Archive for March, 2017

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Trend Update: Fighting Escalates in Damascus/Israel Issues Stern Warning to Syria, March 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Isaiah, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , on March 19, 2017 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.”

March 19, 2017: Military activity in Damascus has emerged over the weekend. Syrian rebels launched a surprise attack northeast of down town Damascus. They used tunnels to get into government territory to initiate the action. The attack was with car bombs and suicide missions.

The Syrian rebels consist of the Free Syrian Army, the Fateh al-Sham front, the jihadists formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda in Syria. These groups are constantly changing names and alliances.

The fighting occurred in the Jobar neighborhood approximately 2 km from the Old City walls.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/19/syrian-rebels-launch-surprise-attack-damascus/

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11821565

A new round of military exchanges has occurred between Israel and Syria. This is the second exchange in the last three days.

Yasser Hussein Asayeed a supporter of the Syrian army was reportedly killed. He was a member of a militia group based out of the Golan Heights region in Syria.

Israel has made it clear they mean business. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued the following statement.

“The next time that the Syrian air defenses fire at us, we will destroy them completely without thinking twice.’’ – Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman

http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-israel-syria-20170319-story.html

Activity in and around Damascus, Syria has intensified over the weekend. It appears to be escalating. Are we watching the Burden of Damascus unfold? Prophecy indicates Damascus will become a ruinous heap and destroyed. In the context of the same Isaiah 17 passage is a verse focusing on the Holy One of Israel. He will be seen on Earth. I believe the Holy One of Israel to be Jesus Christ or Yeshua, His Jewish name.

These do not appear to be times to play spiritual roulette with your soul. Encouraging all to get your heart, mind, and soul square with the Holy One.

Isaiah 17:7 In that day man will have regard for his Maker and his eyes will look to the Holy One of Israel.

 

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Our Daily Bread… Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , , on March 19, 2017 by paulthepoke

pb bread

With faith & prayer, everything always works out. Not always the way you think it will, but the way it’s supposed to be. Worrying & being anxious won’t change anything & only holds you back. The stress you cause yourself from being anxious is not healthy. Put your trust in God.

Proverbs 12:25. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Matthew 6:27. And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to your life span?

Have a worry free week my friends!!!

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Revelation: Thyatira with Love, Faith, Service, & Perserverance

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , on March 18, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 2:19 “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.” –Jesus

Jesus knows what is going on in His church. The local body in Thyatira receives high marks and they are getting better. They appear to be the model church. Here are the characteristics demonstrated.

Love…the Greek word αγαπε/agape. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: brotherly love, affection, good will, benevolence, to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly. This love is the nature of God.

Faith…the Greek word πιστισ/pistis. There is the dictionary definition and then there are times where Scripture defines the term. This is an example where the Bible is the definitive authority. The author of Hebrews defines “faith”.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The idea of “hope” is the expectation of reality at some point in the future. “Hope” is not happen stance…well maybe? Gee, I hope so? No, Biblical “hope” is the belief the promise will come to pass.

Hebrews 11 is the chapter in the Bible on the topic of faith. The chapter has been called the “Heroes of Faith.” Faith was the issue, is the issue, and will be the issue. Do we believe God and what He has to say?

Hebrews 11:2-3 For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Service…the Greek word διακονια/diakonia. It means: service of the office of prophet, apostle, evangelist, elder, administration, or a deacon; those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men; the service of those who prepare and present food.

In the sense of the body of Christ, we are all ministers. We can all serve the Lord in one way or another. We have different skill sets and gifts. We all need each other in Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.

Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ…

The book of 2 Corinthians discusses this term more than any other book in the New Testament.

Perseverance…the Greek word ηυπομονε/hupomone.  It means: constancy, endurance; in the New Testament the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith by even the greatest trials and sufferings; patiently and steadfastly enduring.

Love one another. Have faith in the promise of God’s word. Serve one another whatever your calling. And persevere and endure until He comes and gets us.

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Trend Update: Israel & Syria Exchange Missiles, March 2017

Posted in Burden of Damascus, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 17, 2017 by paulthepoke

Zechariah 12:3 On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.

March 17, 2017: Israel and Syria have exchanged missile fire. Syria fired a surface to air missile towards Israel. Syria is reported to be shooting missiles at Israeli Air Defense jets. Israeli newspaper Haaretz indicates the Syrian missile was shot down by the Israel missile defense Arrow system. The missile was intercepted north of Jerusalem.

Arrow is one of three Israeli defense systems. Arrow has capabilities to intercept missiles above the Earth’s atmosphere. A second system is the Iron Dome. The Iron Dome can take out short range rockets. The third system is David’s sling. The sling accounts for mid-range threats.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/03/17/israels-arrow-anti-missile-system-scores-first-hit.html

Syria claims to have shot down an Israeli jet. Israel is denying the report and indicates all aircraft are accounted. The area in question is the eastern part of the Homs Province.

“As part of its right to defend the sanctity of its territory, the Syrian air defense responded to this aggression and shot down one of the planes while the rest of them were forced to flee,” Syrian Foreign Minister.

Syria has also called on the UN for assistance in the matter.

“Syria calls on the UN Secretary General and the President of the UNSC to condemn this blatant Israeli aggression, to force Israel to stop supporting terrorism in Syria, to implement all UNSC resolutions on counter-terrorism, including resolution No. 2253, to withdraw from the whole occupied Syrian Golan to the line of June 4th, 1967, and to implement resolution No. 497 for 1981,” Syrian Foreign Minister.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions.

“Our policy is very consistent: when we identify attempts to transfer advanced weapons to Hezbollah, and we have the intelligence and operational feasibility – we work to prevent this. That’s how it’s been and that’s how it will be, we have determination, and the proof is that we are acting, and everyone has to take this into account,” Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.

The Syrian Foreign Minister also believes Israel is supporting ISIS. This sounds crazy. But it is important to remember Syria is of the Shia brand of Islam and ISIS is of Sunni belief.

“This flagrant attack is part of the Zionist enemy’s persistent efforts to support the terrorist gangs of ISIS. It will be responded to directly with all possible means.” Syrian Foreign Minister.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/226872

On Friday, March 17, 2017, Russia requested Israel’s envoy Gary Koren regarding the military action. This occurred in less than 24 hours after the Thursday night missile exchange per The Times of Israel.

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Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , on March 16, 2017 by paulthepoke

pb bread

The word “love” is written in the bible 310 times in the King James Version & 551 times New International Version. Seems like it must be a pretty important action since it’s mentioned so many times in the Book of life. We definitely need more love in this world. Are you showing love enough?

Love more… Have a loving Friday my friends!!!

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Trend Update: Turkey’s Erdogan at Odds with Europe, March 2017

Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 15, 2017 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.

Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.

According to the prophet Ezekiel, Russia will be joined by several countries in their future invasion of Israel. One of those countries is modern day Turkey. Scripture says Turkey is a player in the Ezekiel 38-39 scenario, the Gog and Magog war and invasion of Israel. The brothers of Magog (Meshech, Tubal, Gomer and his son Togarmah) appear to point to modern day Turkey.

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan is making news across Europe. With the upcoming election later this spring on April 16, 2017, Erdogan is looking to expand his presidential powers. If given authority, he would be allowed to appoint the majority of judges, determine ministers, set the agenda for the budget, create law by decree, declare states of emergency, and dismiss parliament if necessary. This could potentially allow Erdogan to remain in power until 2029.

Erdogan is taking his campaign to Europe by holding rallies in European countries. Not all European countries are in favor of these Turkish political rallies. European leaders have expressed concern for safety at the rallies.

erdogan rally

Turkey’s president needs the vote and support of the people. The issue is Turks who are eligible to vote. Some of the registered voters are living abroad in Europe. It is estimated there are 5.5 million Turks who are eligible to vote who live in Europe. 1.4 million Turkish voters live in Germany.

March 5, 2017: Germany blocked several pro Erdogan rallies which resulted in some strong language from Turkey’s president.

“Your practices are not different from the Nazi practices of the past. I thought it’s been a long time since Germany left [Nazi practices]. We are mistaken.” –President Recep Erdogan of Turkey.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/05/erdogan-accuses-germany-of-nazi-practices-over-blocked-election-rallies

March 12, 2017: Riot police engaged the pro Erdogan supporters in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The Turkish Family Minister was escorted out of the country. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was not allowed into the country.

Erdogan has not taken kindly to cancellation of rallies. “I have said that I had thought that Nazism was over, but that I was wrong. Nazism is alive in the West,” President Recep Erdogan of Turkey.

In reference to the Dutch, Erdogan proclaimed, “They are very nervous and cowardly. They are Nazi remnants, they are fascists.”

Sweden has cancelled scheduled events for Erdogan support.

Austria has indicated rallies are not appropriate in their country.

Denmark Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen postponed a gathering.

Switzerland has said no to Erdogan political rallies.

However, the French were agreeable to and allowed a rally in Metz, France.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39248646

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/11/erdogan-calls-dutch-fascists-row-turkey-netherlands-escalates/

Currently, Turkey is a member of NATO. Europe is not pleased with a fellow NATO member’s comments toward pledged allies. You know Russia’s Vladimir Putin is watching and courting Turkey’s Erdogan.

 

 

 

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Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , on March 12, 2017 by paulthepoke

pb bread

Here lately, the word fear keeps popping in my head. I tend to overthink too often & that leads to fear. I’m afraid of failure. Afraid of hurt. Afraid because my plans for life haven’t exactly worked out. I have to remind myself to trust in God. There are many scriptures that remind us of his love & to trust Him & His plan. He is a good father. Don’t be afraid.

Have a fearless Monday my friends!!!

Psalm 56:3. When I am afraid, I put trust in you.

Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

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Revelation: Thyatira, Son of God

Posted in Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , , on March 12, 2017 by paulthepoke

Revelation 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:

Jesus is connecting many dots with this initial statement to the church at Thyatira. He is identifying Himself with references to Scripture. There are three characteristics in the verse that point to the person of Jesus Christ…1) the Son of God, 2) who has eyes like a flame of fire, 3) and His feet are like burnished bronze.

The Son of God. Jesus Himself is identifying Himself as the Son of God. The idea that God has a Son is noted in the Old Testament.

Psalms 2:7 I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”

The Son is confirmed by the Father Himself in the Gospel accounts. One example is in Mark with John the Baptist in the Jordan River. All three persons of the Trinity are present.

Mark 11:1 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Even the demons know Jesus is the Son of God.

Luke 8:28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.”

Satan knows Jesus is the Son of God in Matthew 4.

 

…eyes like a flame of fire…One person in the Bible has these kind of eyes, Jesus Christ. This is His description at His second coming.

Revelation 19:12 His eyes are a flame of fire…

John, the author of Revelation describes Jesus with eyes like fire.

Revelation 1:14b …and His eyes were like a flame of fire.

Daniel’s description of a man dressed in linen fit.

Daniel 10:6a His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches…

 

…His feet are like burnished bronze…

John describes the feet of Jesus in the Patmos vision.

Revelation 1:15a His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace…

Daniel’s description of the man dressed in linen (garments of a priest) by the river had descriptive feet.

Daniel 10:6b …his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze…

This is what Jesus is going to look like. Just add white hair, crowns, and a red robe on a white horse.

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Trend Update: Purim, Tombs of Esther & Mordecai, March 2017

Posted in Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy, Purim, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , on March 10, 2017 by paulthepoke

Esther 1:1-2 Now it took place in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa…

Esther 1:5 When these days were completed, the king gave a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

This is the introduction to the book of Esther. Susa was the headquarters of the ancient Persia and Media Empire. Ancient Susa is also known as Shush or Shushan.

North of Susa is Hamadan. Today Hamadan, Iran is believed to have approximately 470,000 people per 2006 census numbers.

Within the city of modern day Hamadan, the heroes Esther and Mordecai are believed to be buried in the Iranian city. A 500 year old building is the site. The location is reported to be in very good condition. For detail, see the link below.

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/84787/burial-site-purim-heroes-esther-mordechai-still-standing-modern-day-persia/#wX48vS39tqslUvUA.97

The burial site and story of Esther draw people to think about the modern city, especially at the holiday of Purim.

Hamadan is back in the news and on the world stage but for other reasons.

August 16, 2016: Since this date, Russia has been launching air strikes from Iran. The Iranians have agreed to give Russia access to the Hamadan Air Base in western Iran. Russia is the first foreign country allowed access to the air base. This was reported by news outlets around the world (The Guardian, RT, Reuters, Jerusalem Post, France 24, New York Times).

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