2017 is Israel’s Year of Jubilee.

In the Old Testament, God decreed that once the Jews were back in the land they would have a Jubilee every fifty years. In 1917 Great Britain issued the Balfour Declaration giving the Jewish people the right to return to their homeland. In God’s eyes the Jews were officially back in the land.

In 1967—Israel’s first Jubilee—the Jews recaptured Jerusalem for the first times since Nebuchadnezzer; in 2017 it can only mean the Gog-Magog by my estimation.

The 38th and 39th chapters of the book of Ezekiel describe the Gog-Magog war where the army of the north invades Israel for her wealth.  That “army of the north” is Russia. Putin has just drafted 150,000 soldiers; they’ve just discovered oil in Israel. This could be a war that will bring about the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and her enemies, and the signing of the peace treaty signals the beginning of the Tribulation.

“Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.”  (Revelation 3:10)

Born-again believers will be spared the Tribulation—this is a promise from God.

This is NOT the war that brings Jesus back to earth at the Second Coming but this is the war that could  be a catalyst for the signing of the peace covenant between Israel and her enemies. Bible scholars tell us for that war to begin Russia and Turkey have to be allies.  Ever since the shooting down of a Russian military jet at the Syrian border on November 24 Russia and Turkey have been at odds.

For those of you who watch TV news or read the newspaper or Internet you know not a week goes by when there isn’t a town, village or outpost in Syria that isn’t being bombed or raided. A Scripture in the Book of Isaiah says, “Damascus shall become a ruinous heap”. (Isaiah 17:1)

Damascus is the capital of Syria.

And now, Turkey’s president has apologized for the downing of that plane in an unexpected move that could open the way for easing a bitter strain between Russia and Turkey. It has been reported that Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote a letter as a formal apology to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin which the Kremlin had requested hours after Turkey and Israel announced the details of an agreement to repair their strained relations.

The Turkish leader offered his condolences to the family of the pilot that was killed.  Erdogan’s office made a point to describe the letter as an expression of regret—not an apology .

Interestingly, this comes at the same time that the UK has left the European Union—a move that will most likely cause other countries to follow suit. Followers of end-time prophecy will be quick to recognize events that are falling into place which will bring about the conditions needed for the signing of the false peace covenant between the Antichrist and Israel.

“And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

The bride of Christ will be removed before this happens.

For the past couple of years I have been taking a stand for the Word of God through my articles. My heart leaps with excitement when I am criticized and made fun of because it reminds me of this Scripture:

“Scoffers will come in the last days, walking accordingly in their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3).

Jesus wasn’t kidding about the flood of false doctrine and false prophets in these last days when He said:

“For many will come in My name, saying ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many’” (Matthew 24:5).

“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11).

False messiahs surfaced as Jim Jones led his sheep astray in Guyana resulting in the mass suicide of his followers at Jonestown in 1978; David Koresh did the same when he led a mass suicide at the location of the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas in 1993.

I recently spoke at a neighbor’s funeral; she was mortified that her daughter and grandchildren had embraced the beliefs of the Mormon (Church of Latter-Day Saints).

Sharing the gospel with the unsaved and being spiritually prepared for the Rapture should be the number one thought on the minds of every born-again believer.

(Be sure every member of your family knows the Lord or has heard the gospel.)

We all have a role in spreading the gospel until the time of the Rapture, yet many of us do not follow through with that commandment. Some of us shy away from sharing the gospel or we procrastinate.

When Moses aligned his will with God’s will, God brought water out of the rock.

When Joshua aligned his will with the will of God, the sun stood still in its orbit.

When David aligned his will with the will of God, Goliath fell.

When Elijah aligned his will with the will of God, fire came from heaven on Mount Carmel and licked up everything—including the water.

When Daniel aligned his will with the will of God, the mouths of lions were zipped.

And Scripture further tell us:

“They also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:11).

What motivation! The One who loves us and died for us is coming back. What if He looks you in the face and asks, “How did you use the opportunities I gave you to witness for me? Did you keep quiet with your co-workers, neighbors and friends? Or did you tell them about My salvation for you—for all people?”

While we wait for the Lord, we are to work diligently and wholeheartedly for the Lord fulfilling the Great Commission. The mission of God, and our very purpose. Who is God calling you to intercede for today? Who needs to hear the precious gift of the gospel?

Don’t delay. God will bring in the harvest as you are faithful.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reasons for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).