these terms.

Could a few Islamophobics have stopped the shooter at the door of the bar and saved the 49. After that would the term Islamophobe be accepted among the Sodomites?

Another scenario emerges after learning that the shooter was a homosexual himself, as revealed by the media. Finding the right PC word to cover this rare combination is almost impossible.

Using words to cover for bad behavior is a kind of sedative for the reprobate. PC engineered words will always create nothing, but confusion. They are the morphine of a dying collective conscience.

So what has all this to do with Donald Trump, phobia and hate?

This writer was a strong supporter of Ted Cruz, but I also understand that even with his foibles and flaws Mr. Trump is no fool. He is wearing the conservative label and we have only to check his stand to see that he intends to do his best for our nation.

In spite of anti-Trump rallies where protestors rage and scream about Trump being a hater, it turns out that what Mr. Trump hates and what he fears, could actually have stopped what happened in Orlando and any similar attacks in the U.S.

You see, Mr. Trump fears that more Muslims who will kill U.S. citizens may be in the mix of immigrants allowed into the nation, add that to the fact that he hates the idea of more Americans dying, including homosexuals, and you have your answer. No semantics here. … Read more

– Michael Bresciani is the editor of American Prophet.org since 2005. The website features the articles and reports of Rev Bresciani along with some of America’s best writers and journalists, news and reviews that have earned the site the title of – The Website for Insight. Millions have read his timelyreports and articles in online journals and print publications across the nation and the globe. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

The Kingdom of God: The Best News You Could Hear!

What is the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven? When will it come? Where is it? Why is the message of the Kingdom of God called good news?

The Bible says, “Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14). The Greek word euangelion, which is translated “gospel,” means “good news.” In other words, Jesus came preaching good news about the coming Kingdom of God.

Christ’s teaching on this subject was a continuation of what God had previously revealed through many of the Old Testament prophets. The prophet Daniel had given King Nebuchadnezzar an explanation of how the Kingdom of God would eventually be established. This explanation provides clear insight as to where God’s Kingdom will exist, who will be in it and when it will come.

When Jesus preached on this subject, many of the Jews of the first century were looking for the immediate fulfillment of prophecies that spoke of the restoration of their nation. After His resurrection and appearance to His disciples, Jesus’ followers asked: “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). TheKingdom of God, however, is far more encompassing than simply what will happen to Israel.

In this section be sure to read more about what Daniel and Jesus said about this Kingdom. Also, be sure to read why the Kingdom of God is good news, what the Kingdom of God is, why it must come, when it will come, how you can seek first this Kingdom, whether the Kingdom is within you, Jesus’ role as King of Kings and why God is inviting people to be part of this Kingdom.

– by Richard Pinelli

Escaped ISIS Sex Slave Gives Testimony before Congress

A Yazidi woman who escaped sexual slavery to ISIS recently gave her testimony before Congress.
CNN.com reports that Nadia Murad escaped ISIS captivity as a sex slave in 2014 and is adamant that the U.S. and other countries need to do more to defeat the terrorist group.
“Daesh [the Arabic acronym for ISIS] will not give up their weapons unless we force them to give up their weapons,” she testified, with the assistance of a translator. “The Yazidi people cannot wait.”
Murad urged the U.S. and other countries “to establish a safe and protected zone for Iraqi and Syrian religious minorities,” something the Obama administration has been reluctant to do.
Murad testified how she and many other women and girls were raped by ISIS militants and forced into sexual slavery. She also said she saw her mother and six brothers executed by ISIS in a single day.
She eventually escaped to Mosul where a Muslim family helped her obtain fake Islamic identification which allowed her to escape ISIS territory altogether.
Although she escaped to freedom, Murad said she does not truly feel free because the ISIS militants who captured her and perpetrated the horrible crimes against her and so many others have not been brought to justice.
“I was freed, but I do not (have) the feeling of the freedom because those who have committed these crimes have not been held accountable,” she said.
Although the U.S. has officially acknowledged that ISIS is committing genocide in the Middle East, Murad urges more to be done.
She urged Muslims to speak out against ISIS as well.
“What has been happening has been happening under the name of Islam. The Muslims must be the first ones to resist this … We have not seen that Daesh have been labeled as an infidel group within Islam by any Muslim country.” … Read More