Shalom, Rosh Pinah Community.
Due to the ongoing global pandemic, we find ourselves missing yet another Shabbat together, with more likely to come. We miss you all dearly and long for the day when life returns to normal, allowing us to gather in fellowship once more. Until then, let us continue to pray for this season to pass swiftly, for everyone's health and safety, and for G-d’s peace to sustain us, in Yeshua’s Name.
I’d like to take a moment to share some thoughts with you—insights from the Word of G-d to offer comfort during this time, guidance in discerning the many voices speaking today, and a perspective on where I believe we stand in these end times. With so much information circulating on the internet and airwaves, it is easy to be misled, fall into fear, or be consumed by worry. In uncertain times, many arise claiming prophetic insight, but we are called to test everything against Scripture. So, what does Scripture reveal to us?
In the Brit Chadasha (New Testament), Yeshua Himself warned us:
“Many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:11)
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
It is in times like these—when people desperately seek answers—that false prophets and teachers emerge. The challenge is discerning between what is true and what is misleading. There is a saying: “Emotionally charged information can travel the world before the truth has even put its shoes on.” But prophecy is proven by time. If it comes to pass, it is from G-d. If not, it is false.
2 Peter 1:20-2:3 reminds us:
“No prophecy of the Scripture is to be interpreted by an individual on his own… But among the people there were also false prophets, just as there will be false teachers among you... Many will follow their ways, and because of them, the true Way will be maligned.”
Yeshua warned us:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16)
True prophets speak only what G-d reveals—and they are never wrong. Anything less is falsehood.
Faith is vital in these times. Even if prophecy is not fulfilled within our lifetime, it does not mean it will not come to pass. Romans 10:17 tells us: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of G-d.” And Hebrews 11:1 affirms: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
G-d’s timing is not our timing. Psalm 90:2,4 says:
“From eternity past to eternity future, You are G-d… A thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes.”
And 2 Peter 3:8 echoes:
“With the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Revelation 4:8 reminds us:
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord G-d Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
We know that Yeshua will return as Mashiach Ben David (the conquering King). But as Matthew 24:36 says:
“Of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”
So how do we discern the times? Yeshua’s disciples asked the same question, and He responded:
“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:4-8)
Throughout history, we have seen these words unfold with increasing intensity. Until G-d initiates the events of Revelation 6:22, we will continue to experience these cycles—each time with greater frequency, like birth pains leading to the culmination of all things.
Acts 1:6-12 describes the beginning of this timeline:
“As they were gathered together, they asked Him, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”
Since that time, each generation has witnessed the fulfillment of Yeshua’s words. Matthew 24:4-8 repeats as a pattern, growing in intensity, until G-d’s appointed time arrives. Revelation 4 and 5 set the stage for what is to come, but the unfolding of Revelation 6:22 remains in G-d’s hands. When that time begins, the trials of Matthew 24 will reach their peak.
Even in the midst of these trials, we hold onto G-d’s promises. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 assures us:
“To you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Yeshua shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know G-d and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.”
These cycles of tribulation are G-d’s way of calling His people back to Him and opening the door of salvation to the lost.
I pray that these words from Scripture provide you with wisdom and encouragement as you navigate these times. Test everything you hear against the Word of G-d, and do not be led astray by fear or speculation. We are not yet in the Great Tribulation of Revelation, but we are experiencing the birth pains leading up to it.
In Closing:
May the LORD bless you and keep you.May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Even so, come quickly, Yeshua! Shabbat Shalom!
Comments