Jesus’ first warning about the last days wasn’t about war, famine or even the Antichrist. It was about deception.

That was the central message as Bible prophecy teachers Pete Garcia and Mondo Gonzales discussed the spiritual condition of today’s church, arguing that many Christians are unprepared for an increasingly deceptive culture because biblical literacy has steadily declined.

Rather than focusing solely on current headlines involving artificial intelligence, UFO disclosure or the paranormal, the pair repeatedly returned to a single concern: whether we know God’s Word well enough to recognize truth from error.

A Church Losing Its Foundation

Garcia traced what he believes has been a century-long erosion of biblical influence in America, pointing to the rise of secular humanism in education and the gradual weakening of biblical teaching.

“So, we’re at this time now in 2026 where the church is arguably probably at its weakest point … at least. And at the same time, you have a whole bunch of stuff starting to happen that’s supernatural,” Garcia said.

He argued that even many churches that faithfully defended biblical truth gradually became uncomfortable teaching the supernatural elements of Scripture.

“So many within Christianity then began to reject the supernatural aspects of the Bible, things like the Nephilim, the rapture of the church, a literal, grammatical, historical taking of the book of Revelation and other prophetic passages,” Garcia said.

According to Garcia, the result is a church that is increasingly fragmented and hesitant to teach doctrines that prepare believers for the days ahead.

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The Greatest Threat Is Deception

While discussions surrounding AI, UFOs and the occult often dominate headlines, Gonzales said Scripture identifies deception—not technology—as the defining characteristic of the last days.

“When that reality comes, I mean, that’s why Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, the first thing, ‘Let no one deceive you.’ That to me [is] the biggest descriptor of all of the seven-year tribulation,” Gonzales said. “Lawlessness, etc., but deception is the biggest indicator. One hundred percent, hands down.”

That warning, he said, becomes increasingly important as society embraces ideas and spiritual practices that previous generations largely rejected.

The two pointed to the growing acceptance of witchcraft, New Age spirituality, paranormal experiences and encounters with unexplained phenomena as evidence that culture is becoming more comfortable with the supernatural while becoming less grounded in biblical truth.

Knowing the Truth Before the Counterfeit Appears

Garcia cautioned Christians against becoming fascinated with every new spiritual claim or unexplained phenomenon.

“I would caution that just as much as I would caution somebody from playing the Ouija board,” he said. “It’s … something you don’t want to mess with.”

Instead, both men emphasized that believers should prioritize biblical discernment over speculation.

Their concern was not simply that deception is increasing, but that many churches have stopped teaching the full counsel of Scripture needed to recognize it.

Whether the conversation centered on Bible prophecy, artificial intelligence, UFO disclosure or spiritual warfare, Garcia and Gonzales consistently returned to the same conclusion: our greatest preparation for whatever lies ahead is not mastering every headline but becoming firmly rooted in God’s Word.

If deception is the first warning Jesus gave about the last days, then our first response should be to know the truth so well that counterfeits become easier to recognize.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

Robin Bullock believes the escalating conflict with Iran is more than another geopolitical flashpoint.

During a recent discussion with Amanda Grace, Bullock argued that today’s events closely parallel the final military campaign of King Cyrus the Great, the Persian ruler whom God named more than a century before his birth in Isaiah.

According to Bullock, the similarities between Cyrus and President Donald Trump have become too significant to dismiss.

“We entered into the time of Cyrus the Great,” Bullock said.

A Prophetic Parallel

Bullock pointed to Cyrus’ final campaign against the Massagetae, an Iranian people led by Queen Tomyris. After years of peace, Cyrus attempted diplomacy before ultimately preparing for war.

Bullock said he sees that same pattern unfolding today.

“He moved in all these ships into the Mediterranean,” Bullock said of Trump. “On these ships are missiles, fighter jets, all kinds of things.”

Bullock also pointed to Trump’s decision during his first administration to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. Embassy there, noting Israel later issued a commemorative Cyrus coin honoring what many saw as a parallel between the biblical king and the American president.

“They recognized him as Cyrus,” Bullock said.

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The Battle Over Leverage

Bullock argued that Cyrus’ greatest mistake came after he captured Queen Tomyris’ son and released him.

“I heard it,” Bullock said. “The leverage.”

He believes the modern equivalent is the Strait of Hormuz.

“The leverage is the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. “If he gives that up, then it’s going to be bad.”

Bullock questioned whether the recent 60-day memorandum of understanding with Iran represented a carefully planned trap or the surrender of America’s strategic advantage.

Amanda Grace’s Dream

Grace then shared a dream she said the Lord gave her in Oct. 2023 during Trump’s legal battles.

She saw Trump on a golf course with a severe wound on his leg.

“I zoomed in on his leg,” Grace said. “He had a very large bruise, black and blue… and in the middle there was an open wound.”

Despite the injury, she said Trump charged forward and struck the golf ball with tremendous force.

“He hit that ball very, very hard, and it made a straight line like a rocket to the hole… and it went in.”

Bullock immediately connected the dream to historical accounts describing Cyrus receiving a wound to his thigh during his final campaign.

“Cyrus… had a blow on his leg. But he still made the shot,” Bullock said.

A Call to Prayer

Bullock believes the biblical parallels surrounding Cyrus and today’s conflict with Iran point to a pivotal moment.

“There is no way around this,” he said. “He is Cyrus in the parallel of the Scripture in this timeline.”

As followers of Christ, we know Scripture calls us to pray “for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Tim. 2:2). Whatever unfolds in the days ahead, our first response should not be fear, speculation or political division, but faithful intercession that God’s purposes would prevail, His wisdom would guide leaders, and His will would be accomplished among the nations.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

Radical Islamist YouTuber SNEAKO is drawing widespread backlash after declaring New York City an “Islamic Republic” and proclaiming that “Islam will be in every household” during a public demonstration.

The online personality, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, shouted “Allahu Akbar!” before declaring, “This is the Islamic Republic of New Yorkistan.” He also said, “Inshallah, the whole world will become Muslim,” and added, “Welcome to Mamdani’s New York. You see this city? You see how it looks? Inshallah, your city looks just like this, too.”

His comments quickly spread across social media, prompting sharp criticism from public figures and thousands of online users.

Backlash grows

Commentator Alex Jones called for SNEAKO to be deported, a sentiment that Elon Musk publicly endorsed with a one-word reply: “Yes!”

However, SNEAKO is a U.S. citizen and cannot be deported under U.S. immigration law.

According to Breitbart’s reporting, the controversy also renewed attention to Australia’s decision to permanently ban SNEAKO from entering the country. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke previously said the ban was intended to protect Australians “from people coming to this country to spread hatred.”

Online criticism continued throughout the day.

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Believe people when they tell you their goals

This story should not end with a viral video or social media outrage.

When people openly say they want to conquer nations, replace Western civilization or spread an Islamic system across the world, we should believe what they are saying. SNEAKO is not the first public figure to make such declarations. Radical Islamist preachers have spent decades calling for the eventual triumph of Islam over the West and the replacement of democratic governments with an Islamic caliphate.

We are not called to stand on the sidelines while watching these ideas spread.

The spiritual battle facing our generation is already here. We do not have to imagine what happens when Christianity steadily loses influence in the public square. England, France and much of Western Europe have experienced growing hostility toward Christian values while radical voices have become increasingly bold in demanding cultural and political change.

America is not watching these challenges from across the Atlantic. They have already reached our shores.

Our response is not fear or hatred. It is faithfulness. We are called to “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13).

The answer has never been retreat. It has always been that we remain faithful to Christ while standing for truth with both conviction and courage.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

Control or complete destruction?

Deliverance minister Daniel Adams says that’s the question we should be asking when discussing demonic entities known as Jezebel and Lilith in spiritual warfare. Many Christians use the names interchangeably, but Adams argues they have very different assignments. One seeks influence and control. The other, he says, wants to leave marriages, families and ministries in ruins.

Throughout the teaching, Adams returns to one central message: we do not need to fear the powers of darkness. We need discernment. Understanding how the enemy operates helps us recognize deception while standing confidently in the authority Jesus Christ has already given us.

“These spirits will sometimes make you believe they’re somebody that they are not. Remember, the devil is a liar, and demons are liars.”

What They Have in Common

Before explaining the differences, Adams says both spirits ultimately serve the same purpose in Satan’s kingdom.

“Satan’s kingdom operates on fear. Satan’s kingdom operates on destruction. The enemy, like it says in John chapter 10, verse 10, comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. And that’s what Lilith and Jezebel and all the other demonic things in Satan’s kingdom do.”

He also reminds us where our confidence belongs.

“You can resist them because the Bible tells us to resist the devil, and he shall flee.”

According to Adams, both spirits:

• Seek to deceive and seduce.
• Oppose God’s purposes.
• Work to steal, kill and destroy.
• Can influence men or women.
• Must be resisted through the authority of Jesus Christ.

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Jezebel Seeks Control

According to Adams, Jezebel’s goal is influence, not immediate destruction.

“Jezebel has a desire. She desires to get next to authority and to usurp power.”

He explains:

“Jezebel needs to find somebody that is anointed, and she needs to use that anointing to bring her influence, because she knows that she can’t get influence the way that she wants to without the anointed of the Lord.”

Rather than destroying a ministry outright, Adams says Jezebel infiltrates it.

“Her desire isn’t to necessarily destroy the whole thing. Her desire is to plant her agenda and to use an anointed place of the Lord to push out what she is doing.”

According to Adams, Jezebel is marked by:

• A pursuit of authority.
• Manipulation of leadership.
• Selfish ambition.
• A desire to control and influence.

Lilith Seeks Destruction

Adams contrasts Jezebel with what he describes as Lilith, noting that the concept comes from occultic tradition rather than Scripture but reflects what he says he has encountered in deliverance ministry.

“Lilith… has such an evil agenda, and her agenda is to destroy anything she comes into. Period.”

Unlike Jezebel, he says Lilith has no interest in maintaining influence.

“She don’t care about the kingdom lasting, she doesn’t care about power… She comes in to tear down.”

He adds:

“This spirit… is going to come in to just leave a explosion, and everything is just chaos, and there’s nothing left to build on.”

According to Adams, Lilith’s assignment includes:

• Destroying marriages and families.
• Bringing chaos and isolation.
• Operating through sexual temptation.
• Leaving devastation behind.

Discernment Over Fear

For Adams, the difference between the two spirits is straightforward.

“Jezebel is more concerned with power and authority.”

By contrast:

“If Lilith comes on the scene, it is just to destroy.”

Still, Adams says our focus should never become the enemy.

“We know Satan’s kingdom is real. All we have to do is really focus on Jesus and do what He’s told us to do, but we don’t want to be ignorant of the things of Satan.”

He also offers a caution that keeps spiritual warfare in balance.

“I’m not telling you guys to see a demon behind every bush, but you do need to know how these demons are doing things today.”

Understanding the enemy’s tactics is about helping us walk in greater discernment, not greater fear. As we engage in spiritual warfare, our confidence remains in Jesus Christ, who has already given us victory over the powers of darkness.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

As hostility toward the Gospel grows across America, it is easy to wonder whether revival is still possible. During a recent interview with Bishop Alan DiDio, worship leader Sean Feucht argued the opposite. He believes the rise in spiritual opposition is happening alongside a fresh move of God that is drawing people to Jesus.

Rather than calling us to fear the days ahead, Feucht urged us to prepare for them by standing firm in our faith and expecting God to move.

Darkness and light are increasing together

Feucht said the Church should not be surprised by the growing spiritual battle taking place in America and around the world.

“People say, ‘Sean, what do you say about the end times? Is it going to be dark? Is it going to be light?’ I say it’s going to be both,” he said. “Darkness is going to increase, and light’s going to increase. And I think we’re seeing that right now.”

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He said spiritual warfare is no longer something Christians can view as a distant event.

“This is the ramping up of the end times where spiritual warfare is our reality. This is something we cannot deny or think is a far-off, distant thing. This is our everyday. When we wake up in the morning the devil is coming after us and we got to be ready with the armor of God.”

A fresh hunger for Jesus

Despite the challenges, Feucht said he has witnessed renewed spiritual hunger across the country through worship gatherings and evangelistic events.

“I feel a shift to where hearts are on fire. Young people are engaging,” he said. “I think that there’s a fresh desire and passion for people to encounter God.”

He added that nearly every city his ministry visits reflects the same pattern.

“There’s this hunger. There’s this freshness in their eyes. You look in their eyes, and they’re just passionate for Jesus.”

We should expect resistance

Feucht said one of the greatest mistakes we can make is believing that following Jesus will spare us from adversity.

“I think we have to reframe our theology,” he said. “We are promised adversity.”

He pointed to persecuted Christians around the world as examples of resilient faith and encouraged us not to adopt a victim mentality when opposition comes.

“When we face resistance, we think, ‘Oh, what did I do wrong?’… No, no. We’re not victims. We’re overcomers.”

Jesus already prepared our hearts for this reality. In John 16:33, He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (MEV).

Feucht believes the days ahead will bring greater spiritual conflict, but also greater opportunities to proclaim the Gospel. As darkness grows, he encouraged us not to retreat, but to worship boldly, remain faithful and trust that God is still drawing people to His Son.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

A newly released sourcebook is renewing interest in one of the Bible’s most intriguing Temple elements after a former Texas pastor claimed more than three decades ago to have uncovered what may have been the sacred incense once burned before God in the Jerusalem Temple.

According to a report by Israel365 News, the book compiles 33 years of laboratory findings, eyewitness testimony and documentation surrounding a cache of fragrant reddish-brown powder discovered near Qumran in 1992 by Pastor Vendyl Jones. Researchers emphasize the material has not been definitively identified as the biblical Ketoret, but new scientific testing is now planned.

Why the Ketoret Matters

The Ketoret was the sacred incense God commanded to be burned every morning and evening on the golden altar inside the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Scripture also records its role during one of Israel’s most devastating moments in the wilderness.

As the article notes, “And Aaron took it as Moses had spoken and ran into the midst of the congregation; and behold, the plague had begun among the people, and he put on the incense and atoned for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was halted” (Num. 17:12-13).

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The significance reaches beyond the Old Testament. Revelation describes the prayers of God’s people rising before His throne like incense, reminding us that the imagery of the Temple ultimately points us to God’s presence and His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.

A Discovery Still Awaiting Answers

Jones believed the aromatic powder uncovered near Qumran was the long-lost Temple incense. Researchers who examined samples reported findings consistent with several ingredients associated with the biblical Ketoret, but none concluded the material had been authenticated.

The sourcebook itself acknowledges the remaining uncertainty, stating, “The sourcebook explicitly states that the material Jones discovered in 1992 has not been definitively identified as the Ketoret.”

Researchers now plan to use modern DNA analysis, isotope tracing and advanced mass spectrometry to examine the remaining samples and determine whether they can establish the material’s origin with greater certainty.

Looking Ahead

Whether the upcoming testing confirms the claim or not, the renewed investigation invites us to take a fresh look at a remarkable part of biblical history. While we no longer approach God through the Temple’s sacrifices and incense, we rejoice that Jesus has become our perfect High Priest, giving us confidence to come before God, knowing our prayers rise before Him.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

A former Topeka pastor is asking for prayer as he searches for a life-saving kidney donor after years of battling cancer left him in renal failure.

According to a report by WIBW, Steven Mills’ doctors believe his kidney failure is linked to multiple rounds of chemotherapy following two separate cancer diagnoses. Mills was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013 and, after six years of treatment, overcame the disease. He was later diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery, along with a bone marrow transplant.

Because of his medical history, Mills said he must receive a kidney from a living donor who is a complete biological match.

“They have to run further testing to see if their markers are close to yours, because if they’re not, then the organ will fail, and you’ll be right back there again,” Mills said.

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Mills said he undergoes dialysis at least three times each day and as many as five times daily when he is not feeling well. The treatments also carry a staggering financial burden.

“Out of pocket easily, right now, 70 thousand dollars,” Mills said. “You shouldn’t have to pay to live; you should not have to pay to live.”

Despite the challenges, Mills said his greatest motivation is the daughter God entrusted to his care.

“I am her dad, I was entrusted by God with that responsibility, and I intend to fulfill that,” Mills said.

His determination serves as a reminder that our hope is never rooted in circumstances but in the Lord, who calls us to bring every need before Him in prayer. Scripture tells us, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him” (James 5:14).

WIBW also reported that more than 100,000 Americans are currently waiting for a kidney transplant, including nearly 400 in Kansas, showing the ongoing need for organ donors and continued prayer for those awaiting life-saving treatment.

As Christians, we can lift up Mills, his family, his medical team and the person God may be preparing to become a matching donor. Whether the Lord works through miraculous healing, modern medicine or the generosity of another person, we know He remains faithful.

Mills also hopes his journey encourages others facing difficult seasons to reach out for support.

“It’s okay to ask, it’s okay,” Mills said.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

When Jesus warned that the last days would be “as the days of Noah,” was He simply describing a world filled with sin—or was He pointing His followers to something much deeper?

Author and researcher L.A. Marzulli believes Christ’s words carried far greater significance than many Christians recognize today. Speaking with Taylor Welch on The Deep End, Marzulli argued that understanding what Jesus meant requires returning to Genesis 6 and reading it through the lens of Genesis 3:15.

“The seed war. Genesis 3:15, the offspring, the seed of the dragon, will be at war with the offspring of the woman,” Marzulli said. “The one coming from the woman, the protoevangelium, will crush the dragon’s head. The dragon will bruise His heel. That’s the whole Bible.”

Marzulli believes many believers miss the significance of Jesus’ warning because they misunderstand the events that preceded the Flood.

“Jesus warns us it’ll be like the days of Noah,” Marzulli said. “What differentiates the days of Noah? This is why the proper exegesis of Genesis 6, ‘the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were beautiful and took wives’… the offspring is the Nephilim, which everything goes back to Genesis 3:15.”

Jesus’ Words Point Back to Genesis 6

During Jesus’ ministry, His audience understood exactly what He meant when He referenced Noah because they were familiar with the biblical account and the traditions surrounding it.

“When Jesus says to people in Jerusalem, ‘It’ll be like the days of Noah,’ they know what He’s talking about,” he said. “Oh, you mean the Nephilim? You mean the fallen angels coming down?”

Marzulli said that understanding remained common during the first century.

“The early church fathers and people in Jesus’ time knew exactly what He’s talking about—the commingling of the seed. Genesis 3:15.”

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Marzulli said one of the greatest obstacles to understanding Jesus’ teaching is what has become known as the Sethite theory, which interprets the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 as the descendants of Seth rather than fallen angels.

“This is why if you have the Sethite theory, you can’t possibly get to where we are,” he said. “You’ll never understand. You can’t get there from here.”

Instead, Marzulli argued that Genesis 6 records a literal supernatural event that helps explain why the Flood became necessary.

“If you hold to the literal interpretation of what Genesis 3:15 says, so when you get to Genesis 6, ‘Oh, okay, seed war.’ This is where we are.”

That framework, he said, continues throughout Scripture.

“When we get to Daniel 2:43, ‘Oh, seed war.’ When we hear about abductions and the offspring… ‘Oh, seed war. I get it.’ This is where we are.”

Marzulli believes that perspective transforms some of the Bible’s most difficult passages from isolated events into one continuous spiritual conflict.

“So there’s a seed war that’s going on that’s been going on on the planet for millennia essentially,” he said.

Why the ‘Days of Noah’ Matter Today

Marzulli also pointed to the book of Enoch as an important historical resource for understanding how many Jews viewed Genesis 6, while acknowledging it is not part of the biblical canon.

“The Book of Enoch tells us exactly what happened in Genesis 6,” Marzulli said. “It tells the story of the fallen angels coming to earth, taking human women as wives, and procreating with them, creating what has become known as the Nephilim. This is the amplification of Genesis 3:15 and the ongoing seed war.”

Jesus wasn’t merely referencing a period of increasing wickedness before the Flood. Christ deliberately directed believers back to one of the defining moments in biblical history.

“We are in the days of Noah as I speak,” Marzulli said. “Hybrids are being created. This whole thing is happening, and the church, for the most part, is completely asleep.”

He believes Jesus’ warning deserves renewed attention from Christians seeking to understand the times in which we live.

“We are told by Jesus Himself it’ll be like the days of Noah,” Marzulli said. “The question is, what made the days of Noah different?”

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

None of us knows how much time we have left.

That is the sobering truth Jesus emphasized shortly before going to the cross, and in a recent teaching, Rabbi Kirt Schneider said His words still call Christians to respond to God without delay.

Pointing to John 12, Schneider highlighted Jesus’ warning:

“So Jesus said to them, ‘For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so the darkness will not overtake you… While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.'”

“Our life is like a vapor”

Schneider said Jesus’ words extend beyond His impending crucifixion and remind us that every believer has a limited opportunity to faithfully follow Him.

“Just a little while longer, beloved, and the opportunity to choose light is given to you and I. Because our life is short. Our life is like a vapor on the earth.”

He urged Christians not to delay obedience.

“So we just have a short opportunity to do the things that the Spirit’s calling us to do, and pick up our cross and obey the Lord and follow the light.”

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Schneider challenged believers to examine their hearts.

“How long will we be selfish? How long will we put off mastering anger?… How long will it be, beloved, until we make a decision to truly repent, to believe and follow Jesus?”

He added, “You can’t wait and put it off because you don’t know if you’re going to die tonight. You may die today. It may be tomorrow. It may be next week. It may be next year.”

Instead, Schneider pointed to the hope found in responding to God today.

“This is why the Scripture says, ‘If today we hear His voice, do not harden your heart.’ Today is the day of salvation.”

Walking in the Light

Schneider also addressed those battling fear, anxiety, loneliness and spiritual discouragement.

“How do you get out of the darkness? How do you come out of depression? How do you come out of anxiety? How do you come out of loneliness? By believing in the Light.”

He reminded listeners that Jesus and His Word are the source of that Light.

“God’s Word is light. God’s Word is a light into our path. Jesus is the Word. So we put our faith in the light.”

As fearful thoughts arise, Schneider encouraged believers to stand on Scripture.

“When thoughts of fear assail you, what do you do? You affirm God’s Word. Father, I will trust You. I will not be afraid.”

Spend time with the Lord

Schneider also pointed to Jesus’ example of regularly withdrawing to spend time alone with the Father.

“Beloved, you can’t ever know God if you don’t spend time alone with Him, just like Jesus did, oftentimes going to a lonely place to pray.”

Rather than running from difficult thoughts, he encouraged believers to bring them before God.

“Don’t run from your thoughts. Face your thoughts. Sit before the Lord in your anxiety… It will become a stepping stone for you into God’s presence.”

Schneider then returned to Jesus’ warning and encouragement.

“Beloved, I want to encourage you, believe in the light while you have the light, lest you become blinded by the darkness. This is a warning, beloved. Today, the kingdom of God is at hand for you.”

Schneider’s message is ultimately one of hope. Christ continues to call His people to walk in His Light today, trusting His Word and following Him wholeheartedly while the opportunity remains.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.

Archaeologists have deciphered a 1,700-year-old inscription that captures a dramatic moment in the spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire. Found inside an underground temple dedicated to the pagan god Mithras, the discovery offers rare written evidence of the Gospel advancing into territory once dominated by one of Rome’s most secretive religions.

According to a Fox News report, the Aramaic inscription was uncovered at Zerzevan Castle in southeastern Turkey. Written in the same language spoken by Jesus Christ, the engraving had puzzled researchers since its discovery in 2017 before its meaning was finally decoded.

A temple sealed by the cross

The inscription was found at the entrance of an underground Mithras temple alongside the carving of a cross. Mithraism, a mystery religion centered on the worship of the deity Mithras, spread widely throughout the Roman Empire during the second and third centuries.

Professor Mehmet Sait Toprak determined the inscription records the closing of the temple after comparing its language with other ancient Aramaic and Old Syriac writings.

“The inscription is the first known Aramaic inscription documenting the closure of a Mithras temple,” Toprak told Turkish state news outlet Anadolu Agency.

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The engraving also carries profound spiritual significance.

“The inscription mentions both Mithras and Jesus Christ,” Toprak found, symbolizing the transition from one faith to the other. He also said the engraving contains references to the Holy Cross.

“This is an extremely important archaeological discovery,” he added.

Excavation director Aytaç Coşkun said previous coin discoveries suggested the sanctuary had been abandoned during the third or fourth century, but the newly deciphered inscription now provides direct evidence that “it was closed and symbolically sealed by Christians.”

Coşkun added that after fourth-century Roman emperors embraced Christianity, “Mithraism was seen as a rival religion.”

The same battle continues

This inscription is more than an archaeological curiosity. It reminds us that the first Christians carried the Gospel into cultures filled with idol worship, false religions and spiritual darkness. They proclaimed Jesus Christ despite opposition because they knew there was only one Savior and one risen King.

That mission has not changed.

Our battle is still fought against deception, false worship and every idea that exalts itself above the knowledge of God. Scripture reminds us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

The cross carved beside this ancient inscription stands as a reminder that kingdoms rise and fall, religions come and go and cultures change. Jesus Christ remains Lord. The same Gospel that transformed the Roman Empire continues to transform lives today, and we are called to carry that message with the same faith and courage as those early followers who sealed a pagan temple and proclaimed the victory of Christ.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact media@.