Archive for October, 2016

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Trend Update: Mosul Offensive Begins? October 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on October 15, 2016 by paulthepoke

Nahum 2:4 The chariots race madly in the streets, they rush wildly in the squares, their appearance is like torches, they dash to and fro like lightning flashes.

Nahum lays out the prophecy concerning the destruction of Nineveh. The book was written around 660 BC. What does this have to do with anything? Mosul, Iraq is the modern day town of ancient Nineveh. As of early October 2016, Mosul is controlled by ISIS.

Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world. Today in the early 21st century it is home to 1.3 million people (Wikipedia).

As of October 15, 2016, the Mosul Offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS apparently has begun. Pictures and tweets are emerging on the internet (search Mosul Offensive on Twitter). Reports of United States air strikes are noted.

The following groups have military personnel in the immediate area of Mosul, Iraq. The list includes at least the following: Kurdish Peshmerga, Turkey, Russia, Iraq, United States, ISIS, Iran, and Hezbollah. How in the world is anyone going to determine the battle lines? Political alliances and religious affiliations are clearly blurred. Obviously, there are concerns of the fighting escalating and spreading.

God is not messing around in His description. Nahum 3:5-6 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of hosts, “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness and to the kingdoms your disgrace. I will throw filth on you and make you vile, and set you up as a spectacle.” The translation is politically correct. In other words…I will strip you completely naked. I will throw crap on you and put you on a pedestal for all the world to see.

Keep in mind, Mosul is on the Tigris River.

Nahum 1:8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

Thirty-five (35) miles north of Mosul is the Mosul Dam. The Mosul Dam was built by Saddam Hussein in 1986 on soluble gypsum. The foundation of the dam is in a constant state of repair and maintenance. This dam has been in serious trouble since March 2016.

An estimated 45-70 foot wall of water could flood the river valley if the dam breaks. This could potentially kill up to 150 million people and displace millions more per estimates.

The city of Mosul could be underwater within four hours of a dam break. Within 77 hours, Baghdad could be targeted by flood waters.

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/03/10/trend-update-ninevehmosul-dam-march-2016/

Encouragement is offered to read the Book of Nahum. The prophet is a short read of three chapters and will only take 5-10 minutes. We all have the time.

The short version of the story is this. There will be war, fighting, significant destruction, and massive death. Nahum 3:3 Horsemen charging, swords flashing, spears gleaming, many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies. They stumble over the dead bodies!

In the end, Mosul/Nineveh will be washed away with a massive flood.

It is October 15, 2016…

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Trend Update: UNESCO Rejects Jewish Ties to Temple Mount, October 2016

Posted in Prophecy, Temple, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , on October 14, 2016 by paulthepoke

October 13, 2016: The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) voted to deny recognition of religious sites on the Temple Mount to the Jewish people. The UN stated the Temple Mount belongs to the Muslims.

The Scripture reference is the Bible, never mind over 3,000 years of history and archeological evidence that ties the Hebrew people to the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, and Israel.

Never mind Islam did not start until 610 AD…

The following countries voted for the ban: Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chad, China, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, and Vietnam.

Next are the countries with the attitude of the Laodicea church in Revelation. These countries chose to abstain. Get off the fence and make a stand one way or the other. Revelation 3:15-16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. -Jesus

The following countries refused to vote on the ban: Albania, Argentina, Cameroon, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Haiti, India, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Paraguay, Saint Vincent and Nevis, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, and Ukraine.

The following countries supported Israel: United States, Great Britain, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Germany, and Estonia.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/unesco-backs-resolution-ignoring-jewish-link-to-temple-mount/

http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/UNESCO-No-connection-between-Temple-Mount-and-Judaism-470050

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

History says this is a bad foreign policy move for countries voting against Israel.

Oh by the way, the Bible says there is going to be a third Jewish Temple.

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Trend Update: Russian Missile Tests/Residents Called Home to Motherland, October 2016

Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 12, 2016 by paulthepoke

Matthew 24:7-8a And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…

October 9, 2016: Russia deploys nuclear missiles to Kaliningrad. This is the most western region of Russia. Kaliningrad borders Lithuania and Poland. The missile system has a range of 440 miles. The missiles could reach Berlin, Germany.

Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia are reporting recent air space violations by Russian Air Force.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37597075

October 12, 2016: Russia has ordered all citizens abroad to return to the Motherland. This includes: administration staff, regional administrators, lawmakers of all levels, and employees of public corporations. Families and their children are return to Russia immediately. Children are to be taken out of schools and re enrolled at home in Russia. Citizens who do not follow orders will have their future employment prospects severely impaired.

Vladimir Putin cancelled a trip to France as well.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1962638/putin-orders-all-russian-children-and-relatives-studying-abroad-to-return-to-the-motherland-as-he-prepares-for-wwiii/

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-11/russian-government-officials-told-immediately-bring-back-children-studying-abroad

October 12, 2016: Russia test fired three intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).

One of the missiles was launched the Plesetsk Space Center. The cosmodrome is roughly 400 miles north of Moscow. The missile has a maximum range of 10,000 km (6,125 miles). It can carry a nuclear warhead with a yield of up to 550 kilotons.

“A training warhead… struck a simulated target on the firing range on the Kamchatka peninsula,” the Russian Defense Ministry.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201610121046263877-russia-topol-icbm-launch/

A second missile was fired from a submerged nuclear submarine. The submarine was on duty as part of the Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea. This missile also targeted the Kura testing range on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Information is from the Russian Defense Ministry.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201610121046265358-russian-submarine-sineva-missile/

A third missile was launched from a submarine in the Okhost Sea which is located west of the Kamchatka Peninsula and north of Japan. The submarine is part of the Pacific Fleet in the Pacific Ocean. The target of this missile was the Kanin Peninsula in northwest Russia in the Barents Sea, specifically Cape Kanin on the northern tip.

http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/russia-tests-nuclear-capable-ballistic-missiles-amid-tensions-with-west-3079459/

Article by www.rt.com provides an excellent overview with logistical data.

Ballistic missile tests “confirmed the effectiveness of command and control system of the naval strategic nuclear forces,” Russian Defense Ministry.

https://www.rt.com/news/362569-russia-ballistic-missiles-tests/

Zechariah 14:12 And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/10/04/trend-update-burden-of-damascusrussian-embassy-takes-fire-october-2016/

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/10/06/trend-update-burden-of-damascusrussia-adds-naval-forces-to-mediterranean-october-2016/

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Trend Update: Putin/Erdogan Meet in Istanbul, Turkey, October 2016

Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 10, 2016 by paulthepoke

October 10, 2016: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan in Istanbul, Turkey. The meeting was at the World Energy Congress. This is the third meeting between the leaders since June 2016.

Putin stated Russia is a reliable energy exporter to global markets.

The highlight of the meeting was the Turkish Stream gas pipeline.  The line would allow Russian natural gas delivered directly to Turkey by the Russian Black Sea coast. From Turkey, natural gas would continue on to Greece. Natural gas capacity would be approximately 32 billion cubic meters per year. Turkey would receive approximately half of the capacity. Russia will be giving Turkey a discount on natural gas. The rest of the natural gas would be distributed to Europe.

The construction of the Akkuyu nuclear plant was also discussed. The nuclear power plant will have four 1,200 MW reactors. A Russian company will build the facility. This is a $22 billion project. The first phase of the project is to be operational by 2020. This is Turkey’s first nuclear plant.

Normalization of fruit, vegetable, and agriculture trade was announced by Putin.

The two countries are working towards free trade. President Erdogan of Turkey hopes trade levels reach $100 billion per year.

Differences due remain on the issue of Syria.

“Both Russia and Turkey support the end of the bloodshed in Syria. We share the same view that every effort should be made for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Aleppo. The only issue is the safety of the delivery of humanitarian aid,” -Vladimir Putin.

Turkey is a NATO member but is becoming cozier with Russia.

https://www.rt.com/news/362196-russia-turkey-talks-putin-istanbul/

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/10/10/putin-erdogan-to-meet-at-energy-summit-in-istanbul.html

http://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-and-erdogan-set-to-boost-trade-1476100218

None of this was prophetically possible until Israel became a nation in 1948.

Historically, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and Russia (former Soviet Union) have been at odds. See the Russo-Turkish wars which began in 1568.  The series of wars finally ended in the early 20th century.

The northern gang (Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan) is together and getting stronger politically, economically, and militarily for Ezekiel 38-39. At some point in the future, this group along with a couple of African countries led by Russia will invade Israel per Ezekiel.

The Bible and ancient historians point to the fact the land of Magog is modern day Russia. https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/07/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-january-2015/

For Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey.

https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/

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Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot: Light

Posted in Fall Feasts, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on October 9, 2016 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 23:33-36 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the LORD. On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work of any kind. For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to the LORD; it is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work.’”

Light is a theme of The Feast of Tabernacles.

Exodus 13:20 Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

Succoth is the first place the nation of Israel stopped after the Exodus from Egypt. Succoth is believed to be on the east of Goshen or the western edge of the Sinai Peninsula. The name of this town is the same name for the God Appointed Holiday, Succoth. In the Hebrew, the word means: a booth, tent, or shelters. The nation of Israel led by Moses left their shelter in Egypt.

Exodus 13:21 The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

Notice. Israel was led by a pillar of fire, light, at night. The light was always there and never left the Hebrew people (Exodus 13:22). Israel was guided by the presence of God, the light.

Israel camped with God.

Numbers 9:15 Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning.

Israel’s place of worship in the desert wandering was the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting. Fire or light covered their holy place. Numbers 9:16 So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

Roughly 1,500 years after Moses, a Man would claim to be the light of the world.

John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

The ultimate fulfillment of this God Appointed holiday is in the eternal future in the New Jerusalem. The Father and the Son are the substance. They are the light and tabernacle dwelling with humanity.

Revelation 21:22-23 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

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Trend Update: Burden of Damascus/Russia Adds Naval Forces to Mediterranean, October 2016

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2016 by paulthepoke

Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard bad news; they are disheartened. There is anxiety by the sea, it cannot be calmed.

Who are Hamath and Arpad?

Hamath: The name means “fortress”. In the times of Jeremiah, Hamath was a city in valley of the Orontes River. Hamath was considered the capital of the northern kingdom of Syria. In the early 21st century, this is the city known as Hamah, Syria. It has a population of roughly 854,000 per 2009 census. It is the fourth largest city in Syria (Wikipedia).

Arpad: The name means “I will be spread out.” Per Ellicott’s Commentary, the modern day location is approximately 14 miles north of Aleppo, Syria. The city is effectively on the Turkey border. Scholars believe the modern day city is Tel Erfad, Syria (Barnes Notes on the Bible).

The Hebrew grammar says the cities are confounded, put to shame, or dismayed. Why?

Our translators did not do us any favors for the word “bad”. It is the Hebrew word ra`. Simply stated it means: evil, wicked, malignant, displeasing, and miserable. The news will cause people’s hearts to melt.

There is anxiety by the sea, it cannot be calmed. The sea is the Mediterranean. Peace, tranquility, or quietness are nowhere to be found.

Definitions and grammar provided by Strong’s Concordance.

August 15, 2016: Russia acquired its first permanent air base in Syria. The Khmeimim Air Base is located near Latakia, Syria on the Mediterranean Sea.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/russias-permanent-military-base-in-syria-moscow-just-tipped-the-balance-of-power-in-the-mediterranean/5541294

September 21, 2016: Russia deployed an aircraft carrier into the Mediterranean Sea. The carrier will join other Russian naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean. The ship carries 40 aircraft.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/09/21/russia-to-send-its-aircraft-carrier-to-eastern-mediterranean.html

October 5, 2016: Russia deployed 2 warships full of cruise missiles to the Mediterranean.

https://www.rt.com/news/361699-syria-russia-navy-missiles/

October 6, 2016: A third Russian warship has set sail from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. This warship is loaded with cruise missiles.

“Currently, the Russian naval group in the eastern Mediterranean includes at least six warships and three or four support vessels from all fleets. To increase the combat capabilities of the group, [we] plan to include the cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov into its ranks.” Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.

Russia states this military buildup is for operations against ISIS.

https://www.rt.com/news/361827-third-ship-syria-op/

The United States has an operational fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.

This headline broke on the evening of October 6, 2016 out of an Israel Publication. Know foreign news sources are printing this information.

US Military Told To Prepare for Tactical Nuclear Exchange with Russia in Syria! Stateside Military Told to Prepare for Intercontinental One-for-one Nuke Exchange

http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2016/10/06/us-military-told-to-prepare-for-tactical-nuclear-exchange-with-russia-in-syria-stateside-military-told-to-prepare-for-intercontinental-one-for-one-nuke-exchange.html

According to the prophecy of Jeremiah, the damage starts up north in Syria. Then, the war moves south before the Burden of Damascus.

Parallel passages for the Burden of Damascus include Isaiah 17, Amos 1:3-5, and Jeremiah 49:23-27. One of Damascus’ greatest claim is it the longest inhabited city on the earth. We know this is prophetically the future of today. Scripture is pretty clear about the future of Damascus.

Are we watching this prophecy unfold? Do your own homework.

IF this is it…Somebody is getting close to His second return to planet Earth.

There are 8 posts from the past related to the Burden of Damascus at www.paulthepoke.com

https://paulthepoke.com/category/burden-of-damascus/

 

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Trend Update: Burden of Damascus/Russian Embassy Takes Fire, October 2016

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 4, 2016 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.”

Isaiah 17:9 In that day their strong cities will be like forsaken places in the forest, or like branches which they abandoned before the sons of Israel; and the land will be a desolation. 

October 3, 2016: The United States suspended talks with Russia regarding the conflict in Syria. The US blames Russia for the increased violence and bloodshed.

“Unfortunately, Russia failed to live up to its own commitments…,” state department spokesman John Kirby. Rather, Russia and the Syrian regime have chosen to pursue a military course, this is not a decision that was taken lightly”.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, “We regret this decision by Washington. Washington simply did not fulfil the key condition of the agreement to improve the humanitarian condition around Aleppo. After failing to fulfil the agreements that they themselves worked out, they are trying to shift responsibility on to someone else.”

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37546354

October 4, 2016: The Russian Embassy in Damascus has come under fire and taken mortar shells. Terrorists are being blamed for the attack. The Russian ministry said the attack is the result of a U.S. policy and its allies which “provokes further bloodshed in Syria.”

There were no deaths reported in the mortar shelling. Some injuries are indicated.

Russia is calling this a terror attack. Security has been increased in the area.

The New York Times provides a timeline of recent events in the region.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/10/04/world/middleeast/ap-ml-syria-the-latest.html?_r=0

https://www.rt.com/news/260189-russia-embassy-syria-shelling/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34515498

October 4-7, 2016: Russia is conducting an incredible civil and military exercise. Russia is conducting an evacuation drill to prepare for a nuclear war. 40 million people are involved. 200,000+ emergency services personnel are participating. 50,000 pieces of equipment are being utilized.

Russian government officials are preparing for a nuclear war. Citizens are reported to be “terrified”. The Russians also state the United States will start the war.

The Russians state they could shelter all 12 million citizens of Moscow in bunkers in case of nuclear war.

Putin is also building a 400-square mile facility in a remote area of the Ural Mountains. He looks to manage a future conflict from this location according to sources.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1907902/russia-holds-massive-nuclear-war-exercise-involving-40million-people-as-military-tensions-rise-with-us/

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Trend Update: Blood Red Dead Sea, Shanxi Province, China, October 2016

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Blood Red Water/Aquatic Death, China, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , on October 2, 2016 by paulthepoke

Beijing, China, September 30, 2016 (Reuters) – A salt lake, known as China’s Dead Sea, has become a popular tourist attraction after turning red.

The lake in Shanxi province, west of Beijing, turns red annually when a naturally-occurring green algae in it changes color to protect itself from increased heat and light, China’s state television CCTV said.

http://www.aol.com/article/news/2016/09/30/chinas-dead-sea-turns-blood-red/21483930/

China’s had at least four blood red water events in the past four years.

2016 has been a busy year for blood red bodies of water. There was the blood red lagoon in Mexico in April, the blood red lake in Iran in July, a blood red river in North Dakota in August, and a blood red river in Russia in September.

We are not in the Tribulation. The order of events has a third of the sea becoming blood following a deep impact asteroid happening first.

Revelation 8:8-9 The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

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Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur: Put on Your Fine Linen

Posted in Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 2, 2016 by paulthepoke

Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement is the busiest day of the year for the high priest.

Leviticus 16:4 He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.

These are the instructions for the high priest before enters the Holy Place in the Temple.

Exodus 28 gives instructions for the priestly garments. The clothing for the priest is to be made of linen. Exodus 28:5 They shall take the gold and the blue and the purple and the scarlet material and the fine linen. The concept is stated seven more times in Exodus 28. Priestly garments are of linen (Exodus 28:6, 8, 15, 39, 39, 42).

Currently, there is a high priest in the Heavenly Tabernacle. He is of the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:20 …where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Before going to Heaven to be at the right hand of the Father, Christ the high priest was buried in linen. Matthew 27:59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth… (see also Mark 15:46, Luke 23:53). The body referenced is Jesus after His death.

He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on. The body of the high priest shall be ceremonially clean before entering the Holy of Holies. The idea is the use of water to wash the sin off the body.

John 20:17 Jesus says to her, “Do not touch Me, for not yet have I ascended to the Father. Now go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'”

After His death but before His ascension, Christ was clean and free of sin. He had become a sin offering at the cross. Jesus had overcome death or sin with His resurrection. Christ is talking to Mary Magdalene. Because of her history, we know she was a sinful woman. Jesus’ resurrected body could not come in contact with sin before going to the Heavenly Tabernacle. Jesus entered Heaven free of sin in His glorified body. Christ presented Himself clean and pure before God the Father in the Heavenly Holy Place.

 

 

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