Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ! In our last post, Jesus was still on the cross. Having paid for our sins, Jesus commended his spirit to his Father and gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46) This brings us to the resurrection, one of the many things that distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. Father, give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 19:31-20:17
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. [Ps 34:20]
37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. [Zec 12:10]
38 ¶ And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. [1]
40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Chapter 19 ends with Jesus in the grave. Three days and three nights will pass before Chapter 20 opens on Sunday morning just before sunrise. (Matt 12:40; cf Jonah 1:17)

1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

In Mark’s Gospel, an angel tells Mary to go tell the disciples “and Peter” that Jesus is risen and He will meet them in Galilee. I’m sure Peter needed to hear that. He most likely thought Jesus was through with him. 

2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved [John], and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

It does not say Mary was alone in verse 1, which is important to note in order to reconcile John’s account with those of the other Gospel writers. In fact, Mary’s use of the pronoun we in verse 2 indicates she was with the other women noted in the other Gospel accounts.

3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. [This verse seems to indicate that the Shroud of Turin is a fake.]
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

In his own subtle way, John tells us he was the first to believe Jesus is risen.

9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 ¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
John 19:31-20:17

Interesting choice Jesus made, appearing to Mary first before anyone else. Not only were women given very little respect in the ancient world, but Mary was also known as a woman of ill repute. In other words, if not for Jesus, Mary would have been shown nothing but contempt. Yet the Bible says in Christ there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus and again, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (Gal 3:28; 2 Cor 5:17) Despite the world’s attempts to paint Christianity as an oppressive system that holds women down, the fact remains that Jesus is the greatest liberator of women in the history of the world. If that were not true, Jesus would not have appeared first to Mary. If that were not true, Paul would not have entrusted his magnum opus, the Book of Romans, to a woman named Phebe. (2) Christianity elevated women to where they are today. In the areas of the world where the gospel has had no influence, women are still treated very poorly.

But why did Jesus tell Mary not to touch Him? One of the key chapters for unlocking the Bible is Leviticus 23. Leviticus 23:10, 11 says that following the Passover, a sheaf of the firstfruits was to be presented to the LORD on the morning after the Sabbath (Sunday). In other words, the Feast of Firstfruits points to Jesus as the firstfruits of the first resurrection. (1 Cor 15:20, 23) Jesus fulfilled the Feast of Firstfruits by presenting Himself to his Father after He rose from the dead. That is why Jesus told Mary not to touch Him. Yet He said it in a very gentle way: Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:

Certain new versions have Jesus saying, “Stop clinging to me.” Many years ago, Dave Hunt wrote a book called The Seduction of Christianity (Harvest House, 1985) that revealed the damaging effects psychology was having on the church. This happened at a time when new versions were gaining popularity and displacing the KJV. When one carefully considers the subtle changes made to the text it is not hard to see why Christians started turning to psychology. (Eg “Stop clinging to me.”) If you read the KJV, God is going to nurture … admonish … and … humble you. (Eph 6:4; 2 Cor 12:21) If you read certain of the new versions, the same verses say God will “discipline … instruct … and … humiliate” you. I do not think there is any question that these and many other subtle changes left Christians seeking help from psychology, then led to movements like the emerging church and other forms of apostate Christianity where Christians no longer bother to bring their Bibles to church. None of the people we read about in the gospels needed psychology. What they needed was the pure bread of life. For a closer look at the bread that came down from heaven and how to keep from being deceived by counterfeits, see here. This is one link I highly recommend you click on and read. I do not usually say that but this topic gets to the heart of the matter concerning the deception that Jesus warned us about (Matt 24:4). Christianity is not a game and if there was ever a time when you need to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, that time is now. Father, thank You that your Son has conquered the grave. Thank You that He is coming back again for us. Thank You for keeping your promise to preserve your word for us. Draw us closer to You and direct our paths, for your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PS: Earlier this week I had the privilege of visiting the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. After spending some time in the Small Chapel where I prayed and read Zechariah chapters 4-14, I happened upon some Americans holding a communion service in the Large Chapel. Receiving holy communion in the garden was an added blessing. There is a beautiful wine press in the garden and a perfect view of Golgotha, but I saved the best for last when I viewed the empty tomb. (More here.) Other sites I have visited so far include the old city of Nazareth, Capernaum and other sites around the Sea of Galilee, the pool of Siloam, the Mount of Olives, Bethlehem, Bethphage, and Bethany. 

Praying in the Small Chapel.

The Large Chapel.

The winepress.

View of Golgotha from the Garden Tomb.

Exterior view of the tomb.

Interior view of the tomb.

PPS: (6/18/23) I was recently told by a learned guide here in Jerusalem that the Third Wall of the Second Temple period (near the Garden Tomb) did not exist at the time of the crucifixion. Agrippa I began construction on this wall circa 44 AD. Therefore, the location of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was without the gate at the time of the crucifixion, ie beyond the Second Wall. This site was chosen by Helena, the mother of Constantine. I still take this location with a grain of salt. Helena also chose the Sinai Peninsula as the location of Mt Sinai, while the Bible clearly says it is in Arabia. (Gal 4:25) 

Prophecy Update: I recently reviewed the video from Dana Coverstone that I posted in July of 2020. I have often thought about whether Coverstone’s dream was truly prophetic. We have not seen anything like the ‘explosion’ when the fist hit the calendar in Coverstone’s dream. There has been no invasion by foreign troops. In the dream, the hand that tapped November on the calendar seemed to be significant because of the stolen election in 2020. As I said in my review of 2021, I am not going to vote for Trump again, but that does not change the fact that we had a stolen election. That does not change the fact that the coup is continuing into our next election cycle. I had almost made up my mind that Coverstone’s dream was not truly prophetic. In fact, I was planning on saying so in this post, but then Trump was indicted, again. In light of this and other recent developments, I have decided to once again reserve judgment on the dream until later. The peaceful transfer of power has been one of the features that has distinguished America as the land of the free ever since the end of the Civil War. With the Biden DOJ prosecuting Biden’s number-one challenger in 2024, things are not looking good, to say the least. Thankfully we have a blessed hope. (Hab 1:5; Luke 21:36; John 14:3; Acts 13:41; 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16-18; Tit 2:13) In other words, knowing that Jesus was faithful to suffer and die for us, knowing that God was faithful to deliver his Son from the grave, and knowing He is coming back, we have nothing to worry about. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

(1) The pound John refers to here is the Roman libra, which was 11 oz or .725 lbs. Therefore, the myrrh and aloes that Nicodemus used to prepare Jesus’ body for burial weighed 72.5 lbs.
(2) See postscript following Romans 16, KJV.

Dear Friends,

Although John’s Gospel is not classified as prophecy, we have encountered several prophecies along the way, both made and fulfilled. For example, Jesus fulfilled several prophecies in our last post, like this one from the prophet Isaiah circa 700 BC: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isa 53:7) As Prophet, Priest, and King, Jesus made several prophecies as well. In the section before us, Jesus will fulfill his many prophetic references to his hour. His hour has arrived, just as the coming night He spoke of is sure to arrive as well. (John 9:4; Matt 24:33) It’s inevitable, as sure as the rising of the sun, and the sands of time are running low.

When we last left off, Pilate had just handed Jesus over to be crucified. Since the beginning of Chapter 18, Jesus had to deal with Judas who betrayed Him; others sent to arrest Him with swords, staves, and torches; then the kangaroo courts of Annas and Caiaphas, then Pilate and Herod, then Pilate again. He had to face the fickle mob that turned against Him; then the Roman dogs who scourged Him, beat Him, mocked Him, and spit on him. (Not to mention the disciples who forsook Him and fled and the one who denied Him.) As Chapter 19 continues, Jesus is carrying his own cross to Calvary. At any time during this bloody nightmare, Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels to deliver Him (Matt 26:53), but his love for us constrained Him. Dehydrated and thirsty, He refused the vinegar they offered Him. (Matt 27:34) He drank the full cup of God’s wrath. He only accepted a drink of vinegar after our sins were paid for in full (John 19:28), fulfilling Psalm 69:21.

Here are a few more prophecies Jesus fulfilled, relating to his death and resurrection:

Enter Jerusalem on donkey                    Zechariah 9:8
Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver              Zechariah 11:12, 13
Passover Lamb                                        Genesis 22:8; Exodus 12:3-7
No bones broken                                      Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20
Despised and rejected                             Isaiah 53:3
Forsaken by friends                                 Psalm 31:11
Forsaken by his Father                            Psalm 22:1
Set captives free                                       Isaiah 61:1
Gambled for his clothes                           Psalm 22:18
Beaten                                                        Isaiah 50:6 et al.
Shed blood for our sins                           Exodus 12:13 et al.
Conspired against                                    Psalm 31:13
Scorned                                                     Psalm 22:8
Mocked                                                      Psalm 22:7
Thirsted                                                      Psalm 22:15
Pierced through hands and feet              Psalm 22:16
Lifted up                                                     Numbers 21:9; John 3:14
Committed his Spirit to his Father          Psalm 31:5
Interred in rich man’s grave                     Isaiah 53:9
Three days in the heart of the earth        Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40
Raised in glory                                          Psalm 16:10 et al.

Father, thank You for your Son and for his unspeakable gift. Give us understanding now as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 19:17-30
17 And he bearing his cross [1] went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
18 Where they crucified him, and two others with him [Isa 53:12], on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
19 ¶ And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

The title (Gk titlos) was an inscription giving the accusation or crime for which a criminal suffered. (John 19:12)

20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

This initiated the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14; Luke 24:47; etc. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Jesus is guilty as charged, which Pilate seems to understand.

23 ¶ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. [Ps 22:18] These things therefore the soldiers did.
25 ¶ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved [John], he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Still thinking of others and not Himself, Jesus entrusted Mary to John. As Mary’s other sons were not yet believers, Mary would need someone to take care of her. She would be shunned now by the Jewish community.

28 ¶ After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Jesus gave his life so we would never thirst. (John 4) But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: (John 7)

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
John 19:17-30

Nailed to the cross, Jesus suffered the most excruciating form of execution ever devised. He was emaciated from fasting. (Ps 22:17) The irregular angle of his arms placed an unbearable strain on his shoulders, pulling them out of joint. (Ps 22:14) The pressure on the diaphragm made it impossible for Him to breathe without supporting Himself against the nail in his feet as his lungs slowly filled with fluid. He was completely dehydrated. The agonizing pain of the spikes driven through the median nerve in his wrists shot down into his spine, jerking his body erect and forcing the torn flesh on his back against the cross. They continued to mock Him saying, [I]f thou be the son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. All this was nothing compared to the agony Jesus suffered when He took on the sin of the world. God the Father, who will never allow sin in his presence, turned his back on his beloved Son while He bore the sin of all mankind. Jesus then quoted Psalm 22 and said, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? It wasn’t the spikes in his hands and feet that killed Him; He died of a broken heart—my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. (Ps 22:14)

Before Jesus died, He not only forgave his accusers (Luke 23:34), He forgave one of his fellow prisoners who repented, telling him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. … And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: (Luke 23:43ff) Luke used Jewish timekeeping, which started at 6:00 AM. Therefore, Jesus died at 3:00 PM, just as the other Passover lamb was sacrificed at the temple. Jesus is the true Passover Lamb; the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) During those three hours Jesus suffered as no man has ever suffered. His precious blood flowed from his back where he was scourged; it flowed from his face where they beat him with the reed and hit him with their fists. His blood flowed from his brow where He wore the crown of thorns; it flowed from his cheeks where they plucked off his beard. His precious blood flowed from his hands and his feet where they nailed him to the cross. That perfect sinless blood was shed for you and for me, and if you come to Him it will wash away your sins.

I wonder what some of the others were thinking at this point? The woman caught in adultery, for example? Or Zacchaeus? Or Blind Bartimaeus? What about the young people Jesus raised from the dead? Or their parents? Was the centurion whose servant Jesus healed there? Or the lepers Jesus healed? Or the woman who washed his feet with her tears? Or Malchus? Or Mary of Bethany? Or her brother Lazarus? What about the woman who poured ointment on Jesus’ head for his burial? As Jesus hung on the cross, He was paying for their sins. And ours.

Before Jesus yielded up the ghost He said, It is finished (Gk: tetelestai). Before his last breath, He assured us that his finished work on the cross is all that is necessary to remove our sins. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. His blood is fully sufficient to make you clean; nothing else is required. When the Lord forgives your sin, He remembers it no more. He removes it as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12); it’s gone.

After Jesus committed his Spirit into his Father’s hands, a Roman soldier pierced his side through with a spear [Zech 12:10] that found his heart as blood and water flowed out. The veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and great fear came upon those who watched. A centurion who stood by was cut to the heart. He confessed and said, Certainly this was a righteous man . . . Truly this was the Son of God.

In closing, consider these words from Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews: He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Heb 10:28f) We have been given an unspeakable gift. Let us treasure and cherish Him accordingly. Amen. 

Finally, we began this post with a reminder that the night is coming. The rest of the post was about what one has to do to escape it. The good news is it has already been done, by the only one who could do it. All that is left for us to do is to believe it. Jesus did not condemn the woman caught in adultery, the thief He was crucified next to, or Peter for denying Him. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:1) It is finished. If you believe that, pray this: Father, I am a sinner. I receive your Son as my personal Saviour. Please take control of my life and direct my path, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Father, we know and believe that You will send your Son back soon. Please account us worthy through faith in his precious blood to be received up to be with You. Have mercy on us Lord. Create clean believing hearts within us. Renew our spirits and transform our minds. Thank You for your Son, Father. We love You now and always above all others. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prophecy Update: As the laws of the old republic give way to the edicts of one-world governance, Habakkuk 1:5 and Acts 13:41 are looking more and more imminent each day. I made it about halfway through the 316-page Durham Report before I could not take anymore. The Report begins with a pathetic attempt to justify the fact that no criminal charges were made. It then goes on to confirm what many observers, myself included, knew all along: The FBI investigation, code name Crossfire Hurricane, that took place from 2016 to 2017, and the subsequent Russia Investigation that took place from 2017 to 2019 were both hatched using elaborate forms of synthesized parallel construction. The result was a Kafkaesque coup attempt/ PSYOP directed against the American people. Clinton crimes were covered up while Trump crimes were made out of whole cloth. The media played their part, obediently parroting whatever they were fed and flooding the American mind with Soviet–style Izvestiia. However, these revelations are old news now and far from being the most significant news items concerning the emerging new world order. Let’s recap:

1. In 2020, the COVID pageant, funded by Trump, kicked off the depopulation program of the Great Reset. As a result, we now have the precedent and psychological conditioning necessary for a medical tyranny to be imposed by the new world order via mRNA shot mandates, digital IDs, and lockdowns (or Revelation 9:21).

2. In 2021, the longest war in American history (Afghanistan) ended, highlighting America’s inability (or unwillingness) to defeat one of the world’s poorest nations. As America is the nation that upholds the unipolar world order, a weakened American opens the door for a new world order (or Revelation 13:1ff).

3. The subsequent war in Ukraine is likewise weakening America, as support for the war in Europe is waning. Yet key objectives were met that will lead to WWIII, the next stage of the depopulation program (or Revelation 6:4):
a. Nordstream 2 Pipeline destroyed.
b. German-Russian business relationship terminated.
c. NATO expanded.

4. The departure from the dollar as the world reserve currency is accelerating because of blowback from sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. This will inevitably lead to economic collapse and the end of American hegemony, opening the door for a new-world-order currency (or Revelation 13:16-18).

Conclusion: As stated in the opening remarks, the sands of time are running low. These political developments only serve as markers on the prophetic timeline. Our citizenship is in heaven. In the words of the apostle Paul, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

(1) The Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witness) claims that Jesus was not crucified on a cross but an ‘upright’, ie a single beam. They often cite a medieval book called De Cruce Liber Primus which has an illustration of an upright beam used to crucify. What they don’t tell you, however, is that just a few pages later, the same book shows an illustration of a classic Roman cross.

Dear Friends,

In our last post, the people cried for the release of Barabbas, who was in custody for a murder he committed in an insurrection against Rome. (Mark 15:7) Maybe that was what the chief priests used to move the people against Jesus (Mark 15:11), as Jesus was not willing to help them fight the Romans like Barabbas was. After Barabbas was released, Jesus literally died in his place. Jesus was not the Messiah the world wanted, but He is the Messiah we needed. He died in my place too — and yours if you will receive Him.

Pilate was still in a bind. He knew that Jesus was innocent and the chief priests had delivered Him for envy. (Mark 15:10) Even his wife warned him not to convict Jesus because of a dream she had. (Matt 27:19) Yet Pilate also knew he had to find a way to pacify the angry mob. He had already been reprimanded by Caesar Tiberius for public disturbances. (1) Now the crowd that was singing Hosanna a few days ago was crying Crucify Him. Pilate tried to pass the buck to Herod only to have Herod send Jesus back again. He was running out of options. He was in danger of losing his position. In a last-ditch effort to appease the Jews, Pilate tried corporal punishment.

Father, thank You for your precious Son. We are not worthy to receive Him. Thank You that He has paid our debts in full and we are saved by grace through faith. Thank You that our salvation is not of ourselves. Thank You that it is a gift from You, not of works lest any man should boast. Give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 19:1-16
1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

Unlike Jewish law, Roman law had no limit on the number of stripes administered. The prisoner was stripped naked and his back was exposed, either by being bent over a low pillar and shackled or being suspended by his wrists. The Romans used whips that had small pieces of bone or metal at the tips. After soft welts swelled up, subsequent blows tore off the skin and sliced into the muscles. The torn flesh exposed the nerves, while the loss of blood led to tachycardia and shock. Before his arrest, Jesus had already lost great drops of blood falling down to the ground through his sweat. (Luke 22:44) His body was dehydrated. The physical, mental, and spiritual strain He suffered is beyond comprehension. It was not uncommon for prisoners to die from the scourging before they were even crucified, but Jesus is not ready to call it quits yet. He is still in control.

2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

Thorns were part of the curse that sin brought into the world. (Gen 3:18) It fits, then, typologically that Jesus would be crowned with thorns. He redeemed the world from the curse (Col 1:20) as well as redeeming us from the curse of the law and paying for our sin. (Gal 3:13) Matthew tells us they placed a reed (or rod, cf Rev 11:1) in his right hand for a scepter to go with his crown and his robe. They bowed the knee to mock Him (Matt 27:29), then used the reed to beat Him as they spit on Him. (Mark 15:19) They then pulled out his beard, ripping the skin from off his face. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands

Luke tells us Jesus was blindfolded before they hit Him, making the blows even worse since He did not see them coming. His visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. They then taunted Him by asking Him to prophesy and tell them who hit Him. (Luke 22:64) I find it typical (typological) that Jesus was crowned and worshiped by Gentiles to mock Him as He was suffering for our sin. Christ is Lord of all. He is not only King of the Jews and the Gentile nations (Jer 10:7), He is the King of sorrow and pain as well. 

4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

A free translation might be, Look at the man, don’t you think that’s enough?

6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
8 ¶ When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

I should think he was afraid, afraid to kill the Son of God. Pilate had examined many men and he had never seen one who did not try to defend himself or beg for his life. Now he is starting to understand what made Jesus so different.

9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

Jesus did not answer because He was not there for his own crimes. He was there for ours, and we have not defence.

10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Jesus could have condemned Pilate but instead He chose to minister to him. Again, let me offer a free translation: Your power was given to you by my Father. Yes Pilate, you are sinning, but no, it’s not unforgivable.

12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
13 ¶ When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour [2]: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
John 19:1-16

Matthew tells us that before Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, he washed his hands before the people and said I am innocent of the blood of this just person, to which the people replied His blood be on us, and on our children. Although Pilate was a Roman holding a Roman trial, he would have done well to consider Jewish law. Exodus 23:2 says Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: Pilate was not known to vacillate when pressured, nor was he known for showing mercy. Ask the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. (Luke 13:1) Curious that such a man would try to get Jesus acquitted, but he clearly did. Curious still that he would fold under pressure. I believe Pilate knew deep down in his soul he was committing a horrible crime unlike anything he had ever done before. According to Eusebius, the church historian, there were two different accounts of what later happened to Pilate: He either committed suicide or was sent back to Rome and executed (or rather, forced to take his own life) because of a slaughter he perpetrated against the Jews. Regardless, when we look at how Pilate failed we see a sharp contrast to how Jesus prevailed — how despite the pressure He was under, despite the betrayal, torture, and shame, He never wavered. Jesus, always faithful, set his face like a flint and bore the sin of the world. My sin. Your sin if you will receive Him. Jesus never fails.

In closing, in our day and age, a brutal dictatorship is on the rise, much like the one that ruled in Jesus’ day. Our zealots are not as violent as Barabbas, but they still don’t have the solution to our problems. (3) Jesus is still not the Messiah the world wants, but He is still, now an always, the Messiah we need. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; The blood that Jesus shed when He suffered for us is sufficient to pay for all our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness; if we will only believe and repent, which just means to change your mind. The time is coming soon when Jesus will crush the tyrants, but for now we need to trust Him and be patient. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Finally, there are some obscure church traditions that Pilate became a Christian. It’s a nice thought. Jesus died for us all whoever we are, no matter what we have done. The invitation is open to everyone. Father, thank You for the precious blood your Son shed for us that washes away all our sin. We pray that You will transform and renew our minds, that we may be conformed to his will and formed into his image, that the world may see Him living in us, that You may be glorified, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Yonge, Charles Duke (1855). The Works of Philo Judaeus, The contemporary of Josephus, translated from the Greek. Vol. 4. London: H. G. Bohn. pp. 165–166.
2 John is using Roman time here, which started counting at midnight. Therefore it was 6 AM.
3 So far, 600 people have been convicted in connection with the events of January 6, 2021. Last week, four members of the Proud Boys (who were unarmed on Jan 6) were convicted of seditions conspiracy. A fifth member was not found guilty of sedition but all of them were convicted of multiple felonies. They now potentially face decades in prison. On Friday, DOJ prosecutors asked a federal judge to sentence Oath Keeper’s founder, Steward Rhodes to 25 years in federal prison. Please pray for them. IMO the only thing they are guilty of is loving our country and our Constitution.

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ.

Having stood trial before Annas and Caiaphas, Jesus will now be tried by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. John skips over Jesus’ appearance before Herod Antipas while each of the Synoptic Gospels include it. Herod was an Edomite, ie a descendant of Esau. (Gen 36:8) Thus the contention between Jacob and Esau that began in Genesis 25:22 ends with Jesus standing before Herod. Despite how the situation may have appeared to Herod, the Herod family faded from history shortly thereafter, along with the rest of the Edomites. Yet the descendants of Jacob and the followers of Jesus live on.

Fast forward to 2023. By all accounts, it would appear that the new world order is winning. However, Just as Herod thought he was secure in his position only to lose it a short time later, the kingdoms of this world will soon be smashed to pieces by the Rock cut without hands. (Dan 2:35) The Bible says God is going to make a full end of all the nations whereunto Israel has been scattered. (Jer 30:11; 46:28) That includes the US. Wherever you reside — and whether you are a Jew or a Gentile — if you have not received Christ as your personal Saviour your house is built on a fragile foundation. Quicksand. Thin ice. But if you put your trust in Christ, your house will be supported by a solid Rock who will never fail you. (Matt 7:24ff) The invitation is open to everyone. (Rom 10:13)

Father, we see many troubling things transpiring in the world today. Help us to keep in mind that we need not be careful concerning these things, for we believe and we know that You are able to deliver us. But if not, strengthen us to endure any persecution the world may throw at us. Give us the strength to stand in the evil day, having done all to stand. Give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 18:29-40
29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

Technically, the Jews lost the right to administer capital punishment in 30 AD, right on time according to Jacob’s prophecy. Ie, the scepter did not depart from Judah until Shiloh [Jesus] came. (Gen 49:10) Yet in practice, they still executed people when they felt like it and Rome looked the other way. (Acts 7:58) However, Jesus’ adversaries did not want to see Him stoned, the method of capital punishment prescribed in the Torah; they wanted Jesus crucified. For that, they need the help of the Romans.

32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

In our postmodern age, truth is considered to be passé, an outdated concept from a bygone age. This paradigm shift has prepared the world for the Antichrist. The only way to protect yourself from this deceiver is to receive the truth. (John 14:6)

38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Although Jesus did not answer him directly, the answer to Pilate’s question is found in John 14:6. Jesus is the truth. If you continue in Jesus’ word then you are his disciple indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:31f)

39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
John 18:29-40

Solomon wrote that there is no new thing under the sun. Beginning in the Garden of Eden, man has consistently chosen the bad over the good. Adam and Eve chose to follow the serpent by eating the fruit of the tree of wisdom. Their firstborn son likewise rebelled against God’s divine order. When his sacrifice was rejected he killed his brother out of jealousy. The rebellion in the heart of man continued until God ended it with a flood. Soon after, man rebelled once more and built a tower in defiance of God’s order to replenish the earth. They were on course to succeed for as God observed, now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. So God thwarted their plans by destroying their tower and confusing their language when He scattered them abroad across from thence upon the face all of the earth. This all happened within the first eleven chapters of the Bible. The rest of history continued in like manner, ie man rebelling against God and choosing evil over good. When the Deliverer that God promised to Adam and Eve arrived (Gen 3:15), instead of rendering Him the honor and worship He deserved, we rejected Him and cried, ‘Give us Barabbas’.

Nevertheless, God was faithful to forgive us and continue his program of reconciliation. Over the course of many centuries, countries that received the gospel gained rights and protections for their citizens. Laws based on Christian principles brought freedom. Christian education eventually became available to everyone. The standard of living in Christian countries reached unprecedented levels. In countries that rejected the gospel, the rights of women and the poor remained in the dark ages. But even in the West where freedom and justice flourished, these things did not come easily. They had to be fought for and paid for with blood. Abraham Lincoln believed that the blood spilled in the Civil War was a judgment from God for the sin of slavery.

Moving forward, in countries where people read their Bibles and sought to obey them, generation upon generation built a society that had protections built into the system in key areas like law, finance, and medicine. Yet we now face a watershed moment when all these hard-won achievements are being stripped away virtually overnight. One such example would be the safeguards built into the system for the approval of new drugs. New vaccines normally took upward of a decade to finish trials and testing for safety. Yet Trump set a new precedent that has become the new normal with Operation Warp Speed, when he rammed the new shots through without regard to the normal safety procedures. In another unprecedented manner, Trump locked down the entire nation, bypassing the safeguards of the Constitution, while telling us we were “non-essential.” This led to the biggest transfer of wealth in the history of the United States, as the big box stores continued to operate without competition while small businesses went out of business. Yet many are still crying for this man to lead us.

Almost a year ago, I mentioned the efforts at the WHO to establish a treaty that would effectively end national sovereignty, making the UN director general all-powerful under the guise of medical safety. Those efforts were tabled shortly afterward but another attempt has surfaced now, scheduled to be put before the World Health Assembly in May of next year. If they are successful, it will effectively end freedom in America, destroying everything we have built, struggled for, and died for, dating back to the Revolutionary War. Yet many still trust the UN to lead the world. The founding fathers saw this coming:

“Unless we put medical freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize into an undercover dictatorship and force people, who wish doctors and treatments of their own choice, to submit to only what the dictating outfit offers.”
— Dr. Benjamin Rush

There are so many other things we could talk about. First Amendment freedoms are hanging by a thread. (See here and here.) I just picked Trump and the WHO treaty because for many people, one or the other represents a Barabbas of sorts. Regardless, even if we set aside Trump and the WHO, the message is coming through loud and clear for anyone who has eyes to see: Prepare to bow down to the image of the beast and take his mark in your right hand or forehead. Yet instead of turning back to Jesus, the world is conceding to the godless new technocracy, in many cases even welcoming and embracing them, just as they will embrace the beast and the false prophet when they come. (Rev 13:4) In other words, the world is crying, Give us Barabbas.

In closing, Pilate gave in to a mob mentality. Afraid he would lose his position if he did not capitulate to the crowd, he handed over Barabbas and had Jesus crucified. Likewise, we can either stand in the evil day or we can give in to a mob mentality. We can choose the way of the world (and much of the ‘church’), or we can choose Christ. We can choose to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Remember his words to Pilate: To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

…..Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Galatians 4:16

…..Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:13

…..Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
…..In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
…..And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
…..And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
John 14:1-4

….The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
….And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
John 20:1, 14

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ! 

Christianity is unique in that it is built on the resurrection of its founder. While the founders of other religions are still in their graves (1) Jesus’ tomb is empty! Christianity is also unique in the vast amount of archeological evidence supporting the claims of Scripture. For example, in 1881, Major-General Charles Gordon found a garden at the west foot of Golgotha. After excavating and removing five feet of rubbish, Gordon found a Roman-era tomb, cut in a wall of solid rock, with a trench in front for a stone to be rolled to the door…

“The Tomb is a room 14 feet wide, 10 feet deep, 7 1/2 feet high. As you enter, there are, at the right, two graves, one next to the front wall, and one next to the back wall. … They are slightly lower than the front of the room, with a low diving wall between. The front grave seems never to have been completed. Indications were that only the rear grave had ever been occupied, and that with no marks of mortal corruption. The tomb is sufficiently large for a company of women and two angels to stand inside, with room at the head and the feet where an angel could sit (Mark 16:5; John 20:12). A window where, at dawn, the sunlight would fall on the occupied grave. … Every item fits the Scripture account.

“Further, according to Eusebius, the Roman Emperor Hadrian, in his persecution of the Christians, A.D. 135, built a temple of Venus over the tomb where Jesus had been buried. Constantine, the first Christian Emperor, A.D. 330, destroyed this temple of Venus. General Gordon, in the debris which he cleared away from the tomb, found a shrine-stone of Venus. He found traces of a building that had been erected over the tomb. Above the tomb entrance, two recesses characteristic of Venus temples.

“Further, in a vault adjoining the tomb, a tombstone was found inscribed, ‘Buried near his Lord.’

“So, all in all, there seems to be a very good basis for the opinion that this ‘Garden Tomb’ was the actual spot where Jesus was buried, and from which He came forth ALIVE.” (2)

Today, the Garden Tomb is a popular tourist attraction in Jerusalem. It stands as a testimony for all the world to see that Jesus’ grave is empty. Jesus has conquered the grave not only for Himself, but for all who believe in and receive Him. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The evidence for the resurrection has been thoroughly examined, more so than any other historical event, convincing some of the greatest legal and historical authorities of all time of its veracity. (3) He is risen!

….I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 1:18

Father, thank You for the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in his holy and precious name, the name above all names. Amen.

PS: (6/18/23) I was recently told by a learned guide in Jerusalem that the Third Wall of the Second Temple period (near the Garden Tomb) did not exist at the time of the crucifixion. Agrippa I began construction on this wall circa 44 AD. Therefore, the location of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was without the gate at the time of the crucifixion, ie beyond the Second Wall. This site was chosen by Helena, the mother of Constantine. I still take this location with a grain of salt. Helena also chose the Sinai Peninsula as the location of Mt Sinai, while the Bible clearly says it is in Arabia. (Gal 4:25)

Prophecy Update: In ancient Israel, a ram’s horn was blown by a groom to alert his bride he was on his way, coming to snatch her away for their wedding. For a Christian in the twenty-first century, the headlines of our day are like blasts from rams’ horns heralding the Lord’s soon return.

While it’s true that our situation looks bad, it looked bad for the disciples as well after Jesus was crucified. It appeared all was lost. Then just as He promised, three days later, there He was saying, Peace be unto you. In our time, all the hard-fought-for gains made over the last several hundred years in creating a civil and egalitarian society are going up in flames. Things we have taken for granted like free and fair elections, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion are being reduced to ashes. Yet the new world order continues to control the narrative. Like a stage magician who uses misdirection, their media arm carefully steers the attention of the populace in a specific direction, intentionally pitting us against each other. The powers that be are executing a classic divide-and-conquer strategy using the left-vs-right template. For example, the drama surrounding Trump is pure political theater. Trump should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity for his role in Operation Warp Speed (which has already led to the deaths of millions) but instead, we get Stormygate. Instead of focusing on real issues that have real consequences, people pick their team, left or right, and adopt an us-vs-them mentality. If we are busy fighting each other, we will never be able to focus on the real enemy.

I have been watching how this game is played long enough to see a pattern here. In the nineties, the Clinton impeachment show trial distracted from Clinton’s version of Chinagate and focused on Lewinskygate (Clinton’s affair with an intern). Fast forward to 2023 and instead of focusing on pertinent issues like Biden’s Chinagate or the vindication of the January 6 political prisoners (Not to mention catastrophes like Palestine, OH, or Sy Hersh’s bombshell about the US sabotage of the Nordstream Pipeline) we are given the Trump distraction. We are given the recent admissions that those crazy conspiracy theorists who said the COVID virus came out of a Wuhan lab were right after all; this is just another distraction to keep people from focusing on the real bioweapon — the mRNA shots. Yet the mRNA shots are just one component of the neo-feudal system they are busy constructing where everyone will supposedly ‘own nothing and be happy‘. 

A Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) looks inevitable unless people resist by creating alternatives. Not likely, as we have been much too slow to respond to the threats posed by CBDCs, not to mention the crackpot sanctions that backfired and accelerated the passing of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency. The Silicon Valley Bank debacle and the ensuing bank runs were in all likelihood engineered to help the new world order bolster their case for CBDCs. Many of the smaller banks affected by the runs were involved with cryptocurrencies, competitors to the inevitable CBDCs which therefore need to be stifled. (This is the same reason for the FTX Sam Bankman-Fried debacle, ie to create the perception that cryptocurrencies are bad and must not be allowed to exist.) The bigger banks that follow the rules of the new world order are hoping they will be rewarded with some sort of role in the new economy once the CBDCs are implemented, as CBDCs are designed to cut out the need for banks altogether. Ethereum users call this bankless system Decentralized Finance or DeFi. A similar model will be utilized for CBDCs. Eliminating banks may sound good in theory, but in practice CBDCs will be programmed to work in tandem with social-credit scores and digital medical IDs, ultimately leading to the mark of the beast John wrote of in Revelation 13. The snowballing national debt has the US Debt to GDP Ratio at over 120%. What that means is we are at the point where the charade is almost over and the bubble is about to burst. (Perhaps triggered by an engineered cyberattack.) This will set the stage for the implementation of CBDCs.  

One development that I find particularly interesting is the phasing-in of artificial intelligence (AI) and Chat GTP. The ability of Chat GPT to answer philosophical questions and write things like articles, reports, poetry, and even advanced computer code is truly amazing. Of course, Chat GPT not only has built-in restraints and collars but it is surely nowhere near as sophisticated as the AI that the government keeps classified for its own use. One leading expert in the field has said that if AI technology is not completely shut down “everyone will die.” Regardless, I do not expect much to come from the recent call for a six-month moratorium on AI. Bill Gates, for example, scoffs at the idea. AI technology has been around for a long time so one has to ask, why is it dominating headlines now? I think this story about Romania announcing it now has an official government AI advisor may provide a clue. The PM of Romania is encouraging citizens to interact with the new AI advisor, so it can better advise the PM. Klaus Schwab of the WEF has stated that whoever masters AI technologies “will rule the world.” (Cue the antichrist.)

The US continues to send launder billions through the war in Ukraine, with a plethora of headlines screaming WWIII is just around the corner. Yet, things are changing. Just as I predicted in March of 2020, the global chessboard has been reset. China recently brokered a historic peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. US protection from Iran was the carrot that kept the Saudis onboard with the US petrodollar. Now China has taken that role in what looks like the last nail in the coffin of the petrodollar. The petrodollar’s monopoly on the worldwide oil market is effectively finished — and with it, the ability of the US to maintain global hegemony. The list of countries already moving away from the dollar includes Russia, China, Iran, Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Pakistan, Malaysia, and India. The effects on a US economy that is already floundering will be devastating. China is working on a peace deal for Ukraine and Russia as well, as unlikely as that may seem. Nevertheless, the US has gone from being the undisputed world leader in international affairs to a corrupt plutocracy attempting to spread the LGBTQ+ agenda to the rest of the world. China, of course, will also fail miserably as a world leader. The disorder; the disintegration of the rule of law; the loss of faith in our institutions; it is all part of the plan of the new world order — preparation to bring in one-world government. The world is looking for a savior, but he who now letteth [hinders] will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thess 2:7) “He who letteth,” or hinders the antichrist from assuming power, is the Holy Spirit working through the church. Once the church is taken out of the way, Satan can cue the antichrist. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thess 2:8) In other words, we do not know when the rapture comes but we know it happens before the antichrist is revealed. This is a key detail to remember. The great tribulation period cannot begin until we are taken out of the way. 

In conclusion, I do not expect that we will have to wait much longer but if the Lord tarries we will have to exercise longsuffering accordingly (Gal 6:22). That means preparing now. The time to repair your armor is before the battle, not when you are engaged in it. 

Finally, we merely painted some broad strokes here. I did not even mention the food supply issues compounded by soaring costs for farmers and a poor planting season, the fentanyl epidemic, natural disasters like the earthquake in Turkey, or the perverse sexualization of America’s children. Indeed, many believe we are on the verge of a global ‘everything collapse‘, or in other words, exactly what the Bible predicts. One thing remains certain: When we are caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, none of today’s headlines will matter. As a dream when one awaketh, they will be nothing more than a memory; even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. The Groom is preparing to blow his shofar. (1 Cor 15:52) Be ready.

For a biblical primer on where we are on the prophetic calendar, I recommend Where Did All the People GO? by yours truly. 

(1) For example, Buddha’s ashes are buried beneath the Ramabhar Stupa in Kushinagar, India. Muhammad is buried beneath the Green Dome in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
(2) Halley’s Bible Handbook, p 552.
(3) Consider the case of Simon Greenleaf. Greenleaf held the chairs of both the Isaac Royall Professorship and the Nathan Dane Professorship at Harvard University. He is considered one of the greatest legal minds the United States has ever produced. Greenleaf was an agnostic who believed the resurrection of Christ to be a hoax, yet he accepted a challenge from one of his students at Harvard University to consider the evidence for the resurrection. Greenleaf set out to disprove the gospel but instead ended up concluding that any fair and reasonable court of law would rule that the resurrection is indeed a fact, based on the evidentiary rules of law. Greenleaf ended up converting from agnosticism to Christianity and wrote the classic book, Testimony of the Evangelists Examined by the Rules of Evidence Administered in Courts of Justice.

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Judas betrayed Jesus into the hands of the chief priests and the Pharisees, who then turned Jesus over to Annas and Caiaphas — the Sadducees who ran the temple (Luke 3:2). The Pharisees (the conservatives) and the Sadducees (the liberals) were willing to set aside their differences because of their mutual hatred of Jesus. A similar situation transpired between Herod Antipas and Pilate. (Luke 23:12) This phenomenon is still alive and well in the ecumenical movement. As world religions partner with one another to ‘coexist’ (as can be seen, for example in the recently opened Abrahamic Family House in the UAE) what we are seeing is the formation of the One World Religion of the beast and the false prophet. (Rev 13) The one thing these religions all agree on is Jesus is not the only way to the Father in heaven, as He clearly stated in John 14:6.

Father, give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 18:14-28
14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Caiaphas made this statement in John 11. John tells us he spake this not of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation. (John 11:51)

15 ¶ And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

The other disciple is John.

16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
19 ¶ The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

This statement by Jesus is important to keep in mind when a cult tells you they have secret knowledge of Jesus. God’s ‘secrets’ are all recorded in the Bible. (Amos 3:7) There is no ‘secret book’ or ‘secret plan’ or ‘secret place’ where Jesus is being kept. When He returns it will be for all to see. (Matt 24:27) Anyone who says otherwise is a deceiver.

21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

Being the patriarch, Annas was still considered the high priest by the Jews. Although the Romans had deposed him, Annas managed to secure the position for Caiaphas, his son-in-law (as well as five of his own sons at other times). Little did the officer know he was striking the true High Priest.

23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

In verse 21 Jesus pointed out that it was illegal according to their own extrabiblical laws to ask Him to testify against Himself. They were supposed to call witnesses, as Jesus suggested. After they struck Him, Jesus again points out that they were acting outside the law (cf Acts 23:3). All in all, 18 Jewish laws were broken during Jesus’ trial. (See here.) For example, the high priest rent his clothes (Mark 14:63) which was illegal according to the Torah. (Lev 21:10)

24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

Now Annas sends Jesus to his son-in-law. Only John records the details above when Jesus appeared before Annas. His appearance before Caiaphas is narrated in the Synoptic Gospels.

25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

In Luke’s Gospel, we read that after Peter denied Jesus the third time the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. (Luke 22:61) And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Although John poked fun at his friend Peter in other places, he downplayed the rooster incident. Out of respect for his friend, I believe, as well as a deep understanding of God’s grace. 

When we sin, Jesus waits patiently for us to repent. The Bible says if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Not rebuke such a one, or worse yet gossip about such a one.) Peter went on to do great things for Jesus because Jesus is a God of second chances, third chances, and 490 chances. (Matt 18:22)

28 ¶ Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
John 18:14-28

As our section ends, we see the Jewish leaders straining at gnats swallowing camels. They are conspiring to kill the Son of God, yet they are careful not to enter a Gentile building so they can eat the Passover. This shows the striking contrast between religion and the Christian faith. Religion is man’s attempt to reach God. Christianity is God’s plan to reach man. It is a simple relationship with God through faith in his Son — faith in what He did for us when He suffered and died for us on a bloody cross on Calvary. We believe that He died in our place, paying the price for our sins. Then we take up our own cross and follow Him wherever He leads. If we sin — like Peter — Jesus forgives us when we confess our sins to Him and repent, which means to change your mind. When Jesus rose from the dead, the women were instructed to tell Peter that Jesus wanted to see him. (Mark 16:7) Jesus then told Peter He still wanted him to minister the gospel for Him. (John 21:15ff) If you have sinned, Jesus will forgive you too, just as He forgave Peter. It was Spurgeon who said ‘You could no sooner exhaust the grace of God than you could drink the Atlantic ocean’. His mercy endureth for ever.

Father, thank You for being a forgiving, merciful, God who welcomes us back home when we sin and stray away, just as You did Peter. We are only dust Father, jars of clay, leaky vessels. Fill us with your Holy Spirit day by day and draw us close to your Son, that we may love Him as He deserves and serve Him in the power of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit leads, that we may be transformed from jars of clay into vessels of honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prophecy Update: [T]hrough much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. We continue to see the effects of the so-called Great Reset, which as you have probably noticed is all about giving us less for more. The fact that you are taking time to read a prophecy update means you probably already have a pretty good idea of what we are facing. Rather than giving a laundry list of the latest dreary headlines, I thought it might be more prudent to discuss what our perspective should be, in light of these events. 

Although the specters of war, financial collapse, and dystopian tyranny may look scary, all things considered, I do not think we have it any worse than the Christians we read about in the Bible had it. In any event, ease and comfort should not be our focus. That is not what being a Christian is about. Being a Christian is about taking up your cross and being filled with the Spirit, which comes through meditating each day on the word of God. Jesus suffered more than anyone. Paul suffered far more than any of us, yet he said he learned to be content. We all have to learn to be content. Instead of focusing on what I do not have, I give thanks for what I do have. I count my blessings. We all have things to be thankful for if we think about it. If you are depressed or fearful about the future, consider a study out of Ohio State University which found that the best cure for depression and anxiety is acts of kindness. This fits with what our Lord said, how it is more blessed to give than to receive. He asks that we be patient. Yes, hard times are upon us. Maybe that is not such a bad thing. A wise man once said that little by little, God takes away all the things that tie us to this earth. We may not be rich in mammon but in Christ we possess the true riches. We are living stones, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, made to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light: This world will soon perish but in Christ we have everlasting life.

Father, help us to be content and to find our peace in You. Help us to find our joy in You. Help us to look to You for our satisfaction and contentment and not to this world or worldly things like possessions or advancement. Increase our faith. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

…..Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11

…..But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:1

…..And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Timothy 6:8

…..Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5

In the final analysis, and I believe this with all my heart, all the turmoil we see in the world today is evidence pointing to the soon return of our Lord. The events taking place in our day are like trumpet blasts from ram’s horns, sounding the alarm, telling us to prepare to meet our King. He is coming. Get your affairs in order. Make restitution where necessary. Trim your lamp and make sure it is filled with oil. 

…..Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
…..Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20, 21

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ.

When we left off in our last post, Jesus had just finished his high-priestly prayer, probably at or in the temple, which would have been left open for the Passover.

A few years prior to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, the Romans desired a census to be taken in Jerusalem at Passover. Since the Jews did not believe in census taking based on 2 Samuel 24, the sheep for the Passover were counted instead. According to Josephus, 256,500 lambs were killed in a single day in Jerusalem on Passover, circa 66-70 AD (The Wars of the Jews 6.9.3). Rewind to 32 AD; as Jesus was preparing to face his cross, I think it is safe to say that Jerusalem would have likewise been packed with people who came from far and wide to celebrate the feast. (1)

 Father, give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 18:1-13
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron [See´• dron], where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

As Jesus crossed over the Cedron (or Kidron), He knew that soon it would be red with the blood of hundreds of thousands of lambs sacrificed for Passover. As the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, He knew his blood would soon be shed as well.

2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

They are not going to need those lanterns and torches. Being Passover, they have a full moon and Jesus is not going to hide from them. Nevertheless, with their lanterns and torches blazing, Jesus would have seen Judas and his mob — a great multitude with swords and staves (Mark 14:43) — afar off as they exited the East Gate and made their way down through the Cedron Valley. 

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Only John records this last I am statement from Jesus; only John records this curious display of the power in Jesus’ word causing the band of men and officers to fall down backward. From the beginning of our study, we have examined how John in particular emphasizes both Jesus’ deity and the power in Jesus’ word. Even though they carried out their orders, those who arrested Jesus no doubt understood that He was in charge.

This is not an instance of ‘slaying in the Spirit’ as some have claimed. They are not there to worship Jesus; they are there to arrest Him. Slaying in the Spirit is a harmful and dangerous practice that Christians should refuse and avoid.

7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he:  if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

Jesus’ authoritative word was obeyed and all of the disciples escaped unharmed.

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Luke, the beloved physician, tells us that Jesus touched Malchus’ ear and healed him; Jesus practiced what He preached. (Matt 5:44; John 18:36) I am sure it made quite an impression on Malchus. I believe the reason John tells us Malchus’ name is that Malchus became a Christian after Jesus healed him. Incidentally, Jesus’ healing of Malchus also made it possible for Peter to escape the mob. If Malchus had not been healed there may have been four crosses on Calvary.

Earlier in the evening the disciples told Jesus they had two swords, which Jesus said was enough. (Luke 22:38) I believe a Christian has a responsibility to defend himself and others, but this was not the time. In Matthew’s account of the arrest, Jesus tells Peter all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. If one is going to use a lethal weapon, one needs to know how and when to use it justly. If someone breaks into your house and points a gun at you or someone else, you are justified in shooting. But if you catch him as he is fleeing with a television set, you are not justified in shooting. For most of us, the use of a lethal weapon is only called for in very rare instances, if at all. Self-defense may have been a bit more of an issue for those living in the Roman Empire during the first century, but Jesus said if you live by the sword you will die that way. In other words, lethal force should be a last resort. On one hand, though it rarely gets reported, guns often save lives. On the other hand, I recall a story told by F Kefa Sempangi in A Distant Grief  (GL Regal Books, 1979): During Idi Amin’s bloody persecution of Christians in 1973, a band of armed thugs entered Pastor Sempangi’s house. His first instinct was to get his gun, but he decided not to. Had he done so, in all likelihood he and his family would have been gunned down. Instead, the gunmen ended up leaving. In a similar instance, some thugs who were sent to kill him ended up getting saved. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Therefore, there are times when a sword (or a gun) is called for. Jesus said so. There are times a sword (or a gun) is not called for. Jesus said so.  

12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

Samson broke away when they tried to bind him, but Jesus goes with them of his own free will. This was his whole purpose in coming to earth. He was bound by his love for us.

13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
John 18:1-13

Although John does not mention it, all three of the Synoptic Gospels tell us that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. That tells us something about where the most dangerous attacks come from; typically not from the world but from other ‘Christians’. Judas did not own a liquor store or a gambling casino. Judas was not a purveyor of pornography. Judas was not a Roman government official sent out to harass Christians. He was one of the twelve. Not only that, but he was conspiring with the ‘professional clergy’. Anyone who has spent much time in ministry knows about the dangers posed by Christian ‘leaders’. J Vernon McGee, one of the most beloved Bible teachers the world over, once said that he never received any opposition from so-called ‘sinners’. All the opposition to his radio program came from other members of the clergy. Nevertheless, Judas had the other disciples fooled. They did not suspect Judas even after Jesus spelled it out for them. (John 13:21-30) As it was then, so is it now. An interesting book on this subject is New Evangelicalism: The New World Order, by Paul Smith, brother of Chuck Smith. This book was published in 2011 and it has proven to be truly prophetic in the age of COVID. It is not the people who met in Davos last week that bother me so much as the pastors who tried to convince their flocks to take the poison shots. Reportedly, 95% of the evangelical leaders in America said they were comfortable with the shots. Many helped dispense them. This is the falling away spoken of in Scripture, indicating that Jesus is coming soon. (2 Thess 2:3)

In closing, the 1904 annual report of the Theosophical Society stated:

“I believe it is through the Churches and not through the Theosophical Society that Theosophy [the worship of Lucifer]… must and should come to large bodies of people in the West.” (2)

Were they not referring to the One World Religion of the Antichrist (Rev 13:4)? Do we not see it forming in these last days? The closer we get to the return of our Lord, the more dangerous it will become to be a Christian. Let us heed the words of our Lord, who said, Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Some of those wolves Jesus is talking about are undoubtedly wolves in sheep’s clothing. (Matt 7:15) The Judas spirit is still alive and well. Be ware. Be very ware. If you feel God is trying to warn you about something or asking you to do something, trust Him and obey. He knows what He is doing.

Father, give us wisdom and discernment. When your servant Harriet Tubman was smuggling slaves to the Free North, You directed her path to avoid her pursuers. Do likewise for us, Father, that we may love and serve You until your Son returns to fetch us home. Help us to beware of the Judases. Please account us worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before your Son, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(1) Speaking of Josephus, this first-century Jewish historian testified that Jesus was the Messiah. All of the oldest extant manuscripts bear the following passage:

“About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.” (Antiquities 18.63-64)

(2) Transactions of the Theosophical Society, H. P. Blavatsky, Annie Besant, 1904, p. 377.