Hello friends. I hope and pray that you are doing well and your heart is tender towards Jesus Christ and your fellow humans. In this week’s newsletter I’d like to share information that grabbed my attention this week. Pray and ponder about these things. With much prayer and in the love of Jesus Christ.
‘The frontline is like Terminator’: fighting robots give Ukraine hope in war with Russia”
When I read this news article about fighting robots, immediately I thought about my intensive study during the pandemic lockdown on the Book of Revelation. Generally when I’m studying a book in the Bible, I use one or two biblical commentary resources. However, for the book of Revelation, I used 6 or 7. Why? Because it’s such a supernatural book with bizarre images and metaphors that I wanted to be very sure about this book by reading and listening to several bible scholars and teachers.
I especially valued this Bible teacher, Stephen Armstrong. He was a former military officer in the Air Force who left his position to study the Bible, and became a teaching pastor. His personal thoughts shared about the battles in the book of Revelation made me remember his study when I read the news article about the fighting robots.
https://versebyverseministry.org/bible-studies/revelation-2020
I’m thinking how quickly things are becoming to get the world ready for the Antichrist’s rule during the Great Tribulation. As God’s children, we can be rest assured and have peace, however we must keep our first love to Jesus Christ, and honor him in our lives and speech. I know when we get stressed, we can revert back to our old habits and ways. And please share Jesus with others who are nonbelievers. They need us to be a good example of the Bible, and not a stumbling block.
(FYI – The church might be raptured into heaven right before the Great Tribulation which will last seven years on earth. This is called the “pre-trib” position. Majority of Bible scholars and teachers who teach end times theology (aka eschatology) in the Bible are “pre-trib”. Please don’t get into an argument with fellow believers about the predictions of how, when, who, etc. Perhaps God is testing us to see how we deal with our differences in theology and beliefs. It’s a good test for us on our emotional intelligence, and to see how we handle conflict with each other. The most important thing is that you are raptured when it happens. You definitely don’t want to hang around on earth in those seven years. Please make time to hear from this Bible teacher, Stephen Armstrong.)
I heard an excellent testimony from a former devout Muslim who became a believer of Jesus Christ. His friendship with his Christian tenants was the catalyst for exploring Christianity. He drew near to them because he saw joy and kindness in them. (We should smile more and be kind. 😊) You’ll also learn how difficult and dangerous it was for him when he came out to his family as a follower of Jesus Christ. I think it’s important for us to know why it is extremely hard for Muslims to explore Christianity. I had complete freedom in my family to explore all religions. I chose Christianity after much research, and without any fear of persecution or death. It’s hard to fathom what I would have done if saying yes to Jesus Christ meant death and persecution.
For those interested in prophetic visions on Iran 🇮🇷, please hear this woman’s story and how her ministry is getting ready for an open Iran.
“In this powerful episode of Heaven Meets Earth, Lana Silk, the CEO of Transform Iran, shares her deeply personal journey from being born into Islamic Iran to witnessing the undeniable movement of God within one of the most spiritually hungry regions in the world. Through stories of divine encounters—including a man who came to faith after simply being unable to shake the name of Jesus—Lana reveals how God is reaching people in Iran through dreams, awe inspiring encounters, and even technology. As the underground church faces increasing pressure, Lana offers a prophetic and hope-filled vision for Iran’s future: a nation transformed so radically that the world will recognize it as nothing short of a miracle. This is a conversation about surrender, calling, and the kind of faith that can cost everything—but leads to eternal impact.”
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heaven-meets-earth/id1806665471?i=1000759473769
There are days here on earth where I need to daydream about our eternal home in Heaven. I read two books from those who claimed that they visited heaven. I believe that they truly did visit Heaven and met with Jesus. Why? Because their fruit is good. Whenever you are not sure about someone’s ministry or supernatural encounters; all you have to do is carefully examine the fruit in their personal lives and ministry. Nowadays, you can easily look up news articles about any ministry leaders, Bible scholars and influencers. Here are the two books about Heaven that I read:
https://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Real-Little-Astounding-Story/dp/0849946158/ref=mp_s_a_1_1
https://www.amazon.com/Proof-Heaven-Neurosurgeons-Journey-Afterlife/dp/1451695195
Here is a new interview that I just heard about a young man who visited Heaven and also met with Jesus. This young man’s encounter with Jesus Christ was so beautiful and amazing. Jesus Christ is worthy of it all and He deserves our best on earth.
I will consider reading his book later when I need extra encouragement on earth.
In the interview, he mentioned seeing great spiritual battles by angels happening in the second heaven (between earth and third Heaven where Jesus is. I’m currently doing a women’s bible study on angels. We just started and there’s a good amount of homework. The study of angels is called “angelology” in the academic seminary schools. By the way, this study also includes demons who are the fallen angels. Here is the Bible study book that our group is using:
https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Access-Finding-Reigns-Heaven/dp/B0DT8RH8NF/ref=mp_s_a_1_1
If anyone is curious about Heaven, I think you’ll find these older messages very interesting and encouraging. Pastor Rick Warren lost his youngest son and Lee Strobel almost died. You’ll appreciate their personal sharing and stories. I sometimes wonder if I think about Heaven too much. It was nice to hear from Pastor Robert Jeffress that all believers he knows who think a lot about Heaven are very productive in God’s kingdom work on earth. And so that gave me permission to keep on daydreaming about Heaven on earth. Pastor Robert Jeffress on Heaven –https://watch.tbn.org/videos/hd-pfr220301
– Pastor Rick Warren on Heaven – https://youtu.be/A3zT3hTjvgw?si=67Gbjc54slTitGa1
– Pastor Lee Stroebel on Heaven –https://www.youtube.com/live/f-5UcPGGU1M?si=zL37RUelL1-1qk3w
“Jesus uses our trials to wean us from Earth and woo us to Heaven.” – Charles Spurgeon
11 And now consider this. You know well the times you are living in. It is time for you to wake up and see what is right before your eyes: for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The darkness of night is dissolving as dawn’s light draws near, so walk out on your old dark life and put on the armor of light. 13 May we all act as good and respectable people, living today the same way as we will in the day of His coming. Do not fall into patterns of dark living: wild partying, drunkenness, sexual depravity, decadent gratification, quarreling, and jealousy. 14 Instead, wrap yourselves in the Lord Jesus, God’s Anointed, and do not fuel your sinful imagination by indulging your self-seeking desire for the pleasures of the flesh. – Romans 13:11-14 (VOICE)
Journal of Faith 