One of the most admirable traits of the Almighty is that He always warns people before He punishes them. If they take His warning and change their ways, they are spared. If not then punishment follows. YaHuWaH 's warnings come either through an angel messenger or by one of His prophets. We see this divine trait in operation before YaHuWaH destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He first informed Abraham of His plan to destroy Sodom and then sent two angel messengers to warn Lot and his fellow citizens to escape for their lives.

A true prophet is a mouthpiece or spokesman for YaHuWaH. He relays YaHuWaH's messages to people.

Though prophecy is one of YaHuWaH 's best spiritual gifts, sad to say it is comparatively easy to counterfeit. Satan knows this only too well. He knows how easy it is to make people think that they are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, or that they are listening to a prophet speaking under divine inspiration. Satan is a master of deception, the father of lies. False prophets have existed in all ages: but their numbers will increase in the days just prior to the Savior's return. False prophets can be recognized by their false teachings; which invariably clash with YaHuWaH 's Torah as proclaimed at Mount Sinai and taught by every true prophet of old. False prophets lead millions astray and that is why YaHuWaH 's punishment for them is death.

YAHUSHUA the Savior warned of end-time false prophets who would deceive multitudes with spectacular miracles. This is happening in our day. So take note!

But how does one know the genuine prophet from the false? Thankfully there is a spiritual 'litmus test' which we may apply to the teachings of all prophets to determine whether or not they are true. Here is that test.

Some of the greatest prophecies in the Bible concern the people of Israel: their calling, their enslavement, their emancipation, their King, their land, their disobedience, their punishments and scattering to the four corners of the earth. And finally their regathering to the land of Israel in the days just prior to the Savior's return. Study the following passages and see how true Bible prophecy is and how it is coming to pass in our day.

NOTE: The regathering of the literal descendants of Israel to the land of Canaan is taking place at this very moment. Tens of thousands of Israelites return to Israel each year. Their return is also a shadow of a spiritual awakening taking place in the heart and mind of YaHuWaH 's church. We are coming back, returning to divine truths first delivered to ancient Israel in the days of Moshe. Yes, YaHuWaH 's church is also returning to its spiritual heritage of truth. Once again we are beginning to understand:

• The meaning of deliverance from Egyptian slavery (sin)
• The Messiah's role as first enacted by Moshe
• Forgiveness and victory through the blood of YaHuWaH
• The inscribing of YaHuWaH 's Torah on the believer's heart
• The truth about YaHuWaH 's Signature (His Sacred Sabbath and Feast Days)
• Victory through YAHUSHUA who like Yehoshua (Joshua) of old lead Israel into the Promised Land
• The truth concerning Israel's place in world government. This will soon find fulfillment during the coming millennium.

All these spiritual truths form part of the believer's inheritance and are being restored to YaHuWaH 's people. The return of Jewish exiles to the land of Israel was prophesied some two and a half thousand years ago. It is happening today and no one can doubt it. This fact is just one of many that Bible prophecy is reliable and divinely inspired.

I invite you to consider and live by king Jehoshaphat's advice: because it is good.