Debunking Replacement Theology

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Replacement Theology with tags , , , , , on April 9, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to the introduction of a new series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

The nation of Israel and the church, the body of Jesus Christ, are two separate entities. God has not changed His mind. The church has not replaced Israel. God has a unique plan for both.

There seems to be a lot of disorder between the concepts of the nation Israel and the body of Christ, the church. If one gets this concept wrong there will be confusion in understanding prophecy as well the Bible. Understanding of the Scriptures will take different paths pending one’s view of the church and Israel. Some people take the view Israel and the church are different. Others believe that Israel messed up so bad, God gave up on Israel and replaced the nation with the church, the body of Christ, or spiritual Israel.

A simple, clean definition of Replacement Theology is provided by Matt Slick of https://carm.org/questions-replacement-theology.

Replacement theology is the teaching that the Christian church has replaced national Israel regarding the plan, purpose, and promises of God.

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This line of thinking is also called Supersessionism. These folks believe the church is the fulfillment of Judaism. If Jews do not believe in Jesus, they are out. In other words, non-believing Israel has been superseded by the church. No kingdom for you…

The practical results include Israel no longer being God’s chosen people and nation. The geographical land promised and designated in the Middle East would belong to the church instead of a group of people living in what is modern day Israel and surrounding countries. The covenants in the Old Testament to Abraham and Moses would be null and void.

Carrie Prejean Boller with Tucker Carlson podcast- “Replacement theology is that the church has replaced Israel, and that we are the new Israel. We are the spiritual semites, which has been taught for 2000 years. Original church fathers would be rolling in their graves if they knew that we taught 1948 Israel is some sort of fulfillment of prophecy.”

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Replacement Theology makes God a liar. God’s view on this topic as well as any other has not changed. He cannot change. God is immutable. This aspect of His character is defined in the Old Testament.

Malachi 3:6 “For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

This same concept is noted in the New Testament.

James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

The fact that God does not change should be reassurance that what He says is true. God keeps His word and His promises.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

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Both Israel and the church have different origins and beginnings.

The promise of God’s nation started in the plain of Shinar in what is modern day Iraq. Abram was minding his own business in Ur. Then God revealed Himself to this man. God made several promises to Abram.

Genesis 12:1e To the land which I will show you;

The first promise was to give Abram some land.

Genesis 12:2a And I will make you a great nation,

The second item was the promise to be a great nation. That nation would become Israel.

Genesis 12:2b-3 “And I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

The Hebrew word for “bless” is barakah.

And the last promise to Abram was blessing. Five times a form of the term “bless” is used. Abram and anyone in the world from that point forward who associates with him or his offspring positively, blessing from God!

Israel is not specifically mentioned in the passage above, true. However, Abram’s offspring would become a nation named Israel. Abram is also in the lineage of Jesus Christ and He, Jesus, would be and is the ultimate blessing from God.

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Genesis 15:12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.

It was not enough to tell Abram. God made a contract or covenant with him for all time. Genesis 15 provides the details of the covenant. A direct son was promised to Abram. The number to come from his body would number the stars in the heavens. Animals and birds with specifications were part of the covenant.

God put Abram to sleep and sealed the deal Himself. The contract is on God to be completed. Abram did not have to do anything, he was out cold. Frankly, he would not have been able to do anything because of his mental status. It was dark and Abram was scared to death. There is nothing any fallen man can do. The responsibility belongs to God.

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Amos 9:13-15 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, with which all the hills will flow. I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will firmly plant them in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land that I have given them,” says the LORD your God.

Well, modern day Israel was replanted and recognized as a nation in 1948. This event was the Super Sign. Israel, as flawed as they may be, is back and they are not going anywhere says the LORD your God.

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This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Crushed for our iniquity…

Posted in Gospel, Resurrection with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 5, 2026 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 52:14 Just as many were appalled at Him, His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness…

Romans 5:6-8 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

To the critic… You always want facts. You want proof. Take a listen and watch.

This is from the Shawn Ryan Show.

Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston is a world-renowned scholar on the Historical Jesus, specializing in archaeology, ancient history, and the New Testament. In 2026, Dr. Johnston became the only academic invited to present evidence for Jesus and the Resurrection at the World Economic Forum in Davos—bringing the Gospel into one of the most influential global stages. His evidence-based approach bridges rigorous research and compelling communication, making the case for faith both intellectually credible and spiritually transformative.

He is the author of The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-to-Face with Jesus, which highlights top archaeological discoveries corroborating the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus outside the biblical record. Known for his evidence-first, no-nonsense style, Dr. Johnston powerfully confronts myths and cultural skepticism while offering hope and clarity in an age of confusion.

A hands-on scholar, he uses authentic and replica artifacts; such as the Shroud of Turin, crucifixion nails, the Titulus Crucis, the Pilate Stone, ossuaries, early New Testament papyri, Dead Sea Scroll facsimiles, and Roman coins. to bring history alive in vivid detail. His passion is showing how fresh discoveries, like the Shroud’s fading image, inscriptions mocking early Christians, and coins tied to Gospel events—continue to strengthen the historical case for Jesus Christ.

Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston Links:

LT – https://linktr.ee/_JeremiahJ

IG –   / _jeremiahj  

X – https://x.com/_jeremiahj

FB –   / christianthinkerssociety  

Website – http://www.ChristianThinkers.com

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Follow on TikTok:   / shawnryanshow  

Follow on Instagram:   / shawnryanshow  

Follow on Facebook:   / shawnryanshow  

Follow on Snapchat:   / @shawnryanshow  

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Resurrection Sunday, 2026

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Gospel, Prophecy, Resurrection with tags , , , , , , on April 4, 2026 by paulthepoke

What does a rabbit have to do with Jesus, why are eggs involved, and why did Jesus have to die?”

There are many traditions as to how “Easter” gets its name. Ishtar (Easter) is the Babylonian queen of heaven. She is the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex.

Astarte (Easter) is the Syrian sun goddess, known as the queen of heaven. According to legend, she allegedly laid a golden egg which became the sun.

There is also a pagan tradition concerning a bird who wanted to be a rabbit. The goddess Oestre (Easter) turned the bird into a rabbit. According to legend, this rabbit could still lay eggs. From this, the egg became a symbol of the start of new life, rebirth, and fertility. A rabbit became a symbol of fertility and new life.

What does any of this nonsense have to do with Jesus? Absolutely Nothing!!!

One small problem, the early Christian church joined the fun and adopted the egg as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus. This has done nothing but add to the confusion to the point and purpose of Jesus’ death.

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Why did Jesus have to die? This point is specific and clear according to the Bible. At this time, I will let the Bible speak for itself.

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…

Hebrews 9:26b …but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

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Some would say the idea of a “resurrection” is only noted in the New Testament. Resurrection is not a New Testament only concept. There are many examples of the idea of resurrection in the Old Testament.

Resurrection events are promised and noted from the arguably the oldest book of the Bible, Job, to the end of the Bible in the Book of Revelation. We will all be resurrected one way or another. At issue is the eternal destination of our individual resurrected body.

Job 14:13-15 “Oh that You would hide me in Sheol, that You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You, that You would set a limit for me and remember me! If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait until my change comes. You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands.”

Job is aware of the concept of resurrection and being brought back to life. He is pleading with God. Will I live again? Job expresses awareness of his bodily change to come. Job knows that God will call before this change.

Job 19:25-27a “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!”

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Just in case anyone is wondering, the message of a sacrificial death for sin rings loud and clear in the Old Testament in Isaiah. Look at the detail of these verses. This was written approximately 700 years before Christ. It reads as a narrative of the events along with the accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Isaiah 53:3-12 He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.

See also Psalm 22

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https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Believe… A Phil Kulis Series

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Phil Kulis with tags , , , , , , on April 1, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to Part 8 and the final installment of Phil’s series.

𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓, 𝐆𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐋, 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄, 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇, 𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐌

The Christian life is to believe “in” the Gospel which is “Immanuel” – God with us.

Romans 10:9-10 …if you 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬 with your mouth the Lord Jesus and 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Jesus accomplished perfect obedience to God in the Law and performed miracles. He remained obedient unto death and exited the Old Covenant. He was the only person able to say, “It is finished”. Because of His righteous act, death has no legal claim on Him. Ever.

This is why God resurrected Him. It is proof that the Old Covenant of Sin and Death is finished.

An open Bible in the foreground with a wedding ring on top, featuring a glowing cross in the background against a sunset sky and flying doves.

When we believe “in” Him, He who is the New Covenant Representative we are betrothed, engaged. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we are being prepared for the Wedding.

We know we have the Holy Spirit when we exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Just as Jesus is the 2nd Adam, He remained faithful and finished the covenant. We the Church are the 2nd Eve. Even though we’ve sinned we are protected by His perfect, permanent, irrevocable, eternal grace of Him doing everything right.

Even though the Church has sinned, our sins don’t fall to us. Because of His obedience we are protected by the New and Everlasting Covenant between Jesus and God that can’t be broken because by His grace “it is finished”.

John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

That’s the Good News.

As someone betrothed, engaged to be married, our duty is to remain faithful until the wedding.

He is waiting for us on the other side.

Believe

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Epic Fury Update: Nuclear Facilities; Missiles; Inflation Incoming

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2026 by paulthepoke

Zechariah 14:12 And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

Revelation 9:18 A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire, the smoke, and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.

The Dimona Nuclear Facility, officially known as the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Hebrew: קריה למחקר גרעיני – נגב ע”ש שמעון פרס), is Israel’s primary nuclear installation. It is located in the Negev Desert, approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) southeast of the city of Dimona, and about 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Jerusalem.

Israel maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding its nuclear capabilities—neither confirming nor denying possession of nuclear weapons. The facility is officially described as a research center for atomic science, but it is widely believed to be central to Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program, including plutonium production from its heavy-water reactor.

Construction began in the late 1950s (around 1958–1959) with significant French assistance. The reactor became operational between 1962 and 1964, with an estimated capacity of around 26 megawatts. It is not connected to the civilian power grid and does not produce electricity for public use. The site has been heavily guarded since its inception, with restricted airspace and no public access.

https://twitter.com/i/grok?conversation=2035453743932584067

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Previously a month ago, Iran indicated their missile capability was limited to 2,000 km. I guess not.

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Revelation 6:6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”

It would appear inflation is incoming on a global scale.

Australia, New Zealand, southeast Asia reporting fuel outages and emerging.

Japan (up to ~90-93% of oil imports via Hormuz).

South Korea (~68-75% of crude imports).

China (large volumes, ~40-50% of oil imports affected; export bans on refined fuels to protect domestic supply).

Others like Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand (broader Southeast Asia belt-tightening, e.g., 4-day workweeks or work-from-home in some cases).

http://hellenicshippingnews.com

Tropical Cyclone Narelle is bearing down on Western Australia’s coastline and has sparked major disruptions across three of Australia’s top LNG facilities, including Gorgon, Wheatstone, and North West Shelf (as per Bloomberg): 

  • Woodside Energy Group Ltd.’s North West Shelf export plant in Western Australia had a production interruption due to severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, according to a company spokesperson.
  • Meanwhile, Chevron Corp. said one of the three production units at its Gorgon plant was shut, as well as a platform that feeds its Wheatstone facility and domestic gas production.
  • Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian strikes damaging the world’s largest liquefaction plant in Qatar, Australia has become the second-largest LNG exporter, with the US in the top spot.

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https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Baptism… A Phil Kulis Series

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Phil Kulis with tags , , , , , , , on March 25, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to Part 7 of Phil’s series.

𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓, 𝐆𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐋, 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄, 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇, 𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐌

𝐁𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦

What many people call “getting saved” is actually accepting a marriage proposal from God. We state a willingness to be in covenant with God (the one between the Father and Jesus). At the point we accept that proposal we are engaged, betrothed. The “promissory ring” of the engagement is the gift of the Holy Spirit who teaches us about Jesus. But we aren’t married until the Wedding. The wedding is not in this body, and it’s not on this earth. It’s in Heaven in Revelation 19.

In this body on this earth we’re still in the broken covenant we were born into from Adam. We have to exit that old covenant. That means dying. “Till death do we part.”

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,…

Death and the afterlife is something we will all face. So it’s a good idea to prepare for it by rehearsing your mindset before it happens.

What then is baptism? Is it just a rinse in water to remove some dirt from your body? No, it’s much more than that.

𝐁𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 to prepare you for your death, which is the exit from the covenant that Adam broke, and then to resurrection, being “born again” into eternal life in Christ Jesus. It consists of a few simple elements:

* Your declaration of faith

* Your simulated death and burial

* Your simulated resurrection

Depending on your circumstances, declaring your faith moments before you die might not be possible. It may occur suddenly or while you’re unconscious. So it’s a good idea to “bank” your statement of faith. Make it known to yourself so you’re confident. And make it known to others so they can have peace when you’re gone.

The Apostle Peter explains that baptism is so you may be at peace, having a good conscience toward God before you die.

1 Peter 3:21 “…baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

Jesus Himself referred to His death as a “baptism”.

Luke 12:50 “But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Jesus wasn’t talking about us wearing a piece of jewelry, He was talking about following Him to our baptism through death and resurrection into eternal life. Not the rehearsal, the real thing. This is why the rehearsal is so important. Because when death comes it will be the ultimate test.

The question of whether or not “the thief on the cross” next to Jesus had to be baptized is simply answered by recognizing that he wasn’t rehearsing.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:3-5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

It’s not just dying and resurrecting that we rehearse with baptism, from that point on it is a rehearsal of our “walk in the newness of life” for eternity. So that when we cross over into eternity we will be familiar with it because we have rehearsed the walk. Our previous sinful lifestyle simply isn’t appropriate there. We should start getting rid of it now.

Our physical death is the exit from this covenant of sin and death that we are born into from Adam. Our bodies have already been corrupted by sin. We have to shed this mortal existence to be free of it. We wouldn’t want eternal life in a body that continually sins and decays!

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Through our true baptism of death and resurrection we are “born again” into eternal life.

John 14:1-4 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

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Preview: God’s Spring Appointed Holidays 5786/2026/5951

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Spring Feasts, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 21, 2026 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 9:6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Granted, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was quoting the American historian and philosopher Will Durant. That said, bad analogy…

However, Netanyahu does not know the Lion of the tribe of Judah. You all (Israel) don’t know it, but Jesus Christ is Israel’s Messiah. He is your Messiah. He will come to Earth and conduct some serious social hygiene. Jesus is also the Lamb of God who died for the sins of humanity. See Revelation 5, Zechariah 12, 14 for details… Read it!

Jesus Christ will rule and reign 1,000 years and into eternity.

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Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the celebration of the Spring Appointed Feasts.

There are seven God appointed holidays communicated through the Old Testament Law. The first three spring holidays were fulfilled on the appointed holiday by Jesus Himself. The names of the feasts are: Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits.

Diagram illustrating the Spring Feasts of Israel, including Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits Sunday, and the Feast of Pentecost, with key events such as Jesus' Death, Resurrection, and the Holy Spirit.

In the Hebrew year 5786 or the Gregorian calendar year of 2026, the appointments occur as follows. Passover essentially begins at sunset on Wednesday, Nisan 14th (traditional Hebrew lunar calendar) or April 1st on a western Gregorian solar calendar. The first day of Unleavened Bread is the next day at sunset on Thursday, Nisan 15th or April 2nd. Lastly, the feast of First Fruits starts at sunset on Friday, Nisan 16th or April 3rd. The holidays culminate and end at sunset on Thursday, April 9th. These are the mathematically calculated dates for 21st century calendars.

The Essene solar calendar has Passover initiating on Tuesday, March 31st (Nisan 14). Unleavened Bread begins on Wednesday, April 1st (Nisan 15). The timing and marking of First Fruits are different for the Essenes. Instead of being 3 consecutive days as marked by the traditional Hebrew lunar calendar above, First Fruits begins on Sunday, April 12th or Nisan 26th.

This is the year 5951 per the Dead Sea Scroll or the Essene calendar. As the Essene’s mark time, this is last generation.

Luke 21:32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. -Jesus

The Essenes followed God’s word on the New Year. We are now in the year 5951.

Exodus 12:1-2 Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year.

For those who are interested, check out the Dead Sea Scroll Essene Calendar at the link below. Compliments of Ken Johnson at https://biblefacts.org/

https://dsscalendar.org/DSS-Greg.php?Y=2026

Again, there is not consensus on these dates within various studies of Judaism, Christendom, and Jewish Messianic believers in Yeshua or Jesus Christ. Humanity struggles to keep time as God has directed. No one knows the day or the hour…

For a deeper dive into the Hebrew lunar calendar, click the link below.

Creation of Time: The Calendar

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The first of God’s holidays is Passover or Pesach in the Hebrew. The holiday begins on the 14th day of the Hebrew month Nisan (March or April on a Gregorian calendar). There is a play on words in the original Hebrew. A “pesach” is an unblemished lamb which was required for the sacrifice. After the “pesach” was sacrificed, the blood was to be smeared on the wooden posts of the house. When God saw the blood on the door posts, He passed over or “pasach” and the house was spared judgment.

The original directions for the Passover were given to Moses and Aaron in Egypt. The statute and happenings are noted in Exodus 12. God defines the purpose of the holiday to Israel. 

Exodus 12:26-27a “And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’”

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The second of God’s holidays is Unleavened Bread or Chag haMatazt in the Hebrew. The holiday begins on the 15th of Nisan and runs for seven days.

The directions of Unleavened Bread are noted in Exodus 12:15-20. The focus of the week is to live a life without leaven, the symbol for sin. Leaven is not to be in the house. Leaven products are not to be consumed. Bread without yeast, matzah, is to be eaten.

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The third of God’s holidays is First Fruits or Reshit Katzir in the Hebrew. The one day holiday begins on the day after the Sabbath or Sunday on our calendar.

The directions for First Fruits are noted in Leviticus 23:9-14. The priest is to make a barley offering of the first portion of the harvest to the Lord. The priest intervenes on behalf of the people. The reality of the holiday for the people of Israel is this. The people bring their grain sheaf to the priest. They are to sacrifice a lamb without blemish. The offering is also to be presented with bread and wine.

Jesus was resurrected on First Fruits. He is the First Fruits or barley offering before God the Father. He is the High Priest who intervenes on our behalf for sin. He is the perfect offering.

In memory of Him, we participate in communion with the elements of bread and wine.

At some point in the future, as a pattern of history, will believers in Christ be resurrected on First Fruits?

Jesus Christ died. He was buried. And He was raised from the dead.

This is the gospel message of Jesus Christ, really “good news”.

Today, He is alive at the right hand of God the Father. And He is coming back again to planet Earth.

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Iranian missile lands within 300 meters of the Temple Mount and the Al Aqsa Mosque. The Golden Dome is at risk. Oh, can you imagine???

Jesus’ burial site closed…

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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What Must I Do To Be Saved? Faith… A Phil Kulis Series

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Phil Kulis with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 19, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to Part 6 of Phil’s series.

𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓, 𝐆𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐋, 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄, 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇, 𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐌

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐈 𝐃𝐨 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝?

It’s really quite simple.

Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Let God into your life. It’s not only about you answering an invitation but you offering one in exchange. When you sense God knocking on the door of your heart, open the door and let Him in. It goes both ways, you let God into your house, God lets you into His.

What else must you do?

Listen to Him. God’s Holy Spirit will begin to produce the fruits of Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. When you see these things manifesting in your life you will know that these things are done in God through you.

Read the Bible. Get to know God.

The New Covenant is this: God’s Law will not be written just in stone, but God will write His Law on your heart.

Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

You’ll know God’s Law is written on your heart when “Thou Shall Not” becomes “I Don’t Want To”. That is the evidence of repentance. That’s how you’ll know you’ve repented.

“Repent and believe the Gospel.”

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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 of things hoped for, the 𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 of things not seen.

The name of the 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 is “And it came to pass…”

The 𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 is a person’s behavior until it comes to pass.

Hebrews 11 is sometimes called “the hall of faith”. It mentions Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and the prophets. Even though they all had a close encounter with God they were still required to have faith! They were justified by acting in faith, doing what God told them to do. We can know God interacted with them because we see the 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 of what happened when they acted in faith.

The same is true of our own actions. When we behave in a Godly way, not only we ourselves but others too have evidence of our faith.

𝐹𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒’𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒’𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠.

Faith is the currency of the Kingdom. Faith is like a coin where Belief and Action are flip sides of that coin.

“Your Faith has made you well” and “Faith without works (action) is dead.”

Adam disbelieved God and acted on his disbelief. We are to believe God and act on that belief.

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𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐃𝐨 𝐈 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡?

In conversations with atheists, they continually demand, “prove to me God exists”. They reject the notion of faith.

If “the just shall live by faith” then without faith one cannot be justified. The very thing atheists demand – absolute undeniable proof, would disqualify them for justification.

Recently I was watching videos of NDE’s (Near Death Experiences). In all the tellings of these experiences there is one common element; after death all doubt is removed. Whether it’s a Heavenly or Hellish experience after death, they have absolute undeniable certainty of the truth of God. They know the Truth. However when they “come back” to this life they still have to demonstrate faith when explaining their experience to others.

In the presence of absolute undeniable certainty, Faith is simply impossible. They are exact opposites. In the afterlife Faith does not exist any longer. When there is no faith possible neither is there any possibility of justification by faith. Justification comes only by faith.

When a person dies and experiences absolute undeniable certainty their fate is permanently sealed. If they did not have justification by faith in this life, they cannot achieve it after death. This is why Hell is permanent. There is no faith in Hell, only absolute certainty.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Jesus explained that faith is required in this life before we die. “…that whosoever shall believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The just, shall live, by faith.

Believe

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Epic Fury Update: Global Oil Markets; Lasers; Robots; Kushner & Peace; Where’s Bibi?

Posted in #PaulthePoke, China, Ezekiel 38-39, Persia/Elam/Iran, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 15, 2026 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 38-39, Jeremiah 49 Ancient Persia, Elam or modern day Iran.

Kharg Island Iran: 90% of Iranian oil goes through this island in the northern Persian Gulf. This is Iran’s economic engine.

Infographic detailing the East-West crude oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its design and operational status, key facts about commissioning, total length, current capacity, and global impact due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

Remember the Red Sea was closed for business back in December 2023.

This Week in Prophecy: Gaza, Red Sea Mess, Iceland Volcano, Pope Francis & Blessings

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Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; and you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Iron Beam laser is now up and running in the north against Hezbollah.

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Revelation 9:16 And the number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.

They are also known as the “Kings from the East” in Revelation 16:12.

Granted, this is not about China directly. The United States is now field testing robots in combat in Ukraine. We know China is already mass producing robots. 200,000,000 is the number. The Clone Wars is coming to life.

March 15, 2026: Don’t look now but China has increased military activity in and around Taiwan.

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Obadiah 1:20a The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath…

Ancient Zarephath…

Keep an eye on President Trump’s Board of Peace. The Executive Board currently has nine members including Trump and his life time appointment and Chairman. Currently, 4 of the 9 identify as Jewish. These include: Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Marc Rowan, and Robert Gabriel, Jr.

Conjecture: The Antichrist will identify as Jewish as part of his identity. Trump’s Board of Peace will effectively replace the United Nations. Time will tell…

Still waiting on the 10 member/nation committee to emerge onto the global scene that will be the Beast Empire. See Daniel 7 and Revelation 13, 17.

Antichrist, The Beast, Part 3

Litani River in the news…

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Where’s Benjamin Netanyahu??? With continued speculation and conjecture, apparently he is alive. Many still are suspicious if Bibi is still alive. Allegedly…

~

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Why Christianity? Grace… A Phil Kulis Series

Posted in Phil Kulis with tags , , , , , , on March 11, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to Part 5 of Phil’s series.

𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓, 𝐆𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐋, 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄, 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇, 𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐌

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲?

God created Adam.

God plus Adam begat Eve.

Adam plus Eve begat Mary.

God plus Mary begat Jesus, the second Adam.

God plus Jesus begat the Church, the second Eve.

We the church are now and forever like Eve in that narrow moment of time after she ate (sinned) yet before Adam disobeyed God by eating.

Even though we have sinned, we are protected by Christ’s perfect obedience to the Covenant of Sin and Death which is finished, permanently and eternally sealed by His blood. It’s over.

Jesus, the Seed of the Woman, is the Kinsman Redeemer. The Keeper of the Covenant. The Accepted Substitute. Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

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𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐬 “𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞”?

The term “grace” is often used but rarely defined therefore not fully understood. It’s a state of being, a status. Some say it’s “getting what we don’t deserve”. But that’s not a state of being.

To demonstrate, it helps to consider the opposite of grace which is; disgrace. If someone is a disgrace it means they have committed some sort of serious error, totally inappropriate for the circumstances. Disgrace becomes their status because of what they did. It cannot be undone because you can’t change the past.

With that in mind, “grace” can be defined as “the delightful beauty of saying, doing, being, everything right in every circumstance.”

The adjective “graceful” can be seen in an athlete who performs an extraordinary feat, such as a football player who catches an almost impossible pass and makes it look easy. Or a ballerina who moves with such fluidity that it seems purely effortless and natural. Poetry in motion. It’s not our actions, but theirs. We are “fans”, beneficiaries of their performance.

Sometimes a person of royalty is honored with the respectful title of “Your Grace”.

When you plug that understanding into the Bible wherever the word “grace” is used it blossoms with meaning.

Jesus is the personification of the grace of God. He said, did, and was, everything right in every circumstance. His words and His actions were in perfect harmony with His Father’s will; Love, which culminated in a singularly unique accomplishment.

It’s not a matter of Him giving us grace for ourselves, but that when we believe “in” Him we behave like Him. It’s His grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it (grace) is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Jesus is the personification of grace, He is the gift of God from God.

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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐨 𝐖𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞?

What does it mean to believe “in” Jesus? By simply asking the question of do we believe “in” Jesus or “out” of Jesus we find the answer. It’s not enough to just believe He existed. When we believe “out” of Jesus we’re walking in darkness. We must be willing to come out of the darkness of our disgrace and shame to walk in the Light of His grace, allowing the Father’s will be done on earth 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑢𝑠, just as Jesus did the will of His Father.

John 3:20-21 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

When we are “in” Him we are in His grace of the New and Everlasting Covenant. It’s His grace that is the gift of God. It’s not our efforts “works” that finished the covenant. It was His.

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