Prophecy Letters
"Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Matt. 13:16-17
The Prophecy Letter is a circular letter that we send out relating to the development of latter-day prophecy.
March 2023
An Array of Signs!
TGP Prophecy Letter – March 31, 2023
Today’s update will cover more topics with less depth than usual. Our dear Brother Myles has been out for a number of days, and I know that many are missing his Daily World Watch (myself being one of them!). To help keep the brethren informed on the number of topics which Brother Myles so faithfully does, I wanted to incorporate a variety of news items. Let the reader first consider each of them in their own light and then view all of them as a snapshot of the world today. For those without the Hope of Israel, it is certainly a dire picture. But to the elect who have availed themselves of the Lord’s salvation, what cause for joy!
All-Around Trouble for Israel
The Lord’s chosen nation is experiencing trouble in multiple ways, and Netanyahu’s judicial reforms have pushed it all to the next gear. The reforms have highlighted the sharpness of divide between conservatives and liberals:
Netanyahu announces halt to judicial reform to 'prevent civil war' – World Israel News
Will Israel’s new left-wing militia face off against Ben Gvir's National guard? – World Israel News
Is Israel heading towards civil war? – All Israel News
Here are some other developments in and around the region showing the escalating situation in the Middle East between Israel and her Arab enemies:
Israel Shoots Down Hamas UAV over Gaza Strip – United with Israel
Jordanian parliament hangs map showing Israel as part of Jordan – Israel National News
UAE, Jordan consider reducing diplomacy with Israel – The Jerusalem Post
Syria claims WWIII underway; Israel to engage all sectors amid Iran’s meddling – TV7 Israel News
Israel is becoming isolated on the world stage – The Jerusalem Post
Will Netanyahu torpedo national reconciliation? – The Jerusalem Post
The picture is clear: Israel is becoming more and more isolated just as the Scriptures describe (Isaiah 63:3-5). Many of the Arab nations who were considering forging real ties with Israel are beginning to back off, and the bitterness between Israel and her enemies continues to intensify.
Interestingly, most of these issues have sprung from the new Netanyahu government! Bibi’s choice of government ministers is widening the fractures which have existed for decades.
While the issues are old, they are so troublesome today because Israel’s new government finally has the right-wing majority to put their policies into action; policies which are unpopular with the world. The new government officials are right-wing, religious party members. They believe that certain conservative policies are critical to Israel’s success, and they are willing to face the inevitable condemnation that will follow from the world should they pursue those policies. With a majority in the government, they are able to take risks that other administrations were not able to take.
In light of these things, we can be absolutely certain that this is of the Lord! It is the God of Heaven who has put this Israeli government in place, and my belief is that this was done to catalyze the trouble in the region in further preparation for the return of our Messiah. It seems to be speeding up an impending war!
Iran and the Bomb
We also have the issue of Iran. Here are a few headlines on the subject from recent days and weeks:
Israel could strike Iran in three months, retired Israeli general says – World Israel News
Former US generals urge Biden Admin to arm Israel heavily against Iran – World Israel News
Jews Against Christ
There was terrible irony in one of the laws recently proposed by two of Israel’s Knesset members. The law proposed to outlaw the preaching of the Gospel in Israel! Anyone who preached Christ or the saving Truth were liable to prison time. Double punishment would be in store if any the potential converts were under 18 years old. (All Israel News)
Thankfully, Netanyahu shot the legislation down. Knowing how important Christian support of Israel is, he declared, “We will not advance any law against the Christian community” (All Israel News). Although the legislation was killed, its anti-Jesus sentiment carries on in some members of the government. It reminds one of Christ’s condemnation of the Jews of his day:
Matthew 23:29-31 – Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, (30) And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. (31) Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
By attempting to outlaw the Gospel, these particular Jews prove that they are indeed the descendants of those who crucified their Messiah. They esteemed him as an enemy then, and they still do today. Yet the day will come when their disposition toward the Son of God will completely reverse, for they will not only be forced to cry unto him for salvation from her enemies (Psalm 83:9-18), but their disdain for his truth will give way to elation and gratitude:
Psalm 97:8 – Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
The US Against Israel
The following headlines present a fairly comprehensive picture of US-Israel relations:
Biden Administration Pushing Arabs Towards Iran – Prophecy News Watch
Biden: Israel can’t go on this way, Netanyahu not invited to White House – The Jerusalem Post
Just yesterday, we saw the first sign that there might be a thaw in these relations (The Times of Israel), but this seems superficial, and unless Netanyahu officially decides to abandon his judicial reforms, the rift will remain.
The Latest on Putin’s War
The war in Ukraine drags on. There have not been any earth-shattering developments as of late, but it would be foolish to ignore the topic on this reasoning. The command to “Watch” entails a persistent eye, particularly when things appear to be unsubstantial (Mark 13:37).
Putin ramps up Russian navy with five new submarines including nuclear vessels – Express
NATO considering deployment of up to 300,000 troops on border with Russia – Yahoo! News
Poland may end up ‘joining’ Ukraine conflict – RT World News
Vladimir Putin becoming 'more toxic' as search for his successor is 'already underway' – MSN
A nuclear war with the US is more likely than ever, Russia warns – The Jerusalem Post
Vladimir Putin’s dismal fate is increasingly plain for all to see – Telegraph
Ukraine prepares for counterattack as Putin makes nuclear threats – Al Jazeera
Anti-Bible Sentiments Abound
The last item of today deserves our direct attention as the world plummets deeper and deeper into moral mire. We must address the growing hostility to the Lord’s teaching on sexuality and “identity”, for the world is voraciously devouring any who hold to the Scriptural teaching on the subject. As the world intensifies its godless stance, so must we fortify our own in the Truth. To His praise, God has given us clear, unequivocal commandments on the subject to show us His position.
Regarding the subject of “sexual identity” and whether one has a choice in their gender, hear the Scriptures:
Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Deuteronomy 22:5 – The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
God created man and woman as man and women, and cross-dressing or imitating the other gender in any way was and is strictly prohibited.
As to “sexual preference” and whether the Lord approves of homosexuality or anything alike, consider the following passages:
Leviticus 18:22, 26, 29-30 – Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. (26) Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (29) For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. (30) Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 20:13 – If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
For more, see 1 Timothy 1:9-10, Romans 1:22-32, and Matthew 5:17 (regarding Christ’s position on the principles in the Law of Moses).
The Scriptures are abundantly clear. A man is a man and a woman is a woman, and intimate relationships must only exist between one man and one woman. Anything else is clearly defined as “abomination” in the Lord’s eyes and will unquestionably result in rejection at the judgement seat, for they “shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.
It is essential that believers, particularly the young people, are well-versed on this subject, for the chances of us being called upon to “give an answer” for our convictions grows with every day (1 Peter 3:15). Christians everywhere are being persecuted for holding to these Biblical principles, and it only takes the slightest word to bring a tidal wave of criticism. Here’s just one recent example:
Bible College Fires Theologian For Tweet Defending Biblical Sexuality – Prophecy News Watch
Concluding Thoughts
How many signs of trouble are present in these days! Yet this is precisely what the Scriptures said would occur before the Lord reappears to gather his household.
Dearest Brethren, please, please think deeply upon these things! Do we get tired of hearing about prophecy in the news? Do we grow numb to these events? Do we grow weary of the volumes which Brethren are writing on these items? “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares” (Luke 21:34).
The signs have a message for us all: the Lord is returning soon!
If you are in the midst of a fiery trial, let these signs remind you that those trials are for a Divinely orchestrated purpose and that the end is near. “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
If you are enjoying a time of peace and abundance, let these signs act as a reminder to “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3). Remember the parable of the rich man who used all of his energy to store up the abundance of his goods for future days, all only to have his life required of him (Luke 12:16-21). This life is fleeting, and that the comfort which so many of us presently enjoy might well give way to trouble and persecution in the days ahead to test and try the Lord’s elect.
But the end of all of these troubles is nigh, and we can plant our feet firmly in the knowledge that the Lord has a set time in which Christ will return. That day is fixed, and no effort by man can either delay or expedite it. “He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained” (Acts 17:31).
James 5:7-8 – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
The Ishmaelites Warm Up to Iran – Division in Israel
TGP Prophecy Letter – March 12, 2023
The Ishmaelites Warm Up to Iran
Psalms 83:4-8 – They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. (5) For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: (6) The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; (7) Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; (8) Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
Of all the nations mentioned in this crucial prophecy, we tend to talk about the Ishmaelites the least. But current events are changing this, and if we have not in the past, we should now focus attention on them. Who are the Ishmaelites? The map below illustrates the location of the Psalm 83 nations at the time the Psalm was written: approximately 1000 BC:
The Ishmaelites inhabited the land directly south of Edom, and the only present-day counterpart to this is Saudi Arabia. Different maps show slight variations in the extent of Ishmael’s borders at the time of the Psalm, but most show them to inhabit the vast majority of the Arabian Peninsula, just like Saudi Arabia does today.
The reason we mention this now relates to a pivot in Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy. For the past few years, the Saudis have cozied up to Israel on the basis of sharing a common enemy: the Islamic Republic of Iran. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were officially severed in 2016, and intense bitterness ensued. Over the next few years, Iran supported Houthi (Hooth-ee) rebels against the Saudis and even carried out strikes within their borders.
Netanyahu took advantage of these hostilities and began courting the Saudis in the hopes of creating a regional alliance against their Iranian enemy. Bibi hoped that by bringing Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords, Israel would be have a buffer zone of allies. For months on end, articles tracked the positive progress of their relations, showing the two nations to inch closer and closer to a full alliance. But just a few days ago, things have taken a sharp turn in reverse.
On March 10th, Israel National News announced that Saudi Arabia had agreed to restore diplomatic ties with Iran. The article states that “The two countries will reopen their embassies in Riyadh and Tehran within 60 days, Iranian media reported, claiming that the deal was reached during a recent meeting in China.”
This restoration of ties represents a terrible setback for Israel:
Saudi-Iran deal destroys Israel’s defense wall against Iran, Yair Lapid says – The Jerusalem Post
Iran-Saudi deal to restore ties seen as diplomatic blow in Israel – World Israel News
We might wonder, why are the Saudis warming back up to Iran if they are enemies? If we keep in mind that nations strictly act in accordance with their own interests, I think a plausible answer is readily perceived.
It’s no coincidence that Saudi Arabia’s policy change occurred on the heels of Iran reaching the nuclear threshold. Consider it from Saudi Arabia’s perspective, which I believe reasons thus:
“Our goal is to evade Iranian aggression. One way to do this is to align ourselves with Iran’s most formidable and capable enemy – Israel – and enhance our security that way. The other option is to take the opposite route and align ourselves with Iran, therefore evading their aggression.”
For the past few years, it seems the Saudis were going along with the first way of thinking as Israel obviously held the best hand of cards. But Iran’s nuclear progress has changed the situation, and I believe it has caused the Saudis to reconsider their actions and ponder whether the safer route is to distance themselves from Israel and draw nigh to Iran. So far, such seems to be the case.
Should we be surprised at this? Of course not! With the Word of God at our disposal, we have been waiting for something of this sort to occur. If the Ishmaelites are to be a part of the confederacy that fights against Israel, it’s obvious that they aren’t allies when the prophecy will be fulfilled.
Events like these of recent days show us the priceless value of prophecy and how heavily we can lean upon it. Had we told someone that Saudi Arabia would be among the nations to unify against Israel, they would likely cry us down as a detached fool: “Don’t you pay any attention to the news? Can’t you see that they are forging ties with Israel?” Yet, we know God’s decrees and the certainty of them, and we therefore understand future events not simply by present circumstances, but by what is revealed in the Word.
The Scriptures Ring True – Another Example
A striking example of just how quickly Saudi Arabia can turn on Israel can be seen with Iran. It’s difficult to imagine today, but from the 1940s to the mid-1970s, Iran was one of Israel’s greatest allies. Ruling Iran at the time was a man named Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, known as the “Shah”, or King, of Iran. Pahlavi was one of Israel’s few Islamic allies at the time. The Mossad, the Israeli Secret Service, relied heavily on them for intel regarding planned terror attacks from Israel’s Arab neighbors. The Shah was even close with the United States.
All of this posed an apparent problem to prophecy students. Ezekiel 38 clearly shows that Persia (Iran) is one of the nations who accompanies Gog in his descent to Israel. But the Shah was a great friend of Israel! How could they come against them?
Students of the Word, however, knew that their relations would have to change. They might not have known how or when, but the Scriptures showed Persia to be an enemy of Israel, and therefore something would have to change Iran’s disposition against the Jews. In 1979, it happened.
Beginning in the 1960s, an Islamic extremist named Ruhollah Khomeini (Ko-may-nee) began rallying the support of the Iranian masses against the Shah. Inspired by his visceral speeches, they soon chanted, “Death to the Shah, Death to America, and Death to Israel” (Jewish Virtual Library). In February of 1979, the Iranian monarchy was overthrown by Khomeini and the Islamic Republic of Iran was born. This is when modern Iran was born.
And so, yet again, the Bible proved true. With a quick revolution, Iran’s stance on Israel flipped and brought about the demeanor they were prophesied to have. It’s a lesson all Bible students should take dearly to heart: though we may not know exactly when or how, the nations will take their Divinely prescribed roles when the time is right, regardless of how impossible current circumstances might make it seem. The Lord’s Word will be done:
Isaiah 55:10-11 – For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
On this note, I believe we are forced to conclude that Saudi Arabia will come against Israel. I simply see no other nation that can represent “the Ishmaelites”, for no other nation inhabits their ancient territory. Their joining with Israel’s enemies is therefore an inevitability, and their normalization of ties with Iran could well be the first big step to this end.
Division in Israel
On another note, we cannot ignore the increasing trouble being stirred against Netanyahu’s government. A sizeable number of Israelis have been actively and bitterly protesting the government’s judicial reforms for a number of weeks, and there’s little evidence that they’ll subside any time soon. When one studies the situation, it is apparent that it is not so much a battle over the judicial reforms as it is a war between the left-wing and right-wing factions of the Knesset.
Netanyahu’s government is a Zionist, conservative, religious government that stands for Israel’s interests. The far-left is the exact opposite: anti-Zionist, liberal, and anti-religious. With the incredible momentum of the right-wing government, the left sees the desperation of their situation and is seeking any method of defense. The recent judicial reforms are simply one issue that the left thinks they can exploit to their own benefit. The situation in Israel is similar to that of the US over the past few years. The far-left controls most of the media, and every avenue is pursued to exacerbate issues in order to defend their way of thinking.
What are we to make of this trouble in Israel, and how might it affect Netanyahu?
Firstly, the Scriptures clearly describe such divisions existing in Israel when the Lord Jesus returns to them. Zechariah 12-13:6 details the chronological events of the Arab nations coming against Israel, their defeat by Christ, the saints, and Israel, and the mourning of the Jews upon recognizing their Messiah as Jesus of Nazareth. After this, we are told the following will occur:
Zechariah 13:1-2 – In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (2) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
The purging described here does not refer to the cleansing of the entire planet, but that of Eretz Israel – the Kingdom proper. Having defeated Israel’s neighboring enemies, the Lord will thence turn his attention inward to purge the land of naysayers and rebels. Any who rebel against his authority or despise his ways will not be permitted to continue. Such an “unclean spirit” is starkly perceivable in Israel’s left-wing party and its many followers. They prefer to be like the other nations of the world, refusing the authority of the Lord’s law, and pursuing the desires of their own hearts. The Scriptures tell us that such an “unclean spirit” is bound to continue until our Lord abolishes it personally, and that brings us to the question of its bearing on Netanyahu.
The ultimate goal of the left’s actions is to oust Netanyahu and his conservative government. But given the prophetical picture we just discussed, I believe they’ll be unsuccessful in this endeavor. Again, Zechariah gives us a clear picture of what will occur in the days ahead:
Zechariah 12:5 (RSV) – Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God.’
The NIV offers a similar rendering: “Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD Almighty is their God.”
In this, I perceive a recognition of God on the part of “the clans of Judah”. “Clans” is translated “governors” in the KJV, and this is a better translation of the word as it is elsewhere translated to signal roles of authority. Of the 69 times it occurs in the Old Testament, it’s translated as a role of rank or authority 65 times:
- “duke” or “dukes” 56 times
- “guide” 4 times
- “governor” or “governors” 3 times
- “captains” 1 time
- “chief” 1 time
My belief is that Netanyahu will suffer much trouble from the liberal factions of Israel, but he will remain in power. If he is somehow ousted, it’s likely that someone like him will take the helm. We can rest assured, however, that once our Lord and Master returns, the land of Israel will be cleansed of all contrary things, and all of Israel will finally and fully know their Lord. The beautiful details of this time are revealed to us through the prophet Joel:
Joel 2:21-27 – Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. (22) Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. (23) Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. (24) And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. (25) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. (26) And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. (27) And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Oh, what rapturous joy will we all know in that day! How worthwhile will all of our sufferings and trials have been which shaped and molded us to inherit such bliss! All of the woes and pains we face in this godless age will be chased out of memory by the boundless wonders of our Lord’s kingdom. That time approaches, my brethren, and we dare not let our feet slip while so close to the finish line!
Tanner Hawkins