As the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah there is an interesting connection to Christmas as well as the Syrian crisis in the Middle East

Hanukkah is the Jewish holy days that mark the defeat of the Grecian leader Antiochus Epiphanes who tried to destroy Jewish worship at the Temple in Jerusalem and was defeated by the Maccabees who rose to the occasion and defended the Jews from a terrible tyrant.

On December 25, 168 B.C. Antiochus entered the Temple and desecrated this Jewish holy place by slaughtering a pig on the altar which was eventually reclaimed by the Jewish people three years to the day later with the lighting of the Menorah.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

The celebration of Hanukkah, celebrated by the Jewish people, marks a victory of a Grecian king who controlled what is Syria today, but this Jewish holy day has a connection to Christmas as well.

The eight day Jewish holy days of Hanukkah mark the victory over the Grecian King Antiochus Epiphanes who ruled what is today Syria. The eight days result from the lighting of the Menorah with enough virgin olive oil for the Menorah to burn one day, but instead it burned for eight days. That happened in 165 B.C. when the Maccabees reconsecrated the Jewish Temple after the madman Antiochus had committed an abomination of the Temple which happened exactly three years to the day before on December 25, 168 B.C. By the way the date, December 25th, was chosen by the early Church fathers to celebrate Christmas because Jesus Christ celebrated Hanukkah, John 10:22. When Antiochus slaughtered that pig on the Jewish Temple altar, the Bible called it the abomination that maketh desolate, a prototype of the abomination of desolation that the Antichrist performs at the mid-way point of the Tribulation Period, Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, and II Thessalonians 2:4.

Since this Satanic event will take place in a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, that reveals to us that there will be a Temple in Jerusalem for this prophecy to be fulfilled and the next Jewish Temple is ready to be rebuilt right now. In addition, there must be one that fulfills the prophecy for the Antichrist. That world dictator is alive and well on planet earth today and ready to assume his Satanically energized power and seed of authority, Revelation 13:1-3.

Jews celebrating Hanukkah today is a reminder that in a near future day Bible prophecy will indeed be fulfilled.

Pope Francis says that the world should not judge gay people

Pope Francis when asked about the gay lobby in the Vatican responded with the statement that we should not judge gay people but instead integrate them into society. Our broadcast partner Mike Gendron in Dallas, TX reports what the official stand on sodomy is in the Catholic church.

Mike Gendron: The cataclysm of the Catholic church does not condemn homosexuality outright, it merely teaches that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. So that's one of the problems. This homosexual problem within Rome will continue until the issue of celibacy is looked at. The Roman Catholic church needs recognize that as long as it forbids its clergy people to marry that they are going to have to have some form of sexual expression and oftentimes this results in homosexuality.

There's an ongoing problem and I think what's happening here in the Vatican is really the tip of the iceberg because in 2002 there is a book that really exposed much of the scandal and perversions that are taking place in Catholic seminaries. The book is entitled "Goodbye Good Men" by author Michael Rose, and he said in his book according to former seminarians and recently ordained priests that this gay subculture is so prominent at certain seminaries that these institutions have earned nicknames. It has been said that over half of the Roman Catholic priests are now homosexuals and seminaries are but a proven ground for them to come out and put on a collar and hide their sinful condition.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

Sodomy, homosexuality in the Catholic church is a sign that Jesus is about to return to the earth, that is according to Bible prophecy.

Jesus warned in Luke 17:28 that He would return to the earth when our society was like the days of Lot 4000 years ago. In that day, sodomy, homosexuality was prevalent in Sodom and Gomorrah. Men were having sexual relationships with other men. Our society today is once again immersed in sodomy approved by many people even the leaders of our nation. who commit sodomy and even those who approve of it. The Apostle Paul wrote that God rejects this lifestyle of sodomy, homosexuality and will judge those who commit sodomy and even those who approve of it, Romans 1:24-32.

Open homosexuality in the Catholic church is indeed setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.

Verify, But Do Not Trust by Hal Lindsey

The world dodged a bullet last week — a big, nuclear-tipped bullet. With the sanctions againstIran finally beginning to show results, the United States rushed to cash in on that small, surface movement. At the last minute, the French put a stop to (or at least postponed) an agreement that would have been a disaster for the entire world.

Before concluding any high stakes treaty with Iran, a fundamental problem needs to be addressed. Do their overtures represent a genuine desire for peace, or another attempt to delay the West from taking actions that would stop them from acquiring the nuclear weapons they clearly want. If they get them, will they use them like North Korea has — as a means to occasionally blackmail their neighbors into propping up a failing regime? Or, do they have something even more sinister in mind?

Two years ago, the Iranian government produced and released a documentary called “The Coming is Near.” It told about the “Mahdi” — an Islamic messiah many Iranian Muslims believe will one day come to earth and begin a worldwide Islamic “caliphate.” They expect him to arrive during a time of chaos and crisis. And they are apparently not above manipulating world events in order to bring about such chaos.

I should note here that some accuse Christians of trying to manipulate world events in order to expedite the return of Jesus. But no real Christian sees the Second Coming as something we can hasten with violence. We follow the Prince of Peace. He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and we strive to be exactly that. Yes, we see dark things on the horizon, but they are not of our making. World events are turning as He said they would. It is His doing, not ours.

But many of Iran's leaders have a completely different view when it comes to the return of the “Mahdi.” They seem willing to devastate the world if it means bringing about “The Coming.” When discussing an agreement with Iran, we need to ask — do they want to live and prosper in a world where Israel also lives and prospers? Or, are they willing to do anything, say anything in order to get nuclear weapons and be able to use them against Israel — even knowing the death that could reign down on them as a result? Are they, as a nation, willing to do in the world what the suicide bombers they support do in buses?

In 1987, when Ronald Reagan signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, he said, the United States would “Trust, but verify.” Mikhail Gorbachev said to him, “You repeat that at every meeting.” Reagan responded, “I like it.”

“Trust but verify” was richly Reaganesque. It showed his inherent friendliness, but also a no-nonsense toughness. It recognized that relationships are built on trust, while also recognizing that trust and accountability go hand in hand. It was a real “road map for peace.”

Since then, in one form or another, “trust but verify” has been repeated by every U.S.president, and many other leaders around the world. President Obama used those words a couple of months ago regarding Putin’s peace plan for Syria.

In dealing with Iran, the level of trust is exceedingly low on both sides. Iran has a history of violent abuse of its citizens, exporting terrorism around the world, and promising to wipe out the nation of Israel. A few days ago, they held a “Death to America” concert at the site of the former U.S. Embassy. They continue to use those words — “Death to America” — as the slogan for their military. A meaningful nuclear deal with Iran will require a lot of extra “verify” to make up for the missing “trust.” It must include verification without restrictions. But so far, that idea doesn’t even seem to be on the table.

A terrorist group has warned Israel: Harm al-Aqsa Mosque and we will open the 'Gates of Hell'

The popular resistance, one of a number of Palestinian terror groups in the Middle East has threatened Israel that if there is any harm to al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem they will open the 'Gates of Hell' against  the Zionist enemy.

The terrorist group said that the Islamic nations have started waking up and are ready to meet their religious commitments towards Palestine and al-Aqsa. The former Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Sabri, says even the Western Wall is not Jewish but belongs to the Muslims and any attack by the Jews on the al-Aqsa Mosque will endanger the safety and stability of the entire Middle Eastern region.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

A threat by a Palestinian terror group that if the Jews harm the al-Aqsa Mosque, they will open the 'Gates of Hell' against them is a page out of Bible prophecy for the end of times.

For over 1300 years the Temple Mount in Jerusalem has been a focus of the Islamic world. Though it is the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem is an honored site that the Muslims want as the location for their worldwide kingdom, a caliphate. However, the Palestinian terror group is warning they will open the 'Gates of Hell' against anyone who harms al-Aqsa. Muslims could put millions of martyrs on the Temple Mount to fight off any Jewish effort to remove al-Aqsa so they can construct a Jewish Temple on the site.

This scenario is foretold in Bible prophecy and will be played out in the future. Zechariah 12:2 reveals that the Temple Mount will be at the center of controversy in the last days. Malachi 1 reports that descendants of Esau, the Palestinian people of today, will try and rebuild their national power base in Jerusalem. Ezekiel 35:5, 10 speak of a time when the Palestinians will kill the Jews and take the land, i.e. the Temple Mount, that God has given to the Jewish people. Obadiah 18 foretells of the Jews defeating the Palestinians when the Messiah, Jesus Christ returns to Jerusalem.

Jesus Christ will build a Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount, Zechariah 1:16 and no Palestinian terror group will open the 'Gates of Hell'.

'The Hal Lindsey Report'

I first began studying Bible prophecy in 1955, shortly after becoming a Christian. In 1956, I attended a lecture at Rice University in Houston. Colonel Robert B. Thieme spoke for more than two hours showing how the Suez Crisis of 1956 fit into the predicted scenario of end-time events. 

He said that Russia would back Egypt and the Muslims in their struggle against England, France, Israel, and much of the west. He also detailed how Russia would later become the driving force of a Muslim coalition that would eventually attack Israel and start the first phase of the war of Armageddon. 

Needless to say, I was hooked. As all of this played out on the world stage, it gave me an assurance that the Bible had to be the Word of God. For nothing man created could be that accurate about specific events that would happen hundreds and, sometimes, thousands of years later. 

In 1969, when I wrote The Late Great Planet Earth, the Soviet Union was approaching its zenith as the world's other superpower. But, according to Bible prophecy, Gog is to be a strong regional power, not a world conqueror. That meant that God had to stop the Soviet Union before it became a world-dominating power which wouldn't fit into prophecy. 

He did. 

This week, I'm going to review how Russia is becoming the Gog described by the ancient prophets. Against all odds, including the improbable collapse of the Soviet Union and Russia's subsequent rise from the ashes as a strong regional power, national alignments that seemed impossible 40 years ago are now falling into place. Russia, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and the European Union are all players that have, in some cases, made complete U-turns in their historical roles. Just as the prophets predicted. 

That means that if the Bible is right about these things, then it's right about everything else. And that includes Jesus Christ's promise to redeem you from your sin. But Satan, the accuser of the believers and the father of lies, wants you to think otherwise. In fact, he will try to convince you that you're not REALLY forgiven. He'll tell you that even though you've confessed your known sin and regained fellowship with God, "He won't forgive you this time." 

If we confess our sins to God but still do not believe that we are truly forgiven, then we have unresolved guilt that will keep us from believing God in the future and walking in the Spirit. If we mistakenly believe (as Satan wants) that God is still holding something against us, then we will spiral into an ever-deepening estrangement from God. 

'The Hal Lindsey Report' One, that times of persecution (and legal prosecution) are headed our way.

If you've watched "The Hal Lindsey Report" over the last few weeks, you've noticed that I've hit hard and often on two ideas. One, that times of persecution (and legal prosecution) are headed our way. Two, that the reason for that persecution will be our insistence on pressing the claim of Jesus Christ that He is the only way to salvation and heaven. 

As we see the demonic spirit of "political correctness" take firmer hold on all areas of our society, I'm convinced that the decision by true Christians to stand up for Jesus on certain issues and claims will spark an onslaught of derision and discrimination against us. I think those defining issues will include abortion, same sex marriage, parental rights, and the role of God in our national life. 

Most importantly, though, I believe it will all come down to the name of Jesus. Already, our military, our schools, our courts, and our governments (we lost the entertainment industry and our universities long ago) are in a mad dash to eliminate any vestige of religious recognition, much less freedom. However, it seems to be only Christ-centered traditions that are being banished. Islam, humanism, and other religions are, in fact, being celebrated and encouraged in ways Christianity never has. 

Just as Jesus Himself warned, the dividing line in the last days will be the name of Jesus. He said that because the world hated Him, it will hate us. He cautioned that true, and faithful, believers will be persecuted "for My name's sake." (John 15:21) 

Over the last few weeks, I've shown you myriad examples of how this exact situation is developing right here in the United States -- and inside some of our most trusted institutions. As a "watchman on the wall," my calling is to declare what I see coming so that you can prepare yourself and your family for those days. 

But that preparation should not be haphazard or random. If we are to remain strong in the coming days, months, and years, we must be standing on a firm foundation. To be able to unflinchingly press the claims of Christ in this hostile world, we must make every effort to understand the man who made those claims. 

To fully appreciate who Jesus Christ is, we must first understand WHY there needed to be a Jesus Christ. There was a reason for God's provision of a savior and a reason for the path He chose for our redemption. I'll begin this week with an explanation of "Why God Had to Become a Man." 

Then we'll start an examination (which I'll continue next week) of "The Man God Became." 

The majesty, the beauty, and the sheer complexity of the concept of the God-Man Jesus Christ is almost overwhelming. But it was all necessary to redeem the creation lost to sin at the fall of Adam. Thank God that He loved us so much He provided a "second Adam" to unselfishly take our place. And thank you, Jesus, for being willing to bear our sins upon your sinless shoulders so that we may be partakers of your eternal glory. 

The US Congress is funding a hate mechanism called the Palestinian Authority

PMW Director Itamar Marcus in Washington, D.C. there to tell the US Congress they are funding hate and terrorism among the Palestinian people. Here is what Itamar had to tell me about that visit to Washington, D.C.

Itamar Marcus: We met with members of Congress and we were showing them what was happening with American funding of the Palestinian Authority. The US has good intentions. They are hoping to build infrastructures of the PA because they are hoping that it will then be able to create a peaceful state, but what we were documenting, and we were showing them that they are also paying for TV programs where you have little children on TV saying that Christians and Jews are inferior and despised and it calls for the Muslim world to literally counter the Jewish and Christian world to defeat the Jewish and Christian world and I am talking about children's programs.

The minister of prisoners of the PA visits every week with some of the families of prisoners who have killed dozens of Israelis and he honors those prisoners, he calls them heroes and who is paying his salary, the PA, who is paying them money for that, the US. The US with all of its good intentions is actively funding a hate mechanism called the PA, a terror promoting and glorifying mechanism called the PA and Congress is now being made aware of this and the question is what to do about it so it can really have an impact and change the PA.

Jimmy: Itamar Marcus, head of Palestinian Media Watch, they monitor the Palestinian electronic and print media and because of that responsibility it gave capability to address some members of the US Congress with the concerns that Israel has as the US Congress continues to fund the PA.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

As the US Congress continues to fund the PA, they are actually setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.

The radical Palestinian groups to day are  killing Jews and endeavoring to take their land. That scenario was foretold in Bible prophecy 2500 years ago. You could go to a number of passages in Scripture: Malachi 1, the little book of Obadiah, Jeremiah 49 and find out about this scenario, but speaking to the issue most distinctly is Ezekiel 35 which reveals that the Lord will judge the Palestinian people for killing Jews, verse 5 and in verse 10 for taking their land.

This is the present day scene in Israel and as the US Congress continues to fund hate and terrorism being perpetrated upon the Jewish people by the PA, the stage is being set for end time prophecy to be fulfilled.