Israeli Minister: Thank God Obama Is Leaving Office Amen.

Israeli Minister: Thank God Obama Is Leaving Office

Amen.

1.2.2017 

 

News

 

 Tiffany Gabbay 

 

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Israelis are just as elated as sane Americans are that, in 17 days, Obama will vacate the Oval Office.

"In Obama's world view we have moved closer to peace, but during his term we have just gotten further from it," said Israeli Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev in response to the president's betrayal of the Jewish State. 

"Thank God that Obama is finishing his term."

Speaking with Army Radio on Sunday, Regev noted Obama's hypocrisy, as "there have been more and more terror attacks in Berlin, Orlando and [yesterday] in Turkey.

"What does any of this have to do with the [Israeli] settlements?"

"It just cannot be the case that this is the way the President of the United States, who thank God is finishing his term, treats the State of Israel, as the weak link in the Middle East," the minister stated emphatically. 

While there is certainly a left-wing element in Israel -- and in the Knesset specifically -- Regev's comments encapsulate how the majority of Israelis feel about the Obama administration.

The Jerusalem Post reports that since the UN Security Council vote on December 23, Israel has collectively "expressed every emotion from shock, mostly in the form of dismay and plain outrage, with comment and condemnation from ministers, government officials and of course from the Israeli public."

Of course Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his eagerness to work with President-elect Trump and his disdain for Obama's "anti-Israel" betrayal.

According to the New York Post President-elect Donald Trump's team has been "aggressively" courting Netanyahu to attend the inauguration on January 20. If Netanyahu were to attend, it would send a powerful signal to Israel's enemies and allies alike: that a new dawn has arrived and that, for at least the next four years, there is an American president in power who truly has Israel's back.

Fake News: A&E Yanks KKK Series After Participants Say They Were Paid to Distort Facts Oh, you mean to show how "dangerously toxic Trump's America" is?

Fake News: A&E Yanks KKK Series After Participants Say They Were Paid to Distort Facts

Oh, you mean to show how "dangerously toxic Trump's America" is?

1.2.2017 

 

News

 

 Tiffany Gabbay 

 

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The mainstream media are now engaged in a concerted effort to denounce "fake news" -- even though they're the ones who coined the term, then elevated it to an art form.

In an effort to throw us all off their scent, the Left is attempting to churn out -- wait for it -- more fake news. 

The latest example was the A&E documentary slated for release in January about the current state of the KKK in America. Because, you know, it was going to reveal the dark underbelly of Donald Trump's America -- an incestuous wasteland of bigotry and hate. A fertile breeding ground for the nation's troglodytes. 

Too bad the network ended up pulling the series before its debut after it was exposed that producers paid off the documentary's participants to distort facts. 

Escaping the KKK: A Documentary Series Exposing Hate in America reportedly paid off Klan members and staged fictional events in order to heighten the drama.

"That's fake episodes of hate," Newsbusters astutely notes. The media watchdog group adds: 

A&E's pitch for the show was "This show is not rehearsed or prepackaged." But Variety’s Nate Thayer reports their findings were based on interviews that Variety conducted with over two dozen people involved in the making of the documentary. He found that some were paid and pushed to “distort facts”:

“Some KKK leaders divulged that they were paid hundreds of dollars in cash each day of filming to compel them on camera to distort the facts of their lives to fit the documentary’s predetermined narrative: tension between Klan members and relatives of theirs who wanted to get out of the Klan."

Ironically, the production company is called This Is Just A Test. That is all the series was.

The KKK leaders who were interviewed by Variety detailed how they were wooed with promises the program would capture the truth about life in the organization; encouraged not to file taxes on cash payments for agreeing to participate in the filming; presented with pre-scripted fictional story scenarios; instructed what to say on camera; asked to misrepresent their actual identities, motivations and relationships with others, and re-enacted camera shoots repeatedly until the production team was satisfied.

The production team even paid for material and equipment to construct and burn wooden crosses and Nazi swastikas, according to multiple sources including Richard Nichols, who is one of the featured subjects of the documentary series as the Grand Dragon of a KKK cell known as the Tennessee White Knights of the Invisible Empire. He also said he was encouraged by a producer to use the epithet “n*gger” in interviews.”

Of course A&E declined to comment when asked about the allegations, merely stating that it is conducting an investigation. 

Now it goes without saying that all people of goodwill openly condemn the KKK and bigots of all stripes, but it was clear to see what kind of hustle A&E executives thought they were going to pull off. 

As one can imagine, A&E's latest KKK series is just one example of the endless parade of series and news broadcasts airing manufactured content. This one just happened to get busted, and we're glad for that.

Shocker: British Investigation Finds Record Number of 'Charities' Are In Fact Terror-Front Groups

We didn't see this coming.

1.2.2017 

 

News

 

 Tiffany Gabbay 

 

  

Britain is just catching on to the obvious fact that a record number of so-called "charitable organizations" are in fact terror front groups. A new in-depth report by the Charity Commission reveals that U.K.-based charities linked to terrorism have reached a record high.

According to the Telegraph, the number of so-called charities the Commission has reported to law enforcement has practically trebled in the last three years, rising from 234 to 630. In addition, the outlet reports that eight compliance cases and four formal inquiries have been opened into "allegations of abuse of charities for terrorist or extremist purposes" in the last year. 

Commission chairman William Shawcross said that Islamic extremism is "the most dangerous and potentially deadly" issue facing U.K. charities today. 

"It is the most dangerous because of the threat of Islamist extremism," he told the Telegraph. 

"It is the most potentially deadly threat."

Of course Shawcross has received pushback from local Muslim communities -- a scenario that underscores why the demographic is at times looked at collectively with suspicion. The Left balks when people "lump all Muslims together" (and in reality, few people really do that) -- but consider the response Shawcross received from local Muslim communities:

“A group of Muslim charity leaders came in to complain when I said this the first time and I said, 'Look we are here to protect you if there were another atrocity on the streets of London, like the murder of Lee Rigby. And, if an atrocity like the murder of Lee Rigby were in any way associated with your charity it would be catastrophic for you. We are trying to protect you and protect Muslim charities from that kind of abuse’.”

The Telegraph provides the following glaring example of U.K. charities that funded a "human rights group" which in fact turned out to be an organization dedicated to sabotaging the government's anti-terror programs. Oh, and it is run by a former Gitmo detainee:  

Earlier this year the Commission stepped in to stop the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Anita Roddick Foundation funding Cage because it did not match their “charitable objectives”.

Mr Shawcross said that Cage, a controversial human rights group, “was not a charity and there is no way in which Cage could represent any charitable purpose under British law”.

Last year, it emerged that Cage had used meetings on university campuses to encourage the “sabotage” of the Government’s official anti-extremism programme, Prevent.

Moazzam Begg, the former Guantánamo Bay detainee who is director of Cage, told students “any right-minded person” would oppose the Prevent strategy, likening it to the methods of the Stasi secret police in the former East Germany.

Raising concerns on issues pertaining to the erosion of civil liberties in the war on terror, he also said: “It is widely acknowledged amongst both academic and community groups that Prevent is ineffectual at stopping radicalisation, thus preventing Prevent in no way enables radicalisation.”

According to the Telegraph, Cage describes itself as an "independent advocacy organisation working to empower communities impacted by the War on Terror" -- meaning its focus is supposedly to help Muslims "victims." Sound familiar? CAIR and others of its ilk are out daily defending so-called victims of Islamophobia (the "hate crimes" in almost all cases turn out to be hoaxes) and people "wrongfully accused" of engaging in terror activities. 

In fact, recently on social media a defender of CAIR tried to claim that the largest terror funding trial in U.S. history -- the Holy Land Foundation trial (for which CAIR is named an unindicted co-conspirator) -- was a right-wing witch-hunt to destroy a charitable foundation that merely helped Muslim "victims of terror and bigotry."

Right. 

Those with eyes to see have known the score for quite some time. Hopefully under the new administration similar front groups will be monitored vigilantly and brought down swiftly.  

 

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Issues

The Holy One of Israel Is Faithful By Kit R. Olsen

The Holy One of Israel Is Faithful

By Kit R. Olsen

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It seems with all the prophetically charged events unfolding all around us, it can be very challenging at times to not see the entire prophetic overview—the whole prophetic picture of what must yet transpire according to Scripture—before the final prophecies are fulfilled.

Seeing Israel being accosted by the UN, instigated and encouraged by the Obama Administration is hard to take. Should we count down the days before he is out of the White House? Many of us are doing just that.

Considering Obama’s love for division, race baiting and racial tension, I am surprised he hasn’t taken issue with the title: “The White House.” Maybe he will yet, before he leaves the White House. After all, he might see it as a racially driven plot against him personally to call the U.S. presidential home “The White House.”

Obama’s own racism and Marxist ideology demand that people should be acknowledged by race instead of character and individuality. Maybe Obama will also attempt to ban the popular song “White Christmas” before his last day of his reign of coercion and oppression upon the American people.

Although the sitting “president” has a very short time left in office, he can still harm our great nation. His temper tantrums will continue. But he is playing with spiritual fire. Scripture makes it clear that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is not going to stand by and allow any dastardly deeds against Israel to go unpunished.

Obama has taunted the president-elect claiming he could have beat him in an election—but that is his own hubris and twisted fantasy. He made a desperate plea during the last few weeks of the presidential campaign that not voting for Hillary was a personal rejection of him. She lost (and so did Obama). Trump won. The American people won. God won.

Barack Hussein Obama is also attempting to impose draconian free speech restrictions by using a fake news propaganda bill which was signed into law by him on or around December 23, 2016. It is called the Portman-Murphy Bill, also known as the Countering Disinformation and Propaganda Act.

Now he is going after the Russians under the false pretense that they helped steer the outcome of the election. (He knows that is not true). His personal retribution for this unproven alleged cyber-hacking has resulted in expelling Russian diplomats from U.S. compounds in New York and Maryland. What a tough guy.

The Russians (and others throughout the world) are laughing at him and mocking him. The Russian Embassy in the UK responded to his sanctions with a “lame duck tweet” and also accused Obama ofengaging in “Cold War deja vu,” complete with a photo of a duck and the word “lame” They also included sentiments that stated, “everybody including the American people will be glad to see the last of this hapless administration.”

Let’s see what else this demagogue will do. We can be sure that this lame duck “president” will continue to allow and encourage illegal aliens to pour over our southern border to help him succeed in his quest to destabilize the U.S. and dramatically change our demographics. He stated recently, “America will become more brown.”

According to Obama, Americans have racial prejudice built into their DNA. Apparently his racial prejudice toward Christians, Jews and whites (American or not)—is not only in his DNA but in his entire being. His prejudice emanates from every pore of his devious narcissistic spirit.

The first “black” president was voted in by millions of white people. How does that square with the racial prejudice in their DNA? Or were they just the useful idiots he knew he could manipulate to get him elected?

And what about all the violence, the rampant murders in Chicago which have significantly increased since Obama took office? He obviously doesn’t give a rip about his fellow blacks being slaughtered by each other, otherwise he would actively work to stop it. After all, he is an experienced Chicago-based community organizer well taught by the notorious anti-American Marxist community organizer, Saul Alinsky.

Zero-Hedge has reported that the violence in Chicago today is the worst that it has been in twenty years. To put those numbers into perspective,theChicago Tribune reported that Chicago recorded over 20 percent more murders in 2016 than New York and Los Angeles combined, despite having a fraction of the population.

This failed “leader” seems to thrive on conflict and self-gratification. Obama has no qualms about taking more tax money from hard working Americans so he can take excessive numbers of lavish vacations. The total so far comes to about $85 million. He breaks the record of any president for insulting Americans and undermining our American way of life.

Obama is doing everything he can to make it difficult for president-elect Trump to successfully undo the damage he has done to the United States (and the world).

Prophetically, we know Israel is going to take a beating before she is forever freed from Satan’s stalking and manipulations. According to Scripture Israel is in for a rough ride until our Jewish Messiah returns at the Second Coming. But she will also get some major assistance from the Lord Himself to soften the blows made against her in these last days.

I see all of the most recent anti-Israel and Anti-American events as leading up to the battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39 (the Gog-Magog war). This particular war is given the most detailed description of any prophesied future war recorded in the Bible. It is at that time that God will send His fury and intense judgment upon Islam and Russia.

The Russian-led Muslim coalition will not be able stand up against God’s supernatural intervention and succeed in their quest to harm Israel. The entire world will be astonished at how Israel will be protected from the invaders; it will be very obvious that God stepped in to save Israel.

“‘It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,’ declares the Lord God, ‘that My fury will mount up in My anger.In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.

The fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.

I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains,’ declares the LordGod. ‘Every man’s sword will be against his brother. With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.

I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord”’ (Ezekiel 38:18-23).

“‘And I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the mountains far north and bring you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand.

And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am theLord So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will notlet themprofane my holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know I am the LORD, the Holy One of Israel’” (Ezekiel 39:2, 3, 6-7).

It stands to reason that after the epic Gog-Magog incursion, Bible prophecy will accelerate at an even greater pace. Because of God’s astounding miracles many people will realize their need for salvation.

God’s supernatural intervention will be so intense that it will make the Exodus pale in comparison. Those who receive Christ as their Savior because of witnessing God’s miracles may even gain a healthy fear, and reverence for the Holy One of Israel.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

With Russia (Magog) destroyed, and Islam seriously marginalized (“them that dwell carelessly in the isles”)—there will be a vacuum which the globalists could quickly act upon and fill to accelerate their overt one world government agenda.

Regarding the UN’s recent assault on Israel, in response to Resolution 2334, president-elect Donald Trump tweeted: “As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20.” That may be so in a variety of ways. The Trump Administration may find it difficult, if not impossible, to reverse resolution 2334. But “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:3).

In my opinion, Obama’s tactics against Israel will backfire on him because there are options president-elect Trump can take as soon as he is inaugurated on January 20, 2017—which would work in favor of Israel and U.S./Israel relations, and against all those who work against Israel and the United States.

The Trump Administration could take a series of actions outside of multilateral institutions to limit the effects of resolution 2334. As soon as Trump is inaugurated Congress could pass, and President Trump would sign, a declaration that the previous administration did not have authorization (mandate) to allow the UN Security Council resolution to pass. [1]

The U.S. Embassy could be immediately moved to Jerusalem, as president-elect Trump has suggested many times. The Trump Administration could adopt legislation that would impose sanctions on European government and private entities that engage in Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) activities against Israel, and take steps to discourage the Palestinian Authority from continuing to attempt to mobilize the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israel.

The Trump Administration could also impose targeted cuts of U.S. funding to the United Nations aimed at hindering the U.N.’s support of actions favorable to Palestinians and their narrative. The incoming administration could also reaffirm the letter from President George W. Bush to Israeli Prime Minister Sharon in which Bush reportedly recognized that major settlement blocs will remain part of Israel under any peace treaty.

While it may not be possible to fully rescind resolution 2334, the Trump Administration can take strong steps to prevent some of the resolution’s implications for the United States and Israel in the international arena. [2]

Everything unfolding now is all part and parcel of the end-times scenario. Attempts to divide the Land of Israel are certainly underway, but we can take great solace knowing that Israel is destined prophetically to become the preeminent nation in the millennial kingdom and for eternity. For now, and until Messiah Jesus returns, Israel must battle through and continue to fight for her rights.

It is no accident that we have a new pro-American president-elect who is totally sold-out for Israel, and also happens to be a very savvy experienced negotiator. I think president-elect Trump has some creative surprises for those who think they can wipe Israel off the map. (And I would also say, so does God.)

God is working behind the scenes. He is ever-faithful and the time is coming soon when He will be finished with dealing with the Church, and his entire focus will be on Israel and the fulfillment of all the final prophecies directly related to her—so she can become that preeminent nation eternally, and inherit all the land promised to her in the Abrahamic Covenant.

Israel’s glorious future is guaranteed. It is inevitable, regardless of Satan’s non-stop attempts to destroy her. And as I have said before, and as I say in the opening pages of my new book, Israel’s Guaranteed Future Glory:

Israel is the center of the earth where God’s covenant people live and belong. I would not be surprised if right now at this very moment—the LORD God of Israel has His heavenly host holding flaming swords, securely guarding and protecting every inch of Israel’s borders in the spiritual realm.

The year 2017 may very well prove to be one of the most exciting years in American history, and for Bible prophecy. Be sure you know the Lord Jesus Christ and are born-again from above. We should never lose sight of God’s admonition to place Him first in our lives.

And be sure to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6a). We know there will be no true peace for Jerusalem (or the world) until Jesus returns, so when we pray for the “peace of Jerusalem” we are essentially praying for His return.

Even so come, Lord Jesus.

Endnotes

[1] http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/30/7-ways-obama-is-trying-to-sabotage-the-trump-administration/

[2] https://www.lawfareblog.com/what-unscr-2334-could-mean-beyond-united-nations-and-how-trump-administration-can-respond

Footnote: “Anyone who loves God’s chosen people will want to read Israel’s Guaranteed Future Glory. Kit R. Olsen’s wonderful new book highlights the State of Israel showing that God’s prophetic promises have not been broken, and that He still has a plan for mankind. The history of the Jews proves the validity of His Holy Word; and the geopolitical climate unfolding today falls in line with God’s prophetic messages. Kit has been my dedicated editor/writer for the site for over four and a half years, and I am very pleased to share some of her additional work with our readers and feature her new book on the site.” –Todd Strandberg

https://www.amazon.com/Israels-Guaranteed-Future-Glory-Olsen/dp/1940241111/#reader_1940241111

Rage on Earth and Laughter in Heaven By Daymond Duck

Rage on Earth and Laughter in Heaven

By Daymond Duck

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Psalm 2 is like an outline of the future, but it seems like the future is coming true today. Notice what each verse says.

Verse 1: God asked, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”

Daymond’s interpretation” “Why do the heathen (non-Jews, could be Muslims) get all worked up, protest, riot, injure and kill others, and harbor thoughts (such as the destruction of Israel) that will never come to fruition?”

Verses 2-3: God said, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

Daymond’s interpretation: “What would cause non-Jewish political and religious leaders to call a meeting of the UN Security Council and adopt an Antichrist spirit to plot against Jehovah and His Messiah? What would cause them to say, ‘Let us break the restraints (Scriptures, prophecies, etc.) of Jehovah and Jesus with a UN resolution and decide who we want to give the Promised Land to?’”

Verse 4: “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision.”

Daymond’s interpretation: “The God that dwells in heaven will laugh at your pious resolution. Because you have mocked Him He will have you mocked.”

Verse 5: “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure” (sounds like the Tribulation Period; Zeph. 1:15; Rev. 16:1-21).

Daymond’s interpretation: “In a short time (God’s time), you will experience the Tribulation period. He will speak to you with wrath in His voice. You have exposed Israel to terror so you will be terrorized” (see Obad. 1:15).

Verse 6: “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.”

Daymond’s interpretation: “God has already determined that the King of His choice (Jesus) will sit on His (not the throne of your choice) Holy Mountain (the Temple Mount) in His (not your) city of Jerusalem.”

Verse 7: “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”

Daymond’s interpretation: “Jesus wants everyone to know what one of Jehovah’s decrees says: He (Jesus) is God’s Son and He was raised from the dead” (explained by Paul at Acts 13:29-37).

Verse 8: “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”

Daymond’s interpretation: “God told Jesus to ask and He will give the non-Jews and all the world to Him.” They are trying to destroy the Jews and possess the land God gave to Israel so Jesus needs only to ask and God will give them and the whole earth to Jesus.

Verse 9: “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Daymond’s interpretation: “When Jesus gets through with these people they will be less valuable than pieces of a broken vase.”

Verses 10-12: “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Bless are all they that put their trust in him.”

Daymond’s interpretation: “God advised the non-Jewish political and religious leaders to wise up, serve Jesus and respect Him because just a little of His wrath is enough to destroy them and because those who trust Him will be blessed.”

Having said this, my friend August Rosado made a comment in his latest newsletter that blessed my heart (www.todayinbibleprophecy.org). He said, “It reminds me of the biblical story of Balaam ,who Balak the king of Moab hired to curse Israel. God warns Balaam not to curse Israel because they are a blessed people, (Numbers 22:12). Instead of Balaam cursing Israel, he blessed Israel. God turned the whole situation around. The point is Obama has cursed Israel, but God can turn the curse into a blessing. I believe this will happen with incoming Trump Administration, who promised to stand by Israel, and reverse all Obama has done.”

All Christians know that our trust must be in God not Donald Trump. But God can use Donald Trump to fulfill His Word.

For example, I am not predicting it, but it would not surprise me one bit to finally see a U.S. backlash against the UN (bills are already being drafted in congress by members of both parties), ISIS quickly defeated, the UN moving to Babylon, war and the Jews finally worshipping on the Temple Mount.

And because the UN political and religious leaders keep trying to destroy Israel they will be taken over by a political leader called the Antichrist and a religious leader called the False Prophet.

For the time being, it is being reported that U.S. Sec. of State John Kerry is drafting a Resolution to recognize a Palestinian State before Donald Trump is inaugurated. If this happens and God doesn’t lay it upon the heart of another nation to veto it, the dividing of the land of Israel and the scattering of Jews from some West Bank settlements will most likely be set in stone for activation at a future date.

Also, the servants of the Great Red Dragon at the UN may pass more resolutions, but no matter what they do the God of Israel is still God, Israel is still the apple of His eye, He still listens to the prayers of Christians and Jews, His Word is still true, and everyone would be wise to kiss the Son.

Maranatha.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com

Simeon Found Jesus By Nathele Graham

Simeon Found Jesus By Nathele Graham Joseph and Mary knew who Jesus was, but that knowledge didn’t make them think they were above the Mosaic Law. Under that Law there were certain requirements a woman was to do after giving birth, and Mary was not exempt from following those requirements. When a woman gave birth to a male child, she was considered unclean for seven days (Leviticus 12:2). “And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.” (Leviticus 12:4)  In addition to the mother's requirements, on the eighth day the male child was to be circumcised. “And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.”(Leviticus 12:3) This requirement actually pre-dated the Law by many years; God had given this directive to Abraham as the sign of a covenant between Him and the children of Abraham. Mary did all     that was required by the Law. Even though she bore the Son of God she was merely human and subject to the Law of Moses. According to the Law, after the time that she was considered unclean a woman was to bring a Lamb and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering (Leviticus 12:6). If for some reason she was unable to bring a lamb then two turtledoves or two pigeons were acceptable. “And if she be not able to bring a lamb then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.” (Leviticus 12:8) Mary followed the requirement of the Law by bringing her sin offering and a burnt offering. “And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord...and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:22,  24) Joseph and Mary must have felt bad because they could only bring birds but no lamb for the sacrifice. Did they understand that Jesus was the Lamb? Just like people today, Joseph and Mary only knew day by day God’s plan and followed as best they could. We can be sure that the Magi hadn't visited yet because Joseph and Mary would have been able to buy a lamb to offer as her sin offering. With no gold, frankincense, or myrrh she could only offer the birds. Also, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to Jerusalem but on the night the Magi visited, Joseph was warned in a dream to leave for Egypt immediately. Being obedient they left that very night. It was on the day that Joseph and Mary took the offerings to the priest that a man named Simeon had his prayers answered.  “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.” (Luke 2:25-26) In just a few words we learn so much about Simeon. He loved God. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament that foretold the Messiah's birth and Simeon took the words of the prophets seriously. He was looking for the Messiah and his faith was strong. Because the prophets had foretold of the coming Messiah, many people were looking for Him, but not everyone had the depth of yearning that Simeon had. It’s hard to understand how the Scribes and Pharisees missed the Messiah's birth because they studied Scripture, but they didn't look for Him. They didn’t have the desire that Simeon had to see the Messiah. The religious leaders had head knowledge of Scripture, but Simeon had heart knowledge. The Holy Spirit still speaks to people today, but most people ignore Him. Many people have head knowledge of Scripture and only a few truly desire to seek the Messiah. Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit so it should be easier for us to hear His voice, but too many of us are distracted by the world and ignore God’s leading. The Holy Spirit came upon Simeon but didn’t indwell him, yet Simeon was devout and heard His voice. When a person is led by the Spirit, wonderful things will happen. Unlike the priests and Pharisees, Simeon desired to see the Messiah...the consolation of Israel. “And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou has prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:27-33) We can all learn from Simeon. His great desire was to see “the Lord's Christ” and was watching for Him. Then, when he saw Him, Simeon embraced Him. Do we do that? When we see our need for Jesus and finally accept Him for our salvation, do we truly embrace Him or do we just go on as if our life hasn’t been changed? Simeon also blessed Him rather than waiting to be blessed by Him. Think about it and see if you truly embrace Jesus and if you just sit around waiting for Him to bless you. Embrace Him and bless Him and your life will be changed for the better. Simeon had insight that few people had in those days. He understood that the Messiah would come to Israel, but he also understood that He was coming as a light to the Gentiles. That fact is something that many religious leaders couldn’t come to grips with. Many years later a Pharisee named Nicodemus would come to Jesus to seek understanding. Jesus talked a long while with Nicodemus and gave him much to ponder. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Jesus said that God loved the “world” not just the Jews. There was separation between the Jews and the Gentiles and much resentment. Jesus came first to the Jews and when they rejected their Messiah, the Gentiles were also welcome to accept His sacrifice for salvation. When Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus He didn't exclude Gentiles from this gift. God's love is offered to everyone, but His gift needs to be accepted. It would be wonderful if everyone had the desire to see “the Lord’s Christ” like Simeon did, because it is God’s desire that all people come to salvation. ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17) Simeon found the desire of his heart when he saw Jesus. What is the desire of your heart? Do you want to see Jesus, or are you willing to settle for fleeting desires of this world? Jesus didn’t come to condemn us but to save us. Salvation through Him should change us. The King of kings was born as a baby in a humble manger. Most people were aware that one          day the Messiah would come to them but few were actually seeking to find Him. The Shepherds were the first ones to receive the Good News, and they left their flocks to go find Him. The Magi were looking for Him. They saw His star and followed it to Bethlehem and found Him. Among the few who were looking for Him was Simeon and his prayers were answered. Today we are living in a time that prophecy is being fulfilled. Are you ignoring the signs of the times? Jesus came once to offer salvation to everyone. He will come again to bring judgment upon the unbelieving world that follows Satan. Before God’s wrath begins, all those who have placed their faith in Jesus for salvation will be called Home. Right now, today, is when you need to embrace Jesus. If Simeon hadn't been seeking Him he would have missed the greatest gift of all. “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” (Luke 2:29-30) Because Simeon saw Jesus he found peace. Can you say that you have found peace? Sin brings death and we are all sinners. Only faith in Jesus Christ will bring forgiveness of sin and eternal life. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6) If you were to die today do you have the same peace that Simeon found by embracing Jesus?                It’s a fact that we all face death. It's also a fact that God’s wrath is very near. Whether death takes you or you are called Home in the Rapture prior to God’s wrath, the only way to live eternally with God is to give your life to Jesus right now. You have a choice so choose wisely. God bless you all,  Nathele Graham twotug@embarqmail.com www.straitandnarrowministry.com ron@straitandnarrowministry.com  Ron Graham’s previous commentaries archived athttp://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html  All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed.)