The usage of hyssop and its references in the Bible are mostly in the Old Testament, but it is also used a few times in the New Testament. Its symbolism is of interest as to how God commanded it to be used and its later involvement at the time of Christ’s death. The Old and the New Testament are woven together. People who claim that the Old Testament is no longer valid are mistaken and refuse to see how both Testaments are needed.

In 1 Kings 4:33, we find that King Solomon mentioned that hyssop liked to grow out of walls, indicating hearty plants which were able to grow in rough spots. Many people feel that the plant being referenced is Origanum syriacum. This plant has longish stems that are woody at the base with white flowers. It is widely used today to make teas, and also to make a spice called za’ater, which can be added to breads, cheese and salads.

In July 2016 one website had this to say about political correctness:

“In a number of intimate and sensitive areas of life, cultural and moral norms have changed dramatically. Eight years ago, a democratic presidential candidate opposed the idea of same-sex marriage outright. In 2016, such opposition is regularly condemned as bigoted, even violent.

“Changes in public perception of transgender politics have occurred even faster. In just over a year and a half we have gone from one ordinance about the use of bathrooms by transgendered people in Houston, Texas (ultimately struck down), to a national directive from the president. Similar shifts in public conversations about race, class, and religion have brought with them new and ever-evolving rules about language.”

As worshipers of God, we are set apart because of the knowledge bestowed upon us through the Holy Spirit.  We are called to be ambassadors for a way of life that is foreign to our world. This understanding changes how we perceive reality, both physically and spiritually.  Because of this gift we must become guardians of the Truth, withstanding the wiles of the devil through our commitment to the Truth.

Paramount to a Christian is the necessity to guard the Truth of God.  Jude told a spiritually besieged church, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

The Bible tells us that in the near future, a military power bloc in the Far East will form which will be hostile towards continental Europe. This power bloc is referred to in Scripture as the kings of the East.

We are first introduced to the kings of the East and their powerful armies and weapons in Revelation 9:13-21, which describes the appearance of 200 million “horsemen” from the east (Revelation 9:14, 16).

We should note that Revelation 9:16 literally says, “… and the number of armies of the cavalry two myriads of myriads…” The word for “horsemen” or “cavalry” is hippicon, which is derived from hippos, meaning “horse.” The New Bible Commentary: Revised explains: “… the horsemen seem to be of little account; it is the horses that terrify and destroy.”

When Christ was asked by four of His disciples about the end of the age, He said:

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near–at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:32-35).

It is clarified in the parallel Scripture in Luke 21:31 that Christ was speaking about His Second Coming and the establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth. “All these things” refer to the events, which we are describing in this series. The Greek word for “generation,” i.e., genea, refers here to the people in the end time–not the entire race throughout many “generations.”

When the end-time beast arises and comes to power, then an influential religious leader will accompany and collaborate with him. He is called the “false prophet” in the Bible (Revelation 19:20). We know that Christ’s return is near when these two leaders manifest themselves on the world scene.

We saw already that the false prophet will arise within the religious Babylonian mystery system.

He is also referred to as someone who claims to be “God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4); the “lawless one” (2 Thessalonians 2:8); and the “prince of Tyre” (Ezekiel 28:1-10). The religion which he represents is described as “the great harlot” (Revelation 17:1); “the mother of harlots” (Revelation 17:5); and “that great and mighty city” (Revelation 17:18; 18:10).

Revelation 13 describes the ancient Roman Empire and its ten European revivals. It also refers to the person of the end-time military leader, who is called the “beast” as well. (Revelation 13:8; compare also Revelation 16:13; 19:19-20).  We already saw that the person, who is also identified as the modern king of Assyria or King Jareb (meaning “the contentious fighter”), is revealed as being of German or Austrian descent.

We also pointed out that the mark of the beast, which will be enforced on people, describes the general acceptance of the worship system of the revived Holy Roman Empire, and that it is clearly associated with the violation of God’s weekly Sabbath and His annual Holy Days and the observance of manmade pagan holidays. The mark of the beast is not a visible sign or a microchip, but it symbolizes allegiance.

The Bible shows that Great Britain will leave the EU. The Church of God has been proclaiming for many years that Great Britain will not be a part of the European unification in its final configuration. The main reason for this warning has been that the Bible predicts a devastating war between Great Britain and continental Europe.

Many falsely believe that the house of Israel and the Jewish people are one and the same. But Judah, from whom the Jewish people descended, was just one tribe of the descendants of Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel (Genesis 35:10). They separated from their Israelite brothers and, along with the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, formed the “house of Judah.” The other tribes became known as the “house of Israel.” The “house of Israel” went into captivity first, never to return to the “Promised Land.” Today, they are called the “lost ten tribes.” The “house of Judah” also went into captivity but did eventually return to Palestine. Many descendants of the house of Judah are living today in the state of Israel.

This question as to whether Donald Trump is the Antichrist has been debated on the Internet for quite some time. In the past, many claimed that former President Barack Obama was or is the Antichrist. Some are convinced now that Donald Trump is the Antichrist, basing their conclusion on his personality or his actions.

Let us see what the Bible says about the Antichrist. This word is mentioned four times in the Holy Scriptures, and the term “antichrists” is mentioned once.

• 1 John 2:18 says:

“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”