We’ve just come through the Jewish holiday of Purim. Most Christians give no thought to Jewish holidays, which is sad because many of them are days of rememberance which tell the history of God’s chosen people.
Purim is the celebration of the Persian Jews’ deliverance from the wicked Haman. He had devised a plan to destroy all the Jews out of the land on a certain day. He had a gallows built which he planned to hang Esther’s adopted father, Mordecai, on because he refused to bow to him, but only to God. When Mordecai learned of the plan, he sent word to Queen Esther in the palace, and instructed her to go before the king. After some persuasion, and a period of prayer and fasting, Esther dared to go before King Ahasuerus without being summoned to plead for the lives of her people.
“Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.“ (Esther 4:15-16)
Esther won the king’s favor, and the Jews across Persia were given authority to fight back on the day Haman had chosen to wipe them out. For good measure, the king granted a second day to be certain they were avenged of their adversaries.
There was great celebration throughout the land. Oh, and Haman? He was hung on the gallows he had built to hang Mordecai on.
“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (Esther 7:10)
Present Day
Every year for over 2,500 years, the Jewish people all over the world celebrate Purim, remembering their deliverance from the wicked Persian Haman’s plan of destruction.This year’s Purim celebrations on March 2nd through 3rd were a bit extra.
As it turns out, the same demonic prince of Persia who influenced Haman all those years ago has been planning the destruction of the Jewish people once again. Persia is modern day Iran, and the government of Iran has worked tirelessly to destroy the Jewish people for decades. For almost fifty years they have been very vocal and unapologetic in calling America the big satan, and Israel the little satan. Vowing time and again to wipe both nations off the face of the map.
The Iranian government has not ceased in its attacks of the Jewish people, and has continually used terrorists proxy groups to do their bidding, creating what is known as the “Ring of Fire” surrounding the nation. I will point out here that Israel is a very small country, and without God’s protection, would indeed be wiped out.
Purim 2026
Regardless of whether we agree or disagree with the Israeli and American joint military action against Iran, it is very interesting to note that it was actively being carried out on Purim 2026. On the exact dates that Jewish people around the world were celebrating Purim, their government was fighting with the same geopolitical government from those 2,500 years ago. It is said that history repeats itself, and it does seem so in this respect.
I also find the following scriptures interesting as they seem to prophecy the downfall of the Iranian government, and the captivity of Elam (modern day Iran) being turned back to God. We know there are underground Christians works in Iran, who will hopefully be able to worship the One True Living God publicly soon.
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the Lord; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:
And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the Lord.
But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the Lord.“ (Jeremiah 49:34-39)
Hope The Future
The terrorist regime that has controlled Iran for almost fifty years has greatly oppressed and tortured the wonderful people of this nation. I pray a new government will come into power that will allow these precious people to thrive -living, working, and worshipping in the Light of Truth.
Sadly, we know that at some point satan will once again reign over Iran because it (biblical Persia) is listed as one of the nations that will come against Israel at the Battle of Armageddon. Until then, however, we pray for the protection and peace of the citizens of Iran, and for many souls to come to know the Lord.
”And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Revelation 11:3)
Scripture speaks of two witnesses who will appear on the end time scene, and preach during the last three and one half years before Jesus returns. Throughout history, God has tasked men and women to preach and prophecy to the nation of Israel, warning them to turn to God with their whole hearts in order to avoid impending judgment. These two men will operate in the same fashion as prophets of old.
The Time Period
The number of days that these witnesses will preach is 1,360 days. This coincides with the final three and one half years before Jesus returns called the Great Tribulation. In the near future, there will be a 7 year covenant (peace agreement) signed which will allow for the building of the third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Both Jews and Muslims will worship on this holy site, which can hardly be comprehended, knowing the violent history of these two groups. From the time the covenant is signed, there will be seven final years before Jesus returns.
There will be “peace” for the first three and one half years of this final seven year period. At the midpoint of these seven years, however, the two witnesses’ ministry will be launched when an event we call the abomination of desolation takes place. This event is when the antichrist will step into the newly built Jewish Temple, stop the daily animal sacrifices, and proclaim himself to be God, or the anointed one, messiah for all peoples. This event will trigger the three and one half year Great Tribulation, and God’s two witnesses will begin their final ministry of preaching to the Jewish people in Jerusalem, encouraging them to turn to God with their whole hearts, and be born again according to Acts 2:38.
What Will They Preach?
Unlike prophets of the Old Testament who didn’t live under the New Covenant, these two men will no doubt be Born Again of water and Spirit. They will preach Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, of course. They will be witnesses of the New Birth message of Jesus Christ, patterned in the Book of Acts. It is the only true salvation message of the New Testament.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
A Powerful Ministry
Their ministry will be power packed with signs, wonders and miracles. This is God’s final attempt to get the attention of the Jewish people, and whosoever will come to him in this last harvest. The two witnesses will have His supernatural protection until their ministry is accomplished.
“And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” (Revelation 11:5-6)
Elijah, Enoch Or Moses?
Perhaps we should approach the identity of the two witnesses by talking about who they cannot be. Many people think the two witnesses will be either Elijah and Enoch, or Elijah and Moses. There are several reasons for this line of thinking.
ELIJAH?
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6)
Since Elijah is most often mentioned as a candidate for one of the two witnesses, let’s begin with him. As you can see from the above scripture, there is good reason to suspect the fiery prophet to be one of the two witnesses, except for these two things.
1. Jesus explained to His disciples that this prophecy referred to John the Baptist, and that he had already come. The prophecy was fulfilled when John came in the spirit of Elijah. John carried the same anointing as the Old Testament prophet Elijah.
“But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” (Matthew 17:12-13)
Jesus does precede this statement by pointing to a future time when Elijah will come. This could mean that one or both of the two witnesses will come in the spiritual anointing of Elijah just as John the Baptist did according to the precedent that had already been set.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.“ (Matthew 17:10-11)
2. Elijah was taken up into Heaven in a fiery chariot. People refer to this to say that Elijah never actually died, so he can come back as one of the two witnesses. I would point out that no unregenerate flesh will enter into Heaven. The only way people go to Heaven is in their new, sinless bodies. Knowing this, Elijah must have experienced the same change from mortality to immortality that we will experience at the time of the rapture. That being said, Elijah is already in his immortal body, and since the two witnesses are killed at the end of their three and one half year ministry, Elijah is removed from the candidate list.
ENOCH?
The argument for Enoch being one of the two witnesses is the same as for Elijah. He pleased God so much that God took him on to Heaven without experiencing death. Again, I would point out that even though Enoch didn’t experience death as we know it, he must have experienced the change from mortality to immortality in order to be taken into the heavenly realm. He cannot put back on mortality as if it’s a garment to be one of the two witnesses.
“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.“ (Genesis 5:24)
MOSES?
The argument for Moses being one of the two witnesses is that when Moses died, God Himself buried him. Later, it is recorded that satan apparently wanted the body of Moses, and the archangel Gabriel withstood him.
The deceased body of this mighty prophet and deliverer was a hot commodity to both God and satan. Why would that be? God loved this man dearly. He spoke to Moses face to face as with a friend. He took care to not let his body fall into the hands of those who would misuse it. If the Israelites had his body, they would likely build a shrine and idolize it. If satan had his body, he would likely possess it to be worshipped. God made sure neither of these options were possible.
“So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.” (Deuteronomy 34:5-6)
“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.“ (Jude 9)
MOSES & ELIJAH?
The last combination I’ll mention is that of Moses & Elijah being the two witnesses. When Jesus was transformed in the presence of his disciples on the mountain, Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. The disciples noted that these two great prophets of old were conversing with Jesus, and spoke specifically of his coming death. This is so incredibly interesting.
God raised these two faithful men up for a short time, and interacted with them. As for why Moses was allowed this time with Jesus, it can be assumed that because he wasn’t allowed to go into the Promise Land during his life, Jesus allowed him stand and see it in his spirit body.
I’ll point out here that These two men were in their immortal bodies. They had both experienced the change from mortality to immortality. While God did raise them up for a short while, presumably a few minutes of conversation, they cannot die again. Therefore, they cannot be the two witnesses of the end time.
“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.” (Matthew 17:1-3)
So Who Are They???
Why is it easier to believe that God will raise someone from the dead to fulfill this ministry in the last days, rather than to believe He will use two men of God who are alive right now? Every minister is called to their own generation. The end time church is made up of One God, Apostolic, Jesus Name, Holy Ghost Filled, Tongue Talking, Holiness individuals. The two witnesses of the book of Revelation will be two of those people.
They will walk the streets of Jerusalem proclaiming the New Testament plan of salvation. Acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Messiah. Repent. Be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins. Receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues. Turn to God with all your hearts. Live holy.
This is the message of the New Testament End Time Church. This will be the message of God’s two witnesses during those final three and one half years.
Killed, Resurrected & Raptured
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” (Revelation 11:7-8)
And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.“ (Revelation 11:11-12)
When they have finished their ministry, they will be killed, and will lay in the streets of Jerusalem for three and one half days. But after this, God will bring life back into their bodies, and they will be caught up into Heaven.
…This sounds familiar…
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.“ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
This is the Rapture, or Catching Away of the Church. The resurrection and ascension of the two witnesses is not an isolated event. They are resurrected and caught up to be with Jesus at the same time as the saints of all the ages. Now we also know the timing of the Rapture of the Church.
In Summary
The two witnesses are not ethereal spirit beings or Old Testament prophets risen from the dead. They will be born again saints in the modern New Testament Church, preaching the same message that has been preached since the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two.
Are they alive today? I’d say it’s likely.
Do they realize who they are? I’d say it’s beginning to dawn on them.
How can we help them? Begin praying for them daily even though you don’t know their names.
End Time Revival
The two witnesses’ ministry will be in Jerusalem, but there will be great harvest of souls from all around the world in the last days. The whole Church will be involved in this great revival. I pray that you are born again, sold out to Truth, and willing to be His witness during this last great push for souls before Jesus returns to set up His earthly Kingdom.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:10-14)
We’ve all heard this phrase. It’s almost always spoken concerning sports teams. I’m personally not a big sports fan. However, my children did play sports in school, and they enjoyed the process. Although I never developed a love for sports, I did learn to appreciate seeing my kids do what they had trained for on the court. Neither of them pursued sports after graduation, and I wasn’t sad about that.
BENEFITS OF BEING PART OF A TEAM
I’ve paid attention to the many compelling arguments for being part of a team. Here are the benefits I’ve heard the most:
-Character Building.
-Boosts Confidence
-Learning To Work Together
-Teaches Leadership
-Teaches Accountability
-Promotes Working Toward a Common Goal
-Learn To Trust, and Be Trustworthy
-Finishing What You Start
-Being Part Of Something Bigger Than Yourself
THE GREATEST TEAM
“And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27)
These are worthy lessons, for sure, and describe exactly what the greatest team of all teaches. What is The Greatest Team? I’m glad you asked. The greatest team of all is The Church, of course!
That’s right. The majority of benefits promoted as reasons to join a sports team are actually the very ideals taught by the Church. Sadly, many quit the Church in order to pursue team sports.
BENEFITS OF BEING PART OF THE CHURCH
Let’s break down each one of the above lessons, and see how they pertain to church life.
-Character Building
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.“ (2 Peter 1:5-8)
-Boosts Confidence
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)
-Learning To Work Together
”Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.“ (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
-Teaches Leadership
”Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
-Teaches Accountability
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
-Promotes Working Toward a Common Goal
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)
-Learn To Trust, and Be Trustworthy
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
-Finishing What You Start
”And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)
-Being Part Of Something Bigger Than Yourself
”But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
DON’T BE A QUITTER!
The Church of the Living God is the best thing going. Actually, it’s the only thing going…to Heaven. Sports may be entertaining, and offer a measure of benefits on this side of eternity. However, if it causes you to quit the greatest team of all time, how is it truly beneficial?
”Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43)
“When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
I was shocked recently when well known influencer and podcaster, Candace Owens, declared without hesitation or embarrassment that she has participated in astral projection. This is a practice where a person allegedly leaves their physical body, and travels in spirit/astral form to other locations. She admitted to being shocked when she found out this wasn’t something other people normally did.
Mrs. Owens has a massive following, and wields influence over a vast number of individuals. When I began to think of every person who listened to this particular podcast, and how many of those people probably did an internet search on the topics she mentioned (as I did), I was extremely disturbed.
Oh, and she also claims to be a Christian…Wait, What?!
Because of her influence, how many people not only searched to find out what astral projection means, but now think there is nothing wrong with a Christian pursuing such an activity? Be assured, astral projection should not be pursued by Christians, and is one of many entrance ramps into the spirit world.
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Just because something is spiritual, doesn’t mean it’s holy. The spiritual realm is made up of both holy and unholy spirits. God’s holy angels work to help His people, and war against evil. satan’s unholy angels (demons) work to hinder God’s people, and war against everything holy and righteous.
Without being grounded in the Word of God, a person can have a spiritual experience, and be deceived into thinking it is a holy pursuit.
Unholy activities that satan uses as entrance ramps to his occult realm are often promoted as harmless, fun, child’s play or a simple quest for knowledge. Listed below are a few activities associated with the occult.
DIVINATION (To seek hidden knowledge or know the future in supernatural ways other than by God’s Holy Spirit)
-Numerology
-Palm Readers
-Fortune Tellers
-Astrology/Horoscopes
-Tarot Cards
-Crystal Balls
-Hypnosis
WITCHCRAFT/SORCERY (Attempting to influence events or people by supernatural ways outside of God’s Holy Spirit.)
-Casting Spells On People
-Making Potions
-VooDoo Dolls
-Magic
COMMUNICATION WITH SPIRITS (Attempting to contact spirits or people who have died.)
-Ouija Boards
-Necromancy
-Mediums/Familiar spirits
-Channeling
-Seances
SATANISM (Highest level of the occult world)
-Blood Rituals & Sacrifices
-Curses
-Invoking Demons
PRACTICES USED TO FACILITATE SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Often promoted as harmless)
-Spirit Guides/Animal Guides/Familiars
-Astral Projection
-Remote Viewing
-The Third Eye
-Automatic Writing
-The Belief In Reincarnation/Past Lives
-Aligning of Chakra
-Secret Clubs & Organizations (Fraternities & Sororities being at the forefront.
-Centers & Programs used to locate and mentor Highly Intelligent Individuals
-Institutions of Higher Learning (This is not to insinuate that young people should not attend college. They should, however, be grounded in Truth, and have a plan they are working toward so that they are not caught up in occult beliefs and practices.)
-Holidays such as Halloween
-Movies Promoting Any of These Activities
!!!WARNING!!!
The enemy of your soul doesn’t care how he gains access to, and control over, your life. He uses his fallen angels to get you interested in any one of these activities. He then reassures you over time they are apparently harmless. Once a person figures out what they’ve really gotten themselves into, they are in too deep to simply walk away without intense spiritual warfare.
If you are involved with any of these activities, please see them for what they are, repent, and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word with all your heart.
I was continuing my daily bible reading in the book of Job. As I started chapter 32, I had to go back and start over. Verse 3 stopped me.
“Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.” (Job 32:3)
Wait. What?
I’ve read the Bible through 30+ times, and have never realized there were FOUR men other than Job in the story.
…This is embarrassing, and convicting. I’m silently hoping I’m not the only one…
I really have no defense. I’ve heard and read statements over and over about Job’s three miserable comforters, which they were. But that catch phrase became part of the foundation of my knowledge of Job’s story. I never even realized a fourth man entered the story.
My lack of knowledge is due to the fact that I never studied deep enough to pull all the names of the characters out and learn them individually.
Here they are just in case you thought there were only three, as well:
-Eliphaz the Temanite
-Bildad the Shuhite
-Zophar the Naamathite
-AND Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite!
The Living Word
We never reach a point that we stop studying the Word of God. Even stories we have read countless times still hold unlimited nuggets of truth. God’s Word is alive, and is ever revealing, layer upon layer. There’s always a need and a way to study deeper.
If we are satisfied with a superficial knowledge of the Word of God, that’s easily obtained with a quick read through. But if we want to know the deep things buried in the Word of God, it requires digging deeper, and mining them out.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.“ (2 Timothy 2:15)
“And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:24-25)
The most commonly accepted version of the dinosaur story is that they existed millions of years ago, and became extinct when a massive asteroid hit the earth. This viewpoint is one of the foundational “doctrines” of the theory of evolution.
The obvious problem for Christians believing this theory is that it does not align with the creation account in the Word of God. The biblical account declares that God created the earth and everything (This would include dinosaurs.) in it in six days, and rested on the seventh.
Following the generational accounts in scripture, we also know that the earth is a young 6,000 years old. We are presently living on the brink of the beginning of the seventh thousand year period since creation, which will be the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ.
Either God’s Word is true, or the theory of evolution is true. Both accounts cannot be true. Christians must stand on the validity of the Word of God. Thankfully, there are plenty of scriptures to confirm the Genesis account of creation
The book of Job has a chapter and a half where God Himself describes two creatures living alongside Job which seem to be perfect candidates for dinosaurs. He calls them Behemoth and Leviathan.
Behemoth
“Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.” (Job 40:15)
Behemoth was a land animal so strong and mighty that he had no worries. His tail was like a mighty cedar. His bones were like bars of iron. The mountains provided him food. He was able to drink up the river. The strength of his nose could pierce through any obstruction.
Many view this beast as an ox or a hippo, but God says in verse 15 that “he eateth grass as an ox.” This same verse declares that God made this creature with Job.
Leviathan
“Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?” (Job 41:1)
You might still come to the conclusion that Behemoth was simply very large, strong, unnamed animal. When we keep reading into chapter 41, however, God begins describing a similar creature whose characteristics simply cannot be ignored, or attributed to any known animal.
Leviathan was a sea creature who dominated the waters. The Lord begins his description of this powerful animal by asking a question that reveals what folly it would be in attempting to fish for him. Here are a few of his characteristics. You’re going to love this!
-His teeth are terrible (Job 41:14)
-His scales are his pride, and so close together and sealed up that no air can get between them, and they can’t be pulled apart. (Job 41:15-17)
Fire-breathing Dragon?
“By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. (Job 41:18)
The word neesings means sneezes. However, it doesn’t mean normal sneezing because the only place the word sneeze is found in the Bible is 2 Kings 4:35 when Elisha brought a boy back to life, and he “sneezed seven times. This word sneeze is not the same original word as nessings. Apparently, neesings are different than normal sneezes, and verse 18 tells us the difference. Neesing sneezes apparently are accompanied by light.
“Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.” (Job 41:19)
Here we see light coming from his mouth, accompanied by sparks and fire.
“Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.” (Job 41:20)
Smoke comes out of his nose.
“His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.” (Job 41:21)
His breath can actually set things on fire with a flame that shoots out of his mouth.
…I hope you’re as amazed by this creature as I am! Could it be that all of the “mythical” stories of fire-breathing dragons actually refer to type of dinosaurs? I think, yes.
Did Dinosaurs Even Even Exist?
Dinosaurs absolutely existed. Paleontologists and archaeologists have found many dinosaur fossils, proving their existence. The question isn’t really if they existed, but when.
It seems to be easier for people to falsely believe dinosaurs existed millions of years ago, than it is to simply believe the Word of God. Dinosaurs were created on the sixth day of creation, and lived alongside mankind.
Dinosaurs On The Ark
But wait…Wouldn’t that mean there were dinosaurs on the ark??? Yes. That’s exactly what it means.
“And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.” (Genesis 6:19-20)
Most people can’t wrap their minds around the fact that dinosaurs were indeed on the ark. How would there be enough room for something so big?
Please notice the use of the word KIND in the previous verses. Animals on the ark were divided by kinds. This means there weren’t two Labrador Retreivers and two Poodles on the ark. There were two of the dog kind, probably more similar to what we know as wolves. All of the other breeds came from the original kind that were on the ark.
The same can be said for dinosaurs. Only two of each dinosaur kind would have been on the ark.
Still, they were SO BIG. The animals on the ark would most likely have been in their youth. They were, after all, the foundation stock of all future animals. They would have been much smaller than full-grown counterparts.
Taking these two points into consideration, only two of each kind, and only young specimens, we’re much more able to see how dinosaurs fit on the ark right along with all the other animals.
In Summary
We need to realize the theory of evolution is just that. A theory. As Christians, we are called to believe the Word of God. God’s Word declares everything was created in six days, and this would include dinosaurs.
These magnificent creatures were not created as man-eating beasts, but lived alongside humans. They did not go extinct from a meteor crashing to the earth millions of years ago. Most dinosaurs perished in the world-wide flood, the same as every other animal and human that were not on the ark. This can be verified by vast deposits of dinosaur fossils of various kinds, gathered in one place. This is exactly what we would expect to find as remains from a world-wide flood.
Two of every dinosaur kind was on the ark, and came off the ark. When we look at modern reptiles such as alligators, crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, lizards (all of which can grow to massive sizes), we are likely seeing the smaller versions of dinosaurs. Of course, many have become extinct, as have other animal species since the flood. Many in our lifetime.
Please study the Word of God for yourself, and don’t trust in theories that don’t align with scripture even though they are pushed in modern education.
For more information on the biblical flood, visit The Ark Encounter! It is truly amazing.
Have you asked yourself that question? Or do you push the thought to the back of your mind, hoping it’ll all work out? Lest you think I’m a doomsdayist, I live on the east side of the New Madrid fault line. In 1811-1812, there were a series of earthquakes along the fault so severe the Mississippi River flowed backwards for days, creating what we now know as Reelfoot Lake.
There is a better than average chance of a similar instance occurring again. This time in much more populated areas.
I also live in what we fondly call “Tornado Alley.” Our home which we built seventeen years ago, has been nicked by tornados twice, and narrowly missed on multiple occasions.
Only a few years ago, a neighboring town was all but destroyed by a local flood. Many people lost their lives. Some never recovered financially, physically, emotionally or spiritually.
These facts, and a looming snow/ice event in the weather forecast, cause me to spend a bit of time thinking about the next natural disaster. I don’t live in fear, and that’s absolutely NOT what this post is intended for. I do, however, think we should be some level of prepared.
With all of that having been said, Here a some things to think about.
1. Make certain you are right with God. This means being born again according to Acts 2:38, and living a lifestyle that aligns with His Word. If you are genuinely born again, whatever else happens out of your control is secondary of importance.
”Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
2. Make sure you are where you are suppose to be. By this I mean pray sincerely, and ask the Lord if you are living, working, raising your family and attending church where He desires you to be. In a natural disaster, or other traumatic event, location matters. Your basic needs will be the same, but access to meeting those needs will be very different depending on where you live.
3. Cultivate strong relationships with your family and church family. Get to know your neighbors. You’re going to need them. You might be considering holding up in your basement with tons of ammo, peanut butter & crackers and bottled water. I advise against that. In traumatic circumstances, people will come, and as Christians, we are called to help one another. If you haven’t watched the Angel Studio film, Homestead, I suggest you do so.
4. Learn To Pray & Fast. Teach your children and grandchildren to pray & fast.
5. Community is important. One family can’t realistically save enough food and supplies for years. Neighbors can bind together, form a co-op system, and help one another.
Two Upcoming Events
If you have read this far, then you’ve probably realized I’m not only referring to the threat of natural disasters. There are two future events prophecied in the Bible that we should prepare for.
1. The 6th Trumpet War or what we refer to as World War III. This war is coming, and it will be nuclear. There will be a catastrophic loss of life. Scripture says one third of mankind will be killed. No matter how much America is involved, or not involved, in this war, lifestyles will change overnight. Basic necessities that we take for granted now (even though expensive), may be completely out of reach.
“Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.” (Revelation 9:14-15)
2. The Tribulation. This period will last three and one half years. At some point in the near future, the antichrist will confirm a seven year covenant. This will allow for a “peace” agreement between the Israelis and the Palestians, and create a two state sharing agreement for the Temple Mount. Construction on the Jews 3rd Temple will begin, and animal sacrifices will resume. At the hallway point of the seven year period, the antichrist will step into the Temple, stop the sacrifices, and proclaim himself to be God (Messiah). This event is known as the Abomination of Desolation, and will trigger the three and one half years tribulation period.
”For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
Practical Preparations
After either of these events happen, life will be changed. We will go from frivolous pastimes to focusing on basic life necessities. What will your family need to have those basic needs met? Here a a few to think about:
-Water. Many people would think about food first. However, the body can go many days without food, but only a few days without water. Everyone should have a flat of bottled water on hand, but let’s face it, that will only last a few days to a week at best. Do you have a well? Do you live near a stream, river, pond or lake? Remember to boil water to kill bacteria. In a pinch, you can use 8-10 drops of unscented bleach per 1 gallon of water.
-Shelter, Blankets, Flashlights, First Aid Kit, Solar-powered radio, Generator, Extra gasoline, Propane for Grills, Soap, Disinfectants, Bleach, Lighters, Matches, Candles
-Bibles, Books, Paper, Pens & Pencils (Think old school)
-Ground Coffee & Percolator, Toilet Paper (Okay, so not essential, but as long as we’re preparing…)
-Food. I want to be very clear here. I AM NOT PROMOTING HOARDING IN ANY FORM OR FASHION! I am suggesting that you collect enough food to get your family through at least a week, up to three months. If you experience a local natural disaster, you might need a week’s worth of food. If you experience a national disaster, you might need enough food to last through a winter season.
Canned Food is great if you have room to store it. Military MREs are also an option, but take up a lot of space, and can get quite expensive. Here is what I have chosen to do.
I store dried beans and rice in gallon size Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. This is a relatively inexpensive system compared to canned food or MREs. When done properly, the food lasts up to 25 years. The process is easy. (Trust me; if I can do it, you can do it.)
Mylar Bag & Oxygen Absorbers System
You Will Need
-Dried Beans/Rice (Economical & Healthy) You can store any dried foods.
-Hot Iron to seal bags (I use an electric hair straightener. It works perfectly.)
-Tub with tight fitting lid (This keeps mice from chewing bags.)
The Process
-Purchase Dried Beans, Rice, Pasta, etc.
-Pour Into Bags
-Label Bags With Contents & Date
-Seal Bags With Hot Iron
-Store In Tub With Lid
Packed. Sealed. Labeled.
*I had all of the bags of dried beans poured up, sealed, labeled and put in the tub in about 20 minutes. Easy Peasy.
In Summary
I want to reiterate that I am not promoting hoarding. First, there is really no way to save enough food & water for three and a half years, much less all of the other supplies and essentials. Second, as I said, people will come. Are you going to deny food and basic essentials to people who are hungry? Or will you be a true Christian, showing compassion? Hard times are coming, but with them will also come great opportunities to BE THE CHURCH. Third, let’s not forget having faith in God. He will meet us at the point of our need.
”God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Warm Regards In Jesus’ Name,
-Pat
PS: If you have ideas or tips for food storage or practical supplies to add to my list, drop it in the comments.
PSS: I am not a prepper, hoarder, isolationist, panic-provoker or fear-monger. I simply think a bit of preparedness can’t hurt.
It was August of 2017 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. We were ministering at the first General Conference of the newly nationalized work. From our bird’s eye view of thegorgeous hotel overlooking the Kota Kinabalu Harbor on the China Sea, there was much to see. I was intrigued by the fishing vessels that would leave early in the morning, and return just as the sun was setting for the day.
There were many small boats that would stay close to the harbor, doing their work in shallow water. They weren’t equipped to go too far, and always kept in sight of land. They put in a hard day’s work, and probably caught enough fish to sell for the day. They were laboring to keep their families fed, but didn’t make any extra.
Then there were the ships. They were outfitted with bigger nets, and carried enough equipment and supplies to face any problems that might arise. They headed out into deep water far beyond the safety of the harbor. When they lumbered into port at the end of the day, they sat low in the water, their holds completely filled with fish. They weren’t only feeding their families for the day. They were affecting the commerce of a nation.
While watching these fishing vessels, the Lord impressed into my spirit that if I wanted to see His great works, I must choose to be like the ships, and not the boats. My first instinct was to remind Him of the obvious…I’m literally 9,000 miles away from home, overlooking the South China Sea, doing ministry. Doesn’t that make me a ship? The Lord’s silence assured me that it was going to take more than simply being willing to travel for me to be a ship, rather than a boat.
“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.” (Psalm 107:23-24)
As I considered what the Lord was revealing to me, He dropped this scripture into my mind. Such a perfect word for the object lesson He was showing me. I began to break down the passage, and noticed that even though the ships were called to go out into great waters, they first had to go down.
We all love to spend time on the mountain top, but sea level is at a much lower elevation. Revival may come on the mountain heights, but the work gets done by first going down to sea level.
The original meaning of the word business here is ministry. Many of us are willing to go and take care of spiritual business, but not all are willing to firstgo down.
To go down means that we must submit ourselves to the Spirit of God. We must get our flesh under control. We must get our self out of the way with all of its emotions, feelings, frustrations, preferences and carnal ways.
Going down is accomplished through consistent, diligent, consecrated fasting with prayer. The mountain top is where our eyes are often focused, and our hearts most desire to be. The anointed worship. The powerful Word. The comfort of unity and fellowship. Who wouldn’t prefer the spiritual heights? After all, the way down is messy, painful and we almost always have to go alone.
I feel like I have to ask…
-How hungry are you for the things of God?
-How desperate are you for a breakthrough?
-How low are you willing to go to draw closer to God?
-How many souls do you want to reach?
…Your level of fasting and prayer will answer these questions.
It is recorded in three of the gospels, Matthew 9, Mark 2 and Luke 5, of people coming to Jesus asking why the disciples of John the baptist and the Pharisees fasted often, but his own disciples didn’t fast. He explained to them that it was difficult for them to fast while He was with them daily.
He likened himself to a bridegroom. It would be unusual, and even out of place, for a wedding party to be fasting while the bridegroom was in their midst. In the presence of the bridegroom there is joy, festivity and celebration. He let them know, however, there would be a time coming when He would go away, and then fasting would become a regular activity.
Upon closer examination, we find it was actually John’s and the Pharisees’ disciples who did the asking. This lets us know that even though Jesus was walking and ministering among them, they still weren’t absolutely sure who He was. J
John’s ministry was a transitional ministry, providing a path from keeping letter of the Law of Moses out of obligation in the Old Testament to following Jesus from the heart in the New Testament. It was a time of rapidly changing thinking processes. Apparently, John himself didn’t understand well enough to explain the different way of thinking to his disciples. He only knew to point them to Jesus.
True to His Word, after Jesus rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, His disciples began to remember all He had spoken and lived before them. Along with staying full of His Spirit, prayer and fasting became the foundation for staying in constant communion with Him.
They faced terrible persecution, yet revival spread all over the known world at the time. They loved not their lives unto death. Each one of the twelve were killed for their testimony of Jesus, except for John, who history tells us was boiled in oil, refused to die, and was banished to the Isle of Patmos where he received The Revelation of Jesus Christ. They all went to their deaths with faith in their hearts, and their Lord Jesus’ name on their lips. It was the infilling of the Holy Ghost, partnered with prayer and fasting, that gave them the spiritual fortitude to stand strong all the way to the end.
For the last two thousand years, this pattern remains the source of the church’s strength. Yet, in these last days, that Jesus himself compared in wickedness to the days of Noah, we have forgotten the power of fasting. We have forgotten it’s necessity. We have forgotten where our power comes from to stand against evil, and not only to not fail, but to march forward in victory. These are the days Jesus spoke of when He declared, “…then shall they fast.”
“Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” (Matthew 9:14-15)
“And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” (Mark 2:18-20)
“And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” (Luke 5:33-35)
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench…” (Isaiah 42:3)
I purchased a three dollar potted amaryllis bulb a few weeks before Christmas. It wasn’t much to look at; just a brown mound protruding from the dirt with a sprig of green growth barely pushing through. I didn’t have high hopes for it, but it was only $3 after all.
I followed the instructions which consisted of putting it in a window, and keeping it moist. Simple enough.
To my surprise, within just a few days, that little sprig began reaching for the sky. It towered well over two feet within the week. The really exciting part began next as it produced a beautiful bud, all full of hope. It was thriving, and I was a proud plant mom.
When it began to unfold in all its glory, I couldn’t contain my joy. I began snapping photos, and sending them to my friends, proudly showing off my little $3 wonder child.
That’s when the tragedy happened. Looking back, I know I should have been more attentive. I should have noticed the disaster coming. Its gorgeous blooms were so heavy that it had become top heavy. Even though I saw it leaning a bit, it didn’t occur to me that I should add a stake for stability.
I walked past it into another room for only a few minutes, and when I came back in, its stalk had broken in half. I was shocked to say the least, to the point of almost being sick. My little $3 bulb that had grown and matured into this lovely masterpiece had been decapitated, and cut down in the prime of her glory.
I had invested too much into this Amaryllis to simply allow its full potential to be forfeited. As I looked closer, I realized there were a few fibers of stalk connecting the blooms to the life-giving base of the plant. It was literally hanging on by a thread (or two). Would that be enough to sustain it? I didn’t know, but I had to try.
Having nothing further to lose, I grasped the top part of the stalk just under the blooms, pushed it down into the gaping wound of the bottom section of stalk and quickly wrapped the two pieces together with an ancient embroidered doily. It was the only thing I could find at the moment. (Sometimes it’s the old things that work best.)
Then I prayed, and held my breath…
Almost a week later, and she’s still blooming her little heart out! But that’s not the end of her story. She’s not just a $3 bulb anymore. She’s my miracle child, and she will bloom and bring joy for many years to come.
IN SUMMARY
If God cares about my $3 Amaryllis, He certainly cares for you. Like the Good Samaritan in the Bible, He will not cast you aside when you are broken or bruised. He will bind up your wounds, and saturate you with the healing oil of His Spirit. He will rebuild, refocus, revitalize and revive you, even If you’re hanging on by a thread (or two).
