TIM LAHAYE | LENYA HEITZIG | JOEL ROSENBERG | SKIP HEITZIG

WINDOWS AND WIRES p.18

666 p. 11

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TRIBULATION p. 34

ISSUE 10 | JANUARY-MARCH 2011 1 2 SKIP’S NOTE

Dear Friend, Welcome to the New Year—2011! As we move into this year, our focus is on the future. And as Christians, we should always view the future through the lens of scriptural prophecy. We must always be looking to the soon coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Much of biblical prophecy centers on that singular event and all the surrounding happenings that are referred to as the “end times.” Prophecy is one of my favorite subjects. I’ve taught on it numerous occasions and I have an upcoming book on understanding the book of Revelation. We’ve decided to devote this issue of Connection—the magazine entirely to prophecy in the Bible. Our 2011 Connection—the magazine Bible studies are directly based on my devotional, The Daily God Book. We hope you find the new study both inspiring and spiritually nourishing. Tim LaHaye, best-selling author of the Left Behind series, contributed an article from his Prophecy Study Bible entitled “Bible Prophecy and the Tribulation.” Here, Tim points out some fundamental keys to interpreting Bible prophecy. My beautiful wife, Lenya, teaches readers to understand the indicators given by Jesus Christ to discern the false and dangerous from the true and certain prophecies. Joel Rosenberg, American communications strategist, author, and my friend, speaks on the happenings in Israel and the events described in the book of Revelation in “Off the Cuff.” Our “From the Blog” section addresses the topic of false prophets from a biblical standpoint. And “Hot Spots” draws our attention to a perpetually interesting question: What’s the significance of the number 666? As always, you’ll find great resources, articles, and relevant information to help you grow in your personal walk with Jesus Christ. May God bless you this New Year!

In His Strong Love,

Skip Heitzig 3 THIS ISSUE

22 Dead Pastors’ Society

26 Hot Spots 16 Bible Prophecy 29 Fast Facts and The Tribulation Tim LaHaye 30 Off the Cuff

32 From the Blog

34 The Gallery 12 Come to 35 Daily Devo Your 5 Senses Lenya Heitzig 44 Stay Connected

45 Word Search

46 Next Issue

06 Windows and Wires Skip Heitzig

4 a publication of

Publisher Skip Heitzig skipheitzig.com Director Brian Nixon Editor-In-Chief Rebekah Hanson Managing Editors Joan Polito Nancy Reimann, Jerry Rood, Penny Rose, & Laura Sowers Contributors Lenya Heitzig, Tim LaHaye Penny Rose, Joel Rosenberg, & Stephen H. Tyng, Jr. Design Director Brandi Sea Heft Cover Design Sarah Raines

Our Mission: Connecting you to God’s never-changing truth in ever-changing times.

Connection Communications 4001 Osuna Rd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 505.344.9146 5 6 when an important broadcast was slated to air from station WJZ in New York City. King Edward VIII was about to explain to the world that he was giving up the throne of England for the woman he loved. Minutes before the broadcast started, a man in the studio tripped over a wire and snapped the only line of communication between England and America. Everyone was frantic. But one smart apprentice knew what to do. He grabbed both ends of the broken wire and allowed the signal to flow through his body. The king’s words were literally transmitted through him. Like the apprentice holding onto the wire, a prophet is a con- duit who receives communication from heaven and carries 7 God’s message to the people. Our Lord has spoken to us through the biblical prophets. One pastor told a friend that he didn’t preach on prophecy: “Prophecy only distracts people from the present.” His friend replied, “Then there’s certainly a lot of distraction in the Scriptures!” a prophet About one-fourth of the Bible is prophetic. Eighteen books are completely devoted to prophecy: seventeen in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament. There are important prophetic passages in other books, is a conduit like 2 Thessalonians and Matthew chapter 24. In fact, there are prophetic verses throughout the Word. Knowing prophecy is important. who receives God chose diverse people who used various methods to communicate His message to the people. Some of the prophets ministered through communication proclamation, speaking God’s message for the people of a particular time. There was Noah, “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), who warned his generation of the coming judgment through the flood. Some prophets, like Moses, from heaven were patriotic. Remember how he boldly stood again and again before Pharaoh demanding, “Let my people go”? In some messages, God pointed a finger at people’s sin. Many times these pas- and carries sages begin with the word “woe.” When you see that, you’d better watch out! And sometimes the prophet’s message was inspiring: God is going to do something great. God’s message Sometimes prophets performed God’s mes- sage in front of the people to get their attention. Jeremiah walked around wearing a huge wooden yoke on his neck to show that enslavement would come to the people of Israel in the future. And to the people Hosea was commanded to marry a prostitute to demonstrate how God feels when His people are unfaithful.

Prophecy is history written in advance. The prophets were God’s mouthpieces, revealing events before they occurred. In other words, their messages were predictive of something that would happen in the future. Sometimes it was in the 8 near future; sometimes in the far-off future—all the way to the end of the age. Through prophecy, God draws aside the veil of the future to give us prophecy is a powerful an indication of His plans for the human race and the universe. tool that opens the One of God’s calling cards is ful- filled prophecy. He knows everything window of eternity (His omniscience) and predicts certain things before they happen. God told Abraham that his “descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs…four hundred years” (Genesis 15:13)—and they were. Through His prophets, God predicted the Babylonian captivity even before Babylon existed as a military threat—and it happened. Prophecy demonstrates God’s ultimate control over history. Jeremiah wrote, “I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon and slay them with the sword” (Jeremiah 20:4). These passages are some of the most important and fascinating portions of Scripture. God is not confined to space and time. He has spoken of things to come. Prophecy is a powerful tool that opens the window of eternity. He said: “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Most importantly, God promised the coming of Jesus in the Mes- sianic prophecies. These are Old Testament promises fulfilled in the New Testament. They speak about Christ, His power, authority, character, and future actions. It’s rather easy to see their fulfillment: just watch for the way the New Testament writers make reference to Old Testament passages regarding Jesus. Jesus Himself said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).

There is also prophecy yet to be fulfilled concerning the end times and Christ’s second coming, notably in the book of Revelation. As you read the book of Revelation, a special benefit is bestowed: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). Revelation is the only book in the Bible that has a promise: Read me and you’ll be blessed. The more you read, the happier you’ll be! But please note that it says to read it, hear it, and keep it. Let’s remember that prophecy was intended to encourage obedience. Jesus warned His followers about the future so they could learn how to live in the pres- ent. The idea is to help us remain spiritually alert and prepared as we wait for His return. 9 windows & wires cont.

Prophecy is intended to give hope. Newspapers are filled with violence, scandal, and political haggling—they’re depressing. But God’s plan for the future provides encouragement: We know He will intervene in his- tory to conquer evil. We need to choose whether we will live in the light of eternity or only for what we see and receive in this world. We live in a time of very high anxiety. We all want to know what’s going to happen tomorrow. What does the future hold? Will there be an Armageddon? Will there be an end to this world? Will Jesus really return to the earth visibly and physically—and when? Many people are grasping at straws to get answers to their questions. They read the horoscope to find out what the stars show. They get their palms read. They turn to the “prophets” in tabloid newspapers or the late night television “psychics.” Meanwhile, God has written all about the future of the earth, the human race, and what we can expect. And not just in the book of Revelation—but in Daniel, Ezekiel, and other parts of Scripture. Prophecy shouldn’t make people uncomfortable. Instead, it should make believers confident. Biblical prophecy is not about predicting something that may or may not come true the way man makes predic- tions. Biblical prophecy isn’t like shaking a Magic 8 Ball and turning it over for the answer. When God makes a prediction it’s because He knows the end from the beginning. His precision is not “kind of” or “sort of” accurate—it’s definite. His Word will come true in His perfect time and design. The study of prophecy is a fruitful exercise because scriptural proph- ecy, when properly interpreted, provides a guideline for godly living. It motivates Christians to the highest standard of holiness. As we study prophecy, my prayer is that we won’t walk away with new tidbits about who Gog and Magog are or with fancy charts on the end times to impress people. After examining God’s prophecy, I pray we’ll walk away trusting God more than we’ve ever trusted Him before. Every tomorrow has two handles: the handle of anxiety and the handle of faith. Unfortunately, many people grab onto the handle of anxiety: What’s going to happen tomorrow? What about next month? Next year? Every time God makes a promise and we witness its fulfillment, we should move closer and closer to the handle of faith: My God is faithful. I trust Him com- pletely. As Corrie ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Skip Heitzig is the author of the book Homeland Security and is the senior pastor of Calvary of Albuquerque.

10 skipheitzig.com 11 Years ago, a man came to Skip claim- ing to be the Messiah. When asked what evidence he could give to support his claim, he replied that his proof was the “third testa- ment”—which, by the way, he had written. At this point, Skip was pretty sure this guy was off his medications, so he kindly asked, “What can I do for you?” Without miss- ing a beat, the man said that in order to secure the future, the church needed to donate a million dollars to him so he could carpet his planet. Wow! by Lenya Heitzig

12 Obviously, this was a time when it was But when you hear of wars and commotions, pretty easy to spot a false prophet. But there do not be terrified; for these things must come have been many times when well-respected to pass first, but the end will not come imme- sources have totally missed the mark when diately (Luke 21:9). making claims about the future. In 1962, Brian If wars alone were the predictor of the end Epstein approached Decca Records to sign of the age, we would already be long gone. an up-and-coming new group called The Like labor pains, the contractions of wars Beatles. The manager of the recording com- around the world will increase in intensity pany replied, “Guitar groups are on their way and frequency as the end times draw nearer. out, Mr. Epstein.” Wrong. Then there was the teacher who told the concerned father of a Will mankind ever “give peace a chance,” wayward student, “It doesn’t matter what he as John Lennon implored? Richard Staar, does, he will never amount to anything.” The the director of the Hoover Institution of War, student? Albert Einstein. Revolution, and Peace doesn’t think so. He anticipates an increase in regional conflicts SIGNS OF THE TIMES confirming the words of Jesus: Nation“ will People have always been curious about the rise against nation, and kingdom against king- future. Jesus knew Satan would exploit that dom” (Luke 21:10). And this is only one of the curiosity to try to lead us astray. Therefore, signs of the end times. Jesus gave us indicators to help us discern the false and dangerous from the true and Natural Disasters certain. Jesus told us to watch for the follow- In April of 2010, Iceland’s volcano, Eyjafjal- ing signs: lajökull, erupted. Thousands of European false prophets flights were canceled due to the resulting giant cloud of ash. For five days, air traffic wars and rumors of wars came to a virtual halt in northern European increased natural disasters countries. signs in the heavens And there will be great earthquakes in vari- ous places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs False Prophets from heaven (Luke 21:11). And He said: “Take heed that you not be de- We don’t even have to look outside our own ceived. For many will come in My name, say- country to find evidence of this. Consider ing, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Hurricane Katrina. This Atlantic storm was the Therefore do not go after them (Luke 21:8). most costly American disaster to date. Ka- Although we may not remember the names trina roared into the coast of Louisiana with Marshall Applewhite or Bonnie Nettles, 125 mph winds, breaking levees and leaving we certainly remember the Heaven’s Gate 80% of the city under water. Over 1800 were mass suicide in 1997. These two individuals killed and damages were estimated at 125 convinced 39 people that an alien space- billion dollars. ship was following the Hale-Bopp comet. To reach the safety of the spaceship, they were Signs in the Heavens instructed to kill themselves. Their gruesome As another sign of the end of the age, remains were later discovered in a mansion Jesus told His disciples to look for celestial near San Diego. Sadly, this group of people indicators: listened to false prophets—and paid with their lives. And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars (Luke 21:25). Wars and Rumors of Wars Man has always looked to the heavens with wonder and awe. This past August, the earth- War is a fact of life. Any given day, soldiers side of the sun erupted in a blaze of activity are engaged in battle in 30 to 40 nations know as the “coronal mass ejection” or a across the world. Although we see an obvi- solar flare. The super-heated gas coming ous increase in wars, Jesus gave us a neces- off the star hurtled through space. It was so sary perspective: 13 five senses cont. REMEMBER THE SWEET large it was visible on earth without the aid AROMA OF PRAYER of a solar telescope. Have you ever been driving somewhere The Apostle Peter made reference to future and become so lost in thought that you celestial disturbances unlike any we have went right by your destination? It’s easy to ever seen: become distracted by the enticements and cares of this world. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass Watch therefore, and pray always that you away with a great noise, and the elements will may be counted worthy to escape all these melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the things that will come to pass, and to stand works that are in it will be burned up (2 Peter before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36). 3:10). Jesus reminded us that to be counted wor- So how should we live our lives in view of a thy, we should pray—a lot. God so loves our future filled with steadily greater challenges? prayers He regards them as a sweet aroma: How can we avoid becoming depressed, ter- And the smoke of the incense, with the rified, or dulled into complacency? prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand (Revelation 8:4). COME TO YOUR FIVE SENSES Watch what is happening around you and pray so that you can maintain a Godward KEEP AN EYE ON THE FUTURE focus. After a long winter, we look for signs of DEVELOP AN EAR FOR THE TRUTH spring. It might be a yellow crocus pushing through the snow or the early blooming of There will always be people who ridicule the the forsythia. We are to be aware and obser- Word of God and cast doubt on its truthful- vant. Jesus said: ness: Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When Scoffers will come in the last days, walk- they are already budding, you see and know ing according to their own lusts, and saying, for yourselves that summer is now near. So "Where is the promise of His coming? For you also, when you see these things happen- since the fathers fell asleep, all things ing, know that the kingdom of God is near continue as they were from the beginning (Luke 21:29-31). of creation" (2 Peter 3:3-4). We must keep our eyes always open—look- Just because something hasn’t happened ing for signs of the coming of God’s king- yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Remem- dom. ber the iconic scoffer, Harry Truman, who in 1980 refused to leave his home on Mount St. KEEP A LIGHT TOUCH ON THE WORLD Helens in spite of the increasing rumblings of the volcano? The eruption came and Harry Perspective is everything. Our world is Truman was never seen again. Neighbors temporary, but God’s Word is eternal. Keep- later said that Truman thought he would ing this in mind, we are likely to make wiser be able to see the lava coming down the decisions about where and how we invest mountain and still have time to get to safety. our energies. Unfortunately for him, the blast came at 300 But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts miles per hour. be weighed down with carousing, drunken- Listening to God’s Word and taking heed of ness, and cares of this life, and that Day come the signs result in wise actions. on you unexpectedly (Luke 21:34). Keep a light touch on this world and keep TASTE AND SEE THAT GOD IS GOOD eternity firmly in your heart. When we look to Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith, we have reason to lift our heads in confidence and anticipation.

14 lenyaheitzig.blogspot.com Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your re- demption draws near (Luke 21:28). For the godly, there is genuine hope even in the midst of a world convulsing in chaos. Our heavenly Father is a good God with good things planned for His children. Until we are with Him in paradise, He wants us to seek Him diligently, know Him deeply, and trust Him completely. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8). I confess that when I’m reading a novel, I sometimes flip to the back of the book to see how it ends. Billy Graham apparently did the same thing. He said, “I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right.” As forward-thinking believers, we can face tough times with confidence: knowing the work Jesus did on the cross means a happy ending for His children. He has promised “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). Good to know, isn’t it?

USE YOUR SENSES

1. Look for the coming kingdom

2. Keep your heart light

3. Watch and pray

4. Know your Master’s voice

5. Remember God is good

Lenya Heitzig is an award-winning author and sought-after speaker at conferences and retreats worldwide.

15 16 Prophecy is God’s roadmap to show us where history is going. The Bible’s predictions claim literal and specific fulfillments that verify that such prophecies are indeed from God. The key to interpreting Bible prophecy is in discerning what is literal and what is symbolic. Therefore, the best way to avoid confusion in the study of

17 prophetic Scripture is to follow solutely nothing to do with the these simple directions: church. The Bible gives specific promises for the church that 1. Interpret prophecy literally she will be raptured into heav- wherever possible. en before the Tribulation (John God meant what He said and 14:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; said what He meant when He 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). inspired “holy men of God [who] spake as they were moved by 3. For symbolic passages, the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21) to compare Scripture with write the Bible. Consequently we Scripture. can take the Bible literally most The Bible is not contradictory. of the time. Where God intends Even though written by numer- for us to interpret symbolically, ous, divinely inspired men over He makes it obvious. One of the a period of sixteen hundred reasons the book of Revelation years, it is supernaturally con- is difficult for some people to sistent in its use of terms. For understand is that they try to example, the word “beast” is spiritualize the symbols used used forty-four times in Revela- in the book. However, since tion and many other times in many Old Testament prophe- Scripture. Daniel explains that cies have already been literally the word is symbolic of either a fulfilled, such as God turning king or a kingdom (see Daniel water to blood (Exodus 4:9; 7:17- 7-8). By examining the contents 21), it should not be difficult to in Revelation and Daniel, you imagine that future prophetic will find that “beast” has the events can and will be literally same meaning in both books. fulfilled at the appropriate time. Many other symbols used in Only when symbols or figures of Revelation are also taken di- speech make absolutely no lit- rectly from the Old Testament. eral sense, should anything but These include “the tree of life” a literal interpretation be sought. (Revelation 2:7; 22:2; 14), “the 2. Prophecies concerning Israel book of life” (Revelation 3:5), and the church should not be and Babylon (Revelation 14:8). transposed. Some symbols in Revelation are The promises of God to Israel drawn from other New Testa- to be fulfilled “in the latter ment passages. These include days,” particularly those con- terms such as “the Word of cerning Israel’s punishment God” (1:2, 9), “Son of man” during the Tribulation have ab- (1:13; 14:14), “marriage supper” God meant what He said and said what He meant

18 (19:9), “the Bride” (21:9, 22:17), try them that dwell upon the earth.” “first resurrection” (20:5-6), and “second death” (2:11; 20:6, Such a time will have to be worse 14; 21:8). Other symbols in than anything ever known in human Revelation are explained and history; far worse than the destruc- identified in their context. For tion of Jerusalem in AD 70 (1 million example, “Alpha and Omega” casualties), than the Black Plague represents Jesus Christ (1:8, 11; (9 million killed), than World War I 21:6; 22:13); the “seven candle- (20 million killed), than the devas- sticks” (1:13, 20) are the seven tation of World War II and Hitler’s churches; the “dragon” is Satan Holocaust (6 million Jews and at (12:3); and the “male child” is least 4 million Christians killed). Jesus (12:5, 13). The Scripture gives more space to Though some prophetic pas- describing the coming Tribulation sages should be interpreted period than to any other prophetic symbolically, it is important to event. The Hebrew prophets men- remember that symbols in the tion it 39 times, calling it a “time of Bible depict real people, things, Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), and events. For example, the “Tribulation” (distress, Deuter- “seven candlesticks” in Revela- onomy 4:30), and many other titles tion 1 represent real churches denoting distress. The New Testa- that actually existed when the ment calls it “the day of the Lord” prophecy was given. (1 Thessalonians 5:2), “the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:10; 15:1, 7; 16:1), As an example of how to in- and “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev- terpret prophecy, let’s look at elation 6:16-17). Revelation 6–19 de- the Tribulation as described in scribes the events of that Tribula- Scripture. tion period, the best description of this terrifying, close-at-hand time The Tribulation that will try the whole world. Daniel, the Hebrew prophet that There is no question this world Jesus quoted most, predicted will yet experience a time of “great that troublous times would last Tribulation, such as was not since seven years and be started by the the beginning of the world to this signing of a seven-year covenant time” as predicted by our Lord between Israel and “the prince (Matthew 24:21). In Revelation 3:10, that shall come” (called elsewhere He promised to keep believers from “the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to

God meant what He said and said what He meant

19 Literal? cont. “antichrist” or to this earth to set up “the beast”). Then His earthly kingdom for he predicted this 1000 years (Matthew “beast” or govern- 24:29, see Daniel 9:24). mental ruler would break that cov- We should never lose enant in the middle We should never sight of the true pur- of the Tribulation pose of that Tribulation and desecrate the lose signt of the period: a divine expres- temple (Daniel sion of His mercy and 9:26-27). Again, true purpose of grace. For in that brief Daniel predicted seven-year period, at a that when that Tribulation time when the world’s Antichrist arises, population is at its larg- he will be empow- est, God will shake the ered by Satan him- period: a divine earth in an attempt self with “all power to lessen man’s false and signs and ly- expression of His sense of security. He ing wonders” will send 144,000 Jew- (2 Thessalonians mercy and grace ish witnesses filled with 2:9), and will the Holy Spirit (Revela- desecrate the tion 7; Joel 2:28-32) and temple and set up other witnesses. God an image of him- will go to the most ex- self, demanding treme measures in all of that the people history during the final worship him. days of man’s life on earth to bring a massive number of There is little doubt as to when souls to faith in Him so multitudes this Tribulation occurs or how long of people may enjoy the blessings it will last. Daniel predicts it will He has prepared for their eternal last “one week” (seven years, 9:27). future. John in Revelation divides it into two periods of three and one-half Excerpt taken from Prophecy Study Bible (KJV) by Tim LaHaye years each or 1,260 days each, a total of seven years. During the first three and one-half years, more than Tim LaHaye is an American evangeli- one-half of the world’s population cal Christian minister, dies. During the second half, condi- author, and speaker. tions get even worse after Satan is He is best-known for the Left Behind series cast out of heaven and indwells the of apocalyptic fiction, Antichrist’s body and demands the which he co-wrote world worship him. Our Lord Jesus with Jerry B. Jenkins. He has written over predicted this Tribulation would 50 books, both fiction end immediately prior to His return and non-fiction.

20 connectiononline.com 21 DEAD PASTORS’ SOCIETY

featuring Stephen H. Tyng, Jr.

I will come again and receive you to Myself (John 14:3) Our separation from this world at His soon cease to concern those who will coming are graphically sketched by be “left.” Everything on earth will soon His own predictions; “I tell you, in that become as commonplace as before. night there will be two men in one bed: Government will not be changed. The the one will be taken and the other will courts will still decree judgment among be left. Two women will men. The churches be grinding together: will not be emptied. the one will be taken Pews and pulpits and the other left.” 1 So So silently will we will be filled with silently will we be stolen be stolen away that those “having a away that the world the world will be for form of godliness will be for a time con- but denying its founded by the number a time confounded power.” 2 All these of missing people. The by the number of things will soon be “little flock” will hear the sifted by the great shepherd’s voice and missing people. tribulation, but at our follow Him. Search will departure, godless be made for us and we and anxious men will not be found. The initial horror, which will quickly be consoled and begin to such disappearances must cause, will laugh at their own fears. How differ- 1 Luke 17:34, 35 *Some biblical scholars regard this passage ent it will be for us who are taken! as a reference to the Jews during the tribulation period rather than the rapture of the church. 2 2 Timothy 3:5

22 THE VAULT

On the eve of His death, • We are all at times our Lord was most explicit unconscious prophets in the promise of His reap- pearance to His disciples. –Charles H. Spurgeon Over and over again, He told them, “I go away,” but He always added the refrain, • Which prophecy of Christ “I will come again.” 3 That we see wonderfully to be they certainly understood verified, insomuch that the Him to pledge His veracity to a literal, personal, visible whole course of the Church and special return to them to this day may seem nothing is evidenced by the whole else but a verifying of the said course of their conversa- prophecy tion. Had they been wrong in their understanding of His –John Foxe words it would seem to be fatal to His trustworthiness that He did not correct their • Science has not yet mastered error. But He continued to prophecy repeat the promise. We may –Neil Armstrong with absolute confidence anticipate the realization of His appearing and claim as our assurance, the • And though I have the gift of words of Him who could prophecy and understand all not lie: “If it were not so, mysteries and all knowledge, I would have told you.” 4 and though I have all faith, so that I could remove moun-

This article edited by Greg Nelson tains, but have not love, I am nothing –1 Corinthians 13:2 3 John 14:3 4 John 14:2 • No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by Stephen H. Tyng, Jr. the will of man, but holy men (1703–1791) served in of God spoke as they were the United States Army moved by the Holy Spirit as Chaplain of the 12th regiment. He was a –2 Peter 1:20-21 popular preacher and took an active part in the revival movement of 1875 directed by D.L. Moody.

23 on the Connection...

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24 connectionradio.org COMING UP on the Connection...

Beginning Monday, January 3 “Job Meets Jesus”

Pastor Skip Heitzig looks at the universal questions posed by Job and presents the answers as embodied in the Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Beginning Tuesday, February 1 “Homeland Security”

Pastor Skip Heitzig looks at the basic components of today’s society and the threats that believers face at every level: personal, family, communal, national, and global.

Beginning Wednesday, March 9 “God’s Top Ten”

Skip Heitzig explores in depth each of the Ten Commandments and wraps up the series with a discussion on the most famous eleventh commandment given by Jesus Christ.

Check connectionradio.org for a station near you that airs the Connection.

Skip is the minister who inspired me after a lifetime of searching for a church. His ministry (in person and on the radio) spoke directly to my heart. –Caren Vendetti 25 HOT SPOTS

26 666 ocial Security numbers get us driver’s licenses Sand passports. Credit cards have black strips on the back containing our personal information. When I travel to the East Coast and put my ATM card into the machine the screen blinks, “Good morn- ing, Skip Heitzig.” It knows who I am! His- torically, slaves were tattooed with the numbers or names of their masters. In the cult of Sable, mem- bers were forced to have an image on their bodies for iden- tification. Numbering is nothing new. In the future tribula- tion period, the Anti- christ’s sidekick—the false prophet—will impose a number- ing system: “It is the number of a man: His number is 666” (Rev- elation 13:18). He will require a numeric

by skip heitzig 666 27 666 cont. identifying mark for those who the Antichrist might be by look- worship the beast. His followers will ing at specific names in Greek, bear “the mark or the name of the Latin, or Hebrew. They’ve wrongly beast, or the number of his name” speculated it was the Pope, Cae- on their right hand or on their fore- sar Nero, Adolf Hitler, and others. heads (see Revelation 13:16-17). I believe some people living in that day will figure out who it is This is a mark of worship and an because Scripture says, “Let him economic instrument: “No one who has understanding calculate may buy or sell except one who the number of the beast” (Revela- has the mark or the name of the tion 13:18). They will know what the beast, or the number of his name” system is and what it means to be (Revelation 13:17). No mark? No involved in it; some will accept the milk. No mark? No bread. People mark of the beast and some will can’t be involved in daily com- refuse. merce unless they have this mark. Symbolically, the number of man The mark may be like microchips in the Bible is six because he was implanted into pets. One com- created on the sixth day. Thus, pany claims it can keep track of the number 666 could represent “man, man, man” or “the ultimate man”—the Antichrist. 666 could be repeated three times to denote No mark? the unholy trinity of the dragon, the Antichrist, and the false proph- et in contrast to the Father, Son, No milk. and Holy Spirit. Or it could be a comparison to the characteristics No mark? of God: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8). No bread. Man and his government are represented by the number six. And even at his best, man always one billion pets within ten feet of falls short of the glory of God. The their current location. If they can number of perfection is seven. track billions of pets, they can At creation, on the seventh day, keep track of billions of people. there was rest. God’s seven is Whether it’s a chip, card, or other the God-Man, Jesus Christ, who imprint, people will be compelled will come at the end of the to participate in this system not just tribulation to overthrow the to worship—but to live and survive. Antichrist and bring completion. So let’s not get hung up on the So what about the number 666? number—let’s remember our It could be the numeric equivalent salvation through Christ. of the beast’s name. Throughout history, people have guessed who

28 hotspotsonline.net FAST FACTS Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus Christ › Jesus foretold His death and resurrection (Matthew 20:17-19)

› The line of kings from David would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:16)

› God’s salvation would reach the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6)

› The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

› The Messiah would be a descendant of King David (Jeremiah 23:5)

› There would be a Son called God (Isaiah 9:6-7)

› The Messiah would be rejected (Isaiah 53:1-3)

› Daniel predicted when an anointed One would be rejected (Daniel 9:24-26)

› All who believe in Jesus will be saved (John 3:16) www.aboutbibleprophecy.com

29 OFF THE CUFF

Skip: So it’s imagery that points to reality.

Joel: Let me give you an example. I think of Rev- elation chapter 12. People look at that and they say OK, there’s a woman, she has a Child, and they are attacked by a red dragon. People throughout the ages have said it doesn’t mean with anything and, even if it did, who could understand? But actually it’s not that difficult. Yes, at first glance we’re getting a word picture. The woman gives birth to a male Child who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. That’s verse 5. Verse 17 says Skip: Joel, thanks for being with us today. the dragon goes to war I want to talk specifically about the book of against the offspring who Revelation. A lot of people read the book keep the commandments of and not see it as literal—not see it as hav- God and have the testimony ing any contemporary meaning whatsoever. of Jesus Christ. I mean, It’s either been fulfilled or it’s too hard to just a little bit of effort and understand; therefore it’s ignored. Speak a you realize the woman is little bit on that. Israel as a nation who gave birth to a male Child who Joel: The book of Revelation is definitely became Jesus who will rule hard to read. I think it’s a tough book to get the world one day, right? your hands around but it’s important and In verse 9, the dragon was we need to allow the Holy Spirit to open thrown down, the serpent of our eyes to it. It’s critical and interesting old who is called the devil that both [the Apostle] John and the angels and Satan. He deceives the speaking to him said seal some of this whole world and goes on up—and Daniel said the same thing. Some the attack. So again, it’s not prophecies aren’t going to be able to be difficult to see the dragon understood or easily understood until we is the devil, the woman is get closer to the end times. Yet the book Israel, and the male Child of Revelation is the only book in the Bible is Christ. The red dragon is that has an actual, direct blessing for those Satan and there’s going to who read it. I think when people slow down be a massive battle. Satan is and go through the book, it’s not as hard as continually trying to destroy many would have expected. Yes, some of it Israel, Christ, and His fol- is symbolic language. Some of it is meta- lowers in the last days. And phoric. But that doesn’t mean it’s not literal. that’s really where we’re In other words, it’s true but God is at times heading. Israel is back as using some word pictures to help people a country again—propheti- understand future events that would’ve cally—and there’s a satanic been absolutely impossible for John himself, attack from almost every di- much less anyone reading, to understand rection hitting Israelis, Jews, what in the world they were talking about. and followers of Christ.

30 Skip: Let’s talk a little bit council of 71 rabbis that ran Coming, would you agree about signs of the times. the temple in ages past, that the Lord could use that? There are signs and then disbanded around the 5th there are mega signs—big century. But it’s back. In Joel: One of the other pointers that something’s 2006, the Sanhedrin recov- indicators of where we are happening. And I would say ered and is getting ready now and how close we may the happenings in Israel are to run a temple in the not be getting to the book of one of the mega signs. From too distant future. The third Revelation coming true is your viewpoint, what are event is Babylon. In the the economic and political those signs of the times that book of Revelation, Babylon reunification of Europe. The we, as believers, should see is described as not only be- Antichrist is going to emerge as a wake-up call? ing reborn as a country and out of Europe and we’re city, but also as the focal going to have a system: point of evil and commerce. Joel: Are we seeing any- one political and economic Babylon is going to become system. It’s hard to imagine thing that suggests we’re this incredibly, enormously, getting closer to the events even 100 years ago that wealthy, powerful focus so Europe could be the center described in the book of that when it’s destroyed Revelation? Yes. For me, of explaining to the world supernaturally with judg- how we should all be one. I ment, all the merchants mean, what continent was In verse 9, the of the earth are going to more divided by World War I, be weeping. People have World War II, the Holocaust, dragon was thrown said that’s allegorical but I and the Cold War? That down, the serpent believe Babylon is Babylon— region has come together, the actual city in Iraq. And not necessarily for the good, of old who is called that city is being rebuilt as but it’s come together with we speak. The walls are up. borderless crossings, one the devil and Satan. The palaces are being built. political system, and one He deceives the Iraq’s government actually currency. And I think they has a master plan to finish are going to be the model whole world and the city. The New York Times for the rest of the world to reported not too long ago follow after the rapture. goes on the attack. they want an amusement park and a Holiday Inn. I mean, these guys have a there are three major hap- plan. And they’re not evan- penings. First, the rebirth gelical Christians sitting of Israel. Israel is central around going, how can we to all the attention of the make the book of Revelation earth and there is a sort of seem more relevant—like satanic battle against Israel. it’s literally true? These are The second one is that the Sunni and Shia Muslims who temple will be rebuilt and view the city of Babylon as will be fully operational as a goldmine. That’s the game the events of Revelation plan of the Iraqi government unfold. Now we don’t have today. a temple today, but there is an awful lot of activity. Many preparations are being Skip: Hearing all this, I wish Joel Rosenberg made right now by Orthodox we would rekindle that old is a New Jews in Israel. They’ve got church axiom: maranatha. York Times best-selling architectural plans done. We should say it to one author, producer of two They’re sewing the priestly another more often—the documentary films, and garments. They’ve rebuilt Lord is coming. It’s such a founder of The Joshua most of the implements great reminder. We’re being Fund. He was previously used for sacrifice. They’re shaken today economically a communications training Levitical priests on and that can be such a good advisor who worked with how to run a temple. One of thing for our nation. We see a number of U.S. and the most significant things it as bad, but if it drives us Israeli leaders, including is that the Sanhedrin, the to the anticipation of His Benjamin Netanyahu.

31 FROM THE BLOG

with Pastor Skip Heitzig Question: I’ve heard several radio and television preachers predict and/or prophesy regard- ing events, occurrences, and dates—yet they never happen! Are these preachers considered false prophets according to the Bible?

Answer: throughout the ages who have prophesied or predicted events that never happened. Throughout the years, many people have both prophesied and predicted events So what should we—as believers—learn that never came to pass. from this? One of the best examples is Charles First, we need to clearly understand the Taze Russell, the first president of the definition ofprophecy . According to Nelson’s Watchtower Society (an organization New Christian Dictionary, prophecy is “a founded for Jehovah’s Witnesses). Russell message conveyed by a prophet acting on prophesied that the second coming of behalf of God in any given situation.” Christ would occur in 1874. When the year The definition rules out any of the above- came and went without Christ’s appear- mentioned people as being a prophet. The ance, he altered his prediction—only to events they predicted did not come true. conclude that 1918 would be the official The messages they proclaimed were false— date of God’s judgment. Not surprisingly, and God would never give His prophet a this day also came and went. And in wrong message. 1974—once again—the Watchtower Society proclaimed that 1975 would be the year Second, we need to distinguish between of Christ’s return. Guess what? It didn’t authentic prophecies and, let’s say, a hunch happen! or a feeling. Prophecy is a distinct mes- sage from God given to a prophet that It’s important to note that Charles Taze will definitely occur in the future. But what Russell is not the only person who has about a person who has a feeling about made spurious predictions regarding an event which proves to be wrong? This the future. Below are several other fairly isn’t prophecy. If the person isn’t claiming recent “calculations”: that the hunch is “from the Lord” then he is William Miller, a founding member of the not making a prophetic announcement on Seventh-Day Adventists, predicted that behalf of the Lord—and shouldn’t be called Christ would return between March 1843 a false prophet. However, there is a fine line and March 1844. between claiming something is from the Lord or from personal opinion. It’s a danger- Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the ous position for a preacher of the Word to Worldwide Church of God, said events place himself. ushering in Armageddon would occur in 1975. Third, I recommend that all Christians study Scripture thoroughly. The true biblical Harold Camping, the president of Family prophets help us understand the full coun- Stations, Inc., predicted that Christ would sel of God’s Word. Don’t listen to only one return in September of 1994. person regarding the end The one thing all times. More often than of these men had in Entrust to the Lord the not, he or she will leave common is—they were ultimate understanding you confused or lacking wrong! The events they information. predicted never oc- of prophecy. Entrust to the Lord the curred. Why? Jesus said, ultimate understanding of prophecy. Believe “But of that day and hour no one knows, the Bible—nothing more, nothing less—in not even the angels of heaven, but My relation to prophetic announcements. God Father only” (Matthew 24:36). has revealed His truth in His Word. The above is only a partial list of people

32 33 THE GALLERY

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin. But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lack’d anything. “A guest,” I answer’d, “worthy to be here”; Love said, “You shall be he.” “I, the unkind, the ungrateful? Ah my dear, I cannot look on thee.” Love took my hand and smiling did reply, “Who made the eyes but I?” “Truth, Lord, but I have marr’d them; let my shame Go where it doth deserve.” “And know you not,” says Love, “who bore the blame?” “My dear, then I will serve.” “You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.” So I did sit and eat. Love 3 by George Herbert

34 DAILY DEVO through the Bible with Pastor Skip Heitzig

JANUARY 1 air, for I am sorry that I have go to the land of Moriah, and made them.” But Noah found offer him there as a burnt Read: Genesis 1:1-13 grace in the eyes of the LORD offering on one of the moun- Reflect: In the beginning God (Genesis 6:7-8). tains of which I shall tell you” created the heavens and the Respond: “His obedience (Genesis 22:2). earth… Then God said, “Let and willingness to respond Respond: “Before God ever there be light”; and there was to God made him different made the world, He had you light (Genesis 1:1, 3). from those who would be in mind and your salvation Respond: “No matter what… destroyed in the Flood.” ready to be set in motion.” somewhere in the Bible ‘God Return: Genesis 7-10 Return: Genesis 22:15-25:18 said’ something about it.” Return: Genesis 1:14-23 JANUARY 5 JANUARY 8 JANUARY 2 Read: Genesis 11:1-9 Read: Genesis 25:19-34 Reflect: And they said, “Come, Reflect: But the children Read: Genesis 1:24-2:14 let us build ourselves a city, struggled together within her; Reflect: This is the history of and a tower whose top is in and she said, “If all is well, why the heavens and the earth… the heavens; let us make a am I like this?” So she went to the LORD God made the earth name for ourselves, lest we inquire of the LORD. And the and the heavens (Genesis be scattered abroad over LORD said to her: “Two nations 2:4). the face of the whole earth” are in your womb, two peoples Respond: “None of it ‘just (Genesis 11:4). shall be separated from happened.’ Our Father made Respond: “Whenever you say your body; one people shall it that way!” no to God, you’re essentially be stronger than the other, Return: Genesis 2:15-25 planting a rebel flag in the and the older shall serve the ground of your heart.” younger” (Genesis 25:22-23). JANUARY 3 Return: Genesis 11:10-32 Respond: “The marvel of Ja- cob’s life was that God used Read: Genesis 3 him in spite of who he was, Reflect: So when the woman JANUARY 6 not because of who he was.” saw that the tree was good Read: Genesis 12:1-9 Return: Genesis 26-36 for food, that it was pleasant Reflect: Now the LORD had to the eyes, and a tree desir- said to Abram... “I will make able to make one wise, she you a great nation; I will bless JANUARY 9 took of its fruit and ate. She you and make your name Read: Genesis 37:1-24 also gave to her husband with great; and you shall be a Reflect: Then he dreamed her, and he ate. Then the eyes blessing. I will bless those who still another dream and told of both of them were opened, bless you, and I will curse him it to his brothers, and said, and they knew that they were who curses you; and in you all “Look, I have dreamed another naked (Genesis 3:6-7). the families of the earth shall dream. And this time, the sun, Respond: “Their disobedi- be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3). the moon, and the eleven stars ence marred the reflection of Respond: “But Abraham bowed down to me” (Genesis God’s image in every person believed what God told him 37:9). who came after them.” in spite of the odds.” Respond: “God can use Return: Genesis 4-5 Return: Genesis 12:10- what may seem trivial to Genesis 21 accomplish something JANUARY 4 monumental.” Read: Genesis 6:1-22 JANUARY 7 Return: Genesis 37:25- Genesis 48 Reflect: So the LORD said, “I Read: Genesis 22:1-14 will destroy man whom I have Reflect: Then He said, “Take created from the face of the now your son, your only son earth, both man and beast, Isaac, whom you love, and creeping thing and birds of the 35 JANUARY 10 should obey His voice to let LORD your God, who brought Israel go? I do not know the you out of the land of Egypt, Read: Genesis 49:1-27 LORD, nor will I let Israel go” out of the house of bondage. Reflect: The scepter shall not (Exodus 5:2). You shall have no other gods depart from Judah, nor a law- Respond: “God tailored every before Me” (Exodus 20:1-3). giver from between his feet, plague against the Egyptians Respond: “Let God’s law until Shiloh comes; and to Him to correspond to Egypt’s be a road sign to point you shall be the obedience of the false worship system.” to Jesus for cleansing and people (Genesis 49:10). Return: Exodus 5:11- change.” Respond: “You need never Exodus 11 Return: Exodus 20:18- doubt God’s promises be- Exodus 24 cause He keeps every one.” Return: Genesis 49:28- JANUARY 15 Genesis 50 Read: Exodus: 12:1-14 JANUARY 19 Reflect: Now the blood shall Read: Exodus 25:1-22 JANUARY 11 be a sign for you on the hous- Reflect: And let them make es where you are. And when Me a sanctuary, that I may Read: Exodus 1:1-14 I see the blood, I will pass dwell among them. According Reflect: Now these are the over you; and the plague shall to all that I show you, that is, names of the children of Israel not be on you to destroy you the pattern of the tabernacle who came to Egypt; each man when I strike the land of Egypt and the pattern of all its fur- and his household came with (Exodus 12:13). nishings, just so you shall Jacob (Exodus 1:1). Respond: “Only the blood make it (Exodus 25:8-9). Respond: “God’s people would save them, not the fact Respond: “There was only groaned in Egypt and grum- that they were Israelites.” one door into the tabernacle, bled in the wilderness, but Return: Exodus 12:15-14:12 just as there is only one way they experienced God’s glory into heaven, through Jesus at Sinai.” Christ.” Return: Exodus 1:15-22 JANUARY 16 Read: Exodus 14:13-30 Return: Exodus 25:23-33:11 JANUARY 12 Reflect: So the children of Is- rael went into the midst of the JANUARY 20 Read: Exodus 2:1-10 sea on the dry ground, and the Read: Exodus 33:12-22 Reflect: Then Pharaoh’s waters were a wall to them on Reflect: And he said, “Please, daughter said to her, “Take their right hand and on their show me Your glory” (Exodus this child away and nurse left (Exodus 14:22). 33:18). him for me, and I will give you Respond: “Every moment of Respond: “No matter how your wages.” So the woman crisis can crystallize your spiritually well informed or took the child and nursed him faith; it can become a line in biblically mature we are, at (Exodus 2:9). the sand.” our core, we long for God Respond: “God has a way Return: Exodus 14:31- Himself.” of supernaturally arranging Exodus 17 Return: Exodus 34-40 things in surprising ways.” Return: Exodus 2:11-3:6 JANUARY 17 JANUARY 21 JANUARY 13 Read: Exodus 18 Read: Leviticus 1 Reflect: So when Moses’ fa- Reflect: Then he shall put Read: Exodus 3:7-22 ther-in-law saw all that he did his hand on the head of the Reflect: But Moses said for the people, he said, “What burnt offering, and it will to God, “Who am I that I is this thing that you are doing be accepted on his behalf should go to Pharaoh, and for the people? Why do you to make atonement for him that I should bring the chil- alone sit, and all the people (Leviticus 1:4). dren of Israel out of Egypt?” stand before you from morning Respond: “The approach that (Exodus 3:11). until evening?” (Exodus 18:14). God accepts is the approach Respond: “Throw away every Respond: “No one person, that God prescribes!” excuse, and ask Him to use no matter how gifted, can do Return: Leviticus 2-3 you today.” ministry alone!” Return: Exodus 4-5 Return: Exodus 19 JANUARY 22 JANUARY 14 Read: Leviticus 4:1-12 JANUARY 18 Reflect: Speak to the chil- Read: Exodus 5:1-10 Read: Exodus 20:1-17 dren of Israel, saying: “If a Reflect: And Pharaoh said, Reflect: And God spoke all person sins unintentionally “Who is the LORD, that I these words, saying: “I am the against any of the command-

36 ments of the LORD in anything boughs of leafy trees, and he looked at the bronze ser- which ought not to be done, willows of the brook; and you pent, he lived (Numbers 21:9). and does any of them, if the shall rejoice before the LORD Respond: “Just as the Isra- anointed priest sins, bring- your God for seven days elites looked in faith at the ing guilt on the people, then (Leviticus 23:40). snake on the pole, people let him offer to the LORD for Respond: “Joy was to mark would look in faith to the his sin which he has sinned God’s people. Does it mark cross for salvation.” a young bull without blemish you?” Numbers 21:16-22:14 as a sin offering” (Leviticus Return: Leviticus 24-27 4:2-3). Return: Respond: “Honestly admit- JANUARY 31 ting sin and weakness is a JANUARY 27 Read: Numbers 22:15-35 sign of maturity.” Read: Numbers 1- Reflect: Then the LORD Return: Leviticus 4:13-8:21 Numbers 2:9 opened the mouth of the Reflect: Everyone of the donkey, and she said to JANUARY 23 children of Israel shall camp Balaam, “What have I done to by his own standard, beside you, that you have struck me Read: Leviticus 8:22-36 the emblems of his father’s these three times?” (Numbers Reflect: And Moses killed house; they shall camp some 22:28). it. Also he took some of its distance from the tabernacle Respond: “Ask God to help blood and put it on the tip of meeting (Numbers 2:2). you to be one of His faithful of Aaron’s right ear, on the “It’s the honest representatives.” thumb of his right hand, and Respond: narrative of what happens Numbers 22:36- on the big toe of his right foot Return: Numbers 33 (Leviticus 8:23). when people refuse to believe God’s promises.” Respond: “Here I am, LORD. Use my body to do your work Return: Number 2:10-9:14 FEBRUARY 1 today.” Read: Numbers 34:1-15 Return: Leviticus 9-10 JANUARY 28 Reflect: The border shall go Read: Numbers 9:15-23 down along the Jordan, and it JANUARY 24 Reflect: Whenever the cloud shall end at Hazar Enan. This Read: Leviticus 11:1-8 was taken up from above the shall be your northern border tabernacle, after that the chil- (Numbers 34:12). Reflect: Speak to the children dren of Israel would journey; Respond: “Are you fully expe- of Israel, saying, “These are and in the place where the riencing your inheritance in the animals which you may eat cloud settled, there the chil- Christ?” among all the animals that are dren of Israel would pitch their Numbers 34:16- on the earth” (Leviticus 11:2). Return: tents (Numbers 9:17). Numbers 36 Respond: “All of life is to be Respond: “Looking up is lived under the watching eye more important than looking of God.” FEBRUARY 2 around.” Read: Deuteronomy 1:1-18 Return: Leviticus 11:9- Return: Numbers 10- Exodus 18 Reflect: Now it came to Numbers 13:16 pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the JANUARY 25 JANUARY 29 first day of the month, that Read: Leviticus 19:1-24 Read: Numbers 13:17-33 Moses spoke to the children Reflect: Speak to all the con- Reflect: There we saw the gi- of Israel according to all gregation of the children of ants (the descendants of Anak that the LORD had given him Israel, and say to them: “You came from the giants); and we as commandments to them shall be holy, for I the LORD were like grasshoppers in our (Deuteronomy 1:3). your God am holy.” (Leviticus own sight, and so we were in Respond: “An understanding 19:2). their sight (Numbers 13:33). of biblical truth and of God’s Respond: “To be holy is to be Respond: “Dare to view life plan for you is essential for whole.” through the lens of faith.” your spiritual vitality and growth.” Return: Leviticus 19:25-23:32 Return: Numbers 14-20 Return: Deuteronomy 1:19- JANUARY 26 JANUARY 30 Numbers 2 Read: Leviticus 23:33-44 Read: Numbers 21:1-15 FEBRUARY 3 Reflect: And you shall take Reflect: So Moses made a for yourselves on the first day bronze serpent, and put it on Read: Deuteronomy 3:1-11 the fruit of beautiful trees, a pole; and so it was, if a ser- Reflect: For only Og king branches of palm trees, the pent had bitten anyone, when of Bashan remained of the 37 remnant of the giants. Indeed Deuteronomy 30 that he lifted his eyes and his bedstead was an iron looked, and behold, a Man bedstead. (Is it not in Rab- stood opposite him with His bah of the people of Ammon?) sword drawn in His hand. Nine cubits is its length and FEBRUARY 7 And Joshua went to Him four cubits its width, accord- Read: Deuteronomy 31:1-8 and said to Him, “Are You for ing to the standard cubit Reflect: And he said to them: us or for our adversaries?” (Deuteronomy 3:11). “I am one hundred and twenty (Joshua 5:13). Respond: “But what are such years old today. I can no lon- Respond: “Public victories enemies before a King-size ger go out and come in. Also are the result of private visits God?” the LORD has said to me, ‘You with God!” Return: Deuteronomy 3:12- shall not cross over this Jor- Return: Joshua 6:1-14 Deuteronomy 5 dan.’” (Deuteronomy 31:2). Respond: “Counting the FEBRUARY 11 FEBRUARY 4 years is not nearly as im- Read: Joshua 6:15-21 portant as making the years Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-15 count.” Reflect: So the people shout- Reflect: You shall teach them ed when the priests blew the diligently to your children, and Return: Deuteronomy 31:9- trumpets. And it happened shall talk of them when you Deuteronomy 34 when the people heard the sit in your house, when you sound of the trumpet, and the walk by the way, when you lie FEBRUARY 8 people shouted with a great down, and when you rise up Read: Joshua 1-Joshua 2 :14 shout, that the wall fell down (Deuteronomy 6:7). Reflect: Now Joshua the son flat. Then the people went Respond: “Passing the of Nun sent out two men from up into the city, every man spiritual baton to the next Acacia Grove to spy secretly, straight before him, and they generation is part of obeying saying, “Go, view the land, took the city (Joshua 6:20). God’s commands.” especially Jericho.” So they Respond: “Just get march- Return: Deuteronomy 6:16- went, and came to the house ing, and leave the walls up 18:14 of a harlot named Rahab, and to God!” lodged there (Joshua 2:1). Return: Joshua 6:22- FEBRUARY 5 Respond: “The individual Joshua 9 Read: Deuteronomy 18:15- most unlikely to become an example of confidence in FEBRUARY 12 22 God became just that.” : The LORD your God Read: Joshua 10:1-11 Reflect Joshua 2:14- will raise up for you a Prophet Return: Reflect: And it happened, as like me from your midst, from Joshua 3:8 they fled before Israel and your brethren. Him you shall were on the descent of Beth hear (Deuteronomy 18:15). FEBRUARY 9 Horon, that the LORD cast down large hailstones from : “When God the Read: Joshua 3:9-17 Respond heaven on them as far as Father sent Jesus the Son, Reflect: And it shall come to Azekah, and they died. There He put a period at the end of pass, as soon as the soles were more who died from the the salvation sentence.” of the feet of the priests who hailstones than the children Return: Deuteronomy 19-27 bear the ark of the LORD, the of Israel killed with the sword LORD of all the earth, shall (Joshua 10:11). rest in the waters of the Jor- FEBRUARY 6 dan, that the waters of the Respond: “Heaven’s Sharp- Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-19 Jordan shall be cut off, the shooter will be the one to Reflect: Now it shall come to waters that come down from execute the final judgment.” pass, if you diligently obey the upstream, and they shall stand Return: Joshua 10:12- voice of the LORD your God, to as a heap (Joshua 3:13). Joshua 13 observe carefully all His com- Respond: “Sometimes the mandments which I command first step of faith or obedi- FEBRUARY 13 you today, that the LORD ence is the hardest one, but your God will set you high Read: Joshua 14:1-12 we’ll never make any prog- : As yet I am as strong above all nations of the earth ress without it.” Reflect (Deuteronomy 28:1). this day as on the day that Return: Joshua 4-Joshua 5:9 Respond: “Because there is Moses sent me; just as my nothing to add to the cross, strength was then, so now the only ‘if’ is whether I be- FEBRUARY 10 is my strength for war, both long to Christ.” Read: Joshua 5:10-15 for going out and for com- ing in. Now therefore, give Return: Deuteronomy 8:20- Reflect: And it came to pass, me this mountain of which when Joshua was by Jericho, 38 the LORD spoke in that day Respond: “A nation cannot be FEBRUARY 22 (Joshua 14:11-12). stronger than its individual Read: Judges 10:10-18 Respond: “There are none so families.” Reflect: And the children of old as those who have out- Return: Judges 1-Judges 2:6 lived their own enthusiasm.” Israel said to the LORD, “We have sinned! Do to us what- Return: Joshua 14:13- FEBRUARY 18 ever seems best to You; only Joshua 17:13 Read: Judges 2:7-19 deliver us this day, we pray” Reflect: Then the children (Judges 10:15). FEBRUARY 14 of Israel did evil in the sight Respond: “When they cried Read: Joshua 17:14-18 of the LORD, and served the out, God heard, and God Reflect: Then the children of Baals (Judges 2:11). acted.” Joseph spoke to Joshua, say- Respond: “Make right choic- Return: Judges 11-12 ing, “Why have you given us es that will become godly only one lot and one share to habits.” FEBRUARY 23 inherit, since we are a great Judges 2:20- people, inasmuch as the LORD Return: Read: Judges 13:1-7 Judges 3 has blessed us until now?” Reflect: For behold, you shall (Joshua 17:14). conceive and bear a son. And Respond: “When we long for FEBRUARY 19 no razor shall come upon his more than we have, we must Read: Judges 4-Judges 5:7 head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the first use what we have; then : Village life ceased, it Reflect womb; and he shall begin to perhaps God will give more.” ceased in Israel, until I, Debo- deliver Israel out of the hand rah, arose, arose a mother in Return: Joshua 18-Joshua 19 of the Philistines (Judges 13:5). Israel (Judges 5:7). : “We are all vulner- “May God Respond FEBRUARY 15 Respond: able to something.” Read: Joshua 20:1-9 strengthen the hand of today’s moms to be the Return: Judges 13:8-25 Reflect: Speak to the children guiding influence for this of Israel, saying, “Appoint for generation.” FEBRUARY 24 yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Return: Judges 5:8- Read: Judges 14:1-7 Moses” (Joshua 20:2). Judges 6 Reflect: Now Samson went Respond: “You need the down to Timnah, and saw protective refuge of the love FEBRUARY 20 a woman in Timnah of the of Christ.” daughters of the Philistines Read: Judges 7:1-8 (Judges 14:1). Joshua 21- Return: Reflect: And the LORD said to : “Ask God to give Joshua 22:9 Respond Gideon, “The people who are you eyes that seek out and with you are too many for Me appreciate the inner beauty FEBRUARY 16 to give the Midianites into their of godliness.” hands, lest Israel claim glory Read: Joshua 22:10-29 for itself against Me, saying, Return: Judges 14:8-14 Reflect: And when the chil- ‘My own hand has saved me’” dren of Israel heard of it, the (Judges 7:2). FEBRUARY 25 whole congregation of the : “Faith that is not children of Israel gathered Respond Read: Judges 14:15-20 tested cannot be trusted.” together at Shiloh to go to war Reflect: Then the Spirit of the against them (Joshua 22:12). Return: Judges 7:9- LORD came upon him mightily (Judges 14:19). Respond: “We can become Judges 8 jury and judge on the basis Respond: “A Spirit-controlled of nothing but sinful assump- FEBRUARY 21 life will have sufficient inner tion.” Read: Judges 9 force to withstand the wick- edness of our culture.” Return: Joshua 22:30- Reflect: But a certain woman Joshua 24:13 dropped an upper millstone on Return: Judges 15 Abimelech’s head and crushed FEBRUARY 17 his skull (Judges 9:53). FEBRUARY 26 Read: Joshua 24:14-33 Respond: “Commit the injus- Read: Judges 16:1-20 tices and wrongs you see : And if it seems evil to Reflect: And she said, “The Reflect around you to God, and let you to serve the LORD, choose Philistines are upon you, Sam- Him administer His hand of for yourselves this day whom son!” So he awoke from his fair play.” you will serve… But as for me sleep, and said, “I will go out and my house, we will serve Return: Judges 10:1-9 as before, at other times, and the LORD (Joshua 24:15). shake myself free!” But he did

39 not know that the LORD had relative” (Ruth 3:9). king to judge us like all the departed from him (Judges Respond: “You can’t choose nations (1 Samuel 8:5). 16:20). to have a friend, but you can Respond: “Problems come Respond: “As children of God choose to be a friend.” when we begin to trust we’re made to respond to the Return: Ruth 4:1-9 government more than we LORD’s voice.” trust God.” Return: Judges 16:21-19:21 MARCH 3 Return: 1 Samuel 8:19-22 Read: Ruth 4:10-22 FEBRUARY 27 Reflect: Moreover, Ruth the MARCH 7 Read: Judges 19:22-30 Moabitess, the widow of Read: 1 Samuel 9:1-24 Reflect: When he entered his Mahlon, I have acquired as Reflect: And he had a choice house he took a knife, laid my wife, to perpetuate the and handsome son whose hold of his concubine, and name of the dead through his name was Saul. There was divided her into twelve pieces, inheritance, that the name of not a more handsome person limb by limb, and sent her the dead may not be cut off than he among the children throughout all the territory of from among his brethren and of Israel. From his shoulders Israel (Judges 19:29). from his position at the gate. upward he was taller than any Respond: “Make sure your You are witnesses this day of the people (1 Samuel 9:2). own moral compass is con- (Ruth 4:10). Respond: “The LORD wants nected to the guiding prin- Respond: “As Boaz willingly to use us, but only when we ciples of God’s Word.” redeemed his bride, Ruth, are yielded to His direction Return: Judges 20-21 Jesus Christ willingly en- dured the cross to save us Return: 1 Samuel 9:25-15:9 FEBRUARY 28 from eternal death.” Return: 1 Samuel 1:1-18 MARCH 8 Read: Ruth 1 Read: 1 Samuel 15:10-29 Reflect: But Ruth said: “En- MARCH 4 Reflect: Then Saul said to treat me not to leave you, or to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I turn back from following after Read: 1 Samuel 1:19-28 have transgressed the com- you; and wherever you lodge, I Reflect: Therefore I also mandment of the LORD and will lodge; your people shall be have lent him to the LORD; your words, because I feared my people, and your God, my as long as he lives he shall the people and obeyed their God” (Ruth 1:16). be lent to the LORD.” So they voice” (1 Samuel 15:24). Respond: “Jesus was born worshiped the LORD there (1 Samuel 1:28). Respond: “Instead of follow- in the city of David because ing God, Saul followed his David, the great-grandson Respond: “Our world needs own rules.” of Ruth and Boaz, made the children whose hearts burn right choices.” with a desire to follow God.” Return: 1 Samuel 15:30-35 Return: Ruth 2:1-2 Return: 1 Samuel 2 MARCH 9 MARCH 1 MARCH 5 Read: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Read: Ruth 2:3-23 Reflect: But the LORD said Read: 1 Samuel 3:1-18 to Samuel, “Do not look at his Reflect: Then she left, and Reflect: Now the LORD came appearance or at his physical went and gleaned in the field and stood and called as at stature, because I have re- after the reapers. And she other times, “Samuel! Sam- fused him. For the LORD does happened to come to the uel!” And Samuel answered, not see as man sees; for man part of the field belonging to “Speak, for Your servant looks at the outward appear- Boaz, who was of the family of hears” (1 Samuel 3:10). ance, but the LORD looks at Elimelech (Ruth 2:3). Respond: “God called the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Respond: “God is behind the Samuel three times but Respond: “Make a conscious scenes, but He moves all the never revealed His will until choice to wear God’s glass- scenes He is behind!” Samuel responded to Him es throughout your day.” Return: Ruth 3:1-7 unconditionally.” Return: 1 Samuel 16:14-17:30 Return: 1 Samuel 3:19- MARCH 2 1 Samuel 7 MARCH 10 Read: Ruth 3:8-18 Read: 1 Samuel 17:31-47 : And he said, “Who MARCH 6 Reflect : are you?” So she answered, Reflect This day the LORD Read: 1 Samuel 8:1-18 will deliver you into my hand, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Reflect: Look, you are old, Take your maidservant under and I will strike you and take and your sons do not walk in your head from you. And this your wing, for you are a close your ways. Now make us a

40 day I will give the carcasses you, my brother Jonathan; you MARCH 18 of the air and the wild beasts have been very pleasant to of the earth, that all the earth me; your love to me was won- Read: 2 Samuel 9 may know that there is a God derful, surpassing the love of Reflect: Now David said, “Is in Israel (1 Samuel 17:46). women (2 Samuel 1:26). there still anyone who is left of Respond: “If we follow Da- Respond: “When Christians the house of Saul, that I may vid’s example and put our are in trouble, they learn show him kindness for Jona- than’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1). faith in the living God, we who their real friends are, can face today’s battles with because those are the ones Respond: “Seize every op- courage.” who stay with them no mat- portunity to show kindness to others.” Return: 1 Samuel 17:48-58 ter what happens.” Return: 2 Samuel 2-3 Return: 2 Samuel 10 MARCH 11 Read: 1 Samuel 18:1-16 MARCH 15 MARCH 19 Read: 2 Samuel 11:1-17 Reflect: So the women sang Read: 2 Samuel 4:1-12 : as they danced, and said: Reflect: For when they came Reflect Then it happened “Saul has slain his thousands, into the house, he was lying one evening that David arose and David his ten thousands” on his bed in his bedroom; from his bed and walked on (1 Samuel 18:7). then they struck him and the roof of the king’s house. killed him, beheaded him and And from the roof he saw Respond: “Don’t allow jeal- a woman bathing, and the ousy to diminish your effec- took his head, and were all night escaping through the woman was very beautiful to tiveness or performance.” 2 Samuel 11:2). plain (2 Samuel 4:7). behold ( Return: 1 Samuel 18:17-25:1 Respond: “The first civil Respond: “An unchecked war had erupted between weakness can destroy.” MARCH 12 the house of David and the Return: 2 Samuel 11:18-27 Read: 1 Samuel 25:2-35 house of Saul.” Reflect: Then David said Return: 2 Samuel 5 MARCH 20 to Abigail: “Blessed is the Read: 2 Samuel 12:1-15 LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me!” MARCH 16 Reflect: Then Nathan said (1 Samuel 25:32). Read: 2 Samuel 6:1-11 to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Respond: “You can keep Reflect: So they set the ark Israel: ‘I anointed you king walking and do nothing. of God on a new cart, and over Israel, and I delivered Or, like Abigail, you can step brought it out of the house of you from the hand of Saul’” into the situation to change Abinadab, which was on the (2 Samuel 12:7). it. How will you be known?” hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the Respond: “If our conscienc- Return: 1 Samuel 25:36- new cart (2 Samuel 6:3). es aren’t sufficient, God will 1 Samuel 30 Respond: “Sincerity isn’t get our attention in some other enough. God wants our sin- way.” MARCH 13 cere obedience.” Return: 2 Samuel 12:16-2 Read: 1 Samuel 31 Return: 2 Samuel 6:12-7:3 Samuel 14 Reflect: Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your MARCH 17 MARCH 21 sword, and thrust me through Read: 2 Samuel 15 :1-12 with it, lest these uncircum- Read: 2 Samuel 7:4-19 : Then Absalom would cised men come and thrust me : Also the LORD tells Reflect Reflect say to him, “Look, your case through and abuse me.” But you that He will make you a is good and right; but there his armorbearer would not, for house. “When your days are is no deputy of the king to he was greatly afraid. There- fulfilled and you rest with your hear you.” Moreover Absalom fore Saul took a sword and fell fathers, I will set up your seed would say, “Oh, that I were on it (1 Samuel 31:4). after you, who will come from your body, and I will estab- made judge in the land, and Respond: “Your character is anyone who has any suit or what you are when no one lish his kingdom” (2 Samuel 7:11-12). cause would come to me; else is looking.” then I would give him justice” Return: 2 Samuel 1:1-16 Respond: “Through the reign (2 Samuel 15:3-4). of Jesus Christ, David’s Respond: “It’s the clas- throne would be established sic example of a father MARCH 14 forever.” Read: 2 Samuel 1:17-27 who provoked his child Return: 2 Samuel 7:20- Reflect: I am distressed for to anger and then reaped 2 Samuel 8 the consequences

41 (see Ephesians 6:4).” yourself.” rael saw that the king did not Return: 2 Samuel 15:13-18:23 Return: 1 Kings 1:22-3:2 listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: “What share have we in Da- MARCH 22 MARCH 26 vid? We have no inheritance Read: 2 Samuel 18:24-33 Read: 1 Kings 3:3-15 in the son of Jesse. To your Reflect: Then the king was Reflect: At Gibeon the LORD tents, O Israel! Now, see to deeply moved, and went up appeared to Solomon in a your own house, O David!” So to the chamber over the gate, dream by night; and God said, Israel departed to their tents and wept. And as he went, he “Ask! What shall I give you?” (1 Kings 12:16). said thus: “O my son Absa- (1 Kings 3:5). Respond: “Where do you lom—my son, my son Absa- Respond: “What would you seek wisdom and insight?” lom—if only I had died in your have asked for?” place! O Absalom my son, my Return: 1 Kings 12:17- son!” (2 Samuel 18:33). Return: 1 Kings 3:16- 1 Kings 16 1 Kings 4 Respond: “If you have a broken relationship with a MARCH 31 friend or a relative, reach MARCH 27 Read: 1 Kings 17:1-9 out to that person.” Read: 1 Kings 5:1-18 Reflect: And Elijah the Tish- Return: 2 Samuel 19-22 Reflect: And the king com- bite, of the inhabitants of manded them to quarry large Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the stones, costly stones, and LORD God of Israel lives, be- MARCH 23 hewn stones, to lay the foun- fore whom I stand, there shall Read: 2 Samuel 23 dation of the temple (1 Kings not be dew nor rain these Reflect: Now these are the 5:17). years, except at my word” last words of David. Thus Respond: “If you have put (1 Kings 17:1). says David the son of Jesse; your faith in Christ, you can Respond: “There is great thus says the man raised live with the awareness that power in simple prayer.” up on high, the anointed God’s Spirit lives in you.” 1 Kings 17:10-18:16 of the God of Jacob, and Return: the sweet psalmist of Israel Return: 1 Kings 6-8 (2 Samuel 23:1). Respond: “God take a peas- MARCH 28 NOTES ant and made him into roy- Read: 1 Kings 9-10:1 alty.” Reflect: Now when the queen Return: 2 Samuel 24 of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came MARCH 24 to test him with hard ques- Read: 1 Kings 1:1-2 tions (1 Kings 10:1). Reflect: Now King David was Respond: “The same source old, advanced in years; and from which Solomon re- they put covers on him, but he ceived his wisdom is avail- could not get warm (1 Kings 1:1). able to you, and it’s on a prayer away.” Respond: “Are you keeping your eye on the prize?” Return: 1 Kings 10:2-29 Return: 1 Kings 1:3-4 MARCH 29 MARCH 25 Read: 1 Kings 11:1-13 Reflect: And he had seven Read: 1 Kings 1:5-21 hundred wives, princesses, Reflect: Then Adonijah the and three hundred concu- son of Haggith exalted him- bines; and his wives turned self, saying, “I will be king”; away his heart (1 Kings 11:3). and he prepared for himself “For all of Solo- chariots and horsemen, and Respond: fifty men to run before him (1 mon’s wisdom, he disobeyed Kings 1:5). God’s wise precepts.” Respond: “If your children Return: 1 Kings 11:14-43 are still under your roof, make sure you are faithfully MARCH 30 teaching them God’s ways, Read: 1 Kings 12:1-16 setting a godly example Reflect: Now when all Is- 42 43 STAY CONNECTED

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