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Today is Giving Tuesday.  It began in 2012 and always takes place five days after the Thanksgiving holiday each year.  Therefore, the date range is November 27 to December 3.

This day can be described as a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations, helping to positively transform their communities and the world.  Although it began 13 years ago in New York City, it is a day of giving in several countries around the world.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Pastor Josh Schwartz and Ken Mikle talked the counter culture mom, Tina Griffin.  The world is trying to influence the hearts and minds of our children and grandchildren.  Pop culture, Hollywood, technology, and more, have overwhelming influence.  Is it too late?  How do we allow God’s influence to be greater?  Extended version begins at 29:05.

         

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 48 minutes, can be heard here:

This is Thanksgiving Day in the USA.  Our first president, George Washington, issued a General Thanksgiving Proclamation.  Its focus is on the Almighty God, to whom we all should be thankful for both good and happy times, as well as bad and sad times.

         
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In a prayer to the Lord, King David said the following:

Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:12-24)

In his instructions to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul wrote the following:

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.  Live in peace with each other.  And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.  Test everything.  Hold on to the good.  Avoid every kind of evil.  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-24)

On this special day, the prominent phrase that Paul wrote is, “give thanks in all circumstances.”  For many who are going through difficult and trying circumstances, this is not easy to do.  Spiritual maturity enables us to understand that we should give thanks even for the thorny and challenging things in life.

It is hard for us to understand why we should be thankful for the terrible things that happen to us, and to others close to us, along this journey of life.  We must realize, though, that we cannot understand the infinite Mind of God, nor can we comprehend His plans and purposes for our lives.  It is in obedience and in faith that we thank God for all things.

Today, let us remember that God is in charge and in control of all situations.  He allows us to go through hard times to strengthen us and to cause us to depend on Him—rather than on ourselves or other people—even more.  It is one of the greatest lessons we can learn before Jesus returns to rule and reign, when He will wipe away every tear from our eyes.  We can be very thankful for that! 

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Pastor Josh Schwartz and Ken Mikle talked with Jack Hibbs.  The wolves are showing their faces and trying to cause division even among believers.  The team discusses the wreckage being done by Tucker Carlson and others who understand no theology yet are influencing millions.  How must the body respond?  Find Hibbs’ book in our online store at Called To Take A Bold Stand-Book.  Extended version begins at 29:07.

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 52 minutes, can be heard here:

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Pastor Josh Schwartz and Ken Mikle talked with Billy Crone who reveals troubling info about Trump’s Stargate system.  Is this the infancy of the Beast System?  Why would a conservative President introduce something that is so potentially dangerous?  We must speak the truth about such policies.  Find the DVD set in our online store at Trump and the Stargate Prophecies-5 DVD Set.  Extended version begins at 28:11.

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 51 minutes, can be heard here:

Yesterday was the 43rd day of the U.S. federal government shutdown.  The shutdown began on October 1.  It has been the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Three days ago, the Senate passed a stopgap funding bill to move toward ending the shutdown.  Almost all Republican senators and eight Democratic senators approved the stopgap measure with a vote of 60-40.  The legislation was then sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Last night, the House passed a funding package to end the lengthy shutdown.  The vote was 222 to 209.  The majority of Republicans and six Democrats voted for the bill.  The legislation extends funding for most agencies until January 30.  It also includes three full-funding bills for other parts of the government.  President Trump signed the funding bill a few hours after the House passed it.

Most House Democrats opposed the legislation, since it does not address expiring health care tax credits that were at the center of the party’s shutdown demands.  As part of the deal with Republicans, Senate Democrats were promised a vote on the issue by mid-December, setting the stage for the next major fight on Capitol Hill.

Today is the 107th anniversary of Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day.  World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.  Veterans Day is an official public holiday in the U.S.

       
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At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Pastor Josh Schwartz and Ken Mikle talked with Dr. Mark Hitchcock.  The book of Revelation was written for our good and God’s glory.  God loves his church, and He does not want us to be unaware.  Revelation tells us a new world is coming, but the stage is being set now.  Since it spells Satan’s demise, he is trying to silence this last book of the Bible.  Find Hitchcock’s new book, The Revelation Answer Book, in our online store.  Extended version begins at 29:04.

         

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 50 minutes, can be heard here:

My commentaries about the Book of Revelation and the Rapture can be read here:

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the World Series champions after beating the Toronto Blue Jays two nights ago in game 7.  That game, played in Toronto, lasted 11 innings.

The Dodgers won the World Series last year in 2024 and five years ago in 2020.  The Blue Jays last won the World Series in 1993.  Congratulations Dodgers!

The 7th game’s final score was Dodgers 5, Blue Jays 4.  Here are the scores for the final game Saturday night and the runs, hits and errors for all of the innings:

In the series, the Dodgers won 4 games and the Blue Jays won 3 games.  Below are some stats and scores for the 7 games.  Click on the links to see the scoreboards for all of the games.

Daylight Saving Time ended this morning, and Standard Time began.  In states that observe this change, all clocks should be set back one hour.  Standard Time will continue for just over four months until Sunday, March 8, when Daylight Saving Time will begin again in most states and clocks will be set ahead one hour.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Ken Mikle and Pastor Josh Schwartz talked with Jenn Nizza of expsychicsaved.com.  The schemes of darkness are masquerading as light, and many, even in the church, are being deceived.  Listen to the warnings and stop dabbling in the demonic.  The extended version begins at 29:02.

         

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 47 minutes, can be heard here:

I wonder how many Christians believe that God’s “chosen people” no longer are the Israelites and the Jews but, exclusively, are the Church of Christian believers.  I do not believe this at all.  By no means will God ever permanently abandon Israel, and His everlasting promises to Israel will take place.  I have written a lengthy commentary to explain all of this and more:

I also wonder how many Christians know the following things about Jesus (Yeshua or Yahshua in Hebrew):

• He was a Jew who lived strictly by the Law of the Torah.
• He came to fulfill the Torah Law, not to abolish it.
• He observed all of the Hebraic/Jewish feasts, festivals, and holy days in both the Spring and the Fall.
• He died on Passover.
• He lay in a tomb during the first part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
• He rose from the dead on the Feast of Firstfruits (which has been given the inappropriate name of “Easter”).
• His Holy Spirit came to Jews at Pentecost, which also was at the Feast of Weeks (or Shavuot).
• He will appear in the clouds to take believers to be with Him, at the Rapture, on the Feast of Trumpets (or Rosh HaShanah).
• His second advent back to earth will be on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
• He will require representatives from all the nations of the world to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot), each year, throughout the Millennium.
• His birthday most likely is during the Feast of Tabernacles (late September to mid October), not on the Christianized day of “Christmas” (December 25).

Today, officials in the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced its second interest rate cut this year.  This took place as policymakers moved to support the labor market, despite inflation remaining above the central bank’s target.

Fed policymakers voted the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25% point to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%.  It is down from the prior range of 4.00% to 4.25%.  The last rate cut took place last month on Sep. 17.  Prior to that, the Fed had left the rate unchanged in the five previous meetings this year (on Jan. 29, Mar. 19, May 7, June 18 and July 30).

Federal Reserve officials indicated the possibility of one more rate cut in 2025, according to the central bank’s summary of economic projections.  The final Fed meeting in 2025 will take place on December 9 & 10.  Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that a further reduction in its benchmark rate this year “is not a foregone conclusion.”

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Ken Mikle and Pastor Josh Schwartz talked with Jeff Kinley and Todd Hampson.  Younger generations are awakening to truth and long to know the future that the Bible recounts.  If the Lord tarries, there is future hope.  If the church won’t teach them, then we must.  Parents, grandparents, and pastors, this is a call to action.  Find the extended version at 29:05.

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 48 minutes, can be heard here:

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Ken Mikle and Pastor Josh Schwartz talked with David Tal as the world holds its breath for what is next in the prophetic Middle East.  What’s next for Bible prophecy?

In the extended version, Pastor Josh and Ken talked with Olivier Melnick.  How did such a gifted people come to be hated by the whole world?  Find Melnick’s book, “Antisemitism in the End Times: How the Rise of the World’s Oldest Hatred is Paving the Way for Messiah’s Return”, in our online store.  The extended version begins at 27:08.

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 55 minutes, can be heard here:

Today, Oct. 16, is International ShakeOut Day.  Earthquake drills are scheduled to take place at 10:16 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

There will be Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills worldwide, and millions of people will participate.  Several million Californians have signed up to participate.

This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of taking immediate action during an earthquake.  It encourages individuals, families, schools and organizations to participate in earthquake drills, practicing the essential safety techniques known as “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”  This process helps reduce the risk of injury during seismic events by teaching people how to protect themselves effectively.

The four Hebraic Spring Festivals/Holy Days were fulfilled during Jesus’ first advent to earth.  Likewise, the three Hebraic Fall Festivals/Holy Days will be fulfilled upon His second advent back to earth.

In particular, His physical descent to earth, to rule and reign, most likely will take place on a future Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), in conjunction with the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet of Revelation 11:15-17.  Here is an email response in which I explain why:

• Why do you think that Jesus will return to earth on a Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement and in conjunction with the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet?

A little over two years have passed since the horrendous deadly attacks on Israel by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups on Oct. 7, 2023.  About 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 815 civilians, were killed.  Over 250 Israelis and Israeli-Americans were taken hostage, most of whom have died in captivity.  All of this initiated the ongoing Gaza War.

Last week, a deal was brokered by the United States, Israel and key Arab countries.  This included an agreement by Hamas of freeing 48 living and dead hostages after Israel’s military halted its military campaign in the Gaza Strip.  In a few agreements and negotiations since then, some of the hostages have been released—some alive and the remains of others—including women, children and seniors.

Yesterday, 20 living hostages and 4 deceased hostages were released and returned to Israel.  In return, Israel released over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.  There is an expectation that, at some point, Hamas will release the remains of an additional 24 deceased hostages.  All of this is the first phase of of a truce between Israel and Hamas.

Yesterday morning, President Donald Trump arrived in Israel.  He met with Israeli authorities and with the families of Israeli hostages.  Then he delivered a speech to the Knesset in Jerusalem.  Before returning back to the U.S., Trump also went to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in a signing ceremony alongside Arab leaders—including Mahmoud Abbas—and European leaders.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend the summit.

The second phase of the Israel-Hamas truce has yet to begin.  It was outlined by the U.S. and backed by officials from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and other countries that have played crucial roles in negotiations.  The proposal calls for a “board of peace” to be chaired by President Trump.  Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair also has been named to the council.  Other members still are unknown.

       

       
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Today is Columbus Day, a U.S. federal holiday.  It also is Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the U.S.  Each year, both are observed on the second Monday in October.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Ken Mikle and Pastor Josh Schwartz talked with Justin Kron, producer of the film October 7: Bearing Witness to the Massacre.  The truth must be told.  Hear cutting-edge inside information and how to access this film.

In the extended version, Pastor Josh and Ken also talked with Lee Brainard, which begins at 28:21.

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 46 minutes, can be heard here:

This is the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.  On that date, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a surprise and very deadly attack on Israel.  This initiated the ongoing Gaza War.

This year, today is the first full day of the week-long Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot.  Today also is a special Sabbath, when no regular work is to be done (Leviticus 23:33-35).

       
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All native-born Israelites are to construct and to dwell in booths or “sukkot” (which is the plural of booth or “sukkah”) for a week.  This is a reminder to them of the temporary tabernacles in which their Israelite ancestors lived for 40 years after leaving ancient Egypt (Leviticus 23:42,43).

Jesus, whose birth was in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1), most likely was born in a sukkah during Sukkot, not in a stable in December.  The word “tabernacle,” used as a verb, means “to take up temporary residence, especially to inhabit a physical body” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the Only Begotten, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

The words in that verse translated as “made his dwelling” among us are more accurately translated as “did tabernacle” among us.  So Jesus tabernacled with mankind for a few decades while He was here the first time.

Being a Jew, Jesus celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles and even taught in the temple courts during the days of this feast (John 7:1-44).  In the future Messianic era, during the Millennium, Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah will return to tabernacle with us again.  Representatives from the nations of the world will go to Jerusalem, where King Yeshua will be sitting on His throne, to observe the Feast of Tabernacles—essentially, a giant birthday celebration for Jesus:

At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD.  No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. (Jeremiah 3:17)

The LORD will be king over the whole earth.  On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. ... Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:9,16)

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Ken Mikle and Pastor Josh Schwartz first talked with Pastor Barry Stagner.  We are in the “times of the signs” prior to the Tribulation.  How should followers of Jesus deal with Rapture fervor, Rapture disappointment, and Rapture fatigue?  Is much of this spurred on by false date-setting?

In the extended version, Pastor Josh and Ken also talked with Mondo Gonzales from Prophecy Watchers.  The extended version begins at 30:17.

         

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 52 minutes, can be heard here:

Today, October 4, is the first day of World Space Week.  It will continue through October 10 next week.  It is observed in 95 nations of the world.

Today is the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur.  It is the highest holy day and special Sabbath during the Hebraic year.  Today also is the final day of the 40-day season of Teshuvah, a major period of repentance, asking God for forgiveness and returning to a meaningful relationship with Him.

       
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God ordained this day in ancient Israel for the high priest to enter the Holy of Holies (the Most Holy Place) in the tabernacle, and later in the temple.  He was to make atonement for his sins and for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:1-34).

Later, God also told Moses that this Day of Atonement was to be a special day of commemoration.  It was to be a day of sacred assembly and a sabbath of rest, a day to deny oneself (for instance, to abstain from eating) and a day to refrain from work (Leviticus 23:26-32).

I have been abstaining from food and liquid since sunset last evening, which is when Yom Kippur began.  I will be fasting for 25 hours.  I have no work to do today (unless typing with my fingertips is considered to be work).

I believe that Yeshua/Jesus will return to earth, to begin to rule and reign, on a future Yom Kippur, at the end of the 70th Week.  Here are two email responses I have written in the past having to do with Yom Kippur:

• Why do you think that Jesus will return to earth on a Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement and in conjunction with the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet?
• How does the blood atonement of Passover differ from the blood atonement of Yom Kippur?

Every Oct. 1, often referred to as “Shocktober 1st” in southern California, I’m always reminded of the 5.9 Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987.  It happened at 7:42 a.m., just as I was finishing breakfast before going to work.

My house in Irvine was about 40 miles from the epicenter, and it rocked for several seconds but did no damage to my property.  The quake was felt throughout southern California and southern Nevada.

I was watching the morning news out of Los Angeles.  A few minutes after the main shock, there was a small aftershock, which I did not feel.

I remember watching two of the news guys, Kent Shocknek and Christopher Nance.  They got freaked out due to the shaking and the swaying lights, caused by the aftershock, and jumped under their desk.  You can watch a short David Letterman video where he talked about it and then showed a video of what happened.

I also felt a 5.3 aftershock three days later.  Then life went on as usual.  Here is a video, under 5 minutes, showing damage from the initial quake on Oct. 1 and from the aftershock on Oct. 4: SoCal Whittier Narrows Earthquakes (1987).

I have felt numerous earthquakes before then and since then.  Here is a page with a great deal of information about earthquakes, what to do to prepare for them, and what to do when they occur: