As prophesied by the prophet Joel, IN THE LAST DAYS God is pouring out His Spirit on ALL FLESH! Men and women, young and old, are dreaming dreams and seeing visions.

In a dream or vision of the night, an angel told a dear, beloved sister in Christ (Sparrowcloud 9) the following…..

“Angel: “This is for you to remember those who have gone before you into these battles. They left knowledge and the last eight books of the New Testament are their war notes and these are good. If they are good then they are from God. Now, fix your eyes on Him and when you call He will answer you from on high. You are greatly loved.”

Sparrowcloud 9, Dream 161

2nd Timothy tells us that ALL Scripture (Old and New Testament) is inspired by God..which can be literally translated “All Scripture is GOD BREATHED.” The Bible may have been written by 40 different authors spanning 1,500 years, but it was INSPIRED by ONE GOD. The Old Testament is the New Testament CONCEALED, and the New Testament is the Old Testament REVEALED.

2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

In the dream quote above, the angel told Sparrowcloud 9 that the last 8 books of the Bible are the WAR NOTES of those who have gone before us. They were written and recorded for our instruction. As we investigate these WAR NOTES in this blog post, we will discover that they provide very specific instructions, encouragement and warnings for Christians in THE LAST DAYS – the time that we are now in.

Romans 15:4: For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Whether people know it or not, earth is a battlefield, and the goal is souls. There is a cosmic battle between good and evil constantly going on behind the scenes. The devil is working overtime to drag souls (people) down to the pit (hell) and God has never stopped working to SAVE souls. Those who do not know Christ are naked on the battlefield, with little to no protection, and are complete fodder for the enemy’s schemes. It has been said that the real battlefield is within each of us, in our hearts. This cosmic battle between truth and lie, between belief and unbelief is a battle in the human heart. And a belief in a lie is not just that, but in essence, its unbelief in the truth.

Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

LAST 8 BOOKS of the BIBLE contain WAR NOTES (not counting Revelation)

1. Hebrews
2. James
3. 1st Peter
4. 2nd Peter
5. 1st John
6. 2nd John
7. 3rd John
8. Jude

Note: Although not included here, it is possible that the angel wished to include the book of Revelation in the WAR NOTES. The book of Revelation definitely contains very important instruction for God’s people in these last days. John’s letters to the 7 Churches show us the spiritual condition of the Church throughout the past 2000 years. The reports are not gooD, which really isn’t surprising based on our current day reality.

The letters to the Churches of Revelation continue the themes seen from Hebrews to Jude of LOVE GOD and NEIGHBOR, FAITH in persecution, AVOIDING SEXUAL SINS, STAYING AWAKE AND WATCHING FOR JESUS’ RETURN, AVOIDING FALSE PROPHETS, WARNINGS ABOUT BEING LUKE WARM. https://dyingworld.org/2019/07/12/the-seven-churches-of-revelation/

Hebrews

Hebrews is believed to have been written by the Apostle Paul and is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Hebrews 11 is a WONDERFUL summary of all the heroes of the Bible, and how they overcame adversity THROUGH FAITH. Without Faith it is impossible to please God. Galatians 3:6 tells us Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as Righteousness . The Righteous shall live BY FAITH (Romans 1:17). Faith is believing in what we can’t see based on what we can see, or put another way, believing in something that is invisible based on the evidence that is visible.

BY FAITH:

• We understand that God made everything through HIS WORD.
• Abel offered God an acceptable sacrifice (blood) while Cain’s sacrifice was not acceptable (fruits and veggies).
• Enoch was taken by God without seeing death
• Noah, warned by God of things not yet seen, prepared an ark for the salvation of himself and his household.
• Abraham, when called by God, left family and home and went to the place where God sent him, the place of his inheritance.
• Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dwelt in this land of the promise looking for a city (Kingdom) whose architect and builder is God.
• Abraham’s wife Sarah conceived Isaac in her elder years as promised by God
• Abraham, when he was tested, offered up his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God TRUSTING that God was able to resurrect him.
• Moses was hidden for 3 months by his parents
• Moses, when he had grown up, chose to endure the ill treatment of God’s people rather than the passing pleasures of sin in Egypt.
• The Israelites passed through the Red sea as though they were passing on dry ground
• The walls of Jericho fell down

Hebrews 11:32:  And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 

35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill–treated ³⁸ (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

All of the heroes of the Bible lived BY FAITH. Although they died without seeing the promises of God fulfilled, they still TRUSTED in GOD. Their faith did not waver. I am reminded of our modern day martyrs who have sacrificed their own lives rather than denying Jesus Christ, the God through whom they were created.

Hebrews 11:39:  And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

The root of sin is unbelief in the truth and belief in lies. Sin is deceitful, appearing fair, but is actually filthy, promising much but delivering little. The deceitfulness of sin, if left unchecked, can harden the heart into unbelief. Belief is not just believing the facts, but it’s an appetite in the heart that causes us to cling to Jesus.

Hebrews 3:12: Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

WAR NOTE: CHOOSING FAITH – FAITH in JESUS Triumphs over our individual situations. Like the heroes of the Bible, we need to reject the deceitfulness of sin that is rooted in UNBELIEF and fight the good fight of FAITH, CHOOSING to TRUST in the ETERNAL PROMISES of God rather than the temporary gratification of the flesh.

James

James, written by Jesus’ half brother….is the PERFECT book to follow Hebrews. It’s almost like God orchestrated each individual book AND the order in which they appear in the Bible. Oh, that’s right HE DID! Hebrews shows us that the righteous heroes of the Bible lived by FAITH, and then James gives us a glimpse into what FAITH ought to look like. Faith is not praying the sinner’s prayer, thinking oneself saved, and then going on living in willful, wanton sin without giving Jesus a second thought. This is not faith, this is deception. Real Faith changes the HEART resulting in ACTION. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. As soon as Abraham BELIEVED, he was considered RIGHTEOUS before a Holy God. But what happened next? He packed all his bags and moved to a land that he did not know (the Promised Land). True Faith results in ACTION.

James writes “Faith without works is dead”. No person is justified or made righteous by works; however, all people who are truly born again, who have that “heart transformation” will DESIRE to follow God’s Holy Spirit who is our teacher and guide. Those with FAITH in Jesus will LISTEN to the Holy Spirit as He instructs resulting in an obedient heart that yields good fruit. The Bible (God’s WRITTEN Word) is a very important component of following the Holy Spirit (Living Word of God) because it REVEALS God’s Will; however, Holy Spirit will still work where Bibles have been banned. God will always make a way!

James 1:27: Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Active Faith:

• Asks God for Wisdom and BELIEVES He will grant our request.
• Bridles the tongue (watch what comes out of our mouths).
• Is quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
• Is patient in affliction, not turning away from God when trials come
• Helps the poor and needy whenever possible
• Prays and intercedes for the sick to be healed
• Does not show partiality to rich and famous people, but treats the poor, the disadvantaged, the downtrodden with respect and dignity.
• Does not desire friendship with the world which is focusing on the riches and pleasures of this life, but instead focuses on Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
• Does not judge or speak out against other people. Jesus Christ is the only Judge.

WAR NOTE: ACTIVE FAITH – Faith without works is dead.

1st Peter

The story continues and the WAR NOTES left by the Apostles are important for us today. Hebrews teaches us that the righteous live by Faith. James shows us what Active Faith looks like. And now 1st Peter tells us that true FAITH is going to be TESTED, but TESTED FAITH results in being made into a “living stone”, a part of God’s Holy Temple, where Jesus is the chief Cornerstone.

1 Peter 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Jesus Christ is our example. Jesus obeyed the authorities. Jesus suffered at the hands of unjust men, but He did not lash out in anger, threats, or violence. Peter explains that to suffer for the Name of Christ is an honor that will be rewarded in the Kingdom of God. We are reminded to humble ourselves before a Mighty God, and He will exalt us. Peter also warns us that the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We must STAND FIRM in our faith, even under severe persecution, trial, or testing. This is going to be extremely important to us Christians living in the Last Days, where Christian persecution will continue to increase, even in Western Nations such as the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Peter says this…

1 Peter 3:8: To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing

WAR NOTE: TESTED FAITH – True Faith will stand up under persecution and testing. When we are insulted and treated poorly because of our faith, we are not to respond in the same manner. Instead, we are to be harmonious (not argumentative), kind-hearted, humble, brotherly, and loving…sending blessings to those who curse us. Think Social media. Think about all of the ugliness that is out there now. Christians, don’t get “caught up” in that but instead, be kind and endure.

2nd Peter

Immediately following the book of 1st Peter is 2nd Peter, an intense, passionate farewell speech by the Apostle Peter. At the time Peter wrote this epistle (letter), The Holy Spirit had made it clear to him that his race was finished and it was time for him to be taken home to Heaven. Peter understood that after his death, and the death of all the Apostles, false teachers would make their way into the church, leading people astray with their distorted messages. Peter’s war note is to warn us that the devil tries to destroy FAITH through FALSE teaching.

2 Peter 2:1: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. ² Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; ³ and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Do we see this today? Even the Pope is now teaching that there are “many paths to Heaven”…as he encourages prayer and worship with other religions…religions that DO NOT believe Jesus Christ is GOD or the ONLY PATH to HEAVEN. As a matter of fact, he recently stated that a person does NOT need to believe in Jesus or God to go to Heaven. He’s not the only one out there saying these things. There are MANY false teachers leading the flock astray. We were warned about them in the Bible!

In 2 Peter 3, Peter goes into a lengthy discourse on the state of the world and the Church at the end of Days. We are seeing Peter’s prophetic warnings about the LAST DAYS being fulfilled now! It is obvious to anyone who has eyes to see, that Peter was referring to OUR DAY. As Peter foretold, many people MOCK the idea that we are IN THE LAST DAYS. These mockers say things like “Oh yea, so where is Jesus now? Nothing has changed. Everything is the same as it always has been. People thought he was coming back in the 1800’s, and he didn’t come then.. People have been saying that for centuries, but nothing changes….You’re a fool for believing that Jesus is coming again.”. Even people in the Church say these things and now no longer believe in the story of Creation, but believe the heavily promoted LIE of EVOLUTION. Peter calls out the mockers who deny the Creation story because to deny the TRUTH of what happened IN THE BEGINNING generally results in denying THE TRUTH about THE END, the final judgement.

Peter’s statement was PROPHETIC about the times we are in NOW! The people who say these things today likely have NO IDEA that their scoffing and denials are actually fulfilling Last Days prophecy, the very thing they deny!

2 Peter 3: Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, ⁶ through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. ⁷ But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

WAR NOTE: THREATENED FAITH – Beware of False Teachers who lead the flock astray. The Bible is our only source of TRUTH in this world. Just because a teacher has a religious title like “Pope” or even “Pastor” does not guarantee that they speak the truth. Peter warns that there will be many false teachers that will threaten our FAITH in the last days, wolves in sheep’s clothing.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd John

The books of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John are believed to have been written by the Apostle John in his advanced years. John is the same one who wrote the Gospel John and the book of Revelation. 1st John confirms the deity (God) of the object of our FAITH – JESUS CHRIST. John specifically confirms that he was an EYE WITNESS to the Word of Life who is JESUS CHRIST. John goes on to say that Jesus IS LIGHT and that those who CLAIM to have fellowship with HIM and walk in darkness (sin) are LIARS who are NOT PRACTICING the truth. This is very similar to what James wrote, that FAITH without WORKS is dead.

Accompanying this affirmation of Christ’s DEITY is an affirmation of mankind’s FEEBLE HUMANITY. It is important for us ADMIT that we are sinners and then CONFESS our sin TO GOD and GOD will FORGIVE our sin and CLEANSE US from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. HALLELUJAH!

1 John 1:8: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

John also makes it very clear that even though we are all sinners those who do NOT keep Christ’s commandments do NOT know GOD, no matter what their mouths proclaim. Those who abide in Christ should walk in a manner that Christ walked. Of course, because we are only human we are not perfect, but we are called to TRY. To keep God’s commandments is to love them, to revere them, to treasure them in our hearts. The one who is IN CHRIST mourns their own sin while DESIRING to walk in God’s ways…of course, never reaching sinless perfection, which is not possible for us humans.

To love God is to KEEP His commandments (John 14:15). Now, this doesn’t mean that keeping the commandments SAVES US...BECAUSE we are SAVED by the BLOOD OF JESUS. Salvation came because GOD LOVES US not because we love God! But as we realize what God has done for us, our natural response should be appreciation and LOVE. One of my favorite prayers is to ask God to “make my feet like Hinds feet”. What does this mean? A hind is a female deer. What is interesting about the hind is that she can place her back feet exactly where her front feet stepped. Not one inch off! Because of this, she is able to run with abandonment! In times of danger, she is able to run securely and not get “off track.”. If we want to walk as Christ walked (to the best of our human ability), then we need our feet to be like Hind’s feet, walking exactly where His feet walked.

Habakkuk 3:19: The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.

What are Christ’s commandments?

1. Love the Lord God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. The first 4 of the 10 commandments are summed up with this single commandment of “LOVE GOD” (Vertical relationship). If we LOVE GOD, we will not have any other gods, we will not set up idols, we will not take HIS Name in vain, we WILL KEEP His Sabbath Holy, setting it apart as special time with God and family, a day of rest.
2. Love our neighbor as ourself. The last 6 of the 10 commandments refer to our horizontal relationship with people – LOVE PEOPLE. If we love our neighbors, we certainly would not MURDER them. If we LOVE our neighbors, we would not covet or steal their stuff. We would not bear false witness against them (LIE), we would not commit adultery (cheat on our spouse), and we would honor our mother and father.

In the New Testament, the KEY to keeping (treasuring) God’s commandments is LOVE. Love = walking according to God’s commandments. John then CONFIRMS what Peter wrote, that if we love the world we make ourselves an enemy of God. He also reminds us that the world is passing away, but the love of the Father abides forever.

1 John 2:15: Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2: ²³ Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. ²⁴ As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

In 1st and 2nd John, we get a glimpse of the coming antichrist. John admits that the spirit of antichrist has always been on the earth…but there is one coming who will be THE antichrist…a human being indwelt by satan. John tells us some really important information so that we can determine the identity of the antichrist, and also those who are under the antichrist spirit. John also confirms that at this present time, the whole world lies under the deceptive power of the devil (1 John 5:19). This is why John tells us that to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God. The ONLY WAY to overcome the world and the devil is to believe in Jesus Christ and to ABIDE in His Love.  To abide means wait patiently for, to remain in place, to continue to be sure or firm, to act in accordance with and to endure.

1 John 2:18: Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. ²² Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. 

1 John 4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; ³ and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.

WAR NOTE: ABIDING FAITH. The one who ABIDES IN CHRIST will walk according to the ways of Christ, keeping His Commandments of LOVE. Believing in Jesus and abiding in His Love is the only way to overcome the world and the devil. The ANTICHRIST SPIRIT DENIES the Son of God! We are in the FINAL HOUR. The one who DENIES that Jesus is the SON OF GOD who came in the FLESH to take away the SIN of the WORLD has an ANTICHRIST SPIRIT – this includes ALL RELIGIONS that deny the DEITY (DIVINITY) of Christ.

Jude

The final book of the Bible BEFORE we reach THE REVELATION is the book of Jude. It is a short little book, only 2 pages long, that really packs a punch! Jude is also thought to have been one of Jesus’ half brothers. In these epistles, the half brothers of Jesus (James and Jude) do not seem to feel worthy to claim their biological status to King Jesus, only calling themselves “bondservants” of Christ. Similiar to the Epistles of Peter and John, Jude sends out a strong warning to the Church (Christians) about false teachers and preachers. These false teachers will promote licentiousness (sexual sin) and deny the Lord Jesus Christ as the only path to God.

Jude wants all believers to contend earnestly for the faith. A true contender vigorously endeavors to win the competition, not holding anything back. In this case, the struggle is for “the faith,” which is the saving truth of Jesus Christ and His teachings.  Jude is concerned because “the faith”—the Christian message of the gospel—is under attack from false teachers who are spreading dangerous heresies (false doctrine). Jude urges his readers to contend for the faith against those who seek to undermine and erode it.

Jude 1:4: For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

We’re seeing this all over the place in these last days. Many Churches now promote sexual sin “Love is love”. Some promote sexual promiscuity among women, and several have even held “drag queen” story hour for the kids. Jude tells us that if God judged angels for their sexual sins (Genesis 6: 1-5), do we really think we have a “free pass” to sin all day long?

Jude 1: 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, ⁷ just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.

Jude goes on to remind us that Jesus’ Apostles also warned us about the worldly minded mockers who would spring up in the last days from WITHIN the Church, following after their own lusts and creating division in the Body of Christ. We’ve seen this in many Mainstream Christian denominations throughout the past 10-15 years! They call it “the human sexuality vote”, where they force local Churches to decide and divide based on whether or not the congregation wants to stick with the Bible or move with the world. There have been major splits (Division) in the Lutheran Church, the Methodist Church and other Mainstream Churches because of this “vote”. Jude warned us about these people in his epistle.

Jude 1:17: But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” ¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on some, who are doubting; ²³ save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.

WAR NOTE: CONTENDING FAITH – Keep the fire of hope alive and fight for the TRUTH. Stay in God’s love through obedience to His Word. Build oneself up in the Faith by praying in the Spirit. To pray in the Spirit, ask the Lord Jesus Christ how to completely yield to the Holy Spirit in prayer. Praying the Scriptures is one way to pray in the Spirit. Praying in tongues is another way to pray in the Spirit. Identify and stay away from those in the Church who align with the world promoting licentious behavior (sexual sins) thus causing division.

These War Notes are now our WAR NOTES, written by the Apostles and early Church Fathers for our benefit. We need to reflect on them, pray about them, and incorporate their wisdom into our lives…ESPECIALLY in THESE LAST DAYS. This dyingworld is a battlefield, and we need all the help we can get. The things that they warned us about WE SEE playing out in REAL TIME!

Praise the Lord for His Word, Inspired by the Holy Spirit, who is granting LAST DAYS dreams and visions and was recorded by those who have gone before us, WAR NOTES for our instruction.