It has been two decades since “The Passion of the Christ” shocked the world with its realistic portrayal of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Now, rumors have been swirling until they were confirmed that Oscar-winning filmmaker Mel Gibson was in Malta, working with a production team on getting things set up for filming of the sequel to “Passion.”

It is reported by Collider that filming for the sequel, tentatively titled “The Resurrection” for now, could begin filming as early as 2025.

According to the Italian news group Italpress, Gibson and his team had also set up meetings with the Maltin government to ensure that shooting was allowed and go on uninterrupted. The first film was also filmed in Italy, with Gibson self-funding up to $30 million of his own money towards the marketing and distribution of the project.

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With the possibility of a sequel to the 2004 smash-hit, the actor who portrayed Jesus, Jim Caviezel, had previously said that he was all on-board to reprise the role, as confirmed by Entertainment Weekly.

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The film’s script has seen numerous rewrites throughout the years. Gibson and co-writer Randall Wallace—an Oscar nominee for “Braveheart”—are said to have crafted at least six versions.

Wallace announced in April that the screenplay was finally finished. While plot details are still being kept secret, hints suggest that the sequel will explore a more supernatural angle than the first film.

Gibson revealed as much in an interview with the National Catholic Register in 2022 when asked about “The Resurrection.”

Well, it’s a huge subject, and it’s not a linear narrative, so that in order to have it mean something and resonate for almost anybody that watches it, again, you’re not preaching to the choir. You have to have…you have to juxtapose the central event that I’m trying to tell with everything else around it in the future, in the past and in other realms, and that’s kind of getting a little sci-fi out there. It’s a big story. It’s a difficult concept, and it has taken me a long time to focus and find a way to tell that story in a way that really delivers to somebody who may know nothing about any of the central story.

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Christian programming has been getting a major boost ever since “The Passion of the Christ” earned $612 million worldwide. Since then we have seen projects like “God’s Not Dead” and “The Chosen” captivate audiences and put a renewed focus on Jesus and the importance of faith.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Evangelist John Ramirez recently posted a video warning fellow believers about the dangers of temptation, urging Christians to recognize its power and learn how to combat it effectively. Drawing from his years of experience in spiritual warfare, and leaving behind a life entrenched in Satanism, Ramirez emphasizes the importance of confronting temptation at its source.

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“Temptation has a price,” Ramirez says, stressing that believers must be vigilant whenever temptation arises. “We need to kill, destroy, uproot temptation every time it shows up at your doorstep.” Ramirez also warns of how temptation can infiltrate one’s heart, mind, eyes and ears, urging immediate action to prevent it from taking root within our lives.

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According to Ramirez, the devil’s main weapon against believers is temptation. “If you go to the Bible, you see all the people he tempted … some fell, but they got back up, praise the Lord, and they fought the fight and they won.” The Bible contains numerous examples of the consequences of giving in to temptation. King David’s sin with Bathsheba is a sobering reminder of how even the most faithful can stumble, leading to pain and suffering. Similarly, Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver highlights the devastating outcomes when temptation is not resisted.

Never mind the original temptation that got all of humanity kicked out of paradise.

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Ramirez believes in taking an aggressive approach to overcoming temptation. “If you know how to take temptation by the throat … it won’t suffocate you,” he explains, exhorting believers to actively fight against temptation before it gains control.

He also encourages Christians to engage in discussions with others to strengthen their spiritual resolve. “Get someone that would provoke you spiritually in a good way,” he says. Ramirez emphasizes that iron sharpens iron, urging believers to support each other in spiritual warfare.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In a 2009 interview with Sid Roth on “It’s Supernatural” which was recently re-uploaded to YouTube, Bible scholar Chuck Missler delves into the growing supernatural phenomenon and its connection to biblical end times. Missler warns that Christians must be vigilant, especially as recent events, including UFO congressional hearings, appear to confirm his concerns.

Missler believed that the surge of unexplained phenomena, such as UFO sightings, was linked to spiritual, end times deception. He referred to 2 Thessalonians 2:11 which tells of a great delusion in the last days, emphasizing, “We are being plunged into a period of time about which the Bible says more than any other period in history.” This period, according to Missler, is marked by widespread spiritual confusion and the proliferation of false teachings, which will attempt to deceive even believers.

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This sounds a lot like the days we live in now, and Missler’s words are 15 years old.

During the interview, Missler suggests that many of these supernatural occurrences could be demonic in nature.

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“The principalities and powers of darkness are manipulating these events,” he warns. This poses a serious threat, as it is easy for people to get swept up in the mysteries and intrigue of such phenomena without seeking the truth through Scripture.

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The recent UFO hearings in Congress, as well as a myriad supernatural sightings, have reignited discussions about the existence of extraterrestrial life, adding weight to Missler’s warnings. For Christians today, this growing interest in the supernatural and unexplained is a crucial reminder of the need for discernment. “We need to rely on the Word of God,” Missler urges, emphasizing that only biblical wisdom can protect believers from the deceptions of Satan in these turbulent times.

Christians must be prepared to combat these spiritual lies using Scripture. The Bible warns in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” Ephesians 6:11-12 further reminds believers to “put on the full armor of God” to stand against the schemes of the devil. Missler’s insights call on Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, equipping themselves with biblical truth to navigate the end times with wisdom and discernment.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In a recent video, evangelist Perry Stone shares Scriptural insights on the authenticity of the Garden of Eden, drawing from biblical accounts and archaeological findings.

Stone revisits ancient depictions of serpents and evidence that suggests the biblical curse placed upon the serpent in Genesis 3:14 may have historical roots.

“Josephus, the Jewish historian, tells us that before the fall of Adam and Eve, the animal kingdom was able to communicate with man,” Stone explains. He addresses skeptics who dismiss the story of a talking serpent as allegorical, arguing that ancient Jewish history suggests animals could communicate with humans before the fall. Stone emphasizes that this communication was lost when God cursed the serpent after Adam and Eve’s disobedience. “God cursed the serpent where it could no longer communicate with Adam or Eve and put poison in its mouth,” he says.

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This argument is in reference to fossils discovered in a rock quarry outside Jerusalem as potential evidence supporting the biblical narrative. “They came across several fossils… showing evidence that they once had legs,” Stone says. He points to these fossils as physical proof that aligns with the curse in Genesis, where God said, “Upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all of your days.” Stone added, “The implication has always been… that the serpent had the ability to stand upright before it was cursed, which would mean that the serpent had some form of legs.”

Ancient carvings and drawings from Mesopotamia also depict snakes standing upright with legs. Stone addresses the scientific explanation that legless serpents are a result of evolutionary development, countering, “No, that’s not what happened. The Lord cursed the serpent, and from that moment on… the legs were removed.”

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Stone’s message reinforces the biblical account and calls for reflection on its deeper meaning. “When you took the serpent and you took the legs off, you defeated him,” he stated, connecting the defeat of the serpent to the imagery of Satan throughout the Bible, “all the way to Revelation 12. So just remember that your enemy has been defeated,” Stone encourages.

By using Scripture as the cornerstone of human understanding, Stone urges Christians to trust in the accuracy and power of the Bible. This evidence encourages believers to put their faith in God and His Word, affirming that Scriptural accounts carry both spiritual and historical significance.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Wednesday saw even more chaos consume the terrorist organization known as Hezbollah.

In the wake of Tuesday’s unprecedented pager explosions which have led to 12 deaths and nearly 3,000 injured according to Reuters, a new round of explosions went off again across Lebanon.

Middle East news agency Al Jazeera reports that the devices were Icom F82 radios, and it is currently believed they were compromised in the same way as the pagers Hezbollah used.

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Previous reports indicated that Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, infiltrated the supply chain for Hezbollah and planted explosives next to the lithium-ion batteries.

With the terror group abandoning all of their pagers in the wake of the first attack, it is believed that Israel set them up for a larger attack the following day, with the walkie-talkies and radios now being used by most Hezbollah operatives.

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The explosions were so great, that smoke can be seen rising across the Lebanese skyline.

As with the first wave of attacks on Tuesday, Israeli media also is reporting another wave of airstrikes against targets in southern Lebanon.

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Many users across social media called the attack by Israel “unprecedented” as the utilization of personal communications devices will surely affect future warfare in the Middle East and abroad.

This goes hand in hand with the increased use of “drone warfare” by terror outlets like Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as international governments such as Ukraine in their war against Russia.

With all the chaos in the world today, the best place for people to look for guidance, peace and hope is the Word of God. Jesus exhorts His followers to be ready at all times for His return, because He is coming like a thief in the night. It is imperative for Christians to follow, understand and discern the signs of the times we live in, as wars and rumors of wars continue to grow across the earth so that they may see through the deception of the enemy.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Pastor David Lin and his family are rejoicing as his nearly two decades of incarceration in communist China have finally come to an end.

The U.S. State Department maintained that Lin had been wrongfully detained since he was first sent to jail in 2006 for his role as a missionary in the country as well as his work in non-state sanctioned house churches.

“We welcome David Lin’s release from prison in the People’s Republic of China. He has returned to the United States and now gets to see his family for the first time in nearly 20 years,” says Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller.

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Lin, now 68 years old, was “formally” arrested in 2009 for “contract fraud” over a license for a ministry he applied for in China, which allegedly was denied.

“No words can express the joy we have—we have a lot of time to make up for,” Lin’s daughter, Alice, told Politico.

The Chinese embassy declined any comment on the prisoner release.

China currently ranks 19th on the Open Doors World Watch List for its intense persecution of Christians under the communist regime.

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As reported by Open Doors:

The most overt persecution in China often takes place in regions where Buddhism or Islam are the majority religions—anyone who converts to Christianity is seen as a traitor to their ethnicity and family. These believers may be threatened or even harmed, all to convince them to return to the family’s religion.

Christians around the world have rejoiced as the news of Pastor Lin went viral, but there are still many more suffering under the heavy-handed persecution of the CCP. Pray that believers have the strength and perseverance to endure these trials, and that their captors see the light of Jesus in them and repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

L.A. Marzulli, an expert on end times prophecy and the Nephilim, speaks passionately about the doctrine of imminency and the approaching rapture in his recent discussion, “The Prophecy of the Pretrib Rapture” posted to the Prophecy Watchers YouTube channel.

With an air of urgency, Marzulli emphasizes that the end times are not only prophesied in the Bible, but are unfolding before our eyes, challenging believers to remain vigilant.

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“I just believe in the doctrine of imminency in the sense that nothing needs to happen before we go up,” Marzulli asserts. His perspective aligns with the belief that the rapture could happen at any moment, catching even the most prepared off guard. Drawing parallels to biblical events, he reminds listeners how “nobody understood the crucifixion, nobody… got it at all,” suggesting that, similarly, people today may not fully grasp the signs of the times until they transpire.

One of the key points Marzulli addresses is the “seven-year period… the time of Jacob’s trouble,” which refers to the Great Tribulation specifically concerning Israel.

“From the moment that seven-year tribulation begins, literally, it’s the wrath from day one,” Marzulli explains, indicating that the period will be marked by widespread chaos and lawlessness. He believes that during this time, “all hell breaks loose… lawlessness reigns supreme,” fulfilling the prophecies outlined in the book of Revelation.

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Marzulli also highlights two significant developments he sees as markers of the end times. The first is the onset of the nuclear age with the use of nuclear weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, events he describes as a “line of demarcation.” The second is the rise of artificial intelligence, which has blurred the lines between reality and fiction. “AI has gotten to the point where we no longer can tell what is reality and what is fiction,” he warns. These developments, in Marzulli’s view, signal the urgency of the times and the need for Christ’s imminent return.

Reflecting on church history, Marzulli explains that early Christians believed in a pre-tribulation rapture, a doctrine that was later suppressed. “The early church fathers believed in a pre-tribulation rapture,” he states. It was not until the Reformation that these teachings resurfaced, giving rise to the modern understanding of the rapture. Citing biblical passages like, “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,” Marzulli insists that the rapture is a clearly documented event that should not be overlooked.

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As Marzulli sees the convergence of global crises—wars, economic instability and technological advancements—he becomes increasingly expectant of the rapture’s nearness. “We are here,” he declares, referring to Jesus’ prophetic list of end-times signs in Matthew 24. Yet, Marzulli stresses that the rapture’s importance goes beyond current events. “We are not appointed to wrath,” he says, reminding Christians that the rapture is a promise of deliverance and hope.

For believers, Marzulli’s message is both a wake-up call and a source of comfort. “This whole thing is ramping up in ways that I’ve never seen,” he notes. As he looks at the prophetic timeline and the state of the world, he affirms, “I am really expectant in ways that I’ve never been before.” For Christians, understanding these events is crucial, as it strengthens faith and anticipation for Christ’s return.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

People were questioning how the church should behave during an election year way before the questions were asked this election cycle, and the Assemblies of God voter guide from 1984 has recently gone viral for its wisdom.

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In a post to X, Dr. Daniel Isgrigg, a professor at Oral Roberts University and a historian whose focus is on Pentecostalism, shared with the world an excerpt from the 1984 AG voting guide.

These 10 guidelines appear to be more relevant today than ever:

1. Do not confuse patriotism, national pride and Western culture with Christian faith and practice.
2. Do not confuse secular political activity with the purpose of the church, nor campaigning with witnessing and preaching.
3. Do not make slanderous or false accusations against your opponents, but maintain your integrity. Do not consider a brother or sister who is of like precious faith an adversary if he or she holds a different political view.
4. At all times endeavor to verify information before accepting it as true or before repeating it to others.
5. At all times endeavor to know and understand the candidate’s positions and evaluate him or her on that basis, on the basis of his or her ability to perform the duties and functions of the office, and his or her integrity.
6. At all times endeavor to know and understand the issues; do not excuse yourself from this duty by saying, “God will show me whom to vote for.”
7. At all times compare a candidate’s position with Scripture but only where the Scripture addresses the issue; do not force Scripture to address issues that the Author did not intend it to address.
8. Neither vote nor work for a candidate merely because he or she professes to be of the Christian faith.
9. Do not neglect your family, worship, prayer or Bible study.
10. At all times uphold your leaders in prayer.

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These guidelines from 40 years ago carry a heavy conviction behind them. When we take a step back and analyze how much more hostile, angry and accusatory both sides of the political spectrum have become, it would behoove us to take a breath and read over wise guidelines such as these so that we act in a way that is befitting of one who represents Jesus on earth.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Joseph Z, a prophetic voice and founder of Joseph Z Ministries, recently appeared on “The Strang Report” podcast to discuss the upcoming election and its potential consequences.

Z describes 2024 as a “do-over year,” referencing what he sees as unresolved tensions from the 2020 election. He claims that the church’s response will play a crucial role in determining the country’s direction.

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“The Lord is saying it’s in the hands of the church,” Z says, asserting that the outcome of the election hinges on whether the church actively engages in the political process. “If [the church] will show up, I think there’ll be victory. If they don’t, I think we’re going to go into a very, very difficult season,” he added.

Z also expresses concern over what might happen if former President Donald Trump loses and the Left gains power. He warns that the country could be headed for a “socialist concentration camp style of governing.” According to him, such a future could involve “digital prisons” and an increase in control by global entities. “They’ll let people like the World Economic Forum run free… take away our medical sovereignty,” he warns, referencing potential loss of freedoms in every corner of society.

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Despite these concerns, Z says he believes there is still hope. He called on Christians to reject passivity, attributing inaction to years of “bad teaching, soft teaching.” He criticizes church leadership for avoiding political engagement, referring to this mindset as the “Pretty pretty pony gospel culture.” Z argues that believers must influence society and engage in political discourse. “We definitely need to be salt and light… because it’s not just about the gospel. It’s also preaching the kingdom and bringing influence into all these spheres,” he says.

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He urges Christians to overcome their fears of being “canceled” or “hassled” for their political views. “Your house is on fire, and if your house is on fire…You’ve got to put it out,” Z says, stressing the urgency of political engagement.

If Christians in America have any chance of continuing to be an effective influence on culture and society, they must put more focus on unity and action: “We can push darkness back one more round… maintain a future for our children, at least for another few years,” Z encourages.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma media.

People from many different backgrounds have been issuing warnings about the direction America is heading for some time now.

Some have listened and heeded these warnings, while others scoff and continue living their lives, refusing to adapt to the world today.

However, when the Daily Signal sat down with historian, author and demographer Neil Howe, the warnings he has given reveal the chilling reality facing the United States.

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As reported by the Daily Signal,

In 1997, he published a book with Bill Strauss, “The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy—What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny.” In that book, he suggested five catalysts for a major crisis—and four of the five have already come to pass.

So what exactly are the five factors that could push America into its second civil war?

1. Crisis over debt. This first factor already took place according to Howe. “One of our events was a crisis over the debt, which would issue forth in a new tea party movement,” Howe says, noting that we ironically named the ensuing movement the “Tea Party” in 2010 following the 2008 financial crisis.
2. Weapon of mass destruction on U.S. soil. Howe believes that this came true on September 11, 2001. When the World Trade Center collapsed it brought with it widespread destruction as well as “enduring consequences.”
3. A pandemic. We are only four years removed from when the world shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and it is still fresh on many people’s minds.
4. Russia will invade a former Soviet republic. This factor became a reality when Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. This event also took place prior to the current war Russia is engaged in, and many believe paved the way for, when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
5. Federal nullification. This is the final factor that has yet to be realized. According to Howe, “A nullification crisis, where one or more of the states would actually nullify federal regulation, which would lead to a new secession movement.” While the state of Texas has been feuding with the federal government over the border, this issue will likely escalate with a Kamala Harris victory in November. The other state likely to stand up to the potentially radical communist directives from a Harris/Walz administration is the state of Florida, under Gov. Ron DeSantis. Who knows what type of chaos may ensue in places like California, Colorado, Minnesota, Washington or other deep-blue states should Donald Trump be re-elected. There have already been two attempts to assassinate him, another term as president could see untold chaos in major cities across the country.

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A civil war within the U.S. brings with it a situation of global ramifications. As the driving force behind world affairs, any disruption to U.S. military bases would have massive ramifications.

“If it requires our forces around the world to stand down for six months, the entire world will remake itself,” Howe says. “The entire world, for better or for worse, depends upon our presence to be what it is.”

Many Christians likely would also point to the end times impact such an event would have on biblical prophecy, and the likelihood of the revealing of the Beast and his world system.

Thankfully, Jesus sent His helper, the Holy Spirit, to guide His people during difficult times. He gave us a peace that passes understanding and that no matter what chaotic events are going on in the world around us, He is the One who will reign victorious in the end.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.