Matthew 24:4 This Jesus said, "See that no one deceives [misleads] you."

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OUR BORDERS [within and without]:

So Went Israel, So Goes the Church: Welcome to 2026, a year of shaking and reshaping of borders as the tachometer revs up with increased speed towards Jacob’s Trouble and the Day of the Lord. This is happening not only with nations’ borders, but also within the borders of the church, as deceptions and idolatry have been subtly sneaking in. For indeed, so went Israel, so goes the church! Remember, it is written:

“Little children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, whereby we know that it is the last hour.” 1 John 2:18.

“See to it that no one deceives [misleads] you.” This Jesus said in Matthew 24:4.

“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the anointed one,’ and they will deceive [lead astray] many.” Matthew 24:5

Jesus warned of the rise of deception, seducing spirits, false prophets, and false pastors/teachers increasing in number at the end of the age that we are in today. Seeing them increase, not only outside the church but from within many, should therefore not be surprising. Deception is subtle. The very nature of deception is that one is not consciously aware that they have been deceived. Yet, we are also told that at the core of deception [in the inner most parts of the heart] it is because “they did not ‘Love’ the Truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10), because “men suppress the Truth by holding fast to their unrighteousness, their ungodliness” (Romans 1:18). Keep all this in mind, as we continue to sojourn [dwelling as temporary residents only passing through] here on earth as deception and idolatry are getting increasingly harder to discern due to lack of knowledge of the Word of God.

Today, it is critical to seek God for greater discernment, to test the spirits, to test what we watch, who we listen to, or even what we read. We need to be like the Bereans mentioned in Acts 17:11, because the enemy has stealthily slipped in through vain philosophies of men, those performing many lying signs and wonders with trickery, and those having a form of godliness without the true Spirit of God. New words and familiar words with broader meanings have been introduced, here a little and there a little, that go unnoticed by many. Yet some of these newer terminologies and definitions may be just a slight twisting of the Truth. I fear many will be and are being misled; therefore, let us encourage one another to study daily ourselves, to meditate, and to rely on the Holy Spirit’s unction within us.

This post’s message is for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see what the Spirit of God is saying to the church today. I write this because of the seriousness of this warning and due to the lateness of the hour, as it has weighed heavily on my heart and I am compelled to share it. The best way to do that is to compare Israel to the church; for ‘so went Israel, so goes the church’ into seductive deceptions and idolatry of many kinds and in many ways.

Often, we have a ‘them’ and ‘us’ mentality when reading scripture, especially when it refers to ‘them’ being Israel then, and ‘us’ being the church now. But realize we aren’t so different? Look at the words from Jesus Himself that John wrote to us regarding the condition of the churches in Revelation 2-3, addressing seven specific types of churches, ‘seven’ being the number of completion, meaning the whole of or all of something. These letters then apply to all churches from then through to our current age, and hold even greater significance for us today!

What Jesus spoke to John reveals that only 28.57% of those ‘called out ones’ [translated as ‘church’] are faithful, ready, and looking with great anticipation for the Day of Jesus Christ’s coming. Sometimes this phrase ‘Day of Jesus Christ’s coming’ refers to His appearing in the air to catch us up to Himself, as He promised in John 14:1-3. Jesus said, “I will come again and receive you to Myself so that where I am, there you may be also!” Where is Jesus now? Yes, at the Right Hand of God the Father in the Kingdom in Heaven. I love how Jesus opened this thought in verse 1 of this chapter to reassure His disciples [and us too], saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me also. In My Father’s house are many rooms [dwelling places]. If it were not so, would I have said that I go to prepare a place for you?”

As we compare Israel to today’s churches, let’s do so personally, setting aside our preconceptions that the church is a building or an assembly, and apply it to us individually as those called out from the darkness, out of the world. Let’s set aside our denominational identities, political persuasions, our ideologies, and upbringings with unique cultural differences. Do we not understand that in Christ there are no differences? The Truth is, if our identity is not found in Christ Jesus only, our faith is displaced away from our Savior God!

We are all born sinners needing a savior. We all must die to self to be born again in Christ Jesus, whereby we are made into a new creation. This truly is an effectual miraculous work of the Spirit of our Great God! I’m a new Linda; the old one died! How about you? Has the old you died? Do you really believe, or are you still clinging to the love of this world as you go through the motions of a Christian faith based on tradition? Paul wrote to Timothy about several who deserted him because of their love of this world in 2 Timothy 4:10. In 1 John 2:15, it is written, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” If we believe these words, why are so many still clinging so tightly to this world while also professing their love of God at the same time? We can’t love both.

This world is passing away, my beloved friends. It is passing away quickly, daily, and groaning heavily in the lateness of this last minute of the last hour we find ourselves in. May our discernment be sharpened as we recognize that indeed, ‘so went Israel, so goes the church,’ and seek God to reveal to us if our faith is genuine; if we are aligned in the right identity, that being in Jesus the Christ alone by faith alone knowing with confidence that we will be part of the 28.57% remaining faithful and true to our King of kings upon His appearing.

As there is much to cover, this will be the first part of a blog miniseries. Join me in the coming months as we analyze ourselves, as the ‘called out ones’ [the church], individually. A ‘called out one’ often translated as ‘church’ is the Greek word ekklesia and is described well in Colossians 1:13-14, “For He [God the Father] has delivered us from the dominion of darkness [this world’s kingdom], and has translated us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins.” And Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord. Walk as children of Light.”

When I first went through the letters written to the seven (7) churches, I did so personally as one called out from the darkness and into His light. I have to say, “It was an eye-opening experience.” I realized I have participated in many of these churches at one time or another as a professing Christian, even when my walk wasn’t Christ-like. Yes, I still examine myself, or better said, I sense the Holy Spirit putting a check in my spirit, alerting me if, for example, I am in danger of abandoning my first love of Him by placing more emphasis on my work for Him.

With that intro, my blog miniseries on this topic will discuss the seven churches outlined in Revelation 2-3, starting with Ephesus, those who abandon their first love. Out of the seven (7) churches, five (5) of them received a warning from Jesus and a call to repentance. Only two (2) received no rebuke, which are not listed in the chart shown, as they will be addressed last. The chart summarizes the sins of the church compared to identical sins committed by Israel.

I encourage you to read ahead to stay ahead. Links to Revelation 2 and Jeremiah 2 are listed below in preparation for my next post. I would also appreciate your prayers for me as I plan posting more frequently on this topic. Would you be willing to leave comments and share as we go through this analysis? Your thoughts are important and encourage me. So, leave a comment on the post or send me a message from my contact page here: Contact/Connect.

Until next time, be blessed, my beloved friends, and keep your eyes on Jesus and keep looking up, for He could appear at any nano-second. I end this section again with Revelation 22:20: He who testified to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Maranatha! He is the only ONE WORTHY! Click here to listen to the song of the hour:  KING OF GLORY [Andrew Gudgeon & Heartcry of David]

Resources & Related Content: Jesus’ Final Messages to the Churches [Revelation 2-3] / Israel Forsaking the LORD Their God and Sins’ Consequences [Jeremiah 2] / What Does Church Really Mean [Research Study by Linda Kennedy, 2024]

BIBLE PROPHECY UPDATE

with Pastor JD Farag:

Pastor JD’s wife, Kellie, was taken to her heavenly home to be with Jesus on December 29^th, 2025. [Click to read more…] Pastor JD has returned to the pulpit and will continue in his service and ministry for the Lord in the strength of the Holy Spirit to fulfill that which he remains here to do. Please continue to pray for joy, peace, strength, and healing during this time of loss in the Farag family, as well as for the many others around this globe currently facing life’s storms in this, the last minute of the last hour.

What’s Prophesied To Happen In That Day Is Now Happening Today – Zechariah 12 (Update 2026-03-05): Verse-by-verse through a familiar Bible prophecy connecting the dots from what Zechariah prophesied would happen in that day to today.  [PDF Transcript & Resource Links]

URGENT Bible Prophecy Update (Update 2026-03-01): A preempted update to address breaking news concerning the US, Israel, and Iran. [PDF Transcript & Resource Links]

From Will Be Happening To It’s Now Happening (Prophecy Update 2026-02-22): Why what began as teaching Bible Prophecy is now “It’s happening prophecy”. [PDF Transcript & Resource Links] Check out other Prophecy Updates @ JDfarag.org/bible-prophecy.

PROPHECY IN DAILY HEADLINES:

Wars and rumors of war [Matthew 24:6]: Be not confused, distracted, nor deceived by the many events that have taken place since we turned the page to 2026. What does it all mean? It means we are seeing the manifestation of many prophecies converging together in a very strategic way to usher in the new world order of the Beast and the coming man of Lawlessness – the final Antichrist.

From the Venezuela US-initiated war on drugs, to the war on Iran, and anything in between, it seems like World War 3 is well underway. These events may appear disconnected, but they are not. We are watching the world today being orchestrated by principalities and powers of unseen spiritual forces, through AI governance, filtered down to the leaders of all governments, as they move their chess pieces, reshaping the world’s regions. I truly believe we are witnessing an attempt to establish the final Ten Kingdoms, symbolized by the toes of the statue Daniel interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar and the Ten Horns of the Beast in Revelation 13. Despite our current chaos, God is sovereign over all, allowing these agents to push forward toward what has been written. For the believer, we should not fear, but be strengthened in our faith, putting on the full armor of God given to us in Christ. This is a spiritual war, and we have been foretold beforehand so that when we see these things come to pass, we will believe as it is written in John 14:29. And as it is written in Ephesians 5:14-17, we are instructed to “Wake up from slumber, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. See then, that you walk carefully, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, for the days are evil. Wherefore, be you not unwise, but understand what the will of the LORD is.”

It is time, beloved friends, to press into the Word and keep your focus on Jesus, who is the Word!

Related Resources: The Quiet Part: Hegseth Admits Pursuit of Technate [Wretched Watchmen, recent] / Highly Recommended for in-depth connecting of the dots of our headline news in an unbiased way (not for the weak of heart, mind, and soul): YouTube @ Wretched Watchmen / What is The Ten Kingdoms Project? [J Shannon, Jan 11, 2025]

PS – No, this is not Armageddon being pushed by our current President to usher in the return of Jesus Christ, it is to usher in the Antichrist. Be not deceived.

COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT...

Lawlessness vs. Lawlessness [Matthew 24:12]: Do you feel lawlessness is abounding and that the love of many is growing colder? I do. Consider how people have handled many of the outright lawless actions of the ICE agents. Many Christians even applauded them. Yet there are many hidden elements behind this new force, as we watch lawlessness versus lawlessness abounding and the love of many growing cold, just as it is written in Matthew 24:12. But do not be deceived into thinking this is all about immigration, because it has a much broader purpose and reach. When we pull back the curtain, we see something more sinister being developed. Don’t forget what happened in World War II and the holocaust of

the Jews, and take heed of the quote pictured here from a prominent Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemöller from Germany in the 1920s and early 1930s, because we are starting to see it in our own backyard. Christian, be warned, you may just have ICE knocking at your door, saying you are a National Terrorist. Is this a coincidence? I think not. Conspiracy Theory? I think not, more like Conspiracy Reality. But better to die in Christ than remain in this cold world, fast developing around us.

Related content, if you want to look behind the curtain: Camp Warehouse: Warehouses For Mass Confinement [Wretched Watchmen, 1 month ago] / Martin Niemöller: “First they came for…” [Holocaust Encyclopedia] / Contracts For Sep.30, 2025 [war.gov/news, 09 30 2025] / US Navy Announces 59 Awardees of $20B Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract [GOVCON WIRE] / Setting and supporting the theater [U.S. Army] / Setting and Supporting the Theater [PDF featuring The Army’s “set the theater” core competency helps to shape the operational environment, deter aggression, and establish the conditions necessary for carrying out strategic and theater plans.

SILVER LINING:

We Have Hope: Titus 2:11-14 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. (12) It teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Remember, my beloved friends, we are always just one heartbeat and breath away from seeing our Blessed Hope. We do not fear death or what man can do to us, because this body will be transformed for eternity. Just as Jesus looked past the humiliation and suffering on the cross with joy, seeing the intended victory of the enemy through His resurrection, so too, let us look past any suffering, for it is temporary and compares not to the glory that awaits us!

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