In a recent episode of the Encounter Today Podcast hosted by Bishop Alan DiDio, Larry Sparks from Larry Sparks Ministries shed light on the powerful revival that took place at Free Chapel, led by Pastor Jentezen Franklin in Gainesville, Georgia.

The revival, spearheaded by Evangelist Perry Stone, witnessed a profound outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with approximately 3,000 individuals experiencing a transformative baptism in the Spirit.

Amidst the chaos and disunity prevalent in the 21st-century church, Sparks passionately conveyed a call to move beyond superficial expressions of many modern churches, emphasizing a genuine hunger for more of the Holy Spirit. He highlighted an unfortunate trend of what he termed “Pentecostal light” in certain gatherings, where the pursuit of God’s presence is diluted to mere comfort without embracing the dynamic move of the Spirit.

“I’ve been to meetings, where they’re trying to people” Sparks explains. “That was not what was happening [at Free Chapel].”

The surprising backdrop, according to Sparks, for this revival was Free Chapel, a megachurch previously perceived by Sparks as more non-denominational. Witnessing the church’s openness and hunger for the Holy Spirit marked a paradigm shift for him. Stone and Franklin’s leadership encouraged participants to fully embrace the Holy Spirit’s transformative work, shattering preconceived notions of cultural relevance within megachurches.

“Maybe I probably inappropriately judged them, but here I am watching this service, Perry Stone’s up there leading 3,000 people in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Opening the altar, people running up there, literally. …Nobody was discouraging manifestations of the Holy Spirit,” Sparks says.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up-to-date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

As Sparks recounted his personal encounter with the electric presence of the Holy Spirit during the service, he underscored the authenticity and hunger displayed by Free Chapel. Stone’s unapologetic call for manifestations of the Holy Spirit, including praying in tongues, created an atmosphere where believers could experience a profound encounter with God.

The revival at Free Chapel, according to Sparks, carries prophetic significance in the midst of contemporary chaos. He suggested that megachurches across the nation should heed this as a warning, urging leaders to recalibrate priorities away from mere cultural relevance. Sparks emphasized the importance of embracing the Holy Spirit’s dynamic move, advocating for authenticity and biblical truth in fostering genuine spiritual transformations.

“I’m not seeing anybody who has an agenda that they’re trying to put on the Holy Spirit. They’re literally saying ‘Holy Spirit, You dictate our agenda.’ It’s powerful,” says Sparks.

In exploring the prophetic theme of signs of the times, Sparks acknowledged the necessity of balanced teaching on eschatology. He cautioned against extremes and advocated for harmonizing the understanding of end-time events with a continual embrace of the Holy Spirit’s transformative outpouring.

The heart of Sparks’ message lies in the hope that the revival at Free Chapel serves as a catalyst for a renewed emphasis on the authentic, transformative power of the Holy Spirit in churches worldwide. As the church navigates these unprecedented times, the outpouring at Free Chapel stands as a beacon, calling for a revival that transcends cultural norms and seeks a genuine encounter with the living God. {eoa}

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.

In the early 1990s, I attended a dinner in New York City sponsored by a Jerusalem foundation, highlighted by a dialogue between Henry Kissinger and Fouad Ajami, moderated by Dan Rather. (Ajami was a Lebanese-born university professor who often appeared as a talking head on TV as an expert on the Middle East.) At one point in the evening, Prof. Ajami noted that when Saddam Hussein used nerve gas on his own people, the UN said nothing. But when Israel uses tear gas, it draws international rebuke.

It’s the same today, except worse. Much worse.

Israel experiences the most horrific bloodbath in any one day since the Holocaust, with details too sickening to repeat yet again, and who gets blamed? Israel!

In the words of the infamous document signed by 31 student groups at Harvard, “We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.”

But of course. Israel is always to blame. The leadership of the people who were murdered, slaughtered, butchered, incinerated, raped are to blame—not the murderers, the slaughterers, the butchers, the pyromaniacs, the rapists.

Israel drops more than one million leaflets throughout Gaza City, urging the civilians to flee to the south. Israel makes tens of thousands of phone calls—yes, calls to individuals on their phones—as well as sends out tens of thousands of text messages, saying, “We’re going to bomb your neighborhood. Please get out so you can be safe.”

Hamas, in contrast, urges their people to stay, blocks them from leaving, putting up roadblocks to stop them and allegedly confiscating car keys and shooting their own people dead. Hamas leadership even makes clear that they welcome the death of their own people.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up-to-date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

In short, Israel seeks to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza while Hamas seeks to maximize civilian casualties there, but Israel is guilty.

Yet Israel is to blame.

As expressed by Brendan O’Neill on the Spiked website, “So let me get this right. If Israel bombs Hamas targets in Gaza, it is recklessly endangering civilian life. But if it gives civilians fair warning to move away from certain areas, it is engaging in ethnic cleansing. If it drops bombs in built-up suburbs, it is committing a war crime. But if it advises civilians to leave those built-up suburbs before the bombs come, it is also committing a war crime. If it attacks northern Gaza, that’s genocide. Yet when it tells the civilians of northern Gaza to leave first, that’s ‘forced transfer’, which is to say: genocide.

“Everything Israel does is a war crime. Everything. Killing civilians—war crime. Trying not to kill civilians—war crime. Bombing populated areas—war crime. Giving a population time to leave before dropping bombs—war crime. The surrealism of these screams of ‘genocide!’ every time an Israeli soldier so much as picks up his gun was brought home by two headlines in the Independent last week, published just 10 hours apart. Israel is engaged in ‘collective punishment in Gaza’, claimed the first. ‘Israel accused of “trying to ethnically cleanse Gaza Strip” as one million ordered to evacuate’, said the second.”

But of course. Israel is always to blame.

That’s because the spirit that animates the demonizing of Israel is the same spirit that animates Jew-hatred in general.

Jews are hated for being rich and for being poor.

Jews are hated for being powerful (they’re trying to take over the world) and for being weak (those miserable, wretched Jews).

Jews are hated for being religious (they think they’re better than us) and for being secular (they’re trying to fit in as if they were just like us).

Jew are hated by Communists and by Fascists.

Jews are hated when they are victims and when they are victors.

Jews are hated for not fighting back (why did they go as sheep to the slaughter under the Nazis?) and for fighting back (they’re guilty of ethnic cleansing and genocide).

Jews are hated when they are in exile (there’s a reason they’ve been expelled from so many countries) and when they’re in their homeland (they are evil occupiers who don’t belong there).

Jews are hated by Black supremacists and White supremacists.

And Jew-hatred has a strong tradition in both Christianity and Islam.

It’s always those dirty Jews/Zionists.

And lest you think this is just a matter of rhetoric – a matter of mere words – consider this.

On Nov. 4, I wrote an article titled, “Wake Up World Before Jewish Blood is Shed In Your Country.”

One day later, on the very day the article was posted, Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old, Jewish, pro-Israel protester was struck on the head by a pro-Palestinian protester. He died as a result of his injuries. It only took one day.

That is why I will not be silent at such a critical time in Jewish history, not to mention world history.

What about you?

Will you use equal weights and measures, or will you go along with the spirit of the age?

By all means, Israel can be criticized along many lines, and true friends of Israel are more than happy to share their comments, their criticisms, and their concerns.

But this unequal, unfair, unethical demonizing of Israel and the Jewish people must be confronted and exposed, especially when the nation faces yet another existential threat.

Which side are you on? {eoa}

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

In a clip heard ’round the western Christian world, Andy Stanley seemed to suggest in 2018 that believers ought to “unhitch” themselves from the Old Testament. While the megachurch preacher later claimed the widely condemned statement was stripped of its context, the criticism—and subsequent conversation—was already unfolding in Christian communities around the country.

Egyptian-born theologian and Christian author Dr. Michael Youssef, pastor of the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta and the executive president of Leading the Way, recently spoke with CBN Digital about the necessity of the Old Testament, offering a warning to believers in the West, many of whom, he asserted, suffer from serious “biblical illiteracy.”

To make his case, Youssef referenced the American Bible Society’s latest State of the Bible survey, which revealed a mere 9% of Americans read their Bibles on a daily basis. Only a quarter of respondents said they open the Scriptures each week. Thirty-eight percent said they never use their Bibles.

That same study found a stunning 26 million Americans stopped turning to Scripture regularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when routines and norms were profoundly upended.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up-to-date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

“This is grieving to me,” said Youssef. “And we are surprised at what’s happening in our culture and our society? Are we surprised when we have neglected the measuring stick? … In fact, when they were forming the [biblical] canon — the word ‘canon’ actually is an Arabic word, believe it or not, and it comes from the [phrase] ‘measuring stick.’ … How do we know what is right and what is wrong and what is deceptive and what is false and what is right and what’s truth, unless we have that measuring stick?”

The preacher, author of the new book “How to Read the Bible (As If Your Life Depends on It),” briefly addressed statements Stanley made about the Old Testament and its importance to the Christian faith.

Youssef likened the Old Testament to the foundation of a building—a necessity for any sound structure.

“Get ‘unhitched’ from the Old Testament?” he asked. “This would be like saying, ‘I love this big, beautiful, tall building, but the foundation is not really necessary. Let’s get rid of it.’ You get rid of the foundation, the building will not stand for very long. And I often say if you understand the Bible … if you understand the unity of that book, it is one book—not two books.”

“I often liken it to a house,” the author continued. “The Old Testament is that house—the foundation and the walls—but it’s lacking a roof. The New Testament is that roof. And therefore, together, you have one building, one house. Or like a play that has two acts, act one and act two. One without the other does not really make a lot of sense.”

The books of the Old Testament, Youssef instructed, constantly declare “Christ is coming,” which comes to fruition in the pages of the New Testament, written after Jesus’ resurrection. {eoa}

To read the full article, visit our content partners at CBN News.

Reprinted with permission from . Copyright © 2023 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

Christian congregations and Jewish synagogues across the United States will form a historic prayer partnership during the weekend of Nov. 17-19 for a crucial cause that affects the entire world. The two communities will come together to cry out to God on behalf of Israel and approximately 240 hostages that continue to be held by the terrorist group Hamas.

The efforts are spearheaded by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s USA branch. The ICEJ labels this weekend of prayer for Zion’s sake and will be an “unprecedented moment in history to stand with the Jewish people in support of Israel and the hostages.

“The ICEJ is mobilizing the American Christian Leaders for Israel network of some 3,000 leaders to promote the weekend of prayer for Israel to their churches and networks,” ICEJ USA Director Dr. Susan Michael says.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up-to-date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

“We’re calling on churches around the world to stand with and for our Jewish friends in prayer according to Isaiah 62:1, which says: ‘For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace,'” Michael says. “It is our hope that a weekend of concentrated prayer in unity with the Jewish community will bring about a breakthrough in Israel’s situation and the release of the hostages.”

The ICEJ is asking churches to lead a time of prayer for Israel and the release of the hostages during their regularly scheduled services that weekend.

Pastors and Christian leaders are also being encouraged to phone their local synagogues and let them know they and their church members are praying for Israel and the release of the hostages that weekend.

“It’s more critical than ever that the Christian community shows our support of the Jewish community,” Michael says “Our Jewish friends must see and hear us.” {eoa}

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

Dr. Susan M. Michael is the USA Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and director of the American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI) network. Every Generation’s Story: 75 Years of American Christian Engagement with Israel is available on Amazon, Embassy Publishers and many independent booksellers. The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) was established in 1980 in recognition of the biblical significance of all of Jerusalem and its unique connection with the Jewish people. Today, it represents millions of Christians, churches and denominations to the nation and people of Israel.

Sometimes people in the church will surprise you, and that’s exactly what Jay Cooper, pastor of the LGBTQ-affirming Violet Crown City Church in Austin, Texas, appears to be doing.

While many might think Cooper might agree with the use of an artificial intelligence-generated worship service to be a good thing—perhaps to distort the Word of God and its true meaning to fit their social agenda—Cooper’s decision to introduce an AI-generated service has drawn criticism from his congregation and deems it “uninspiring.”

The incident reflects a broader sentiment among Christians who question the efficacy of AI in meeting the spiritual needs of a diverse and dynamic community.

“The idea to create an admittedly unorthodox AI-generated worship service came from my belief that the church should not only be aware of the most pressing issues of our world, but also to actively engage in them,” Cooper told the Christian Post. “In short, it was boring.”

Cooper explained that even though ChatGPT did not “generate anything overtly heretical,” it’s not a “thinking sentient being,” he told CP.

“It is a program that we have created and it’s doing what we’ve programmed it to do,” Cooper said. “Therefore, in many ways, what it generates is a reflection of who we are, meaning it’s often wrong, misguided, prejudiced and broken.”

However, a recent survey by Barna exposes a significant divide among Christians regarding the compatibility of AI with the sacred space of the church. The majority of respondents express skepticism, challenging the idea that AI can enhance the spiritual experience, which many churchgoing people claim.

As pastors experiment with AI-generated sermons, Barna’s survey reveals a discord within church leadership. Conflicting perspectives on the role of AI in religious practices emerge, sparking debates on the appropriateness of integrating technology into the sacred realm.

Barna’s survey exposes a fundamental disconnect between Christians and AI-generated content in the church. The findings suggest that believers prioritize a genuine, spiritually resonant experience over technologically mediated sermons, pointing to concerns about the depth and authenticity of AI-generated worship.

The Barna survey not only reveals skepticism, but also raises ethical and moral concerns within the church regarding the integration of AI. Congregations grapple with questions about the implications of relying on technology for spiritual guidance, prompting a broader conversation on the intersection of faith and innovation.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up-to-date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

The survey, conducted online in collaboration with Gloo and encompassing 1,500 U.S. adults from July 28 to Aug. 7, paints a nuanced picture of Christian attitudes toward AI. A majority, 51%, disagreed with the statement, “AI is good for the Christian church.”

Of this, 30% strongly disagreed, and 21% somewhat disagreed. Only a mere 6% strongly agreed, while 16% somewhat agreed. The remaining 27% admitted to being uncertain about the role of AI in the church.

Interestingly, the general public’s familiarity with AI seems to be a factor influencing these opinions. A majority of U.S. adults surveyed were still in the process of getting acquainted with AI, with only 10% claiming to use it often for work or personal business. Skepticism prevailed, with 29% expressing outright distrust, 35% displaying curiosity and 21% expressing fascination about AI.

A previous survey by Gloo earlier in the year examined the perspectives of ministry leaders on AI and the church. While 63% of leaders felt comfortable with their understanding of AI, 28% admitted to being only slightly or not knowledgeable at all. A mere 9% considered themselves very knowledgeable. Additionally, 62% of leaders confessed to rarely or never using AI in their work, indicating a gap between knowledge and practical application within church leadership.

Savannah Kimberlin, associate vice president at Barna Group, commented on the survey, noting the split opinions among church leaders. A substantial 43% admitted feeling uncomfortable or anxious about AI in churches, and 25% even suggested that the church should resist or condemn its use. On the flip side, 33% expressed enthusiasm, believing that AI could improve efficiency and effectiveness.

“The data reveals that church leaders are quite split in their opinion on the role of AI in the church and how they are ready the terrain,” Kimberlin says.

“Forty-three percent of respondents admitted to feeling uncomfortable or anxious about AI being used in churches, and one in four went so far as to say the church should resist or condemn the use of AI,” Kimberlin says. “However, one in three enthusiastically shared they believe AI will improve their efficiency or effectiveness. Stats like these show that the time is right to come together and have meaningful conversations on the topic.”

As the Barna survey and Cooper’s experiment stir conversations within religious communities, the church finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the potential benefits and pitfalls of integrating AI into its sacred practices. {eoa}

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

Shawn A. Akers is the online editor at Charisma Media.

In a recent interview with Charisma News, Pastor Brian Gibson shared the electrifying accounts of ongoing revivals at his church’s campuses filled with testimonies of supernatural encounters. The intensity of the events left Pastor Gibson, and those involved, in awe of the power of God.

“I’ve done like, two solid weeks of preaching right now every night. Right. But it’s been, it’s been great,” Pastor Gibson shared, capturing the exhilaration of the revivals taking place. What started as scheduled conferences in Kentucky and Texas quickly turned into something extraordinary—a manifestation of the Holy Spirit that is transcending expectations.

The Texas revival, in particular, took an unexpected turn when Pastor Gibson and others sensed a powerful presence in the room. Describing the experience cautiously, Pastor Gibson shared, “I physically felt something touch me on my head. And I opened up my eyes and there’s nothing there.” This encounter, echoed by others present, marked the beginning of a series of miraculous events.

Miracles unfolded as the power and anointing of God permeated the atmosphere. Healings occurred, ranging from a blocked aorta miraculously opening to individuals finding relief from physical ailments. The divine touch was evident, sparking excitement and drawing crowds even before any big names were associated with the revival.

Pastor Gibson emphasized the need for a revival in America, recognizing that no political remedy could address the nation’s deep-rooted issues. “The only thing that can help this nation is an awakening,” he asserted. The revivals, according to him, are not just about saving a nation but about transforming lives through a renewed passion for Jesus.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up-to-date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

Sharing a poignant moment from the revival, Pastor Gibson recounted a night when, instead of a guest speaker, Jesus Himself took the spotlight. “Can I be your special guest tonight?” Jesus asked, leading to a night where the focus remained solely on the Savior. The absence of a renowned guest allowed attendees to experience the profound simplicity of encountering Jesus.

The themes preached during the revival centered on believing God for bigger things, the controversy between the Jews and Palestine and the return of false gods in contemporary culture. The revival aimed to keep Jesus at the forefront, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is not just the manifestation of spiritual gifts but a genuine connection with the giver of those gifts.

However, the supernatural encounters extended beyond the church services, reaching into the streets of Owensboro, Kentucky. Pastor Gibson described a surge in demonic activity, manifesting as people oppressed or possessed by evil spirits. The battle against occult practices, coupled with the influx of drugs, brought the spiritual warfare to a new level.

As the revivals continue, the church grapples with unprecedented challenges and opportunities to minister to those in need. The stories of deliverance and transformation underscore the profound impact of these revivals, serving as a beacon of hope in a world yearning for a move of the Holy Spirit.

In the midst of the extraordinary, Pastor Gibson remains committed to his conviction: “We didn’t come for the gift; we came for the One that gives the gift.” The ongoing revivals, with their miraculous events and encounters, stand as a testament to the transformative power of a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ. {eoa}

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.

In her final professional soccer match, left-wing activist Megan Rapinoe suffered a devastating injury.

Telling the media after the game that she believes she tore her Achilles tendon, Rapinoe used the opportunity to declare that this situation proved without a doubt there was no God.

“I’m going to get the Aaron Rodgers treatment, whatever that is. So, I’ll be calling him or whoever did his surgery because we could speed it up. But, yeah. I thought about it a little bit. I mean, you know, I’m not a religious person or anything. And if there was a God, like, this is proof that there isn’t,” Rapinoe says.

It appears by Rapinoe’s reaction, that she only deserves good things in life and when things do not go as she wants then it must mean there is no God.

Rapinoe has gained international fame for her time on the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, kneeling during the national anthem, promoting transgender surgeries and drugs on children and advocating for men to play in women’s sports.

She previously made headlines for telling the world what she did deserve when winning the Women’s World Cup and hoisting the trophy yelling, “I deserve this” to those watching.

Severe narcissism aside, Rapinoe’s remarks are something Christians need to take note of and respond accordingly. There is a culture war that has been taking place for decades, yet Christians still sit on the sidelines like bumps on a log and do nothing to fight for godly principles or morals. Some have certainly become professionals at complaining about it, but that is not what the Bible commands followers of Jesus Christ to do.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up-to-date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

Paul exhorts Christians to take part in spiritual warfare and to engage the culture of the day, just like he did and just like Jesus Christ and John the Baptist before him.

For every Rapinoe, there needs to be a Tim Tebow, who continued being a force for good even after his NFL career was cut short. He did not blame God or declare, “There is no God because things didn’t go my way.” Instead, he allowed the Lord to take what the enemy meant for evil, and turned it for good.

As many have been waking up to the decline of Western society across the world, there are those in the sports world who are using their fame and celebrity to acknowledge and praise the one true God in heaven, pushing back against the satanic agenda corrupting culture today.

Outspoken Christian athletes such as Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Major League Baseball pitcher Michael Lorenzen and many others are glorifying God for their performances while standing up to events such as Pride night.

Perhaps a coincidence or divine blessing, but the one Major League Baseball team that did not celebrate Pride night, the Texas Rangers, just went on to win their first World Series championship.

The thing is, for every victory Christians make in culture, the enemy will double down on his attempts to corrupt it even further. For too long American Christianity has been “comfortable” and that is something that must change.

People are getting uncomfortable with the evil, demonic practices growing in the world, and they should be. Hopefully it will spur them into action and start praying, fasting, engaging in culture and taking responsibility for their role in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ as the world’s only Lord and Savior in response to the Great Commission He gave to all His followers.

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.

Derek Prince, considered the finest Bible teacher of the 20th century, was used by God in a catalytic way to help launch a ministry that has impacted tens of millions of lives. That ministry just celebrated its 50th anniversary in Washington DC.

As a board member almost from its inception, I count it a distinct honor to be a part of this God-ordained ministry.

Eric Metaxas, Dutch Sheets, Michelle Bachman, Richard Blackaby, Rachel Lotz Wright (Billy Graham’s granddaughter) joined with intercessory prayer leaders from across the United States of America for this gala event.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up-to-date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

Take 10 to invest in listening and watching so you receive part of the impartation, as well as respond to a challenge God is giving us today for a threefold solidarity pledge, even as they did in the Declaration of Independence, and in Nehemiah 10.

We’re living in a time of dramatic developments and prayer must be central like never before! Watch. {eoa}

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

The Stunning Bible Connection Between The Overturning of Abortion, COVID, and Revival in America

Could an act performed in a middle eastern desert three thousand years ago provide the key to a modern phenomenon that changed our lives?

Could a Scripture that appeared to Jonathan Cahn while waiting for a plane at an airport provide the missing key to the fate of a plague?

Could the righteous action of an ancient biblical priest be mirrored in modern times by a Supreme Court Justice, and bring about profound change in American policy?

The amazing answers to these questions and more are addressed in Jonathan Cahn’s new blockbuster bestseller The Josiah Manifesto published by Frontline Charisma Media.

“This book opens up the stunning mysteries that lie behind the events that are unfolding right now,” Cahn says. “And it gives the key to unlocking the answer, how to stand and prevail in this hour, and in light of what is yet to come. It’s a guide for the end times.”

A MYSTERY VERSE APPEARS

The mystery began when Cahn heard the news of the overturning of Roe v Wade in an airport in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“As I passed through security to the gate, I pondered the news,” he recalls. “Though it had been expected for over a month, it was still stunning. As I waited for my flight, I took out my cell phone and pressed the power button and Psalm 106:35 appeared on the screen.”

But they got involved with the nations and learned their practices, and served their idols, which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, and shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and their daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. And the land was defiled with the blood.

“It took me a moment to realize how the verse had gotten onto my phone. It was because of a web search I had done while writing The Return of the Gods,” Cahn says. “Still, why it appeared at that moment remained a mystery.”

The verse was an indictment of a nation that had abandoned God and was sacrificing their sons and daughters on the altars of the gods. It spoke of ancient Israel, but the words now stood as an indictment against America. “The fact that it had appeared just then on my cell phone right after hearing the news was all the more striking.”

PHINEHAS AND THE PLAGUE

“As I scrolled up to see the context of the words, I came upon another passage recounting Israel’s embrace of other gods,” says Cahn.

They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices made to the dead. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds, and the plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stopped. (Psalm 106:28-30)

“Baal of Peor was connected to child sacrifice. They turned away from God to worship a god of child sacrifice, and a plague broke out among them. I thought of COVID, the plague that had come upon America.”

Cahn points out that Phinehas was a priest at the time of the Exodus, a man zealous for the ways of God. “As the result of his nation’s apostasy, a plague broke out among the Israelites,” says Cahn. “Phinehas intervened to stop the apostasy and because of his act of righteousness, the plague was lifted.”

IN AMERICA

On Friday morning, June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson — the ruling that not only upheld the Mississippi law banning abortion after fifteen weeks, but overturned Roe v. Wade, the ruling that had made abortion on demand the law of the land.

“In that ruling, the majority of Supreme Court justices were likewise seeking to turn back the nation’s sin,” says Cahn. “Their act — like that of Phinehas — was a righteous one and would likewise lead to the saving of life.

“As the words of a nation’s apostasy—of child sacrifice, the coming of a plague, an act of righteousness, and the lifting of the plague—appeared on my cell phone that morning, I wondered if the court’s decision could be linked to a subsiding of the plague that had overtaken America. It would seem to follow that if abortion was rolled back, so too might be the plague.”

ALITO’S PAPER

In January of 2022, COVID was beginning its third year, as potent and as deadly as ever. By the end of the month, the weekly death toll had almost doubled what it had been at the start, and there was no end in sight.

“The Supreme Court heard the case of Dobbs v. Jackson on December 1, 2021,” Cahn recalls. “The man entrusted with the task of writing the majority opinion and ruling by which Roe v. Wade would be struck down was Justice Samuel Alito. It is standard procedure that once a paper is finished, it is circulated in confidence among the Supreme Court justices.”

Alito had been working on the paper throughout the month of January 2022—the same month in which the plague’s impact was raging across America. “The paper was completed in the early days of February and circulated on February 10. It was the first appearance of the opinion and ruling that would bring Roe v. Wade to an end.”

THE QUESTION

So Cahn asks the question: If the Supreme Court ruling in the form of Judge Alito’s paper represented the turning back of a nation’s sin, could it also—as did Phinehas’ intervention — lead to the plague’s subsiding? Was there any sign of a change, a turning? Was there any subsiding of the plague?

There was. And the change would be sudden and dramatic. “In January of 2022, the plague’s infection rate was higher than it had ever been since first entering the nation,” recalls Cahn. “And then something happened.”

A dramatic and sudden change took place. “The numbers of those struck by the plague suddenly began to plunge,” says Cahn. “Every week saw another dramatic decrease in COVID cases. The descent was so dramatic that by the first half of February, the time when Alito’s paper was finished and then circulated in the Supreme Court, the plague’s infection rate had plunged to almost one-eighth of what it had been in January.”

The plague had subsided.

“And it was more than that,” says Cahn. “Not only had the rate of infections dramatically plunged, but it would continue to plunge through the spring, into the summer when the Supreme Court decision was announced, into the autumn and winter, and into the following year. It represented the plague’s most pronounced, substantial, and sustained subsiding since entering the country in January 2020. It was unprecedented.”

GOD HAS HEARD

Judge Alito had been the American Phinehas. “Alito sought to roll back the sin and, by so doing, rolled back the plague,” says Cahn. “The decision he drafted represented the answer to the prayers of fifty years. The answer would bear his name—his name was foremost in the ruling. His name, Samuel, is Hebrew and comes from the Bible. Samuel means God has heard.” {eoa}

Jonathan Cahn is known as a prophetic voice to our times. He leads Hope of the World ministry and Beth Israel/the Jerusalem Center, his ministry base and worship center in Wayne, New Jersey. He is a much-sought-after speaker and appears throughout America and the world. For more information go to

In the glittering world of entertainment, where fame often overshadows faith, Pentatonix members Matt Sallee and Kevin Olusola stand out as devout Christians with a distinct mission.

Despite their international acclaim and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, they shun the title of celebrities, viewing themselves as “Daniels” on a mission to illuminate the darkest corners of mainstream culture.

For Olusola, the beatboxer and vocalist of the Grammy Award-winning group, being a “Daniel” means infiltrating culture while staying true to the one true God, a principle drawn from the biblical narrative. The goal, as he puts it, is to be a light in culture, showcasing the beauty, joy and relevance of the gospel in a way that dismantles the stigma surrounding it.

“We want people to see that the gospel can be relatable to their lives, whatever they’re going through,” Olusola expressed to The Christian Post.

Pentatonix’s musical journey is more than a climb to stardom; it’s a mission to express and share their faith. While not exclusively a Christian group, the group’s versions of songs such as “Mary, Did You Know?” and “Amazing Grace” convey a spiritual depth that transcends mere entertainment. Olusola emphasizes the unique power of music as a God-given medium, reaching hearts in ways other forms cannot.

Get your FREE CHARISMA NEWSLETTERS today! Stay up to date with current issues, Holy Spirit news, Christian teachings, Charisma videos & more!

“Music was created by the Creator,” he explains. “So, when you align to the Creator and how He’s purposely using it, then you get the true strength of what it’s called to be.” Both Olusola and Sallee believe that, though audiences may not see Jesus physically on stage, they hope people His presence through their music.

Navigating the complexities of an increasingly dark culture isn’t without its challenges. Both artists credit their upbringing for instilling the habits and teachings that anchor them in their spiritual journey. They recognize the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit and seeking guidance from fellow believers to maintain their purpose amidst the demands of touring.

Sallee, who joined Pentatonix in 2017, said, “It’s all about trusting the Holy Spirit … and yourself just to know that God’s called you in your purpose.”

Olusola emphasized the sense of being sent by God, stating, “I feel like when I’m sent, then the only way I can do this is through being aligned to Christ because it wasn’t mine to begin with.”

Looking ahead, the bandmates remain committed to aligning their talents with Christ’s will. Olusola emphasized that if their work is tainted by selfish motives, it undermines the purpose for which God sent them. Their goal is clear: to continuously align with Jesus so that His will for their musical journey is fulfilled.

In a world where celebrity often overshadows conviction, these Pentatonix artists remains steadfast in their mission to be Daniels in the spotlight, bringing light and faith to the forefront of mainstream culture. {eoa}

Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.