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What Does the Bible Say About the War in the Middle East?
by Betty Miller
A Time of Sorrows Precedes the Great Tribulation
Matthew 24:6-8: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
We are currently experiencing the "time of sorrows" that is spoken about in this verse. Other verses call this the "time of birth pains or travail." War is one of those birth pains and especially the war in the Middle East.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-10:
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Bible Prophecy Declares Israel Will be in the Center of End Time Events
The war in the Middle East is actually a threat of tribulation for the entire world. Prophecies in the Bible spoke of this day and told how Israel would suffer under the siege of armies that would try to destroy them. In the end, they will not be destroyed as a people, as they are destined to have their eyes opened to Jesus, the Messiah, and many Jews will find redemption and salvation in Christ. The words of Jesus recorded in the Bible speak of a time of trouble that has never been experienced in history, but is soon to break out, that will be the trigger for the beginning of what Jesus called "The Great Tribulation." This event will occur in the Holy Land among the Jewish people.
Matthew 24:21-22: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
The book of Daniel also speaks of this same time in history.
Daniel 12:1: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."
Mark 13:5-14:
5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains.
Luke 21:20-24 (NIV):
20 When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.
22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.
23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.
24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations.
25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
What Is the Abomination of Desolation?
The Bible says that when we see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, that an event called the "abomination of desolation" will occur there, and those living there should flee to the mountains for safety. This "abomination of desolation" will cause great sorrow for women who are pregnant and those who have young children. We know that nuclear radiation causes deformities in unborn children, as well as children and this scenario would be a dreadful one for pregnant women and nursing mothers. I realize that this scripture has been interpreted in many different ways, but I would like to share with you what I believe this scripture means and challenge my readers to ask the Holy Spirit for a witness to this interpretation.
Personal Message from Bud and Betty Miller:
Greetings To Our Internet Friends:
1 Billion People Online
We could never have dreamed in our wildest imaginations, how God
would open up the world to the gospel with the World Wide Web on the Internet. The church now has the ability to reach
virtually every soul in the world who has access to a computer. Researchers
really don't know how many people are online as the numbers grow daily; however,
the most educated estimate is over 1 billion. This is expected to double by the
year 2011. A comment I heard recently is that those who cannot operate a
computer by that same year will be considered illiterate. Back in 1997 the
number who were online was over 50 million. We now get over that many hits a
month into the Bible.com site by itself. What an explosion!
The Gospel Going Behind Closed Doors
Through the Internet, the Word of God now
travels through Cyberspace all over the world. God has pulled down the religious
and political barriers that have kept the Gospel out of many nations. Praise God
that the Gospel is now walking through solid walls and locked doors. God is
quickening the pace. This Gospel of the Kingdom is being preached around the
world. He is coming soon! Be sure and read the article in this issue
regarding the war in the Middle East as it is one of the signs of Jesus' return
to this earth. We would like to be your cyberspace missionaries as we
reach out with the message of the Bible to many that would never step foot in a
Christian church, as certain religions forbid their followers to read the Bible
or visit a Christian church.
We are amazed that the Lord has called us to this particular
ministry as we certainly are not computer experts. In fact, as we have pioneered
this new ministry we began back in 1994, we have made our share of mistakes.
We are grateful that the Lord has helped us overcome each obstacle we have met
along the way and weaves our mistakes into the overall tapestry of our lives.
The latest battle we face has been the most difficult one we have ever met.
Overcoming Tribulations
Since the launch of the new site last November, we have had so
many problems, that only the Lord Himself could sustain us. We have had
severe financial hardships, numerous IT problems, trying circumstances and
relationship difficulties that have been heart-breaking. We are thankful the
Lord promised us that we could be overcomers no matter what tribulations we face
as He promised us in His Word.
John 16:33: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world."
Psalm 34:17-19:
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth
them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be
of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of
them all.
Sharing From Our Heart
In praying about whether we should share our troubles with you,
we felt the Lord wanted us to do so for several reasons.
1.) To enlist prayer and support at this very difficult time
from those who love this ministry. You can give to this work by going to
this link:
DONATE http://bibleresources.org/church-online/donate
2.) To encourage others who may be in difficult circumstances as
well; as no matter what kind of problems we face, the Lord has assured us that
we can overcome in Him.
3.) To ask prayer for the needed changes to the site that will
bring it in line with what we feel the Holy Spirit desires for us to do at this
time, and that all involved will walk in that plan and in the unity of the
Spirit.
4.) To stress that we are living in the last days when perilous
times are coming on the earth and we must use our tools of spiritual warfare to
win our battles.
In this newsletter we are including several "mini-teachings"
that we believe will help God's people to overcome the tribulations of this
hour. We know these work, as we have applied them in the past and seen God
move in our behalf in wonderful ways. We are presently applying them now
and we expect the Lord who delivered us the last time to do the same thing this
time because He will never leave us or forsake us. Below is one of my
favorite translations of this very promise:
Hebrews 13:5 (AMP):
5Let your character or moral disposition be free
from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly
possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you
have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give
you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not
in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold
on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Isn't this a wonderful scripture of His keeping power?
(By the way, I just went on the BibleResources.org site to the Bible Resource section and
looked this scripture up in the Amplified version.) You can use our Bible search
feature to do the same thing by going to this link:
BIBLE RESOURCES
http://bibleresources.org/
You Are Needed
We are also especially blessed with all the encouragement we
have received from each of you who have written to us and supported us as we
could not have done it without you. We would like to request continued prayer
from you as we are involved in this Internet Ministry full time and are seeking
God as to how we can make the BibleResources.org site more of a blessing to people
around the world.
Thank you again for your prayers, as we really appreciate your
love and support of this ministry for the Lord. Pray with us, that we will be
able to stay on the cutting edge with the BibleResources.org Web-site by
developing innovative advances such as pod casting, cell phone communication,
streaming video teachings and live online prayer meetings around the world.
Pray that God will furnish the finances, knowledge, wisdom, the people and all
else we need to accomplish the work of spreading the message of Jesus Christ to
this lost world.
$5.00 Will Help
We would like to ask each person reading this if they would pray
about sending us $5.00 a month to help us in this ministry. (Or whatever the
Lord would speak to you about.) Your donation of any amount would help at
this time, as the devil has been trying to choke off our finances. If you cannot
give, please consider fasting and praying for us, as the gift of prayer will
produce the finances that we need since it is one of our weapons of spiritual
warfare. We are thanking you in advance. You can give to this work by
going to this link:
DONATE
http://bibleresources.org/church-online/donate
His grateful servants,
Bud & Betty Miller
BibleResources.org Ministries
www.BibleResources.org
What To Do When You Are in A Trial or Testing Time
by Betty Miller
1 Peter 4:12-13: "Beloved, think it not
strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of
Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also
with exceeding joy."
1. Stay focused on God and the vision He gave you. Remember what He
showed you in the "light," you must hold onto in the "night."
Proverbs 29:18: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that
keepeth the law, happy is he."
2. Avoid placing blame on others for the adverse circumstances you are
facing. Be humble and open to God's correction in your own life.
(Know that your trouble isn't coming from Him, as the real enemy is the devil
and we have been given victory over him.)
James 4:8-10: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse
your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted,
and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to
heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you
up."
3. Stay in a praising attitude and resist complaining. God wants us to
have His joy no matter what we are going through. We are to continue to be
thankful "in" every trial, not to be thankful for the evil circumstances we are
experiencing, but to be thankful that the Lord is with us, no matter what the
devil throws our way. It is always the will of God that we keep a thankful heart
and attitude in spite of what is happening.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In
every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you."
4. Receive your faith, strength, guidance and encouragement from the
Lord through prayer and staying in the Word.
1 Samuel 30:6: "And David was greatly distressed; for the people
spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man
for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his
God."
5. Discern and resist Satan's lies that are designed to demoralize and
destroy you, especially through fear. (Guidance that is different from what your
original vision is or anything that works against that, is designed by the
enemy.) Remember, it is the devil who will flee, not us, if we stand in faith.
James 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you."
6. Look for God alone to come and save you.
Isaiah 35:3-4: "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble
knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not:
behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will
come and save you."
1 Peter 5:7-11: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing
that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the
world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen."
Bible Answers
Complete articles are posted in the
Bible Answers section at www.BibleResources.org. Christ Unlimited Ministries
provides answers to the many questions people are asking today in regard to the
Bible views on many subjects. Here is a sampling of a few of the topics taken
from the list in alphabetical order:
Testimonies
Psalm 105:1-3: "O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name:
make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk
ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them
rejoice that seek the LORD."
We give all the praise to our Lord for all that He is doing through this
site!
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Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 1:25 AM
Subject: Thank You
Dear All, I wanted to thank you because
through your site I have received Jesus to be my Christ and Saviour. Your
site has been the channel for the best gift I have received in my entire
life. I thank you deeply for this, and I hope that you will continue to pray
for me as I struggle in my daily Christian life, but I do not worry for I
know that nothing is impossible through Christ who strengthens me. It has
been revealed through His words that I am in the process of being perfected,
and for that, I am honored. Yours in Christ, Jenna
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Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 1:03 AM
Subject: Thank you!!
Hi, I never write in feedback for anything, no matter how good (or bad)
something may be! But this tops the lot. I have just come back to the Lord after
many years away. In that time things have happened and after researching for
answers to questions on the net I found many were very corrupt! And very
misleading, though they claimed to be followers of Christ. Anyway, yours is the
only site I have found that I can thoroughly trust, especially as everything is
backed up with scripture. I'm sure your "Bible Answers" section has helped many
people with questions and doubts. Thank you very much! R.S.
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Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 4:47 PM
Subject: Thank you Betty
Dear Betty, I just wanted to let you know how helpful your Daily Devotionals
were during the making of our documentary, 'The Azusa Street Project' (on the
Azusa Street Revival in 1906). Your devotionals were a welcome support during
the development of our production company and the completion of our film. To
thank you, I would love to send you a complimentary copy of the documentary and
would appreciate your feedback as well. For more information on us you can visit
our website at
www.azusastreetproject.com. Sincerely, Clay Banks Executive Producer The
Azusa Street Project
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Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 5:57 AM
Subject: Thank you for being a blessing!
I appreciate the time and materials you put in uplifting the body of Christ.
I have been truly blessed by this web site. I read the link about fear and I got
so much from it. Thank you for spreading your knowledge to the body of Christ. I
was uplifted and enlightened by the words written, and with the agreement of the
holy spirit in me, I was blessed. Please continue to provide knowledge to the
body of Christ. I have been logging on to this site for several years now and I
check the daily verse. They have spoken to me everyday. I praise the Lord for
you guys! God Bless, From another seed carrier, Alice
Bible Resource Center
BibleResources.org has many things on the site to help you
grow in God. As Christians, one of the most important things we can do to
overcome in this life is to become strong in God, by studying His Word. Here
are some links with information that will help you so that you can be prepared
in a day such as this:
READ THE BIBLE - Daily reading plan
designed so that you can read the Bible through in a year. You can start
anytime. <More Info>
STUDY THE BIBLE - Bible Study Tools
to help you study the Bible on your own. They include access to Bible
search tools, reference works, commentaries and Bible Study material (Christ
Unlimited Ministries), as well as others that we recommend. <More Info>
LISTEN TO THE BIBLE - You can listen
to the Bible in the background, while doing other work on your computer.
<More Info> You can also purchase a set of
WatchWORD videos and gather around with the entire family and listen the
scriptures being read while viewing beautiful movie scenes that depict those
verses. Many of these are scenes of the Holy Land. This is a wonderful way
the whole family can read the Bible completely through in a year by spending 30
minutes a day viewing them. <More
Info>
MEMORIZE THE BIBLE - You can
purchase Bible Memorization software that makes memorization easier. Changing
the way you think, is easier than you think. Knowing God's Word can be the way you
respond to life's events. <More Info>
PURCHASE THE BIBLE - We have many
different kinds of Bibles available. You can find one that fits you by
going to our Chapel Bookstore. We also have special prices on
Bibles-By-the-Case for churches and ministries. These are not for resale,
but are made available at the lowest prices so that churches and ministries can
use them for free distribution purposes. <More Info>
DAILY DEVOTIONALS - You can take
your choice of reading the Daily Devotional that I (Betty) wrote called God's Wisdom
for Daily Living or read totally scripture devotionals for the day. The
writing of these devotionals was one of the hardest things I have done, yet the easiest.
It was hard to discipline myself to devote two hours a day to the writing of this,
but the Holy Spirit was with me when I did it and it would just flow so easy as I wrote
it every night. <More Info>
PRAYER ROOM - You can use our Prayer
Room to leave prayer requests for your own needs or the needs of others.
We currently have over 4,000 dedicated intercessors who will pray for your
requests. We also personally agree for these prayer needs to be met. <More Info>
Just click to christunlimited.com
to easily find one of the above, plus many other helps.
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