March - April 2003

Word of Prophecy

NEWSLETTER

THE DAY OF THE LORD

By Bro. Ray Pringle, Sr. -- Re-printed from Summer 1990 Radio-gram

There are three distinct Biblical terms to designate a definite period of prophetic fulfillment: (1) "The Last Days," (2) "Time of the End," and (3) "Day of the Lord." The "Last Days" began at Pentecost and will end after Christ comes and establishes His throne and kingdom, beginning His glorious 1,000-year reign. Acts 2:17-21. The "Time of the End" is a designation peculiar to the Book of Daniel _ it is an integral part of the "Last Days," but only the climactic ending of the last 40 or so years _ it is our endtime generation. Dan. 8:17-27. The "Day of the Lord" is a period of prophetic fulfillment that begins at the day of God's wrath. Cf. Rev. 16.

The "Day of the Lord" is not just one day _ it is a period of time of at least 3 ½ years _ the "Time of the Heathen" is a period of time when God Himself will divinely intervene in world affairs through great judgments amid a great outpouring of the Holy Ghost. To wit: "And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward. And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity…" Ezek. 39:21-23.

A TERRIBLE PREVIEW

"Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt … Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Isa. 13:6-9.

OUR SOURCE OF PROPHECY

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." II Pet. 1:19-21.

BOTH OLD & NEW TESTAMENT LIGHT

Old Testament prophecies are primary and fundamental to the clarification of the prophecies of the New Testament. All prophecies of the Holy Scriptures have a two-fold fulfillment _ both future and

historical, that is, past, present, and future _ fulfilled in our very own generation of the Endtime.

New Testament prophecy is primarily directed to the present and future of the Church, and to today's Christian. Old Testament prophecy for the endtime is directed primarily to Israel, but it also includes revelations and fulfillments involving the true Church and Gentile Nations that will be caught in the talons of the rising Gathering Storm and the Antichrist.

A TIME OF THE HEATHEN

"Thus saith the Lord God: Howl ye, Woe worth the day! For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen. And the sword [terrorism] shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia … Ethiopia, and Lybia, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league [their allies], shall fall with them by the sword." Ezek. 30:2-5.

The definition of a heathen is: "Any person who does not worship and serve the True God of the Bible; an idol worshipper; a person regarded as irreligious, or unenlightened to the true Christian lifestyle; a pagan."

Most theologians consider the Biblical use of "heathen" as being synonymous with "Gentiles." However, this is only a half-truth. In Biblical terminology the word "heathen" is used to convey a deeper meaning, as "ungodly," or "pagan," with reference to people who do not know God's laws and ways, or are rebellious against God's Word and His holy lifestyle. The following prophetic scriptures fully corroborate this correct definition of "heathen":

(1) "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen." Jer. 10:2.

(2) "But [they, i.e., Israel] were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them." Psa. 106:35-36.

(3) Jesus taught thusly: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matt. 6:7.

(4) Jesus also taught: "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone … But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more … And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

Matt. 18:15-17.

God commands every Christian: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? … And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols [pagan idolatry] … Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord … and I will receive you." II Cor. 6:14-17.

HEATHENS IN THE CHURCH!

Remember these vividly impressive exhortations from our Lord _ for there are many heathen in the endtime Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ! And, as the Day of the Lord draws nearer, the Church will be overrun with heathens _ for we are rapidly approaching that prophetic period of Last Days history designated "the Time of the Heathen."

The Prophet of God exclaimed: "O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth." Psa. 79:1-2.

The Prophet Joel has prophesied that the true, endtime saints of our day will be compelled to fast

and pray earnestly to overcome the heathen who have filled the churches: "The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning … Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them." Joel 2:11-12, 17.

GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO THE

HEATHEN AND TO ISRAEL

When Russia and her allied armies invade Israel in the Last Days (Ezek. 38:8, 16), only one sixth of those millions of warriors will survive the holocaust of God's judgments. This great prophesied event is very imminent, but will happen well before Christ's return (Rapture) or the beginning of the Great Tribulation. "God will set his glory among Israel and the heathen."

This greatest of endtime prophetic fulfillment will open the door to worldwide evangelism and signal the greatest Holy Ghost outpouring and Revival of Restoration in all history. Millions of heathens will be turned to the Lord, because it is the "Time of the Heathen" _ their last opportunity to hear the everlasting gospel preached by true prophets of God, and to receive Eternal Life. Rev. 11:3-6; 14:6-7.

TODAY'S CHURCHES _ FULL OF

HEATHENS

Have you seen any heathens lately? Just go to church _ very likely it will be filled with them _ professing Christians which pollute Christ's holy name by their ungodly dress, conversation and lifestyle in general.

The precious name of Jesus is polluted by Christians who live like heathens among the real pagans of our last generation. The church of today, as God's church of old, have declared: "We will be as the heathen." Ezek. 20:32.

Heathens, who have pagan lifestyles without a true knowledge of God, and without regard for His word and His holiness, have taken over most of the endtime churches of Jesus Christ _ most preachers and church leaders also live like heathens, and they walk in darkness.

A REMNANT COVERED

Millions of heathens worldwide _ even many of those in our churches _ will be saved through God's great soon-coming judgments mingled with His great mercy. One of God's great prophets to our endtime church and sick society cried out to God in our behalf: "O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive [Restore] thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years [at the Time of the Heathen] make known; in wrath remember mercy." Hab. 3:2.

Ponder these two glorious endtime prophecies by God's prophets of Restoration:

(1) "In that day [Time of the End] will I raise up the tabernacle of David [God's temple] that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this." Amos 9:11-12.

(2) "And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he [Christ] shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his [Christ's] dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant [blood of Christ] I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the

pit wherein is no water." Zech. 9:10-11. Salvation to the heathens!

TODAY'S REVIVAL _ PHONY!

There is no true Holy Ghost revival among God's people or our Sick Society _ only religious medicine shows and hootenannies. All these phony facades of true revival are the work of religious demons leading to Ecumenicism and the World Church of the Antichrist and False Prophet. The present Pope of Rome is leading the way _ and all this is the result of the so-called Charismatic Renewal. This "renewal" is as phony as a three-dollar bill!

"Charismatic Renewal" is a counterfeit of the soon-coming Holy Ghost outpouring of real endtime revival to save the heathens and to restore Christ's endtime church back to true holiness, true divine love, obedience to God's word, divine unity, and the fear of God. Charismatics are the catalyst for Ecumenicism _ they are heathens, and those who accept their phony renewal are heathens.

RESTORATION REVIVAL!

The true endtime Restoration Revival will surely unite Christ's divided disciples through true Repentance, a return to Sanctification and Holiness, and to the Real Love of God like the early church of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Book of Acts. Ecumenicism is not Holy Ghost Unity and Restoration as implemented through the Pope of Rome by spiritual détente _ i.e., compromise of the Word of God. The false doctrine of unification is uniting world religions under the Roman Catholic banner. Charismatics will be deceived and led into this false church and unification by the spirit of Antichrist. I John 2:18-19.

A HOLY REMNANT SAVED

Not all the heathen (pagans), not all professing Christians who live like heathens, and not all Jews who live like heathens, will be saved _ only a remnant will be saved out of all the world's billions! The scriptural proof:

(1) "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come ...in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." Joel 2:31-32.

(2) "In that day [Time of the End]…they may possess the remnant of Edom [heathens], and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this." Amos 9:11-12.

(3) "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved." Rom. 9:27.

(4) "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Rom. 11:5.

(5) "Then said one unto [Jesus] him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Luke 13:23-24. Only a few saved!

THE JEWISH REMNANT

If only the Jews could read and understand the prophetic scriptures of our Holy Bible, the exiles in Russia, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and others in Central Europe would not return to Israel. The prophecy of our Holy Bible predicts another holocaust by the antichrist that will exceed the barbarism of Hitler and his Nazi henchmen during the Third Reich, to wit:

"And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God." Zech. 13:8-9.

This great prophetic fulfillment will result from the Day of the Lord _ the Time of the Heathen _ the primary focal point of God's activities is Israel, but to a greater degree, the whole world of the heathen of which the Jews, spiritually, are included. This seems to indicate that at least one billion of earth's population will survive the Great Tribulation Period, and will live in Christ's kingdom of 1,000 years! Cf. Matt. 25:31-34.

CLOSE OUR EYES? NO!

We must valiantly cry out in the midst of the pagan abominations among God's people: "The day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen." Obad. 15. "The times of the Gentiles" are reaching their climactic hour _ disturbing signs are in the heavens, the distress of nations and their statesmen are evident everywhere on earth, men's hearts will fail them for the fear of the terrorism coming upon the earth, so said Jesus, the world's and the church's greatest prognosticator. Luke 21:24-26.

The time has come for God to justify a mighty remnant of the heathen by faith. Gal. 3:8. But, ladies and gentlemen, the church of today and her preachers have overlooked the important part, Obedience to God's Word.

Today's preachers are for the most part like King Manasseh of Israel, thusly: "So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen." II Chron. 33:9.

Also: "Moreover all the chief of the priests [the most popular preachers], and the people [church members], transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem." II Chron. 36:14.

THE CHURCH'S RESPONSE

God has raised up prophets to warn Christ's endtime disciples to repent of their pagan lifestyles or to suffer terrible judgments. At the time of the end, "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried." Dan. 12:10. What is the church's response to God's attempt, through the message of His true prophets, to Restore the Church to His Holiness, and Unity, and Love, and the Fear of God? Answer: "But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy." II Chron. 36:16. It is so true today also!

Soothsaying theologians and pantywaist preachers prophesy and preach of an easy-rapture, and bewitch many of Christ's disciples, but ladies and gentlemen, here's the awful truth _ your Holy Bible declares that this endtime rebellious church of Jesus Christ is going into the Great Tribulation for at least 3 ½ years _ and, it will be judged like the heathen, but many will be purged, and made white, and their faith will be tried. Dan. 12:9-10.

DO YOU LIVE LIKE A HEATHEN?

Most church people and Christ's professed disciples live like heathens, and I know thousands of them. They dress like heathens, love worldliness like heathens, and yield to the flesh like heathens. Most of these professors of Christianity have no prayer life that God respects, and those who are parents don't teach their children the Bible or pray with them. Fun and pleasure-madness grip their hearts even though God has warned: They that live in pleasure are dead while they live (I Tim. 5:6), and if any man love the

THE DEVIL: OUR ADVERSARY

By Bro. Ray Pringle, Jr.

I have been listening to a lot of people making remarks about events that have been happening since 9-11-01. Most people and preachers are giving God the credit or discredit for all these events, and are leaving the devil alone to do more devilment. What I am hearing and what the Bible states are in direct conflict.

The Apostle Paul states in II Cor. 4:4, that the devil is the god of this world and blinds the minds of them that believe not. The devil told Jesus in Luke 4:6, "All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it." The devil has tremendous power and, ladies and gentlemen, be careful lest he seduce you with his promises of fame and glory. The Apostle Peter warned in I Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." I do not know what others believe or do not believe, but I know that the devil is hard at work trying desperately to stifle the work of the Holy Ghost any way he can. We can give the devil credit for having tremendous power, but we must not ever give in to him.

This article in no way diminishes the omnipotent power of God, but its purpose is to demonstrate what we as Christians are up against in the supernatural: physical threats that are very real, that we have to face and can only defeat through the blood of Jesus.

THE DEVIL IS AN INSTIGATOR

The devil is an instigator and he will fool you into thinking that your actions are just, but in reality they are deadly. Take a look at Judas, a man that was taught by Jesus. Money and bad friends were his ruin. Look at John 13:2, "And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him." In Matthew 13:19 Jesus said, "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which is sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside." Luke 22:31, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat."

How many times have you witnessed people on fire for God and then you look for them one day and they have gone back to their wallowing in the mire? Dad was always telling me of friends who he became attached to, who were serving God greatly — and then all of a sudden they were gone, off chasing promises that the devil never intended to keep.

THE ARCH DECEIVER

The devil will do anything and everything in his power to ruin you and your family; he hates to see people serving the Lord! It is very important that we know our adversary and all the shenanigans he pulls to cause defeat for a Christian. Paul said in II Cor. 2:11, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

Dearly beloved, we must keep our eyes on Jesus and walk in the light of God's Word to survive. The devil works his wiles through compromising teachers and preachers that use compromising perversions of the Bible. Please read II Cor. 11:3-4. We know that the mystery of iniquity is already at work and has all power in signs and lying wonders with all deceivableness, as stated in II Thes. 2:7-10. Should you choose not to love the real Word of God, you will lose your soul, because you do not believe the real Truth, but only a facsimile of the real thing. The best example of how the devil fools Christians is the fact that there are over 50 perversions of the real (The King James) version of the Bible. Dumb and blind so-called

preachers are using these perversions in the pulpit of churches, making God's Word sound like a newspaper or magazine article written by some liberal press reporter. Those bibles are one of the best ideas that the devil has come up with, to deceive and pervert the real Word of God and to fool people into believing that those books are true.

The apostle Paul said in 1 Cor. 2:7-8, "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." All down through history we read of men and women falling from the steadfastness that they once possessed with God, because of the devil's devices.

Consider all the evil leaders and mean people who are living right here on this earth today and the devastation, heartache, terror, grief and loss they are causing families. Sons and daughters are disappearing, never to be heard from again; from tyrannical leaders and child snatchers, that murder the innocent: who do you think is causing all this suffering? I will tell you — the devil.

THE POWER OF DARKNESS

When our Lord was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said in Luke 22:53, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness." There is a major crisis happening today, just like it did when the Lord was crucified, because people are crucifying the Son of God afresh and putting him to an open shame with their ungodly actions. The devil is a fierce adversary, ladies and gentlemen; never underestimate his cunning. Please read Hebrews 6:6. There are Four Horses with their riders — a White Horse, a Red Horse, a Black Horse, and a Pale Horse — riding throughout the whole earth wreaking havoc, even as I write this article; and who do you think they get their power from?

Jesus recognized that the devil is the prince and power of the air. "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." John 14:30. Please read John 12:31 and Ephesians 2:2.

THE DEVIL HAS DELAY TACTICS

Our prayers and answers from God are often delayed because the prince and power of the air has slowed the process down with his ruthless ways, hoping that we will crumble and fail, or give up. Daniel, after fasting twenty-one days experienced this delay in Daniel chapter 10. In verse 10 we read, "And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands." Verses 12 and 13: "Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia." If Daniel had given up, we would not have the prophecy of the end time that was written by Daniel. It took two angels to get Daniel's prayers through: this alone demonstrates the power that the devil possesses. Take courage, fellow servants of the Most High God; hold onto God, not your troubles. Keep your eyes on Jesus for he is the author and finisher of our faith. NEVER GIVE IN! NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL!

HOW TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL

Beloved, we can not be ignorant of the devil's devices by allowing ourselves to get too busy to pray and study the Word. Dad has said many, many times, "The devil trembles when he sees the least of God's saints on his knees." We MUST be about our Father's business in all of our daily activities, NEVER giving

place to the devil. The devil will help you make excuses for not reading the Bible and praying, i.e., too busy, too sleepy, got to go to work and other things that clutter up your life. Consider this passage of scriptures in Hebrews 6:10-12 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

In closing, Isaiah 14:12-19 says, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as a raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet." Our God is still in control and those that serve him will survive the devil's holocaust.

The devil knows that his time is short, so he is pulling out all the tricks in his bag. Soon the antichrist and false prophet, the devil's surrogates, will appear. BEWARE, lest you are caught by their false miracles and slight of hand; I guarantee they will be using perverted bibles. Pray one for another and when you feel there is a need, send prayer requests. You are no match for the devil, but you and God are a majority, and can defeat any devil, two legged or otherwise! IN JESUS' NAME!

Word of Prophecy

Broadcast is on two new radio stations!

If you live in the Boise, ID area, you can hear Bro. Ray Pringle, Sr. on KSPD, 790 AM. The broadcast airs Monday through Friday, at 8:45 a.m.

If you live in the Spokane, WA area, you can hear Bro. Pringle on KTRW, 970 AM. The broadcast airs Monday through Friday, at 8:15 a.m.

We praise God for opening up these new stations for us.

Word of Prophecy Newsletter

Published by: Word of Prophecy Fellowship

P O Box 10200, Jacksonville, FL 32247

Editor Bro. Ray Pringle, Jr.

an ordained minister of the

Calvary Chapel Church of God, Inc.

Associate Editor ... June Carpenter

Copyrighted - All rights reserved

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