Christians have always wrestled with a paradox: how do we live faithfully in the moment while keeping our eyes fixed on the horizon of eternity?

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In a recent Prophecy Watchers conversation, host Mondo Gonzales sat down with researcher and author L.A. Marzulli to talk through this very tension. Their discussion wasn’t about wild predictions or setting dates but about living wisely in days that increasingly look like the ones Jesus described in Matthew 24.

Keep Your Hand on the Plow

Marzulli didn’t shy away from addressing the ongoing chatter about the rapture. Every year, some circle a date on the calendar with high expectations, and every year those days come and go. His reminder was simple but striking: the command hasn’t changed. We are to keep our hands on the plow and occupy until Christ returns. That means staying faithful in the small things—writing, ministering, raising families, even making long-term plans. Expectancy doesn’t mean passivity. Christians can long for the trumpet blast while still living responsibly in the here and now.

Artificial Intelligence and the Collapse of Truth

When the conversation turned toward technology, Marzulli described the rise of artificial intelligence as a line of demarcation in human history. For him, AI represents something more than just faster apps or smarter gadgets. It signals a deeper problem: the erosion of truth itself. As AI-generated voices, images and stories flood our lives, discerning reality becomes harder by the day.

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If deception is a hallmark of the last days, then this technological revolution fits the prophetic script. Marzulli pointed ahead to 2026 as a year when AI breakthroughs will make this even more undeniable.

Israel: God’s Timepiece Still Ticking

The discussion eventually landed where every conversation on prophecy seems to go—Israel. Marzulli underscored that despite its political upheavals and moral struggles, Israel remains the central timepiece of God’s plan. The nation’s rebirth in 1948 was no accident of history but the fulfillment of ancient promises.

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Today Jerusalem has become a global flashpoint, a cup of trembling just as Zechariah described. And with events on the Temple Mount taking unprecedented turns, the prophetic clock continues to tick loudly for those paying attention.

Living in the Tension

What emerged from the conversation was not a spirit of fear but a call to faithfulness. We are not asked to bunker down in panic or float through life waiting for escape. We are called to live with urgency and responsibility, eyes on the horizon but hands steady on the work before them.

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Artificial intelligence may be blurring truth, and Israel may stand at the epicenter of global turmoil, but none of it catches God off guard. These are reminders that His promises are sure and that His timetable is unfolding exactly as He said it would.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

Rabbi Mendel Kessin, a well-known lecturer on end-times prophecy, recently declared that the United Nations’ recognition of a Palestinian state is nothing less than the biblical “Gog and Magog.” His comments, reported by Israel365 News, are stirring discussion among Jews and Christians alike as global politics collide with ancient prophecy.

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Kessin pointed to the vote in which 157 of the 193 UN member states, about 81%, affirmed the sovereignty of a Palestinian state. “They did this on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the day of judgment,” he said. “The United Nations is Gog and Magog.”

The Jewish View: A Messianic Moment

In his remarks, Kessin drew from gematria, Hebrew numerology, noting that the value of “Gog and Magog” (גוג ומגוג) is 70. “The UN represents the world, basically 70 nations, and therefore they must defy Israel, which is, of course, to declare the Palestinian state,” he said.

For Kessin, this is not a coincidence but a messianic event. “We are now witnessing the actual defiance of the United Nations in terms of Gog and Magog trying to overthrow Israel, which is incredible, because that is a messianic event.”

He stressed that this had to happen in the Jewish year 5785. “This means Moshiach is coming,” Kessin said.

Kessin also connected the year 5786 with the ten plagues of Egypt, citing the prophet Micah. “‘I will show him wondrous deeds as in the days when You sallied forth from the land of Egypt’” (Micah 7:15). He explained, “The redemption from Egypt is the framework for the final geula, the release of the 10 sefirot of redemption which are now back in the side of holiness.”

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The Christian Lens: Foreshadowing the Tribulation

Christians who hold to a dispensational understanding of prophecy see significant overlap in Kessin’s warnings, yet with important differences.

The Bible is clear that the nations of the world will one day rise against Israel. Zechariah wrote, “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations” (Zech. 12:3). From a Christian perspective, the UN resolution foreshadows that reality, but it does not fulfill it.

Dispensational teaching identifies the Gog and Magog war of Ezekiel 38–39 as a future military invasion, led by a northern power with a coalition of nations. This is expected to occur around the start of the seven-year Tribulation. Another Gog and Magog rebellion is seen at the end of the Millennial Kingdom in Revelation 20. The UN’s declaration therefore resembles stage-setting rather than the completion of these prophecies.

Jesus and the Messianic Expectation

While Jewish voices like Kessin’s look for the coming of Messiah, Christians affirm He has already come in Jesus Christ. His first coming fulfilled prophecies such as Isaiah 53, the suffering servant, and Zechariah 9, the humble king riding on a donkey. His second coming will fulfill passages like Zechariah 14, when He will reign as King in Jerusalem.

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Before that visible return, believers hold to the promise of the rapture. Paul wrote, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

Judgment Echoes: Plagues and Revelation

Kessin tied the year 5786 to the plagues of Egypt, suggesting they would reappear in more powerful form at the end of days. Christians recognize similar imagery in the Book of Revelation. Water turned to blood, boils, locusts, hail and darkness all echo the Exodus story, but are unleashed globally during the Tribulation as God judges the world.

In that sense, both Jewish and Christian traditions anticipate a return of the plagues before final redemption, though Christians view this through the lens of Revelation’s seals, trumpets and bowls.

Converging Views on the End of Days

Rabbi Kessin sees the UN vote as the opening act of Gog and Magog and the threshold of messianic redemption. Christians view the same developments as foreshadowing the Tribulation and the return of Christ. While the two approaches differ in how they identify the Messiah and when the events will be fulfilled, both agree that the nations of the world will align against Israel, that echoes of Egypt’s plagues will resurface in judgment, and that these signs point to an imminent and dramatic shift in world history.

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The convergence is striking. Both Jews and Christians understand that history is moving toward divine intervention, redemption and the establishment of God’s kingdom. For Christians, the hope is in the rapture and the return of Jesus. For Jews like Kessin, it is the arrival of Mashiach. Despite the differences, both perspectives affirm that what unfolds in Israel is not coincidence but prophecy being brought to life before our eyes.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

Across the nation houses of worship are quietly fortifying their sanctuaries. Pastors and rabbis have had to reckon with a sobering reality: violence does not stop at the doors of the church or synagogue. What once was considered a safe refuge is now being treated as a potential target.

Many congregations have invested in stronger windows and doors, concrete barriers in parking lots and watchful eyes at the entrances. In some cases pulpits themselves have been reinforced with ballistic material to shield ministers in the event of a shooting. Training sessions have become routine with ushers and volunteers learning how to de-escalate confrontations, apply first aid and in some places handle firearms responsibly.

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According to The Washington Post, the urgency has only deepened in light of recent tragedies. Just this past month a Mormon church in Michigan became the scene of horror when a man drove his truck into the building during Sunday services, opened fire and set the structure ablaze, killing four people before police brought the rampage to an end. In England worshipers leaving a synagogue on Yom Kippur were struck by a car and stabbed, leaving two dead. These are not isolated events. They follow a pattern stretching across Minneapolis, Houston, Nashville, Charleston and Pittsburgh, reminders that the sanctity of worship does not shield against evil.

For Jewish communities the threat is especially high during holy days. Security organizations are advising synagogues and community centers to remain on alert. Michael Masters, who leads the Secure Community Network, explained that one of the most common questions he hears now is simple and heartbreaking: “Should I go out and buy a firearm?” His answer reflects our age. “That is a reflection of the reality of the time that we live in — that people are asking that question and answering it.”

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But the challenge is not only about firepower. Security specialists warn against leaning too heavily on the “good guy with a gun” idea. Protecting congregations, they argue, takes layers of planning, eyes in the parking lot, greeters at the door and trained volunteers throughout the building, not just a sidearm in a pew. As James Hamilton, a veteran consultant, explained, protecting a church looks very much like protecting an embassy.

Yet for all the strategies budgets remain a barrier. Megachurches can pay for professional security teams while small congregations depend on volunteers and the goodwill of local police. In both cases the sobering consensus is clear: faith communities can no longer ignore the need to prepare.

A Spiritual War Beneath the Violence

As troubling as these headlines are they should not surprise the people of God. Scripture has always warned that believers would face persecution. Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Paul wrote that we must “put on the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:11) to stand against the unseen forces at work.

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Christians and Jews share a common heritage in God’s Word and both communities are increasingly targets of hate. What we are witnessing is not only social breakdown but the outworking of spiritual war. The enemy’s mission remains what Jesus described in John 10:10: “to steal and kill and destroy.”

At the same time the Lord has equipped His people with more than walls, locks and cameras. He has given the Holy Spirit, the power of prayer and the promises of Scripture. As Paul reminded Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).

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Practical measures are wise and necessary. Faith leaders would be negligent not to prepare. But these preparations should never be confused with our ultimate hope. Our confidence is in the One who has already overcome the world. And while the violence of this age reminds us of the darkness it also highlights the urgent call to be light, unafraid, unwavering and grounded in the eternal security found in Christ.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

Three members of the Putman family, once known for their TLC reality show Meet the Putmans, have died in a devastating car crash that also left several relatives injured.

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Bill “Papa” Putman, his wife Barbara “Neenee” Putman, and their daughter-in-law Megan Putman were killed when a semi-truck collided with their vehicle in Tuscola County, Michigan, on Friday. The family confirmed the news in a statement shared on their social media and YouTube channel, Growing Up Putman.

“I come to you with a heavy heart, asking for your prayers. Our family was in a tragic car accident and we lost Papa, Neenee and Aunt Megan,” the statement said. “They have gone home to be with the Lord.”

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Several other family members — identified as Uncle Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah and Gia — remain hospitalized. “We are asking for complete healing and strength for each of them,” the family said, adding, “My entire family … all proclaimed that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. He is our hope, our peace and our salvation. Even in this time of heartbreak, we rest in knowing that God is in control.”

The Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office reported that the semi-truck driver failed to stop at a sign, causing the fatal collision. The driver was arrested and is awaiting formal charges.

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Though the Putmans’ time on TLC was brief, their family-centered lifestyle and strong faith left a lasting impact on many. Just days before the tragedy, Barb shared a heartfelt message to her husband on Instagram, writing: “You never waiver from your love for Christ and you point us to Him each and every day. As a dad and papa you are such a gift to our family … You guide with patience, protect with strength and nurture from the heart always pointing us to Christ.”

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As the family grieves, they expressed gratitude to those offering comfort: “Thank you for every prayer, message, and act of love. Your support means more than words can express.”

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University have announced a breakthrough that they call a “proof of concept.” By adapting cloning technology they have created human eggs using skin cells and donor eggs.

According to the Financial Times, “scientists have adapted cloning technology to create human eggs from skin cells and a donor egg, potentially opening a new route to motherhood for women who are infertile.”

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This so-called scientific progress may sound like hope for some but when weighed against Scripture it is nothing less than man once again tampering with the very building blocks of life that God declared “good” in creation (Gen. 1:31).

The Corruption of DNA in Noah’s Day

The Bible tells us that before the Flood humanity was corrupted by fallen angels. “The sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose” (Gen. 6:2). This unnatural union produced the Nephilim, a hybrid race that spread violence and corruption across the earth.

The book of Enoch, though apocryphal, gives further detail describing how these fallen beings taught humanity forbidden knowledge and mingled their seed with mankind. The book of Giants echoes the same history confirming the biblical account that DNA corruption was central to the judgment of the Flood.

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Genesis 6:5 tells us, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” It was because of this corruption of both the moral and genetic order that “the Lord said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created’” (Gen. 6:7).

The Days of Noah and Christ’s Warning

When Jesus warned His disciples about the end of the age He chose a very specific comparison: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:37). Why Noah’s day? Because it was a time when God’s design for humanity was tampered with in ways that went beyond simple sin, it reached into the corruption of the genetic order.

Now in our own time scientists boast of creating life in ways never intended. Shoukhrat Mitalipov, the project leader of the OHSU study, said, “Nature gave us two methods of cell division and we just developed a third.” That is not scientific humility, it is man declaring himself as god.

Defying God’s Boundaries

The research itself highlights how far we have already gone. The OHSU team “produced 82 functional eggs that were fertilized with sperm through IVF but only 9% developed to the blastocyst stage.” None of these were taken further but the fact remains: mankind is attempting to rewrite the laws of creation. Paula Amato, OHSU professor of obstetrics and gynecology, went so far as to say, “this method would allow for the possibility of same-sex couples to have a child genetically related to both partners.”

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Here lies the deeper offense: science is being used not merely to address infertility due to medical reasons but to circumvent the natural order God designed for family, marriage and reproduction. Romans 1:26-27 warns that when humanity rejects God, “women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones… men committed shameful acts with other men.” Now technology is being harnessed to provide offspring in defiance of God’s order.

A Sobering Warning

Even secular scientists caution that the method is “inefficient” and could take “another decade of development” before use in fertility clinics. But that does not make it less dangerous. Each small step toward playing God with DNA brings us closer to the kind of corruption that once brought global judgment.

Jesus said the last days would be marked by deception, lawlessness and a world once again mirroring Noah’s time. That moment seems closer than ever. When man tampers with the DNA that God Himself created we are not witnessing progress, we are watching prophecy unfold.

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The Lord’s warning still echoes: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal. 6:7). As science crosses forbidden boundaries Christians must be vigilant, discerning the signs of the times and standing firm on the truth that only God has the authority to create and define life.

And if we are truly seeing a return to the days of Noah, must we also ask whether we will be seeing a return of the Nephilim and the evil they brought with them?

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois has long positioned himself as a Catholic while simultaneously advancing policies that run contrary to Church teaching. His voting record includes support for legalized abortion, advocacy for same-sex marriage, and the probing of Catholic judicial nominees on their faith. As the Catholic League pointed out in a letter to Durbin, “Your support for same-sex marriage, and your probing of the religious convictions of Catholic nominees for the federal bench, have also elicited much criticism.”

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The decision by Cardinal Blase Cupich to honor Durbin with a “lifetime achievement award” provoked widespread outrage from Catholics and other conservatives who saw the move as scandalous. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, called the award “a source of scandal,” while Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, urged Cupich to withdraw it or for Durbin himself to decline.

The Catholic League’s Pressure Campaign

The Catholic League chose not to focus on Cupich, but directly on Durbin himself. Bill Donohue, the group’s president, wrote to the senator on Sept. 23, warning that the award had “created a firestorm in the Catholic community, involving both the clergy and the laity.” Donohue urged Durbin to “put the interests of the Catholic community above your own interests.”

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When Durbin initially refused, the Catholic League mobilized its supporters, publishing the email address of his chief of staff and encouraging them to press the senator to back down. Within days, Durbin yielded. “Such a sweet victory,” Donohue wrote. The Catholic League commended the senator for ultimately declining the award.

Pope Leo XIV’s Troubling Response

While U.S. bishops and Catholic lay groups condemned Cupich’s plan, Pope Leo XIV appeared hesitant. When asked about the controversy, he said, “I am not terribly familiar with the particular case. I think it’s important to look at the overall work that a senator has done during, if I’m not mistaken, in 40 years of service in the United States Senate.”

The pope then compared abortion to other issues, stating, “Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life. Someone who says I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro life.”

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His words sparked backlash, not only from Catholic leaders but also from conservatives across the political and religious spectrum. Many questioned how the leader of the Catholic Church, who has professed to be pro-life, could place abortion alongside other social concerns in a way that seemed to dilute the urgency of defending unborn life.

Prophecy and Discernment in Our Times

For many, this moment calls to mind a sobering prophecy given in 1954 by Pentecostal revivalist William Branham. He warned of a day when “the new pope is brought out of the United States and put over there according to prophecy, then they’ll form an image like unto the beast.” Branham described a deceptive religious power, cloaked in peace, that would lead many astray.

In another message, Branham cautioned that “the real, true believers out of Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Pilgrim Holiness, whatever they’ll be, will go together, and cemented by the love of God, that’ll make the Body of the Lord Jesus… and agnostics and shallow-minded will be cast to one side; they’ll go right on into the confederation of churches.”

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Is Pope Leo’s seemingly compromised position, and the resulting backlash from conservatives not just within the Catholic Church but across American society, a sign that Branham’s prophecy may yet be fulfilled in our day?

A Call to Watchfulness

We cannot answer that question definitively, but as Christians we are commanded to be discerning. These are prophetic days, and we must examine events like this through the lens of Scripture. The Word of God warns us of deception in the last days, and we must guard ourselves by holding fast to the truth that life is sacred, marriage is God-ordained and faith must never be compromised for political convenience.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

Perry Stone recently shared a prophetic word he believes the Lord impressed upon him, and it is one filled with encouragement and urgency for the body of Christ. In his message, Stone outlined how God continues to speak to His people today and what believers can expect in this season. “I received a download that I know came from the Lord,” he explained.

God Still Speaks

Stone began by reminding viewers that Scripture clearly shows the Spirit leads believers into truth and even reveals the future. “When He, the Spirit of truth, that’s the Holy Spirit, will come, He will guide you into all truth,” he said, quoting John 16:13.

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He emphasized that God communicates in multiple ways.

Five Ways God Speaks

According to Stone, here are five ways the Lord reveals His voice:

1. Through Scripture – The Word of God is living and active, providing guidance, correction, and encouragement when believers open it in faith. Passages often speak directly to current circumstances. (Heb. 4:12)
2. Through the Holy Spirit – The Spirit of truth leads into all truth and reveals things to come, giving believers clarity and assurance in decisions and spiritual matters. (John 16:13)
3. Through the Inner Leading – God speaks from the spirit to the mind, giving thoughts or impressions that carry His direction. This inner prompting often comes as sudden clarity or conviction. (Rom. 14, Acts 2:16–17 as supporting context)
4. Through Dreams and Visions – Throughout history God has given warnings, encouragement, and revelation through dreams at night or visions in waking moments, showing His people what is ahead. (Acts 2:16–17)
5. Through Nighttime Revelation – In deep sleep God can open ears and seal instruction, turning people from danger and guiding them with wisdom they recognize upon waking. (Job 33:15–18, Job 4:12–13)

Joel’s Prophecy Unfolding

Stone pointed to Joel 2:28-31 as a key passage for our time. “It’ll come to pass afterwards. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions,” he said. He noted the significance of young and old being linked in this prophecy, showing that multiple generations will be joined in this end-time revival.

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He connected this to cosmic and earthly signs. “The sun will be turned to darkness, the moon to blood, cosmic signs, blood moons, which are lunar eclipses, solar eclipses on Jewish festival days,” he said.

The Spirit of Elijah

Turning to Malachi’s prophecy, Stone read, “Behold, I send to you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” He explained that this passage has a dual application, both pointing to Elijah’s role in the tribulation and to a generation walking in the same spirit before it.

“The death of Charlie Kirk was a spiritual trigger to trigger the spirit of Elijah,” Stone declared, clarifying that by trigger he means an event that sets things in motion. He defined this spirit in three ways: “Number one, extreme boldness. Number two, non-compromise. Number three, producing the zeal or the fire of God.”

A Firebrand Generation

Stone described the next move of God as unlike anything before. “This one looks different because this one is a fire brand movement,” he said. He likened it to the story of Samson tying torches to foxes’ tails, saying every young believer will carry the fire of the Spirit into their schools, churches, and communities.

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He also stressed the importance of fathers and mothers walking with this generation. “He will turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers,” Stone quoted. He believes this intergenerational unity is what will “reverse the curse.”

Unity in the Body of Christ

Finally, Stone called believers to a new spirit of unity. “Please, body of Christ, let’s start taking on a new attitude,” he urged. “Quit being so critical and so condemning and following the nuts instead of following the spiritual fruit.”

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For Stone, this is a time of hope and expectation. “This is an exciting time to be alive,” he said. “This is not an artificial movement. This is not a man-made movement. This is a God thing.”

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

The United States has continued its slide away from the truth of God’s Word, and this shift is directly responsible for the decline of American culture.

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A new report from Lifeway Research conducted for Ligonier Ministries shows a widening gap between biblical truth and public opinion, with nearly half of U.S. adults rejecting the Bible as literally true, as reported by The Christian Post.

The Ligonier State of Theology 2025 survey, which polled 3,001 American adults between Jan. 6-15, found a mix of syncretic and contradictory beliefs about God, Scripture and morality.

Bible as Myth vs. Literal Truth

• “A collective 48% of Americans either strongly agree or somewhat agree that ‘The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.’”
• 43% strongly or somewhat disagreed.
• 8% were not sure.
• Evangelicals, Black Protestants and Southerners were the most likely to reject the Bible as myth.
• Higher-income respondents and residents of large cities were more likely to deny its literal truth.

Accuracy of Scripture

• “Less than half of respondents also said they either strongly agree (31%) or somewhat agree (18%) that ‘The Bible is 100% accurate in all that it teaches.’”
• 44% disagreed, including 28% strongly and 16% somewhat.
• 6% were not sure.

Beliefs About God

• “When presented with the statement, ‘God is a perfect being and cannot make a mistake,’ only 53% of respondents strongly agreed.”
• 13% somewhat agreed.
• 26% disagreed, including 17% strongly.
• 8% were unsure.

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Belief in the Trinity

• “When asked to respond to the statement, ‘There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit,’ only 55% of respondents strongly agreed.”
• 16% somewhat agreed.
• 20% disagreed, including 15% strongly.
• 10% were unsure.

Religious Inclusivity

• “A majority of U.S. adults also believe that ‘God accepts the worship of all religions.’”
• 44% strongly agreed.
• 20% somewhat agreed.
• 23% disagreed, including 16% strongly.
• 12% were unsure.

Beliefs About Jesus

• “Some 48% of American adults in the study also agree that ‘Jesus was a great teacher, but He was not God.’”
• 40% disagreed.
• 11% were unsure.

Marriage and Sexual Ethics

• “Only 51% of respondents strongly agree that ‘God created marriage to be between one man and one woman,’ while 14% somewhat agree.”
• 29% disagreed, including 22% strongly.
• “Some 52% of Americans agree that ‘Sex outside of traditional marriage is a sin.’”
• 44% disagreed.

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Gender and Sexuality

• “When asked for their position on the statement, ‘People should be able to choose their gender regardless of their biological sex,’ some 38% expressed some level of agreement.”
• 54% disagreed, including 42% strongly.
• 9% were not sure.
• “More than 40% of U.S. adults also expressed some level of agreement that ‘The Bible’s condemnation of homosexual behavior doesn’t apply today.’”
• 46% disagreed.
• 14% were undecided.

Authority of the Bible

• According to The Christian Post, “The findings of the survey also show that despite the varied responses to the Bible, half of Americans still believe it can be used as a manual for life.”
• 28% strongly agreed and 22% somewhat agreed that “The Bible has the authority to tell us what we must do.”
• 44% disagreed.
• 5% were not sure.

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The results of the study reflect a profound cultural shift in the nation. The Bible tells us how bad things will become in the last days, yet Christians are not called to despair. Even as society drifts further from the truth, the church must remain steadfast in fulfilling the Great Commission until Christ returns.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

John Bevere sat down with his sons Addison and Ardan to process a raw, complicated moment for the church. Using Charlie Kirk’s killing as the backdrop they traced a bigger story: fear is muzzling leaders, offense is fragmenting believers and yet God is stirring hunger and repentance across the nation. Their message wasn’t a eulogy. It was a charge.

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Government isn’t off-limits for the people of God

Bevere argued that Christians are called into every sphere of society, government included. He pointed to Scripture’s pattern of prophets and kings speaking to rulers and laws as evidence that believers shouldn’t treat civic life as forbidden territory. For him, Kirk’s boldness in public debate fit that calling rather than violated it.

Revival and confusion are rising together

They noted unprecedented church attendance alongside anger, uncertainty and grief. That tension, they said, is exactly why leaders must speak plainly from Scripture. When pulpits dodge hard topics congregations get motivational talk instead of real help. Surface comfort can numb pain for a day but it won’t heal the abscess underneath.

The real battle line: fear of God vs fear of man

Bevere’s central diagnosis was simple: fear of people erodes conviction, breeds hypocrisy and turns shepherds into crowd pleasers. Fear of God by contrast steels leaders to tell the truth in love when it costs reputation or followers. The apostles needed that correction too; Peter folded under criticism until Paul confronted him. Courage is not optional, it is pastoral.

Offense blinds and becomes the seedbed of deception

The conversation returned again and again to offense. They described how borrowed grievances spread online, how people pick up their group’s anger without ever having a face to face conversation and how that posture distorts perception. Offense hardens into contempt then opens the door for voices that soothe pain without addressing sin. When that cycle takes root love grows cold and unity breaks down.

Forgiveness is a daily rhythm not a one-time decision

To break the cycle they urged a daily practice: receive God’s forgiveness and extend it to others. That rhythm reaches into old wounds loosens bitterness and clears the fog that offense creates. Without it believers drift into a victim mindset and become easy marks for flattering half-true messages.

Compassion tells the truth

They contrasted “toxic empathy” which mirrors feelings but dodges root issues with Christlike compassion which names idols and invites repentance even when people walk away. Jesus loved the rich young ruler and still put his finger on the real problem. Love that refuses God’s commands, they warned, isn’t love at all.

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Division that clarifies reality

The family acknowledged that some division is inevitable because truth exposes what we serve, God or approval. Moments like this reveal who will carry the whole counsel of God and who will shrink to keep the room calm. Leaders must examine themselves first then tend their people with steady hands and open Bibles.

A practical charge to pastors and influencers

• Seek God privately before you speak publicly. Humility before God fuels courage before people
• Feed people with Scripture not slogans. Address the real pain not just the feels
• Refuse to become a slave to approval. Serve your flock by telling the truth they actually need
• Model reconciliation. Practice that daily “breathe in breathe out” of forgiveness
• Train for discernment, learn the difference between right and almost right

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The moment to step forward

Bevere closed with a simple posture: side with God in a dark world even if it costs you. He believes the fields are white for harvest and that God is moving in ways that demand clear voices and steady hearts. The task now is not to manage outrage or collect followers. It is to love people enough to tell the truth, to cast off the fear of man and to lead with a holy boldness that heals.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.

As the Jewish people marked the Feast of Trumpets the nations of the world gathered at the United Nations. France and Saudi Arabia convened a high-level conference on the Palestinian question and several Western nations moved to unilaterally recognize Palestinian statehood. To most of the world it was just another round of diplomatic theater. But in the eyes of God’s Word the timing of this moment could not be more significant.

A Feast, a Reading and a Warning

During Rosh Hashanah Jewish communities read Genesis 21 and 22. Genesis 21 recounts the miraculous birth of Isaac and the expulsion of Ishmael, a story of contention within Abraham’s family. Genesis 22 tells of Abraham’s ultimate test when God asked him to offer his son Isaac on Mount Moriah later known as the Temple Mount.

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Rabbi Jason Sobel drew a striking parallel: “On the same day the United Nations made this resolution, which I also believe was harmful towards Israel, we were reading about Ishmael harming Isaac. It was like Ishmael saying I’m going to get Isaac back, mocking, and in a sense encouraging violence towards the Jewish people.”

Jerusalem: The Test of the Nations

Sobel explained that Jerusalem is more than a political debate. “Jerusalem itself is a test. How one treats Abraham’s covenant city, the place where he offered Isaac, reveals the posture of one’s heart towards the God of Abraham.”

He reminded his listeners of the prophetic words in Zechariah 12:3: “Jerusalem will become a burdensome stone. Nations that lift it will injure themselves.” Sobel tied this directly to the UN’s declaration about East Jerusalem, calling it “a replaying of the Genesis 22 drama on the world stage.”

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A Psalm 2 Moment

Psalm 2 says the nations will take their stand against the Lord and His anointed. Sobel said, “On the same day that we enthroned God, the nations held court. It was like heaven and earth were aligned in a divine summons. And the world is being asked, ‘Whose king will you enthrone?’”

He continued, “The nations may pass resolutions, but God has written and made his own declaration. I have set my king on Mount Zion.”

The Call for Believers

Rabbi Sobel emphasized that this moment is not just about land. It is about lordship. Who is King in Zion? Is it the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob revealed in Jesus or is it the rulers of this world? Every nation and every individual is standing in the valley of decision.

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Our response must be clear. We are called to:

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6)
• Proclaim God’s promises which outweigh any UN resolution
• Prepare our lives by aligning with God’s Word and covenant purposes

Passing the Test

If God’s promises to Israel are not eternal then none of His promises are trustworthy. But because He is a covenant-keeping God we can be confident that His Word stands. The dividing of Jerusalem is not just a political issue. It is the ultimate test of faith for the nations.

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Now is the time to discern the signs of the times. Jerusalem has once again become the burdensome stone. The world is watching, heaven is weighing and the valley of decision lies open before us. The question is simple: Whose King will we enthrone?

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and 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.