Witchcraft in the Church- The Spirit of Divination

I put on hold the publishing of my dreams but as I recently have been feeling the urge to go back to sharing what I receive from the Lord, this one comes top of the list.

It was June 23, 2018, the most awaited day for the church because it was the “Freedom Conference Day” we’ve all been preparing for months. As an intercessor, I was one of the frontliners so to speak. Since the event was certainly going to be physically and spiritually intense, all I wanted the night before was to rest as we already had prayed and fasted for days. But it seemed that the spirit realm was already engaged that sleep was very elusive. Looking back, perhaps the reason my spirit was restless was because of what the Lord was about to show me in a dream.  

Around 6:00 in the morning, still not having felt falling asleep, I had a really troubling dream. In the dream I was looking at and listening to a woman, a prophetess whom everybody looks up to because of her accuracy and eloquence. But while she was speaking with her accurate prophetic words, I saw her face gradually distort and transformed into the face of a python. The voice also changed as the python continued to speak. This time all I could see was a large snake speaking in a deep and hallow voice. But I knew I was looking at a woman totally absorbed in the spirit of divination. I turned around and told everyone that the prophetess was not speaking by the Holy Spirit but by the spirit of divination. Sadly, they all dismissed what I said as they were convinced of her prophetic gift. Then I told them indignantly that the reason they could not see the snake in her was because they, each one of them, was keeping little pet monsters in their pockets. As I said that, I saw little monsters in people’s pockets. I woke up, realized I was a little late to go to the meeting place with some churchmates for the conference.

Since the dream was fresh and it was “Freedom (Deliverance) Conference Day,” I thought it was right to tell our pastor about it. I first took the dream as probably about someone in the main church, so I thought our pastor would somehow relay it to the head pastor, but his advice was to keep it among ourselves and just pray and intercede that the Lord would reveal it to them if that was the case. 

As I prayed about it, the Lord revealed to me that the dream is not about a particular prophetess in the church but the spirit of divination that has infiltrated and is operating in the Body of Christ through the prophetic ministry. This is a warning that not all prophetic voices are genuinely of the Holy Spirit, so it is highly important to be discerning.

What I have observed all these years is that the prophetic ministry has become like a fad; and some even sounded like fortune telling. Another thing, some prophetic people lack the understanding of the importance of holiness, denying oneself, taking up their cross and faithfully following Jesus. Their desire to have the gift of prophecy without the basics of holiness and humility and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ opened them up to the wrong kind of spirit. The unsuspecting sheep who, likewise, do not have the foundation of the Word and are not walking in step with the Spirit of God are vulnerable to being deceived by the spirit of divination. Unfortunately, this is the condition of the majority in the Church today.

I pray that the Lord will raise up intercessors in every church to counter this demonic spirit that has infiltrated the Body of Christ. I pray that the Lord will silence the spirit of divination disguising as a prophetic voice in the church misleading the flock, in the powerful name of the Lord Jesus Christ / Yeshua HaMashiach, amen.

Acts 16:16-18

¹⁶ Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she did for many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

Acts 8:9-20

⁹ But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, ¹⁰ to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” ¹¹ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. ¹³ Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

¹⁴ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

Love in Yeshua,

Cynthia

A Dream: The Bride is not Ready

This dream I had on December 7, 2020 was about a bride who was not ready on her wedding day. I was the bride in the dream but I know that I was also a representation of the Church and the groom represents the Lord Jesus Christ. I know this because since 2011, I have been dreaming of brides and the first time I had those successively drove me to my knees to understand why which the Lord woke me up with His answer so audible in my spirit. He said, “The bride is the Church.”

Instantly, I understood the clear message of the dreams and heard the Spirit of the Lord said, “I am not coming to a filthy and immoral bride. I will shake the Church and cleanse and purify her.” This led me to prayer and intercession for the Church.

Usually, towards the end of every year the Lord would give me a dream, showing me what lies ahead. But for the past two or three years I haven’t received any although a year would not pass without Him giving me a prophetic dream. The frequency, however, had lessen and I believe I know why. So, in this recent dream, the Lord’s warning is not just for the Church but for me as well.

Another note, the groom in this recent dream is a friend who is married to my former roommate who was the bride in one of my dreams in 2011. Their being a couple is known in this dream, so, I know in my heart this dream is symbolic. I knew when I woke up, the first wife refers to Israel.

Isaiah 54:5

For your Maker is your husband, The Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.

The Dream

In this dream the groom was on his way, all dressed up for our wedding. I was amused, obviously not taking seriously that I was not prepared. I was like, “What? Is it today?”

I was not dressed up, the white wedding gown from the groom spread before me, I wondered if I would be ready in time for the ceremony as I saw that my toes still needed pedicure. I heard my son, John Elijah, said he would go ahead to make sure everything is ready. It was getting dark and I saw the disappointment in the eyes of the groom as he caught me unprepared. End of dream.

The first thing I did when I woke up was repent. I repented for the lack of passion in my heart as I used to have, for the coming of the Lord. It was a slow drifting from the deepest passion I had- Jesus/Yeshua, my Lord and Messiah. My heart was crowded with many things, including between doing things for Him and pursuing Him; between being a Mary or a Martha. I used to be doing a Mary thing more than a Martha. Though I knew this in my heart all along and wanted to change course, I just could not get myself back to where I left off. I needed His help and this dream is one of the answers to this prayer.

If you are in this situation, know that the Lord longs for your undivided, uncompromised love and devotion. That is the way to prepare for His coming. Return to your first love and let your heart burn with passion for Him alone. Days ahead are rough we need to focus on Him more than ever.

Much love in Yeshua,

Cynthia

Why Stand with Israel

This article below is written by Jack Hayford, co-founder of the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ).

As this year’s DPPJ is but a few days away, I encourage you to read this important article on why we, as Christians, need to pray for and stand with Israel. More than political, this is one most crucial Scriptural and Spiritual issue. If you love God, you must know the heart of God not only for yourself and your Church but for Israel through whom He chose to reveal His plans and purposes for the whole human race. Our identity as believers, our purpose and calling revolve around the will of Him who created all things and all peoples.

Why-Stand-with-Israel

By Jack Hayford

Israel is a land about which G-d says – uniquely, prophetically, redemptively, and repeatedly in the Bible – “This is Mine.” G-d refers to Israel as He does to no other land on Earth. Israel was raised up to be a light to the Gentiles.

The Church at its inception was virtually entirely Jewish, and it remained so until the Gospel began to spread. Ultimately, the Gospel spread to Antioch – where the first Gentile congregation began – the base from which the Gospel spread into all the world.

In the book of Romans, chapters 9 through 11, the Apostle Paul deals with the question of the Jews in G-d’s providence and purpose. These three chapters virtually stand alone, within the whole of the Bible, as an elaboration of the theology of G-d’s dealing with Jews. The Jews were the “first fruit” … the “first people” (through Abraham) to understand a covenant G-d. They then relayed the riches of that truth to the world, and through their agency, the Messiah came into the world. The Word of G-d calls Jews the “root” and Gentiles the “branches.” We’re reminded that while “because of unbelief, some of them were broken off and you stand by faith,” we are not to become haughty but to fear: “For if G-d did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.” When the fullness of the Gentiles is completed, “all Israel will be saved.” (ch. 11:16-27)

We are living in a sobering moment in history that calls us, as believers in Jesus Christ, to take a stand with Israel. We could be people of the last hours. We are not to be passive in the face of prophecy; we are called to pray with passion, to intercede, and to minister according to the words of the Savior who said it is not our task to speculate when the end will be. It is our responsibility to do Kingdom business until He comes (Luke 19:13).

This is not about politics, this is about the Word of G-d… but the political ramifications are extremely dramatic. Scripture declares there will come a time when all the nations of the world will turn against Israel. It is so highly conceivable this could happen in our time that it is crucial to outline why we should stand with Israel today.

To read the rest of the article, click here: Why-Stand-with-Israel

Join us on the global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem on October 7, 2018.

God bless in Yeshua,

Cynthia

Flying and Ministering with Lord

The Lord seems to have been flying me around to minister. My first incidence of flying with Him was in 2011. I published the dream on the “My Encounters with the Lord…” so I won’t repeat the details here.

As the flying began with the mighty rushing Wind (Holy Spirit) blowing all over me from behind, it seems that I have recognized what happened next when it (He) comes. So, when my second dream of the mighty rushing Wind happened on Sept. 28 this year, around 11:20 p.m., I knew I was about to fly with Him.

In the dream, I was praying with my missionary housemates. When I finished, heat began to flow in my hands which instantly I recognized as the Lord’s anointing. I stretched out my arms feeling the heat and I exclaimed, “Wow!” in amazement. As I was still relishing the feeling, I felt the Wind of the Lord began to blow from behind me. I stood ready to take off as I knew I was about to fly with Him. I said, “Where are we going this time, Lord?”

I began to rise from the ground as the familiar mighty rushing Wind was blowing behind and all over me. When I was a few feet up, my son held on to me. I told him to let go, that I was just flying with the Lord and that I’d be back quickly. He would not let go and that’s when I realized that he was actually waking me up. He apparently heard me moaning and was worried I was having a nightmare so he kept shaking me until I woke up. I was deeply disappointed that I could not say anything. I just went back to sleep praying the dream would continue. It did not.

I could only guess that the Lord might have wanted to bring me to Puerto Rico as I prayed fervently before going to bed that night. I was telling Him that I wanted to go as I felt really bad about Puerto Rico’s condition after Hurricane Maria battered the country. I was deeply troubled watching the news and seeing the people in desperate condition, a picture of hopelessness that I knew only a touch from the Savior could fill. I was telling Him in prayer that I wanted to bring them His good news if He would let me. I specifically prayed that if I could not possibly go physically, He would at least bring me in the spirit as He did in 2011 when He flew me to Balingasag, a small rural town in Mindanao, to pray for the need of the families there.

In the morning of November 6, 2017, I went back to bed after the children left for school. As I drifted to sleep, the Wind of the Lord began to blow and lift me up. I exclaimed, “Yes, Lord, I want to fly with You!”

This time, I was very familiar with the Wind that I quickly positioned myself and flew in confidence, unlike in the first dream of 2011. Like an eagle I soared easily with the Wind. I knew I was flying over the City of Las Piňas because I saw a billboard of the mayor, the only visible structure, on top of a hill. The land was barren with hardly any green plant but few dried grasses on the ground. I encountered spirits that I rebuked each as I passed by them. Two prominent figures were a large and dark shadow floating in the air and a priest on the ground. I said to the priest, “So, you are the one causing oppression to the people here.” I rebuked and cast out the spirit which transformed and vanished away.

I flew farther until I reached a public school. I went lower near the ground and I witnessed the busy school. Children and teachers were all around and I started praying for them. The Wind began to slow down and I knew the trip was over. I wanted to fly more but the Wind finally stopped and I was back on my bed.

What I learned from this dream is that our city, Las Piňas, is spiritually barren in spite of the presence of several Christian churches here. Catholic schools also abound, in fact, my son goes to a Catholic university. But I also know that the Lord wants to reach out to the people in this place. This was revealed to me in a vision on October 30, a week before He flew me over the city.

In the morning of October 30 while I was praying, I saw students (boys and girls) of the Catholic University where my son is enrolled. They wore the same uniforms as my son and his classmates so I knew they were Senior High school kids. I didn’t bother at first until I saw them again a second and third time. I paused and asked the Lord what the vision meant and He said that He was going to reach out to the students and save them; that these students will be the way for their homes to be saved as well; that He will use the youth of the church where my son is a keyboard player. I then saw the Youth leader and prayed for her as the Lord further impressed to me that He has anointed her for the campus ministry.

I shared the vision with the youth leader and she confirmed that the Lord has been speaking to her about the campus ministry particularly in said university; that she must focus on the students in that campus. She said further that I was not the first one to confirm the message to her for there has been two others who prophesied about it, and, for the past weeks, she’s been meeting new student friends from there which is obviously no coincidence.

My son, to the glory of the Father, is living out his testimony to his classmates and friends that they awarded him the “Most Holy” in the class of mostly Catholics. The awarding was for fun, created by the students themselves, as everyone received based on his/her prominent characteristic, identity so to speak.

Two days ago, December 26, I went flying with the Lord again. I thought I could minister to someone somewhere and asked Him to fly me wherever He wanted me to go. The Wind of the Lord again propelled me up, but as I went so fast and high I was scared and sought the Lord to slow down. Then as if learning to fly for the first time, I realized I could actually maneuver and adjust my speed with practice. So I did. I went over and between buildings and over a bridge. I remember passing by a slum area in Manila. I finally landed in a house beside the sea.

I talked to the lady in the house whom I knew was the mother. I told her that the Lord sent me to pray for them. She refused saying they were very busy and were about to have lunch. I turned to look at the curious teenage girls who were watching us and listening. They shyly hid their faces and I realized why. They were covered with acne. The mother’s face had acne scars as well.

I searched the house with my eyes and saw a guy whose face was covered with a mask that looked like an icing. He explained that he’s hiding his face because of acne. The Lord impressed to me that the family who runs a bakeshop business has a chronic problem with acne. I took the opportunity to tell them that the Lord could heal them but first they must receive Him as their Savior.

As my first flight to Balingasag, I am amazed how the Lord takes notice of people’s needs and want to help them. In the first trip I overheard a family discussing where to send their children to college as tuition fees were high. The Lord told me to intercede.

This family that suffers from chronic acne again has touched the heart of the Father. I do not know them and I don’t know if I would even meet them in person but I know that I have to intercede for them. I believe that the Lord would heal and save them whoever and wherever they are.

This is an encouragement to all who read this message. The Lord is concerned with whatever concerns us. Nothing is too small an issue for the Lord so call on Him for He truly cares.

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

Love in Yeshua,

Cynthia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same-Sex Marriage, Storms and a Fire

Update: 37 dead in Davao Cit mall fire

Isaiah 5:20-21

²⁰ Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

²¹ Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Recently, Philippine’s President Rodrigo Duterte made his controversial turn around on same sex marriage. Quoting PhilStar:

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte Sunday expressed support for same-sex marriage, reversing anew his stand on the issue, which has sparked fierce debates in other countries.

Speaking to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Davao City, Duterte said people should not be barred from pursuing things that make them happy.

“I want same-sex marriage. The problem is we’ll have to change the law. But we can change the law,” the president said, referring (to) the Family Code, which states that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

“If that is the trend of the modern times, if that will add to your happiness, I am for it. Who am
I (to stop you)? You know, kung ano ‘yung kaligayahan ng tao, ibigay ko. Bakit mo pigilan (if that makes the people happy, why stop it)? Why impose a morality that is no longer working and almost passé,” he added.

Months ago, the President said he was against same sex marriage. Quoting PhilStar again:

BANGKOK — President Rodrigo Duterte stressed on Sunday that marriage in the Philippines is between a man and a woman as he criticized supposed attempts in the west to blur the lines between males and females and impose it on other countries.

Duterte clarified that he had nothing against homosexuals but made it clear that the Philippines should not be forced to adopt the mindset of the west with regard to gender.

“Tingnan mo ‘yung (Look at) Time magazine ngayon. Wala nang (there is no more) gender because you can be a he or she,” the president said during a meeting with the Filipino community in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

“Yun ang kultura nila. Eh di kayo lang, hindi ‘yan pwede sa amin. Katoliko kami at (That’s their culture. It does not apply to us. We are Catholics and) there is the Civil Code, which says that you can only marry a woman for me… for a woman to marry a man,” he added.

The Philippines’ Senate President Aquilino (Koko) Pimentel III quickly backed up the President’s remark saying,  “The President’s pronouncements will surely start the national debate about the concept…Let the discussion on the subject begin,”…

The President didn’t know the implication of his change of heart on this issue. He and Senator Pimentel didn’t know like the rest of the unsuspecting world, that promoting or condoning this perverted view on marriage invites curse from Yahweh. I don’t find it coincidence that just about 5 days from the day PRRD announced his new stance before the LGBT in his hometown in Davao, the city got a major impact from the storm Vinta (Tembin) as it made landfall yesterday, Friday, December 22. The storm barreled through Mindanao and two of the most affected cities are Davao and Cagayan de Oro, the latter being the hometown of the good senator.

Flood Swamps Davao, Cagayan de Oro due to Vinta

It is noteworthy that Vinta followed closely Typhoon Urduja named the deadliest storm to hit the country this year, which battered large parts of Visayas and Luzon and some parts of Mindanao. Practically, the entire nation is affected by the storms.

Urduja damage breaches P1 billion- NDRRMC

While Davao is still reeling from the storm, NCCC Mall, one of the city’s largest malls caught fire earlier today, around 9:30 a.m. As of this writing, here is the latest:

(UPDATED) The New City Commercial Center (NCCC) Mall in Maa, Davao City is still engulfed in flames as of 7 p.m., Saturday, December 23.

It’s sad to see this happening in my country though I knew this same-sex marriage issue was coming as the Lord already showed me back in 2012 which I kept re-posting on this blog. This evil is sweeping the world so fast that it’s admittedly difficult to stop. Ignorance of His Word and rejection of the Truth are the reasons why people are easily swayed to accept this major shift in marriage views. President Duterte aptly expressed the mindset of the world that, “If this is the trend of the modern times… I am for it. If that makes people happy, why stop it? Why impose a morality that is no longer working and almost passé?”

Unfortunately, such thinking is nothing new. The same wickedness filled the earth in Noah’s time and was repeated in Sodom and Gomorrah. This generation is getting closer to the day of judgment as sexual perversion has returned. Swiftly, the nations are falling back into the same decadence that caused Yahweh to flood the whole earth and razed Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes.

The Lord is warning this nation, especially the Christians, through these storms and fire. We better take heed. Take seriously the word of the President, pray earnestly against it. We must pray for the Christian legislators to take their stand and oppose any attempt to change the laws on marriage and family.

I cannot, however, guarantee my fellow believers that same-sex marriage will not be legalized in this country though we pray against it because the Bible warns us about the evil days to come and how we, the people of God, will be hated and persecuted for our faith. This is what we must prepare ourselves for in the coming days.

If the Lord, in His mercy, will not allow our nation to be like the Western nations that adopted same-sex marriage, that’s something we must be truly grateful. But how are we different that the Holy One would spare this nation from falling into such an error? This is the question I would like pose to every true Christian in this nation reading this message.

 

Love in Yeshua,

Cynthia

 

Lesson Learned

 I met a sister in Christ yesterday during a small group meeting (there were only 4 of us). As I haven’t been in Church for a while, hibernating for personal reasons, the two younger ladies and I met for the first time. One is in a very difficult moment in her life. Though her story is different, I could well identify with her as I went through similar instances in my Christian journey. I say instances because I realized that I went through different heartbreaking situations three times in the past. It is in the third experience that I learned my lesson and became who I am now in Christ.

To suffer from feelings of rejection and abandonment with the nagging feelings of guilt and condemnation is never easy. As I spoke to the younger woman who listened intently, I could see her eyes on the verge of tears every time a word hit home. I could see myself in her. I was in her shoes and so I knew what it felt like when someone spoke a word of hope no matter how simple. I remember well how a brother’s pat on my back with a simple, “How are you?” actually brought me to tears. That was over two decades ago and yet I could never forget it.

Wish I could say that after the experience I became wiser and stronger. Unfortunately, no, because if I did, then I would not have fallen into another heartache which became my worst nightmare. But praise God, I finally learned my lesson.

As I was giving advice to the young lady through text messages, I could see myself again trying to hold to the people whom the Lord brought to me to comfort me. I remember hanging on to those handful of brethren which made me feel ashamed for bothering them with my almost never-ending pity party; and this is what this young lady was telling me in her response. This then reminded me how I actually turned around to start my journey to healing. It was one simple step but looking back, that was the most significant step I made that brought me to where I am now.

I remember around 9 years ago telling the brothers and sisters who went their way to meet me for the nth time just to listen to me, that I’ve had enough; that I no longer want the devil to have his way and I didn’t want to be in the defensive anymore; that I would rise up in the Lord and face him squarely and turn the table against him.

The fight was long and hard like taking two steps forward and one step backward, but by His grace, I kept on. The issue didn’t change overnight, nor in a week or a month or even a year after, and not even today. But I have won because I have come to know and learned to fully trust the One who loves me and died for me that I am not anymore easily moved by whatever happens around me regardless of who accepts or rejects me. I found myself and value in Christ.

While the Lord truly uses people to help us through the difficult times (and He didn’t stop sending friends my way), and I am forever grateful to everyone who each played a role in the course of my healing, it is still Yahweh who ultimately delivered me from the pit.

The lesson I learned is summed up in this thought which the Lord gave me three days ago. I didn’t realize the value of the statement then when I posted it on FB but now I know.

Don’t depend on anyone for no one is absolutely dependable; don’t look for happiness in someone for everyone is bound to fail you in the long run. Stand on your own feet but make sure you are standing on the unshakable Rock, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, the eternally reliable, dependable and trustworthy God and Lord. He alone can hold you and lead you securely unto eternity.

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Google Image

⁵ Thus says the Lord:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
⁶ For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Love and blessings in Yeshua,

Cynthia 

Deception: A False Rapture

Google Images

On September 25, 2016, I had this dream which is playing out in my mind again.

Someone was telling me that she was trying to look in the eye every man she met because she thought the Messiah had probably returned and was among us. I told her she was wrong to assume that the Lord had returned. Looking out and pointing up to the sky I told her that no one would miss His return for He would come in the clouds with great signs. While still speaking and looking up, I saw clouds forming like chariots and coming down so fast that I exclaimed, “Just like that!”

I realized that the Lord could be coming already as I also saw people going up into the sky. I thought I had to go with them. Excitedly, I ran towards the direction of those people going up in the clouds. As I reached the platform, I got confused especially when I lined up with others on the wooden and narrow steps. But I climbed the stairs somehow. I was waiting for my turn while I wondered why the rapture was taking so long for others including me. As I got to the third and final step, I looked ahead; adjusting my eyes in the dark I saw that those who went before me were being lifted on what looked like the tip of a wooden ship that tilted up. Then I realized it was not what I expected. I turned around and tried to tell everyone that it was not real but nobody seemed to hear me. I was concerned, more so because I saw a woman directing the whole incident. She told someone to send me away for I was disrupting their plan. I stepped aside trying to understand what was going on. I looked to my right and noticed straight ahead something like a wide tunnel that was dimly lit. I looked intently and realized that those people I saw going up to the clouds earlier were actually sent there and others were still going. I felt so bad that they were oblivious and seemed to not notice at all. They were like walking dead, hypnotized, and I knew that this was a deception recalling how they could have created those cloud formations that I saw and made it appear from a distance that people were actually going up into the sky only to be sent down to the long tunnel.

What concerns me about this dream is the condition of those people I saw in the platform and in the tunnel. It’s like the Holy Spirit made sure that I saw that they were helplessly deceived.

There is no doubt about the second coming of the Lord, in fact, I am excited that I pray daily for His return. But this dream is certainly a warning of a false catching away.

I believe that when the Lord returns the saints will meet Him in the air but I do not believe in a rapture other than and apart from His glorious appearing to reign as King. Consider the message of Paul as he describes the coming of the Messiah and the saints meeting Him in the air:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul mentioned again the coming of the Lord and the saints gathering together to Him, further describing the signs that precede the event:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ[a] had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin[b] is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God[c] in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He[d] who now restrains will do so until He[e] is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Will there be a false rapture, a false alarm for the believers? I do not know but we must take note of Yeshua’s warning about false christs and false prophets who will use signs and wonders to deceive even the elect if it be possible. He also describes in plain language the manner in which He will return:

Matthew 24:23-31

23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.

26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

John also spoke of the lawless one, the beast who will perform great signs to deceive those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 13:13

13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

The second coming of the Messiah is a glorious event that no one on earth will ever miss it. If this dream is indeed prophetic, then the Lord is warning us about watching for a rapture that is not also about His coming back to reign as King.

Fix your eyes on the Messiah, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Get to know Him intimately and learn to recognize His voice so that you will not be deceived. The way to recognize the fake is to be so familiar with the genuine. And as the Lord admonished us, let us watch and pray.

Love in Yeshua,

Cynthia

The Palestinian Narrative is Alive: Clashes Over the Temple Mount

I was looking at this particular photo when the Holy Spirit spoke gently, “The Palestinian narrative is alive.”

Three Palestinians Killed in Clashes with Israel as Thousands Protest Over Temple Mount

To anyone who does not know anything about Israel and the Jews, history or present, stories and photos like this can easily evoke sympathy towards the Palestinians and rage towards the Jews. The news story featured here is written from the never-ending “victim” state perspective of the Palestinians while giving no consideration to the underlying cause of their self-inflicted suffering.

A more accurate news is this one:

This is a War for Sovereign Control of Temple Mount

Excerpt:

“The Palestinians are consistent in their tactics: First shed Israeli blood, then tell the world they are victims and as martyrs are justified in seeking revenge – especially against “the sons of apes and pigs who defile Al Aqsa.” This was how the Halamish killer Omar al-Abed, 19, a Hamas sympathizer, described the Jews in the “will” he posted on Facebook three hours before the murders. Except that instead of dying with a martyr’s halo, he survived.

The whole week, it was dinned into Palestinian and Israeli Muslims by their leaders, including elected members of the Israeli parliament, that the Al Aqsa compound, an artificial mountaintop platform built as the site of the Jewish Temple more than 2,000 years ago, is exclusive Muslim property and no Jew has the right to set foot in the “Noble Sanctuary.” This claim also applies to Jerusalem, known in Arabic as Al Quds.
The most notorious metal detectors in Middle East history became emblems that objectified their rage over Israeli sovereignty in Temple Mount and the holy city. This has exposed the dispute as being a national rather than a religious dispute.
For Israel, sovereignty over its capital and the site of the Jewish temples, which was won at great cost in a war of defense after millennia of exile, is not in question. The government’s reiterated pledge to preserve the status quo on Temple Mount and the cities holy places is solidly backed up. But it cuts no ice with the Palestinians since the pledge is offered by an entity they consider a usurper.”

—-o—-o—-o—-o—-o—-

The Palestinian narrative is truly alive in this situation. But as Christians who are supposed to know the Word of God, we must not be carried away emotionally but rather see with spiritual eyes, the events that are taking place in Israel. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We must pray for both Jews and Palestinians who are both victims of Satan’s manipulation. The devil wants the Jews annihilated and the other group is being deceived to carry it out; and the world that does not know any better is supporting the false narrative that has its origin from the pit of hell.

On the other hand, this conflict over the Temple Mount is a prophetic event that leads to many possibilities. We must keep an eye on the time clock which is Israel, for the return of Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah is hinged on the Jews crying out to Yahweh in their time of desperation and distress. Read Zechariah 12. Remember also the words of Yeshua in Matthew 23:37-39:

³⁷ “Yerushalayim! Yerushalayim! You kill the prophets! You stone those who are sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children, just as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but you refused! ³⁸ Look! God is abandoning your house to you, leaving it desolate.^{[a] 39} For I tell you, from now on, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai.’”

Zechariah 12, Isaiah 62 and many other prophecies will be fulfilled because His Word never fails.

As gentile believers in the Jewish Messiah Yeshua, let us not forget that salvation is for the Jews first then for the gentiles. Let us not be selfish as to minding only our own business, paying no attention to the troubles that beset Israel and most importantly, not praying for them. Paul’s reminder to the Roman church is also a reminder to us, the present generation of gentile believers. This truth must be inculcated in us.

Romans 11

1 “In that case, I say, isn’t it that God has repudiated his people?” Heaven forbid! For I myself am a son of Isra’el, from the seed of Avraham,^[a] of the tribe of Binyamin. ² God has not repudiated his people,^[b] whom he chose in advance. Or don’t you know what the Tanakh says about Eliyahu? He pleads with God against Isra’el, ³ “Adonai, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I’m the only one left, and now they want to kill me too!”^{[c] 4} But what is God’s answer to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not knelt down to Ba‘al.”^{[d] 5} It’s the same way in the present age: there is a remnant, chosen by grace. ⁶ (Now if it is by grace, it is accordingly not based on legalistic works; if it were otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.) ⁷ What follows is that Isra’el has not attained the goal for which she is striving. The ones chosen have obtained it, but the rest have been made stonelike, ⁸ just as the Tanakh says,

“God has given them a spirit of dullness —
eyes that do not see
and ears that do not hear,
right down to the present day.”^[e]

⁹ And David says,

“Let their dining table become for them
a snare and a trap, a pitfall and a punishment.
¹⁰ Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can’t see,
with their backs bent continually.”^[f]

¹¹ “In that case, I say, isn’t it that they have stumbled with the result that they have permanently fallen away?” Heaven forbid! Quite the contrary, it is by means of their stumbling that the deliverance has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy.^{[g] 12} Moreover, if their stumbling is bringing riches to the world — that is, if Isra’el’s being placed temporarily in a condition less favored than that of the Gentiles is bringing riches to the latter — how much greater riches will Isra’el in its fullness bring them!

¹³ However, to those of you who are Gentiles I say this: since I myself am an emissary sent to the Gentiles, I make known the importance of my work ¹⁴ in the hope that somehow I may provoke some of my own people to jealousy and save some of them! ¹⁵ For if their casting Yeshua aside means reconciliation for the world, what will their accepting him mean? It will be life from the dead!

¹⁶ Now if the hallah offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole loaf. And if the root is holy, so are the branches. ¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you — a wild olive — were grafted in among them and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree, ¹⁸ then don’t boast as if you were better than the branches! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you. ¹⁹ So you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰ True, but so what? They were broken off because of their lack of trust. However, you keep your place only because of your trust. So don’t be arrogant; on the contrary, be terrified! ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, he certainly won’t spare you! ²² So take a good look at God’s kindness and his severity: on the one hand, severity toward those who fell off; but, on the other hand, God’s kindness toward you — provided you maintain yourself in that kindness! Otherwise, you too will be cut off! ²³ Moreover, the others, if they do not persist in their lack of trust, will be grafted in; because God is able to graft them back in. ²⁴ For if you were cut out of what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree!

²⁵ For, brothers, I want you to understand this truth which God formerly concealed but has now revealed, so that you won’t imagine you know more than you actually do. It is that stoniness, to a degree, has come upon Isra’el, until the Gentile world enters in its fullness; ²⁶ and that it is in this way that all Isra’el will be saved. As the Tanakh says,

“Out of Tziyon will come the Redeemer;
he will turn away ungodliness from Ya‘akov
²⁷ and this will be my covenant with them, . . .
when I take away their sins.”^[h]

²⁸ With respect to the Good News they are hated for your sake. But with respect to being chosen they are loved for the Patriarchs’ sake, ²⁹ for God’s free gifts and his calling are irrevocable. ³⁰ Just as you yourselves were disobedient to God before but have received mercy now because of Isra’el’s disobedience; ³¹ so also Isra’el has been disobedient now, so that by your showing them the same mercy that God has shown you, they too may now receive God’s mercy. ³² For God has shut up all mankind together in disobedience, in order that he might show mercy to all.

³³ O the depth of the riches
    and the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments!
    How unsearchable are his ways!

³⁴ For, ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Who has been his counselor?’^[i]
35 Or, ‘Who has given him anything
    and made him pay it back?’^[j]

³⁶ For from him and through him
    and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever!
    Amen.

The Temple Mount issue is only one of the many excuses to the more sinister plot to destroy the people whom Yahweh called the “apple of His eye.” Pray, pray, pray!

Psalm 122:6

⁶ Pray for shalom in Yerushalayim;
may those who love you prosper.

Isaiah 62:1

For Tziyon’s sake I will not be silent,
for Yerushalayim’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out brightly
and her salvation like a blazing torch.

Love in Yeshua,

Cynthia

 

Praying Against Terrorism

I was not surprised when the Maute-ISIS terror group attacked Marawi City because I have dreamed about Islamic terrorism in the country since early 2010 or 2011. It will take time for me to go through all of my notes on these but I can remember that there is not a year that I didn’t have at least one dream of this sort that I can tell a few without the help of my journal. In most of my dreams, I was either hunted down or held captive by terrorists. The latest which was sometime last year was that I was one of the hostages as the whole place was invaded by the Islamic jihadists.

The most unusual of all was my encounter with a man in full black garb just like these terrorists in this photo.

Clarion Project: End of Times Prophecies Justify Beheading of Copts

It was around 8:00 o’clock in the evening of July 1, 2015, while I was walking home from the supermarket that I met a man in this black outfit. That part of the road was empty except for the two of us and the cars passing by. The lights were dim but I could see clearly as we were just a few steps away from each other when I noticed his unusual appearance. He probably saw me staring at him so he pulled down his big black umbrella to hide his face. That was also very unusual for him to have an umbrella at night since there was no rain, not even a drizzle. He turned to the side towards the perimeter fence pretending to fix something, but I knew he just avoided bumping on me. I also saw the black backpack on his back as I followed him with my eyes. I could not get my eyes off the unusual sight and so I kept turning back as I walked on until I reached the subdivision’s gate. I reported the incident to the guard on duty. For the last time I turned to look at the man but I could no longer see him.

I could not imagine where the man could be going as the direction he was taking was towards the commercial area which was about a hundred meters away. If he went there he would certainly attract everybody’s attention. But where could have he gone?

I called up my Father-in-law to report what I saw and asked if ISIS were already in Metro Manila. He brushed the story aside, telling me it was impossible and somehow lectured me why it was so. He was with the intelligence and so I supposed he would know. But like most of the leaders said in those days and until the incident in Marawi, there is no ISIS in the country.

I did not talk much about the things I saw because I thought, except for my kids and my Mom-in-law who was so concerned that she might be a target because of her Israel connection, nobody would believe me. However, deep in my heart I knew it was only a matter of time that violent jihad would rise its ugly head in this country.

I followed the news on this extremely violent and barbaric jihadists since they started attacking in 2014. I heard how our leaders dismissed the idea that the Abu Sayyaf had pledged allegiance to the terror group which prides itself as the new Islamic caliphate. I believed they had good reason to downplay the possibility- they didn’t want to raise an alarm and cause panic.

The article that bears the above image was in my inbox for the past two years. I marked it because of its relevance to what I have seen in the spirit, and, the above encounter which probably was a vision. Whether the man was for real or not, I believe the Lord made me see him to confirm what I have been dreaming and sensing for the past four or five years.

The article captured ISIS’ tweet that says, “Until Andalusia to Philippines returns to the hands of Muslims, defensive will go on. Only after that can it be labelled offensive.”

As one who grew up in Mindanao, the idea that the Philippines must one day return to the hands of Muslims is not unusual to me, although I used to think that the Muslims only claim Mindanao as originally belonging to them, and so the government’s never-ending negotiation with one Muslim militant group to another. Who could have thought that ISIS would come in the picture and vow to get the Philippines?

In my time with the Father earlier today, I asked Him how He wanted me and other believers to pray about the situation especially with the on-going conflict in Marawi. Our human tendency is to pray for the immediate end of the war; for the terrorists to be finished off with no one left as much as possible. Our sympathy is for the displaced innocent civilians and for the soldiers who fight with their lives these misguided and lost individuals. And most likely, that is how the Christians are praying which I am not saying is wrong. But the question is, how does Yahweh really want us to pray?

We see only the problem as they are and our praying is responsive to our natural instincts, but if we seek Him who knows everything, we will see that there is more to just praying for the end of a conflict.

As I prayed earlier today, the Holy Spirit showed me what is in His heart. He wants to see us, the believers, on our knees, praying for the lost. Many are dying in Marawi and they are dying without hope. While we weep for the innocent and the soldiers, the Lord weeps even for the terrorists. We hail the heroes of Marawi but we forgot that the soldiers and civilians who died along with the terrorists have the same fate in eternity without Christ. And this is true in every nation fighting with terrorism and all kinds of conflicts.

Our nation and the nations of the world are crumbling yet the people of God are unconcerned. We need to start praying earnestly for the lost. When need to get serious with our call to be the light and salt of the world. Most importantly, we, His people, need individually and corporately to humble ourselves, seek His face, pray and turn from our wicked ways so that He will hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land. If we will do this, how quickly can He put an end to the conflict and stop the spread of terrorism.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, but can we truly say that our nation’s God is He? The task of praying for the nation and the world sounds overwhelming but it actually just begins with us humbling before Him and seeking His face. The prayer of a righteous man avails much; and we know that when we pray according to His will we will have what we ask for.

The Messiah is coming soon. May He find us faithful. May He find us praying and watching.

Love in Yeshua,

Cynthia

John 3:16-17

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

2 Peter 3:9

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,^[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Ezekiel 33:11

¹¹ Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’

Matthew 28:18-20

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore^[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.^[b]

2 Chronicles 7:14

¹⁴ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

The Ministry of Obedience

As a break from my earlier post today, I am finishing this long standing message because the reminder to finish this keeps popping up on my tablet. I believe the reminder comes from the Lord Himself because this is the only one among the many drafts, that has been showing up in the notification for 3 weeks now.

The ministry of obedience is unheard of in any Christian congregation. Rightly so because there is no such ministry. We all know of the praise and worship ministry, healing ministry, prayer and intercession, youth ministry and so on, but not the ministry of obedience.

Christians are encouraged to be involved in church ministries, to find their place in God’s kingdom through the local church. This was the topic we were discussing in a group meeting. Spiritual gifts came into the forefront and most of the ladies talk about the gift of healing; naturally, because the church is known for healing and deliverance. But when someone expressed disappointment for not getting results when praying for the sick, I got concerned. I was concerned not because she didn’t get the result she wanted but because of her reaction. She wondered why God seemed to deprive her when she’s eager to be used in the healing ministry.

When I got home, I pondered the above incident in my heart then I heard in my spirit, “My children are concerned about church ministries but not the ministry of obedience.”

Our Father is more interested in us getting involved in the ministry of obedience than in any other. In other words, He wants His children to obey Him than to do great things for Him. Before He can effectively use us, we must first have an obedient heart- a heart that is fully devoted to Him.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him... (2 Chronicles 16:9).

… Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22).

Love in Yeshua,

Cynthia