Category Archives: Current Events

Current trends and social commentary

A Word of Warning to Christian Prophets, Watchmen and Seers

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I have a word of warning for those in the Christian church claiming to be prophets, watchmen and seers who are putting out prophetic words about Donald Trump, the fate of America, the rest of the world, the end times and everything and everyone else. Mark this and mark it well: All the biblical prophets of YHVH Elohim in both the Old and New Testaments including the apostles were Torah-obedient. To believe otherwise is to believe a lie. Period.

Most today who claim to be hearing from Elohim don’t even know what the Torah is, how to define it and, moreover, are often blaspheming (wittingly or unwittingly) the Torah by speaking against it. Yeshua said of the Torah, “Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah-law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Torah-law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt 5:17–18). Of such prophets and everyone else, Yeshua concluded by saying, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Torah-commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:19). According to Yeshua, those who speak against the Torah will be least in his kingdom. Mark these words well, you who claim to be prophetic!

Moreover, most who call themselves prophets and watchman are unaware of the biblical truth that there are eleven levels of a prophet. Most so-called modern prophets are operating at the lowest levels, and may not even hold the office of a prophet despite their claims. Many are simply walking in their own delusions and are being strengthened and affirmed in their delusions by a Babylonian church system that is as equally spiritually errant, blind and ignorant of biblical truth as they are.

Furthermore, most so-called prophets do not know the difference between an apostolic prophet and a church prophet. One who is the latter and is trying to act as the former may actually fall into the category of being a presumptuous prophet (a biblical term), and is, in reality, one who is usurping authority that doesn’t belong to him.

Moreover, not only are most prophets not Torah-obedient as they should be, but they do not recognize the difference between a false prophet and a spiritually blind prophet who prophesies out of the dictates of his own  heart, thus making him a carnal prophet (like Balaam).

Before you speak another word in the name of YHVH Elohim (“the LORD God”), you would be advised to understand these truths and become compliant to the whole counsel of YHVH’s word. Until you do, you will bring Elohim’s judgment upon yourselves as presumptuous and carnal prophets.

 

A Word About President Donald J. Trump and the Spiritual State of America—2/2017

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What follows is one of the most important statements I have ever made on this blog. Please read it and pass it on. — Natan Lawrence

This is what YHVH Elohim has to say about those who are on the right (i.e. conservatives) versus those who are on the left (i.e. leftists, socialists or “progressives”) morally and spiritually.

A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left. Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. (Eccl 10:2–3)

Donald J. Trump is likely the most controversial and polarizing presidents in recent American history. There are those who love him, those who hate him and those who are undecided and confused. This was the case with Obama, and to some degree with all newly elected presidents, but the vitrol and hatred demonstrated against President Trump by the leftists and the left-leaning establishment media is unparalleled in my lifetime. The hatred against him including calls for his assassination is unprecedented in US history.

For many years—nearly my entire lifetime—the socialistic leftists with little interruption have seen their agendas in the US through rulings, laws and policies from the judicial, legislative and executive branches of our government being implemented one after another. This agenda has been diametrically opposed to the traditional Judeo-Christian values that made our nation great and the envy of the world. This tidal wave of evil likely started in 1962 when prayer in school was banned in New York state. Then in 1973, abortion was legalized and our nation has been sliding downhill morally and spiritually ever since with a steady stream of ungodly and unbiblical laws and agendas being foisted upon the American people.

When Donald Trump was running for president, he was an enigma to many people including me. He was a Democrat turned Republican with no track record of advocating social or morally conservative values. As such, most the Democrats hated him and the many Republicans at best disowned him and at worst despised him as well. On my part, I kept an open mind, while holding my nose. Trump made a lot of conservative-sounding campaign promises, but because of his reputation as a bombastic talker who often speaks rashly in self-exalting hyperbole and half-truths, I didn’t know whether to take him seriously or not.

Now that he is the president, we sit back and watch to see what his track will be, and what his true colors will be. So far, I have been very pleased by what I see. What righteous person couldn’t be overjoyed with the public defunding of abortion providers, the appointment of committed conservative Christians to high governmental positions, protecting our borders from terrorists and the list goes on.

For the record, I’m on no one’s side—only YHVH’s side; I am on the side of truth and righteousness as defined by the Bible. I’m totally independent of and outside partisan Continue reading →

 

President Trump Sat Down with CBN News for an Exclusive Interview

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Check this out! This is good news for a change. Continue to pray for our leaders. Ask yourself, what can I personally do to help advance the gospel and kingdom of Elohim in this era of spiritual opportunity that we have now entered. It may not last long! Instead of complaining, or seeing the negative, be thankful for our blessings and carpe diem (seize the day)— Natan

President Trump Sat Down with CBN News for an Exclusive Interview

01-28-2017

CBN News and the The Brody File are making news with an exclusive one-on-one interview with President Donald Trump at The White House.

Brody sat down with President Trump Friday morning in the Blue Room and below are some of the bites from that interview.

 

President Trump says evangelicals will love his Supreme Court pick.

 

President Trump says persecuted Christians will be given priority as refugees.

 

President Trump calls mainstream media “the opposition party.”

 

Video clips and transcripts from the interview can also be seen on The Brody File, beginning Friday afternoon through Sunday when the full interview airs at 11 p.m. EST on Freeform. It will also air Monday on The 700 Club.

To watch the video clips of this interview, go to http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2017/january/president-trump-to-sit-down-with-news-for-exclusive-interview-friday

 

Trump plans to give persecuted Christians priority refugee status

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It’s about time that we had an American leader who was sympathetic to the plight of persecuted Christians at home and abroad instead of showing favoritism to religious terrorists wanting to enter and destroy America! May YHVH bless, strengthen and encourage our leaders to do the right thing. Please pray for our leaders and President Trump in particular that YHVH will guide, embolden and direct them to do his will that the kingdom of Elohim may be advanced! — Natan

Courtesy of the Washington Examiner at http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/exactly-right-jindal-backs-trump-over-travel-ban/article/2613297

By GABBY MORRONGIELLO (@GABRIELLAHOPE_) • 1/27/17 3:49 PM

Persecuted Christians seeking asylum in the United States will be given priority when they apply for refugee status, President Trump said Thursday.

“We are going to help them. They’ve been horribly treated,” Trump told the Christian Broadcasting Network in an interview set to air Sunday.

“Do you know if you were a Christian in Syria it was impossible, and the reason that was so unfair — everybody was persecuted in all fairness — but they were chopping off the heads of everybody, but more so the Christians,” he told CBN’s David Brody.

Upon being asked if he sees persecuted Christians “as kind of a priority” when it comes to granting non-citizens refugee status, Trump told Brady: “Yes.”

Trump was expected to sign an executive order Friday afternoon that would temporarily shut the door to most U.S.-bound immigrants from Muslim countries and suspend the Syrian refugee program.

“The secretaries of state and homeland security, as appropriate, shall cease refugee processing of and the admittance of nationals of Syria as refugees until such time as I have determined that sufficient changes have been made to the [U.S. Refugee Admittance Program] to ensure its alignment with the national interest,” read a draft of the order obtained by the Washington Examiner earlier this week.

Continue reading →

 

What Are We to Make of President Donald Trump?

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Like everyone else, I’ve been watching the Donald Trump phenomenon ever since he miraculously won the US presidential election in November 2016. Since then, I’ve been asking myself, what’s next for America and the rest of the world, and how does this all fit into end times biblical prophecy?

As I’ve been pondering these questions, I have positioned myself as a watchman on the proverbial wall while following the news, listening to Bible teacher-pundits’ assessment of the situation, and, most importantly, asking YHVH for wisdom and guidance to discern correctly from heaven’s perspective the times and seasons in which we are living.

Frankly, what right-minded individual can’t be excited about the actions that Donald Trump has taken since becoming the president? Things like cutting funding for abortion, appointing many Christians to key positions in his cabinet, taking a strong stand to protect America’s borders, limiting or cutting off immigration from terrorist nations, reducing strangling governmental regulations against business, encouraging an America-first policy regarding energy production and manufacturing, and the list goes on.

In light of the anti-American, new world order, globalist agendas that have hurt America and Americans from failed trade and economic policies to expensive foreign military entanglements and adventuristic policies, and the rise of the anti-Christian and  Elohim-hating, anti-biblical left that has all but taken over large segments of our country, I never believed that anything could slow down this tidal wave of evil.

For these reasons, Trump has given me reasons to be greatly encouraged and to be optimistic. But, and there’s always a but, I refuse to park my brain in a vacant spot and throw caution to the wind in favor of unbridled optimism based more on emotion than on reality unlike some of my colleagues in the ministry are doing.

My gut tells me that we’re simply in a reprieve from YHVH Elohim’s judgment against America and the rest of the world. Unless my understanding of end times Bible prophecy is totally off, the Book of Revelation tells me that there will be a Babylon the Great New World Order, antichrist, Luciferian system in place, which will control all or most of the world, and which Yeshua will destroy at his second coming. Period.

If we’re in a reprieve, then what must we do during this respite from YHVH’s final end times judgments? Yeshua told us what to do: Occupy until he comes! What does this mean? It should go without saying: Draw closer to Yeshua. Repent of sin. Put on holiness and righteousness. Do the great commission by preaching the gospel in every way you can. Be a river of life to those around you by praying for them, sharing the gospel and meeting others at their point of need as Yeshua did. Finally, support through prayer, help and finances those who are doing these things. There are many ways to participate and many levels of participation depending on one’s resources, means and abilities. Inactivity is inexcusable in Yeshua’s eyes. Everyone can do something, or else  our King and Master calls us an unprofitable servant.

How long will this reprieve last? This has not been revealed to me.

Satan and his followers will not easily let go of the gains they have made over the past few decades when it comes to world domination. They are ruthless in their goal to accomplish their evil agendas and will stop at nothing—even assassination. I am praying for President Trump’s physical protection (and hopefully you are too), and then asking YHVH what I can do to be a better servant to get the gospel out during this respite. Hopefully you’re doing the same thing.

Another thing that is against President Trump is the instability (to put it mildly!) of the current economic system—nationally and globally. The fundamentals are still very weak. Those of you who are astute observers understand what I’m talking about. These factors can’t be overcome much less changed overnight. They are well entrenched and endemic. We didn’t get here overnight, and we won’t get out of this mess easily, quickly or painlessly. So buckle your seat belts. Think austerity!

Although I like what I see so far with Trump, it’s still very early in the game and only time will tell.

No, Trump is not the Messiah; he’s just a man. But YHVH Elohim is in charge and uses men for his purposes and glory. May this be the case with Donald Trump, those around him and the rest of us as well.

Below, I have a link to a video that best explains my views on the current situation. I personally know Norm Franz and have followed his ministry since the late 90s when he was just coming into an understanding of the Torah. You will find it instructive and balanced.

Occupy until Yeshua comes and (sorry for the cliche) let’s make hay while the sun shines!

Norm Franz—Can Trump Really Save The US Economy?

 

The Way Documentary: More of Natan’s Interview Published

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https://www.facebook.com/thewaydocumentary/videos/1264932883599480/

 

Thank you letter…

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Ministry update and thank you letter from Natan and Sandi to those who supported Hoshana Rabbah in 2016…

Shalom aleichem partners with us in Yeshua’s kingdom work!

Once again, please accept our heartfelt gratitude for all of your financial contributions large or small to Hoshana Rabbah Biblical Discipleship Resources. We thank Yehovah Elohim for each of you and pray a blessing over each giver each time. 

Although we run a frugal operation out of our small home and try to keep our expenses low, as you know, everything costs money. The internet and YouTube may be free, but computers, online servers, domain names, video equipment, phone and internet lines, paper, printers, hard drives, electricity, etc., etc., still cost money. It all adds up.Natan still takes no remuneration for his ministry work, but Sandi for her expert services managing the website, the finances, answering phones and all the myriad tasks associated with running a ministry takes a small monthly stipend. For her high level skill set, she could make a lot more money working elsewhere, but then the ministry would suffer. All this is to say that your loving support is necessary and a great encouragement to us as well.

After Sukkot 2016, Sandi and Natan retired from pastoring the local congregation we started in our home 18 years ago. We reluctantly did so, but several factors necessitated it. Frankly, we were tired and burned out and we lacked the necessary local support to be able continue. Moreover, and very importantly, the pressure was beginning to affect Sandi’s health deleteriously. We’re getting older and the strain was just too much. Additionally, I’m still working full-time in my tree care business, and I just was lacking the energy to do it all.

When one door shuts, another opens. Since closing the local congregation, we have rededicated ourselves to improving services on our internet, global outreach ministry. Presently, the Hoshana Rabbah YouTube channel continues to grow steadily with new subscribers and viewers. Currently, there are more than 320 videos on our channel. Natan does all the filming, editing and uploading, and is the researcher and teacher on nearly all of the videos as well. A lot of work, but lives are being touched globally as we endeavor to connect the message of the gospel to its pro-Torah, Hebraic roots. Currently, we have nearly 5,000 subscribers with 665,000 view. This seems pretty good for a tiny ministry in a niche market.

Natan’s Bible study blog continues to be very active. Hundreds read it each day, and the numbers are still growing. Currently, He has posted nearly 2,000 self-written articles on his blog on a huge variety of biblical subjects. In his great commission command, Yeshua told us to make disciples (not just converts). This blog along with the YouTube channel and the many resources on the Hoshana Rabbah website are our way of helping to fulfill Yeshua’s command to take the gospel to and to help gather in the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Agains, thank you for your prayers and financial support in helping us to make these resources available free of charge to the world.

After Sukkot, Natan began to record a video teaching for each Torah-portion or parashah for the entire year—there are about 54. So far, he has recorded all of Genesis and is well into Exodus. Some of the videos are a couple of hours long, while others are more than five hours long. These videos are ideal for individual and group study sessions. As always, they’re gospel-oriented. We always try to keep Yeshua the Messiah at the center of everything as the early apostles did as recorded in the Testimony of Yeshua (New Testament).

Even though Natan is no longer pastoring a local congregation, he is making himself more available to be of assistance in an advisory role to new congregations or home fellowships starting up. He wants to be a big brothers to anyone who needs it. He’s available to help via email, phone and Skype. Through Skype, he is available to speak to congregations, to answer biblical questions and to pray with, encourage and to speak prophetically over groups upon request.

Sandi also plans on redoing the Hoshana Rabbah website—a huge and daunting task—and bringing it up to current web standards. This will hopefully reposition ourselves more favorably in the web marketplace of ideas, so that we can reach even more of the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Together, Natan and Sandi are hoping to begin updating the adult Torah study guides. Natan has much fresh material to add to the existing ones. This project may take a couple of years.

That there is a quick update on the Hoshana Rabbah ministry. We’re probably forgetting something, but that’s the main gist of it.

Again, Sandi and Natan want to express our heartfelt and sincere thanks for all of your love and love offerings. We pray that we may be able to continue to earn your love and support, and to be fruitful ground into which you are pleased to sow your finances, and, most importantly, we want to be pleasing to Yehovah Elohim and Yeshua our Master as we together show them our love and devotion by doing our reasonable service for the advancement of Elohim’s kingdom!

Yeshua’s Bondservants in His Love,

Natan and Sandi Lawrence