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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

A 4-year-old girl is safe today after surviving an ordeal that many first responders feared would end in tragedy. Instead, what unfolded along the Oregon coast became a powerful reminder to thank God for His protection and mercy.

According to one report from KATU, the young girl became separated from her family at Cape Lookout State Park on the Fourth of July, prompting a massive search involving local, state and federal agencies.

The search quickly became complicated because many of the girl’s family members primarily spoke Russian. Netarts-Oceanside Fire District Chief Jeff McBrayer said resident firefighter and EMT Vlad Bilan became “absolutely critical to gaining information from the family members that we would not have been able to get otherwise.”

The breakthrough came after a campground visitor reported seeing what appeared to be an unattended child walking alone on the beach. Searchers followed small footprints into a brush-covered area that had not been part of the original search.

“We estimate that she traveled almost five miles, which for a four-year-old is pretty much unbelievable,” McBrayer said.

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The girl was ultimately found about five miles from where she disappeared. She was dehydrated and hypothermic, but was transported to a local hospital in good condition.

McBrayer admitted hope had begun to fade as crews prepared to continue searching through the night.

“We had reached kind of a point of despair because we felt like, obviously, if she had been caught by a sneaker wave or had been pulled out into the ocean, the chances of survival were very low,” he said. “We were worried at this point that we might not even be able to return her to her family if we did locate her.”

Responders later revealed the little girl had been found only about 15 feet from the surf, showing just how close she had come to even greater danger.

For Bilan, the most unforgettable moment came when the child was reunited with her mother.

“Her face was filled with kind of nervous anticipation,” he said. “But that moment when she looked through the window of the back of the ambulance and her entire demeanor changed, and she just lit up. And then to be able to get eyes on the girl myself and just see that she was full smile in the ambulance warming up, that was incredible.”

Bilan also praised everyone involved in the search, saying, “Everybody was on the same page. There was that energy of if this takes all night or if this takes days, everybody’s committed to be here.”

We thank God that this little girl was found alive despite the overwhelming odds. We also give thanks for the first responders and the observant bystander whose actions played a vital role in bringing a frightened child safely back into her family’s arms. Moments like these remind us that even in humanity’s darkest hours, God’s mercy can shine through in extraordinary ways.

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 [email protected].

For many of us, the book of Revelation can feel intimidating.

It is filled with vivid imagery, mysterious symbols and prophetic events that Christians have debated for centuries. Faithful believers have landed on different conclusions about the end times, and that is nothing new. As Joe Kirby of Off the Kirb Ministries points out, studying prophecy should always be done with humility.

So let’s open the discussion together.

Kirby recently shared his thoughts on the famous Four Horsemen of Revelation. Whether you ultimately agree with every conclusion or not, his observations invite us to take another careful look at what Scripture actually says.

Is the first horseman really Jesus?

One of Kirby’s biggest arguments centers on the rider of the white horse in Revelation 6.

While some Christians have identified the rider as Christ, Kirby believes the description fits the Antichrist instead.

“But here’s the thing: I don’t believe this rider is actually a good guy. Many Christians believe that this rider is the Lord Jesus, but personally, I think the rider is the Antichrist.”

Kirby points to several differences between this rider and Christ’s return later in Revelation.

“When this rider arrives on his white horse, he wears a temporary crown, a wreath that will wilt and wither. And as he arrives to the scene, he ushers in tribulation.”

By contrast, he notes that Jesus returns very differently.

“But when Christ, when the Lord Jesus arrives on his white horse, he doesn’t wear a temporary crown. He has many crowns. And when he arrives, he brings peace to the earth, and his peace ends all of this carnage.”

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A surprising interpretation of the bow

Kirby also offers one of his most unusual interpretations.

He emphasizes several times that this is simply his own understanding and could be wrong.

“So, once more, I do just want to emphasize this. This is Joe Kirby’s interpretation and I could be way off on this one.”

His idea centers on the Greek word translated as “bow.”

“But could it be? Could it be that when the Antichrist arrives on his white horse, in his hand he is holding a rainbow. And anyone who does not bow down to the rainbow agenda of the Antichrist, to his system, that person will become a problem and that person will need dealing with.”

Whether readers agree with that conclusion or not, Kirby repeatedly reminds viewers that it is an interpretation rather than settled doctrine.

What about the other three horsemen?

While Kirby spends most of his teaching discussing the identity of the first horseman, he also offers a brief overview of the remaining three riders in Revelation.

He believes the fiery red horse represents Satan’s work of removing peace from the earth, resulting in worldwide conflict unlike anything humanity has experienced before.

“This horse will have one job. When this horse gallops through the earth, it will do one thing. It will destroy any peace that was currently on the earth. Any peace treaties that the Antichrist has set up will be destroyed.”

Kirby then points to the black horse as a picture of famine following war. As food becomes scarce, he says the Antichrist will exploit desperate populations through economic control.

“People can’t find bread to eat. Food is scarce, and people have to start rationing out because the people in the tribulation, they will have very little to eat.”

Finally, Kirby says the pale horse represents death on an unprecedented scale. He notes that Revelation describes one-fourth of the world’s population dying through war, famine, disease and “the beasts of the earth.” While he suggests those “beasts” could even refer to microscopic organisms that spread plague, he stresses that this is simply one possible interpretation.

“I don’t know, I’m just speaking out loud right now.”

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A reminder to approach prophecy humbly

Perhaps one of the most refreshing moments in the teaching comes when Kirby acknowledges that respected Bible teachers disagree with him.

“And although I personally do believe in a literal 7-year tribulation, I do want to say this. I actually might be wrong.”

He continues:

“And I think all of us who preach, teach, or even study the scriptures, when we look at the things of God, we should tremble because we’re holding precious truths here. And we should remember that we are just fallen men and women, and we all make mistakes.”

That is an attitude worth remembering whenever we study biblical prophecy. Revelation is God’s Word, but sincere Christians have wrestled with its meaning for generations. We should never be afraid to open the Scriptures together, examine them carefully and sharpen one another in love.

The horsemen ultimately point us to Christ

Kirby concludes by reminding us that prophecy is ultimately meant to point us to Jesus Christ.

“If you fear death and Hades, I want to tell you about a man who holds the keys to both.”

He then points to Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.

“The third day he rose from the grave, showing that he’s triumphant, showing that he is the boss over death, and that he alone is the one that we can trust and obey because he’s conquered the grave. He’s conquered death itself.”

No matter where we land on the identity of the first horseman or the timing of the events in Revelation, that truth remains unchanged. We can study prophecy, discuss differing interpretations and sharpen one another as we search the Scriptures together. But our hope has never rested in having every prophetic detail figured out.

Our hope rests in Jesus Christ—the One who has already defeated sin and death and who will one day return in victory.

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 [email protected].

There are certain days you never forget.

I remember the day Charlie Kirk was murdered as if it happened yesterday.

Like many others, I saw the video on X before I realized what had actually taken place. It wasn’t until moments later that the horrifying reality set in: the world had just watched a Christian husband, father and fearless defender of biblical truth lose his life in an act of evil.

While our hearts still grieve that loss, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Charlie is with the Lord he loved and proclaimed so boldly. Our prayers, however, remain with Erika, their children and the entire Kirk family as they continue walking through an unimaginable valley.

That painful reality returned to the forefront Monday as Charlie’s family came face to face for the first time with the man accused of assassinating him during the opening day of a preliminary hearing in Utah.

According to Fox News, Tyler Robinson sat quietly in the courtroom as prosecutors presented evidence related to the Sept. 10, 2025, assassination. The hearing is expected to continue throughout the week as prosecutors seek to move the aggravated murder case toward trial.

One of the most shocking moments came when investigators introduced video evidence of the shooting. Although the graphic footage was shown only to the judge and attorneys, the courtroom could hear the fatal gunshot.

“While Judge Tony Graf Jr. flinched and leaned away from the screen when the shot rang out in one of the videos, Robinson remained still during both,” Fox News reported.

🚨 UPDATE: In a visibly jarring moment, the judge in the Charlie Kirk assassination trial of Tyler Robinson suddenly flinches after graphic footage of the incident is played

THAT'S how bad it really was.

And Robinson has no remorse.

Pray for Erika Kirk and Charlie's family, we… pic.twitter.com/Osn3SeZT2h

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 6, 2026

Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika, along with his parents and other family members, left the courtroom before the graphic evidence and autopsy testimony were presented after receiving advance warnings.

Investigators later confirmed Kirk’s death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the neck. Officer Christopher Bagley also testified that he believed the fatal shot came from a rifle fired from the rooftop of the Losee Center. He told the court he found “a black and red screwdriver and impressions in the gravel that he described as what looked like a ‘sniper’s pad.'”

The judge also ruled that an edited surveillance video could not yet be admitted because it had not been properly authenticated, though prosecutors indicated they plan to introduce an unedited version later in the hearing.

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Charlie lived without apology for Jesus Christ. Whether speaking on college campuses, behind a microphone or in front of thousands, he consistently pointed people toward biblical truth and encouraged Christians to stand firm in their faith despite growing hostility.

Jesus warned His followers that such opposition would come. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). He also said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Charlie understood that following Christ carries a cost, and he never stopped proclaiming the truth.

As these proceedings continue, let us faithfully lift up Erika, Charlie’s children and the entire Kirk family before the Lord. Pray that He strengthens them, comforts them and surrounds them with His peace. Pray that justice is carried out faithfully. And pray against the vile lies and hateful attacks that continue to be directed toward this grieving family. Those lies do not come from the Spirit of God, but from the father of lies (John 8:44). Even in the face of darkness, we know Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33), and His light will always shine brighter than the works of the enemy.

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 [email protected].