SATAN’S HOAX

Satanʼs Hoax

End-Times Prophecies

Through the Eyes of a Modern-Day Paul

Brad L. Burge

Copyright 2011 by Brad L. Burge

All rights reserved.

A work of fiction, yet

the Christian concepts are true.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author and/or publisher.

All scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Dedicated to my virtuous Proverbs 31 wife, Tammy, in infinite appreciation for her endless love and respect.

"From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him."

John 6:66

CONTENTS

To the Synagogue in Jerusalem

To the Synagogue in Jerusalem

Shalom,

My dear brothers and sisters in Y’shua, my name is Seth Cohen. Yes, I’m the same Seth Cohen who persecuted you for years, at every opportunity. I was among those that yelled at you violently, made accusing posters with your pictures in order to ostracize you from your community, broke your windows and burned your buildings. I was with those that pressured your employers and landlords. I beg your forgiveness for my blind and searing hatred.

But now, I know what Paul meant and felt when he said:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

I’ve been visiting in the United States for a while in order to be with my mother during her fight with cancer, the same illness that had taken my wife only months before. When I arrived here, I was shocked to learn that my mother had become a believer in Y’shua. However, after witnessing how she lived the last months of her life, I’ve also become a believer in Y’shua. In fact, I’m about to marry a Gentile, Sarah Levy, before returning to Jerusalem. Sarah was my mother’s personal nurse and she loves Jesus Christ the Lord with all her heart.

Sarah and I want to become members in the body of Y’shua in your Jerusalem synagogue. I want to join you in your work for our Lord in these critical days of the land of Israel and the world. I want to bear your yoke with you.

I’m writing to you, the entire synagogue body of Y’shua, in order to share more about my personal history and perspective. I know that some of you prefer to be called followers of Y’shua and others may prefer to be called Christians, but we are now one in Him. I know that most of you came from secular Jewish backgrounds and aren’t very familiar with some details of my Hasidic background. Sarah and I have had many long talks about this. The Lord has worked through her to help me realize how your eyes must have seen me.

If a man states that an apple is red, but another man insists that it’s green, then either one man is color blind or they are looking at different apples. If they’re looking at the same apple, then one man may be very surprised to realize that he’s color blind and he must take appropriate actions for his own good. That’s what I’ve done by the grace of Y’shua.

Allow me to share my testimony. I’m a sabra, born in Jerusalem, Israel. My parents migrated from the former Soviet Union. When my father died before my bar mitzvah the leading rabbis of the local yeshiva school took me under their wings. Under their leadership I experienced life from within the depths of Hasidic Judaism. All I ever wanted to be was a devout and zealous Torah scholar. For decades, I immersed myself in the writings of the great sages, even the depths of the Zohar (Kabbalah’s holiest book) under the guidance of esteemed Kabbalists.

When I went to the States to be with my dying mother she was already very weak and couldn’t talk much. But her few words and her inner peace spoke volumes. As Sarah gently cared for my mother’s needs each day, they shared a gentle peace. Sometimes there were words and songs. But mostly, they simply shared a spirit of complete contentment.

Their peace was doing battle within my mind. At first, for the sake of my weakened mother, I tolerated their blasphemy as they spoke of their beliefs. Separated from my Hasidic peers, I was able to somehow control my instinct to scorn them for their idolatry. My Hasidic zeal was dampened by the circumstances.

During my seventh night here, I had a vision of myself in Jerusalem. In this vision, the most highly esteemed Kabbalist of Jerusalem granted permission for me and my friends to capture images of as many idolators as possible. We planned to use the images to ostracize the idolators in every way. As we walked along the narrow streets with our cameras, suddenly a great light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the street and a voice said, “Seth, Seth, why do you persecute me?”

I covered my eyes and said, “Who are you?”

The voice responded, “I am Y’shua whom you are persecuting.”

My friends heard the voice but saw nothing. When I was able to get up and uncover my eyes I was blind! My shocked friends helped me back to my house. For three days I neither ate nor drank. Still blind, I just prayed.

Then a stranger entered my house, placed his hands on me and prayed, “Brother Seth, the Lord Y’shua sent me and is restoring your sight and filling you with the Holy Spirit!” Immediately my sight was restored!

I suddenly woke up exhausted and drenched in sweat, yet with complete inner peace. Unable to discern the meaning of this vision, I immediately went to describe it to my mother. As my story unfolded, she had the most peaceful and knowing smile. Just as I finished Sarah arrived. Mother immediately asked her to get the gift from the closet for me. Mother told me that she had been praying for me and that I had had a vision from the Lord. Sarah came with a New Testament and handed it to Mother. Mother placed a bookmark in it and told me to take it and start reading at that point.

In awe and bewilderment I accepted the gift. I couldn’t believe that I was actually holding the forbidden book! This was the book that I’d been warned about since I was a young boy. The emotions of the vision returned and mixed within me. Within a brief surreal moment, torment subsided to complete peace.

I quickly tucked the book in my jacket and left without saying a word. I went straight back to my apartment and pulled the shades. As I turned on the lamp I opened to the place Mother had marked. It was the ninth chapter of the book of Acts. I soon realized that my vision was a reenactment of Saul’s conversion experience and I was in the part of Saul.

Then Paul, knowing that some of them [the Sanhedrin] were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees . . .” (Acts 23:6)

The sight of Mother’s peaceful and knowing smile returned to my mind. In the solitude of that room, I devoured the entire text of the forbidden book that day. It turns out that Y’shua is the Messiah and that Satan is actually the leader of all dark angels and I’d been hoaxed by him. I fell prostrate on the floor, repented and prayed for Y’shua to be my Savior and Lord. The torment was now completely gone and replaced with only complete peace. I felt the indwelling of the comforting Holy Spirit.

Mother has now gone to be with the Lord and I’m blessed with the memory of her smiling face at that moment when she realized that her most fervent prayer had been answered. For months, I’ve been saturating myself with new studies. Sarah and I have had many discussions about the depths of God’s love.

I’ve also been using the great resources on your website. I recently watched your series of sermon videos regarding the likely imminent return of our Lord. Your sermons stated that many people think that the Antichrist will come from some form of redeveloped Roman Empire, while others think that he may be from the Muslim world. Your sermons presented other possible interpretations, too.

My Hasidic past gives me a more unique perspective of Bible prophecy that I’d like to share with you. Just as Satan hoaxed the Pharisees and Sadducees to expect something other than Jesus Christ the Lord, Satan is also hoaxing the followers of Judaism and the followers of Jesus today. Even though it turns out that Satan’s hoax includes the highjacking of Judaism for the most part, God has limited Satan’s reach. God has ensured that the highjacked versions of Judaism still contain a narrow trail of bread crumbs that can lead back to Y’shua the Messiah.

In the book of Romans, Paul tells us that the gospel of grace and salvation is offered to all people, first to the Jewish people and then to the non-Jewish. Gentiles have been grafted into the olive tree of the Jewish people and the two trees have become one. When those Jewish branches which were broken off choose to trust Jesus Christ they are grafted in again. That’s what the Lord has begun to do in Israel and throughout the world in recent years.

And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! (Romans 11:23-24)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

This sequence of first to the Jew and then to the Gentile is the same as in Kabbalah/Judaism. Some of you are likely unaware that Kabbalah is now and has long been considered the very foundation of Judaism. Kabbalah, which means “Receiving” is what my rav (teacher) taught as the highest spiritual path. For now regarding that subject, let me just say that Satan has been very busy for thousands of years. He’s been working to cover the narrow path of bread crumbs that can lead back to Y’shua the Messiah as much as he could. Satan is preparing many wide and seemingly beautiful paths for us to follow instead.

The true and wonderful path that Y’shua guards for us, almost hidden by many thorns and snares, is the one path that leads to eternity with the Messiah. Y’shua guards that path with a narrow trail of bread crumbs even within Judaism, so that it may serve as a spice to the Messianic/Christian Holy Bible. Even though Satan has highjacked Judaism, Y’shua has conserved just enough true spice within it in order to complement the Messianic/Christian Holy Bible; to bring more light to a darkening path. He has preserved the spice especially for the last days before His glorious return.

"Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time" (Daniel 12:9).

It was Daniel's responsibility to deliver the prophecies, not to understand them. Note that Daniel was told the prophecies would not be understood "until the end time." In fact, in the very next verse, the Lord told Daniel that at the proper time "those who have insight will understand" (Daniel 12:10).

The preserved spice from deep within the Torah gives a unique perspective of Bible prophecy which lays bare Satan’s subtle depraved hoax. Some of today’s common interpretations of Bible prophecy can be enlightened by that small preserved spice. Satan has painted over the masterpiece of Torah. But a very close inspection can reveal the hidden original unique strokes of the Master.

Sarah and I often talk about how the world seems to be stumbling toward its end. It’s easy for us to be confused by mixed feelings during times like these, but we must manage our emotions with biblical truth.

The world may indeed be currently experiencing the birth pains that Jesus said would happen just before the biblical tribulation. We are told to not be alarmed by the birth pains because they must happen before Christ returns.

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.(Matthew 24:4-8)

Christians must stand firm to the end, even through death.

. . . but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:13)

Christians will be hated and killed by all nations because Christians will appear to be the main obstacle to unity and peace among world religions.

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Rev. 20:4)

Many will turn away from Jesus Christ the Lord and will betray and hate each other. False prophets will deceive many people.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.(Matthew 24:9-11)

But before all this occurs, there will be great earthquakes and signs from heaven.

“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. (Luke 21:12)

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I [Y’shua the Messiah] have told you ahead of time. (Matthew 24:24-25)

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Matthew 26:41)

God allows Satan, via the Antichrist, to bring a powerful delusion to many people.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Christians must realize that we are already living eternally through the grace of Jesus Christ the Lord. All fears related to this temporary physical life are deceptions. Thus, we can and should live without fear by trusting completely in Jesus Christ.

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

The main roles in this very real drama are Jesus Christ the Lord and the adversary Satan. Christ’s motives are to love and invite that love to be reflected back to Him by mankind for eternity. Christ’s action is to provide the means for us to eternally respond to His love by trusting Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior.

Satan’s motives are to attempt to be like God, hate Jesus Christ and the Jewish people through whom Jesus Christ was promised and came. Satan’s actions are to tempt and deceive people by pretending to be doing good.

Conspiracy theories are silly. Those that are worldwide and span history are exceptionally ridiculous. That would require a large group of people to agree on motives and actions over thousands of years and to keep their mouths shut about how important they are. Their egos wouldn’t allow it since it’s against their fallen nature.

Our nature, according to God, is like nature in general . . . degradative. Our nature is to degrade physically and morally. We are inclined to be lazy physically and spiritually. Were it not for God’s intervention, man would self-destruct. God is the cosmic generator. All else simply degenerates. Our nature can allow us to be easily negatively influenced.

Satan knows this and takes great advantage of our tendencies. He uses spiritual judo against us and has been successfully doing so for thousands of years. When he sees that we’re off balance, he slams us to the ground by taking advantage of the inertia of our poor choices. Throughout history, Satan has been influencing many people to act in concert with his motives. Only Jesus Christ has been able to defeat Satan completely. Apart from Jesus we all fail.

Satan knows his time is nearly over and he’s quickly bringing his plan to its crescendo. We can gain insight regarding his goals by examining how he acted during a previous high point in his negative career. His most audacious act of influence of man, other than tempting Y’shua the Messiah, was his deception of the apostle Judas Iscariot.

Many believe that Satan, possessed Judas during the historic betrayal. As exceptionally evil as that act involving Judas was, our insight is from what happened to many of Y’shua’s disciples during that time. John chapter 6 demonstrates how Satan influenced many disciples to turn away from Y’shua and no longer follow the only path to salvation. Ironically, Y’shua had just finished performing amazing miracles.

It should have been obvious to the departing disciples that Y’shua was the Messiah. However, Satan had been influencing these men for many years and it finally paid off for him. He had misguided them to set their hearts on things other than Jesus Christ the Lord.

They understood the prophets to promise a powerful political leader that would provide what they wanted in this life. Love is blind and they had allowed themselves to love worldly things. They wanted this life to be full of peace and prosperity. Whatever was beyond death was too remote. They dismissed the eternal Savior and continued pursuing a carnal savior.

Satan has now subtly deceived the world so that they will not recognize the Antichrist. He has deceived us into expecting a very dark figure in the eyes of the world. However, he will appear as a bearer of great light and good to the world.

During the end-time . . . likely our time, Satan is quickly preparing the world for another deceit. The Bible tells us that many will turn away from Jesus. How could that happen now, when the body of Y’shua seems so strong? How could it have happened then, when Y’shua walked the earth as a man and the Son of God performing miracles? Satan is exceedingly cunning and appears as an angel of light.

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Satan has masterfully conducted a concerted effort of unknowing pawns over centuries. The culmination of that leadership may be imminent. Most of the world wants earthly and/or spiritual peace now. Satan may be about to deliver but it will be false and very temporary. That false peace will likely occur after nature’s fury, worldwide war and chaos (Ezekiel 38-39).

He may be on the verge of unveiling a global cult so cunning that most of the world will blindly follow him. The cult may be instrumental in bringing the world peace. The growth may be explosive. World leaders and celebrities may promote it swiftly. If you are against it, you may be ostracized or worse . . . much worse.

I challenge you to be like the Bereans whom Paul commended as "more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).

When I revealed my belief in Y’shua to my rav of many years, he called me an idiot. He labeled me a “persona non grata” and the worst kind of offense to HaShem. I informed him that I would pray for his eternal soul.

If we shall be labeled anything (and we shall), let it be anti-Satan, anti-sin and pro-Jesus Christ.

Only God knows the future. However, He wants us to know biblical prophecy and to be watchful. Why else would God send an angel to tell us that we should know the words of prophecy?

The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place. Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." (Revelation 22:6-7)

Based upon biblical prophecy and the status of our world today, the return of Y’shua may be very near. The supply of natural resources like fresh water, food and oil for energy is being challenged. Civil disorder, terrorism and war are surrounding us. Wildfires, floods and radiation are sneaking up on us. Oil spills are choking wildlife. Huge earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes are attacking our world. Heat waves, blizzards and mudslides have snatched lives away. Tornadoes have teamed up to demolish lives in a moment. Viruses have threatened us with pandemics. We’ve seen tragic unemployment, inflation, Middle East national governments falling, national and state debts skyrocketing and rogue nuclear threats growing. Anti-Israel sentiments are increasing worldwide.

These events are occurring with such intensity that it’s hard to keep up with the headlines. It can be challenging to recall those major events that struck just a few years or even months ago, because the current flow of disasters has been so intense. The birth pains keep coming. One thing that all the victims of these terrible things have in common is that there was a time, not long before, that they had no idea what was ahead of them.

God’s wakeup calls come first by words and next by birth pains. The biblical exodus from Egypt is an example. The wakeup call for the last days is not an alarm that you should snooze through. A definition of “the last days” is when God says, “Enough!” But as the birth pains increase, the Father draws near.

Today people are asking, “What really matters?” Youth especially, are groping in the darkness for hope and a purposeful path. We seem to choose to be distracted rather than face the truth of our existence. We’d rather watch TV, play electronic games and/or use drugs to calm ourselves. Yet we find ourselves asking about the meaning and purpose of life? Why does humanity even exist? Why all the suffering and despair in the world? What is my destiny? How can I live my life with fulfillment and joy? Is there some secret to be found? Is there any real justice? Why do so many of my prayers seem to go unanswered? Isn’t there something more?

Questions like these are common for all of us at one time or another. These questions have been asked for ages, yet perhaps now more than ever. Now more people of the world have more available to them than ever before. Yet dissatisfaction and even despair have left most people parched and thirsty for something more. Even people with wealth, fame and power are still yearning for something more.

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:12-14)

Most biblical scholars agree that King Solomon is the author of Ecclesiastes and parts of Proverbs, among other scriptures. Solomon is regarded as the wisest man from an earthly father, that will ever live. In 1 Kings, we find that God responded to Solomon’s humble request by promising the greatest wisdom to him.

I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. (1 Kings 3:12)

Solomon was king in Jerusalem over all of Israel for forty years and built the First Temple in Jerusalem. However, we must examine Solomon’s life as recorded in 1 Kings and read Solomon’s teachings and lifelong reflections in Ecclesiastes. It turns out that the promised greatest wisdom doesn’t fully come to Solomon until he finally concluded that trusting God is the greatest wisdom.

God knew that Solomon wouldn’t fully understand and appreciate the greatest wisdom if He simply told Solomon to trust Him. God knows that man’s nature is to try things his own way. God knows that man has trouble realizing that His way is best. To get to the heart of the matter, God knows that because of man’s fallen nature he doesn’t want to be responsible to a Creator. That’s why God built into man the desire for something more than what this world seems to offer. God deeply imbedded within man the desire for Him.

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Man can attempt to deny it, but eternity and God are at the root of his desires. Thus when man begins to ask himself, and perhaps God, those deep mortal questions it finally comes down to an eternal perspective. What is eternal? What is really important?

As we begin to consider what is eternal, we must begin with what is most eternal. Some things will last for an eternity, but what is most eternal is that which always will be and always has been. That definition fits only the Creator.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)

The Creator has revealed Himself as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is the great mystery; God is One in Three and Three in One. Only the Trinity fits the definition of most eternal.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Peter 1:1-2)

In the beginning was the Word [Y’shua], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. (John 1:1-3,14-18)

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2)

As we continue to consider what is eternal, we next move to what the Creator created and is thereafter eternal. That brings us to the subjects of angels and souls. First we will consider angels.

Angels were created with free will. They were given at least one opportunity to decide if they would completely trust God and that His way is best or not. Prime examples are the Archangel Michael who completely trused God versus Satan who chose not to trust his Creator. Satan turned away from The Light yet today he presents himself as an angel of light.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Now the subject of souls brings us to where the rubber meets the road. As we ponder what the meaning and purpose of our life is and realize that our soul is thereafter eternal, the subject of souls becomes critically important. This subject causes our own mortality to strike us directly. Our earthly body is very temporary, but our soul and God’s holy and just judgement of our soul endures forever.

A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry? All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:6-8)

God will judge the souls of men. Those souls that have been made holy by the blood of Jesus Christ the Lord will be with the Lord forever. If you trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord your soul will be with Him for eternity.

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:6)

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Those souls that have not been made holy through Jesus Christ the Lord will be forever separated from Him.

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:46)

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15)

God offers us wisdom. Wisdom is trusting God. God teaches us about trust by using consequences. Solomon asked for wisdom. God allowed him to learn to ultimately value wisdom by experiencing the consequences of all else first. God gives us Solomon’s example so that we don’t have to learn everything the hard way.

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the LORD, and the wall around Jerusalem. The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the LORD. Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (1 Kings 3:1-5)

Note that Solomon had that dream even while he was at the very place where he had sinned a thousand times against God by offering sacrifices to idols. God knew that Solomon’s prideful and arrogant heart could only learn to trust Him after exhaustively trying life in his own way first. So God gracefully and patiently allowed Solomon to experience in his own haughty way, all that this life has to offer. Solomon finally concluded that wisdom is trusting God completely and that anything less is meaningless.

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2)

God allowed Solomon to be an example to help teach us. God is allowing his chosen people to be an example also. Judaism was the correct religion until its followers rejected Y’shua as the prophesied Messiah. God still reaches out to followers of Judaism and will save a remnant of them through Jesus Christ as prophesied. A growing number of Jewish people are turning to Jesus Christ the Lord and away from Judaism’s refusal of Jesus as the Messiah. But God is generally allowing followers of Judaism and the nation of Israel to learn by consequences until they accept Jesus Christ the Lord (see the Epistle of Jude).

Prior to 2100 B.C., God chose Abraham to be the patriarch of his chosen people (Genesis 12:3, Genesis 17:7-8, Genesis 22:18, Nehemiah 9:7). After 1900 B.C., God changed the name of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, to Israel. Jacob’s twelve sons were the beginning of the twelve tribes of Israel. The people of Israel were in Egypt for 430 years until 1446 B.C., when under the leadership of Moses, God delivered Israel from the bondage of Eqypt. 1 Samuel 8 records that Israel was not content with the leadership that God had ordained, so they asked for a king so they could be like other nations. God granted their request to teach them, and us, by consequences. Generally, king after king continued to lead and/or allow, Israel to dishonor God and reap harsh consequences.

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the LORD. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him take an oath in God's name. He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the LORD, the God of Israel. Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the LORD, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and spared neither young man nor young woman, old man or aged. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the LORD's temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. They set fire to God's temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there.

He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah. (2 Chronicles 36:11-21)

God instructed Israel to build the First Temple. This was known as Solomon’s Temple. After about four hundred years, God allowed the teaching consequence of that Temple’s destruction by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Israel built the Second Temple and it was destroyed after the followers of Judaism denied that Jesus was the Messiah and hence they fell to the Roman armies in 70 A.D. In their continuing rebellion, they will build the Third Temple and resume offerings that are no longer necessary due to Y’shua offering Himself as the last needed sacrifice. This final rebellion lead by the followers of Judaism will bring the worst consequences that the world has ever known.

He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven. In the middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. (Daniel 9:27)

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

Not all suffering is a direct consequence of an individual’s personal choices. Suffering entered this physical world as a result of mankind not trusting God. Thus we should trust God. God's promises are certain. God has promised an eternity without suffering to those that trust in God's Son, Jesus Christ the Lord. Eternity is an infinitely longer time period than this corporeal life. Followers of Y’shua must evaluate all things in the scope of eternity. Suffering will exist in this life until Jesus returns to end it. As long as we exist corporeally, we will have to live with suffering.

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:13-14)

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight [after shifting their thinking regarding their suffering] Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose [Our prison doors and chains will also soon be no more]. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God —he and his whole family [Others can witness our response to suffering and desire to know Jesus Christ the Lord]. (Acts 16:16-34) [Text within brackets are my comments]

Therefore, what is the purpose of suffering? Suffering is a reminder of the result of not trusting God. So ironically at each moment that we’re reminded by suffering, we must shift our thinking. We must thank God for His certain promise of our eternal existence with Him. We must thank God for the relatively extreme brevity of our existence in this suffering world.

Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 11:35b-12:3)

A growing number of people don’t think that a loving God could sentence anyone’s soul to an eternal hell. Yet God’s word says otherwise. This trend parallels the trend of an increasing number of people ignoring and/or attempting to discredit God’s word.

All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

“ . . . where " 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' Everyone will be salted with fire. (Mark 9:48-49)

"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:1-3)

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:7-12)

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41)

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:28-33)

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Romans 9 explains the subjects of God’s sovereign choice and Israel’s unbelief.

Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. (Matthew 13:36-43)

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

We are so thankful for our eternal inheritance as described in the book of 2 Peter and Luke chapter 13.

Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"

He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last." (Luke 13:22-30)

From the beginning of man’s existence, Satan has argued that there is no judgement from God. If Satan can get man to believe that lie, then he can entice man to join him in his aspiration to be like God.

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4-5)

Many people lack understanding regarding Satan. Satan’s end was determined in the mind of God before the creation of man. Satan chose not to trust God but instead go his own way. This was no surprise to God. In His foreknowledge, God knew this would happen. God planned for man, perfected through Christ, to rule over angels for eternity. Satan’s rebellion was just part of God’s plan to allow man to choose to trust and love God. So we see that Satan’s end was actually determined before his beginning. This is part of the great mystery of the eternal mind of God.

Satan’s demise was consummated at the cross, when Jesus Christ proclaimed the victorious, “It is finished!” This too was predetermined. God knew before he created man that He would provide the only way for man to be reconciled to Him. Jesus Christ was God showing man Himself, His eternal purpose and proclaiming His return for eternity. This mystery cannot be fully understood by man yet is the only path to eternal joy as we choose to trust God. So let us now and forever join the heavenly chorus:

And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:

"Great and marvelous are your deeds,

Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways,

King of the ages.

Who will not fear you, O Lord,

and bring glory to your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come

and worship before you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:2-4)

We are anxiously awaiting the Messiah’s promised and certain return. For now we must live in this temporary fallen world as God allows His plan to unfold. He is patiently allowing a full demonstration of the results of rebellion against Him. In God’s perfect timing He will close this demonstration forever. The Book of Job is an example of God, man and Satan interacting. It’s a prime example of the interaction that may soon occur during the biblical tribulation. But as we await God’s final judgements He wants us to be aware of the enemy Satan. We must fully realize who Satan is and that our only strength is in Jesus Christ the Lord.

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 5-9)

The triune God is the only limiter of Satan. For now, God allows Satan what may be called free rein, yet God remains in full control. Satan can only do what God allows. God only allows what will still bring about His perfect will. Since we are not God we often have great difficulty as we attempt to understand what seems like injustice in this world. But as we fully trust God we must always return to the eternal joy that He offers us. We must live thankfully and full of praise for the certainty of God’s perfect will and power.

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:36-39) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-23)

Satan will continue to tempt man to distrust God. However God limits Satan and will bring a certain and promised end to him.

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?"

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you." (Zechariah 3:1-4)

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"

Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."

"Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."

The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:1-10)

It seems that Satan has again received permission to tempt man as he did in the book of Job. He will be allowed to cause many blows to the world and then he will offer a false peace in our time of despair. But be encouraged! God is in complete control!

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. (Revelation 12:10)

Satan’s fall was due to his pride and his distrust of God.

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."

But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41)

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (Romans 16:20)

Satan’s suggestion that he does not exist is his ultimate stealth attack. If he can get us to believe that lie then we will surely drop our guard. But God wants us to know very well that Satan (the king of Tyre) does exist, was created as a high angel, chose not to trust God and that Satan’s end is certain.

"Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: " 'You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching.

All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.'” (Ezekiel 28:12-19)

Satan is constantly working to twist God’s word into something that would cause others to join him in his initial act of distrust and its consequences. Satan is a master of human psychology with many years of experience at manipulating the minds of people toward distrust of God’s word.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:4-11)

Satan knows that the best and easiest way to entice man is to play upon man’s innate desire to seek God and His ultimate justice, harmony, truth and peace. So Satan frequently uses large portions of God’s word mixed with small amounts of very dangerous poison lies. Satan will cunningly say, “It is written,” in order to use spiritual judo against man. Satan used this tactic on Eve, Jesus and Paul, among others. Paul was deceived to the point that he sought to have true believers sentenced to death by orders of the Sanhedrin.

"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you. (John 16:1-4)

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:1-6)

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:13-14)

The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God." (John 19:7)

In the last days Satan and his fallen angels will attempt a final blitz against Michael and his angels. But Michael knows to refer to the power of Jesus Christ the Lord for victory. But some that call themselves Christians will choose to distrust God. By not relying wholly upon Jesus Christ the Lord, they will not find victory over Satan’s lies. Satan will be allowed to seemingly perform miracles.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." (Revelation 12:12)

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

God has given man the Truth, but man often chooses to believe what sounds better to his own limited reason. There are examples in God’s word where man chooses to distrust God, then God allows Satan and/or Satan’s fallen angels to entice the distrusting man toward his negative consequences. The Lord warned King Ahab, but Ahab wanted to believe what sounded better to him through false prophets. Micaiah, God’s true prophet, warned King Ahab against believing Ahab’s false prophets. Yet Ahab chose unwisely and lost his life.

Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD : I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?'

"One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.'

" 'By what means?' the LORD asked.

" 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said.

" 'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.'

"So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you." (1 Kings 22:19-23)

The church in Smyrna was warned of Satan’s scheming and were encouraged to be faithful even through the point of death. Christians must not fear physical death even at the hands of evil. Eternal spiritual life with and through Jesus Christ the Lord is what really matters.

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:10-11)

The foundation of Satan’s lies is that he wants us to believe that we don’t need the Savior Jesus Christ. Satan will offer what he presents to be similar to eternal heaven, but its real end is wreck and ruin. The better we understand that Satan is under the authority of Jesus Christ the Lord, the better we know how to live in the state of eternal joy that Christ offers. Satan’s end is sure and was secured at the cross. Jesus Christ has supremacy over all as so well stated in Colossians 1.

Followers of Y’shua expect God to bring the world as we know it, to an end. Jesus Christ the Lord will visibly return to earth. He will raise all the dead and judge them. Those that did not trust Him will be punished forever in Hell. Those that have trusted Jesus will be judged only in order to be rewarded by Him (Philippians 3:20, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). God created all, thus who can question or challenge Him? Those that trusted Him will live with Him forever in their glorified bodies in Heaven (Daniel 12:2, 1 Corinthians 15).

Followers of Y’shua cannot know the exact timing but are told to watch for the signs of the season in hopeful anticipation. There will be a new heaven and earth. Popular end time expectation components for believers in Y’shua, in general sequence:

Birth Pains, increasing in frequency and intensity

War of Gog and Magog

Rapture

False Peace / Tribulation

Antichrist & False Prophet

144,000 Jewish Christian Evangelists

Third Temple (The Temple has stood for about 1/3 of the last 3000 years. So, its rebuilding is not so far-fetched.)

Second Coming of Christ

Millennium

Final Judgement

Eternity

Sarah asked me, “What are Judaism’s/Kabbalah’s end time expectations?” So I explained that before I became a follower of Y’shua, Hasidic Judaism had been a tool of Satan in my life. It considers Kabbalah to be the very foundation and essence of Judaism. Judaism considers all other religions to be daughter religions or spinoffs. Followers of Judaism expect the Messiah to come and elevate all mankind, Jewish and non-Jewish, to an even higher physical and spiritual state than was experienced when the Temples existed (Isaiah 11:9, 56:7). Like Christians, they expect that the Third Temple will be built and the sacrificial system fully restored. They expect that the world is headed toward a great Sabbath of all history that will begin no later than six thousand years from the time of Adam (Hebrew calendar year zero). Their teaching considers the Messiah to be just a man like Moses. They consider the potential for the Messiah to have existed in every generation. They teach that all Jewish people are obligated and responsible to practice the commandments and be priests to the non-Jewish people. Followers of Judaism believe that only the Kabbalistic sages have understood the true meanings of the biblical accounts and they expect the Kabbalistic Messiah to bring the fullness of this understanding to all mankind. They consider the Book of Zohar (meaning splendor or magnificent radiance) to be the key sacred text for this full understanding. Judaism teaches that man’s history is for the refinement and purification of mankind. They believe that souls reincarnate until they reach this purified state. It is taught that there are five horizontal levels, or worlds of the soul, plus a Godlike level. There are three vertical paths containing each of these six horizontal levels. Judaism/Kabbalah offers three columns of worlds by which the soul is to ascend in order to become like God. This results in the totals of 666.

6 6 6 - Eternally like God

5 5 5

4 4 4

3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1

Sarah then wanted to know what the deepest Kabbalistic end time expectations are. So I explained that in its deepest parts, Kabbalah actually considers Judaism and all religions to be spin-offs of Kabbalah. Therefore, Kabbalah distinguishes itself from Judaism’s physical ritual form of Kabbalah and considers all religions to be simply cultural traditions. Kabbalah teaches that these cultural traditions were created by Kabbalists in order to hold and prepare mankind, throughout most of history, for the time of the Messiah.

Kabbalah literally means “receiving.” It is considered the method and practice of receiving the complete likeness of the Creator. Kabbalists consider the Messiah to be a spiritual state which may become manifested in a man called the Messiah and will culminate in all mankind reaching a Godlike state.

Kabbalah considers all of physical creation to be like a dream or illusion. This is experienced by the one and only true single existing soul for the purpose of bringing that soul to have attributes like the Creator. This is so that the soul and the Creator will exist in perfect unity. Kabbalah teaches that, in reality, the Creator and the soul already exist unified together with no time, no space and no movement, but that the soul simply doesn’t realize it.

Kabbalah teaches that the Creator has only the attribute of giving and the created soul has only the attribute of receiving. The soul is intended to finally reach having only the attribute of giving and thus be like the Creator. The method and practice of Kabbalah is uniting with other Kabbalists in order to be motivated toward becoming Godlike. Peer pressure is Kabbalah’s main tactic.

Kabbalah considers man’s only opportunity for free will to be whether or not he chooses to nullify himself to the Kabbalistic group lead by a Kabbalist teacher or rav. The only possible sin is to choose not to nullify himself to the Kabbalistic group and the group’s goal of becoming like the Creator.

Kabbalah teaches that evil and suffering is actually a good force in the world. That force teaches mankind and motivates man away from the receiving nature. This force pushes man toward reaching a giving nature equal to that of the Creator. Kabbalah teaches that “love thy friend as thyself” means to realize that what you perceive as others is actually inside of you. A person is led to believe that he is all that exists and ultimately that he is the Creator.

Christians must always remember that any so called “Light” that doesn’t point to Y’shua is actually spiritual darkness.

At its deepest core, Kabbalah calls for a world cultural revolution of public opinion/perception/attitude/values in order to obligate people toward the movement. Initially it will be done, mainly by appealing to women and their children and not to egoistic powerful leaders. The leaders will be left with no alternative other than to follow the will of the masses. It will not, for the most part, introduce the movement as Kabbalah. It will be introduced as a new form of education for the world that must be taught in order to escape the blows that we have brought upon ourselves and nature. The goal will be to move quickly toward a new peaceful world. Unity will become heralded as the greatest good.

Christians must remember that unity under Christ is the Christian goal, not unity under a form of government or movement.

Satan cunningly offers many "beautiful" paths, paths of independence from man's need for Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. However, the end of all those paths is certain eternal destruction.

My rav taught me that a Kabbalist will study Kabbalah, especially the Book of Zohar, in order to attract the Light to correct himself and the world. He considers Kabbalah to be the foundation, or inner part, of Torah. A Kabbalist will not do any physical acts to bring this correction, although he may do physical acts that appear religious only in order to live within what he considers to be only his culture and tradition.

Sarah and I have often discussed the fact that the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have strongly linked prophecies.

God chose to reach out to Jews first, then Gentiles. This reaching out includes all of God's word, including the gospel and prophecies, which when fulfilled should produce trust in Jesus Christ the Lord.

The end time prophecies of Judaism and Christianity are strongly linked. What Satan means for harm, God can use for good. Satan misguided Judaism, but God can still use their background to help lead them to Christ. Knowledge of Judaism's and Christianity's prophecies gives a clearer picture of how God is reaching out to all of us through the fulfillment of prophecies.

Kabbalah/Judaism and Christianity have prophecies that indicate that the Third Temple will be built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Judaism and Islam have prophecies that indicate that animal sacrifices will be resumed by their respective followers, though the respective sacrifices will be done for differing reasons. These three major religions claim to be rooted in Abraham and began observing the practice of circumcision, which some others consider brutal or a cultural obscenity. Animal sacrifice is foreign to Western thought. However, it’s not so foreign to Middle Eastern religious thought.

So how might these strongly linked prophecies of the Abrahamic faiths be played out?

First to the Jews and then to the Gentiles is the method used by Christians and Judaism/Noahidism/Kabbalah. As it turns out, when learned followers of Judaism become followers of Y’shua and reflect upon Judaism’s prophecies in light of Christian prophecies, they will be the first to have opportunity to more fully recognize the meaning of Christian prophecies. This is what I’ve found to be true as it happened to me.

For instance, Judaism’s deepest teachings of Kabbalah say that the Jewish people are responsible for the destructions of the first and second temples due to the people’s spiritual descents. Therefore, the Antichrist will be from the Jewish people, not from some derivative of Rome such as the European Union. This is a critical distinction from what common interpretations are today among believers in Y’shua.

The Jewish people are loved by God and hated by Satan. God has chosen to bless the Jewish people since the time of Abraham. God promised Jesus Christ would come to us through the Jewish lineage. He delivered as always. But what God blesses, Satan tries to abuse. Satan hates the Jewish people and he has worked to abuse and deceive them for centuries. Now that Satan’s time is nearly over, he has prepared a special deception and abuse for them.

Nothing happens without God causing or allowing it to occur. The first few chapters of the book of Job are a great example of that truth. We often find what God allows to occur to be very confusing and even frustrating. But ultimately we should be comforted by God’s perfect love and omnipotent control.

When we foolishly want something other than God’s best for us, God sometimes allows it to happen so that we can learn to appreciate His perfect will. We want more manna! We want an earthly king! We want to develop our own laws! God, the wisest and most patient Father of all, knows how to correct his children.

God loves the Jewish people. They are on the brink of God’s correction, and conversely, Satan’s deceit and abuse. The Jewish people are about to think that it has finally all come together for them but they will be gravely disappointed. Satan has set them up for a fall from a great height. In the end though, a remnant will be saved because God offers them salvation through Y’shua the Messiah.

Satan’s plan involves influencing the world to help elevate the Jewish people to uncanny heights of worldly influence. Then he plans to abuse them to lead the world against Jesus Christ. That international influence involves areas of religion or spiritualism, politics, media and entertainment, finances and strides toward world peace.

Naturally, Satan’s influence is currently most pronounced where the Jewish population is highest. The highest populations of Jewish people are in the United States and Israel. The Jewish people in the U.S. are less than three percent of the U.S. population. However, their percentages in leadership positions are dramatically higher. Look how much worldly influence less than three percent of the U.S. population can have.

What will happen if the Ark of the Covenant is discovered and/or the Jewish people are instrumental in bringing a form of world peace? The world population of Jewish people will become dramatically united in their sense of spiritual purpose and influence. Those international influences will explosively and exponentially grow to a level beyond anything in history.

Satan will revel in his temporary glory as the world is influenced to turn away from Jesus Christ the Lord. The people of the world will become hyper-magnetized to the spiritual answers offered by the strongest base of influence that the world has ever known - the Jewish people deceived and abused by Satan.

Judaism's prophesies seem to indicate that the following things will occur. Worldwide economic failure will bring about a nuclear world war. The world will also battle for the control of Jerusalem. God will intervene for the sake of His promises to Israel. It will not be for the sake of Israel’s obedience because Judaism denies the Trinity (Ezekiel 36:16-32). God’s intervention will be for the sake of His name as it was when He parted the Red Sea

Judaism will then be lifted high upon a pedestal before the world. Judaism will offer the Seven Laws of Noah to all non-Jews and bring a sense of worldwide peace. Kabbalah will be taught to the Jews and the Noahides with much more vigor than today. It’s already a growing trend.

I’ve explained to Sarah that the Third Temple is prophesied in the Bible to be built in the end-times. Jewish law requires that the Sanhedrin exist in order to build and use the Temple. That makes any authentic Sanhedrin very important to these end-times. A new Sanhedrin would fulfill their idea of God’s plan for the world. The term Torah is often used as a comprehensive term including all sources of Judaism (written and oral). A Sanhedrin’s goals would be from the Mishneh Torah and would turn out to align with Christian prophecy. They would establish a kingdom to replace the authority of other governments.

The entire world will request that the Third Temple be built in order to bring world peace and justice. In a shocking move of concession, Muslims will even request that the Temple replace the Dome of the Rock as the Jewish sages have said.

The Temple rituals will begin again. Soon after, Kabbalah will replace the rituals because they are no longer needed for spiritual attainment. The leading Kabbalist will declare that by this method he and all of humanity can be like God. Then the Great Tribulation (the last 3 1/2 years of the seven year biblical tribulation) will occur.

After that Jesus Christ the Lord will return to destroy this hoax of Satan's and Y’shua will rule all for eternity!

There are obvious obstacles. These challenges are also obvious to Satan and he has devised timely solutions. Even with the obstacles removed, the accomplishment of these goals within a very brief time frame will require uncanny catalysts. Satan is also quickly preparing those catalysts.

These are not evil men that are out to take over the world. Satan has been working to deceive them, and us, for centuries. They are simply zealously working toward that which they understand to be God’s will for the world.

Christianity is the only religion in which you are provided salvation by grace. Only Jesus Christ gives that honor away freely. In all other religions, man has to earn his way. But Isaiah 64:6 tells us that, “. . . all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. . .”

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

The Torah requires the Jewish people to observe and obey 613 Mitzvot (commands) in order to be righteous. Satan has twisted that number and fact exactly backward. All that God requires is John 3:16. How ironic.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:29)

In the first century A.D., God allowed Satan to generally lead the world against Y’shua. Yet biblical prophecy was fulfilled completely. God can take Satan’s worst and turn it into eternal good. In our days, God is allowing Satan to generally deceive the world again. But biblical prophecy will be fulfilled to the letter. God doesn’t want us to be fooled. He is showing Satan’s hand and God wants us to look and act accordingly. God will once again use this for eternal good for those that trust Him.

God may allow Satan’s tools of a Sanhedrin, the Noahides, and the Kabbalists to make suggestive predictions that come to pass. This would allow prophecy to be fulfilled. It would also allow the Jewish people, whom Satan hates, to be lifted high upon a pedestal before the world. Then Satan could slam them to the ground to utterly humiliate them for his delight.

The Dome of the Rock, a famous Islamic shrine, now occupies the Temple Mount. It is a Muslim holy site. The Muslims are not currently in a state of mind to simply hand the holy site over to the Jewish people. However, the Jewish sages have said that the day will come when the world will ask the Jewish people to rebuild the Temple so that the world can have peace. The Holy of Holies, the holiest part of the Jewish Temple, needs to be reconstructed exactly where the Dome of the Rock now sits.

Christians, Muslims and the Jewish people are expecting their respective Messiahs imminently. What a coincidence! What a clash! These are differing major world faiths that are now very expectant of their Messiahs at the same time. Christians generally expect the Rapture and then the return of Christ to earth. Muslim “Twelvers” expect a war that their Messiah will use to destroy their enemies. The Jewish people expect their Messiah to fulfill their Mishnah Torah by restoring their rituals of ages past and making them priests for all humanity under the authority of an authentic Sanhedrin.

Satan has a solution well in place. He has managed the coincidence and the clash. Satan has been working on this globally for quite a while. He even has the audacity to say that God issued the solution to us at creation via Kabbalah! The sad fact is that much of humanity will be deceived into loving the false solution at first.

A Sanhedrin will introduce the Torah to all non-Jews. This certainly appears to be a major aspect of the prophesied one world religion and it has no room for Jesus Christ the Lord. They have been deceived to sincerely believe that God has commanded the Sanhedrin to lead all Jews and non-Jews to follow the laws of Torah. The laws are different for non-Jews but they are laws.

The laws for non-Jews are called by several names with some variance in spellings. Some of those names are the Seven Laws of Noah, the Seven Universal Laws and the Seven Mitzvot (7M). Those who follow these laws have several names with variant spellings also. Non-Jews that choose to follow the Seven Laws of Noah are referred to as the Children of Noah, the B’nai Noach or B’nai Noah (BN) and righteous Gentiles. A non-Jew may choose to become a follower, or may be required to, depending on the situation.

A non-Jew must appear before a beit din (a rabbinical court of at least three approved rabbis) to pledge their allegiance to the Seven Laws of Noah in order to become a bona fide B’nai Noah. After that they are required to follow the laws exactly. They will be submitting to the authority of a Sanhedrin.

It’s coming like a freight train exiting a tunnel. It can be heard and felt as it approaches. Then it suddenly appears. We can’t stop it, but we must be aware of its certainty.

When the Sanhedrin and the Roman soldiers came to get Jesus, Peter tried to stop them. He couldn’t have, but he tried. Jesus told Peter that it was time for the prophecies to be fulfilled and so it may be now. It can’t be stopped but we must be spiritually and emotionally prepared.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:45-54)

Things aren’t normal anymore. They are paranormal. Actually they always were paranormal. We have just chosen to concentrate on this world rather than the next. It’s time to concentrate on eternity with Jesus Christ the Lord. This world and the spiritual world are at war. Tragedy is imminent. This is a time of great sadness, yet the greatest joy. The winter of this life is nearly over for all humanity. The spring of eternity is approaching. Today more than ever, Christians must rejoice!

I’ve explained to Sarah that the B’nai Noah play a critical role in the Tribulation. The Seven Laws of Noah contain prohibitions of (1) idolatry, (2) murder, (3)theft, (4) sexual promiscuity and (5) blasphemy. In addition, there is a (6) dietary prohibition and a (7) requirement to set up courts for the purpose of governing with these laws.

A council of the nations would be comprised of ten men. They would be non-Jewish men forming an international organization under a Sanhedrin. Their purpose would be to serve as an intermediary between a Sanhedrin and Noahides worldwide.

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.' " (Zechariah 8:23)

The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. (Daniel 7:24-26)

A council of the world would be comprised of seven men. They will likely be rabbis and Torah scholars. The symbol used to represent the Seven Laws of Noah is the rainbow. Each color represents a law.

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."

So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings." (Revelation 10)

And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns (council of the nations) and seven heads (council of the world), with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. (Revelation 13:1-2)

This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. (Revelation 17:9)

My rav taught me that the deepest part of Kabbalah is completely spiritual and does not deal directly with corporeality. Kabbalah teaches that all religions should be considered as just social clubs in comparison to Kabbalah. Ironically there are people that label themselves as Christians, yet are Kabbalists because Kabbalists consider their corporeal and spiritual realities as totally separate.

According to Kabbalah, the Bible can only be correctly known as a Kabbalistic text with allegorical spiritual meanings. Kabbalah teaches that biblical events actually occurred but only as reflections of what occurred within the spiritual realms. Kabbalah also teaches that biblical prophesies have and will actually occur, but only as reflections of what will occur within the spiritual realms.

People are increasingly in despair as the world seems to be spiraling out of control. Science, politics, military powers and religions have seemingly failed to make things better. People from all countries, cultures and walks of life may swallow this Kabbalistic teaching as they are in despair.

Kabbalah uses common language, as well as the Bible, in new ways. Words are given new meanings to disorient people. People begin to devalue what they thought before and replace those thoughts with new paradigms. Peer pressure is a very powerful tool used to bring about this change of values. The main theme of teaching is to pressure your peers and submit to pressure from your peers. This will allow the entire world Kabbalistic group to come to the “wisdom” of Kabbalah and realize that they are absolutely like the creator.

Kabbalah will turn many away from faiths of the world including Christianity. Jesus Christ warned us that being a Christian would not be easy and would require dedication above that of family and even our own lives.

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)

What did John see in his vision of the Mark of the Beast? It seems apparent that soon you will no longer have to be annoyed by carrying multiple credit cards, membership cards and discount cards. Many financial transactions are electronic via the Internet. We can reserve library books via the Internet. Stores use the Internet to complete our transactions. We shop online. We can transfer money from one account to another by using the Internet.

All these activities can be even easier. The world seems to be developing a way for each person to get a universal Internet identification. It will likely work with any computer operating system. It may be used by any computer software application. Anything worldwide that is computerized, may identify you very quickly via your distinctive attributes. Businesses will no longer have to decide which equipment and services will best serve them and their customers. They can all share the same identification protocol.

No more forgetting passwords or losing credit or discount cards. Anyone can use this universal identification. It’s quick and harmless. Even a child could do it. Just let the nice machine take a digital picture of your hand (or finger) and/or eyes.

When the Apostle John was allowed to see events of the end-times, he couldn’t fully understand some of what he saw. He described them to the best of his understanding. God knew that we could understand what John saw when the time came.

John thought that people could lose their right to buy or sell things without having a mark on their forehead or hand. Could he have seen someone having his eyes digitally scanned? Could he have seen someone having his hand or finger vasculature digitally scanned? No implanted chip is necessary. Very soon, just one universal identification could allow you to buy or sell worldwide. Months later losing that privilege may fulfill prophecy when Christians can’t buy or sell. It’s possible that you may not be able to participate in trade if you don’t first, take the Noahide oath and then ultimately contribute to the dissemination of Kabbalah.

Jesus Christ the Lord is increasingly accused as an obstacle to world peace.

What is the current climate regarding prospective world peace? Aren’t we ready for it? If world chaos and conflict escalate further wouldn’t we tend to accept peace with open arms? Haven’t enough died already?

What about the global need for cleaner air and water? How can we solve the problems of people in the world that are still starving every day and ridden with disease? What are we going to do about the energy crisis? How can we rid ourselves of this growing terrorism and nuclear arms issue? Innumerable hosts of reminders about these pressing issues surround us daily. Proposed answers vary widely. The dominant cry is, “Something must be done!”

The world elite and conglomerates of spiritual advisors are rallying like never before to address these issues. “Interreligious dialogue” and “intercultural dialogue” are quickly budding in elite meetings around the world. Other high-profile conferences seek “sustainable solutions” to global environmental issues.

Sarah and I have asked ourselves, “So, what should believers in Y’shua/Jesus do?”

I saw a picture of truth in a deceived world. I was looking out a large window. The winter sky was gray. The tall oak and maple trees were gray and leafless. Everything seemed to be gray. But centered in this scene and far off, was a cardinal. This redbird was the only offering of life and hope amidst the otherwise dismal scene. I immediately knew that this was the picture of what God was showing to me. I knew that I absolutely must share it with the world. To hell with the consequences. To heaven with us!

Be aware of what is happening. Be prepared, spiritually and emotionally, to peacefully stand for Jesus Christ the Lord no matter what.

Most people of the world view Jesus as an obstacle to world peace. I’m all for world peace but not if it comes with the eventual price of denying Jesus Christ.

Patrick Henry said:

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”

I say:

“Give me Jesus Christ the Lord, or give me death!”

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

Maranatha!

Christians must prepare for these days by focusing on eternity now. We must repent at the foot of the cross, then rejoice at the empty tomb. As Christians we must fully realize that we already walk in the newness of eternal life.

Our realization of eternity is nourished by our praise and thanksgiving to Christ. The more we nourish our eternal reality, the more real it becomes to us. The more real it becomes to us, the more others will see Christ in us and desire Him. This is how Paul’s joy was unaffected by the sufferings of this life and even death.

Our mission is to live and demonstrate how to develop the realization of our eternity now via:

God

trust in Jesus Christ the Lord

Prayer

prayers of thanksgiving for eternity

God’s Word

reading the Bible with eternity in mind

Encouragement

consistent encouragement of others of like minds

Sharing

sharing our inheritance with others

By doing these things, we are consistently realizing our inheritance so that we can see it, touch it, smell it, taste it and hear it. We are realizing that it is truly eternal and more real than this vapor we now call reality.

Biblical truth and prophecy explain the need for hope. This assures that certain hope in Jesus Christ.

And now I will show you the most excellent way. (1 Cor. 12:31b)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. . . . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:4-7, 13)

Faith develops hope and hope develops love. Love is dependent upon first faith, then hope.

The Coming of the Lord

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-18)

However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him"— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

Future Glory

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Stay thankful, healthy and productive

in all that you do.

But it's mostly the thankfulness

that'll get you through.

Sarah and I practice a three step process that is the key to realizing our eternal joy. Our goal for this earthly life is to be “Thankful, Healthy and Productive” (THP):

1) Be thankful to God for the eternity that is already yours through Jesus Christ the Lord.

2) Be reasonably healthy so that you can serve God and others well.

3) Be productive in accordance with God's eternal perspective.

With this eternal perspective, Sarah and I have found a deeper meaning in, “Jesus wept.”

(John 11:35.) The shortest verse in the Bible has very significant meaning especially in these end-times. It gives us a picture of Jesus Christ the Lord crying. How emotionally disturbing that should be for us. We must ask ourselves why Jesus (God) was crying.

Some have said that it was because Lazarus had died. Others have said that it was because some of his closest friends were so distraught or because Jesus had postponed what others thought to be such an urgent matter. Jesus was crying because even those that were closest to him did not understand his strongest eternal motive and purpose. Jesus was and still is most concerned about our eternal souls being saved by Him and for Him.

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)

Is Jesus concerned about our earthly health and life? Yes. Is God concerned about our emotional status? Yes. Is Jesus Christ concerned about world peace? Yes. However, Jesus is about to get married and his ultimate concern is for the eternal Bride of Christ.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)

Jesus has an evil nemesis. Satan has been working throughout history to do harm to the Bride of Christ. If you are a Christian and you don’t have some idea that the end may be near, you are behaving like an ostrich. Satan knows that the time that God has allowed him to have power in this world may be nearly over. Satan is swiftly setting the final stage for his ultimate deception. The curtain call may be very imminent.

And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." (Revelation 12:7-12)

Many people think the biblical rapture must occur at the beginning of the biblical tribulation. If their opinion is correct, then Christians don’t need to be concerned about many details do they? If the biblical seven-year Tribulation may be imminent, then Christians will be taken up in the Rapture before Satan’s deceptive plans fully develop, right? It’s only those left behind that need this information, isn’t it? Maybe. I certainly hope the Rapture occurs before most of the Tribulation events. But most wise end-time authors and teachers admit that they can’t prove, beyond doubt, that the Rapture is certain to be pre-Tribulation. If there is any chance that the rapture could be after the beginning of the Tribulation, shouldn’t we be prepared? Most Christians, however, choose pre-tribulation rapture to be correct. The alternative is not nearly as comfortable. If there is even a one-in-a-million chance that the rapture could occur sometime after the start of the biblical tribulation, then Christians should be prepared for that potential.

Recently at a group discussion, I presented a couple of common theories that indicate that the Rapture may not be pre-Tribulation. One lady who is normally very sweet and smiling lost her countenance. She just couldn’t accept any possibility of our loving God not placing the Rapture before the Tribulation. I told her that I also preferred the pre-Tribulation Rapture timing. But then I reminded her that even people in the Bible that were very close to God were, more often than not, allowed to suffer greatly. Are we any more special to God?

Let’s play “what if.”

What if the Rapture occurs later than we hope? What if world conflict escalates dramatically? What if God allows a world leader to be presented as the greatly anticipated Messiah of the Jewish people, Muslims and Christians? What if this “messiah” matched the expectations of virtually all faiths? What if he is allowed to perform convincing miracles? What if seemingly timeless Kabbalistic spiritual laws are presented to the world and appear to offer all religions and people spiritual guidance that brings world peace?

What if all those things happen, thus allowing the Temple to be rebuilt on the Temple Mount? (Exodus 14:29-15:21) What if the ashes of the red heifer and the Ark of the Covenant are discovered? What if the Temple offerings resume? What if virtually all Jews are united by those events and assume their believed heritage as priests to the world?

What if all non-Jews are expected to become B’nai Noah? What if world leaders, celebrities, news and entertainment media and many of your peers are B’nai Noah? What if seemingly everyone would ostracize you if you were not Jewish or B’nai Noah? What if the world’s leading Kabbalist at that time is even invited to become the spiritual guide for the world?

What if seemingly all the world pressures you with questions like: Don’t you want world peace? Don’t you want world economic despair, disease and hunger to disappear? Can’t you see that most world religions were just man-made attempts to duplicate the one true God of Israel? Why do you cling to your old religion that has been proven to be false? Can’t you see that Jesus was just a man and not God? What is your problem!?

The Tribulation will not be fun for Christians or those that will become Christians. In fact, the “what if” game doesn’t even begin to demonstrate how troubling the Tribulation will be for Christians, and eventually all people.

Sarah and I just heard the weekly test of the warning sirens. God is trying in many ways to warn us of the imminent danger. Are we heeding the warnings or are we choosing to stick our heads in the sand? After the first wave of a tsunami do not return to the shoreline and act as though things are normal. The next wave may be much worse!

Just like 2000 years ago, the world will not recognize prophecy being fulfilled because they will expect something different. Satan has been allowed to blind most of the world to what will actually happen. The Antichrist could be a Jewish person that moved from Europe to Israel.

The Bible has always been God's message intended first for the Jews. As a devout follower of Judaism, I was taught that the temples were destroyed because the followers of Judaism/Kabbalah fell spiritually and that the Romans were simply a physical tool of the spiritual realm. Therefore, the Bible's message to the Jewish people is that the Jewish people were responsible for the destruction of the Temple. So the Antichrist will be a person of Jewish descent. A devout follower of Judaism would also tell you that Kabbalah is the very foundation of Judaism. He would further explain that Kabbalah is actually the foundation of all major religions and that those religions have been caused and allowed to exist to help prepare mankind for all of mankind to turn to Kabbalah when the spiritual time is right . . . and that time is now. Thus, only a person that understands the prophecies of Kabbalah can more fully understand the prophesies of the Bible. Remember, the Bible's message is intended first for the Jews. Satan has a great hoax in mind for the Jewish people because he hates them so much. He will lift them to a great height so that he can attempt to slam them down. This is how and why the Third Temple and it's sacrifices will exist in the last days and the Antichrist will actually be asked to control the Temple. He will halt the sacrificial system as he deems it no longer necessary for the new worldwide spiritual system that he will bring into power via Kabbalah. Why will the world esteem him so as he does this? Because he will teach the world that through the practice of Kabbalah, not just he, but everyone will be equal to the Creator.

For many years I’ve studied the depths of Judaism and Kabbalah. They indicate that the prophesies of both, actually dovetail with our Christian end time prophecies. However, our commonly taught interpretations from the original Greek are inaccurate in some very critical cases. The Antichrist will not set himself up as God but as, "like or equal to God." The Antichrist will not be worshiped but will be "highly esteemed" by the world.

God will miraculously save Israel from an obviously indefensible attack. God will do it for the sake of His name in spite of the fact that Israel continues to deny His Son. This will be known worldwide as an undeniable object lesson that God has protected Israel with a miracle of biblical proportions that equal His parting of the Red Sea. The Kabbalists will possibly humbly claim that their spiritual height brought about the miracle of saving Israel from otherwise seemingly certain destruction.

The entire world, including the Muslims, will potentially raise Israel upon a pedestal and give Israel whatever she demands. As the Jewish sages have foretold, the Muslims will give the Temple Mount completely back to Israel and ask her to build the Third Temple so the world can at last have peace (false peace). This will be the beginning of the end time Tribulation.

According to the laws of Judaism, the Temple can only be rebuilt after a Sanhedrin has been completely re-established. This re-establishment would be quickly completed and the Sanhedrin would work to complete the Temple and begin the sacrificial system again. They may even announce the finding of the Ark of the Covenant and place it in the Holy of Holies of the Third Temple. The nations of the world would possibly be required to take an oath to the Noahide Laws under the leadership of a Sanhedrin. Virtually all the world could be convinced that world peace has finally begun with God's blessing.

According to Kabbalah’s prophecies, halfway through the Tribulation, the Sanhedrin could finally concede to its actual Kabbalistic foundation. The world's leading Kabbalist will be asked to be the King of Israel. By then he will have convinced most of the world that he and all people have been granted equality with the "Creator" through his Kabbalistic guidance. He will reveal that true Kabbalah is entirely spiritual only and that all forms of corporeal religions, even Judaism, are no longer needed. He will cease the Temple sacrifices and take his place in the Holy of Holies as the intercessor between all of humanity and the Creator. This will be the beginning of the Great Tribulation which is the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation.

By this time, all financial transactions will require a non-contact biometric ID of an iris scan and/or a palm vasculature scan. This will be processed via a worldwide database. Only those that have taken the Noahide oath will be able to participate. The Noahide Laws will be redefined with their Kabbalistic meanings, but those meanings will not require new oaths to be given.

The prophesied false prophet, Jewish and born in Israel, will likely be the president of the Sanhedrin at that time. The prophesied Antichrist, Jewish and born outside of Israel, will likely be the world's leading Kabbalist at that time.

It’s possible that God will not rapture us until sometime during the Great Tribulation. Christians must be aware and ready for these likely soon-coming events.

In the first century followers of Y’shua were surprised that the gospel was also for Gentiles. Today many are surprised that the gospel is also and even first, for Jewish people.

I now know and have warned Sarah that Kabbalah is spiritually very dangerous, but understanding it’s theory is key to understanding Satan’s deception in these end-times. Avoid the practice of Kabbalah, which means group activities. Peer pressure is a strong tool of Kabbalah. Kabbalah has very deceptive definitions for God, The Bible, Messiah, prayer and religion.

Now more than ever we must trust Jesus Christ the Lord. Since we are all sinners, how does God know who is committed to Him? He knows our commitment or trust by how we trust Him.

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9a)

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-31)

As I stated, my Hasidic past gives me a more unique perspective of Bible prophecy. Now I’ve shared it with you. Just as Satan hoaxed the Pharisees and Sadducees in the first century to expect something other than Jesus Christ the Lord as the Messiah, Satan is also hoaxing the followers of Judaism and the followers of Jesus today.

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:21-22, 33)

And now, as Paul said:

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:17-20, 25-27)

Only the Father knows the timing but we must be watchful and ready. We look forward to being with you soon.

Love in Y’shua the Messiah,

Seth & Sarah