Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

No. 1 in News and Inspiration

December 2019

What God Showed the Prophet Joel

3,000 Years Ago

 “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?  Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.  For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.  For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God”. — Ezekiel 12:21-25

 These words deal with the problem doubters of God’s prophecies.  The unbelievers, encouraged by the false prophets, were saying, “Look we’ve heard all this before.  Nothing ever happens; things are going on just the same as they always have.”  God is simply telling them, “Your wicked generation is the very one that shall indeed see every prophetic vision fulfilled, you will see every prophecy vindicated, and all the predictions against your rebellious nation that will take place just like the prophets of God said they would.”

 In all generations, there have been scoffers with the same attitude.  The apostle Peter declared that, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lust,  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?  for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2nd Peter 3:3-4).

  One of the greatest prophecies beginning to be fulfilled before our very eyes was written in the Ninth century BC by the prophet Joel.  This is somewhat like the Old Testament version of the Book of Revelation.

   Joel’s vision given to him by God is found in Joel chapter two:

 “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.  A fire devoureth before them, and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.  The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.  Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.  Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.  They shall run like the mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one i his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.  They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.  The earth shall quake before them: the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining . . [in view of this God has a special word.]  Therefore said the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?. . [after the Tribulation period comes God’s blessing] . .  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.  And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered:  for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.”

  God revealed to His prophet Joel the armies of Artificial Intelligence (AI) way before their time.

Even Russian President Vladimir Putin tells us how significant this is, as it was reported by CNN.

CNN: Who Vladimir Putin thinks

will rule the world

(CNN, September 2, 2017) On the first day of the new school year in Russia, students learned an important lesson directly from their president — who he thinks will rule the world.  Speaking to students during a national “open lesson” from the city of Yaroslavl, northeast of Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country that takes the lead in the sphere of computer-based artificial intelligence (AI) will rule. “Artificial intelligence is the future not only of Russia but of all of mankind,”  said Putin.  “There are huge opportunities, but also threats that are difficult to foresee today.”  “Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world,” he said, adding that it would be better to prevent any particular “pair of hands” from achieving a monopoly in the field.  If Russia becomes the leader in the development of artificial intelligence, “we will share our technology with the rest of the world, like we are doing now with atomic and nuclear technology,” said Putin.

[http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/01/world/putin-artificial-intelligence-will-rule-world/index.html]

Is Putin Correct?

 Will Joel’s vision of robots, rule the world with Artificial Intelligence, thus bringing about end of civilization?  Is the human race designing his way to destruction and programming its way to the apocalypse?  Artificial Intelligence (AI) was once synonymous with dystopian science fiction novels and films. But now it is a growing fear in the nonfiction world.  Intellectuals and world leaders fear that technological advancement will enable the uncontrolled rise of the robot.  The tech boom of the last century, particularly in the realm of modern warfare, is cause for concern. With the technology that human beings have developed, man could wipe himself out a thousand times over.  Already, we have been witnessing a new type of military warfare as President Trump and the military generals reported that they used cyber warfare in response to Iran.

  Many prophecies speak about a world of unparalleled advancements matched by unparalleled evils. It also speaks of the enslavement of nations, nuclear war, disease and death —- all in our lifetime!  Does this sound shocking?  Yes.  True?  Absolutely. This is why God commands Joel to SOUND THE ALARM!

 Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla is well known for warning of the threat AI poses to mankind.  On September 4, Musk tweeted, “Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause WW3 [in my opinion].”  He doesn’t mince words.  Musk once compared AI development to “summoning the demon.”

 Before a gathering of United States governors in July 2019, Musk warned, “I keep sounding the alarm bell, but until people see robots going down the street killing people, they don’t know how to react, because it seems so ethereal.”  This is precisely what the prophet Joel saw.  Musk isn’t alone. Renowned professor Stephen Hawking and the world’s richest man, Bill Gates, both share similar outlooks on AI.

  Stephen Hawking said, “I believe there is no deep difference between what can be achieved by a computer.  It, therefore, follows that computers can, in theory, emulate human intelligence—and exceed it.”  But he is wrong.  There is a difference, a vast difference.

What Robots Can Never Have:

There is something lacking in AI that cannot be created by men. It is something we possess that most of the world doesn’t even understand.

  All these scientists believe the human mind is solely physical.  If that is the case, then why couldn’t a scientist create an artificial copy, an intelligence that could rival or even exceed man’s own?  But there is a more fundamental reason that these scientists will never cease a human-type intellect.

 In Job 32:8, we read, “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding”.  God continues with this astounding truth that has evaded most of humanity.  That no one ever be truly educated without the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God.

 John 32:9-12, “Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.  Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.  Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.  Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words”.

 Artificial intelligence will never have this human spirit.  A robot can only calculate or do what it is reprogrammed to do.  Robots do not think and reason.  They do not have emotion or passion.  They do not have morals.  Machines do not have this power at their disposal.  As such, robots can never surpass mankind’s abilities.

 Throughout history, the unregenerate mind — energized by the prince of the power of the air — has set to devise and use means of destruction.  It has been the devils intent to destroy this earth and God’a highest creation, the human being.  The world now will have the ability to wipe ourselves from the face of the planet!

 God tells of the devils intent from the beginning in Revelation 11:18, “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear they name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth”. 

 The Devil has the Mother of All AI’s programmed for something special.  It is revealed to us in Revelation 13:14-15:

 “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make a image to the beast…  And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.”

But what is Artificial Intelligence?

  Artificial intelligence is intelligence displayed by machines, in contrast with the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals.  Most of us have been contact with a form of AI and perhaps have never fully realized what it actually is.  Myself and many of my family members and friends regularly talk to Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.  We also visit with other AI inventions that are embedded in our cars, refrigerator, or throughout our home.  I have a friend in Colorado who has a home that is fully automated with every form of AI.  The AI talks back and responds directly to us about whatever it was that we wanted to know from it or to do for us Without even realizing it, many of us have daily interactions with AI.  It has become very common, and is continuing to grow more common.  Scientists and others who predict what the future holds (futurists) have even planned, for the future, to name this artificial intelligence (AI),, “Singularity.”  This refers to the time when it is no longer just the product of man, but has complete control over itself.

 In reference to the “image of the beast” in Revelation 13:15, the Greek words underlined in the verse above are poieõ eikõn thèrion, meaning that the fully deceived men of the earth of that time will be called upon by the False Prophet to construct a likeness of the Antichrist.  This means that the image of the Beast is not the same as the Beast himself (Antichrist), but is a constructed thing that has “come to life.”

  Added to the description of the image having “breath,” gives us the impression that it is some kind of self-operating machine, a computer-operated cybernetic robot, programmed so that it can speak and act like it’s alive and command the worship of the world.  Artificial intelligence and robotics are advancing so rapidly today, making this prophecy no longer futuristic.  Imagine how far fetched this would have sounded to the apostle John, not to even mention what the prophet Joel must have thought.

  Robots are increasingly replacing human functions by automating manual tasks.  Killer robots, digital doctors, and driverless cars are just a few examples of how far technology has gone in taking over our lives and replacing human effort.  Today, in the State of Arizona, there are driverless large semi-trucks that are being used to deliver huger payloads of goods.  Clearly friend, it is time to SOUND THE ALARM — to SOUND THE TRUMPET.  Science is racing towards giving life to an “image” in many forms already.

 Researchers at the University of Washington have developed an artificial intelligence software so powerful that it can put words in the mouth of just about anybody.

  A recent, a new religion known as “Way Of The Future”, worship a godhead based on AI!  They say that their focus is on “the realization, acceptance, and worship of a Godhead based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) developed through computer hardware and software.”  It includes funding research to help create the divine AI itself. This is actually happening.

 Entire fields of science are now racing towards achieving Singularity (The merging of man’s biological thinking and existence with technology to the point there is no distinction between human and machine), scientists are planning it for the future, here’s some recent news headlines:

• Former Google and Uber engineer is developing an AI ‘god.’
• Why humans will happily follow a ROBOT messiah: Religions based on AI will succeed because we tend to ‘worship supreme understanding’, claim experts.
• Religion That Worships Artificial Intelligence Wants Machine To Be In Charge Of The Planet.
• Inside The First Church Of Artificial Intelligence.
• The Rise of AI: Give Me That New Time Religion?

 The world’s next religion could have a ROBOT God because humans are pre-programmed to worship things more intelligent than ourselves, experts claim.

  The concept of the Internet was known in scientific circles for many years before it reached the public.  Today the Internet and all the technology surrounding it is used everyday by huge numbers of the public.  The scientists were working on cloning long before the first sheep was cloned.  The same concept holds true with Singularity, that is now taking place.  Humans are already being blended with machines, unaware of by the public.  They make AI look beneficial these days, for examples, who can question an artificial eye for the blind, or a microchip implanted into the brain to help a quadriplegic?  However, in the end, the blending of human biology with mechanical technology will very likely be used for evil.

  But our faithful Creator God has set a boundary to what the devil can do.  Our Lord Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Those who would destroy, will be destroyed.  As this is the reason our Lord Jesus came to this earth.  It is written in 1st John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

 Revelation 4:11, “Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”.

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the December 2019 issue of Today’s Front Page was “What God Showed the Prophet Joel 3,000 Years Ago” www.JohnBarela.com  

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

No. 1 to News and Inspiration

December 2019

Timeline of the End Times

By Britt Gillete

 Much has been written about the last days and the end times just prior to the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But just how do these events fit together?  What is the chronology of events which will take place in the last days?  Following is a summary overview of the sequence of major events set to take place during this time period:

1) The Rapture of the Church

 In all likelihood, the next event on God’s prophetic calendar is the Rapture of the church.  Loosely translated, the word ‘rapture’ means to ‘catch up’ or ‘snatch away.’  Prior to the Tribulation period, Jesus Christ will return in the clouds to gather all earthly Born-again believers unto Himself.  Paul revealed this event in his letter to the 1st Corinthians 15:51-53.

 Paul is clear in his statement that not every Christian will die.  Some will be transformed “in the twinkling of an eye” before their earthly lives have come to an end.  But will this event happen before, during, or after the Tribulation?  The answer is clear when this passage is taken in context with other biblical passages.

When Least Expected

 Jesus taught His disciples to expect His return at any moment, for no one can know the day of His coming (Matthew 24:42-44).  We must be ready all the time. The Rapture will occur unexpectedly, much like a thief in the night.  This is consistent with the teaching of Jesus that no one will know the day or the hour of His coming: as we are also instructed in Matthew 24::36-39 that it would be as it was in the days of Noah.

      If the return of Jesus is a truly unexpected event which takes the world by surprise, then by definition most of the world can not be waiting in anticipation.  Therefore, the Rapture must occur before the Tribulation.  Why?  Because once the numerous and specific prophecies concerning the Tribulation are being fulfilled in world events, most of the world will take notice.

2) The War of Gog and Magog

 The next event on God’s prophetic timeline is the War of Gog and Magog.  The leader of Russia will form a military coalition which includes the nations Iran, Libya, Ethiopia, and Turkey and he will lead them against the nation of Israel.  We are provided with a detailed account in Ezekiel 38:1-16.  God will display His glory to all the nations of the world by personally destroying this Russian military coalition.  This will happen either at the beginning of, or sometime before, the tribulation.  How do we know?  Because God tells us the nation of Israel will use the leftover implements of this war as fuel for seven years in Ezekiel 39:9.

 Israel will not use these weapons as fuel during the Millennial Kingdom, since Jesus Christ will provide all the light and energy that is needed for daily living. And since the tribulation leading up to the Millennial Kingdom lasts a total of seven years, it’s only logical that the War of Gog and Magog either takes place before the tribulation or else marks it beginning.

3) The Antichrist’s 7-Year Covenant with Israel

 The Antichrist will reveal himself by confirming a covenant with the nation of Israel as recorded in Daniel 9:27.  The details and nature of this treaty are yet unknown, but many have speculated that in a bid for Middle Eastern peace, Israel will agree to rely on the Antichrist for its national defense.  It is generally accepted that the signing of this accord with Israel will mark the beginning of the Tribulation period.

4) The Tribulation (Daniel’s 70th Week)

 The War of Gog and Magog either occurs at the beginning of the tribulation or signals its approach.  The Tribulation is a period of seven years of turmoil and horror which will come upon the world.  The time period is also known as Daniel’s seventieth week, as the concept was laid out by God in the Book of Daniel 9:24.  This passage clearly states that a period of 490 years is allotted for the nation of Israel to accomplish God’s purposes.  It also reveals that 483 years after the command was given to rebuild Jerusalem.  The arrival of Jesus Christ fulfilled 69 of the prophetic 7-year periods outlined in the Book of Daniel, with one period yet remaining, Daniel 9:26.  Since the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the world has been living on borrowed time.  Once the Rapture of the church puts an end to the “Age of Grace,” the final seven year period will begin.  This is widely known as the Tribulation, and it officially begins with the Antichrist’s confirmation of a covenant with Israel.

5) Global Government

 During the Tribulation, the Antichrist will consolidate his power quickly and all the nations of the world will soon fall under his authority as we are told in Revelation 13:7.  Not one person will escape the reach of the Antichrist and his governmental dominion as we are clearly told in Revelation 13:16-17.

 The Antichrist will have unprecedented control over the world’s financial transactions.  He will have so much power that he will be able to determine on a case-by-case basis which individuals will be allowed to buy or sell anything.

6) Satan Thrown to the Earth

  At the midpoint of the Tribulation period, a war will break out in heaven that is described to us in Revelation 12:7-12.  Traditionally, people have believed Satan resides in Hell, but Hell is actually his future destination.  Up until the mid-point of the Tribulation, Satan will continue to run to and fro deceiving the nations.  Many have often wondered why God allows evil to exist.  They fail to understand that we live in the midst of an epic spiritual war, pitting the forces of evil (Satan) against the forces of righteousness (Jesus).  Satan’s rebellion is an event from the ancient past, but on God’s eternal timeline, it’s a relatively recent event.  God will not tolerate Satan’s rebellion, and the ultimate victor in this war is clear.  Satan will lose.  This event will occur at the mid-point of the Tribulation, and it will mark a terrible time for those who live on the earth.

7) The Abomination of Desolation 

 Satan’s crushing defeat and subsequent fall to earth will coincide with another prophesied event — the Abomination of Desolation as described in Daniel 9:27.  In fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy, the Antichrist will enter the Jewish Temple and proclaim himself to be God.  He will set up an image in the Holy Place and demand the world to worship it.  Our Lord Jesus warned His disciples of this terrible event in Matthew 24:16,  The apostle Paul also described this abominable act in 2nd Thessalonians 2:4 with Antichrist exalting himself above God claiming to be God.  The Bible is clear that the Abomination of Desolation will occur at the mid-point of the Tribulation where Daniel 9:27 tells us it will occur.

.  

8) The Jews Flee Israel

 Following the Abomination of Desolation, the Jews flee Israel from the great persecution as recorded in Matthew 24:15-21.  The Jewish people will flee into the wilderness where God Himself will supernaturally protect them from a second holocaust at the hands of the Antichrist.  You can read about this in Revelation 12:5.  The Jews who escape will remain under God’s protection for the duration of the Tribulation period, three and a half years.

9) The Mark of the Beast

 As part of his nefarious system of self-worth the Antichrist will establish a global financial system by which no one can buy or sell without his permission as we are told in Revelation 13:16-17 where no one can buy or sell without his mark.  The Antichrist and his followers will pay a hefty price for accepting the mark of the beast.  The Bible tells us that ALL who accept the mark of the beast will face eternal judgment for their decision.  The following verses reveal the consequences of this rebellion against God (Revelation 14:9-11).

                                                                                                      Acceptance of the mark is not a matter to be taken lightly.  Anyone who accepts the mark denies Christ in favor of a false god.  This decision, once made is irrevocable, and the consequences are everlasting.

10) The Great Tribulation

 The final three and a half years of the Tribulation will be known as The Great Tribulation, a time of unrivaled horror.  The 7 Bowl Judgments (Revelation 16:1-21) will take place during this time.  And the Antichrist, demanding the world worship him as if he were God Almighty, will institute a world-wide campaign to murder and destroy all those who worship the one true God.  This period is known as The Great Tribulation, and it comprises the final three and a half years of the seven year Tribulation (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:14).  The Bible is clear in stating the the Great Tribulation will occur in the last three and a half years before the Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ.

11) The Appearance of the Two Witnesses

 During the tribulation period, God will give power to two of His special witnesses, who will prophesy throughout the Great Tribulation (Revelation 11:3-6)).  For 1,260 days, these two witnesses will prophesy to the world, and despite a plethora of enemies, no one will be able to harm them.  During that time, they will have the power to end rainfall, turn the rivers and oceans to blood, and send every kind of plague upon the earth.

12) Babylon Destroyed in One Hour

  In the last days, the City of Babylon will not only rise to worldly prominence once again, but it will face the judgment of God Almighty in a single day (Revelation 18:8-10).  The merchants and kings of the world will mourn the destruction of this worldly city, which had been the apex of human rebellion. The city of Babylon will become a city of unparalleled wealth and opulence, as well as a city of debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, sexual immorality, and every other sort of unholy abomination.  In the aftermath of its judgment, those who reveled in its sins will literally sob because of its loss.

13) The Death of the Two Witnesses

  At the end of the Great Tribulation, when their testimony is complete, the two witnesses of God will be killed.  Their bodies will lie unburied in the main street of Jerusalem as the world celebrates its good fortune (Revelation 11:7-10).  However, what happens next will strike fear in those who dare to celebrate, when God brings them back to life and with a loud voice from heaven shouts, “come up here!”  Then a huge earthquake takes place where 7,000 people die.  Just as Jesus Christ rose from the dead after three days and three nights, so will His two witnesses be resurrected after three and a half days.  The Book of Revelation tells us that terror will strike all those who are staring at them.

14) The Gathering at Armageddon

     In the aftermath of Satan being thrown to the earth, mankind will attempt to cast off every restraint of God’s authority.  The evil demons under his command will convince the leaders of the world to gather together in order to do battle against God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:13-14).  The final gathering place for this battle will be a geographical location in the nation of Israel, known by everyone as Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).

  It is here at Armageddon, that the final human attempt at world government will come to an end.  In fulfillment of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the statue which represents human government will be smashed by the supernatural.  The Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ will take its place, and it will never be destroyed.

15) The Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ

                       While gathered at Armageddon rebellious humanity will witness the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:27).  The appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ in the sky will be unmistakable to the people of this world.  As they gather to do battle with Him, Christ will take up their challenge and take on the entire human race (read Zechariah 14:3-5 for this grand scene).  As the Lord’s feet touch down on the Mount of Olives, a giant earthquake will split the ground.  Jesus Christ will come in vengeance against His enemies, as the Commander of Heaven’s Armies.

16) The Birth of the Millennial Kingdom

 Following His victory over the enemies of God, Jesus Christ will establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth as it is described for us in Zechariah 14:6-9.  What a glorious day that will be.  The world will rejoice, because the world will finally be filled with peace and justice!

                                                       (Britt Gillette is founder of BrittGillete.Com, a website examining the relationship between Bible prophecy and emerging trends in technology.)

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the December 2019 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Timeline of the End Times.” www.JohnBarela.com 

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

 No. 1 In News and Inspiration

 May 2019

Israel’s 70th Year & Bible Prophecy:

God’s Numerical Patterns

 NUMBERS have meaning in  Scripture. The number 70, as shown in the examples below, symbolizes fullness, restoration, and an endpoint:

• The post-flood world was repopulated by 70 descendants of Noah, resulting in 70 nations (Genesis 10).
• Terah, the father of Abraham was 70 years old when Abraham was born (Genesis 11:26).
• The Nation of Israel began with 70 Hebrews who migrated to Egypt (Exodus 1:1-5).
• Moses appointed 70 elders to be the governing body of Israel (Numbers 11:16).
• Following the liberation from bondage in Egypt, the children of Israel camped at an oasis of 70 palm trees (Exodus 15:27).
• The Jews were liberated from captivity in Babylon after 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10).
• God’s plan of redemption for Israel and Jerusalem is comprised of 70 weeks (Daniel 9:24-27).
• Jesus sent  out 70 disciples to harvest the field of believers (Luke 10:1 KJV).
• A typical human lifespan is 70 years (Psalms 90:10).
• Israel’s greatest ruler, King David, died at the age of 70 (2nd Samuel 5:4).

 Seeing how the number 70 symbolizes restoration, it’s interesting that restoration, it’s interesting that restoration-themed events in Israel’s history tend to occur at a 70-year interval:

• From the destruction of the First Temple in 586 B.C. to the completion of the Second Temple in 515-16 B.C. is 70 years.
• From the UN vote in favor of the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1947 to the first recognition by a foreign power (U.S.) that Jerusalem is its capital in 2017 is 70 years.

 The most significant 70-year intervals correspond to the dates 1948 and 1967:

• From the first modern Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel (Petah Tikvah) in 1878 to the birth of the Nation in 1948 is 70 years.
• From the first major step in reestablishing the State of Israel (First Zionist Congress) in 1897 to the final step (restoration of Jerusalem)) in 1967 is 70 years.

 Notice that both watershed events related to Israel’s restoration to the Land — the rebirth of the Nation in 1948 and the restoration of its capital in 1967 — are preceded by a seminal event 70 years earlier. The odds against this occurring by chance are astronomical, suggesting divine orchestration.

 While the events of 1948 and 1967 were vital to God’s plan to redeem the Jews and the Holy City, they did not represent the endpoint. When we extend the pattern forward 70 years from 1948, we arrive at the biblical year spanning 2018-19.

1878-79 + 70 = 1948-49 + 70 = 2018-19

 2018-19 is a logical endpoint for the 70-year pattern because Jesus says the generation who sees Israel reborn will see the end of the age (Matthew 24:32-34).  A generation is defined as 70 years in Scripture (Psalm 90:10).

  Another reason  2018-19 is a logical endpoint for the 70-year pattern is that it represents the third date-milepost. The number thre signifies completeness of testimony in Scripture.

 “This will be my third visit to you. ‘Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (2nd Corinthians 13:1).

CONVERGENCE

 In addition to the 70 years from 1948, a timeline in Daniel’s weeks prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27) points to 2018-19.  In verse 25, the angel Gabriel reveals how many weeks (seven -year periods) will elapse from the time a decree is issued to rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah the Prince comes to rule:

 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty two weeks” (Daniel 9:25).

 The modern-day rebuilding of Jerusalem began in 1969. When we add Daniel’s seven weeks, or 49 years, to this date we arrive at 2018-19.

1969  + 49 =  2018-19

 What are the  odds that Israel’s prophetic 70th  year would correspond to the 49th year since the rebuilding of Jerusalem began?

 If the 70 / 49 convergence in 2018-19 isn’t uncanny enough, here’s another: The “seven weeks and sixty-two weeks” in Daniel’s prophecy add up to 483 years.  When we add 483 years to the time that an earlier decree to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls was issued  in 1535 A.D. by the Ottoman Emperor Suleiman, we, again arrive at 2018-19.

     1535 A.D. + 483 = 2018-19

 Thus, we have three key eschatological timelines pointing to 2018-19.  But there’s more. Israel’s 70th year also  corresponds to the calculated 6.000 year from Creation, the time that the seventh thousand-year  (millennial) day known as the “Day of the Lord” begins.

 6,000 A.D. –  3982-83

                                          (Creation of Adam) = 2018-19

PEACE AND SAFETY

 Another factor pointing to 2018-19 is the drafting of a Middle East peace plan dubbed the “Deal of the Century.”  This is crucial because the fundamental sign given by Paul to the Church to identify the season of the Rapture is people saying “peace and Safety”:

 “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind …. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command …  and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air …. Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates [of this event] we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety.’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1st Thessalonians 4:13, 16, 17,; 1st Thessalonians 5:1-3).

 While there have been a number of peace plans proposed since the restoration of Jerusalem in 1967 , the Deal of the Century is the only one to coincide with a convergence of key eschatological timelines, begging the question: if the talk of peace and safety in 2018-19 isn’t that which Paul was alluding to, then what could he have been alluding to, and how will we recognize it when it occurs?

  Assuming that Paul’s peace-and-safety sign is manifesting before our eyes, consider the ominous scenario: Daniel’s weeks prophecy assigns a period of 70 weeks (490 years)  to redeem the Jews and Jerusalem. In 2018-19, exactly 70 years  after the Jews return to the Land, and 49 years after Jerusalem was restored as its capital, a peace plan has been drafted that purportedly aims to divide the Holy City.

  Do you see the problem?

  God’s plan calls for the restoration of the Holy City, while the world’s plan is to divide it.  Dividing Jerusalem is prohibited because it belongs to the One who will reign there during the millennium (Jeremiah 3:17). The Lord has been patient for decades as Israel has tried to secure peace by giving away land.  A plan that aims to divide the Land around the 6,000th year from creation, however — the time that Messiah the Prince is set to take possession — explains why destruction will come “suddenly” upon those saying  peace and safety (1st Thessalonians 5:3).

  PARALLELS TO PONDER:

Exile–                                                                                                                                                        Ancient Israel was called physically from the Land for 70 years.  Ix it possible that modern Israel’s 70 years represent a time of spiritual exile in which the Jews are present in the Land yet separated from the heart of Messiah?  The physical exile preceding the spiritual makes sense in light of Paul’s teaching that the physical man, Adam, precedes the spiritual, Jesus (1st Corinthians 15:45-49).

Judgment–                                                                                                                                                When Israel’s 70 years of exile were complete, God judged Babylon (Jeremiah 29:12).  Could the completion of modern-day Israel’s 70th year mark the beginning of judgment for “spiritual Babylon,” i.e. the world?

Holocaust–                                                                                                                                               2018-19 marks 80 years since the beginning of the seven-year Holocaust period (1938–45). Could 2018-19 also mark the beginning of the ultimate time of Jacob’s Trouble?  History records that during the Holocaust an estimated two-thirds of the Jewish populations of Europe was systematically murdered.

 Similarly, Zechariah says that two thirds of Israel will perish during the Tribulation: “In all the land, declares  the LORD, ‘two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it. This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold'” (Zechariah 13:8, 9).

                                                    CONCLUSION 

  In the Bible, the number 70 signifies fullness, restoration. and an endpoint.

 It’s significant that the number 71  through 80 do not typify restoration or an endpoint in any comparable way in Scripture.

 Israel’s 70th year, ending spring 2019, marks the convergence of four prophetic time spans and the drafting of the most anticipated Middle East peace plan in half a century. If this once-in-history convergence is God’s way of declaring the season of His return, the world may soon see the Rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation week.

 In this scenario, the Church’s redemption occurs “seven sevens” after Jerusalem’s rebuilding began, while Israel’s redemption occurs after “seventy sevens,” at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. The dividing line that separates the Church Age from the time of Jacob’s Trouble is Israel’s 70th year.

  Spelled out another way:

7 x 10 (70) = end of the Church Age / start of Tribulation

7 x 7 (49) = Church’s redemption (rapture)

7 x 70 (490) = Israel’s redemption (resurrection)

 Notice that in each case multiples of God’s perfect number “7” signify ultimate perfection and completion.

 Having put forth a scenario, it goes without saying that we cannot set a time limit on Jesus’ return.  No man knows the day, and Scripture is clear that our prophetic range of vision is limited on this side of the last trump (1st Corinthians 13:13; Matthew 24:36-44).

 On the other hand, believers should understand that nowhere in the Bible is speculation about the year or season of the Rapture discouraged. In fact, believers are encouraged to study the clues, to recognize the season, and be watching when the Lord returns (Hebrews 10:25; Luke 12:37; Luke 21:28; Ezekiel 33:6). This is why the numbers and timelines are included in Scripture:  This is why Daniel provides the countdown of “weeks” to Messiah (Daniel 9:25).

 This is why Jesus links the time of His return to the rebirth of Israel and a definite (generation) time span (Matthew 24:32-34; Psalm 90:10). This is why Scripture is brimming with typologies like the 70 years in Babylon,, which commentators agree  is a picture of humanity’s time of separation or exile in the fallen world.

 Around 2,560 years ago, when the 70 years of Babylonian captivity were nearly over Daniel understood by Jeremiah’s prophecy that the time of liberation was at hand:

 “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you the good things i have promised, and i will bring you home” (Jeremiah 29:10).

 Today, as the end of Israel’s 70th year draws near, many are coming to understand by the prophecies that our time of liberation is at hand.  Like Daniel, we’re not privy to the day or hour, but we know it’s soon

NOTES:                                                                                                                                                       1.) Additional evidence that 1948 and 1967 are central dates in God’s plan of redemption:

• Abraham, the father of the Nation of Israel, was born 1,948 years from Creation.
• The years 1948 and 1967 have been shown by scholars like Dr. Ken Johnson and Ellis H. Skolfield to have been mathematically predicted in Scripture.
• The years 1948 and 1967 were highlighted by total lunar eclipses on biblical feast days, evoking the prophecies about the moon  being turned to blood  before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Joel 2:31).
• The 19th book and 48th chapter in the Bible (Psalm 48) describe the rebirth  of Israel.
• The numbers 19 and 48 add up to 67 which is the year that Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, was restored.
• Gold is heated to exactly 1,948 degrees (1948) Fahrenheit during the refining process. Scripture compares Israel’s deliverance during Jacob’s trouble to the refining and purification process of precious metal (Zechariah 13:9).
• During Israel’s 70th anniversary, a comet discovered in 1948 made its closest flyby since that time. On the day of optimal viewing, the comet passed within a few degrees of the star cluster Pleiades, which is said to be a heavenly representation of the Church.
• When we add 1,948 years to 70 A.D. (the year the Second Temple was destroyed), we arrive at the biblical year spanning 2018-19. When we reverse the numbers and add 70 years to 1948 we, again arrive at 2018-19.
• 1948 + 70 years = 2018-19.  2018-19 marks 70 jubilees from the time of the Exodus (circa 1500 B.C.), when Israel was called out as a Nation. Thus, 2018-19 marks 70 jubilees since Israel’s original birth and 70 years since the nation was born a second time.

1.) Some put the Exodus at 1522 B.C. which means the Jews entered the land of Canaan circa 1482 B.C.  If this calculation is correct, as of 2018-19 it has been exactly 3,500 years, since the Jews first entered the Promised Land.

2.) Biblical years begin and end on Nisan 1 in the spring (Exodus 12:1, 2).

3.) In 1969, the Jewish Quarter Development Company was established under the auspices of the Construction and Housing Ministry to rebuild the desolate Old City of Jerusalem: https://www.rovayehudi.org.il/company-profile/ 

 A May 9, 1969 headline about the rebuilding of Jerusalem from the St. Petersburg Times:

“Jerusalem Restoration On  

High Priority List”

“JERUSALEM, May 9, 1969 — One of he most dramatic restoration projects in the history of cities   is forging ahead in the ancient walled city of Jerusalem.  The reconstruction of the Jewish quarter of the Old City, lost to the Jews in the 1948 war after centuries of occupancy, is one of the high priority projects of the Israeli government.”

 It’s interesting that from the day the above article was published in 1969 (May 9) to Israel’s Independence Day in 2019 (May 9) is exactly 50 years. (Israelis observe their Independence Day according to the Hebrew calendar date. Modern-day Israel was born on the Hebrew calendar day of Iyyar 5, corresponding to May 9 in 2019.)

4.) Based on the genealogies in Genesis, D. Petavius  determined that Adam was created in 3 ,983 B.C.

5.) The Holocaust (1938-45) is a type of Jacob’s Trouble, or Tribulation:  The first major actions against the Jews (Krystallnacht, decrees banning business and property ownership. and ordinances banning attendance at public schools) began in Germany in 1938.

  In 1939 Germany invaded Poland considered to be the start of World War II) and began opening forced labor camps and ghettos to segregate and confine Jews. Major killing operations began in 1941 and peaked between 1942 and 1945 when  World War II ended. Interestingly, from the end of the Holocaust on May 9, 1945 (V-Day) to the anniversary of Israel’s rebirth in 2019 (Iyyar 5) is exactly 888 months.

6.) The biblical year ends Nisan 1 (April 6-7) in 2019.  Counting from Israel’s May 14 , 1948 birthday, the 70th year ends May 14 (Gregorian) or May 9-10 (Hebrew) in 2019.

7.) The number 7 and 10 symbolize perfection and completion in Scripture.  The number 70, a combination of these two perfect numbers, represents an intensification of the themes, thus denoting ultimate perfection and completion.

8.) 7 x 70 (490) denotes an ultimate end, and redemption, or forgiveness of sin:

• A total of 70 bulls are sacrificed during the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (70 x 7), which will  be fulfilled at the end of the seven-year tribulation, marking the end of the 70th week (7 x 70).
• In both Daniel and Matthew, “seventy sevens,” or 490, is the number linked to the ultimate forgiveness of sin (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 18:21, 22).

  Many Christians do not understand the importance of Bible numbers and the huge part they play in God’s overall revelation.   However, more and more Christian scientists are in wide agreement that God is a mathematical God, and that Bible numbers have a significant role in the overall outworking of God’s Word. (i.e. you can Google “Bible number 70” etc.).

  This is the point: God measures time in several ways (1,000-days called Millennial Days; 50-year cycles called Jubilee Cycles; 70-year cycles, etc.), and all of these ways of measuring time are hitting on significant numbers right now.

  The numbers appear to be saying that the world is reaching a significant point on God’s prophetic clock.

  It’s definitely time to look up!

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the May 2019 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Israel’s 70th Year & Bible Prophecy: God’s Numerical Patterns” www.JohnBarela.com

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

No. 1 in News and Inspiration

December 2016

9 Reasons to Stay Away From Porn

  (Tyler Ward, Christian Post OP-ED, 09/24/16)

 Pornography has little to do with sex and everything to do with fantasy. And if not confronted, this addition to fantasy can become a consuming fire threatening all quality of life.  So before you go looking again for that woman on the screen, here are nine reasons to stay away from porn.

1. Porn makes you unhappy and bored.

 Research says that those who regularly indulge themselves in pornography are more likely to  have higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of self-esteem than those who don’t.  The brain is to blame for this.

 Apparently, as one artificially stimulates the pleasure center of their brain with porn, it perpetually weakens in its ability to respond to natural kinds of pleasure.

 Before we know it, real life has to compete with the unnatural and artificial levels of chemical excitement that porn offers. Real life — and our marriage — often lose this competition.

 Pamela Paul, the author of Pornified, puts it this way: “Pornography leaves men desensitized to both outrage and to excitement, leading to an overall diminishment of feeling and eventually to dis-satisfaction with the emotional tugs of everyday life . . . Eventually they are left with a confusing mix of supersized expectations and numbed emotions . . . and become imbued with indifference.  The real world often gets really boring.” 

 Sex with our wives proves to be quite a different story. The natural chemicals and pleasure real sex creates doesn’t inflate our expectations or numb our emotions.  According to studies performed by the Institute for the Study of Labor, real sex actually makes us happier. The same studies also show that married people have more sex than those who are not married, and even experience far higher levels of satisfaction in life.

2. Porn neuters you.

 Some people believe that pornography can add excitement to their sex life. However, studies prove just the opposite. Porn actually produces less intimacy between partners, and less satisfaction in real sexual experiences.

 Dr. Mary Anne Layden writes in the The Social  Cost of Pornography, “I have also seen in my clinical experience that pornography damages the sexual performance of the viewers.  Pornography viewers tend to have problems with premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.  Having spent so much time in unnatural sexual experiences with paper, celluloid and cyberspace, they seem to find it difficult to have sex with a real human being.”

 Because of pornography, men have trouble getting turned on by their wives who happen to not be cybersex slaves. As a result, they don’t enjoy real sex nearly as much as they used to.. This is because porn makes us less satisfied with our partner’s affection, physical appearance and sexual performance.

  On the contrary, when porn isn’t a part of marriage, real sex proves to only get better with time.  Sociolosgist Mandi Norwood discovered that socially unenforced reality after interviewing several hundred women.  She found that married women are satisfied in the bedroom because of years of practice, less inhibitions, and the time to learn their partner.

3. Porn is not manly.

 Though conquering that woman on the screen in your mind may make you feel like a man, there’s nothing manly about it.

  Real sex involves you.  All of your fears. All of your insecurities.  All of your capacity to give.

  It also involves another very real person. All her needs. All of her baggage. All of her propensity to judge you and hurt your dignity.

  Porn requires no work, no sacrifice, and no maturity. Real sex in marriage requires you to risk, to be vulnerable, to give yourself fully to another person.  This kind of intimacy is not for boys. It’s for men only.

4. Porn doesn’t make friends.

Studies show that men who use porn commonly become isolated from others, highly introverted, narcissistic, dissociative, and distractible.  In other words, it doesn’t exactly make you a likable person.

 Neurochemistry teaches that the more that you bond with fantasies on your computer screen, the harder it is to actually bond with real people.This is because the strongest bonding substance in our lives is oxytocin — the hormone released during orgasm.

 As this powerful bonding substance becomes consistently associated with porn, it becomes easier for us to feel connected in fantasy than it is in reality.

 Porn kills human connection. And human connection is what relationship lives and dies by.

5. Porn is a professional liability.

 Pornography is the mater of preoccupation.  According to recent polls, 18 percent of men who view porn regularly admit to be distracted by it even when not online, and 30 percent acknowledge that their work performance suffers because of this distraction.

 In striking contrast, research also proves that across the board, men who have a healthy sex life make more money than those who don’t.

 You decide what’s better.

6. Porn hurts your significant other.

 It’s easy to think that your porn habit is private, and doesn’t affect anyone but you. Yet as we’ve already seen, porn inevitably kills a man’s ability to emotionally connect and consistently monopolizes his desires.

 Whether your wife knows you are using pornography or not, your actions have already hurt her.

 Rabbi Arush puts it this way: “A woman is not just a body, but a vibrant soul that thrives on intimacy, attention, communication, consideration, respect, and the love of two souls binding together.  A husband that focuses on his own physical gratification doesn’t provide his wife with any of the emotional and spiritual gratification that is the basis of her vitality.”

7. Porn will turn you into “that guy.”

 You know “that guy.” Most crowds have at least one.  He’s the one who cares about no one but himself.  He sees you and all others as commodities to be used, not people to be cared for.  No matter how much you can’t stand “that guy,” as long as you continue to dabble in porn, you run the risk of becoming him.

 Gail Dines puts it bluntly in her book Pornland, “In the story of porn, men are soulless, unfeeling, amoral life-support systems . . . who are entitled to use women in any way they want. These men demonstrate zero empathy, respect. or love for the women that have sex with.”

 No one wants to be “that guy.”   What’s more, no one wants to be with “that guy” who only sees women as consumable objects and cares for no one but himself.

8. Porn will never actually do it for you.

 “Just as Twinkies are artificially enhanced,” says the nonprofit team Fight the New Drug, “and modified food that really aren’t good for you, pornography is an artificially enhanced and modified sexual experience that isn’t good for you either, and your body knows it.”

 Lust, is never satisfied. It only wants more.

9. Porn will kill your relationship.

 In the eight reasons above, we’ve looked to science, social studies, and history to witness the effects that pornography has on those who entertain it.  We’ve seen that it kills everything long-term love is built on human connection, trust and self-sacrifice.  It’s no wonder, then, that at least 56 percent of divorce cases today involve one party who compulsively visits pornographic websites.

 Your marriage may survive your habit for a period of time.  However, if you continue to choose fantasy over reality, it will inevitably destroy your ability to love your wife.

 As modern men, we certainly have plenty of unnatural things to navigate to keep our marriages healthy and alive. However, my hope is that —  with a vision of a marriage that is worth fighting for — we’re more determined than ever to do just that.

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the December 2016 issue of Today’s Front Page was “9 Reasons to Stay Away from  Porn” www.JohnBarela.com

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

No. 1 in News and Inspiration

February 2018

One of the Greatest Biblical Mysteries:

That Desperately needs to be Discovered

  “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife. and they two shall be one flesh.  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.“ — Ephesians 5:31-32

  Everyone loves a mystery, right?  Well, marriage is a mystery — it contains and conceals a meaning far greater than what we see on the outside. God created and ordained marriage so that the eternal covenant relationship between Christ and his church would be imaged forth in the marriage union.

 Unfortunately, most Christians and people in general, do not have the foggiest idea of what marriage really is.   This is a mystery that God certainly does not want to be a mystery to any married couple. God has given every marriage a built-in marriage counselor, as marriage was designed to be NOT a couple, but a TRINITY between the man, his wife and the indwelling presence of our Lord Jesus.  It is the presence of the Lord Jesus that allows his LOVE to dwell in us, providing us the wisdom that is from above, as James 3:17-18 describes it:

 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

 How many couples would be excited about having this kind of fruit dominate their marriage?  This is contrasted with the absence of the presence of the Lord Jesus that is filled with the wisdom that is not from above as described in James 3:14-16,

  “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

How many married couples do you know 

who need to know to understand this mystery?

 There is a reason God made this MYSTERY in marriage available.  Why?  Because marriage and family problems outnumber all other counseling problems combined. Marriage is the most basic institution God ordained and it is for that reason that the devil has made such an assault on it.

 To the single person that has never been in love before, they cannot imagine the difficulties that arise when two people come together in marriage and cohabitation.  The  basic problem is, no one can love without the indwelling of the Lord Jesus because He IS love.  Without the Lord Jesus, it is impossible to truly love,  Those who come to the marriage altar without the wisdom that is from above are blinded to the many problems that arise in their future marriage.  When a man and a woman enter into as intimate a relationship as marriage, they quickly discover that there are many adjustments that need to be made. They discover that problems arise in this environment that never appeared before.  There is the simple fact that both are of the opposite sex and they react differently to situations.  They both have ideas, emotions, values, ambitions, desires, and points of views that are not only different but that will sometimes oppose one another .
And their different backgrounds also add to their differences.

 Differences — Differences can either destroy a relationship or enhance it.  It has been said that there is very little difference among men, but that little difference makes a big difference. That little difference is going to be what destroys or enriches a marriage. The lesson on this subject is not a proposition to resolve every problem nor to make all of the adjustments for your marriage.

 Initial Adjustments — When a newly wedded couple begins living with one another they discover, WOW, THIS IS DIFFERENT!   Yesterday I was single; today I am married. Yesterday I slept alone; today I am sleeping with my spouse. Yesterday there was a possibility that my mate would find someone else to marry; today we have a commitment to live together till death do us part.  Yesterday I lived with my own point of view; today I have to live with the consideration of the point of view of the opposite sex.  Yesterday it was not proper for me to touch my mate in an inappropriate sensual manner; today it is proper for us to even experience intimate sexual relations.  Yesterday, I was only responsible only for myself; today we are responsible for each other.  Yesterday we only saw each other when we were at our best; today we see each in the normal every day setting — oftentimes at our worst appearance.  Yesterday, we were able to hide many of our faults and worst habits from each other; today it is extremely difficult to accomplish that, Yesterday, we were able to live dreaming about how things will be when we get married; today, we are living in the everyday reality of marriage. Yesterday I was single, today I am married!  What a big difference!  No other relationship exists that demands such quick and extraordinary changes from its partners. When one realizes this, it is only is easy to understand why there are so many marriages that fail. We can say with certainty to every prospective person considering marriage that your marriage will result in disaster – if you and your partner do not manage to make the proper adjustments in a mature and sane manner. Every successful marriage comes about because the couple makes an effort to communicate with each other.  All the changes need to come about through patience, love, humility and esteeming each other more than oneself.  When these adjustments are made, they will establish a satisfactory and solid marriage.

The Major Change:

WE — TOGETHER

 Prior to getting married, we were accustomed to thinking in terms of the following pronouns: I – ME — We have planned our lives around ourselves, individually. Self is the  king in our society. By nature, we are all egocentric.

  However, when we get married, all this has to change. Suddenly, it should no longer be I, it must become WE — US.  So different!  So strange! Yes, so difficult!   Yesterday, whenever I felt like it, I would go out and do the things i liked to do.  i would play golf, go shopping, visit some of my close friends, do some the things that I liked doing.   Yesterday, if I didn’t like the job I had I would simply quit and look for another job.  Now, I have to think of the new responsibilities I have in maintaining a household.  Yesterday, If I didn’t want to shave or fix my hair and face, I just wouldn’t do it. Yesterday, I would do whatever I wanted to do or go wherever I wanted to go, at any time I wanted to do it. That was yesterday!  But today, things have changed dramatically.   I am no longer allowed to think in terms of I, the moment I said, “I do,” I have to become part of WE — together.

  God tells those who marry about the importance  of the relationship between a husband and wife — that it  is a portrait of the relationship between the Lord Jesus Christ and His Bride — every born-again believer (Ephesians 5:31-32).   We  find this language given   to us in Ephesians  2:5-6:

 “Even when we were dead in sins (single) has God quickened us (made u s alive — married) together with Christ, (by grace you are saved)  And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

  The most major adjustment one has to make when they get married is to think in terms of together, and no longer I, ME.  If we are successful in accomplishing this, the rest, of the adjustments will be much less difficult to accomplish.  Our thinking process has to change from what I want  — to what we want. Together, we need to consider what is good and beneficial to us both.  God tells us the two shall become one!  This, of course, involves a drastic change in that thought process.  We need to have our minds transformed to that thought process.  Remember, God takes the two and forms them into one.  I am no longer living for Myself, but for OURselves and OUR good.  Our individual life is to be inseparably tied with that of our marriage partner. There needs to be a level of communication between the marriage partners that does not exist with any other person. The circle that surrounds the husband and wife must never be violated by anyone else. The Lord Jesus is already in that circle with the couple.

 When this thinking process has taken hold, it will impact every practical area of our lives. That  means that I do not spend as much time doing leisurely things as I did before.  Do I stop doing these things because I have lost interest in them?  Of course not!  It is because now, they are  secondary in my life in relation to my partner for life.I still like to the things I did before, but I now do them with my partner or less frequently. Both partners need to place each other in the number one category.

  Where are you going?  What are you thinking?  Where have you been?  Why did you do this?  Who were you talking to?  What did you do today?  When are you going to be back?  What are you planning to do today?  What did they tell you?

  Does this sound familiar?  These are questions that are asked every day in households all over the word.  The married couple should live their lives for each other and in completing the task God has prepared for you and the family He will give you. Our plans, thoughts and experiences should be shared with out marriage partner. If my partner has to ask these kind of questions, there is generally something wrong in our communication and togetherness. When one of the marriage partners thinks that a question of this sort is meddling into the lives, they have failed to recognize the fact that they are no longer living the life of I — ME. but WE — US, TOGETHER.  God’s Word declares to us that since WE are now ONE, both have the right to know what the other is doing. This is extremely important, as it will add or take away from God’s blessings upon your life. We are instructed in 1st Peter 3:7:

 “Likewise, ye husbands dwell with them [wives] according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

 Now we can clearly see why this understanding is so vitally important. An adjustment of this magnitude requires not only a change of lifestyle — from the single life to the married life — but a change of moving to thinking in terms of ONE — WE.  To be sure, it is not easy, but it is doable by the indwelling presence of the Lord Jesus and brings about a wonderful relationship and marriage!  When this occurs in a marriage, your love for each will GROW, and GROW, God’s love NEVER deteriorates, it can only grow. In ten years, the husband will love his wife ten times more than their wedding day!  After fifty years, it is off the charts.

 There are at least three things that are needed to bring this about.

1 — A spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ and His abiding help. Without Christ, you can do NOTHING.  Our Lord Jesus tells us in John 15:5:

 “I am the vine, ye are the branches:  He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:  for without me ye can do nothing.”

2 — A marriage partner that is well grounded i God’s Word and principles.

3 — Love — Not as the world loves but the love that comes from God.

  Many marriages can be pleasant.  But a marriage without Jesus Christ at its center can never experience the deeper abundant life that only comes from knowing Him by having an intimate personal relationship. To achieve this marriage with the abundant life our Lord Jesus offers, the married couple needs to commit themselves to God and His Word. He alone can make the needed therapy in the heart of each individual and make the change from ME to US, as recorded in Romans 12:2, “be ye transformed [ metamorphosed ] by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  God specializes in transforming our point of view on certain matters when He controls our mind by His life in us.  This is the mystery.

 If you are reading this and are single, then there is something you can do before you get married. You can share with your loved one a good and solid foundation. Talk to them about the TOGETHER marital  relationship you desire to experience. Any marriage partner will enjoy this type of TOGETHER marital relationship even before they ever get married. Strange, but true.  Generally, this relationship is based solely on the physical. In most instances, these relationships are usually short lasting.  When they find someone else they are attracted to physically, they are gone. Since the flesh can never truly satisfy,. any adjustments made in these relationships are doomed.

LOVE — It is strange to even mention this when we talk in terms of adjustments. Strangely, many get married without ever knowing what love really is?   They confuse LUST  with LOVE and they are incapable of understanding true love. As it is written in 1st Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [understood].” Each one is selfishly consumed with themselves and they preoccupy themselves with the other person.

 Biblical love has only one prerogative — to GIVE.  God demonstrates this love in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” A relationship without love can only be based on what is good for me personally.  Even when one does something for the other, they do it in order to gain something in return. Conversely, genuine love only interests itself in the good of the object of its love — with no regard to receiving anything in return. If you meditate on what the Scriptures say about love, you will capture a broader view of the beauty of genuine love (1st Corinthians 13).

 “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned” (disrespected —  despised — you cannot buy love). — Song of Solomon 8:7

 “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

 “Let love be without dissimulation” (hypocrisy) — Romans 12:9

 The Bible tells us LOVE  “… suffers long, is kind, envies not, does not vaunt itself, is not puffed up, does not behave unseemly, does not seek it’s own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, rejoices in the truth, bears all things, endures all things, endures all things, never fails …” 1st Corinthians 13:4-8

 “by love serve one another” — Galatians 5:13

 Those of us who are married need to ponder again and again how mysterious and wonderful it is that God grants us in marriage the privilege to image forth stupendous divine realities infinitely bigger and greater than ourselves.

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the February 2018 issue of Today’s Front Page was “One of The Greatest Biblical Mysteries That Desperately Needs to be Discovered” www.JohnBarela.com

Today, the Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

No. 1 in News and Inspiration

September 2018

Artificial Intelligence and Bible Prophecy

  Billionaire Elon Musk declared he was worried that artificial intelligence (AI) may lead to the rise of an “immortal dictator,” a “godlike” entity that could take over the world.  Is this accurate, or at least, close in some ways?  Does Bible prophecy foretell of the rise of an immoral leader who considers himself above all gods?  Will this result in great destruction?  What is AI?  How might it fit in with various prophecies?  Was the increase of technological knowledge prophesied over 2,000 years ago?  Will 666 control over buying and selling involve any form of AI?

 Remember, when various prophesies were made regarding AI. there was no technology capable of fulfilling them, and since the advent of computers, such ability does now exist.  What does our Lord Jesus Christ plan to do about it?

  In a 2017 video, the Department of Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was quoted as saying that drones would “be deployed with a mixture of mission payloads.”  Now we know what that really means…

KILLER DRONES WILL DECIDE

WHO, WHEN, WHERE

  Details of a killer drone project have been outlined on the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) website, which specifications were nicely summarized by Tyler Durden with Technocracy News & Trends (https://www.technocracy.news).  The project includes details of an unmanned military drone fleet which can automatically detect, recognize, classify, identify (DRCI) and target enemy combatants and vehicles using artificial intelligence (AI).  The Department of Defense (DOD) solicited businesses that have developed needed technology for the project to partner with the Army, to eventually transfer their technology to this operation.  The United States Army now operates drones manually, but the drones being developed will have no human oversight.  That’s right, they will “automatically” detect and identify the enemy and kill them.

  The Word of God tells us that during the seven-year tribulation, some very extreme population control will be taking place on the earth, for example:

 “The fifth angel sounded and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth, and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.  And he opened the bottomless pit and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.  And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power…They were instructed not to kill them, but that they should be tormented five months, and their torment was the torment of a scorpion when he strikes a man” Revelation 9:1-3, 5.

  In John’s day, a swarm of drones could perhaps best be described as a swarm of locusts.  The word “drone” did not exist.  Besides the above-described torments, the Word of God also tells us that a fourth of the inhabitants of the earth will be killed (Revelation 6:8); and a short time later, a third of those who remain on earth will also be killed (Revelation 9:15).

 Our Lord Jesus said regarding the last days, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).  The saints of God will be taken from the earth before the great tribulation begins (1st Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 3:10).  Will you be among them?

Mark of the Beast Technology?

The New Electronic Tattoo

  A computer built right into your skin?  Yes, it has become a reality.  A team of scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an electronic computer patch that attaches to the skin which is thinner than a hair.  The device can observe vital signs of a medical patient, store, and transmit data, locate individuals as well as other functions.  John A Rogers, a materials science professor and leader of the development team, reported on the new device in the journal Science.

 “The skin is a particularly interesting point of integration.”  Rogers says.  “Skin is the largest organ.  It provides our main point of non-visual sensory interaction with the outside world, and it is a place where people have attempted to interface electrodes and electronics for decades.”

 The goal of the team was to “blur the distinction between electronics and biological tissues.”  The epidermal electronics, as the patches are referred to, are powered via solar energy and from electrical current in the human body.  At present, the devices are being used only for medical patients in hospitals under observation or medical care.  In addition to being able to monitor vital signs, such as heart-rate, brainwaves and even the health of a fetus in the womb, the team behind the electronic tattoo stated that the device can help with voice commands, covert military operations and many other purposes.

 This type of technology opens the door for the fulfillment of Revelation chapter 13’s Mark of the Beast.  The Bible prophesies that once the Antichrist (the false Messiah who will deceive the world before the Second Coming of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ) has taken full control of the world’s governments in the end times, an economic and religious system will be set up for all citizens of the world via a “mark” that will go into the forehead or right hand.  As the Bible states, though this mark, all buying and selling of any items in the world will be strictly controlled.  Clearly, with epidermal electronics, that can transmit data. this is even more possible.

Revelation 13:16-18, “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.. Here is wisdom.  Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.”

  Now, this does not mean that this electronic patch is the Mark of the Beast.  In fact, it cannot be, according to the Bible.  Scripture is clear that the Mark is instituted by the Antichrist himself and his cohort, the False Prophet.  It will be offered to all the people of the world to take as a sign of their belief in the Antichrist as God.  And since the Antichrist has  not emerged on the scene, the Mark is something that will occur off in the future at a date unknown.  What the invention of epidermal electronics does show is that the technology is now readily available which can fulfill this prophecy.

 The Apostle John, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote the book of Revelation in the first century A.D.  The Roman Empire, which John lived in had coin currency for purchases.  Additionally, any items of value could be bartered for other goods.  The idea of all commerce of every citizen on the planet being controlled by a mark in one’s hand was not remotely possible at that time.  The notion of a “mark” being used to track all sales and purchases to any first century-Roman citizen would be insane.  Even in modern times, that type of device being described in Revelation was not technologically feasible until just a few years ago.  But now with wireless and satellite technology, and computer innovations like the epidermal electronics, it is  very much a reality.

  For those readers who are not Christians, it is important to know that the Bible is full of prophecy — some of which has been fulfilled and others referring to events yet to come. The Mark of the Beast is clearly something that could not be possibly be fulfilled at the time John wrote about it, but now it can be.  Bible prophecy is coming to fruition right before our eyes.

              The time is now to believe and be spiritually born again

  For those who are already saved, do not be afraid at news like this.  Just know that the time is more urgent than ever to spread the Gospel and love of Jesus Christ to the world. At the rate technology is moving, we do not know how much time is left.

UFO’s: How the Supernatural

Reaches Out To Our World

  The 1950’s through the early 2000’s had us labeled as being a touch crazy if we dared to believe in UFO’s; they were anything but real — cloud formations, swamp gas — anything, but not real.  During that time, the media kept filling our subconscious with imagery of what they should be.  Friendly little beings or spooky critters to be avoided were the two views topping the list, but still they were not supposed to be real.

 At some point after 2005, the media, governments and executives determined it was time to bend our thinking once again with the idea that they are now, not just real, but also they are now, not just real, but also they our distant brother race that should be looked to for the answers.  This is a higher civilization, was the message which came from the flood of data released by country after country from the secret files they had compiled over the years.

  All of sudden, it’s public information.  The veil of Top Secrecy has been dropped; the files are now public domain — well let’s say one part of them, because when you look below the surface they only  released a portion of the data and have withheld areas that will remain in the conspiracy theory realm to this day.

 Let me mention the secretive areas without going into detail: D.U.M.B. (Deep Underground Military Bases), RFID Implants, Missing People — abductions, missing hardware (ships and planes), and of course entire groups of people being taken at once with no explanation or follow-up investigation.

 The information we were allowed to have consists of files verifying sightings and diverse races, but the character and nature of the beings was left up to others with some type of status for them to color in as to whom or what these beings actually could be.  The Pope, famous scientists, and even actors play a part in how we are to see these suddenly real beings and the craft they pilot around the planet.  My, my, how a little time can change a situation… or does it?

 Within 70 years, we’ve gone from being crazy for believing in, yes, you should believe, but only if you see it our way.  No other explanation required, and you’re expected to accept this as is.  No deeper digging please:  it’s not necessary.  The authorities will fill in the blanks as required, so don’t worry; everything is fine and under control.  They are a higher power looking to help us with the many problems and troubles we have today.  They will have the answers, but we alone will ask the questions.

 It is important to see the coincidental timing of those events and Israel becoming a nation in 1948. Israel is key for keeping track of God’s timetable concerning end-time events.

 The tail end of Revelation 12:12 says “…for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time”.  Timing is key, and it becomes clear to see the powers behind UFO / alien events are also very aware of timing and exactly when things should be released to the public.

 “For there shall arise false Christs, and prophets, and they shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).

 Before our eyes, we are seeing the development of the largest deceptive move ever taken against mankind.  A plan so deep and widespread it could stand to fool even the strongest of believers among the Christian community.

 While UFO’s and aliens are now a part of the mainstream entertainment cycle, it must be noted that the people releasing the information are also forming the things we believe about them; they have reserved that right and expect you to abide by whatever it is they dictate as facts.

 I need to make a notation here, and we need to understand UFO’s and alien’s are not unique for spreading the lies, but they are only one part of many means used to communicate false beliefs and demonic doctrines.  The message from these so-called “other worldly” beings are cousins to Ouija boards, tarot cards, palm readers, psychics, seances and even Satan worshipers.  It all depends which size and flavor appeal to you. They have something to meet almost every curiosity and level of interest.

 Remember, these beings have been at this for a very long time and have truckloads of experience on how to pull you in and deceive even the finest biblical student.  Use Caution; use extreme caution, remembering that the only true means of protection comes through God’s Holy Spirit and remaining grounded in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18).

 Within one lifetime, we’ve gone from “don’t you dare believe” into “Yes, believe, but only what we tell you.”  From death threats, if you speak of it into openly published documents for all to review.  How can this be?  Has anyone wondered how it could change so much in so short a time?

 Seeing how the official narrative for UFO’s has not stayed on track, let’s take a look at something that never changed and has never wavered, shall we?  Our observation and diligent study are required in order to remain stable and grounded.  We are to seek out knowledge and be informed.

•  “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
•  “But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge” (Job 36:12).
•  “He dies for a lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is lead astray” (Proverbs 5:23).
•  “The lips of the righteous feed many but fools die for a lack of sense” (Proverbs 10:21).
•  “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me.  And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).

 God’s Word tells us we are to be aware, to have knowledge and not to reject the evidence that is right in front of us.  It clearly is up to Christians living by the Word to spread this knowledge before the deception is fully employed and official disclosure is made.

  If you’re aware of this deception, please make sure others know of it also.  If not, please take the time to study it.  There is a major event coming that will forever change our world system, and it can’t be far off.  When we see the other events happening globally and the patterns of how they follow a biblical outline, it becomes obvious we are the last generation which will experience this global deception.

  If you’re born-again, it will not include you; but it will impact others you may know that are not yet received their free pardon for their sins.  It is up to us to warn others of this scheme before it happens so they have an educated chance for survival during the toughest time the earth will ever know.

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the September 2018 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Artificial Intelligence and Bible Prophecy” www.JohnBarela.com

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

No. 1 in News and Inspiration

January 2019

Emmanuel Macron Continues Quest

to be the Leader of the World

 It is imperative to understand that God is in total control of all that occurs throughout history.  When we think of what is taking place in the world today, many believers get upset and think things are falling apart and that God must be asleep.  Nothing could be  further from the truth.  This is precisely what the Jewish people believed when the Lord Jesus came the first time.  We must understand that God used the Roman government just as He is using world government today in doing His will.

Romans 13:1-4, “Let every soul be subject unto the the higher powers. For there is no power but of God, the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinances of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation…”  For he is the minister of God to thee for good …”

  In regards to the coming world leader and those who will work with him, Scripture clearly tells us they will be doing the will of God.  We are told in Revelation 17:17, concerning those world leaders who will help promote the Antichrist:  “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

  The kings give their kingdom to the wild beast Antichrist so that their authority and might is used for him, whether in making war upon the Lamb (Revelation 17:14) or in casting down the harlot, the false prophet.  God puts in their heart to act untied.  We are told here God has given to them to make “one mind.”  But they are only carrying out the righteous will of God.  God wills that the harlot / the False Prophet religious system shall fall; and even in their war upon the Lamb, they are only preparing for the crisis when the foes of the righteous King shall fall (Revelation 19:19). Thus does the wrath of man ever turn to God’s praise.

  This is exactly what took place when Pontius Pilate, Herod, the Jews and the Gentiles joined hands against Christ Jesus and crucified Him. (Acts 4:26-28)

Daniel 11:21, “And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom; but he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”

Daniel 7:25, “And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and ‘laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

 We previously provided an article on many interesting credentials Emmanuel Macron possesses, which is why many students of Scripture look to him as a strong candidate for becoming the long anticipated leader of the world.  According to Scripture, the greatest political  leader in history, the man of lawlessness will arise from Europe to seek world domination, deceiving millions into complying with his dictates.  With the nearness of the time when this man of sin is to be revealed, it is certain this individual is almost certainly alive.  For hundreds of years now, there has been much speculation about the identity of this son of perdition.   Among the speculation, some of the more popular candidates have been: Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, many of the Popes, Prince William,  Barack Obama, Donald Trump. and even Jared Kushner.

  Yes, out of all the candidates who have come and gone, Emmanuel Macron, who became President of France on the 14th of May, 2017, has generated more end-time buzz than any other world leader in recent times!  This is because Macron seems to fit the exact characteristics of the Antichrist in so many ways.  Let’s look at some.

1.) This man of sin will rise suddenly from obscurity, as we are told in Daniel 7:8, “I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.“  The Antichrist will be a human being, but will be possessed by the Devil himself.  He will be extremely intelligent and charismatic in all his ways.

  This is how Antichrist is described in Daniel 8:9, “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.”  Many news reports speak of Macron’s meteoric rise from obscurity, appearing out of nowhere!  A year before the French election, Macron had no political party and no previous electoral experience.  Two years before, he was a virtual nobody.  However, no one can rise to this position from obscurity, he was chosen.

  France has been in chaos from all the terrorist attacks and the far-right Front National candidate, Marine LePen, seemed the only answer to the madness.  And yet, Emmanuel Macron won a landslide victory over  Marine LePen in the French election.  At age 39, he is the youngest President France ever ever had, and not since 1958 and Charles de Gaulle has a French President ever won such a powerful majority, taking 351 out of 577 seats! Macron’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. It is in fact unprecedented. Nothing comes easy, and today France is facing bad times with a very large unemployment and Macron’s approval rating are in the 20’s.

2.) One aspect of this man of sin that even non-religious people are aware of, is the ominous number 666.  Even when I was a young boy, this is a term that many were acquainted with.  This number identifies Antichrist and is possible to be computed Revelation 13:18, “Here is wisdom.  Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” According to Dr. E.W. Bullinger, “when the name of the Antichrist is known, its gematria will doubtless be found to be the number 666”.  There are 36 total characters in Macron’s name, that’s (6 x 6), (32 letters, 1 dash, 3 spaces).  If you give each character a value of its position and calculate the sum, you get 666 (1+2+3+…+36 = 666).

 Moreover, another interesting tidbit is that Macron won the French presidency by 66.06% of the vote and assumed office on May 14, 2017, Israel’s 69th anniversary as a reborn nation, what a coincidence!

3.) The Antichrist will claim to be God and is worshiped as we are told in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

  We mentioned in our last article on Mr. Macron, that he has already claimed that he will “Rule like the Roman god Jupiter,” in homage to the highest pagan god in the Roman and Greek pantheons, the king of all the gods in ancient roman religions.  In open reference to this, Macron’s own nickname in France now is “Jupiter”.  Other names given to him include: “Jesus Macron”, “Europe’s Savior” and “the new Louis XIV (or the “Sun King” reborn).

   His name is also significant, as Antichrist will ultimately claim to be God and will sit in the temple of God in Jerusalem, claiming to be God.  President Macron has seemed to covet this attention, when he has jestingly allowed people to draw attention to the origin of his name “Emmanuel,” which means in Hebrew “God is with us.”  In fact, all parts of his name call him some sort of God or Jesus, except his last name meaning: “a written    or printer mark…”!

   This is the meaning of his full name Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frederic Macron:

Emmanuel — God with us

Jean — gift from God

Michel — who is like God?

Frederic — peaceful ruler (Prince of Peace is the title for Jesus Christ)

Macron — a written or printed mark:

  The Antichrist is to require people to take his mark in order to be able to buy or sell in the Bible, known as the mark of the beast.  Revelation 13:16-17, “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

  There seems to be no end to the coincidences regarding this man, he was born on 21 December 1977, which is the Winter Solstice or the shortest day of the year.  The reason December 24 and December 25 were picked for Jesus’ birthday is because those were considered to be the Winter Solstice, or the shortest day of the year… Technically being born on Christmas, and with the name of “Emmanuel”, Macron could falsely claim that he is the fulfillment of the prophecy given in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

4.) The Antichrist is also called a prince in Scripture.

Daniel 7:8, “I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”

Daniel 9:26 “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolation’s are determined.”

 Unlike most European and western leaders. Macron is technically a prince, becoming co-prince of Andorra, a small principality located between France and Spain, at the same time he assumed office!  The remaining royalty in western and northern Europe have little or no power and are essentially just figureheads, but this particular royal has rocketed to power since he also holds the highest executive office in the country.  Because of his party’s sweep of legislative elections, some articles are even calling him a monarch who can rule by decree.

5.) This future world leader will also be of Roman descent, rising out of the revived Roman Empire (the European Union). Macron is a citizen of Europe with Roman ancestry through both sides of his family, and his country, France, is part of the revived Roman Empire (EU).  Macron is working on uniting Europe which would be a return of this power. and is currently leader of one of the two most powerful countries in the EU. We read in Daniel 2:42-43, “And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay. so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.” 

6.) The Antichrist will be a sexual pervert and show no regard for the normal desire of women.  We are told in Daniel 11:37, “Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor t the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.”  Strangely, Emmanuel Macron, at the age 15, fell in love with Brigette Trogneaux, a married teacher at his school, who at the time was 39!  Despite her initial rejection of him and the fact that she was already a married mother-of-three, Macron did as he pleased and began an affair with Trogneaux as a teenage boy.

 Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigette Trogneaux, who’s 24 years older.  The desire of women is to have a family and children.  Macron said he doesn’t want kids of his own. There are also rumors he’s homosexual and has had affairs with a few men.

7.) Antichrist is thought to be an extremely charismatic leader, who is seemingly friendly and charming when he deceives people.  This ability will be brought to the max as he will be possessed by the Devil himself.  Macron looked upon as a young, good looking and charming.  This is highlighted in much of the media, with the following article appearing in Haaretz News, that had this to say about Macron:

 “When he takes the stage st rallies, you can feel Emmanuel Macron’s messianic dimensions — the audience’s near-sexual ecstasy, his followers’ blind faith, his speech writers’ evangelical messages.  People yearn to get a picture with him, speak with him, touch him.”

  Macron’s friend describes how the president is a “grand seducteur,” a man who uses his prodigious gifts to get whatever he wants.  Macron, he explains, is a polymath, a person who is able to acquire significant expertise in a variety of different subjects to become an expert in them, and that he uses this ability to ingratiate himself with others.

  The Financial Times quoting a source who has known Macron well for years, detailed how, “…he seduces everyone.  And then he kills,”  The FT source says Macron is always charming, especially with enemies and those hostile to him, even as he has displayed with President Trump.  After having a very charming and friendly time with President Trump, on the last visit between Macron and Trump, he was very hostile and insulting with President Trump, causing Trump to cut his time in France short.  During the election, for example, Macron took particular pleasure in always trying to meet his opponents, even the most hostile, face to face.  He did this, so the source says, because he was and is so confident of his ability to “win people over.”

8.) Antichrist will be a clever psychopath who is ruthless towards others behind the scenes, a quality Macon appears to possess.  Antichrist is described this way in Daniel 8:23, “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up“ (as he did with President Trump when he was in France).  Macron’s leadership style is beginning to emerge, and it IS ruthless.  The former  French leader, President Francois Hollande made Macron a government minister, until Macron abandoned Hollande and ultimately took his job.  Another instance was when Macron purged three well-established and senior ministers in the first few days of his administration.  Macron has wasted no time in also lecturing, and greatly offending eastern and central European leaders on what he perceives as their collective failure to accept adequate amounts of refugees from the Middle East into their nations.

  Macron has told French politicians, from both left and right, they’ll have to play by his rules if they want to be in his camp.  Back in June, the whole world witnessed France’s president publicly humiliating a teenager for calling him ‘Manu’.  French president Emmanuel Macron. contrary to his public image, Sophie Pedder, says, “…can be very ruthless when he wants to be.”

  Macron’ s consistently scornful approach to the normal rules and boundaries of life has led leading European psychiatrist Adriano Sagatori, who has studied Macron extensively, to actually declare him as a potential psychopath.

9.) Of course this coming world leader will be a  globalist as we are told in Revelation 13:7, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations”.  His rise to prominence as a person came when he addressed some of the world’s major problems through diplomacy.  Eventually this man of sin will appear to be the savior of the world as we are told in Revelation 13:4, “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?  who is able to make war with him?”.  Emmanuel Macron is the darling of globalism, he is its very embodiment.  Macron is such a globalist that he has stated that “the French culture does not exist.”  One prime example of Macron addressing world problems is the role of leadership in the “Climate Change” global agenda.  Climate Change, formerly known as “Global Warming” has always been considered the vehicle by which the Globalists will dominate and control the world’s economies.

  Macron has already been successful in France, representing all that is wrong in Europe: Socialism, no borders, immigration madness, Islam exaltation and Godlessness.  In France, Macron is already being called “Jesus Macron”, Europe’s Savior and “Sun King” reborn.  Last year, the Rothschild magazine portrayed Macron in a Christlike walking-on-water photo with the headline “Europe’s Saviour?”

10.) The Antichrist will be the most arrogant person of all time as we’re told in Daniel 11:36, “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”  Macron’s claim that he will “Rule like the Roman god Jupiter,” is in effect a statement that he wants to rule “above every god” (Daniel 11:36).

  Macron has been criticized for taking an arrogant approach, such as when he didn’t conduct the traditional French presidents’ Bastille Day TV interview because his thoughts are “too complex” for such a forum.  Leading European psychiatrist Adriano Sagatori states, “Like all psychopaths, he believes in his higher purpose.  Macron does not love France and will not fight for the French people.”  Sagatori continued, “Macron loves only himself…  The paradox is that he appears normal, but we have a case of full-blown narcissism.”  This impression of Macron is not an isolated one, it seems to be echoed by many other people, especially those close to him.   Even Emmanuel Macron’s wife thinks he is arrogant.’!

11.) The ultimate source of the Antichrist’s power is Satan, Revelation 13:2, “And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority”.  A reporter followed Macron for a week and noticed some unique traits he displayed, documenting them in an article.  These include not breaking in sweltering heat, possessing relentless energy (which he is renowned for), being able to look at someone and convince them to trust him with his “penetrating blue eyes”, being able to recite perfect Greek, and playing both sides in a bid for a newspaper.

  Macron’s former classmates reckon “he was not like the others”. As a teenager and young adult, Macron was always hanging around older people, having dinners with his teachers, avoiding the advances of girls his own age (no regard “for the desire of girls his own age (no regard “for the desire of women”, according to his former classmates.

12.) The Antichrist will rule a ten-nation confederacy which will rise out of a revived Roman Empire (the European Union) (Daniel 2:31-35; 40-45; 7:7-8; 19-24: Revelation 13:1-2; 17:3; 7; 12-16).  President Macron has been pushing to bring together a core 10-nation “Coalition of the Willing” EU Army to prepare European armed forces to take action together in emergencies, and to bind Britain into military cooperation as it leaves the EU. Only recently, a coalition of ten European militaries ready do defend the continent’s borders has been unveiled in Paris, just days after Emmanuel Macron called for a “real European army”.

13.) The future world leader would probably be fluent in at least a few widely-spoken languages, including the English language.  Macron does indeed speak English fluently and has even given a number of interviews in English with the British media.  It is often joked that Macron speaks better English than Americans, including their president, Donald Trump!  It is interesting that Macron consistently speaks the most common language of the day.  A vast number of Europeans speak (or at least understand) English as a second language.  Would it be any surprise that Macron would abandon use of his native tongue in favor of a common language?   Macron also speaks German and who knows what else.

14.) The Bible predicts in Daniel 9:27 that the Antichrist is going to make, and sign, a seven-year peace treaty with Israel: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation. and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate”.  Even Macron has wanted to offer Israel “Safety and Security” as he attempts to do what no one to date has been able to do. and has said if President Trump does not come up with a Peace Treaty soon, he will.  Macron is interested in being a significant factor in the attempts to renew talks between Israel and the PA, and the French are already working on their own peace plan!

  Apparently, if U.S. President Donald Trump does not present his Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, Macron has said he will issue a proposal of his own!

Macron calls for renewed Israeli-

Palestinian peace talks

15.) The Antichrist will be smart economically, controlling the world’s economy.  Macron is very smart economically having worked for the Rothschild’s banking corporation!  In 2008, Macron became an investment banker with Rothschild, and was promoted from an entry level position with the Rothschild banking system to a partner after just two years.  In just one meeting, Macron convinced the Rothschild banker to make him a partner within 3 hours of talking to him, which the banker said was unprecedented.  He made a 10 billion dollar deal there, earning his nickname, “the Mozart of Finance,” and has a net worth of $32 million despite saying he’s not a millionaire in his presidential run documentary.  In 2012, Macron left Rothschild to become deputy secretary-general at the  Elysee for two years, then was quickly promoted to Minister of Economy and Finance. Ex-minister and senior civil servant Jean-Pierre Jouyet, told Macron at the time he took the job as economy minister: “You’re the boss now.”  Macron was indeed a financial genius.

16.) Macon’s now arguably the most important political leader in Europe, especially since Angela Merkel has announced she is retiring.  After creating his own party En Marche (named with his own initials), then winning 350 out of 577 seats in the French parliament, all within one year of its creation, and now exploring creating his own party  for the European Union and even his own political school, Macron’s considered a political genius!

17.) Another major project in the agenda of Antichrist will be to change times and the law Daniel 7:25, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until until a time and times and the dividing of time”.  Ever since Macron took office, he’s been completely changing many labor laws in France, which have caused multiple violent protests, and wants to change Sunday work times.

18.) This world leader will also form this one-world religion as told in Revelation 19:20, “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image.”  The world leader will join hands with the False Prophet to establish a one-world religion.  Emmanuel was born to non-religious, liberal parents but decided he wanted to be baptized a Roman Catholic, at the age of 12, despite his parents’ misgivings. He then received a Jesuit education until his last year of high school.

  In June, Macron visited the pope at the Vatican and was granted an unusually long meeting behind closed doors with Pope Francis (his longest meeting with a head of state) in which they discussed migration issues, conflict in the Middle East and the future unity of Europe.  Secular France has a strict separation between church and state, established in law in 1905.  Yet, in a speech to Catholics this year, Macron said he wanted to “repair the bond” between church and state.

19.) The world leader will use a one-world religious system, but himself has no regard for “any god” (Daniel 11:37), but “shall honor the god of fortresses [energy]” (Daniel 11:38). Being a secular lapsed Catholic, Macron gives no regard to any god.  Though the title “god of fortresses” belongs to none other than the Roman god Jupiter whose Greek equivalent is Zeus!  Macron’s already claimed he will “Rule like the Roman god Jupiter”!

20.) The ultimate source of the Antichrist’s power is Satan as we noted in Revelation 13:2.  Expect the Antichrist to be surrounded by demonic symbolism.  The demonic symbolism around Macron is very pronounced:

• Macron walked out of the European Union national anthem “Ode to Joy”, a song about Jesus (in which the original lyrics, unknowingly, are actually about entering the shrine of a pagan goddess and the uniting of all men in brotherhood by the power of magic), instead of the French national anthem when he made his presidential victory speech.
• The symbol of a pyramid and all seeing eye has long been associated with evil groups, who have wanted to destroy the evangelical church and to have Satan worshiped instead.  Macron celebrated his victory at the Louvre museum right in front of the glass pyramid composed of 666 pieces, with what looks like lit up eyes watching over him from the top.  To top the night off, he held up his arm in a V shape that with the pyramid behind him made the Masonic crest.

• Macron has given another speech on a stage shaped like the Masonic unfinished pyramid, as well as a stage that was lit up in the shape of a cross.  In his debate with Marine LePen.  Macron flashed the 666 hand signal many times, even on both hands at the same time.  On other occasions, Macron has held up the satanic horned hand symbol.  There was even a photo of Emmanuel Macron having “horns” on his head on Time Magazine’s cover.  Was this deliberate?  God knows.

 The Bible makes it clear that the man of iniquity will not be revealed until the Restrainer (Holy Spirit-indwelt Church) is removed (2nd Thessalonians 2:3; 7-8).  No one will know for sure who the Antichrist is until the Rapture occurs.  That being said, we can speculate, and it certainly looks like a possibility, especially given the shortness of time.

  There have been and there are many who actually want to become the President of Planet Earth.  Many of come and gone.  Macron certainly seems to be one of them.  Our purpose is not to identify the who the Antichrist is, but to exhort God’s people not to set their affection on the things of this earth, but rather in Heaven where Christ sits a the right hand of God here. Amir Tsarfati says of Macron:

 “I believe that in Emmanuel Macron’s case I can very clearly say that we are watching a young, West European leader who was groomed by the ‘one world order’ gang for this powerful position.  I am not talking about grooming him to be the Antichrist, but definitely toward leadership of Europe.”

  As Christians, we won’t be here when the Antichrist is revealed, so we don’t need to know who he is!  But we DO need to know and understand the season in which we live. Jesus is coming…Are you ready?

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the January 2019 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Emmanuel Macron Continues Quest to be the Leader of the World” www.JohnBarela.com