STRESS, ANXIETY AND HOPE IN THE

LAST DAYS

By Terri Morey, Kehilat Poriya, Poriya Illit, Israel

July, 2010

I want to share with you today about the times that are coming upon us--the end of days--and about anxiety, stress and hope.

During a time of worship on the l2th of June, 20l0 I saw an angel flying all around the world proclaiming the Good News. I looked up the Scripture which is Revelation 14:6-7. “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’"

Then I sensed God saying: “Do a study on this.”

Matthew 24:l4 tells us: “And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. “

Revelation 13:7-8 tells us: “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. “

The more I studied these Scriptures the more I became convinced that before final judgment begins on earth, God will release the angel in Revelation l4:6--to give men an opportunity to repent and to seek Him. We all know people who have resisted the call of God but who we believe will yield when the time comes.

Whether or not you believe in a “pre-tribulation” rapture determines much, but I am suggesting you think about what I am about to present and make up your minds now what you will do.

The use of drugs to help people who have trouble with stress and anxiety is staggering. In America 25,000,000 people seek help for depression. 90% of these people are given prescriptions for anti-depressant drugs. Proverbs 12:25 says: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.”

I have a book called “Be in Health”, written by Henry Wright, and in reading the book for two consecutive days, I noticed that most of the spiritual roots of disease are caused by stress, anxiety and fear.

In his book When Jesus Returns, David Pawson states: “One reason that there is so much terror and fear among so many Christians concerning the end times, the Antichrist and the Tribulation period that they just want to escape, is clearly because we have lost our hope! People neither know what God is doing, nor where they are going. How can they have any hope?”

How urgently true Biblical hope must be restored among God’s people today! We must heed the prophetic word in the Scriptures. We will not make it in the days ahead without it.

Suppose you are living on earth when you are required to take a mark in order to buy or sell? You are battling with anxiety and have been taking drugs to keep the problem in balance but now you cannot buy the drug…because you have not taken the mark.

Recently I have I had a severe case of panic attacks. This was something new to me; in my life this had never been a problem before….and of late it had become so bad, that my husband really noticed. To him it was reality and very disturbing. I had not gone to my doctor for help; I knew this could not be the answer. I can compare what was happening to me as a frog being put into water, and slowly he was being boiled alive, but it was happening so gradually he never felt it.

When I became overcome by panic in pressure situations I could not even think straight, my emotions ran me; at times I could not speak without stuttering. My voice became very loud and I flew into a rage. I just wanted to hurl something or I just felt inside and often said: “Take my life, Lord; take me home. I cannot cope here any more.”

Even as I uttered those words I deeply hurt inside at the terrible things I was saying. I had no control over my speech. I looked at my beloved husband with absolute hatred.

It still did not dawn on me that I was going to my husband before going to God. I cried out to God after the explosion, not before.

The woman of God that I was held no meaning to me when a panic attack took over.

Reason and prayer were out of the picture for too long.

This last May, as we were getting ready to leave for a vacation, to go to England and Ireland, I was in one of those places. We had just finished a very big Shabbat service with a Bar Mitzva, our 5 year anniversary celebration and a “Pot blessing” communal meal for about 50 people! Then Eric, my husband, called an emergency Elder’s meeting in our last hour before leaving. The car we were driving had had overheating problems. The mechanic said it was “fixed” but I had reservations. It was possible we might have to stop along the way to refill the water and maybe be late for our plane. I was in major stress.

I left Israel consumed with stress and anger and could not speak to my husband until we arrived in England many hours later. It was a very quiet trip!

Once in Ireland, I had a dream. In this dream I saw the passage from Psalms 55:22: “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you...” I understood in the dream, that it was MY DECISION to allow the Lord to take the burden. He has already provided the grace to see me through anything I came to Him about, but it is my decision. I have to cast my burdens on Him.

As I realized this, I began to weep and repent for not allowing the Lord that place in my life where He would be Lord, instead I went to my husband first, and placed my hopes in him not God. Instantly I was healed of my disorder and instantly I was at peace and I believe I will remain in this state when troubles come.

I knew I would be tested again, I knew that of course, the word tells me: “I have come to give you life; the enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy.” John l0:l0

I am proclaiming these Scriptures.

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” ( 2 Timothy 1:12)

Joseph told his brothers after revealing himself to them in Egypt: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones..." (Genesis 50:20-21a)

Today, I look at our situation in Israel and I hear reports that rockets are targeted for every major city in the land.

In the Lebanese war, hundreds of Katyusha rockets landed in our city of Tiberias. One actually hit right next door to a factory many of our friends work in. Many times we were confined to our bomb shelters while rockets were raining down on us almost daily.

Iran is threatening to wipe us off of the map, and most of our neighbors are in agreement.

Oil is spilling causing havoc on the East coast of America and that is just one of the many crises we read about.

Time magazine in July, 20l0 states that l5,000,000 people worldwide are seeking refuge--unsafe at home and not wanted any where else. The situation in the world is gloomy.

During the holocaust Jews had found ways to get on a ship to carry them to freedom from what awaited them in the death camps and no one opened their doors to let them come into their countries. Canada and America were amongst those who refused them entry and sent them back to die.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 says: “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” Another way to say that is: “History repeats itself.”

We read in Revelation 13:16-17: “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. “

If we take that mark, we will not enter heaven when we die (Revelation 14:9-11). We will be cut off eternally.

If, as many believe, we are conveniently raptured out of here before the 7 year Tribulation period (also known as Jacob’s Trouble, Jeremiah 30:7), we will be in heaven rejoicing. But what if we are here during that time? There are many different positions related to this: “Pre-tribulation,” “Mid-tribulation” or “Post-tribulation.” One thing for sure--there WILL be a tribulation. I and my husband and many others believe we will be going through some or all of it. We have always believed we would be used greatly at the time of the end.

There are some who believe that the purpose of the Tribulation is to prepare the nation of Israel for her Messiah. I believe this is part of the truth.

I also believe Israel is the safest place in all the world for a Jew to live. I believe anti-Semitism will drive Jews back to the land of Israel. God has told us in His word (Ezekiel 36:24): “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.”

In Jeremiah 16:16 God says: "’Behold, I will send for many fishermen,’ says the LORD, ‘and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.’” He will use even anti-Semitism to accomplish His purposes for His people.

This is the stand we are taking concerning the coming of Jeremiah 30:7…”the time of Jacob’s trouble.”

With Jacob’s Trouble coming upon the Jewish people there is also a promise at the end of the Scripture. “Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.“ (Jeremiah 30:7)

It seems to us that the time of Jacob’s trouble is really a time of salvation for Israel and not of judgment.

In seeking others opinions on Jacob’s Trouble and gathering information from people I know who I consider to be scholars…I see that many hold different views on this passage of Scripture.

Some believe it has happened before, but will happen again, and I suggest the following as the position I am taking: Jacob is saved out of his trouble because it is the day when God brings salvation to His people, the “day when Jacob will serve their Lord and David their king whom I will raise up for them.” (Jer 30:9). This is the time that Zechariah spoke about in Zech l2:l0-l3:6. This is followed up by the judgment of the nations and the establishment of the Kingdom of God upon the earth, Zechariah l4.

"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.” This passage from Daniel 12:1 is almost identical to the description of the end time from Matthew 24:21-22 and other similar passages, and also echoes Jeremiah 30:7.

Also we are told in Romans ll:26: “And so all Israel will be saved”, as it is written: ‘THE DELIVERER WILL COME OUT OF ZION, AND HE WILL TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB…’“

Look what happens when we are back in the Land!!, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:25-26)

Presently we have more Jews living in Israel than any other place on earth, more than one third of all the Jews in the world! This has come about in the last few years.

As it says in Romans 10:2 the Jewish people have a zeal for God without knowledge, and when they finally see the truth, they will be the witnesses God has intended them to be.

"’You are My witnesses,’ says the LORD, ‘And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me…’” (Isaiah 43:10). We will be the ones who will tell the world there is only One God.

I did a study on Believing God with Beth Moore and she says the Lord told her: “My bride is paralyzed by unbelief.” She also states in this book: “Do you take God at his word, believing what He has told us, or do you just believe in His existence and the salvation He offers?” The Lord told her: “I didn’t ask you to believe IN Me, I asked you to believe ME.”

What will happen to mankind? Supposing you shared your faith with many who did not accept salvation when you presented it to them, but during this time of duress they will accept and become believers. They are then faced with a reality…if they do not take this mark, how will they live?

The comforting words of Scripture tell me: “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” (Psalms 94:19)

“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears…This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” (Psalms 44:4, 6-7)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! …Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4, 6-7)

On checking the words. “Hope,” “Trust,” “Faith” and “Fear not”….I found that these words are mentioned in the Bible l,081 times!

Many years ago, I changed my name to Faith. The word “Faith” occurs in Scripture 402 times. I cling to His words: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

A wise woman spoke these words which have become a life motto for me: “I cannot change the world; but I can change the world I am in.”

In his book,The Power of One Christ-like life, by Francis Fangepane made the following statement: “Many people try to predict either the day of Christ’s return or the time when judgment will begin in the world. However, we behold another reason why Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour of His return (Mathew 24:36). Prayer changes the mind of God. In fact, Jesus told us regarding tribulation to “Pray that your flight may not be in the winter”(v.20). WE minimize its impact, but prayer actually can influence the season when the Great Tribulation will begin.

I once heard a wise man say: “Prayer changes things, and God is still on His throne.”

Either we believe God or we do not. We need to believe God when he says in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

We do not know the day or the hour, but we must be ready, like the virgins in Matthew 25.

Years ago, I was so influenced by a book which predicting the end that I received the Lord. How incredible, I became a believer and as far as I know many more came to believe because of this book. Yet most of what the writer predicted did not happen in the way or the timing he said. It turned me away from reading prophetic books. Yet, in His word He told me: “Do not despise prophecies.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20)

Our witness is to be different, we are the Bible men read. How can we show them a new path when what they see in us is not what the Messiah came to bring?

Because I was set free so dramatically and because I believe many of my brothers and sisters are going through similar things such as I just walked out of I want to pray for each and every one of you who hears or reads this message.

If you are hearing my voice, come forward I want to pray for you to be set free. For me, it happened in an instant, when I realized THE DECISION IS MINE. God was merciful and showed it to me in a dream, and with the dream came the awareness….it is my decision.

In summary of this letter, is the fact that I was marvelously healed of my panic disorders, and I was shown in a dream that it is my decision, God has provided all for me. I need to only believe it and accept it and live the life He has planned for me.

I was deeply affected by the Scriptures found in the book of Revelation, and although I have never considered myself a scholar, I can say with all sincerity that my first priority has been to love the Lord and serve Him. In the days ahead, because of His deliverance, what ever comes I can stand on the Word, and be a comfort to the more fearful amongst us. Prayer changes things. If you can be in touch with me I will pray for you.

The last days, the end times are coming upon us. We can’t afford to be controlled by anxiety and stress. We MUST learn to rest in God’s hope.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22)

In the love of Messiah,

E.Terri Faith Morey

Kehilat Poriya, Poriya Illit, Israel

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