The Prophecy Update Newsletter - 1/7/25

News & Information for the End Times

Jan 07, 2025

ISRAEL AT WAR!!! Day 459 - PRAY!!!

Pray For Israel — Psalm 122:6-8, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee."

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In Today’s Newsletter…

*Report Reveals How Ruthlessly the Biden Administration Persecuted Christian Education

*The Troubled World of 2025

*Prophecy Update Videos

*Recommended Reading

*2025 Last Days Dementia

*Facing The New Year

*Daily Jot: The growing idea of execution without being charged

*Daily Devotion: Everything Points to Jesus

*Prophecy Update News Headlines

(Scroll Down to Read)

Report Reveals How Ruthlessly the Biden Administration Persecuted Christian Education

By Alex Newman - https://harbingersdaily.com/report-reveals-how-ruthlessly-the-biden-administration-persecuted-christian-education/

While Americans were focused on the weaponization of federal law enforcement and the justice system, the Biden administration was also quietly but ruthlessly weaponizing the U.S. Department of Education against Christian institutions as well. Those are the findings of a shocking new report by the pro-family group American Principles Project.

The numbers are shocking but hard to deny. According to new data obtained by APP, almost 70 percent of the Biden education bureaucracy’s “enforcement actions” targeted faith-based and career schools. For perspective, those categories represent less than 10 percent of students across the country.

Two of the nation’s largest and most important Christian institutions of higher education, Liberty University and Grand Canyon University, both found themselves in the crosshairs. The universities were hit with record-breaking fines totaling more than all other fines combined: Almost $38 million for Grand Canyon and $14 million for Liberty.

Both of those institutions, along with many other smaller ones, were targeted by a relatively unknown office within the Department of Education called the “Office of Enforcement.” The three primary tactics for “dismantling its targets” described in the APP report are huge penalties, “scrutinize and fine” investigations, and cutting off federal funds.

Grand Canyon University spokesman Bob Romantic expressed hope that change was coming. Officials there “look forward to an administration that, rather than using federal agencies to harass universities to which they are ideologically opposed, will reduce bureaucracy while applying regulations fairly and equitably,” he told The Center Square.

According to the report, at least 12 Christian colleges or universities were targeted by the Biden administration with “excessive penalties.” In some cases, students at those colleges have even been prohibited from receiving student aid. Not a single Ivy League school received similar treatment, researchers at APP reported.

The disparity in fines between Christian schools and non-Christian schools was also astounding. APP researchers, citing government data, found that the average fine for a “Clery Act” violation by a Christian school was $815,000. The average fine for similar violations by non-Christian institutions was less than $229,000.

“Using its scrutinize-and-sue tactics, the Department of Education can penalize and withhold federal aid to non-traditional schools,” the report warns. “When they go under, the administration can cancel students’ loan debt, making good on its campaign promise. And, of course, students then have fewer higher education options, cornering the market for conventional universities.”

Critics are now calling for drastic action by the incoming administration. “For the last four years, Democrats have been busy weaponizing every part of the federal government to target their opponents,” argued APP Policy Director Jon Schweppe, noting that the corrupt efforts of federal agencies went far beyond the U.S. Department of Justice.

“As our report details, the Biden-Harris Department of Education has been engaged in a long-running scheme to punish Christian colleges that are ideologically opposed to the left’s agenda,” he continued. “The unfair targeting of these institutions has been egregious, and it needs to stop immediately.

“During his first term, President Donald Trump deprioritized the Enforcement Office, and his next administration should eliminate it,” argued APP Policy Director Jon Schweppe, expressing hope that newly elected leaders would “end the Democrats’ years-long campaign to control and eliminate faith-based universities once and for all.”

Last year, the Biden administration increased funding for the “Office of Enforcement” by more than 600 percent, according to researchers. It was originally created during the Obama administration before being “deprioritized” during Trump’s first term and then super-charged by the Biden administration.

Unsurprisingly, the department did not respond to multiple requests for comment from media outlets about its targeting of Christian institutions. However, as the scandal grew, the department finally released a statement claiming a “school’s religious affiliation or non-profit status has absolutely no bearing on our oversight and enforcement actions.”

The Department of Education spokesman also accused the APP report of dishonesty. “Our top priority is protecting safety and academic opportunity for all students at institutions of higher education,” the spokesman said. “The data in the APP report itself pushes a false narrative by distorting information released publicly by the Department.”

The persecution of Christian institutions by the federal government shows the danger of allowing them to become dependent on public money. While Trump and Republican lawmakers may be able to rein in some of the lawlessness over the next few years, Democrats will resume their attacks as soon as they are able. Christians must prepare.

The Troubled World of 2025

By Tom Gilbreath - https://www.hallindsey.com/ww-1-5-2025/

Los Angeles has its Skid Row. The “seedy” area of San Francisco is called the Tenderloin. In Philadelphia, a drive down Kensington Avenue will break your heart. Cities have had these areas for a long time, mostly out of sight. But in recent years, the Skid Rows have grown to engulf large swaths of their cities. Evils once hidden away, today spill out into what were once considered the “good parts” of town.

And where is the Church? To a large extent, it is busy crossing over to the other side of the street (see Luke 10:29-37).

The January 2nd edition of The Times of India summarized a story of evil breaking out from the shadows in Great Britain. “Over a period spanning years, the Yorkshire town of Rotherham experienced one of Britain's most severe child exploitation cases. An independent inquiry found that no fewer than 1,400 minors were victimized through systematic abuse. The majority of victims were young girls who were targeted, manipulated, and trafficked by organized groups of men, most of whom were of Pakistani background.”

As horrific as that is, it gets worse. It’s not just that these atrocities were taking place, but that people who should have stepped in and helped the children — people whose job it was to help them — refused to get involved. The Times went on to say, “The crimes were compounded by institutional failures — despite victims repeatedly coming forward, law enforcement and social services consistently failed to take appropriate action or protect the children.”

Today, the unlikely duo of Elon Musk and J. K. Rowling are among those trying to hold the British government to task for its neglect. But “grooming gangs” (also known as “rape gangs”) are not limited to the UK. They are everywhere. Not only do the world’s nations abort vast numbers of the unborn, but they also allow — and sometimes even encourage — the abuse of the born. Can God’s judgment be far behind?

The Old Testament shows God’s amazing level of forbearance. He warned against sin. He sent prophets. He fired “shots across the bow.” And finally, judgment would come. Look closely. His judgment was usually triggered by the abuse of children.

In Matthew 18:6, Jesus said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Instead of “to sin,” some translations say, “to stumble.” Others, like the original Living Bible, say, “causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose his faith.” The Greek here means to “entrap.” Today, much of public education is intent on causing children to sin, to lose faith, to be entrapped by a world system bent on evil. Can God’s judgment be far behind?

Except where it coincides with biblical truth, the politics of our elected leaders are neither the cause nor the answer to our fundamental dilemmas as a civilization. Churches have the Answer, but most of them sit in silence — hands covering eyes, ears, and mouths. Churches cover their eyes because they don’t want to see the tsunami of evil rushing up the shorelines of the world. They cover their ears because they don’t want to hear what God says about it. They cover their mouths because they don’t want to address sin. Bible-based churches hold the message of hope and redemption the world so desperately needs. But most lack the love and courage to speak out.

In 2025, we need all hands on deck. Make this a season of prayer, love, and the consistent presentation of God’s Word.

PROPHECY UPDATE VIDEOS

2025 Last Days Dementia

Terry James - https://terryjamesprophecyline.com/2025/01/06/2025-last-days-dementia/

Fear is on the rise in America and the world at the beginning of 2025. It is a dementia-like fear that comes upon humankind almost like nervous milling about that stirs within the wildebeests of the Serengeti just before predators set them to flight. There are many reasons this is so. But one in particular especially agitates the simmering fear. It is the culprit more than all of the other reasons combined for the building anxiety today.

Before we address that reason for fear of things to come, let’s look at the many other causes that make fear levels rise across the nation and world. Those causes involve myriad issues and events. We and others who consider our times in light of Bible prophecy continually attempt to analyze those matters and present our findings to anyone and everyone who will stop, look, and listen.

For the masses of humanity in third-world regions, such as vast areas of Africa, Asia, and other bleak places, panic is a daily search for the next bite of food and swallow of untainted water. We see the frail bodies, the distended stomachs, the flies on the faces of those whose wide, searching eyes look to the cameras filming them for their next life-sustaining morsel.

These suffering souls are not often demonstrative with their fear because their circumstances have denuded them of energy, and have robbed them of the ability to know how near to starvation they have come. The world turns a blind eye, for the most part, to the plight of these emaciated hordes. The group of people who are looking the other way too often includes even those of us who are watchmen on the wall for the signals of Christ’s return.

Starvation, nonetheless, is one of the sure signs of where this generation stands on God’s prophetic timeline. That millions of people are caught up in growing famine dramatically forewarns that the black horse of the Apocalypse will one day, perhaps soon, ride forth. But growing famine is not the greatest reason for the geometrically progressing worry around the globe.

Thinking on fear burgeoning within the civilized areas of the world, we briefly review the more familiar causes. These involve topics we’ve exhaustively examined in recent days:

Iran is on the verge of possessing nuclear weaponry. Israel can’t and won’t let this happen. The potential for war—nuclear war—breaking out in the Middle East is not just possible, but likely, considering the realities involved.

North Korea is a loose cannon that already has nuclear capability, according to some experts. Even China, its chief governor in the nation-state sense, can’t seem to control the North Korean madmen and their threats.

Strange signs in the heavens and in the planet’s atmosphere have inhabitants looking up with growing fear of what’s coming on the earth. Consider the recent sudden appearance of the inexplicable drone swarms.

Terrorists threaten to blow up things and kill people in every part of the world. New York and other major American cities and their large, densely congregated populations are in the bull’s eye for attack by terrorists with possibly horrific weapons, including those that are nuclear, biological, and chemical

The United States of America daily experiences assaults from within, chipping away at individual rights and national sovereignty. The US Constitution is under perpetual assault, and the system of checks and balances is out the window. Congress shrinks from its responsibility to the American people, while there is observably a power grab of unprecedented proportions. Morality plummets, while entertainment madness infects old and young alike, taking thoughts of preserving the republic far from the citizenry. U.S. leadership in economy, diplomacy, and most every other category is on the skids. Corporate America has become a sick, dying entity—thanks to elected officials who seem intent on the government owning/running private enterprise. By their constant striving to meld the American economy with the socialist economic structures of Europe, they are destroying this nation—whether wittingly or not. These, by running up multi-trillion dollar deficits, are giving away hope for future generations to know the prosperity of past generations of Americans. The neo-Babel builders herd America’s great wealth, technology, and influence toward end-times Babylon—the long-anticipated New World Order.

The leaderships of most top-tier nations are violating at every turn God’s prescription for interacting with His chosen nation, Israel. The world’s diplomatic community, of course, has no idea of the prophetic ramifications of dealing treacherously with Israel, so it has no qualms about trying to force a peace that can never truly be made this side of Christ’s Second Advent. However, there is a sense of extreme danger that even the international community of nations feels in dealing with Israel and its enemies in the “Roadmap to Peace” plan. Most fearful of all—from the perspective of those of us who watch the stage-setting for biblically prophetic things to come—is the fact that the church as a whole is oblivious to America’s dealing treacherously with Israel. Most in this late hour, in fact, think the church has replaced Israel as inheritor of God’s promises given to the people of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Today, much of the church is in total prophetic ignorance, and is so fat, lazy, and lethargic that I almost wonder if she can be lifted at the Rapture, even by the Lord Jesus.

All of the foregoing, however, does not account in total for the almost tangible fear about the future. The one, all-encompassing reason for the fear that is driving people to look anxiously at what’s ahead for themselves and their children is the spirit that pervades this generation of earth-dwellers. It is the spirit of Antichrist.

The world has cast God aside. This has been happening in the US since 1963, when prayer, Bible-reading, and things of a religious nature—meaning Christianity—were suppressed in public schools. Today, the crops sown in that decade are being reaped in the generation that saw American leaders assassinated, its economy bankrupted, a war that eventually took 50,000 American lives, and a drug culture develop that continues to plague the nation.

To deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh to seek and save the lost is to invite another one to step in and fill the void that exists when attempts are made to keep God out. We have seen and heard the raves, like for example back during the 2008 presidential election, with media using words like “messiah” and “savior” to describe the type of adulation attributed to a political candidate. One day, the one called “the Beast” will step into the spotlight of end-times history to fulfill the role of that long-prophesied Man of Sin.

Because Christ is denied, fear terminally infects all of humankind today. It is an insanity born of Christ-rejection. It is the development of reprobate spiritual dementia in a world of people ripe for God’s judgment:

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28).

There is an antidote for the madness that infects humanity in these end of days:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Jesus Christ is the antidote to the fear-insanity rampant today. He is coming to above earth soon to call all believers to Himself in the Rapture. —Perhaps today!

Here is how to hear that call and go to Him and not be left behind to suffer the worst time of all human history.

That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

Facing The New Year

By Nathele Graham - https://www.raptureready.com/2025/01/04/facing-the-new-year-by-nathele-graham/

The world keeps turning, and time keeps passing. Once again, we are facing a new year. I can honestly say that I’m surprised that the Rapture hasn’t happened yet. All things happen according to God’s timing, and His prophecy will be fulfilled. We cannot know the exact timing of all that’s waiting to be fulfilled, but we can be sure that it will all happen. Could some major prophetic events happen in 2025? Absolutely.

There have been some amazing things that happened in 2024 that seem to be setting the stage for more events to be fulfilled. I am fascinated by Biblical prophecy, but let me say that I’m not an expert. I watch, study, and speculate, but there are many very excellent prophecy teachers who are worth listening to.

The events of October 7, 2023, set in motion a domino effect of events that have rocked the world. It’s no surprise that Israel should be in the prophetic eye. The Muslim world is under the mistaken opinion that they have rights to the possession of Jerusalem. Jerusalem belongs to Israel, given to them by God Himself. The lack of peace in the Middle East is a result of this dispute. It’s somewhat like the battle between David and Goliath. God was with David, just as He is with Israel. Goliath should have given up, as should the Muslim world. Scripture is clear that this dispute is to be expected, and the whole world will be troubled.

“The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:1-2a).

If you’ve paid attention to the recent events in Israel and the surrounding nations, you will see this “cup of trembling” in the war that has engulfed Israel and her neighbors. God will not allow Israel to be uprooted from their land.

As I watch the victories Israel has had over the enemy, I can only see God’s supernatural hand leading Israel in the fight. I pray for the leaders in Israel to not take pride in their victories but to systematically follow God’s leading and continue to be protected by Him. As the enemies fall, one by one, I can see other prophecies soon to be fulfilled.

“The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap“ (Isaiah 17:1).

It’s an interesting truth that the word “Hamas” is a Hebrew word that is defined as “violence, wrong, cruelty, and injustice.” I do believe that the hard-fought victories Israel has won will ultimately lead to a false sense of peace.

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).

Will this peace come with the defeat of their neighbors who hate them? Will it come in 2025? Only God knows the hour, but many prophecies seem to be coming together quickly.

It also seems as if the players in the Ezekiel 38 war are being set in place. “And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:1-3).

There have been various interpretations as to the identity of Gog and Magog, but many scholars believe this refers to Russia. It could very well be that the war in Ukraine will open the way for Russia to ease into war with Israel. Iran and Russia seem to have a mutual “need” to destroy Israel. Russia does have many alliances in the Middle East. Syria, for instance. The evil Assad regime in Syria was recently defeated, and Assad fled to Russia. It actually seems as if the entire world is against Israel. Gog will eventually come against Israel.

“And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled Villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates” (Ezekiel 38:11).

It may soon come to pass that Israel will feel very safe and secure as if there’s no threat to their peace and safety.

It seems as if prophecy is well on its way to fulfillment. Is this all making way for the so-called Anti-Christ? It certainly looks that way. In Daniel chapter 8, we read about a very strong and fierce ruler that will rise.

“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. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people” (Daniel 8:23-24).

This is one of those dual fulfillment prophecies. The “near” fulfillment was by Antiochus, a very evil and wicked man. The far fulfillment will be seen in the Anti-Christ. His power will come from Satan. He will be very deceptive.

“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand” (Daniel 8:25).

He will be deceitful and usher in a false peace. “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” (Daniel 9:27).

This evil ruler will enforce a covenant for seven years (one week of years). What covenant? One that will bring peace. Also, somehow, the Jewish temple will be allowed to be rebuilt. I’m very interested in the red heifers, which are required to cleanse the Temple. Halfway through the seven years, the Anti-Christ will show his true colors. He will stop the sacrifice and oblation and defile the Temple. Evil, pure evil. His evil reign will cover all the world. As I see Artificial Intelligence becoming more and more a part of society and hear of chip implants being talked about more and more, I can only think that we are being set up for the Mark of the beast.

In Revelation 6, we read about the Lamb (Jesus) opening the seals and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse riding out to spread destruction and evil on the entire world. The first rider is the Anti-Christ.

“I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2).

This rider doesn’t bring peace, and the crown he is given is a stephanos, which is not a crown of a king. There are many people who seem to have a plan for peace in the Middle East. It will happen, but it will be a false peace. True peace will only come when the Jewish people as a nation recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah and call on Him. Following the rise of the Anti-Christ, there will be a reign of terror. God’s wrath will be poured out, and all pretense of peace and safety will disappear. The blessing for all Christians is that we won’t be here to suffer God’s wrath. The Rapture will happen first. John was given the Revelation and he saw the Rapture happen prior to the opening of the seals.

“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne” (Revelation 4:1-2).

What follows is a description of what we will see when we get to Heaven. It isn’t until chapter 6 and the opening of the seals that we see the evil happenings on Earth. Christians are saved by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He suffered and died for our salvation so we won’t face God’s wrath.

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Be sure you have truly given your life to Christ, and repent of your sins.

Will all of this happen in 2025? It could. Prophecy seems to be moving forward very quickly. I hope it does. Do your own study and come to your own conclusions. No matter what, don’t delay in accepting God’s free gift of salvation. Even if the Rapture doesn’t happen this year, it will happen. The scenario I’ve laid out may take many years to fulfill. Don’t deceive yourself; we are all mortal, and many will die prior to the Rapture. Don’t take chances with eternity. Accept Christ today.

Don’t face the New Year without Jesus.

God bless you all

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

Daily Jot: The growing idea of execution without being charged

Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com

In the 1900s, communism was responsible for killing over 100 million people. Russian dictator Joesph Stalin killed more than 20 million of his own people. Fidel Castro killed more than 11,000 of his own people on the small island of Cuba. We all know what fascist (cousin of communism) Adolf Hitler did to the Jews. The justification of killing people just because one disagrees with them is a hallmark of statist regimes. Death is the bread that feeds Marxist, communist, socialist, fascist revolution. This is why the summary execution of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 last year is so very disturbing. Democrats and leftists are raising money and supporting his alleged executioner, Luigi Mangione.

There are many examples of these leftists coming out of the woodwork to hero-worship Mangione. One was University of Pennsylvania professor Julia Alekseyeva, who, according to the NY Post, goes by “The Soviette,” refers to herself as a “socialist and ardent anti-fascist” on her website, described Mangione as “the icon we all need and deserve,” on her Instagram. The Post also reported that Columbia University professor Anthony Zenkus, in an X post that amassed more than 7 million views said, “Today, we mourn the death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, gunned down…. wait, I’m sorry – today we mourn the deaths of the 68,000 Americans who needlessly die each year so that insurance company execs like Brian Thompson can become multimillionaires…” There were even defense funds set up online through major fundraising sites.

Ben Johnson, writing for The Washington Stand observed: “Perhaps no contemporary development better illustrates America’s replacement of Christianity with a secular progressive mindset than the campaign to turn Luigi Mangione – a cold-blooded, far-Left murderer – into a folk hero and sex symbol. Mangione gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan on December 4, leaving behind shell casings inscribed with the words “depose,” “defend,” and “deny.” Breitbart reported that “42-year-old Briana Boston of Lakeland, allegedly called BlueCross BlueShield in response to a recent medical claim being denied and issued a threat echoing the UnitedHealthcare CEO killer’s words. “Delay, deny, depose. You people are next,” she allegedly said to the company over the phone.”

Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz posted on X “and people wonder why we want these executives dead” and went on to write about how insurance companies will not pay the full amount for anesthesia if the surgery takes longer than expected. Breitbart reported that a pro-democrat Facebook page mocked people “upset” that Luigi Mangione has been turned into a “hero.” These are very disturbing examples of the revolutionary Marxist philosophy of equivocating justice with executing people not of the same mindset. It is why America is a republic ruled by law. Christ said in Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” This end time prophecy becomes clearer as evidenced by the disturbing idea that Thompson deserved execution without trial or even being charged of a crime.

Daily Devotion: Everything Points to Jesus

by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org

But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. —John 5:36

https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/everything-points-to-jesus/ - Listen

Jesus returned to Jerusalem to observe the holy days at the temple. While He was there, He passed the pool of Bethesda, a place of hope and despair. The waters of the pool seem to have had a healing effect. Many people believed that an angel occasionally came down to stir the waters. And the first person who entered the pool after the waters had been stirred would be cured of their ailment.

That explains why crowds of sick, blind, disabled, and paralyzed people gathered on the five porches that surrounded the pool. They each hoped for a miraculous healing. One man had been disabled for 38 years. But since he had no one to help him into the water, he had no hope for healing. Or so he thought.

With one sentence in verse 8—“Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (NLT)—Jesus changed his life forever. The man was healed instantly. He picked up his mat and walked away. Only to be busted moments later by the Jewish religious leaders.

It turns out that the healing had taken place on the Sabbath. And in Jewish culture, there were all kinds of rules about what people could and couldn’t do on the Sabbath.

So when the religious leaders saw this man who had been disabled for four decades suddenly walking, the first thing they wanted to know was . . . why he was carrying a mat on the Sabbath.

And when the man identified Jesus as the One who had healed him, the Sabbath police went after Him. They didn’t express awe over Jesus’ healing power. They didn’t praise Him for His compassion and concern. Instead, they harassed Him for breaking their Sabbath rules.

These hypocritical religious leaders, with their misplaced priorities, were so concerned about Jesus’ growing influence that they started looking for reasons to have Him put to death. Jesus gave them everything they needed and more.

He referred to God as “My Father,” which was the same as calling Himself equal with God. He pointed out that everything He said and did had God’s blessing. That meant His words were God’s truth. He claimed the power of judgment over everyone. He made it clear that anyone who didn’t honor Him—including the Sabbath-obsessed religious leaders—didn’t honor God, who sent Him.

Jesus told them that the power of eternal life rested with Him. And that He was carrying out the will of His Father. So anyone who opposed Him opposed God’s will.

He reminded the religious leaders that they had taken John the Baptist seriously—and John the Baptist’s entire ministry was built on testifying that Jesus was the Son of God. And then He pointed out that the religious leaders revered Moses and his law—and Moses had written about Him (Jesus) centuries before.

The truth that Jesus’ enemies couldn’t wrap their heads around still gives us assurance and confidence today: Every reliable witness testifies that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior.

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"Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey

1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack.

2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others.

3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know.

4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update.

I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks!

Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13

If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to:

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Or write us at:

Prophecy Update

P.O. Box 40516

Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516