WORLD WAR III---What really are the chances?

Dear friends and readers,

It's a good thing that I have three blogs because the news is coming at us so quickly that I cannot publish fast enough. Normally this blog is reserved for encouraging the church to GET BACK TO BASICS, but right now I feel it far more important to address headline news.

Unfortunately Israel and news from the Middle East is buried deep within daily news casts because the "talking heads" on most channels are far more interested in Russian collusion or speculation over who the President may have played "footsie" with years ago. The REAL stories are not often reported and frankly when they are, I am totally stunned by the naiveté of people who should know better.

The following headline news has been repeated on multiple occasions by several people on nightly news programs just this week;

"WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF WORLD WAR III!" This, by several retired generals, and in some cases even retired high ranking diplomats and a few heads of state---not to mention very many liberal left wing news commentators.

For the record at least Biblically speaking I do not see a war approaching the status of a WORLD WAR until Armageddon. I do see a large conflict written in Psalm 83 plus a someday invasion of Israel by Gog from the land of Magog---Ezekiel 38-39. And of course events must play out one way or another that will set the prophetic stage for the total and complete destruction of the ancient Syrian city of Damascus. I should note however that no specific Biblical texts dealt with the overall circumstances involved with either WWI or WWII. So who knows, perhaps more surprises are in store.

My purpose today is to bring you up to speed on things that are currently underway that many news programs skip completely. First as you know, Israel and Iran (from within Syria) have begun trading rocket fire and this is the basis for many thinking that this could escalate into a world wide conflagration. And of course parts "B" and "C" of that scenario are the formal opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem this week. Then, very many politicians and heads of state seem to believe that President Trump canceling the JPOA agreement with Iran could grow into a firestorm not easily quenched. JPOA is the acronym for "JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION" that was signed into being on July 14, 2015.

This agreement was just that---a simple non binding agreement because absolutely no one including the United State Senate ratified this as a formal treaty. But it was taken seriously by the signatories who are the United States, Russia, China, France, United Kingdom and Germany and of course the target of this deal being Iran and it's desire to field Ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. Of course Iran has insisted all along that they only wanted peaceful nuclear facilities to produce power for their electric grids. But that is a pill extremely difficult to swallow in view of Iran's 60 year track record of calling for the total destruction of Israel, the United States and virtually any and all democratic forms of government worldwide.

Next on the very troubling hit parade of impending violence is the fact that Hezbollah (proxy army for Iran (ancient Persia---and sworn enemy of Israel) just won big time in the Lebanese parliamentary elections. Like it or not some governments are now in the unenviable position of having to recognize Hezbollah as a government entity even though they are really a terrorist thug organization bent upon total and complete destruction of Israel. And that puts the United States in a real political "pickle" because Uncle Sam has been pumping mega military support and training into the LAF (Lebanese armed forces) for many years. In fact reports coming out of Israel declare that the LAF has received over 1 1/2 BILLION dollars worth of advanced weapons systems including the training of 32,000 LAF military forces. This has been happening since 2007 and according to a well know commentator, Caroline Glick of Breaking Israel news, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut reported that in 2017 alone, the U.S. provided 32 M1A2 Bradley fighting vehicles, 50 armored Humvees, small aircraft armed with hellfire missiles, 55 mortar systems, 50 Mark-19 automatic grenade launchers, 1100 machine guns including 800 50 caliber weapons, 4000 M4 rifles, over 1/2 million rounds on ammunition, 320 night vision thermal devices, and 360 secure communications radios.

So what you say? As it stands right now, Hezbollah through the latest parliamentary elections is clearly in charge of Lebanon and since Hezbollah is a puppet army of Iran, so is the entire country of Lebanon which is exactly on Israel's northern boarder. Did I neglect to mention that Hezbollah already has 150,000 rockets and missiles pointed at Israeli cities?

So, now because of inept U.S. foreign policy on the part of past Presidents, the current President Donald Trump faces an untenable situation; The U.S.A. stands solidly in support of Israel who will most likely be facing U.S. made and supplied weaponry in a war with Hezbollah that could break out at any minute---REALLY!

In the mean while Iran is doing all it can to build forward military bases in the war torn country of Syria which is also on Israel's boarder to the north east.

Hamas is in a full scale uprising in Gaza and have announced that they are planning to turn out hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the next week to overwhelm Israel's security fences and Israel has now moved several brigades of troops to the Gaza fences to defend Israeli territory.

To make matters worse, the Turkish news paper YENI SAFEK says that they and many Arab and Muslim leaders are calling for a new global "army of Islam" to march against Israel and take Jerusalem.

Speaking of Turkey---a once democratic nation with secular values, the current President has succeeded in turning the entire nation into a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalist extremists all of whom hate Israel AND the United States and although still officially a NATO country, have now aligned themselves with Iran, Russia and to an extent China, all of whom are enemies of Israel and the U.S.A.

Syria itself has been engulfed in a deadly civil war which has now lasted 7 full years since 2011. Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United States are all on the ground in that country with armed forces. How long before mass conflict breaks out between these forces all of whom have divergent military and political goals?

And this very week the tinder box has become full. A box of events, any one of which could well begin a massive war that could draw in very many countries---and that is why so many are speculating about WWIII.

1). Today, May 13 is Jerusalem remembrance day. It commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem in Israeli hands after the six day war of 1967. This is a day thoroughly hated by Muslims who are the predominant population groups in 50 countries.

2). Ramadan begins on May 15 and signals the largest convergence of Muslims worldwide and that begins in Saudi Arabia and goes through June 14.

3). The move of the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem with be dedicated tomorrow May 14th which is also the 70th birthday of the New State of Israel from May 14, 1948. Interestingly, Prime Minister David Ben Gurion announced the new State of Israel at exactly 4 p.m. on that date. The dedication of the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is scheduled for precisely 4 p.m.

4). The Iran nuclear deal between several nations and Iran was canceled last week at least as far as the United States is concerned but this has caused yet another political firestorm, and more predictions of WWIII.  Standing with the United States in this decision are Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates. Standing in solidarity against the decision by the United States are Russia, China, The United Kingdom, France, Germany and of course Iran.

All of these things and more could ignite the firestorm of war with the slightest little spark either militarily or politically. Only time will tell.

But of further significance in the near future are 1). May 20th represents the day (on the Gregorian calendar) that the Holy Spirit came to the church, the day of PENTECOST in Acts chapter 2.

2). July 22 is the fast of the ninth of Av on the Jewish religious calendar. This particular day lives in infamy. Over the centuries very bad things have happened to Israel (and some times the world) exactly on the ninth of Av. Both Temples were destroyed on this day. Seminal events that kicked off both WWI and WWII happened on this day. Going back in time, when the Hebrew spies went into the promised land and became frightened, they were responsible for Israel NOT doing what God had commanded. Ninth of Av---resulted in the people of Israel wondering in the wilderness for 40 years.  During the Simon Bar Kockba revolt against Rome, The final battle was fought and the Jews defeated at Betar. Ninth of Av. The Jews were later expelled (all in different years) exactly on the ninth of Av from England and Spain.

Will anything happen this year? Only time will tell.

I will close with a Biblical admonition from Psalm 122:6-9 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces. For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, peace be within you.  Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good".

Did you happen to notice the part that says "MAY THEY PROSPER WHO LOVE YOU"! A Biblical promise to be sure.

God bless you all in this time of turmoil,
Pastor Rance.

COUNTRY WISDOM---Its time to get a chuckle!

Dear friends and readers,

Tired of constant bad news? Me too so it's time to lighten the load, Ease up, chill out, sit back and put yer feet up. Take a deep breath, get on the bus Gus and set yourself free!

ADVICE FER COUNTRY FOLK TO LIVE BY;

It's downright annoying to argue with a fella who knows what he is talking about!

If you run with hounds expect to get fleas!

Coffee is best when it's saucered and blowed!

A little tears absorbs big pains!

Lifes a funny thing. You have to bust some clods before ya can plant a crop!

Debt is like dragging a rock in a cotton sack!

Small minds and big mouths have a way of hookin up!

Don't smoke in the hay loft---er anytime else ifn yer smart!

A mule can't help it if his daddy is a jackass!

Don't stand behing a coughing cow!

Country folks know a lot of stuff that ain't wrote down nowhere!

Hunt every varmint from downwind except a polecat (skunk fer you city fellas)!

It's hard to plant a seedless grape!

An acorn don't fall far from the tree but some nuts roll a long way from their roots!

An ounce of doing is worth a pound of talk!

Don't name a critter you plan to eat!

A single day in the country is worth a month in the city!

ADVICE FER MARRIED FOLK;

Better to have loved and lost than to marry a dairy farmer!

Early to bed and early to rise makes fer healthy families!

Trouble is a private thing, don't lend it and don't borrow any!

A hatful of marital advice still won't buy a cup of coffee.
Ya got ta learn it one day at a time!

Country fences need to be horse high, pig tight, and bull strong.
Married folk need ta build their fences together!

Life is not about how fast you can run
or how high you can climb
but how well you can bounce back!

Happy folk walk side by side!

Keep yer home peaceful
don't let other folks problems through the door!

Always keep drama at the theater!

The first two years of marital bliss can be a rocky road
but don't give up and it smooths out!

Keep skunks, bankers and lawyers at a distance!

Don't let yer wife wear polyester to a weiner roast!

Lettin yer chickens roost over the well is a big mistake!

Life is simpler when you plow around the stumps!

Yellin don't fix nothin!

Ain't nothing better in the evenin than you and yer honey
getting some coffee and hanging out with the horses!

Don't "gobble" in the woods during huntin season!

Country folk will help a fella who is down and out
but they got no use fer free freeloaders!

All marriages have squabbles but don't use yer spurs!

Split the chores, but remember the only thing worse
than a lawn mower that won't start is one that will!

Going to bed mad ain't no fun but it's better than fightin all night.
Besides in the morning most folks don't remember why they was
fightin in the first place!

Don't sell yer mule to buy a plow!

Two can live as cheap as one, if one don't eat!

ADVICE TO COWBOYS;
Yer lady is like fine crystal,
she makes sweet sounds but shatters easy.
Think before ya speak!

ADVICE TO COWGALS;
You ain't goin to change him so pick right
the first time. And remember he ain't crystal,
he's a tin cup full of dents!

The best way ta get around yer spouse is ta hug em!

The best marriage is about 50 years old,
sittin on the porch together
waitin fer the grandkids
and sharing the teeth!

Oh, and if ya want to be happy in yer marriage
dont fergit ta talk with the Lord everyday!

Pastor Rance
Born and raised country!

To tell the truth, so help me God!

Dear friends and readers,

Does anyone agree that the world is currently in terrible shape and getting worse by the day? Everywhere I look good pastors and reputable authors are publishing articles with exactly the same theme; JESUS IS COMING SOON!

Admittedly, probably all past generations of believers either thought that or at least fervently hoped they would be part of the rapture of the church. So why would it be any different for our current generation? Well, the simple fact is that no other generation since the cross actually witnessed the ingathering of the Jews back to their ancient homeland of Israel in accordance with prophecy in Ezekiel chapter 37. Also no other generation witnessed Israel once again becoming a nation on May 14, 1948. SPECIAL NOTE! In case you are wondering, in the entire history of the world, no---I repeat no other culture was ever reinstated to their ancient national homeland after being dispersed worldwide. It has only happened one time and Israel is the one nation it has happened to. And yes, I do believe that Israel represents a Biblically prophetic time clock against which all else in the world will be measured.

I have no idea if we are close enough to the rapture for me as an individual to experience what Christians worldwide have always longed for. But if I had to guess I would say that people of my generation---at least some of them will. I was born in 1944 which means that I was alive to witness May 14, 1948 and I actually have some dim memories of the actual occurrence. My grandparents had one of the very first round screen black and white T.V's. Of course then I also remember victrola's, horse drawn milk wagons, Levis with buttons and my very first car, a 1950 plymouth 4 door. 8 track cassettes, a drivers license at 14, 50 cent per gallon gas and being fortunate to earn $1.00 per hour.  And a bit later, transistor radios so my life has spanned some very interesting times. My father was an engineer on the very first moon shot and at 18 years old I was working as a hard rock miner 1600 feet under the ground on the very day JFK was assassinated. But I was making BIG money doing it. $2.12 an hour.

Back in those days, western movies featured good guys wearing white hats and bad guys wore black. The good guy always got the good girl and they didn't go to bed until after marriage. Drugs were around but only just and divorce (although it did happen) was socially frowned upon. There were NEVER any pregnant girls in high school (at least in the country) although you would never know it by all the lies the locker room guys were telling. I absolutely knew that they were lying because girls wore girdles in those days and those critters were undefeatable.

Then came the sexual revolution of the 1960's, Woodstock, huge rally's with women tearing their bras off and throwing them into bon fires to declare their independence. Next day the news papers were crowing about how large the crowds became. But I was in Law Enforcement at the time and can tell you for a fact that the next day "HUGE" crowds were mostly men gathered around the perimeters watching women tear off their bras. Funny the women never seemed to realize that!

Now here we are about 60 years later. Divorce is huge even within the church. I was doing some paperwork for our adopted son in a San Diego court a few months ago and there was sign advertising 1 day divorces??? Now men are becoming women and women becoming men? Makes me wonder who exactly is tearing off their bras these days? Drugs are epidemic. Politicians in most part are liars, Police are now the persecuted minority. In the past 40 years 1.72 BILLION aborted babies have happened worldwide. Nuclear proliferation is once again a threat to the entire planet. No one really knows these days who you are sharing a public toilet with. Children are given birth control devices at school without parental consent.

And those few things are only the tip of the iceberg.

Galatians 5:17-21 is now in full bloom. The works of the flesh. NOTE: Before going further this is no "goody goody two shoes" article. Christians make mistakes also and I fully realize that. My too!

But lets just list a few no-no's Biblically from Galatians and then you tell me if they sound accurate by todays news feeds? Lust, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery (including drug abuse), hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies (false doctrines), envy, murder, drunkenness and revelries.

Sound familiar?

If you want to see contentions simply look at the United States Congress. If you want to see murders simply look at most major U.S. cities. If you want to see adultery, lewdness, fornication and even more murder just look at our abortion rates. If you want to see liars just look at most of the large news agencies. By the way LIARS was not listed in Galatians 5. Want to know where it is listed? The very last book of the Bible, Revelation chapter 21:8 and 27. Scary!

In my day a man's hand shake meant something. And in a few cases today it still does. But not much any more. Today nothing is for certain. Absolutely nothing.

Well there is one thing that is certain; Jesus is on the Throne and coming back for His church--His Bride. But of one thing scripture makes absolutely clear. The Bride will not include liars or any of those other folks referred to in Galatians 5:17-21.

The good news is that Galatians also lists the fruits of the Spirit. LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF CONTROL, and against such there is no law.

I ask myself frequently if my life reflects those standards? I sure hope so because if not, I and anyone else who's lives do not reflect them will be in a heap of trouble when the Lord does come.

It's time for us who believe in the Lord to begin looking up, for our redemption really does draw close.

Come quickly Lord Jesus.

God bless you all,
Pastor Rance.

Confused about politics in the USA? Well, join the crowd!

Dear friends and readers,

Is anyone but me scratching your heads in confusion over the latest spat of Republican/Democratic political antics?

I try diligently to keep my articles NON political and so please know that I am not blowing anyone in particulars trumpet. But wow. The question is, who is going to "get" who? I really do not like to be melodramatic or just another voice of doom and gloom in an already crowded forum.  But with every single day that passes, I do wonder just how much really creepy stuff is hidden in the hallowed halls of congress, the FBI and Justice Department?

Oh gosh, did I forget to mention the State Department and White House? Still I suppose it could be worse, after todays news at least the Military is funded. YEA! Of course there is that little matter of several hundred MILLIONS of dollars that seem to be missing from departments entrenched in the Pentagon, but then who is really counting? Uhhh, apparently no one!

So let me see if I can get this straight. The GOP has unearthed horrible evidence of everything from Democratic collusion between the Clintons, Russia, secret retired British agents, privately paid companies hired to do political hit jobs, Uranium 1 scandals, secret dossiers,  all the way to downright criminal activity within the FBI and DOJ.

At the very same time, the Democrats have unearthed horrible evidence regarding collusion between the White House and the Kremlin, evidence of a completely dysfunctional White House because one of it's young staffers beat up his wife (well er, ok it may have been two wives---hopefully not married to them both at once),  Wire taps,  staff infighting and a President who lacks mental prowess but at the same time managed to kick the Dems butts on a number of issues not the least of which was tax reform/relief, an attempted Government shutdown and a 2 year funding deal for the Military.

Then there are the leakers (of high level government secrets) and the news media in general who have earned the lowest popularity ratings in all of history from the American public. Lets not leave out battles royal nearly daily by and between such august organizations as Planned Parenthood, Right to Life Advocates, the NRA, ACLU, Civil liberties groups on every front---none of whom agree on anything???

Well let's see, does that cover it? Not by a long shot. It does beg the question, who exactly will pay the 20 Trillion dollar national debt? Who will finally get some workable plan going for people to obtain decent medical insurance? Who Will be able to finally overhaul a badly broken immigration system? Oh and just so you know? In my opinion the Stock Market is headed for a massive correction---no let's reword that to massive total and complete failure in which your green backs will be worth exactly zilch!

I wonder if anyone has considered selling the book and movie rights for this non fiction thriller to Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler or Daniel Silva. After all there is a real life spy involved even though he is not an Israeli named Gabriel Allon. Golly the book sales alone could help pay off the national debt!

Uh, oh and I forgot to mention that congress will fix it all. After all, that's what the granpoobahs of both parties are telling us daily, right? Right? Well maybe not!

So many people ask guys like me, "why is not the United States mentioned in end times Biblical prophecy"? Surely nothing could EVER EVER happen to the greatest nation the world has ever seen. Of course we must remind ourselves that in their historical times all of the following nations were the greatest the world had ever seen; 1). Egyptian Empire 2). Ancient Philistine Empire 3). Assyrian Empire 4). Babylonian Empire 5). Persian Empire 6). Greek Empire 7). Roman Empire 8). Byzantine Empire 9). Spanish Empire 10). Nazi Germany (well at least Hitler thought so), not to mention 11). The Soviet Union. Not one of whom by the way ever approached a one trillion dollar national debt let alone one of 20 trillion!

All of these and more spanned thousands and thousands of years and where are they now? All of them, every single one? In the dust bin of destroyed societies, all of whom thought they had it wired forever!

Friends we are witnessing the dying throes of the United States as a world power. Sad to say but true. There is absolutely no way back for a country who has turned against itself, turned against God and turned against all moral authority in a quest for self righteous fulfillment. How will the mighty USA finally fall from grace and power? Sorry, but I don't have an answer for that. Not even specific timing. Perhaps the fall will not be tomorrow but it is coming.

When the United States does fall---and fall it will, a vacuum of immense proportions will engulf the world and there will be a man who steps into that vacuum and at the time he will seem like a savior, A good guy with all the answers. But he won't be, and he won't have. No he will be the antichrist in all his horrible glory. Helped along by the False Prophet who will force earths population to its knees in worship of a false god.

He will literally enslave the world and its entire population. Mass murder, rape and mayhem will ensue over the next 7 years and such a catatonic catastrophe will be created that the final battle of Armageddon will force its way upon the world stage and engulf nearly all living beings.

But there is good news, at least for some. Jesus Christ will come back for His church---long before Armageddon. Yes, the rapture will take place first. Somewhat over 7 years later, near the end of the war of Armageddon, Christ will appear in His second coming. Peace will be restored and eventually He will be enthroned in Jerusalem for a physical reign of 1000 years.

But in the meantime there are troubled waters ahead. Christians should not be fooled or surprised because much of this end time scenario is written in scripture.

If you are a follower of Christ please pray diligently for your families, for your neighbors and yes for your country no matter where in the world you reside, and for your leaders.

If you are not a follower of Christ, making a decision to change that NOW will be your only salvation from eternal catastrophe. Romans chapter 10 verse 9 is your way, literally your pathway to safety. Not that everything will be perfect in your lives by making this decision because it won't. You will still have problems. But you will also know for certain what your future holds for you, an eternity with God.

But this decision will also have to be accompanied by soul wrenching, sincere repentance. These are the requirements; Heartfelt prayer to God including 1). Repentance 2). If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ 3). Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.

YOU WILL BE SAVED!!!

But don't do this as a form of escape. That will not work for you. You must do so because you do truly love Jesus Christ with all your heart.

ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE---THE HOUR IS LATE AND YOU MUST CHOOSE WISELY.

God bless,
Pastor Rance.

FEAR NOT! REALLY? Did the Lord really expect that of human beings?

Dear friends and readers,

Are you a follower of Christ who is constantly bothered by your unwanted companion, FEAR?

Have you ever known someone who was so incapacitated by fear that they were nearly unable to make it through life? Unfortunately that is an all too often problem for lot's of folks including among some believers.

In it's worst form fear is called "AGORAPHOBIA". It is so debilitating that people inflicted with this particular PHOBIA, often cannot go outside of their own homes. They are near paralyzed with such dread that they are subject to panic attacks, fear of even the smallest crowds of people, and positively distraught over the mere thought of travel, open and wide spaces, strangers and any type of social interaction.

Fear takes many forms and fortunately is far less traumatizing for most people than those who suffer from Agoraphobia. Fear is an emotional response and is common in one form or another to all mankind. Even the most well trained and fearsome soldier, policeman or other first responders such as fire fighters are subject to fear. That is only natural. For those kinds of "front line" folks, training, education, team work and safety issues normally help them push past the fear factor and get the job done. But that does not mean the fear is not there. But for the rest of mankind, regular folks with 8 to 5's, families, bills and little league, fear can also be debilitating. For some folks more than others of course.

Christians are no less susceptible to fear than anyone else---but we should be. After all, we are the only persons on planet earth who's God and King says to us regularly, FEAR NOT!

True confession? Easier said than done. But there is help if we will but look. I had a young missionary on my staff many years ago who was subject to great fear. While on an outreach  near a desert town, I later discovered that she was near paralyzed in fear an entire night while sleeping in a tent. All night long, a terrifying huge mountain lion was scratching on the outside of her tent fabric trying to get in. Sound silly? Well it wasn't for her, it was very real and very traumatic. Of course it was only wind and branches scratching at the tent but our human minds, particularly in the middle of the night can dredge up the most horrible circumstances and while we are involved in those mental gymnastics, nothing and I mean nothing can make the reality go away, frequently even prayer.

Have you ever noticed that the middle of the night often brings with it the worst possible kinds of worry? The light of day and a good cup of coffee often dulls the worry but of course some worry and fear is truly rooted in reality. Illness particularly when suffered by a loved one, loss of a family member, divorce,  wandering children, unending bills that threaten to bury us in a veritable mountain of debt, all these things and more can take their toll and the fear that accompanies those kinds of circumstances is not easily shed. In fact I learned as a very young pastor, that although ALL the answers to mankind's problems are contained within the pages of our Bibles, still you cannot simply "throw scripture" at people and expect their problems to go away and their fear to dissipate.

A small confession; I learned something extremely valuable early on while performing fear counseling sessions as well as other types of counseling.  Often, it was better for me to simply keep my mouth shut and listen. Folks in many cases did not need advice, they needed someone to walk along side them or sit with them and patiently listen while they worked through the problem on their own. In many cases they left my office thinking their pastor was a genius while in fact they had the answers all along themselves. Not always of course, some people really do need council including scriptural reminders to work their way through what ever it is that is bothering them.

NOTE OF ADVICE TO HUSBANDS; Something else I learned early on in life. Gents, don't be in a rush to try and fix your wife's problems. Often she just needs to vent and have an understanding ear. She will generally come up with the answers all by herself and if she really wants your advice, she will ask for it. (-:

Ladies as a husband myself I would not think of trying to give you advice about communications with your husband. I would just get myself into trouble )-:

But back to fear. You know as a believer we really do have some protection and guidance available to us. First really is the power of prayer. I myself have found myself worrying about something and only after working myself into a dither did I finally slow down and realize I had not prayed about the issue FIRST! As a pastor one of my first questions is "have you prayed about this"? Frankly in a very large number of cases the answer is NO! So let's talk about a very real scripture that some folks in the church try and explain away. John 10:27 (As you know the Lord refers to His followers as sheep), "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me". Yes, yes, I know somewhere along the line someone has taught you that the Lord only speaks to us through His written word. Ah, well could someone please find that scripture in the Bible and send it to me because I have read the whole thing and cannot find it anywhere. You can also send a note to both Daniel and John who had visions and dreams.

Yes, the word of God does speak to us as we read or hear it. In fact "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God", Romans 10:17. But is that the ONLY way God communicates with us? God "spoke" to Adam and Eve, to Cain, to Moses through a burning bush. He spoke to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob (Israel). He spoke to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9. and in fact God spoke to the prophet Elijah more than once. And how did He do that? First, God had to get Elijah's attention and when He had it He spoke to the prophet in a "still small voice". Was that an outside voice or an inside voice? Who knows. But of one thing I can absolutely assure you; If you want to hear that "still small voice" you have to slow down. Chill out, get by yourself and pray and then listen. Shed the hecticity of daily life. No guarantees of course because it is up to Him how He chooses to communicate with you.

To clarify, I am not speaking of the gifts of the Spirit as reflected in either 1 Corinthians chapter 12 or Romans chapter 12. I am not speaking of gifts of knowledge, wisdom, prophecy or tongues. I am not speaking of a gift of discernment. For the record I believe in all those gifts but also believe according to 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 40 (in speaking of the various gifts) "Let all things be done decently and in order". NO WEIRD STUFF with the gifts of the Spirit!

But yes, I also believe in scripture when it says "My sheep will HEAR my voice". Did you notice that did not say "READ MY VOICE"? It says hear My voice. The problem with most people is that they are far too busy to hear the Lord speak to them even if He was trying to beat a brass drum in their ear.  We are commanded to pray. That means speaking To God. But honestly some folks spend so much time speaking that they don't take the time to listen. Once again, slow down, get by yourself, spend time with the Lord, certainly pray but then be quiet and listen. And then if He chooses to speak to you keep your own counsel. It seems in this day in age that the church is over run by the "GOD TOLD ME" crowd. If God is really speaking to you regardless of how He chooses to do so, you are far better off simply acting upon what He has said to you. But before you act, seek confirmation with the word of God because He will never ever tell you something that is in conflict with His written word.

Also, many of you reading this were estranged from the organized church for some past hurt. Yes, individual Christians can be mean spirited at times. Entire church boards can become so tied up in the work of the church that they loose track of the fact that the work of the church is PEOPLE! But you cannot paint the entire church with the broad brush of "hurtful". Look for a small fellowship with a pastor who is full gospel and who is vested in his congregation. They are out there and pastors are given by Christ to the church for a very specific reason, (Please look up Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11-16). Having a pastor to speak with in times of worry and strife is a very comforting thing.

When people come up to me and say "God told me", I generally tune them out. The same holds true when folks hand me business cards labeling themselves as PROPHETS or APOSTLES! Those cards go directly into my round file (garbage can). If you are ever in the genuine presence of a Prophet of God or an Apostle, you will know it. They do not need to beat their own drum so the world knows. The signs of verification of either of those offices is clearly found in the Bible. If God speaks to you, consider yourself blessed but don't be in a hurry to announce it to the world. Now a word of clarification so no one misunderstands; I read my Bible and count on it for the answers to life's problems and recommend that you do the same. It is invaluable to followers of Christ.

In that Bible, the word fear is listed over 500 times in one form or another. It is a very real human emotion and no one should ever feel ashamed because they are having problems with fear. But there is great value in scripture so we do need to rely on it for advice in the important issues of life. One caution however; When praying if we do receive some kind of answer from God, please know that inwardly God's voice and our own voice can sound exactly the same. That is why we need to confirm what we think we are hearing with the printed word of God. I cannot stress that enough. And don't forget, counsel with your pastor.

Worry and fear can recede into the background of our minds after prayer. Notice I did not say that the problem would disappear. Sometimes problems simply have to work themselves out and we need to be proactive in caring for our own responsibilities. Also, some illnesses and other human problems are beyond our power to fix. We don't always get what we want. But the Lord is always there and listening to the cry of our hearts.

Someone once said "the Lord often misses golden opportunities to be early but He is never late". In my experience God does His best work at what we would call the very last moment. That is what builds our faith.

Proverbs 9:10 gives us the basics for trusting God with our problems; "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding". I am not speaking of the kind of fear in which we are in dread of God Himself. After all, we are saved by the blood of the Lamb of God because God loves us and desires our fellowship. No, I am speaking of a kind of fear in which we really do respect our God and want our lives to reflect as closely as possible, HIS LIFE! Jesus clearly states in Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things that I say?" The things that the Lord says are pretty well boiled down to the proverbial nutshell in Galatians chapter 5 (22-26) while speaking of the things of the Spirit. On the other hand the same could be said to be true about those who are NOT walking in the spirit but rather in the flesh because Galatians also spells those out in verses 17-21. Decisions leading to a "flesh ruled" life style can end up disastrous as is seen in Matthew chapter 7 (21-23) in which folks who think they belong to God are told "Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom of heaven". Reading further we discover that these people are "PRACTICING LAWLESSNESS (evil)". We are not speaking here of honest mistakes repented for. We are speaking of people who say they are believers but have never really changed from evil lifestyles.

In times of worry and fear the very first step is repentance and prayer. Making certain our lives are playing themselves out in Godly ways. Also worthy (more than worthy) of mention is James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you". And verse 10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up". A sincerely humble heart yearning after God will get His attention.

Fear and worry are a natural part of human existence but there is help. Scripture tells us (Ephesians 2:14) "For He Himself (Jesus) is our peace". And He further says in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid".

Someone once said "most worries never become reality". Basically that can be said for most of our human middle of the night sweat sessions. Not that bad stuff does not occasionally happen because it most assuredly does. The question is, are you as a believer and follower of Christ walking through what ever issue is bothering you, BY YOURSELF? Here is something for you to think about;

We look at our lives differently than God looks at our lives. Picture in your minds eye a standard 12 inch long ruler. It begins with one inch and ends with 12.  That ruler figuratively represents your life. You are holding it horizontally to you so you see the entire thing at one time. BUT, you can only understand the particular mark upon which you currently stand. The number 1 inch mark represents your first birthday, Perhaps number 6 represents your marriage date. Now here you are at 2 a.m. on a particularly worrisome night and you are at the number 9 inch mark of your life. You are worried sick and in fear because you do not know what the number 10 mark will be like when you get there. Sound familiar?

God on the other hand is Omnipresent. He is everywhere at the same time and knows the beginning from the end. Surprise, even of your life. The prophet Jeremiah was spoken to by the Lord in Jeremiah 1:4-5. "Then the word of the Lord came to me saying": " Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you-----"! And the word of God also says that He is no respecter of persons, Romans 2:11 (note: Some versions say "For there is no partiality with God"). One way or another the message is the same. God knows about your tomorrows. Just like the prophet Jeremiah, no matter what happens in your life, it is no surprise to Him. In short, He looks at your 12 inch ruler not horizontally but from end to end. He sees the date of your birth and at the very same time He sees the date of your passing from this earth. He knows exactly what will happen in your life at the number 10 mark.

Try asking Him and even if He chooses not to reveal the exact future to you, He will bring that peace that passes all understanding into your heart. You are not alone.

Matthew 28:20 "----And lo, I Am with you always, even to the end of the age. AMEN"!

Have a great sleep tonight and be at peace.
God bless,
Pastor Rance.

MY HEART TO YOURS 2018

Dear friends and readers,

What a year we have all just experienced. One of the most hotly contested US Presidencies of all time, Israel now despised by a minimum of 128 countries who are members of the United Nations, The United States beginning to pull financial support from that august body, signs of the demise of ISIS, Nuclear war once again a danger to the world, both Russia and China charging full speed ahead into a race for world domination-----and the list goes on an on!

For those of you who study Biblical prophecy, all these things can trigger both excitement (for the possible soon coming of our King) and also undeniable nervous tension (over the exact timing and what that will mean for the rapture of the church). And truthfully, no one really knows for certain, do we? But it's becoming ever increasingly difficult to look at our world without both these feelings of excitement and trepidation.

My heart to yours 2018 is my way of saying "fear not because the King has it all under control". So, I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you all, my thoughts and the way all this is working out in my life. My heart.

I have spoken to so many believers over the years who say "but didn't every single generation since the cross hope for the coming of Christ? And of course the answer to that would be a resounding YES. But, our generation is the ONLY one in world history who can look backward at the monumental number of fulfilled Biblical prophecies which were accomplished on May 14, 1948 when against all odds, Israel once again became a nation, after 2000 years of physical non existence. By the way, the only nation to have ever done so. But this article is not about that. It is about hope for the future. A hope based in scripture. Based in an indelibly written promise by God Himself. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 identifies Christ coming to take His church out of this world. 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12 gives us detail of the rapture and even a hint at timing. Not THE TIME that it will occur but certainly timing of key events as they relate one to another. Several times in the book of Revelation Jesus says "I AM COMING SOON"! There are at least 10 things Jesus says about His return listed in the Gospels and 15 more about His second coming. Why did He belabor all these promises? Because He knew that in the end times, it would be difficult, even for many of His followers to look past "no hope" to eternal hope.

I for one look at eternity through vastly different eyes than many I have spoken to. You might be one of those who is as blessed as I consider myself to be, to look at world events and know that they are not real. Oh they are real here on this planet at this point in time, but they are not real when compared to gazillions of years of eternal life in a very special place called heaven because that is what we are promised. All who have placed their faith on the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. All that we physically see before us here on this earth today is temporary. Our actual, physical citizenship has been permanently transferred. Permanent citizens of heaven, merely waiting for our bodies to catch up!

As a pastor for many years I have had to comfort very many people who have lost loved ones. In fact I have several myself. In my case I have loved ones on both sides of the eternal ledger. Some saved and some lost. Some blessed for all eternity and some----well no blessings there. Fact is fact and if we believe the Bible which tells us of heaven, then we must also believe in "that other place". The word no believer likes to dwell on when confronted by the passing of a loved one who was not a believer. Hell. It's that one single word, at least for me that keeps the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) before my minds eye.

This may sound odd to you but it is that very word, hell that has kept me from ever---not one single time consenting to minister a funeral for a non believer. I want to give those left behind hope and in those cases simply cannot. And I will not skirt around the issue. So I just simply do not provide that service. Nor have I ever one time ministered a wedding for non believers. What is the sense when worldwide statistics tell us that marriages between non believers has a slim chance at success? So I simply don't.

I don't want anyone to think that I am uncaring so please consider my words within the context of the absolute fact that for me heaven is a very real place. Also the words of God Himself who says in Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints". Unfortunately there are many within the church who have misunderstood that verse as meaning that God is somehow uncaring or mean spirited. Sadly it's those same folks who may have gone through desperate times and think God is punishing them for some past (repented for) sin. Both vastly untrue! In reverse order God in fact says in Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us". Think about that geographically for a moment; At no point on this planet does the east ever meet the west. The north does meet the south but the east never ever meets the west.

And the death of the saints of God? It is obvious in the book of Genesis that God created mankind for fellowship. For Himself! As much as we don't like the idea of parting with loved ones on this earth, could it be that God simply wants, NEEDS our loved one to be with Him in Paradise? Right now?

It is very natural and good for human beings to grieve the loss of loved ones. In fact trying to cut that grieving period short is I have found, a very unhealthy thing to do. Grief must play itself out naturally so we as humans can come to the point in time in which yes, we still miss mom or dad, grandma, sister or son but we are comforted to know beyond a shadow of doubt that they are not lost. Either to us or to any other believer. They have merely changed addresses. Temporarily. In fact in the course of time we will join them and be reunited for all time. And that is MY reality. As I must help people through the grief of loss of a loved one with the greatest degree of compassion, in my mind and heart it is an entirely different matter. You see, for believers in Christ, I have this checklist in my mind. The one with names and little check mark box's next to them. And when someone---believers pass from this earth, particularly for those who have been ill or in pain, I thrill at being able to put an X in the box labeled "SAFE"! Of course that is a very private thing because we must carefully guard the feelings of folks enduring grief.

But can you imagine? What it will be like to actually SEE the face of Jesus for the very first time? To enjoy the intense gratitude of reuniting with those who have gone before us? Can you imagine what the river of life actually looks like or the kinds of vivid colors that this earth may not even be capable of producing? The sights and sounds of millions upon millions of believers singing and playing heavenly instruments in praise of our God? And our angels. Someone once said, "you know you are in trouble when your Angel is in therapy", kiddingly of course. But really, I will enjoy talking to those guys. Knowing what they did have to do to keep me out of trouble.

I read an article a few years back about Albert Einstein. A famous absolutely brilliant man. The author, also a scientist claimed that even someone as mentally swift as Mr. Einstein was only able to use a very small portion of the mental abilities created by God in the human brain.  Can you imagine what it will be like in heaven when we are unencumbered by "HECTICITY"? When we are no longer burdened by worry, anxiety, pain, stress, lust, jealousy, hatreds and envies---age, to name only a few human emotions on this earth? No more thought of hair style, latest fashion, diet or the dreaded three letter word, the "GYM"? When we are finally able to use 100% of the brain power we were endowed with?

Now please don't misunderstand my intent. While still on this earth I fully intend to enjoy what I have here. I love to spend time with family and friends, good food, riding my quad, my home, and have no desire to end it any time soon. But on the other hand I am also ready when the Lord decides to "punch my particular button". Also, as you know, I sincerely love to write Biblically based articles that have an opportunity to touch peoples lives. But even more than that is my intense desire to know and understand what the word of God has to say about my future. My LONG TERM future. For me, probably a lot older than many of you reading this, it is almost like I am attached to heaven by a very long rubber band. One that is being stretched tighter and tighter with each passing day. And I know for certain that the day will come when that rubber band is stretched to it's maximum and either through my natural passing or the rapture of the church, I will, in the twinkling of an eye, suddenly shoot skyward, past whatever now stands between myself and my Lord. That could be seconds from now or it could be years. But in any case I am content to know that HE knows.

As we travel through this uncertain time in world history together, my hope is that you too have a perspective that centers on your ETERNAL life. That no matter what the news channels may have to say, you are able to keep your mind stayed upon Him who has given you and me the gift of eternal life as a free gift of grace.

From my heart and my household to yours, Have a happy New Year in Christ Jesus. And remember His words ending the Great Commission (Matthew chapter 28:18-20). "And lo, I Am with you always, even to the end of the age." AMEN

God bless you all,
Pastor Rance.

As the nations— (and some) Christians rage!

Dear friends and readers,

WAR LOOMING. Psalm 83 may be on the immediate horizon. 

For the past three weeks I have been plagued with "writers block”. I could have written any number of articles of interest to me but I have a small problem. What I want to write is what the Lord inspires me to write and guess what? Zero inspiration—three full weeks which is very unusual considering I now have over 160 articles on the internet, PTL. Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Until now! But enough of me for the time being! It  seems to me  that among Biblical writers, the inference nearly always swimming to the surface is that he or she claims to have the absolute latest news “from on high” and the latest inspiration from the Holy Spirit. I don’t claim that at all, nor am I a prophet. Just that I write what I feel inspired to write after prayer, study and yes, reviewing the latest news feeds.  Not so much television because most that amounts to a bunch of "talking heads” who are merely expressing individual political opinion and guessing at outcomes. I normaly stick to reading well established commentators both from the Biblical world and secular,  who avoid grabbing your attention with “spectacular” headlines. I am sure you to have seen really provocative story lines but when all the layers are peeled away it ends up being not much more than a puff piece and often ends with appeals for money.

Having said that, there are some really good news feeds available but even then I look for “trends” not one item news issues. And when I have digested all of the above, checked the facts and applied Biblical applications, I always allow room for my readers to decide for themselves. No one is infallible, not on this earth anyway. Well except for one, and He gave His life for all of mankind on the cross of Calvary about 2000 years ago. Fortunately for all of us, that is not the end of the story; But we will pick that theme up again towards the end of todays absolutely inspired Biblical article??? Er!

This past couple of weeks for myself and my family has been a tough ones. Tough because we have been away from home visiting very good friends and relatives. You know how tough it is to be away from your normal—well, normal. Usual routine, your own coffee blend, your own bed and your own dog? No one can replace Fido! Lot’s of great pooches out there, every one sweet as pie, but just not my very own Fido! Well Ok in our case it’s not really “Fido” it’s “Copper”, all 100 pounds of her Golden Retriever self—tennis ball and all. And yes we did have someone trustworthy watching out for the beloved household family mutt. On the other hand can you guess how much 100 pound “dawg” debri I was  facing when I arrived home? Ugh! Well that’s life in the country isn’t it?

On the positive side the annual family and friends visit is a great time and brings with It blessings that only family can accomplish. But then there are also the sad partings and sometime other stuff better avoided. Have you ever seen the movie “Fiddler on the Roof”? The central characters, (Tevye the poor milk man and his sharp tongued wife Golde)? Poor old Teve who is joyful but yet saddened by 5 daughters who are rejecting the old ways and want to step into a new and modern world. This forces Tevye to do the “on the other hand" routine throughout the entire film. Boy don’t we all go through times like that ? If I decided this, what would be the outcome? But If I decided that??? Ah, if we could all just have the gift of hindsight—BEFOREHAND! Me too, can’t deny it.

Our own Cook family home is one of peace and generally quiet. TV never on during the day, maybe a nice Christmas movie or (Shhh—don’t tell anyone) sometimes a “chick flick”—romantic comedy in the early evening with my wife. Can’t let THAT secret out, it wouldn’t be manly.  Nor would crying in any form—just had a small speck of something in my eye. Of course in a Biblical sense that would be a plank would’t it? Well, no matter, it happens. 

All the other stuff turned off, nice cup of something warm, looking at the ocean, taking a family walk, holding hands, enjoying our child and that ole tennis ball mutt. just living life and enjoying what God has done for us. However, while traveling, all that changes. Nothing wrong with that, it's just spending time with other folks who like other kinds of evenings. And days! And ad infinitum. TV’s  on constantly, talking heads raving for or against the current President. Conspiratorial garbage and the latest exposure on some slime bag sex offender. It just never ends—on and on and on. I remember one time when a large church visited our missions center in Mexico. They were so sweet, wanted to surprise our staff of missionaries. They had rented a large van and hauled a BIG screen T.V. along with dozens of (questionable?) movies. Just wanted to give us a break from reality. None of our people wanted to spend each and every evening watching that crud and sweet or not, could not wait for them to leave---T.V. and all.  Now, please don't get the wrong idea because we are far from "Puritans" wearing long white robes and silly pointy hats. But maybe this reality nice church group failed to understand that they were leaving their reality to enter into THE reality that most of the world actually lives.

Since we do live a “country life style” we are not used to rants and raves about things that mean absolutely nothing in the long term scheme of things. We are not used to being around folks, “Christians folks” who are embroiled in pure unadulterated hatred against some President or congressional personality who is enjoying exactly 15 minutes in the limelight. Ok, so maybe as much as 4 or even 8 years. No matter really because whatever they decide today will be changed tomorrow by their replacement. Anyone read King Solomon’s statement that “there is nothing new under the sun” lately? History always repeats itself. 

During this trip we were subjected  to various people totally entwined in the latest political drama. Wow, dude! There has to be a better way to spend time. By the way, for those of you who read my articles on a regular basis, do you EVER remember me writing about politics? Not that I don’t mention specific people from time to time in relation to possible future Biblical events but really? I remember just two weeks ago that some folks were talking impeachment not just for a President but for some members of congress as well. It was all the rage. Sucked every bit of oxygen out of every single news cast. This week no one can even remember all that garbage let alone act upon it. What an utter waste of time.

Now to clarify, I am not one of those church leaders who claim the church should never be involved in politics. Actually the church should be involved fully in every single aspect of human life. But in a positive way. Speak up, be proactive and exercise our votes. People should express their views at the ballot box. And you know it’s OK for two people sitting next to each other on the same church pew to be registered in different political parties. As long as we have Christ in common, can we not agree that it is OK to disagree about a particular President? What a revolutionary thought. No need to agree, you honor my opinion and I honor yours. Which brings up another subject. Let’s take the Civil War for an example. Horrific event, tens of thousands killed on both sides, Still to this day for many very raw feelings. 11 Southern states seceded from the Union in 1860. Arguments have been raging ever since that the move to secede was over slavery and some say it was over states rights. I will not argue the point because by doing so every single southerner would have to be painted with the broad brush of pro slavery which is simply not true. Having said that slavery in any form is wrong. But that is not the reason I brought up the Civil War.  And by the way, for the record there was nothing “CIVIL” about it.  It was horrible, cruel, bloody and deadly.

Did you know, that leaving the issue of slavery out of the equation, both the Presidents of the Union (Abraham Lincoln) and of the south (Jefferson Davis) were in fact Christians? And so were the two most famous generals from either side. Ulysses Grant of the North and Stonewall Jackson from the south. So was Robert E. Lee. Of course folks try to argue against that but who really cares? The point is that all these great men and leaders all called Christ Lord. And so did a huge majority of the soldiers who fought on both sides, many of whom really did not understand what the war was about in the first place. So let’s take a look at an example for you to think about; A CHRISTIAN private in a blue uniform is pointing his rifle at a CHRISTIAN private wearing a grey uniform. Both pull their triggers at precisely the same moment in time. Both bullets run true to the heart and actually pass each other within centimeters while in flight. Both men, both believers in Christ, die at exactly the same moment. Instantly, both believers find themselves prostrate before vthe Lord in heaven. To whom does the Lord say “well done good and faithful servant”? Think about that in context of todays electrically charged political environment.

A huge majority of of the House of Representatives and the Senate call themselves Christians. So did all five of the current and past Presidents. George H. W. Bush, Clinton, George Bush, Obama and now Trump. And most of them HATE each other. Most of congress is no better than those wearing blue or grey uniforms in the Civil War. If they have a D. next to their names they HATE those with an R. And visa versa. And then they all trundle off to the church of their choice and worship Jesus Christ. Really? Next Monday morning they all go back to work, forget all about the Lord, cannot come together on a single vote on ANYTHING, go back to their offices for lunch where most probably they have a Bible prominently displayed —while many of them (not all thankfully) grope their secretaries! What a sad inditement for Christianity in general. To Which of these hate filled “Christians" will the Lord say “well done, good and faithful servants”? To be absolutely clear, I am not the judge and don’t know the answer to this either. What I do know is that HATE is not something I believe pleases the Lord. How about you?

Two weeks from now no one will even remember todays news unless of course it has something to do with fulfilled Biblical prophecy. Did you know that the Bible tells us that we as Christians are now citizens of heaven? Of course being honest here, I cannot claim that everything happening today pleases me either because it doesn’t. But the question is, can I change any of it? And the answer is absolutely not! 

Well, let’s walk that one back a bit because prayer does change things but after all, who on this earth really wants to pray for some political animal we don’t agree with? Not many I know although that really is what the Bible directs us to do. Isn’t it? Did I read that wrong? The anger in todays society either for or against any particular political figure is absolutely staggering. And of course whoever it is that is sincerely hated “is going to take the entire country down the drain”. Probably right in the end because so many writers have correctly said that the United States is no where mentioned in the Biblical end times scenarios. Of course that does not necessarily mean it will be destroyed but perhaps somehow downsized from a major power position on the world stage? Gosh with a national debt now over 20 Trillion, a false (my opinion) inflated financial and stock market bubble that should by all rights burst wide open any second? Another cold war forming with the U.S., Russia, China, North Korea, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran and even Argentina (and I could go on and on with lists of several other countries). Military and nuclear threats and build ups in several regions of the world, Unstable oil producing nations, Europe being ripped apart by Islamic extremism. Well, need I say more? Something has got to give. SOON.

So, back to the basic premise. All this hatred. What I tried to tell my friends (would not listen) is that hatred is not something that our Lord Jesus approves of. In fact what the Bible does say for certain is that it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who puts world leaders into power. True even if it does not make sense to us at the time. Instead of hate, we should be praying for these leaders  and it is not our responsibility to “fix” the world but we should be adding to the Kingdom of God by accomplishing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and standing firm until the end. 

Here is the deal; All these world leaders and political parties only THINK they are in charge. In fact they are not! They are all simply kings, queens, knights, bishops  and rooks on a heavenly chessboard. And yes of course they all have free will. Some do really good things and some really bad things.  But they are simply chess pieces being moved around by a power far greater than any of them could possibly imagine. Each and every one of our current world leaders are merely doing their small part to move the entire world into a Biblical position that will allow the next phase of Biblical prophecy to be fulfilled. President Trump is simply a pawn, a rook on that chess board,  as was President Obama and before him two Bushes and a Clinton. At least half the country hated what everyone of these men stood for. But sadly the general populace has no idea that someone far greater is pulling the strings, moving the chess pieces around the big Biblically prophetic board.  

But, would you not suspect that believers with a Bible at their disposal would recognize what is going on here? They should. Before we go further, if you look at history, you will discover that nearly all the truly great societies fell from power through varying forms of the very same disease. Moral decay from within, power struggles, debt, military abuse, decline of family values and waring political parties. Name them; Greece, Rome, Nazi Germany, Napoleons’ France, Alexander the Great’s empire, the Saracens, Turkish Ottoman Empire, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream world and the great Arab and Persian Empires. Name some more, same issues, same fate. Gone, all gone. 

History repeats itself, plain and simple and the great societies of todays world will do exactly the same. Every single sound bite recorded on the evening news was known in heaven long before those news castors were ever born. Long before any American President was a twinkle in his mommy’s eye! The scripts were written before the world began. Every single thing taking place today is already printed out on the “BIG BOARD in heaven. No mistakes and no surprises. Every single move the current leadership of America makes (not to mention the European Union, NATO, Russia and China) are moving the world inexorably closer to one single point in time. The second coming of Christ. And of course before that happens other things—other Biblically prophetic things will most assuredly happen. NOTHING CAN STOP IT!!! Things like the rapture of the church, Probably a war listed in Psalm 83, certainly the great war of Gog from the land of Magog listed in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. Eventually all the events of the 7 years of tribulation culminating in the huge worldwide war of Armageddon. And let us not forget the advent of the ultimate boogeyman, the foretold antichrist. He is coming as well. Things are on the move folks. Headed downhill toward the finish line. Nothing can stop it.

Last week the American President announced that Israel’s capital is Jerusalem. What a surprise. Seems to me that the Bible tells the story of King David purchasing the area of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem from a guy by the name of Araunah in the 10th Century B.C. Roughly 1000 years before Christ walked the earth. He paid the man fifty Shekels of silver for the Title. But now world leaders everywhere are predicting that Trumps terrible action will cause a horrific war in the Middle east because the poor Palestinians are being deprived of their rightful capital. Hog wash. While I do think the Palestinians deserve their own homeland it should not now or ever be carved out of Covenant land given by God to Israel. In fact history records that the League of Nations (precursor to the United Nations) did in fact create a homeland for the Palestinians prior to 1948. LONG PRIOR! It was called TRANS JORDAN, later given to a newly minted King who renamed TRANS JORDAN to THE KINGDOM OF JORDAN and refused to accept the poor Palstinian people into his new kingdom.

In fact history will also reflect that among the Middle East Arab, Turkish and Persian nations, they hold sway over a staggering 3, 596,959 square miles of territory. That’s right you read that correctly. OVER 3 1/2 MILLION SQUARE MILES! But what does the world want? To give the Palestinians a homeland within the boarders of tiny little Israel which includes a paltry 6,178 square miles of land. They want to give the Palestinians 1/2 of Jerusalem. The Eastern  half which includes the entire Temple Mount which was lawfully purchased by King David somewhat over 3,000 years ago.

I wrote an extensive article on February 26, 2017 entitled “END TIMES, PSALM 83. WAR IS IMMINENT"! You can find it by queuing up the BLOG ARCHIVE SECTION in the right hand column of this particular blog www.lastdaysreview.blogspot.com

In  that article, I articulate the various possible scenarios and people groups who might be involved in an invasion of Israel as spelled out in Psalm 83. This past weeks announcement by President Trump could and may well advance the time line of this war and to my way of thinking move the necessary chess pieces into order for that to happen. A veritable ground swell of  violent hate filled antisemitism is building throughout the Middle East as I type this.  The various sworn enemies of Israel may have just found their next excuse to try to wipe tiny Israel off the map once and for all. Of course it will not succeed. As did not all prior attempts but a war of this size could well bring hardship and death to the very doors of God’s promised kingdom. It could (notice I did not say would) also bring about Isaiah chapter 17, the total and complete destruction of the Syrian capital of Damascus. 

This article is already long so I will end it here. But please know that there are many other things in store for this planet prior to the second coming of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

The answers are ALL in the Bible. Study and you will know. 

God bless you all in Jesus Name.

Pastor Rance.