As the biblical year 5786 approaches with the fall feasts, believers are being urged to prepare for a season of intense spiritual warfare. Many will feel pressure to abandon their callings, step away from their ministries or compromise their integrity just as God is preparing His people for a time of reformation and revival.

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A Warning to Leaders and Ministers

Rabbi Curt Landry, speaking in a recent message, emphasized that this attack will be aimed at leaders and those in supportive roles. “The enemy is going to do everything he can to try to get you off your position and out of alignment with God before the end of the fall feast,” Landry said. He tied this battle to what he calls the rise of the Amalekite spirit, which seeks to derail destinies through compromise and comfort. “What it’s after is stealing your highest and best through compromise and comfort. People are getting so weary. They’re saying, ‘Listen, I can’t handle this battle anymore. It’s not worth it. I’m not winning.’ The battle is purifying you.”

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The Amalekite Spirit and New 7-Year Season

Landry described this Amalekite spirit as a force working through Jezebelic and Baal structures, designed to divide and seduce leaders with promises of recognition, comfort, or influence. He cautioned that this is a decisive moment for the church: “We are coming out of one season of seven. We’re ending and now we’re going into a complete latter rain season of seven. And the biblical year 5786—we are moving into a one new man reformation year and the next seven years of reformation.”

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He warned that many believers are tempted to quit because they feel out of place, forgotten, or unrecognized. “The reason you don’t fit is because your mindset is on who you were in the past. And the Lord’s trying to transition you into a mindset of who you shall be in the future,” Landry explained.

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A Call to Stand Firm

Landry called on Christians not to give in to discouragement or division. “Satan is trying to get you out of alignment with your unlocked kingdom destiny. He wants you to get offended, not feeling loved,” he said. Instead, Landry urged the body of Christ to stay rooted in unity and faith. “Child of God, hear me. You’re needed in your church, in your ministry. Do not quit now. Do not get tricked of the enemy because you’re uncomfortable with the promotion that’s coming.”

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In the middle of global debates over Israel’s role in the world, former Arkansas governor and current U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee says the reality is simple: America needs Israel just as much as Israel needs America.

Huckabee shared his perspective during a recent episode of The Watchman Newscast with host Erick Stakelbeck. Speaking from Jerusalem, the two discussed Israel’s contributions to the United States, the rise of antisemitism, and why the relationship between the nations is vital both politically and spiritually.

A Two-Way Relationship

Huckabee pushed back against claims that the U.S.-Israel alliance is one-sided. “It’s an incredible benefit to the United States,” he said. “If you like your cell phone, thank Israel for it. The development of the SIM card is the reason we have cell phones today. Do you like some of the medical procedures that have saved maybe a relative’s life? Heart stents, swallowing the little camera that lets the doctor see inside your intestines—developed here.”

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He pointed to other innovations such as car navigation systems, seedless watermelon, and cherry tomatoes. “And then defense systems,” he added. “We can’t even begin to talk about all the ways in which things that protect Americans every single day, that protect our soldiers in battle medically and militarily, were first field tested and used by the Israeli Defense Force.”

Rising Criticism and Propaganda

Despite these tangible benefits, Huckabee noted growing hostility toward Israel, even among some on the American right. “It’s disturbing, very frightening to me because a lot of it is based on innuendo and lies,” he warned. He criticized the use of rhetorical devices like “everyone knows” to spread conspiracy theories. “The fact is it isn’t true. Next thing you know it becomes considered to be a fact. It’s not a fact.”

He suggested that much of this shift stems from propaganda rather than firsthand knowledge. “Knowing that they haven’t been here, they haven’t spent any time in Israel tells me it’s not based on firsthand eyewitness understanding. It’s based on what someone told them. The question is, what propagandist told him that and who’s paying them to continue saying it?”

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The Spiritual Roots of Antisemitism

Huckabee argued that antisemitism cannot be explained by politics alone. “Anti-semitism is irrational. It makes no sense,” he said. “Why would you hate Jewish people? They’re less than 1% of the population. What are they going to do? Take over the world with one less than 1%? No.”

Instead, he pointed to a deeper issue: “This is not a geopolitical issue. This is a spiritual issue. If they really are God’s people in God’s place doing God’s purpose, then people who reject God see them as an affront. And so let’s hate them, let’s destroy them, let’s annihilate them.”

Standing with Israel

For Huckabee, America’s connection to Israel is more than political or practical, it is biblical. “As Christians, our own faith is predicated, built upon Judaism,” he explained. “So if there wasn’t a Jewish people, if there were not Ten Commandments, if there was not a progression of the light and law of God in the world, there would be no Christianity.”

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That conviction fuels his call for Americans to remain steadfast in supporting Israel. “America and Israel share this fundamental common value system that the individual matters,” he said. “They embody it. They represent it. They’re the holders of that candle. Let’s not blow out the candle.”

A Biblical Mandate

At a time when global leaders and media voices increasingly challenge Israel’s legitimacy, Huckabee insists that the United States cannot afford to waver in its support. From technology to defense, Israel strengthens America. From a spiritual perspective, Israel preserves the foundation of the Christian faith.

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“People today, most of the world, live like they did in the time of the judges when the Bible says that everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” Huckabee said. In contrast, he pointed to Israel as a living testimony of God’s covenant promises.

Supporting Israel is not just about politics: it is about standing with God’s Word and His people.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Conversations about the end times often stir questions about what the Bible truly says. Many wonder about the rapture, the tribulation and the signs that will unfold in the heavens. Scripture paints a vivid picture of these events, and when carefully studied, it offers both a sober warning and a joyful hope for believers looking forward to the coming of the Lord.

The Tribulation and Cosmic Signs

The late Bible teacher Derek Prince, in his series Prophetic Guide to the End Times, urged Christians to take Jesus’ words seriously. He pointed to Matthew 24:29, saying, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened the moon will not give its light the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of heavens will be shaken.”

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Prince explained that this does not mean the literal stars we see at night but rather the shaking of Satan’s kingdom in the heavenly realms. “I envisage the powers of heaven that’s Satan’s throne kingdom in the heavenlies being shaken to the point where his angels start to be shaken out of it.”

The Visible Return of Christ

Prince emphasized that Christ’s return will be unmistakable. “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and with great glory.” He added, “To me that is anything but secret. I can’t think how anybody could be unaware that something is going on when you’ve got the Lord shouting the archangel speaking and the trumpet of God sounding.”

Understanding the Rapture

On the subject of the rapture, Prince clarified the meaning behind the word. He pointed to the Greek word harpazo, translated as “caught up.” He said, “You could easily translate this ‘we shall be raptured to meet the Lord in the air.’ It would be a perfectly legitimate translation.”

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Prince explained that harpazo implies sudden and forceful action. “That’s how the rapture will be without warning sudden and forceful. And there will be no time to be getting ready. If you’re getting ready you’ll be too late you have to be ready.”

The Timing of Christ’s Coming

Prince was clear about when the Lord will appear. “It says immediately after the tribulation of those days, the Lord is going to come. There is a theory that the church is going to become so powerful politically that it will take over the world set the world neatly in order and offer it back to Jesus when He comes. I have to say this is not in line with what it says. Immediately after the tribulation Jesus will come.”

Glory Beyond Comparison

In looking forward, Prince pointed to the hope of Christ’s return in glory. Quoting Luke 9:26, he reminded listeners that Jesus will come “in His own glory and in His Father’s and of the holy angels.” He added, “Isaiah 24 says the sun and moon will be embarrassed because their light will be so dim and ineffective by comparison they’ll just have nothing to talk about. And furthermore, that light so brilliant will not hurt your eyes. That’s what I’m looking for.”

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The Fig Tree and the Nations

Prince also highlighted Jesus’ parable of the fig tree, linking it to the rebirth of Israel and the rise of nations around the world claiming their independence. “In 1948 Israel, the fig tree, put on its leaves. I was there when it happened. They got rid of the British, as other nations have also done, and said, ‘We’re a people of our own. We have our own history our own culture our own language. We want to rule ourselves.’”

He explained that the “trees putting on their leaves” represent the worldwide rise of nationalism and a clear sign that “summer is near.”

A Hope Worth Waiting For

As the world heads deeper into uncertain times, Prince’s words serve as both a warning and a comfort. He reminded believers that the increasing trials are not without purpose. “The birth pangs are not going to diminish they’re going to increase. The question is, as I said before do you really want the baby?”

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For those who endure in faith, the promise is worth waiting for. “I love to think of the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory… That’s worth waiting for. Can you say amen to that? It’s worth enduring for.”

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

The conversation surrounding end-times prophecy continues to intensify as new developments in Israel and the Middle East raise questions about the fulfillment of biblical signs. From the Temple Mount to the rebuilding of Babylon and the long-anticipated rapture of the church, many Christians are watching closely.

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Pastors James Kaddis and Tom Hughes, hosts of the program Countdown 2 Eternity, recently discussed these prophetic topics in depth. Their dialogue touched on the biblical significance of the Temple Mount, global events tied to Babylon and the proper perspective on the rapture.

1. The Temple

Kaddis and Hughes began with the Temple Mount, directly addressing debates about its historic location. Hughes insisted, “Once you go to the city of David you recognize it’s beyond the city of David. Everybody geographically impossible. It’s impossible. Plus, they’ve dug down 4,000 years of history. There ain’t no temple that was ever there.”

He went on to note that Hadrian, the Roman emperor in 135 A.D., knew precisely where the temple had stood: “Historians tell you he built a shrine to who? Zeus, Jupiter, Satan. That’s what he did.”

Looking to the future, Hughes described the prophetic expectation of two temples: the Antichrist’s temple, tied to 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 11 and Daniel 9, and the Messianic temple described in Ezekiel 40 and onward. “The one person in the universe that wants a temple built there more than anybody else is Satan,” he said. “Through Antichrist, he’s attempting to usurp the authority of Jesus so that his man will stand in the temple and proclaim to be God.”

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2. Babylon

The discussion turned from Jerusalem to Iraq, where large-scale infrastructure projects are underway. Hughes noted that billions of dollars are being poured into development in the region historically associated with Babylon. “It’s all been done behind the curtain. I find it absolutely fascinating. And…in all of the articles you read about it, they all say the same thing. They call it Babylon,” he said.

This observation was tied to prophetic anticipation that end-times events will center not only on Jerusalem but also on a resurgent Babylon. The pastors suggested that what is unfolding economically and politically in the region aligns with biblical warnings about the final global system described in Revelation.

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3. The Rapture

Finally, Kaddis and Hughes addressed growing speculation about the rapture. They warned against the habit of predicting specific dates, particularly around Jewish feast days like Rosh Hashanah. Hughes said, “If you hear anybody telling you the Lord is going to come on this date, don’t ever listen to them again. They’re not credible. They’re not credible people.”

Kaddis added, “I would rather be wrong and excited about the Lord coming than not excited.” But both agreed that setting dates leads to discouragement and damages credibility when those dates pass uneventfully.

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As prophetic events accelerate, Kaddis and Hughes emphasized the need for discernment. While the temple preparations, Babylon’s rebuilding and the expectation of Christ’s return all carry biblically prophetic weight, believers are urged to stay rooted in Scripture and cautious of sensational claims. Above all, Christians are called to watch, pray and avoid the trap of repeatedly predicting a day and hour that Jesus Himself said no one knows.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

The Bible is clear that no one knows the exact day or hour of Christ’s return (Matt. 24:36). Yet, Scripture also tells us to be watchful and discern “the signs of the times.” A resurfaced interview from 2020 with the late author Tom Horn on the Jim Bakker Show is now going viral, stirring conversation about whether the Jewish feast days, the year 2025 and the asteroid Apophis could all be prophetically linked.

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Horn lays out a theory—not a declaration—that intertwines biblical prophecy, astronomy and ancient Jewish tradition. He is careful to frame this as a scenario worth watching, not as a definitive timeline.

Apophis and Wormwood

Horn connects the asteroid Apophis, set for a close Earth flyby in 2029, with the “Wormwood” prophecy of Revelation 8. He explained, “If Apophis is the fulfillment of the Wormwood prophecy Revelation chapter eight, that would happen in the middle of the great tribulation period.”

If that were the case, he said, “you would count backward 3.5 years to arrive at the beginning of what is called the seven year great tribulation period.”

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The Feasts and 2025

During the interview, Horn recounted that researcher Derek Gilbert pulled up a Hebrew calendar as they discussed the possibility. “He literally turned pale because 3.5 years earlier before the impact of Apophis to the day is the middle of the feast of tabernacles,” Horn recalled.

That feast in 2025 falls on a particularly symbolic day. “It not only falls into the middle of the feast of tabernacles but literally on the seventh day of the feast of tabernacles in 2025,” Horn said. “The seventh day of the feast of tabernacles is when the ancient Hebrews … sacrificed seven bulls in commemoration of God delivering them from all of the gods of the nations but in particular delivering them from the gods of Egypt and in particular delivering them from Apophis the ancient Egyptian god of chaos.”

Trumpets and Pentecost

Horn also pointed to other feasts in that same cycle. Just 10 days before Tabernacles is the Feast of Trumpets, which Paul referenced in 1 Thessalonians: “At the last trump … the dead in Christ shall rise.” Horn said, “During the feast of trumpets the shofar has sounded 100 times. Paul says at the last trump the dead in Christ shall rise then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together.”

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Even earlier, 120 days before Tabernacles in 2025, is Pentecost, which Horn connected to the symbolic number of human completion. “In biblical numerology the number 120 is the number of the end of mankind,” he noted, citing Genesis 6:3. “Of course Moses was also a parody … of that in that he died at 120 years of age.”

The Essene Prophecies

Beyond the feasts, Horn also tied in the writings of the Essenes of Qumran, the Jewish sect known from the Dead Sea Scrolls. He explained that their ancient prophecies accurately anticipated the first coming of the Messiah, including that He would die in 32 A.D., not just for Jews but also for Gentiles.

“They also prophesied this: that mankind … will enter its final age guess when—in the year 2025,” Horn said.

A Viral Theory, Not a Timeline

Horn summarized his case by stressing that “there are a massive amount of indicators that 2025 is a pivotal year that the world needs to be paying attention to.” But he did not present this as an infallible declaration, rather as a theory piecing together ancient prophecy, biblical feasts and astronomical events.

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As videos of the interview spread online in 2025, it is easy to see why many are intrigued by how these dates appear to align. Yet Scripture warns against setting dates, even as it encourages believers to remain watchful.

Instead of giving in to fear or anxiety, Christians are called to turn to the Word of God in prayer and stay faithful to the mission Christ gave: to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19).

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

For many watching events in Israel unfold, there is confusion over the red heifer, the building of the Third Temple and what role these elements play in biblical prophecy. The Bible describes the red heifer as part of purification rites in Numbers 19, while Jewish tradition holds that its ashes are necessary for restoring full ritual purity in Temple service. Many Christians are watching closely, seeking to understand what is happening from a biblical perspective.

The Temple Institute, which has been preparing vessels, garments and other requirements for the rebuilding of the Temple, addressed growing questions about whether the ashes of the red heifer are required before construction or offerings can begin.

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“Many people have been asking questions concerning the necessity of acquiring the ashes of the red heifer as a prerequisite for the building of the Holy Temple, or for the performing of offerings on the Temple Mount,” the Temple Institute wrote.

According to their statement, the absence of red heifer ashes is not an obstacle to public offerings or even Temple construction. “Time oriented offerings can be made even when Israel is in a state of impurity (tamei met—the impurity of contact with a corpse that only the ashes of the red heifer can purify),” the Institute explained. These include the daily Tamid offering, festival offerings, and the Passover sacrifice, which “take precedence over the issue of tum’at met.”

Personal sacrifices, however, remain restricted until purification is possible. “Personal offerings (sin offerings, thanksgiving offerings, etc.) cannot be made in a state of impurity, as they are not time bound,” the post stated.

The Temple Institute further noted that the lack of ashes does not prevent construction. “Construction of the Temple can also take place even in the absence of the ashes of the red heifer, when there is no other option. This actually took place during the building of the second Temple,” the statement said. Even repairs can be performed by artisans who are ritually impure if no pure workers are available.

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At the same time, they emphasized the importance of eventually obtaining the ashes. “While the ashes of the red heifer are, indeed, a necessary prerequisite for a fully functioning Temple service, and while the efforts to achieve the ashes are moving steadily forward, a lack of the ashes does not present an impediment to the building of the Holy Temple or the renewal of the public, time oriented offerings.”

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As excitement and speculation continue to build, Christians are reminded to approach these developments with wisdom. The Bible warns that deception will be a hallmark of the last days. Now more than ever, believers are called to prayer, discernment and a firm rooting in the Word of God so “the deception of the devil does not lead us astray.”

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

The Vatican is preparing to host a series of events for the LGBTQ community in Rome next week, including a Mass, prayer vigils and a procession to St. Peter’s Basilica. But the nature of these events raises a troubling question: is Pope Leo allowing apostasy to enter the Vatican for the whole world to see?

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On Sept. 5, the international meeting “Listening to the Experiences of LGBTQ Catholics” will take place inside the Vatican, organized by Outreach, a U.S. organization founded by Jesuit Father James Martin. According to the announcement, “LGBTQ Catholics from various countries will share their experiences.”

A Rainbow Crucifix in the Church

Later that evening, a prayer vigil will be held in Rome’s Church of the Gesù with LGBTQ Christians, their parents, and other participants. The Vatican noted that “during the vigil, a rainbow cross will be presented, which was brought to Rome by a group of LGBTQ pilgrims and their parents.”

The use of a rainbow crucifix, a clear distortion of the sacred image of Christ’s sacrifice, is nothing less than heresy. To fuse the cross of Jesus with the symbol of pride that affirms lifestyles the Bible calls sinful (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26–27) is to present before the world a false gospel.

Affirmation or Apostasy?

On Sept. 6, Bishop Francesco Savino, Vice President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, will preside over a Mass at the same church, followed by a Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica with more than 1,000 participants. Finally, pilgrims will join the Pope for the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.

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The previous pope, Francis, made several statements indicating openness to the LGBTQ community. Asked whether there was room in the Church for transgender, non-binary or LGBT people, he responded: “Every person is a child of God, everyone. God rejects no one—and clergy in the Catholic Church should not do so either.” He added, “I have no right to expel anyone from the Church. The Church must not close its doors to anyone.”

Loving those who are trapped in sin is one thing. Jesus Himself showed compassion to sinners, but He always called them to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). What we are witnessing in Rome looks less like an invitation to repentance and more like an affirmation of lifestyles that God has declared abominable.

A Pattern in Mainline Denominations

What is taking place in the Vatican is not happening in isolation. Many mainline Protestant denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, embraced this same road years ago, affirming rather than lovingly correcting sin. Today, those denominations have largely abandoned biblical authority, replacing the gospel with cultural accommodation. This is the fruit of apostasy, the great falling away Scripture foretells (2 Thess. 2:3).

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Should Pope Leo choose to affirm these lifestyles, he risks leading millions into deception. The acceptance of a rainbow cross at the heart of the Vatican illustrates how far the visible church can drift when it places cultural approval above biblical truth.

The End-Times Falling Away

The apostle Paul warned that in the last days people would not endure sound doctrine, but would gather teachers to affirm their desires (2 Tim. 4:3). The events planned at the Vatican bear striking resemblance to this falling away, pointing to a church that prefers applause from the world over obedience to God.

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This moment is not just about the Catholic Church, it is a warning to the global body of Christ. What happens in Rome will reverberate throughout the world, shaping how many perceive Christianity itself.

A Call to Prayer

Christians must pray fervently in this hour. Pray for those who have yielded to their fleshly desires, that they would have a radical encounter with the Holy Spirit, repent of their sin and live a life pleasing to the Lord. Pray for courage among church leaders to stand firm on Scripture, even when it is unpopular. And pray that the true gospel of Jesus Christ, one of love, forgiveness and transformation, will shine through the darkness of compromise and confusion.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Amazing developments are taking place on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, events that have not been seen in nearly 2,000 years and are now happening in rapid succession.

The Temple Institute recently announced that the shofar has been sounded on the Temple Mount. The group described the moment as “the sound of Israel returning to Hashem and the sound of the coming redemption,” citing Isaiah 27:13, which foretells of a great shofar blast that will gather the exiles back to Jerusalem.

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Their emphatic declaration—“Do not despair. It is happening”—has captured attention across Israel and around the world. Reports and video footage show a growing hunger among Jewish people to worship on the Temple Mount, fueling renewed discussions about the possibility of a rebuilt temple.

The Prophetic Significance

For Christians, these events carry profound prophetic meaning. While the Jewish people do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and continue to follow the old covenant, Scripture makes it clear that one day their eyes will be opened. Revelation speaks of a future temple that will be desecrated by the Antichrist, an event known as the abomination of desolation.

Though believers understand the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Jewish people do not accept this truth. Yet, prophecy points to a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem that will play a central role in end-times events. Many believe God may use that time of tribulation to open the eyes of His people so they will see that Jesus is truly the Messiah.

Signs Aligning with Scripture

The world stage is aligning with biblical prophecy at an unprecedented pace. Israel is becoming a “heavy stone” to the nations, with global hostility toward the Jewish state increasing. Wars and rumors of wars rage across the globe. Freedoms are being stripped away, replaced by systems of government control that echo Revelation’s warnings about a one-world system regulating commerce.

Other signs Jesus warned of—lawlessness, earthquakes, pestilence, famine and widespread deception—are evident today. The West has largely abandoned its Christian foundation, while Israel remains the central focus of end-times prophecy.

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The Temple Mount, the epicenter of biblical prophecy, has now witnessed both the blowing of silver trumpets in 2024 and the shofar being sounded twice in recent memory. The first took place in secret during Rosh Hashanah 2024 before police intervened. The second, more recent instance, happened openly in daylight without interference.

Israeli leaders such as Itamar Ben-Gvir are voicing strong support for Jewish prayer rights on the Temple Mount. Thousands ascended the mount during Tisha B’Av, while tens of thousands more gathered at the Western Wall to mourn the destruction of the first and second temples. These moments reveal a growing hunger for a renewed temple—a development that would send shockwaves across the globe.

Prophecy in Motion

Skeptics often dismiss Revelation as allegory, but modern history continues to echo biblical prophecy. From Israel’s miraculous rebirth in 1948 to the return of the red heifer for ritual purification, the trajectory is showing that momentum is building toward the restoration of the temple.

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Believers are urged to view these developments through the lens of Scripture, recognizing both the hand of God and the schemes of the enemy. The call is urgent: Do not be deceived about the times in which we live.

A Call to Readiness

Now is the time for Christians to remain steadfast. Believers are called to renew themselves in the Word of God, remain in prayer and fasting, put on the full armor of God and engage in spiritual warfare. Above all, they must boldly share the truth of Jesus Christ.

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The signs are all around us. And one day soon, Christ will return in power and glory.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

The Democratic National Committee is once again drawing outrage after one of its members claimed that the modern political doctrine of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is the very principle upon which the church of Jesus Christ was built.

During the DNC’s annual summer meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, former Tennessee state senator Bill Owen told the Resolutions Committee, “These are American values. This is what America was built on.” He then went further, stating, “And to my Republican friends and fellow citizens who profess to be active Christians, I remind them that DEI is the very foundation of the Christian Church.”

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As reported by The Christian Post, Owen became emotional while defending the resolution, even quoting a children’s Sunday school chorus: “Jesus loves little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white.” The resolution in favor of DEI passed unanimously.

But such statements fly in the face of both history and Scripture. The Christian church was not founded on political ideologies, but on Christ Himself, as the apostle Paul wrote: “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). Jesus declared, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).

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To equate DEI with the cornerstone of the church is to replace Jesus with man-made philosophies, something the Bible strongly warns against.

The DNC has a long track record of distancing itself from biblical truth. In 2012, the party removed all mention of God and Jerusalem from its official platform, prompting boos from delegates when a vote was taken to restore the language. By openly rejecting God and His covenant city, the party aligned itself against His Word. And Scripture makes clear there is no middle ground: “He who is not with Me is against Me” (Matt. 12:30).

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While Owen sought to rebuke conservative Christians for opposing DEI, the Bible teaches that truth is not determined by political resolutions or popular applause. Isaiah 5:20 warns, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness.”

For decades, the DNC has championed policies in direct opposition to God’s design for life, family and morality. To then turn and invoke Jesus’ name to justify their agenda is the very definition of hypocrisy.

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God is not a respecter of politics or parties. He alone sets the standard of righteousness, and His Word does not bend to human ideologies. When a political party consistently positions itself against His ways, any attempt to lecture Christians on what the church should stand for is an insult to both God and His people.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

For those of us watching the Middle East with biblical lenses, the unfolding events are not simply political maneuvers but prophetic signposts. The Bible repeatedly warns that in the last days nations will rage against Israel and turmoil will swirl around Damascus.

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Today, reports from Jerusalem confirm that what the prophets spoke of is lining up before our very eyes.

Turkey’s Rising Influence in Syria

Middle East analyst Jonathan Spire highlighted the troubling role Turkey is playing in shaping the future of Damascus on a special edition of The Watchman Newscast with Erick Stakelbeck. “The victory of Hayatam and Ahmed Ashara in Damascus back in December of last year was, of course, their victory, but it was also the victory of Turkey,” Spire said. He explained that the new regime “owes everything to Turkey,” and with Ankara now pledging to build an airport, military, and police structure, “what you will have is a fully fledged client state of Turkey, a Sunni Islamist client state of the Islamist regime in Ankara down there in Damascus.”

For Israel, the implications are chilling. As Stakelbeck noted, this means “a dangerous thing at Israel’s doorstep. A regime in Turkey that is hostile to the Jewish state for sure.”

Damascus and the Prophetic Pattern

The city of Damascus has always carried spiritual weight in biblical prophecy. The prophet Isaiah declared, “Damascus will cease from being a city” (Isa. 17:1). With Turkey entrenching itself, the specter of Damascus becoming a launching point for hostile Islamist forces against Israel brings that prophecy into sharper focus. Spire warned that despite Western optimism, “this is not the first time that we have had the experience of Sunni Islamists in government … and up until now, we have a 100% rate of complete catastrophe as a result of that.”

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From Egypt’s brief Muslim Brotherhood rule to Hamas in Gaza and ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the pattern has always ended in destruction and violence. Yet, as Spire added, “some people in the West think, ‘No, no, this time it’s all going to be different.’ Well, I have news for them. It generally isn’t going to be all that different.”

Israel’s Vigilance and Iran’s Weakness

Israel, aware of what is taking shape across its northern border, has already mobilized. Stakelbeck explained that Israel “has acted militarily recently, just as recently as July, to prevent Shah’s new Syrian army from coming down there into Suwayda province.” These moves show a determination to keep hostile forces from pressing too close.

At the same time, Iran, long the patron of chaos in the region, has been weakened. “The Iranian regime is in a very low point domestically,” Spire said, citing widespread shortages in water and electricity. Still, he warned that “Iran is determined to begin the long process of rebuilding both its own military capacities and indeed the capacities of its proxies. It wants to get back in the game.”

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A Global Spiritual Picture

Chris Mitchell of CBN News added a sobering reminder about the spiritual battle at the heart of all this. “After Oct. 7th when the world is turning against the Jewish people, the world is turning against Israel, when lies are being told, when deception is really spreading globally … anti-Semitism has just exploded globally. So totally irrational.”

What Scripture prophesied is unfolding, nations aligning, Israel standing alone and the city of Damascus becoming a flashpoint once again.

A Call to Prayer and Readiness

As Christians look at these events, the call is not to fear but to discern and act. Jesus said when these things begin to happen, “look up, for your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). Now is the time to pray for Jerusalem, stand with Israel and prepare our hearts.

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May believers everywhere commit themselves to prayer, discernment and action—becoming true watchmen on the wall, preparing the way of the Lord as the days of fulfillment draw ever closer.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.