The crucible of prophecy in Damascus by Bill Wilson

Israel is currently defending the Golan Heights from Iran's hostile bases in Syria by launching very precise missile strikes. The presence of Turkey, Iran, al Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, Hezbollah, Hamas and other enemies of God and of Israel in the Syrian theatre has many wondering about the Isaiah 17 prophecy about the destruction of Damascus. There is much speculation about whether we are now entering into the end time scenario written so much about by the prophets in the Bible. Certainly, the crucible of prophecy is being stirred and heated, but we must pay close attention to the actual words and context of the prophets to discern current events.

 

According to the prophet Isaiah, 17:1, "The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap." Many point to this verse to speculate when and how Damascus will be destroyed. If we study the context of the prophecy, Chapter 10 begins with prophesying judgment on Assyria and Ephraim (one of the tribes of Israel) for attacking Israel. Damascus is named as one of the Assyrian's vassals. Damascus also is included in end time judgment accounts of Egypt, Babylon, Moab, Assyria, Ethiopia, Tyre, Philistia and others. This demonstrates the near and the far of prophesy. Some of this was fulfilled historically; other parts of it are yet to be fulfilled.

 

There has been a lot of talk that this is the time that perhaps Isaiah's prophecy will be fulfilled. Damascus, after all, is hardly a city nowadays. It is maintaining a heartbeat after years of civil war and fighting that includes various al Qaeda terrorist groups, Hezbollah from Iran, Russian interests, American interests, Turkey, the Islamic State, and, of course the Assad government. The ingredients are there for the total destruction of Damascus. Damascus may be devastated by this massive gathering of many forces, but it is not the total destruction prophesied by Isaiah. As with most prophecy, it often appears to be fulfilled, but in types and shadows, layers, and signs before it is ultimately fulfilled.

 

The context of Isaiah 17 is judgment on nations that come against Israel, beginning in Chapter 9 and continuing through Chapter 24. The phrase "In/At that day" is mentioned no less than four times in Isaiah 17, a short chapter of 14 verses. This phrase is an indicator for the Day of the Lord, meaning when the Lord returns to judge the nations that came against Israel. Verse 7 says, "At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel." Verse 11 speaks that the harvest shall be a day of grief and of desperate sorrow. Context is key. It's irresponsible to take just one verse and develop a scenario or doctrine around it. In Syria, we are seeing prophetic movement, but we will know when God fulfills the prophecy. It will be clear.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson

www.dailyjot.com

Beware of communists in political party clothing by Bill Wilson

The Democratic Party is housing communists and passing them off as progressives-a word used to gain general public approval of communistic ideals. Failed presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is one such individual. He is introducing a federal jobs proposal that would guarantee every adult American a $15-an-hour job with health benefits. The Hill reports that two additional Democratic Party presidential hopefuls, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have expressed support for similar proposals. Our economy, religion, speech--pretty much the entire Bill of Rights--are threatened by sweet sounding proposals laid as snares to liberty, baited by emotional self-righteousness.

 

With guaranteed government jobs and mandatory healthcare the government would have control over the financial and physical lives of every individual in the nation. This is where the guarantees of free speech and freedom of religion come into play. Jesus said in Luke 4:18,19, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." He commissioned us to make disciples and to carry on his mission. The fundamental mission of government is far different than that of church.

 

From a Christian worldview, it is Christ's people, not a centralized government, that must minister to the poor, and provide healing, restoration, comfort and vigilance over Liberty. The earliest account of American history provided by Mayflower leader William Bradford indicates that the ability to worship freely was the central theme of the Pilgrims. And in that, he writes, "We are knit together as a body in a most strict and sacred bond and covenant of the Lord, of the violation whereof we make great conscience, and by virtue whereof we hold ourselves straightly tied to all care of each other's good." And they proved this when they were dying sometimes two or three per day in their care for one another's health.

 

When the Pilgrims were starving while trying to grow food communally, Bradford gave them their own land to till, which turned the colony around. He says, "The failure of this experiment of communal service, which was tried for several years, and by good and honest men proves the emptiness of the theory of Plato and other ancients, applauded by some of later times--that the taking away of private property, and the possession of it in community, by a commonwealth, would make a state happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God....community property was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment which would have been to the general benefit and comfort." Beware of communists in political party clothing lest we repeat this disastrous example.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson

www.dailyjot.com

Prophetic storm on the horizon by Bill Wilson

There are a series of stories in the news recently that show how the Ezekiel 38 prophecy of a coalition headed by a leader from modern Turkey brings a host of enemies against Israel in a colossal end time battle in which God saves Israel and declares in Ezekiel 38:23, "Thus will I magnify myself and sanctify myself: and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord." Currently, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the "Palestinians" in Israel, Israel, and Iran are all locked into a curious mix of politics, military effort and intrigue that is whirling around the Middle East and gathering the end time players together like the building of a prophetic storm on the horizon.

 

Turkey's dictator Racep Tayyip Erdogan is making a move in Syria to destroy the Kurd fighters who are a mainstay against the Islamic State. Many believe that Erdogan wants to eliminate the Kurds in general and do a land grab along the Syrian border. At the same time, Turkey and Russia are collaborating on the building of a Russian-made nuclear power plant on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. In addition, Turkey has agreed to purchase Russia's long-range S-400 missile system and the two countries are building a pipeline to transport Russian gas to Turkey. AP reports that Russian "president" Vladimir Putin, Erdogan and Iranian "president" Hassan Rouhani are expected to hold a summit in Ankara to discuss Syria's future.

 

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stirred the prophetic pot by speaking out of both sides of his mouth. The Atlantic reports that bin Salman said that Israel has a right to exist as a nation. What bin Salman really said, however, was, "I believe that each people, anywhere, has a right to live in their peaceful nation. I believe the Palestinians and the Israelis have the right to have their own land." This is a dualist statement in that the Palestinians claim all the land in Israel. He also said that Islam was a religion of peace and that the "triangle of evil": Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood and Sunni terrorist groups (ISIS and al-Qaeda) were seeking world conquest. He didn't mention that Saudi Arabia was the birthplace of al-Qaeda, and supports the Muslim Brotherhood. He also denied that Wahhabism exists.

 

Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel as a nation. The Saudi Crown Prince does not recognize Wahhabism, a radical evangelical sect of Islam originating from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince recognizes the Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda as an evil triangle with Iran, but fails to mention that Saudi Arabia is known to support these terrorist groups. Iran and Turkey are working together with Russia as a unifier. We can see how eventually the diverse forces of Ezekiel 38 can be brought together to fight against Israel, which includes modern day Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Libya and even parts of Saudi Arabia. What appears to be isn't and what is secret is brewing a prophetic storm on the horizon.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson

www.dailyjot.com

The Passover Lamb

As we enter the most holy of celebrations, Passover, let us prepare our hearts, repent from uncleanliness and seek true understanding of our relationship with God the Father and the Messiah. In a day and age where being Christian or Jew is looked down upon, even by some Christians and Jews, we need to have introspect on our mission in life, how that relates to the Lord, and our position in the world as we come closer to the end of days. This is the week of Nisan 10 on the Hebrew calendar. During the week, the sacrificial lambs were to be examined and only the ones found without blemish would be sacrificed on Nisan 14 (Friday this year) before the beginning of Pesach, or Passover.

 

The Passover coincides with the final days of Christ, his crucifixion, and resurrection. It is the picture of Christ being the true Passover Lamb, the sacrifice that liberates mankind from sin, as did God free the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt. The crucifixion of Christ took place as the Passover lambs were being sacrificed in the temple in Jerusalem. The Hebrew calendar starts its days from sundown to sundown, making its timing far different than the Gregorian calendar that we follow. The Pesach sacrifice (sacrifice of the Passover lambs) needed to be completed before sundown on Nisan 14 (which is Friday on our calendar). The Messiah was nailed to the cross, suffered, and died before sundown on Nisan 14.

 

Christ entered Jerusalem on the 10th of Nisan, which is the day that the devoted Jews were choosing their Passover lambs. This is referenced in Matthew 21 where the great multitude spread their garments and branches on the way saying in verse 9, "Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." Jesus went to the temple and overturned the money changers, his authority was questioned by the religious leaders, and he gave the great commandments, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind...and the second one is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." He also sat with his disciples and taught the chronology of what would happen in the end of days. This is called the Olivet Discourse.

 

Christ stated to his disciples in Matthew 26:2, "Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." He then held an early Seder in which he spoke of the wine as his blood and the bread as his body. The events of the evening followed where Christ was taken in the garden, brought before the priests who sought a false witness to put him to death, but as Matthew 26:60 says, "But found none." He was taken before Pilate who also could find no fault in him, but allowed the people to decide if he should be crucified. These events follow the examination of the Passover Lamb who had no blemish. Christ is the true Passover Lamb as stated in 1 Corinthians 5:7, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us," and John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson

www.dailyjot.com

Prophetic days racing toward prophetic events

Several people have written to tell me about how they are dropping out from watching or reading the news. They call it a "news fast." It seems as though the headlines are so full of hate-filled acts, confusion, war, natural disasters, suffering, and even plagues that some people just can't take it anymore. It is information overload in a very dark way. I have to admit as someone who observes news and events, these days are among the worst I've seen in a journalistic career spanning 46 years. While the previous decade was marked with identifiable prophetic news, the past year has been outright chaos driven by hate and division-not only in the United States, but around the world.

 

Indeed, these times we live in seem to be an ever-increasing time of trouble. While we are not in the time of Jacob's Trouble (Biblical tribulation), these are prophetic days in that they are racing toward prophetic events. These are times when events are coming into alignment so that prophetic events will come about. We see the hearts of men growing cold through terrible rhetoric. There are natural disasters taking place in the Middle East such as the earthquake in Iran. Israel is deploying defenses against increased terror attacks. Saudi Arabia is in upheaval. There is famine predicted in Yemen. Major leaders oppose one another on one front, and are allies on another. Relationships are disrupted and strained.

 

These events test faith. They pressure our senses. They can cause conflict within the mind. They may prompt withdrawal from society-such as "news fasts." Taking a break from it probably isn't a bad idea-some time to rethink, regroup, refresh. But it doesn't make it go away. We are a prophetic people living in prophetic times. Our challenge is to make disciples in this dark and dying world that offers up so much clear and present danger. We cannot shrink from our Great Commission, otherwise the world gets darker. Resist the temptation to bury your talent. These are times when our talent should be invested and multiplied.

 

If you are feeling the pressure of events running out of control, remember what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Recall the word of God in Psalm 46:1-2, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." Nahum 1:7 says, "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him." The noise of the news, the events that shape the words in the mouths of the world, are of no effect to those who trust in the Lord. Stay focused on the Lord. He is your refuge.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson

www.dailyjot.com

How much damage to America until January by Bill Wilson

How much damage can a lame duck do before he leaves office in January? That's what Americans have to wrestle with between now and when the current "president" exits. AP reports that the Administration is about to release thousands of Haitians who came to the US illegally because there is not enough jail space to hold them. Meanwhile, Fox News reports that US Border Patrol Agents are "nabbing" 500 illegals a day-just in Texas. Many, they say, are repeat criminals. Illegal border crossings are up 63% over last year, ICE says, but those are only the ones caught by officers. Now the Democratic Party is pressuring the "president" to pardon nearly a million of them before he vacates his occupation of the Oval Office.

 

The "president" has allowed tens of thousands of criminals and Islamists to enter the country at will. So much so, that the system to protect Americans from such is stressed to the point of ineffectiveness. It's where politics and practicality clash. The "president's" policy has put all Americans in harms way and the Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security John Roth said in March, "we may be admitting individuals who wish to do us harm." This is the result of policy based on remaking America into a socialist nation. This policy causes death and destruction. It is a policy President-Elect Donald Trump vowed to end, but the Democratic Party wants more of it until Trump takes office.

 

The Center for Immigration Studies has analyzed the "president's" immigration policy from data released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The analysis concludes that since 2010, ICE has released 124 aliens who have been charged with 135 new homicides--some have been released multiple times. In 2014, ICE released a total of 30,558 criminal aliens. These aliens had already been convicted of 92,347 crimes before they were released by ICE. As of July 25, 2015, a total of 1,607 aliens had been convicted of a crime after being freed by ICE. The total number of new crimes for which these aliens were convicted after ICE released them was 2,560, including: 298 dangerous drug offenses, 185 assaults, 40 weapons offenses, 28 sex offenses, 10 sex assaults, four kidnappings, two arsons, and one homicide.

 

It is obvious that these people do not wish to follow the law, nor do they want to assimilate as Americans. The political goal by Democrats and some Republicans is to promote globalism through resettlement. The Bible is very clear about how to handle immigrants. Exodus 22:21 says, "You shall neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him." This is repeated in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. In context, Exodus 12:49 says, "One law shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the foreigner who sojourns among you." This is also repeated in Numbers and Leviticus. One law for all. In this context it is God's law, but these people neither want to submit to the laws of the nation or to God's laws. If they are here illegally, they have broken the law as their first act. Hard as it is, policymakers must address this, otherwise our country is in danger.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson

www.dailyjot.com

The solution is prophetic, not political by Bill Wilson

With the death of conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, many are fearful for the future of our nation.  Certainly, polls indicating that younger Americans prefer socialism to capitalism and that Christians are trying to find their footing with the presidential race, put a lot at stake for this nation. At no time in recent history has the value of life, family and security been so at threat. As a prophetic people living in prophetic times, if faith is placed in political solutions, there will be tremendous disappointment. While we must hold politicians accountable, we also must understand that there is a greater plan that the Lord has for the world, even our nation, and we have an important role to play. 

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on what became known as Palm Sunday, many believed he was the promised King who would reestablish the kingdom for the Jews. The politicians of the day by and large saw him as a threat and plotted to kill him. When the people figured out that he wasn't there to overthrow the government, they were disappointed. In Matthew 24, the disciples asked him when shall these things be. He replied first, "Take heed that no man deceive you." They asked again before his ascension in Acts 1:6, "Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?" To which he told them "it is not for you to know...But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Neither Trump, nor Clinton, nor Sanders, nor Cruz nor anyone else elected as President or to the Supreme Court will be able to put right the good ship America. Putting faith and trust in them will only disappoint. The solution to America's problem will not be found in politics. The political landscape will make things better or worse, but the long-term course of our country rests on how we as a prophetic people follow the instructions of Christ. His 12 disciples it was said, "turned the world upside down." The Lord sent us the Holy Spirit. We are not to have a spirit of fear, but "of power and of love and of a sound mind." It is our job to make disciples. If we were doing it well, the condition of our nation would be far better.

No matter what happens in the political realm, we as followers of Christ need to do a better job to show others, not just by our words, but also by our actions, the truth of Christ and how to live him. The Daily Jot attempts to provide information that you can utilize as discussion in your mission as prophetic men and women of the Great Commission--Conversation starters, "ah-hah" moments, the insight that may persuade someone to listen more intently as you demonstrate your Christianity. The Holy Spirit will do the rest. We need to be mighty men and women of valor. We need to step it up. We need to depart from the self indulgence of "church" and "religion." We need to be prophetic, not political, people.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Islamic Society of Baltimore, Really? by Bill Wilson

The "president" visited an Islamic center/mosque this week whose parent organization, the Islamic Society of America, is a co-partner with the Muslim Brotherhood and named as a key player in its plan to colonize America and "sabotage its miserable house from within" and create "civilization jihad" through the establishment of Islamic centers across the country. The visit was one thing, but some of the things he said while he was there are quite disturbing and offensive. Yet his press secretary upheld the "president's" words and visit in a way that positioned anyone who would speak against it as someone who is bigoted, prejudiced, against peace, essentially unAmerican.

The occupant of the Oval Office said, "So let's start with this fact:  For more than a thousand years, people have been drawn to Islam's message of peace.  And the very word itself, Islam, comes from salam -- peace.  The standard greeting is as-salamu alaykum -- peace be upon you.  And like so many faiths, Islam is rooted in a commitment to compassion and mercy and justice and charity." Really? This religion of terror, Islam, is the foremost propagator of human rights violations in the world. It foments sex trafficking, drug trade, and slavery as standard practices. The vast majority of barbarism and terrorism conducted around the world is done in the name of Islam. This is not peace. Its history is one of death and destruction.

He continued: "Here's another fact:  Islam has always been part of America. Starting in colonial times, many of the slaves brought here from Africa were Muslim." In reality, it was Islam that sold Africans into slavery by conquering their tribes and marching them to slave castles such as the one in Cape Coast, Ghana. There they were sold and shipped off to the West. This is diligently documented at the museum in Cape Coast. Moreover, Islam's history with the US was underscored by Thomas Jefferson commissioning the US Navy to fight the Islamic Barbary Pirates because they were attacking our ships, and selling our men, women and children into slavery. This "president's" history is fabricated, blatantly false.

To his credit, he told the group that Muslims need to speak against terrorism. This, however, is a matter of definition. Most terrorists do not believe what they do is terrorism, but rather fighting for a cause. This "president" has repeatedly shown his support for Islam in so many ways. Most Muslims are not terrorists, but if they read and understood their Koran, they would know they are instructed to kill infidels, specifically Christians and Jews. The "president" is misguided. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, "Why by their fruits you shall know them." And, by now, we should know him. At the same time, we as Christians should not miss the opportunity to show God's love to Muslims. We are commanded to share the good news with all. Some are beyond accepting the true Prince of Peace, but it is the Lord's will that not one should perish. 

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Tech Tats step toward mark of the Beast prophecies by Bill Wilson

There has been a progression that seems to desensitize people to accepting marks in order to live life. Social Security numbers were once touted as an "antichrist" measure. Electronic money exchange through credit and debit cards also comes to mind. RFID implant chips are another. These advancements in technology desensitize people to the concept of Revelation 13's "Beast" government, specifically verses 16-17, "And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Enter Chaotic Moon and high tech tattoos. 

Austin, Texas, technology company, Chaotic Moon, has developed a "tech tattoo" that transmits bio data and can eventually be used to do commerce. In an article posted on Chaotic Moon's website, the technology is explained: "On the tattoo, an ATiny85 microcontroller stores and receives data from temperature sensors via electroconductive paint. There's also room on there for an ambient light sensor that illuminates LEDs when it's dark....The tech tattoos could be used to monitor a child's vitals after a surgery, or provide a less public (or more, if you choose) display of fitness tracking...Tech Tats could also theoretically be used to authorize payments in a similar fashion to Apple Pay."

The financial function would be implemented by securely storing data on a skin mounted micro controller and transferring the data when the user specifies based on a gesture or fingerprint on a tap to pay style device. The website said, "Instead of tapping your phone on a pay terminal, you'd gesture and payment info would be handed off to the terminal from the controller. This is different from the usual PIN or fingerprint payment authorization you'd use via Apple Pay." Given the popularity of tattoos among young people in America and around the world, this technology could represent a major leap in the identification, monitoring and controlling of people--certainly those who have no reservations about evil intent.

The taking of the mark of the beast will be a conscious decision on the part of the person. We know this by Revelation 20:4, which says, "And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Notwithstanding, these decisions can be made a whole lot easier if society is desensitized to the method. Leviticus 19:28 says, "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD." Herein, the Lord was admonishing his people to not become like the cult idol worshipers of the time. Interesting that Chaotic Moon encourages people reading its website to "Join the cult." 

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

The prophetic plan amidst the storm by Bill Wilson

There are many events taking place around us that would be frightening in of themselves-devastating storms and earthquakes; the threat of terrorism; political disruption; the threat of internal war with Islam-just to name a few.  Some of this uncertainty has prompted many to ask the age old question, "Does God have a plan for my life?"  The answer is yes, yes He does.  You should be encouraged because you are born a unique individual who is loved by the Creator of the universe, and He wants to see you experience joy, happiness, love and success.  But often the toils of this world cause us concern and get in the way.

 

For example, throughout my life, I have had ups and downs that caused me to question God's plan for my life.  But it was really me that was the question.  God knows how you were made as confirmed by Psalm 139:14, "I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knows right well."  Jesus said in Matthew 10:30, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."  And God knows what is best for you and He has in mind the very best for you.  Through the Apostle Paul, God tells us in Romans 12:2, "be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

 

See, even when we allow our own selves to get in the way of God's plan, it is still there for us.  And we can fall into the deepest valley, the darkest time of our life, and God will be there for us.  He said in Isaiah 46:4, "And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry and deliver you."  So no matter how low you are or how much the world is closing in on you, the Lord God, your Salvation, is with you. And His plan for you is perfect.  So you do have a destiny.  You were created to glorify God.  That is your purpose. How you accomplish that is your calling.

 

I knew that God had called me to evangelize when I was 16.  I refused the calling and pursued my own earthly goals.  And the Lord brought me to a point, after much life experience, that I could no longer ignore His calling. But then I heard nothing from Him.  I had to seek Him, pour out my heart to Him in fasting and prayer.  And even that did not work until after 54 days when I finally had my answer to discern the times and events and call people to the Lord.  My point is that we often do wonder what God has in mind for us, but in order to find out, we must seek God with all our heart, mind and soul, even sometimes to the point of travail, so He knows we are serious.  So don't give up, press in.  Press in hard. For your destiny is at hand.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Four realities of a prophetic 2016 by Bill Wilson

At the risk of stepping on some toes, there are at least four things that we should be aware of during 2016--false prophets, the economy, Islam, and the Lord's mission. Number 1: Many self-proclaimed prophets are prophesying for the new year. Some are hanging on to the same themes from previous years, adding to them descriptors such as "super" this or that. They didn't come true then..so maybe this year. Some are wrapped in words of intrigue such as "discover the mystery." Others want you to attend conferences to "hear God's voice," or receive a "mandate from heaven." A lot of them seem to be about money and selling things. The Lord said in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you."

Number 2: It doesn't take a prophet to look at the circumstances with which we are faced at the beginning of 2016 and see where things could head. For example, the economy is weighted down with over $18 trillion in debt, millions of people unemployed and having given up on finding a job, and an influx of illegal aliens and government-forced repopulation efforts that will put more pressure on the job market and on taxpayers. Add to that the weight of welfare programs and socialist healthcare, and we have a perfect economic storm in the making. Something has to give at some point along the way. These are the consequences of bad leadership and bad choices. 

Number 3: There will be terrorists among the thousands of immigrants permitted to come into the United States and Europe from terrorist-sponsoring states. Islam is a terrorist entity. Its holy book, the Koran, instructs its disciples in over 100 verses to kill infidels and bring them under submission. There will be more and more terrorism against innocents in nations who welcome Islamists into their countries. This is common sense. Along with this colonization will come the same kind of violence, crime, human trafficking, drug smuggling and poverty that is the hallmark of Islam throughout the world. We must ask: How does a prophetic people respond to this? Politically, we work to stop it. Spiritually, we work to bring these folks into the full knowledge of the one true God and his son Jesus Christ. 

Number 4: The consequences of bad leadership and bad choices are not wholly derived from political leaders, but also church leadership. The condition of our nation is directly related to the pulpit and our still majority Christian community. As a prophetic people, we must understand the standards of God and adhere to them--in holding both accountability and love. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Our choices as a person and as a people determine our place in prophecy. Choices will also determine consequences, good or bad, for individuals and nations.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

A Miracle by Bill Wilson

 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."-Isaiah 9:6-7. This prophecy was written by Isaiah some 755 years before the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.  You know, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ fulfilled over 300 prophecies.

 

In Lee Strobel's book, "The Case for Christ," he points out that the probability of just eight prophecies being fulfilled is one chance in one hundred million billion. Strobel then quotes mathematician Peter Stoner who calculated that the probability of fulfilling 48 prophecies was one chance in a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion!  Think about the probability of fulfilling 332 prophecies.  But Jesus did just that.  One pastor I knew illustrated the point by saying that you could fill the entire state of Texas six foot deep in silver dollars and ask a blind man to find one special marked dollar and he would have about the same chances in finding it as a person fulfilling just 48 of these prophecies.

 

The prophecy of Isaiah, however, says that "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."  How fantastic, the miracle of miracles performed by the ZEAL of the God.  I do not know the chances of a worldwide flood, but we have seen floods before and they are something we can comprehend.  I do not know the chances of changing water into wine, but we have seen that wine is a liquid made up of water and juice, so it is something we can understand.  I do not know the chances of a virgin birth, but we see children being born everyday, so perhaps that is possible.  But the Lord of Hosts wanted the world to know that His Son's birth, life, death and resurrection was THE miracle, fulfilling over 300 prophecies given over a span of thousands of years.

 

I wonder how many people who celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ even know Him.  And while we spend time with family, exchange gifts, eat good food, feel the warmth and love around us, where ever we are at, let us take a moment and remember the miracle of Jesus Christ, that He was born into this world as performed by the ZEAL of the Lord of Hosts.  That "zeal" was for us, that we might have a way to spend eternity with God.  Jesus said in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  No other religion has a God who loves us so.  Share Christ with someone today. 

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Only you can protect your life by Bill Wilson

No terrorism here. Look the other way. But we do have to ban guns--That's essentially the response of the White House to the mass murders by two devout Muslims in San Bernardino Wednesday. The NY Daily News reports: "As California county workers mingled Wednesday morning at a holiday banquet...The merciless masked killers, in matching military garb and body armor, executed 14 helpless victims and wounded 17 more at the Inland Regional Center in a lightning strike sparked by either a simple dispute--or terrorism, authorities said...Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27,- were gunned down four hours later and 2 miles away..." This is the future because of the foolishness of our leaders.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations in a news release said, "We condemn this horrific and revolting attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured...The Muslim community stands shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans in repudiating any twisted mindset that would claim to justify such sickening acts of violence." A family member of one of the shooters expressed shock at a CAIR news conference. The twisted mindset, however, emanates from the Koran, which repeatedly instructs followers of Islam to kill infidels. While it is a nice gesture for CAIR to issue such statements of condemnation, it is scant window-dressing and propaganda.

Islamic State (IS) activists were less diplomatic. Vocativ web analysts found IS posts on web forums where Islamists frequently share information, reporting, "ISIS extremists began celebrating the mass shooting in San Bernardino hours after the massacre, creating the hashtag #America_Burning...The Islamic State, however, did not take credit for the shootings in the ghoulish postings..." Postings included: "Three lions made us proud. They are still alive,"..."California streets are full with soldiers with heavy weapons. The Unites States is burning #America_Burning #Takbir"..."God is great and he the one to be praised for that,...This is hell with god's will..."May god spread fear in the homes of the Crusaders.""

There is a pattern when Muslims do their dirty deeds--Islamists attack innocents in areas where there are no guns allowed; the "president" ignores Islamic involvement and targets gun owners; CAIR comes out and denounces it; Muslim family members express shock that their devout son or daughter would do such a thing; and the political correct cycle goes into full swing. Make no mistake: Only you can protect your own life. As Jesus told his disciples in Luke 22:36 before his betrayal in Gethsemane, "...and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." He wasn't instructing murders, but rather self defense. More of these attacks are going to happen. Many innocents will die. The government cannot protect you, neither can police. You must take measures to protect yourself and your family, and be able to do so.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

"president's" Thanksgiving address is offensive by Bill Wilson

The occupant of the Oval Office compared the Syrian "refugees" to the Pilgrims on the Mayflower in his Thanksgiving address to America. This is offensive. The Pilgrims came to this land because they were being persecuted by the Church of England for their religious beliefs. The Syrians are being resettled in America because their native country is in a Muslim civil war between a secular Shiite regime and Sunni terrorists. Nearly half the Pilgrims died the first winter as they exercised freedom of religion on the North American continent. To the so-called "refugees," freedom of religion is Americans submitting to and welcoming their death cult, where members die trying to kill innocent civilians.

In a not-so-veiled attempt to use Thanksgiving as a way to advance his Islamic colonization program in America, the "president" said in his weekly address, "Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrims -- men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families." He said, "And I've been touched by the generosity of the Americans who've written me letters and emails in recent weeks, offering to open their homes to refugees fleeing the brutality of ISIL." The truth of the matter is that these "refugees" are not really refugees, they are being resettled. The true refugees are the Christians in Syria who have no place to go except to fight, submit or die. They are not being allowed entry into the US.

The NY Police Department employed state of the art security measures to protect Americans from these Islamists during the Thanksgiving Day parade. The Times reports that John J. Miller, NYPD's deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism says what the department has learned from attacks in Paris affirmed its approach to counterterrorism: "The first thing you see from Paris is these are people who included foreign fighters, who are hardened, trained and experienced. They weren't gathered up by Twitter chats, online, in Paris; they were sent there with a specific task and targets, likely from ISIS command and control, and it was a well-organized plot."

Alabama Republican Senator Jeff Sessions Tuesday released a list of 12 vetted "refugees" who were arrested this year because they promptly joined jihadi plots to attack the US. Yet the "president" lectures in his Thanksgiving address that: "Now, people should remember that no refugee can enter our borders until they undergo the highest security checks of anyone traveling to the United States." The "president's" Islamic colonization program for America is hand in glove with his foreign policy partner the Muslim Brotherhood's plan to take over North America. This alone is a threat to national security. To use the Mayflower Pilgrims to justify it is over the top offensive. Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you." Deception is the "president's" stock and trade.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

The Mayflower Compact by Bill Wilson

"What our forefathers with so much difficulty secured, do not basely relinquish." These are the words translated from Latin that are etched on the gravestone of William Bradford, governor of the Massachusetts Colony, co-writer of the Mayflower Compact, inventor of the free market system, and my grandfather 13 generations removed. Bradford is often remembered for being one of the Pilgrims who survived their first winter in the new America. He is one of the brave men and women who endured such great hardship to help make this nation what it is-a beacon of religious and economic freedom blessed in covenant with God. And unto his death his gravestone warns us not to basely relinquish these liberties.

 

The Mayflower Compact is a covenant with God, dedicating this land now called the United States of America to the advancement of the Christian faith. The Compact declares, "IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honor of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia;

 

"Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience."  With these words, 41 men agreed to govern in submission and obedience to God.

 

As anyone can see, these were men and women dedicated to establishing a land for the advancement of the Christian faith and they set themselves apart bringing all they had and all they claimed in covenant with God. And it was not just for their time on earth, but as what was written on Bradford's grave, the covenant and their subsequent sacrifices were not to be relinquished. As America embraces socialism and human secularism, let us remember that only 41 men began a nation with their signatures. There are more of us today that are citizens of the Kingdom of God, and we can reclaim what our forefathers with so much difficulty secured. Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Let us give thanks.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Thanksgiving Heritage by Bill Wilson

Note: I want to share with you some of my heritage which has become part of the heritage of America. My grandfather 13 generations back was William Bradford, co-writer of the Mayflower Compact, inventor of the free market system, and governor of the Plymouth colony for over 30 years. I would like to share some insights of and from his writings in "Of Plymouth Plantation."

In the days leading up to the first "Thanksgiving" of the Pilgrims, they had dispatched a group of ten men to "explore the bay and trade with the natives." They were guided by the English speaking Squanto, who also served as an interpreter. When the men returned, they were very impressed with the land around the bay and wished they could have settled there instead of Cape Cod. William Bradford, wrote however, "But it seems that the Lord, Who assigns to all men the bounds of their habitations, had appointed it for another use. And thus they found the Lord to be with them in all their ways, and to bless their outgoings and incomings, for which let His holy name have the praise forever, to all posterity."

This "Thanksgiving" to the Lord offered by Bradford in his history "Of Plymouth Plantation" indicates that Jesus was at the center of his thoughts about all things--even the land they were allocated by God to begin their colony. It also forebears testimony to the very positive Christian witness and relations the Pilgrims maintained with the Indians. This comment was followed immediately by Bradford's account of the harvest in October 1621. Bradford writes,"Each person had about a peck of meal a week, or now since harvest, Indian corn in that proportion; and afterwards many wrote at length about their plenty to their friends in England--not feigned but true reports."

One of those true reports is found in "Mourt's Relation" by Pilgrim Edward Winslow--the only account of the first "Thanksgiving." Winslow writes: "our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors...at which time amongst other recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoyt, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others." 

Winslow concluded, "And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty." Thanks to the godly men and women who came before us, even in our decline we remain blessed more than any other nation on earth. Jeremiah 4:2 says that if God's people return to Him, "And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory." This is a promise to the nations. So today, as should be our practice each day, may you have a Psalm 103:2 day, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Islam, by law, is prohibited from US immigration by Bill Wilson

The Immigration and Nationality Act passed June 27, 1952 revised the laws relating to immigration, naturalization, and nationality for the United States. That act, which became Public Law 414, established both the law and the intent of Congress regarding the immigration of Aliens to the US and remains in effect today. Among the many issues it covers, one in particular, found in Chapter 2 Section 212, is the prohibition of entry to the US if the Alien belongs to an organization seeking to overthrow the government of the United States by "force, violence, or other unconstitutional means." This, by its very definition, rules out Islamic immigration to the United States, but this law is being ignored by the White House. 

The laws prohibits entry of "Aliens who the consular officer or the Attorney General knows or has reason to believe seek to enter the United States solely, principally, or incidentally to engage in activities which would be prejudicial to the public interest, or endanger the welfare, safety, or security of the United States." It also prohibits the entry of Aliens who are members of or affiliated with any organization that advocates or teaches, the overthrow by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means of the US or of all forms of law, and Aliens who publish, circulate and distribute materials teaching or advocating the overthrow by force, violence or other unconstitutional means of the US Government or of all forms of law. 

Islamic immigration to the US would be prohibited under this law because the Koran, Sharia Law and the Hadith all require complete submission to Islam, which is antithetical to the US government, the Constitution, and to the Republic. All Muslims who attest that the Koran is their life's guiding principal subscribe to submission to Islam and its form of government. Now the political correct crowd would say that Islamists cannot be prohibited from entering the US because Islam is a religion. Whether it is a religion is immaterial because the law states that Aliens who are affiliated with any "organization" that advocates the overthrow of our government are prohibited. It also prohibits those who distribute literature that advocates the overthrow of our country, which would include the Koran. 

In fact, there are many verses in the Koran that command Islamists to kill those who do not submit to allah and the prophet. If Congress so desired to hold the White House accountable to the current immigration of refugees (which also must comply with the law), it has the Immigration and Nationality Act to cite. The Administration is breaking that law. The question is "does Congress have the political will to do something about it?" Or shall we be a nation like that in Isaiah 59:14 where, "justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." I think you know the answer, at least for now. But there are a handful of Congressmen who are studying this. Pray.

To read the law, go to this link and scroll down to Chapter 2, Section 212: 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-66/pdf/STATUTE-66-Pg163.pdf

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Prophecy, The Assyrian, antichrist, Gog, Beast by Bill Wilson

As we eye the coalition of forces gathered and battling in Syria, many are pointing to end time prophecy, and rightly so. Christ said in Matthew 24:5-8, "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in various places.All these are the beginning of sorrows." While we may not be quite in the beginning of sorrows, there is deception, wars, rumors of wars. We are seeing signs of those things that must come to pass.

Again, I direct your attention to Christ's words when he was asked by his disciples about the sign of his coming and the end of the world. He began to answer in Matthew 24:4 with "Take heed that no man deceive you." Then he explained what would happen during the times leading up to the end, and in the end. His account is precisely in alignment with the prophets of the Old Testament, the Apostle Paul, and the Revelation of John. We know that God is not the author of confusion. But there is great confusion among men about the end times. Some believe all prophecy has been fulfilled, others believe they are establishing the Kingdom on earth, still others believe much prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. 

End time prophecy is full of foreshadowing, partial fulfillments and precursors. Throughout history, there has been rise and fall of those who were types of the end time apocalyptic figure--what Christians call the "antichrist," what Holy Scripture calls the "beast" or, more specifically, the "Assyrian." This antichrist figure is alluded to as the Assyrian in Isaiah 10:5,10:24,14:25, 19:23, 30:31, 31:8, Micah 5:5-6, and Hosea 11:5. Ezekiel refers to him as Gog, chief Prince of Magog. The Lord speaks of the Assyrian or Gog in Ezekiel 38:17, "Art you he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring ye against them?"

If you are watching events unfold and are curious as to their prophetic implications, be encouraged. Study the prophets. Understand that they all tell a consistent story and it is true and, quite frankly, clear. Where the confusion comes in is man's interpretation, self-made doctrines, suppositions, if-then statements and so on. And much of prophecy is misunderstood because the teachers of the teachers didn't make it a priority. Bible prophecy is not something that you can just skim over and think you have it. It takes a lot of study, a lot of effort, and an understanding that we may not have all the pieces until they are revealed. One thing for certain, every day brings us closer to how these prophecies will specifically play out.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Major end time prophecy may be unfolding in Syria by Bill Wilson

There has been a tremendous buzz of late in Christian circles that the entry of Russia into Syria, combined with Iranian troops, is setting the stage for the Ezekiel 38 end time battle where a coalition led by Gog emulating out of parts of the former Assyrian empire (now in Turkey) gathers with Libya, Persia (modern Iran), Ethiopia (modern Sudan) and others to war against Israel. This notion, however, relies on a coalition of currently opposing geopolitical goals quickly uniting to come against Israel. Persia (Iran), for example, would have to submit to those it wishes to control. This is unlikely to occur overnight, but there are end time prophecies that these events in Syria may be starting to fulfill right before our very eyes.

Daniel Chapter 8 describes how a ram with two horns charged toward the west, north and south and did as it pleased. Then a goat with a prominent horn came from the west and attacked the ram, shattering its two horns. The goat then became very powerful, but at the height of its power its horn was broken off. Then it grew four horns, and out of them came a small horn that grew in power. Many scholars have said that this prophecy accurately describes how Alexander the Great conquered Media-Persia and how his empire was divided into four parts after his death. As another part of the layer of prophecy, many scholars point toward the little horn as the future antichrist figure coming against Israel. 

Let us consider, however, the interpretation of Daniel's vision by the angel Gabriel beginning with verse 19: "Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. The ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia." According to Strong's Accordance, the word "Grecia" in Hebrew is a location of "Yavan, a son of Japheth (the third son of Noah)," his descendants and their land. Research indicates that this land not only was Greece, but also the Eastern Mediterranean, including parts of modern Turkey--the entirety of Alexander's empire. Other sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Tubal, Meshek, and Tiras--many of the names mentioned in the Ezekiel 38 prophecy. 

The Daniel prophecy may have been fulfilled in part. But Gabriel says that this prophecy is referring to "what shall be in the last end" and "for at the time appointed the end shall be." This is clearly an end-time prophecy. There are events that must occur for the little horn to rise to power. The forces gathering in Syria could result in the eventual submission of Persia (Iran) to Grecia (Greece, Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean) with the help of Russia and the US, resulting in the rise of the beast. We may be seeing a major prophetic event unfolding in Syria. Remember also Isaiah 17:1, "Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap." Watch and pray. 

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

This messed up world by Bill Wilson

Wow. The headlines this morning. "Jihadis generate $500 million from oil as US-led air strikes miss target," "Man dresses as priest, performs sex act at church altar," "China military ready for USA encounter--space-based weapons," "Asylum seekers sue Germany for not paying them benefits fast enough," "Parents outraged after schoolchildren asked to make beds, cook for migrants," "Refugees taunt police by posting pictures of stolon goods," "New California law helps illegals with drug convictions to stay," "314 criminal aliens arrested in Florida for murder, child sex crimes," "Iran broadcasts footage of underground missile base," and there are many, many more. Wow, what a messed up world.

I was watching the Western Channel as I often do to escape from reality and as a reminder of what once was. An episode of Gunsmoke had Doc being called out to a farm to treat the sick cow of a farmer who hated doctors. While he was there, a woman in town bled to death after falling through the window. The farmer refused to pay Doc because the cow might die and because doctors "don't know anything." Doc punched the farmer. The farmer stabbed Doc. Matt Dillon had to sew Doc up before he bled to death. Later, as Doc recovered, the farmer became gravely ill and his young son came to get Doc. Doc, although not healthy enough to travel, went to save the farmer's life even though the farmer had tried to kill him.

Why? "Because I'm a doctor and there is a life that needs to be saved. And I might be able to do it," he replied. So Matt loaded Doc in the buckboard and they went out to the farm. Doc was successful. The farmer lived. But he still refused to pay Doc because the cow had died. The farmer's wife, however, told Doc that she was forever grateful for his good will despite her husband's refusal to thank him or pay him. Doc and Matt looked at each other and Matt said, "I think you just got paid." Doc smiled and nodded his head in agreement and the two walked out. This is an example of American exceptionalism. It is an example of how we as a people once thought and acted in times of adversity and injustice. 

We didn't cry to the government that we were being treated unfairly. We didn't run to the law every time something went wrong. We didn't deny others decency even when they were ignorant or indecent to us. We knew what it was to be a Christian first, an American second, and to stand for what was just and right. We were taught to live by Jesus' words in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Translated: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Golden Rule. It was the root of American society. We can see what happens to a world when that root bears fewer branches. The world becomes messed up.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com