Some continue to press forward toward a global economy, global faith, and a one world order. As I heard of so many meeting in Egypt this week for the COP27-UN climate conference, it became very clear that we are plunging rapidly into the end times. Truth has been turned upside down. Lies are overflowing. There are “disinformation” police popping up everywhere. It would seem the world has gone made. So how do we who cling fast to Jesus Christ press on to the finish line with joy.
The COP27 meetings were Nov 6-18. At the same time there was gathering at the foot of Mount Sinai an interfaith group praying that God appear to provide a new 10 commandments of Climate Change. This is what they wrote:
To support, challenge and inspire discussions during COP 27 at Sharm El Sheikh, interfaith climate events will take place in Sharm El Sheik, London, Jerusalem, and elsewhere that will be heart-stirring, transformative and a moment of inspiration for religious communities and for humanity. Religious leaders will call for a reexamination of deep-seated attitudes and for identifying ways to transform these attitudes for the wellbeing of Earth, our common home.
Mount Sinai is a mountain whose memory and meaning loom large as a place of revelation in the collective consciousness of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and others. As an ancient sacred space, it was the site of prophetic experience, and receiving God’s message, for the prophets Moses and Elijah in all three Abrahamic traditions, and the prophet Muhammed in the Muslim tradition. COP 27 taking place in Sinai can remind humanity of our sacred responsibility to care for God’s creation.[1]
They came to celebrate Earth more highly than God.
Pope Francis sent his message as well
delivered by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope at the COP 27
““I wish to recall the COP27 summit on the climate taking place in Egypt. I hope that steps forward are taken with courage and determination, in the footsteps of the Paris Accords. This is a great start to a seven-year journey aimed at responding to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. I encourage this crucial mission for the future of humanity, so that it may foster in everyone a concrete commitment to care for Creation.”[2]
Additionally, Pope Francis did join with the Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayeb of al-Azhar to sign the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019. Construction continues on the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi where there will stand a Jewish Synagogue, an Islamic Mosque, and a Church uniting on one land the three major religions as a symbol of uniting their messages into one united message of peace. It was originally planned to open in 2022 but due to delays is planned to open in 2023.
The battles and conflicts still intensify despite the best efforts of humanity trying to create peace. Indeed, those who call the loudest for peace tend to be the least intolerant to anyone who does not bow to their “new world order” with total surrender of everything else. This, in itself creates more chaos and confusion.
Amid the Chaos, God’s Words to Press On
If we look back to our lessons in Micah thus far, we certainly are aware we have a solace of hope shining amid the warnings of destruction. Micah has clearly presented to Israel and Judah their guilt and the impending judgement. Yet, for those who truly worship God as Lord, he pauses once more to present this ray of hope. It was the ray of hope to press on to the finish line with joy. Never forget. Today is not the end of the story. Only the beginning of a bigger story to come.
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And peoples shall flow to it.
2 Many nations shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion the law shall go forth,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
One day, He will return to establish His Kingdom here on earth. A Kingdom of justice, righteousness, and peace.
As we press on to that day, we know that then:
He shall judge between many peoples,
And rebuke strong nations afar off;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.
4 But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree,
And no one shall make them afraid;
For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
5 For all people walk each in the name of his god,
But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
Forever and ever. Micah 4
No more war. For now, people seek after all manner of gods; but then we will walk in the name of the Lord our God. What bliss there will be.
This is the same message God spoke through Isaiah
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.
3 Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2
We Press on Because We Know One Day
He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2
Keep Your Focus on Jesus the King of Kings
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [e]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [f]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15 Now out of His mouth goes a [g]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.
Revelations 19
Micah and Isaiah both spoke of Jesus Healing All Our Sorrows
“In that day,” says the Lord,
“I will assemble the lame,
I will gather the outcast
And those whom I have afflicted;
7 I will make the lame a remnant,
And the outcast a strong nation;
So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion
From now on, even forever.
8 And you, O tower of the flock,
The stronghold of the daughter of Zion,
To you shall it come,
Even the former dominion shall come,
The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.” Micah 4
And Isaiah wrote
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to [a]heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To [b]console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61
What is Our Assurance, that we Might Press On
How do we know this is true and will happen? Look at all the prophecies that have been fulfilled exactly as prophesied. Jesus walked into Jerusalem to be crucified on the exact day prophesied by Daniel, though he did not fully understand all of what it meant.
24 “A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.
26 “After this period of sixty-two sets of seven,the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing Daniel 9 (NLT)
We Press On—knowing this truth
He did rise again the 3rd day to overcome sin. He is our victory. Daniel’s prophesy was directed to the Jewish nation as he continued to say.
And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” Daniel 9 (ESV)
This referred to what happened first by Antiochus Epiphanes in 165 BC and later what happened in 70 AD. Although both times however these were pictures of what is yet to come. In 70 AD, there was again an abomination of desolation that occurred with roman idols being brought into the temple. Also, the temple was destroyed by the Roman armies. No stone was left unturned. Sacrifice ended unable to resume until a temple can be built with the Arc of the Covenant present. Israel was scattered and only in 1948 became a nation again, preparing to the end.
Furthermore, We Filled with Hope Press on Because
All is occurring as foretold. Antiochus the Greek and the Roman destruction of the temple were foreshadowing of the Antichrist to come. That will begin the final week of prophecy for the Jewish nation outlined by Daniel to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. One day the final 7 years will begin, after the rapture of the church. And it will be completed when Christ returns to set up His Kingdom on earth. The Jewish nation at the center. WE KNOW THIS, as so clearly outlined. Therefore, Do not lose focus.
EVERYTHING FORETOLD ABOUT JESUS in Intricate Detail
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2
And remember how perfect, he was born in the very manger where the sacrificial lambs were born. Then He walked into Jerusalem to be the perfect sacrificial lamb on the exact day prophesied. There are more than 500 prophesies fulfilled exactly as prophesied concerning Jesus. Statistically impossible and way too many to be a coincidence.
And How to Press On in this present time
Jesus told us this would be tough times. He did not promise us easy. Nor did He exemplify easy.
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away[a] and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:3-14
Who Endures?
All who know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1 (ESV)
So, How Do We Press On
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. Hebrews 12
His promise to us?
John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
[1] https://interfaithsustain.com/returning-to-mt-sinai/, Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, accessed November 19, 2022
[2] https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-11/pope-francis-cop27-laudato-si-action-platform-appeal.html accessed 11/16/2022
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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