Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
Reports are emerging from Israeli media that Russia is jamming GPS affecting Israeli airspace including commercial travel in and out of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
Israel is reported to have targeted military equipment and weapons in and around Damascus, Syria within the day.
Meanwhile back in Turkey, President Erdogan wants a piece of the action in regards to the flow of gas from Israel to Europe. How will Russia respond to this?
For details and analysis, click on the link below.
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ESV
ζυγός/zugos is the Greek for a yoke.
Literally, a yoke is a wooden bar placed over the neck of a pair of animals so they can pull together. A yoke was used on oxen by farmers to plough a field. As a matter of practical application, the law requires two of the same animals to be yoked together.
Deuteronomy 22:10 You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.
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Figuratively in a Jewish sense, a yoke is a heavy burden. It can be seen as a symbol of oppression. In Jeremiah 27, God asked Jeremiah to place a yoke on his neck as an object lesson for the nations. Figuratively, God was asking the nations to place themselves under the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Note the consequences of the nation if there was disobedience of God’s directive.
Jeremiah 27:8 But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the LORD, until I have consumed it by his hand.
Click on the video link below for additional analysis and commentary…
A yoke unites two people to move and/or work together as one. As believers, we are called to work together in the understanding and study of Christ. We are to set our minds on Jesus.
Philippians 4:3 Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
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Granted, we are not under the Mosaic Law today in Jesus Christ. For Christians, the issue is not marrying within our tribe or country. We are called to seek the like-minded in Christ in marriage. The command is to avoid being unequally yoked in marriage.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
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We are going to serve something. As believers, we are called to be slaves to Christ. Serving Christ’s yoke of love is easier than serving the yoke of one’s own sin or vice.
2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
The Greek word for depravity is φθορά/phthora. It can also be translated as corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, or decomposition. Apart from Christ, this is where humanity is headed.
Humanity has two choices. We can be yoked to Jesus. Or we can be yoked to slavery that is sin. Jesus Himself called us to be yoked to Him.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
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Turn to the yoke of Jesus Christ and do not look back. Do not return to your life of sinful behavior. This is the message from the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:1. Do not be like the dog returning to his vomit. Peter confirms the same notion. Things will only get worse.
2 Peter 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
Czekmate and Paul Lehr discuss the recent Russian military movement towards the Ukraine border. What are the real world geo political dynamics of the situation? Why is Russia moving now? What is the likely outcome of these current day events in the 21st century?
How does this relate to Ezekiel 39? What kind of weapons would cause the scenario below? What role would trans-Jordan play in this scenario?
Ezekiel 39:9-15 “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years, so that they will not need to take wood out of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires of the weapons. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD. “On that day I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the sea. It will block the travelers, for there Gog and all his multitude will be buried. It will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog. For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. All the people of the land will bury them, and it will bring them renown on the day that I show my glory, declares the Lord GOD. They will set apart men to travel through the land regularly and bury those travelers remaining on the face of the land, so as to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make their search. And when these travel through the land and anyone sees a human bone, then he shall set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon-gog.
Are we watching the hook being set into Gog’s jaw to draw him out of the uttermost parts of the north?
Click on the link below for analysis and commentary.
Proverbs 27:12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
Proverbs 14:16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
Cash is Trash? Think Again! I have been in many Stock Cycles, many Bond Cycles, through a few 18-year Real Estate Cycles and having a Cash Reserve on hand to insure against credit line restriction is good business, So Cash is not always Trash. Cash is also a separate asset class.
When the Economy gets in trouble, the Banks will take back their CREDIT LINES!
Having cash, savings, checking, and bills: $1, $5, $10 dollar bills, is reassuring to carry you through any slow period. We have all done well in the last couple of years, maybe it’s time to take some profit or refinance and take some cash.
I have been suggesting maybe it is time to take a little money off the TABLE! Trees do not grow to the sky, and it is often nice to have some cash to supplement through a soft patch or use for an Opportunity! Cash is not always TRASH!
However, DO NOT SPEND this money, the cash is for opportunities or reserves.
Click on the YouTube video below for the details.
When the Recession hit in 2020 the Stock Market dropped like a rock, and it was difficult to get out. More and more of my clients have their Asset Allocation overweighted in the Stock Market. The Stock Market has had a very good run and perhaps it is time to take a profit and place the Capital in another ASSET CLASS!
World famous cyclical economist Charles Nenner weighs in on the market with his proprietary charts.
Michael reviews where he thinks we are in the 18 year Real Estate Cycle.
Real Estate Rentals add diversification, Cash Flow, Capital Gains, and are a separate asset class. If you or your clients are overweighted in Equities, perhaps change Assets to Real Estate. Real Estate and especially Rental Real Estate is “Counter Cyclical” to the Stock Market and often Capital will flow out of one Asset Class into another. Real Estate often benefits! Self-Directed IRA’s and Self-Directed 401K’s are ideal. Real Estate Rentals not only provide an excellent Cash Flow, but also act as an Inflation Hedge.
Michael addresses charts from the Federal Reserve. In Q1 of 2020, there was $6.3 Trillion of stimulus unleashed into the Economy and that ignited INFLATION! Once worker make $20 an hour, they are not going back to $12 an hour.
Are economic bubbles beginning to pop? The economy appears to be cooling.
Please check with your Financial Advisor to discuss what is right for you. I do not advocate that all of your assets be in Real Estate, nor do I believe all of your assets should be in the Stock Market.
Click on the YouTube video below for the details.
Proverbs 22:3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ESV
stand firm… In the Greek, this is the word στήκω/stékó. The word is defined as to stand firm and fast, persevere.
Satan is observed to “stand firm” in Revelation. He is locked in with resolution and purpose. He wants to kill Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:4b And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.
As people, we are conflicted with our human nature. There is a battle raging. There is what the flesh wants. And there is what the Spirit of God calls on us to do. Who are we going to serve?
Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
This is a matter of life and death. This choice has spiritual and eternal consequences.
Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
As believers, we are called to “stand firm” in many things. We are to stand firm in prayer. The result should be forgiveness.
Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
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There are consequences for not “standing firm” in the truth. Satan does not stand firm or persevere in truth.
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
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Believers are called to stand firm in the faith.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
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Many times, those who believe in Jesus Christ are called to stand firm in Him.
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
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We are called to stand firm in the teaching of the Word of God.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
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And in the case of Galatians 5:1 and our freedom in Christ, we are called to have this attitude of “standing firm” against sin.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. NKJV
Michael Douville and Paul Lehr talk about modern day Turkey and it’s economy. How does this relate to Biblical prophecy?
Who are these ancient names and peoples as it relates to modern day countries? Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 6 are discussed. What do the prophecies actually say? Is this relevant to today’s world?
Geo political economics are the center piece. Oil and Gas are in play and everyone wants a piece of the action. Russia wants to control the region and the flow of energy to Europe.
Who is Turkey’s president Recep Erdogan? What is his relationship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin?
Turkey’s Lira is a crashing currency. The cost of goods is going up. Food costs are rising rapidly. Turkey is at risk for hyperinflation. Is Turkey running out of money? What does the future hold for Turkey?
Click on the YouTube link below for this discussion and more…
Ezekiel 38:2-4 “Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords.
With a pretty high degree of certainty, ancient Magog is likely modern day Russia.
Ukrainian government websites were hit with an unprecedented attack this past week. Tech experts believe Russia was likely responsible.
Russia is moving massive amounts of military hardware and troops on railway from the Eastern Military District west towards the Ukraine. It appears the equipment and troops are beginning to arrive near Ukraine.
We will look at geography and troop mobilization around Ukraine.
Russia is spending millions upon millions of rubles to move equipment and support troops. This is a seriously expensive logistical undertaking. And it will take millions of rubles to maintain these troops once they arrive at their destination.
For those who want to stay current with the news pouring out of the Middle East and events happening around Russia and Ukraine, follow Czekmate at ValorTube. Czekmate is dialed in with real world experience and understanding.
Are we watching the hook being set in Gog of Magog’s jaw? Is Vladimir Putin Gog? Are we witnessing the moment when Gog begins to move his massive military towards the Middle East and ultimately Israel?
Lastly, there was a significant underwater volcanic explosion near Tonga. The blast measured close to 7.4 on the Richter scale. The Pacific was put under Tsunami warnings. Significant damage was done locally in and around Tonga. 4 foot waves even reached with west coast of the United States from thousands of miles away.
Analysis and commentary on the happenings in the news and how it relates to Bible prophecy… This and more on This Week in Prophecy.
The knowledge of freedom has its beginning in the Mosaic Law in Leviticus 25.
Leviticus 25:10 You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.
The context of the verse quoted is a description of the jubilee year. Release the inhabitants and freedom for all the slaves. Imagine that. Freedom, liberty are expressed in the context of the Old Testament Mosaic Law.
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Our foundation as a country in the United States draws its concept of freedom and liberty from Leviticus 25:10. The verse is written on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Abolitionists during the Civil War turned to the Liberty Bell and the verse from Leviticus 25 as a reason to end slavery. Cultures and societies can change when people take God’s word to heart and decide to follow His statutes.
This passage and context in Leviticus 25 are loaded with prophetic implications regarding His second coming. Click on the link below if interested in the prophecy related to the concept of Jubilee.
See the YouTube video link below for audio/video of this post along with further commentary.
Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn…
The concept of freedom is captured by the prophet Isaiah as it is reflected in the Mosaic Law and the Jubilee. All three persons of the Trinity are involved in this communication. The “Me” is the Son. The Spirit is upon Him (the Son). The Father is represented by the title Lord GOD or Adonai Yahweh in the original Hebrew.
Jesus read and spoke these words in the synagogue of His home town Nazareth (Luke 4:16). Jesus is reading from Isaiah 61:1-2a. He reads verse 1 completely.
Jesus then stops reading in the middle of Isaiah 61:2. By reading these words, He was claiming to be the Messiah. In other words, “Here I am!!” Jesus is also arguably proclaiming a Jubilee year. This author would argue the year 30 AD. This event appears to be at the onset of His ministry. We can have lots of debate about the date at another time. This has significant prophetic implications in regards to the timing of His second coming.
Take a look at Isaiah 61:2. To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD (Jesus stops here.) and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn…
The stoppage of reading in the verse has lasted close to 2,000 years. At His first coming, Jesus was a suffering servant who died for our sins. His sacrificial death on the cross freed humanity from the bondage of sin.
Christ did not come in vengeance and judgment the first time, hence the pause. And we wait for the remainder of Isaiah 61:2b-11. It describes the future conditions of the nation Israel under the leadership of the Messiah, Jesus. He returns the second time in wrath to set the stage for an everlasting peace.
It is not only humanity who is freed from the bondage of sin. It also the creation.
Romans 8:19-21 For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
News related to Ezekiel 38-39 continues to make headlines. This time, Kazakhstan is the place of attention. Fuel prices have doubled. The government has resigned. President Tokayev has called on the help of the Russians. Russia is leading a coalition of countries to quell the violence of the “terrorists”. These “peace keepers” have orders to “shoot to kill”.
China is concerned about oil exports from Kazakhstan.
President Tokayev of Kazakhstan pulled the plug on the internet. Kazakhstan is the second largest country when it comes to Bitcoin mining.
The lights are out across Lebanon again. The currency continues to collapse and prices of basic goods and services continue to spiral out of control.
All of this and more on This Week in Prophecy. Click the YouTube link below for news, details, analysis, and commentary.
Leviticus 14:52 “And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet.”
Hyssop is a protected plant in Israel. It is a small, hardy shrub from the basil family. It is said to have cleansing properties. The hyssop plant in the Bible symbolizes spiritual purification.
Certain rituals were performed to cleanse any house leprosy was found in the Old Testament. First, the house is shut up for seven days. After this period, the house is checked. If the house had signs of leprosy spreading, the entire house had to be pulled down. But if the disease did not spread, then the house was healed. The priest then performed a ceremony for cleansing the house which involved two live birds, cedar, hyssop, scarlet and running water from a river. One of the birds was killed over the basin of water and the cedar, hyssop and the living bird was dipped into the water and the house was sprinkled with it, after which the living bird was set free.
Leprosy represents sin because it has the capacity to spread from the heart into every part of the body. The heart represents the house where the leprosy originates; for from the heart proceeds all evil thoughts which the entire body is compelled to act upon. The product of this process can be found in people’s harsh speeches, immoral actions, violent behaviors, wickedness and the likes.
Cleansing has to begin from the heart. Nothing so far has been found effective in achieving total cleansing for the sinful heart of man. Religious ceremonies and rituals, together with human efforts have unfortunately yielded no results. The only solution to the ‘leprosy’ of sin lies in the precious blood of our sinless Christ who died on the cross to save humanity.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The blood of Jesus is the all-time antidote to all forms of uncleanness.
