Encouragement for End Times Endurance

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 15

2011-12-28T11:22:00.001-08:00

There is, in virtually every human heart, a great hunger for life. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God," and Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God" (John 2:3, 5). God offers to every man a life that is so much higher than the physical life which men attempt to enjoy through all manner of means, and to which men tend to cling tenaciously, even at the end. This is the "abundant life" which Christ came to give us - the life of God's Kingdom. (John 10:10) Old Testament saints had been expecting Messiah to bring about a manifestation of the Kingdom by changing the political order and displacing all human rule and authority (Isaiah 2:1-4). This has not yet happened, but when it does, there will also come to pass a transformation of the very physical order of things on planet Earth (Isaiah 11:6-9).

Yet the Mystery of the Kingdom has occurred, and it is this: The Kingdom that will change the entire external order has entered This Age now to bring the blessings of God's Kingdom to men and women without changing the external order. The Old Age continues, yet men may already experience and enjoy some of the powers of the Age to Come, mainly a vital relationship with God as Father, through the New Birth. When the New Birth occurs, Kingdom life (life eternal and abundant) become available, although they belong, in unrestricted fullness, to the Age to Come. Eternal life, which we looked at in the context of Matthew 19:16 is the same eternal life into which the righteous will go at the separation of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:46). This is all future.

Yes, much of salvation and eternal life is future. Today we have a hope (confidence) that when Christ returns, then we shall enter the Kingdom. We look forward to a day when we shall receive "a building from God, a house not made with hands" while in our present mortal bodies, we sigh with anxiety" (2 Corinthians 5:1, 4). We all, along with the Apostle Paul, long to be "clothed upon" i.e., to put on our resurrection bodies, so "that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life" (2 Corinthians 5:4). Eternal life has to do with the total man, spirit, soul and body. When we finally inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50) our bodies will be redeemed, no longer consisting of flesh and blood. Until then, we are all dying creatures....whether slowly and painfully, of enjoying a large measure of vigour until the end. Either way, God has something better when that which is mortal (our physical bodies) shall be swallowed up in life.

The future aspect of eternal life is again taught in Revelation. The "river of the water of life...flowing from the throne of God" and "the tree of life" are mentioned in Revelation 22:1-2. The revelation goes beyond this, as glorious as the salvation of the body is, to the greater reality that in our midst shall be "the throne of God and of the Lamb.....and His servants shall worship Him.....they shall see His face" (Revelation 22:3-4). All barriers of the flesh and sin will be swept away. We shall enjoy unhindered and untroubled fellowship with God. This is life; this is life eternal; this is life of the Kingdom of God.

In the next installment of this study, we will discover that there is a "now" aspect to life of the Kingdom of God. Somehow, God has managed to deliver some of the first installments of life in the Age to Come to us here and now, while we are living in this Present Evil Age, in our mortal bodies. Jesus said, "He who believes in the Son HAS eternal life" (John 3:36) and "He who hears my word and believes Him who sent Me, HAS eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but HAS passed from death to life" (John 5:24). These words are more true and powerful to me today than ever before, as I consider my father-in-laws frail body - lungs filled with fluid from pneumonia and kidneys that are working at about 30% efficiency. He is still living in his earthly tent, which is just a shadow of its former self when it could carry 2 bags of cement at a time.....but he is preparing to leave. I shared these Scriptures with him today, along with others which reminded us both of his simple faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, exercised about 27 years ago. Because of that he can leave this life for that life, with confidence. Can you?

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 14

2011-11-01T13:33:00.001-07:00

The Kingdom of God has come in insignificant form, like that of a mustard seed, but it is the Kingdom of God and is therefore of inestimable value. It is like a treasure whose value transcends all other treasures; it is like a pearl whose acquisition merits the loss of all other goods. (Matthew 13:44-46). The fact that both of these items are purchased has nothing to do with the basic truth of the parables. We cannot buy salvation (it's cost is beyond our ability to pay), it is a gift from God and must be received by faith (see Matthew 20:1-16). Yet as a gracious gift, it may cost one his earthly possessions (Mark 10:21), his friends, family or even his life (Luke 14:26). It merits any cost yet the one who receives it is cautioned to count the cost (Luke 14:28).

Although the Kingdom of God has come in an unexpected manner, it will nevertheless usher in the final judgment - the separation of the good from the wicked and the destruction of evil. This day is not yet; it belongs to the end of the age (Matthew 13:49). The parables of the wheat and tares and of the draw-net indicate that both in the world at large and in the visible aspects of the Kingdom there will be both good and evil living side by side. In the Kingdom, they are the false teachers about which there are so many warnings, in both the Gospels and the Epistles. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves." (Acts 20:29-30) This explains how, now matter how hard a church may try to preserve a Biblical purity of membership, people will nevertheless be found in its midst who have interests contrary to the Kingdom.

The mystery of the Kingdom is also found in Mark 4:26-29. Just as in the parable of the mustard seed, the element of growth is not the main point, rather the fact that once sown, the earth bears fruit of itself. The Kingdom of God is a miracle, a supernatural act of God. It remains man's G0d-appointed duty to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, but the actual working of the Kingdom belongs to God. From the time of Christ's humble entrance in the earth, the Gospel of the Kingdom has come (the miracles of Christ and the signs and wonders accompanying the Word not withstanding) quietly, without fire from heaven, without a blaze of glory. It comes like a seed sown in the earth. While it may be rejected by hard hearts, withered by pressure and persecution, or choked out by cares and deceit, it is the Kingdom of God. And it brings the miracle of divine life among men. The blessings of divine rule begin to manifest in new hearts of flesh as the sons and daughters of Almighty God await the revelation of the Kingdom in power and glory, forever and ever......Amen!

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 13

2011-09-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Just as the message of universal or ultimate reconciliation is a perversion of Scripture, so is the composite message of T.U.L.I.P. (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints). The doctrine, known as the five points of Calvinism (but whose roots go all the way back to Augustine) is very complicated. To try and unravel it would be way beyond the scope of this blog project. In summary it states that because of the fall, man is totally depraved, possessing not one bit of desire or ability to seek God. This seems to make God a liar in that He acknowledged the righteousness of several people (The seed of Seth, Enoch, Abraham, Job, et al), not declaring that they were perfect or sinless, but they were men who sought after God.

The witness of God in the creation (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-23, et al) would be invalidated if there were none capable of responding. Supposedly, out of this total wreck of humanity, God elected some to be saved (conditioned upon nothing - all God's sovereign election), while all others were condemned from birth. This would be the same God who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11), and who would that all men would repent, come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).

Coupled with this is the "LIP" part of the doctrine. Limited atonement would mean that Jesus did not die for everyone, but only for a limited number (the elect). While Isaiah says that Jesus bore the sins of "many" (Isaiah 53:12), he also says that the Lord "has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6). John says, "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Irresistible grace would mean that God has overwhelmed the elect with His grace and they have thus responded to the Gospel, with no action on their part since their depravity made them incapable of such action. This flies up in the face of more Scripture than I could quote in a day. There are a number of Old Testament passages containing the conditional word "if" (such as Ezekiel 33:1-9), which are pregnant with the concept of man choosing. Choice is stressed in passages like Deuteronomy 30:19-20, as well as in a myriad of New Testament passages utilizing the inspired words "whosoever", or "whoever" (John 3:16, et al).

Finally, the perseverance of the saints has been capsulized in the statement, "Once saved, always saved." The entire T.U.L.I.P. theology would have to end with this point, because it has always been God from the beginning and will continue to be God forever. Now wait! Don't hang me just yet. I actually believe that last statement myself, but not in the way Calvinists have summarized it. I believe this statement in the context of a plain sense, face value hermeneutic. This approach seeks to discover the author's intended meaning. If the plain sense makes sense, you have the right sense but not necessarily the whole sense. This approach recognizes the importance of context and relies heavily upon Scripture interpreting Scripture. What the "P" in Calvinism ignores are all the warnings in both the Old Testament and the New Testament concerning backsliding and ultimately apostasy and the need to persevere (Matthew 24:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Hebrews 6:4-6, et al).

So, why this little foray into a dangerous, yet popular doctrine? It is because to fall under the influence of such doctrine is to make it extremely difficult to understand the Kingdom of God. The chief parable concerning the Kingdom, referenced in the last installment, is the Parable of the Sower. We saw that the Kingdom has come, but not with irresistible power. Until the Son of Man returns, the wicked and the righteous will live together. The parable of the sower reveals that the Gospel of the kingdom is received by many different soil types (heart conditions). The reception varies from shallow and unfruitful in the face of persecution to deep and fertile, producing various levels of fruit in return. People make decisions in these illustrations. There is no inference that the people represented by the good soil never face persecution or are never tempted by the deceitfulness of riches and the things of the world. (Just look at the church described in 1 Thessalonians and that will be clear).

The two parables of the mustard seed and of the leaven (Matthew 13:31-33) illustrate this unforeseen character of the Kingdom among men in this Age. The parables have nothing to do with the growth of the Kingdom, but rather the fact that it appears small and insignificant. Nevertheless, it is not to be despised. These are parables, and we must be careful not to look for significance in every single detail. A parable is neither a fabricated story, nor is it an allegory. It is a story fashioned form daily experience which necessarily contains details which, while part of the story, don't contain spiritual truth. It's like the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus told this story to answer one question: "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:30-37). Another is the parable of the unrighteous steward (Luke 16:1-13). Was Jesus teaching that the end justifies the means? Of course not. He was teaching that we should be wise with our substance, investing it so that it will be of help in the day of our spiritual need. Everything else in the parables is local color.

So, and we will conclude here, the Kingdom of God has come, in insignificant form (such as a mustard seed or leaven) in One who is meek and mild. From the world's point of view, His person and mission could be ignored. But we should not be deceived; someday the whole earth will be filled with the Kingdom of God. The means by which this end is accomplished is not a part of these parables. Even though its form is insignificant, it is the Kingdom of God and is therefore of inestimable value. God's purposes will not be frustrated. And that is the really important point of this installment. It was not to ping on people of the Calvinistic or reformed traditions, although that little detour should serve to show that in these last days, many will come in Christ's name, deceiving many (Matthew 24:15). Jesus' words just before He said that were, "Take heed that no one deceives you." "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 12

2011-07-25T12:15:00.001-07:00

The most important parable Jesus ever spoke concerning the Kingdom of God is the parable of the sower, as recorded in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. Jesus said, concerning this parable, "...Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?" (Mark 4:13). I won't reiterate here the passages, or their immediate meaning. Jesus did a most excellent job of this. Preceding His explanation of the parable, He said to His disciples, "...The secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you..." (Mark 4:11a).

What secret is revealed here? The Kingdom of God is here but not with irresistible power. It is not now destroying wickedness, but to the contrary it is like a man sowing seed. Seed does not force itself on the soil; neither does the Gospel (Good News) of the Kingdom force itself on the hearts of men. Jesus goes on to use the imagery of soil types to illustrate the various conditions of men's hearts to whom the Gospel is preached. Some never receive the message at all, allowing Satan to snatch it away immediately. Some receive it, but with no depth. Perhaps intellect or emotions have been stirred, but there is no real life. Consequently, when the inevitable trouble or persecution arise for the very reason that they received the message of the Kingdom, they wither and die because there is no life.

Others, like the thorny ground, appear to have received the word of the Kingdom, even evidencing a sort of life. However, they are not prepared to accept the humble form of the God's Kingdom, and the cares of the world, materialism, the desire for worldly riches and the pressures to conform choke the Word and it becomes unfruitful. So the mystery (revealed secret) of the Kingdom is that it has come among men and yet men can reject it. Please don't get me wrong - it's a wonderful thing when the Kingdom of God shows up with power. However, let us give pause for a moment: Jesus demonstrated the power of the Kingdom more than any other, yet He was despised and rejected by men (Acts 10:38 and Isaiah 53:3); the apostles whose words were confirmed by signs (Mark 16:20), according to tradition all died a martyrs death, except John.

Those who knew of the Kingdom of God only through Old Testament revelation believed the Kingdom of God would come with power. Who would be able to withstand God? Yet the mystery is precisely that the Kingdom has come yet men can reject it. There is a power at work now - power to witness and to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, yet God will not compel (in this Age) men to bow before it. They must receive it in a willing heart of faith with a submissive will. Now we proclaim the Kingdom as emissaries of God, pleading, not demanding; persuading, not driving. Until harvest time, the weeds and the wheat must grow together, in the world (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43). The ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of God over the kingdom of the evil one will be at the end of the Age. Until then the sons of the Kingdom - those who have received the Gospel of the Kingdom - and the sons of the evil one will live together in the world.

Until then, as long as one is drawing a breath, reconciliation unto God is possible by exercising faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. After death, and certainly after the final harvest, reconciliation is no longer possible. So much for those who preach the heretical message of universal or ultimate reconciliation. As the Scriptures declare: "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation [meaning the fullness of our salvation, even the redemption of our bodies c.f Romans 8:23] to those who are waiting for Him" (Hebrews 9:27-28). Don't put off receiving the Gospel of the Kingdom. By the time the Kingdom manifests itself in irresistible power, it will be too late.

Be encouraged while it is yet today. As one of God's fellow workers, I urge you to not receive God's grace in vain. "...I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

www.endtimesencouragement.com

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 11

2011-07-02T11:17:00.001-07:00

Because the last installment of this series was written seven weeks ago, a review is advisable. It is so important to realize that the Kingdom of God means the divine conquest over His enemies, a conquest which is to be accomplished in three stages. While the world appears little changed (other than to perhaps get worse), the Kingdom of God has already come among men and those who receive it will be prepared to enter the kingdom of Glory when Christ comes to finish the good work He has already begun. This is the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The three stages of the Kingdom, as summarized by Scripture are:

Stage 1 - "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-13).
Stage 2 - "Dear friends, now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him. For we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).
Stage 3 - "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away'" (Revelation 21:3-4).

The fourth chapter of Mark and the thirteenth chapter of Matthew contain a group of parables which set forth the "mystery of the kingdom of God" (Mark 4:11). This is the central truth illustrated in all these parables. However, we must first establish that in the Bible, the term "mystery" does not mean something deep, dark, profound or difficult. The biblical idea of "mystery" is often a technical concept whose meaning is set forth in Romans 16:25-26. Here we find that biblically a mystery is something that has been kept secret throughout time, but is now revealed. In other words, a mystery is a divine purpose, hidden in the counsels of God for long ages, but finally disclosed in a new revelation of God's redemptive work.

The Mark 4 and Matthew 13 parables set forth new truth about the Kingdom of God which was not revealed in the Old Testament. And what is that mystery? A look at a familiar Old Testament prophecy will help. In Daniel 2:31-35 we get to see Nebuchadnezzar's dream, a
and in verses 44 and 45, the interpretation is given. After a series if nations successively dominate the course of world history, we are told that the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people. From an Old Testament perspective, there is coming a day when God will set up His reign (Kingdom) on the earth, displacing all other kingdoms and authorities. The coming of God's Kingdom, from this perspective, is viewed as a single great event.

When John the Baptist announced (Matthew 3:2) the coming of the Kingdom of God, he understood it to be as foretold in the Old Testament. John understood that the Messiah who would usher in the Kingdom would bring a twofold baptism: with the Holy Spirit for those who would experience salvation and with the fire of judgment for all others (Matthew 3:11-12). John's later doubt from prison was no doubt caused by the fact that Jesus was not acting like the Messiah whom he had announced. Where was the baptism of the Spirit? Where was the judgment of the wicked by fire? How could Jesus be the bearer of the Kingdom while sin and sinful institutions remained unpunished? Troubling questions then - and now.

Jesus said, "Blessed is he who takes no offence at me" (Matthew 11:6). The Kingdom of God had arrived, but here is the mystery - the new revelation - instead of destroying human sovereignty, it had attacked the sovereignty of Satan; instead of making changes in the external, political order of things, it was making changes in the spiritual order and in the hearts of men and women. The Kingdom is yet to come in the form prophesied by Daniel. The world has yet to behold the coming of God's Kingdom with power and glory. The Kingdom is now here with persuasion, quietly working in among men in ways often not seen by the crowds. Yes, there are some exceptions, but for the most part, it is as Jesus said, "....the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21).

Each of the parables in Matthew 13 illustrates this mystery of the Kingdom, which is yet to come in power and great glory, but is actually present among men in an unexpected form to bring to men in the present evil Age the blessings of the Age to Come. Next time we will look at some of the the specific revelations of the Kingdom. Until then, God bless and keep looking up!

www. endtimesencouragement.com

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 10

2011-05-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

In Matthew 12:28 Jesus has just said, "....then the kingdom of God has come upon you." It only follows that we should take a careful look at the next verse. "Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house." (Matt. 12:29) Satan is the strong man; his house is "This Age, and the strong man's goods are demon-possessed men and women. Yet is Satan bound? Doesn't the Bible say that he he goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour? Let's remember that Satan is not a creature of flesh and blood, so no physical object such as a rope or chains can bind him. Obviously the teaching about binding Satan is a metaphor - truth, but not literal. You see, by the time Christ's First Advent was over and Jesus had ascended to the right hand of the Father, Satan had been defeated and his power broken.

Yes, Revelation 20:2 speaks of a further binding of Satan, but Matthew 12:28 clearly tells us that the Kingdom of God has entered this present evil Age and the power of Satan to bind has been broken. Otherwise the following would not be possible - "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to follow the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air [Satan], the spirit who is now at work in all those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:1-5). Because of the already completed work of Christ, you and I may be (hopefully have been) delivered from the power of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

Jesus demonstrated the same truth in Luke 10 when He sent forth the seventy to "Heal the sick... and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God has come near you'" (Luke 10:9). For those cities not repenting at such a powerful invasion of the Kingdom of God, Jesus pronounced severe judgment (Luke 10:10-14). Where the Kingdom was received, the sick were healed and demons were cast out, causing the disciples to rejoice. Jesus' response..."I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:18). This doesn't mean that Satan actually came from there to here during this ministry, but that Satan was thrust down from his pinnacle of power.

God's Kingdom means the divine conquest over His enemies, a conquest to be accomplished in three stages. The first victory has already occurred - the successful invasion of the present evil Age. Satan is the god of This Age, yet his power has been broken that men might know the rule of God in their lives. The evil Age goes on, yet men can escape its bondage and begin to experience the powers of the Age to Come. While the world appears little changed to the human eye (other than to perhaps get worse), the Kingdom of God has come among men and those who receive it will be prepared to enter into the Kingdom of Glory when Christ comes to finish the good work He has already begun. This is the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Stage 1 - "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).
Stage 2 - "Dear friends, now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him. for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).
Stage 3 - "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away'" (Revelation 21:3-4).

Next time - The Mystery of the Kingdom. God bless!

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 9

2011-02-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

Since it's been a while since part 8 of this blog was posted, it might be good to revisit the motivation for beginning this series in the first place. Motivation #1 - Jesus' central theme in ministry was the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23, etal). Motivation #2 - Jesus said that the end would not come until this gospel had been preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations (to all peoples, people groups, ethnos, Matthew 24:14). Motivation #3 - we should be familiar with this gospel so we can preach it accurately, and thereby hasten the day of the Lord's return (2 Peter 3:12).

When we ended last time, we said that we would begin this installment with Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer i who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." By joining Him in death, we are also able to join Him in resurrection power (Philippians 3:10) and share in His resurrection life now (Ephesians 2:5). We are already living on the heavenward side of the first stage of the resurrection. Wow!

The final stage of the resurrection is seen when 1 Corinthians 15:24 and Revelation 20:10, 14 are seen together. The Kingdom (which became the possession of the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 11:15, is now given up to God as the devil is thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, followed by Death and Hades (the grave). At the end of the millennial reign of Christ, the last enemy (death) will be destroyed forever, and having subdued all enemies, He will deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father. A previous stage of this conquest occurred, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:23, and Revelations 20:4, when "they which are Christ's at His coming" are raised (or transformed) incorruptible.

So the kingdom of God means the defeat of all of the enemies of God. It means the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, defeating the enemies of God one by one until the last enemy is destroyed... death. And from whence cometh death? "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). And from whence cometh sin? Satan, of course - he who was created perfect, and then iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15). Here we have a hellish triumvirate - Satan, sin, and death. Christ must reign until He has put ALL enemies under His feet. While it is not until the end of the Millennium that this is finally accomplished, there is a past aspect to the conquering of this triumvirate which translates into a present benefit. Christ has already been raised from the dead. Stage one to the conquering of the final enemy has been accomplished.

It's not just the first stage of the conquering of death that has been accomplished, but the Kingdom of God has invaded the present evil age - the domain of Satan! Hebrews 2:14 (which we have cited previously) makes this abundantly clear. Those whom God would make His children through faith have been delivered from the fear of death and are no longer subject to its bondage. A destruction of Satan (at least his power) has already taken place through the death and resurrection of Christ. The Greek word translated "destroy" here means "to put out of action," "to render ineffective." The first of three stages in the conquering of Satan has been accomplished. We see this in several of the Gospel narratives, such as Matthew 4:23-24. "And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and infirmity among the people. SO His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them."

The Lord Himself, when He proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom of God, demonstrated that Good News by delivering men from the bondage of Satan. This involved both physical healing and the exorcism of demonic spirits. Jesus would say in Matthew 12:28, "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." And so the Gospel of the Kingdom is that God is now acting among men to deliver them from the power of Sin, Satan and Death. Jesus commissioned the 12, and through them believers down through the centuries, to go and preach this Gospel, declaring that the same signs that accompanied His preaching of the Gospel would accompany theirs (ours).

Next time we will see how the importance of this Gospel being preached and and practiced will reach its zenith in the last days, as the end nears. Until then, be encouraged by these words. May they quell any concerns in your heart about healthcare reform. Jesus already reformed the healthcare system.

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 8

2010-12-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

To what extent is the Kingdom of God manifest today?

It's taken a while (longer than I originally anticipated) but so far a foundational truth has been established: The Word of God divides the course of God's redemptive purpose into two ages: This Age and The Age to Come. These two ages are separated by the Second Coming of Christ and the first resurrection. The fullness of the Kingdom of God belongs to The Age to Come, and if that were all there was to the Kingdom, then the gospel of the Kingdom would be strictly that of promise. Salvation would be little more than an insurance policy to provide against a future day of trouble. It's present value would be little more than to provide a sense of security for deliverance on the day of judgment.

However, the bible makes it clear that there is a transition from This Age to The Age to Come which lasts 1000 years, called the Millennium. At the beginning of the Millennium, Satan will be bound and thrown into the abyss. The earth will then enjoy a new measure of the life and blessings of the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 65:20-25). At the end of the Millennium, the devil is released from the abyss, and amazingly he again deceives multitudes and incites them to rebel against God. God visits the earth with fire and devours all His enemies and Satan is thrown into the lake of fire, joining the beast and the false prophet where the unholy trinity will be tormented forever (Revelation 20:7-10).

Then the fullness of the Kingdom of God will finally be realized in a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21). Again, if this were the complete program of redemption, we would have merely a religion of hope and promise. Please don't get me wrong - Christianity is full of hope and promise, but Christianity (The Gospel of the Kingdom) is not a religion, but a relationship, so it goes beyond hope and promise. There is a further overlap of the two ages, beyond the Millennium. The New Testament is full of explicit statements compelling us to conclude that the blessings of The Kingdom are not exclusive to He Age to Come. The theology of the New Testament as a whole supports this as well. Hebrews 6:5 speaks of those who "tasted.....the powers of the coming age." Something has happened causing the powers of The Age to Come to penetrate This Age. And while a "taste" is not a seven-course banquet, a taste is still real; more than a promise it is something to be experienced.

Paul says in Galatians 1:3-4 "Grace and peace to you (virtually every epistle begins this way; grace first, followed by peace) from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Hallelujah! Satan may still be the god of this world (This Age) but the power of The Age to Come has projected itself back into This Age in the person of Jesus Christ, so that we might be delivered from this present evil Age. "Glory to God forever and ever! Amen!" (Galatians 1:5). Paul gives an amazing theological exposition in his letter to the Roman Christians, and the last verse in chapter 11 reads, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36).

He then begins chapter 12 with the words "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy...." What are we to do? Present our bodies as living sacrifices.....Do not be conformed to the patter of this world (This Age) but be transformed by the renewing of our mind... It is only by undergoing an inner transformation, which is the result of the power of The Age to Come penetrating back into this present evil Age that we can keep from being conformed to This Age. By this new power we are able to test and approve that which is God's perfect will.

What does this mean? The follower of Christ is now caught up in the conflict of the ages, as the Kingdom of God which belongs to The Age to Come has overlapped with This Age. Therefore, we may be delivered from This Age and no longer live in conformity to it. This is not easy, and it is not complete and it is a struggle. It helps to know that God has a plan and a purpose. The plan (which includes the order of things) is outlined in 1 Corinthians 15:22-26. This passage declares that the Kingdom of God is the reign of God through Christ destroying the enemies of God's reign. The highest expression of the Kingdom is the defeat of death. "The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (v. 26). This does not happen at once, but in three stages: "Christ the first fruits; after that they which are Christ's at His coming. After that comes the end, when He delivers up the Kingdom to God the Father." (v. 20-24 paraphrased).

This all begins with the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is history; not something to be anticipated in the future. That is our assurance of our own resurrection (or sudden transformation) - a resurrection has already happened. Jesus said, "Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:19). This is the meaning of the power of His resurrection, in that it enables us also to partake of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10). Jesus in His human body, died for our sins and rose on the third day, "so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2:14-15). It is only when we enter into the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ that we experience the power of The Age to Come in This Age. When we no longer fear death, to paraphrase William Carey, the "Father of the Modern Missionary Movement," there is nothing we won't attempt for God, nothing we won't expect from God.

Take a look at Galatians 2:20, for that is where we will begin the next time. Good stuff with which to end one year and begin another. Be encouraged in Christ.

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 7

2010-11-16T13:46:00.000-08:00

Last time we ended by pointing out the stark contrast between "this age" and "the age to come," or, to put it another way, the present "kingdoms of this world" which shall become, at God's appointed time, "the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ..." (Revelation 11:15). Until that time, while there is a manifestation of the Kingdom of God in the church, in the present, it is primarily one of the Kingdom being within the life of the individual believers who make up the church. "Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, 'The Kingdom of God does not come with careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the Kingdom of God is within you.'" (Luke 17:20-21).

And so we must point out here that it is the coming (parousia) of the Lord Jesus Christ that will separate This Age from The Age to Come. And further we must say that before the final consumption of God's redemptive purpose, Scripture teaches that the earth is to experience an extended period of our Lord's glorious rule, a literal 1,000 year period known as the Millennium. (Revelation 20:1-9; Isaiah 65:17-25). If The Age to Come is thought of as existing beyond history, then the Millennium will witness the triumph of God's Kingdom within history.

This is made easier to see when one understands the "Biblical prophetic perspective." The prophets of old often described the distant future, not only as a single although complex event, but the immediate future and the distant future were often described as a single act of God. The same can be said of Jesus' prophetic utterances recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. History makes it clear that the Lord was not only describing the historical destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans (A.D. 66-70), but it was against the backdrop of the eschatological Antichrist and the Great Tribulation. The Old Testament makes no clear delineation between the Messiah coming as a suffering servant (Isaiah 53, Zechariah 9:9-10) and the Messiah coming as a conquering King (Isaiah 9, 11).

George E. Ladd, in his book "The Gospel of the Kingdom" states, "The Old Testament makes no effort to synthesize the prophecies; and the effort to decide which prophecies apply to the church age, which apply to the millennial era, and which belong to the Age to Come ignores this basic fact of the prophetic perspective." Further study of Revelation and 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 make it clear that there are at least two eschatological stages in the future establishment of God's Kingdom. There are at least two resurrections. There are stages in the defeat of Satan. Death and the grave are not destroyed until the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20:14). Jesus possesses the keys of Hades and death now (Revelation 1:18) but the prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," will not be fully answered until the close of the Millennium.

So what can we conclude from our study thus far? 1) We shall never experience the full blessings of God's Kingdom in This Age. 2) The perfected Kingdom of god belongs to The Age to Come. 3) When God's people are called upon to pass through severe sufferings and tribulation, they should remember that God has not abandoned them, but that their sufferings are due to the fact that they no longer belong to This Age and are therefore the objects of its hostility. 4) Finally, the Kingdom of God will never be fully realized apart from the personal, glorious, victorious Coming of Christ. Men cannot build the Kingdom of God; Christ will bring it!

Next time we will be encouraged as we begin to study the extent to which the Kingdom of God today.

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 6

2010-09-08T12:52:00.001-07:00

"Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16) It's an age-old question. Maybe a drink from the fountain of youth will do it. Maybe slaying the dragon will do it. Maybe going out in a burst of heroism will do it. What good deed.......?? What would you give for the answer to that question? The answer is there in the text, but it may not be what you think it is. It's not specifically about selling everything and giving the proceeds to the poor. Oh, it was for this rich young ruler, but it may be something different for you or I. Jesus in essence told him, "Rid yourself of every restraint that hinders you from becoming (and being) my disciple."

Jesus' remark a few verses later, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:23-24) Jesus was declaring an absolute impossibility, which only God can reverse. Only God can bring the sincerely seeking heart to the place where it trusts in nothing but His grace demonstrated on Calvary's cross. It takes the working of God the Holy Spirit to bring one to the place where the words of the old song become personal" "Nothing of myself I bring, only to the cross I cling..."

In passing, I would like to point out that Jesus in this passage uses the terms "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God" interchangeably. More to the point, it probably has to do with the language in which Jesus taught (Aramaic) and the language in which the New Testament was written (Greek). In any event, they are interchangeable, and include eternal life, which is also interchangeable with salvation. Jesus says that this is not attainable by man's efforts, and anything which is pursued and/or held on to as a substitute will disqualify one from the true prize. If you will remember in Jesus' parable of the sower, both the rocky soil and the thorny soil represent people who have received the Gospel of the kingdom. In one case, persevering faith is interrupted by persecution and affliction, both of which produce fear. In the latter case, the deceitfulness of riches (the rich young ruler's problem) materialism, and the cares of the world (the cosmos or world system over which Satan temporarily rules) choke out seed's ability to produce fruit.

So it is a miracle that anyone, rich or poor, to have his affections turned from the things he either desires or worries about so that he may become a disciple of Jesus, and thus be prepared to enter the future Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus goes on to say that those who have experienced this miracle, and have abandoned those things they once trusted in, will experience in this life great blessing along with persecution [present Kingdom benefits] and in the Age to Come, eternal life. (see Mark 10:30) If these parallel passages were the only biblical teaching we had about eternal life, we would have to conclude that it (and the Kingdom of God) will come only when Jesus returns. This occurs following the resurrection. As Paul says, "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 15:50). Only in transformed, resurrection bodies will we enter the Kingdom of God.

In the parable of the tares, we find that the Kingdom of God will be introduced by the day of judgment (Matthew 13:39). In the parable of the net Jesus says, "So it will be at the close of this age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire." (Matthew 13:49-50). Thus we find that the Kingdom of God belongs to the Age to Come and is set in stark contrast to This Age. This Age is dominated by evil, while the Age to Come will witness the fullness of God's Kingdom and the perfection of His reign. The simplicity of this is interrupted by something called the Millennium, about which we'll speak next time. Then we will transition into the "now' aspects of the Kingdom of God. As we sort this out, be encouraged to trust Christ always. He is the key to the Kingdom!!

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 5

2010-08-09T16:51:00.001-07:00

In Part 4 we introduced the fact that the Kingdom of God is Tomorrow. Today we will continue with that concept, and a troubling concept it can be, especially when you look at the sample list of those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:19-21). Every one of us on the planet who has reached the age of accountability is guilty of practicing such vile things. And then Jesus comes along and makes it worse by saying that lust is as bad as the act of adultery or fornication, and anger without cause is as bad as murder. He goes on to tell his amazed audience that they need to love their enemies; turn the other cheek; and this catch-all statement: "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20).

Jesus is not adding one impossible standard after another to 513 that the people could not keep already. If anything, Jesus is making it absolutely clear that no one will enter the Kingdom by keeping the Law.

We find that the Bible frequently contrasts the tomorrow aspect of the Kingdom of God with the spirit of This Age. The spirit of This Age is portrayed as hostile to the Gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 13 tells us what happens when the Gospel of the Kingdom is preached. Now remember; this is the Good News of the Kingdom. For there to be good news, there must be bad news. The bad news is that nobody can keep all 513 of the Jewish Laws to get into the Kingdom. The bad news is that nobody can maintain all of the right attitudes that must accompany the keeping of the Law to get into the Kingdom. The bad news is that by our (sinful) nature we are objects of God's wrath and cannot enter the Kingdom. The good news is that there is a way into the Kingdom.

When this good news is preached to some people, because of a lack of understanding, the words are like seed bouncing off the cement. They neither sprout nor take root, but are snatched away by the evil one. When preached to others, the Gospel is received with joy, but when persecution arises because of the Gospel, these people wither like plants with shallow roots under a scorching sun. There is yet another group of people who hear the gospel, but the care of the age and the delight in and the deceitfulness of riches chokes out the word and it proves unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22). This is common in the advanced and prosperous western cultures. The care of the age goes beyond the challenge and anxiety of making a living; it is the entire spirit which characterizes This Age: worry and anxiety about physical life, the pressure and drive for wealth, success, prosperity and power. All of this is involved in the care of This Age. The spirit of This Age is hostile to the Gospel, and by persecution or pressure for possessions and prosperity, it causes the Gospel to be unfruitful in the lives of those unwilling to pay the price of following Christ.

The inspired writings of Paul reveal a core truth: "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). In God's judicial righteousness, Satan has been permitted to exercise much authority and power throughout This Age. While all the pain, suffering, conflict and evil originate from Satan, man cannot cop to the "Devil made me do it" excuse; man remains a free moral agent. As such he is answerable to God and to his fellow man. We also discover that the root of evil is blindness or religious unbelief. Sin is primarily religious and secondarily ethical. Satan's objective in all of this is to keep men from Christ. It is obvious then that the Kingdom of God is opposed to and does not belong to This Age.

Next time we will pick up the story of the rich young ruler and and his attempt to secure eternal life (in the Age to Come). Until then, don't worry about tomorrow.

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 4

2010-07-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Kingdom of God is Tomorrow. This is not meant to encourage you to adopt the slogan of the grasshopper as your own: "Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?" Remember our basic description of the Kingdom of God? It is basically the rule of God; or divine sovereignty in action. It is helpful, however, to remember that God's reign is manifested in several realms, and the Gospels speak of entering into the Kingdom of God both today and tomorrow. There is both a future realm and a present realm in which men may experience the blessings of God's reign. For the moment, we are going to focus on the future realm.

It is a clear teaching of the New testament that God's will (and the accompanying enjoyment of blessings) is not to be perfectly realized in this realm. Central to Biblical Theology is the doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This doctrine, and what Scripture says what must transpire on planet Earth before the Lord's return is central the ministry of Encouragement for End-Times Endurance http://www.endtimesencouragement.com/ Just as there are two advents of Christ, one in the flesh which we call the Incarnation, and the other in glory, which may be called the Parousia, so there are two manifestations of God's Kingdom: one which is present now because God's Son has appeared among men, and one in power and glory when Christ returns. For now we will look at the final realization of God's Kingdom in the realm "beyond history"

Properly understood, the Bible does not present a view of time, and then eternity. The Bible really presents the linear concept of eternity simply as unending time. There are two Greek word in the New Testament translated by the single English word "world." The first is kosmos, which in its most common usage means the world as the sum and total of everything constituting an orderly universe. (Oscar Cullmann, Christ and Time, S.C.M. Press, London, 1951). The other Greek word translated "world" is aion, which is better translated "age" as in a period of time. The entire sweep of man's existence is set forth in terms of this age and the age which is to come.

In Ephesians 1:21, Paul speaks of the exaltation of Christ, not only in this age (aion) but in the age to come. The blessing eternal life Christ speaks of for those who have left earthly comforts for His sake will come in the age to come. Over and over the New Testament speaks of two different ages, separated by the Second Coming of Christ and the First Resurrection. This present age will end with the Parousia and it will be followed by the age to come. In Luke 20:34-36 Jesus speaks of "those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead...." Reading through the passage you discover that in this age, marriage is a necessary (and honorable) institution, but that a different state of affairs will exist in the age to come. The "sons of the resurrection" will be immortal, and thus this present age will be separated from the age to come will be separated by the First Resurrection.

We read that Christ "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father," (Galatians 1:4). A more detailed presentation to the order of this present evil age is given in Ephesians 2:1-2, and all believers once walked in accordance with this order. The New Testament is full of non-exhaustive lists describing our attitudes and activities as we walked in ways displeasing to God. For example: "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21).

Whew! Is there any hope of inheriting the Kingdom of God; is there any hope of ever entering it? I know this is rather a down place to stop; but I promise you: It is not the end of the story. Please keep in mind that the title of this blog series is "The Gospel (good news) of the Kingdom. So stay tuned..........

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 3

2010-07-15T11:22:00.001-07:00

To understand the Kingdom of God, we must understand the biblical meaning of the word, "kingdom." The archaic definition from Webster's dictionary gives us a clue. "The rank, quality, state, or attributes of a king; royal authority; dominion; monarchy; kingship. The primary meaning of both the Hebrew Old Testament word and the Greek New Testament word translated "kingdom" is the rank, authority and sovereignty exercised by a king. We have already ascertained that the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14) meant the Gospel of the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. Now we are ascertaining that, first of all, a kingdom is the authority to rule, the sovereignty of the king. So when it is written in Ezra 8:1 of the return from Babylon "in the kingdom" of Artaxerxes, it refers to his reign. Likewise, when the Scriptures refer to God's Kingdom, it refers to His reign, His rule, His sovereignty and not the realm in which it is exercised. (George Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom, [Wm. B. Erdmans, Grand Rapids, 1959] 20).

In Hebrew poetic expression, God's Kingdom is also His power. (Psalm 145:11). "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations." (Psalm 145:13) It is God's rule which is everlasting, not the realm of His rule, for the Scriptures also declare that this heaven and this earth will pass away. (Mark 13:31) So when Jesus said that we must "receive the kingdom of God" as little children, (Mark 10:15) He wasn't speaking about receiving the church, or heaven, but God's rule. So here we begin to see a condition of the Kingdom: to enter the future rule of the Kingdom, one must submit, in complete trust, to God's rule in the here and now.

How many times have you heard it said at a funeral, "Well, so-and-so is in a better place now"? For that to be true, so-and-so had better have already submitted to the rule of God in his former life. It is not written for nothing, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." (Matthew 6:33) When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we are not praying for heaven to come to earth, really. Apart from the reign of God, heaven is meaningless, so we pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10).

Now we've dealt with the primary meaning of the word "kingdom," but let's face it; a reign without a realm in which it is exercised is meaningless. So we find that the Kingdom of god is also a realm in which God's Kingdom may be experienced. In this regard, the Bible sometimes speaks of the Kingdom as a realm to be entered at the present; sometimes as though it were future. In passages such as Matthew 7:21; Mark 9:47, 10:23, 14:25 the Kingdom is equivalent to that aspect of eternal life which will be experienced only after the Second Coming of Christ. Other passages, such as Luke 16:16, 11:52; Matthew 21:31, the Kingdom is spoken of as being present, capable of being entered now.

So we are faced made up of three facts: 1) Some passages of Scripture refer to God's Kingdom as His reign; 2) Some passages refer to it as the realm into which we may now enter and experience blessings; 3) Others refer to a future realm which will come only with the return of Christ, into which we will enter and experience the fullness of His reign. So, the Scriptures must be studied to determine by context which meaning is correct for the particular passage. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

Fundamentally, the Kingdom of God is God's sovereign reign; but God's reign expresses itself in different stages throughout redemptive history. On occasion, God has entered human history and has abruptly changed it's course (the flood, the exodus). He has also entered human history and changed human destiny, but the manner of change has been much quieter, although no less real. I'm speaking here of the word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, speaking to us, and expressing in human form the image of God. (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1-3) Thus man has been able to enter the kingdom of God at various stages of its manifestation, where they experience today, enjoying in part but in reality, the blessings of God's reign, while they await the fullness of those blessings to manifest when Jesus returns as King of Kings.

So when you pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," pray with thankful confidence that His Kingdom is coming, and it will fill the whole earth. But when you pray that, also ask that God's will be done in the here and now (in you, in your family, in your church, town, state, country and the world). The church especially ought to be a fellowship of people among whom God's will is being done all the time. Our lives, our churches should be a sneak preview of the Kingdom of God.

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:10-11)

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 2

2010-07-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

Some theologians have reduced the Kingdom of God to the subjective realm of "here and now" describing it in terms of the human spirit in relationship to God. Others interpret it as the absolute "wholly other" which entered space and time in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Still others confine the Kingdom of God to the apocalyptic realm which will be inaugurated by the supernatural act when Jesus comes again, history is broken off and a new heavenly order begins. And to confuse things even further, since the days of Augustine, the Kingdom of God has been identified with the church: as the church grows, so grows the Kingdom. Some have extended this "Kingdom Theology" so far as to believe that the church will actually establish the Kingdom of God on earth, and then Jesus will come. This last view coincides with another theology called "Post-millennialism." It also fits, to some degree, with those who place great emphasis on the social gospel, whereby man builds the ideal social order by solving problems such as poverty, sickness, labor relations, etc. Unfortunately Marxists, Fascists, and Progressives hold similar views, totally bereft of God.

With that short background, many will say, "Enough, already! Let's go to the Word of God and see what it has to say." That's a wonderful idea, except if you were to look up every reference to the Kingdom of God for the Kingdom of Heaven in the New Testament (some 120-130, depending on the translation used) and wrote down a short summary of each verse, you would end up with a complexity of teaching. The Kingdom of God is a lot of things:

A Present Spiritual Reality: "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

An Inheritance Yet to be Bestowed: "Then the King will say to those on his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matthew 25:34).

A Realm Into Which Believers Have Entered: [God] "has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" (Colossians 1:13).

A Future Realm to be Entered When Christ Returns: [there] "will be provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11).

A Future Kingdom Attended by Great Glory: [angels] "will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers...Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matthew 13:41, 43).

A Kingdom Without Signs: "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed....... for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you" (Luke 17:20-21).

Is it any wonder so many different interpretations have arisen over the ages concerning the Kingdom of God. It's a present reality and a future blessing; an inner spiritual redemptive blessing, yet has to do with the government of the nations in the world; it's a realm into which men enter now, and a realm into which they will enter in the future; it is a gift which God will bestow in the future but must be received in the present.

I hope this has captured your attention while captivating your imagination. There is a key to understanding these varied definitions and applications of the Kingdom of God. It all has to do with this question: "What is the meaning of kingdom?" In our western thinking, a kingdom is primarily a realm over which a king exercises his authority. We don't have too many examples on the world scene today. The second meaning is the people belong to that particular realm. To exclusively apply either of these two ideas to the Scriptures leads us astray. Even the dictionary definition "the spiritual realm of God" is misleading. We will stop at that point, allowing us to complete our definition of "kingdom" and thus "the Kingdom of God."

Until then, keep praying......"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 1

2010-07-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

The teaching series, "Birth Pangs and Fig Trees" ended last time at an interlude recorded in Revelation 10:1 - 11:14. Since it was an interlude, and since the series was evolving into a commentary of Revelation, it was probably as good a time as any to stop for a while. Additionally, God has been impressing on me more and more a need to study and teach on the subject, "The Gospel of the Kingdom." This does not represent a departure from focusing on "End-Times" matters; rather it focuses on one of the most important topics of the end-times. One of the questions most frequently asked concerning the end-times is, "When will the end come?" or "When will Christ return?" The date-setters have always failed when answering this question, but did you know that Jesus (Who, along with the rest of us does not know the day or the hour - Matthew 24:36) gave a very definitive answer to the question, "When?"

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14, NIV)

While we, along with Jesus, don't know the day or the hour, we do know the times and the season and by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit have the ability to walk in light so that the Day of the Lord will not take us by surprise. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). I doubt seriously that anyone will know precisely when the task mentioned in Matthew 24:14 is completed, but it does behoove us to know the gospel of the kingdom. We are told that "Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom...." (Matthew 4:23, NASB). The gospel of the Kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus' ministry. The phrase "Kingdom of God" appears in the New Testament 84 times - NIV and 90 times - KJV. The phrase Kingdom of Heaven appears 38 times - NIV and 40 times - KJV.

The Kingdom of God is basically the rule of God - the action of God's divine sovereignty and reign. It belongs to the present as well as the future. It is both limited and comprehensive. It can be resisted, and it is also absolute. It can take place in a nation, city, home or individual heart. The Hebrew-Christian faith expresses its hope in terms of the Kingdom of God. Biblical hope is not a pipe dream, but is an essential element ion the revealed will and redemptive work of the living God. The hope of the kingdom of God was seen by the Old Testament prophets as a day when men would live together in peace as described in Isaiah 2:4. (This Scripture is engraved on the walls of the UN Headquarters in New York - except the UN sees man as the one who will implement such peace, and not Almighty God.) The prophet saw a time when not only would all of the problems of human society be solved, but the present evils of man's physical environment would be no more (Isaiah 11:6)

Then came Jesus on the scene, announcing, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at

hand." (Matthew 4:17 NASB) Yet most of the Jews saw nothing of what was prophesied in Isaiah 2:4; 11:6. And today when you ask the Christian Church, "What is the Kingdom of God? When and how will it come?" you receive a bewildering array of answers. I doubt sincerely that I possess what it takes to give and answer to these questions that is both exhaustive and absolutely correct. But as we go through the study together, I am confident that the holy Spirit will give us a better understanding of this important subject than we started with.

In addition to trying to properly define the Kingdom of God, we will be looking for answers to some of these questions. Is the Kingdom just for the future; just for today; or both? What is the mysterious element of the Kingdom? What is life like in the Kingdom? Is there a righteous standard for the Kingdom? What are the demands of the Kingdom? Who gets in the Kingdom. Does the Kingdom concern just Israel, just the church, or both? What are we really praying when we pray "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven?" By God's grace I hope to stay at this to the tune of at least one blog (hopefully two) per week. Until then remember, "....unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5, NASB)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 28

2010-06-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

When we ended last time, we were at the interlude of Revelation 10. This interlude, which continues through 11:14, does not advance the narrative in an obvious, chronological manner. John sees in his vision a mighty angel who comes down from heaven, awesome in appearance, and holding a little, opened scroll in his hand. The contents of the scroll are never revealed in the revelation. Whatever it says (and it may be nothing more than documentation of the angel's authority), the angel, by planting one foot on the earth and the other on the sea, indicates that the destiny of the whole world is involved. As the angel shouts with a lion-like roar, seven thunders speak. No doubt, the number seven here again represents divine perfection or completion. John is instructed to not write what he heard the seven thunders say. This is an example of a biblical truth revealed in the Old Testament. "The secret things belong to the lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Do you remember the promise given at the beginning of the Revelation? "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." (Revelation 1:3) So I encourage you to read, to study, and to discuss with your children the things in the book. As you continue, understanding will increase. Don't let the secret things or the things which mystify cause you to neglect the book and so miss out on the promised blessing. It's not necessary, yea - it's not possible, to know in advance, without error, everything that will happen during Daniel's 70th week, in order to be blessed.

The mighty angel then, by the authority of "the Causeless Cause of All Things" announces that there will be no more delay. When the seventh angel blows the seventh trumpet (which contains the 7 bowl judgments) then all the prophecies that God revealed to His prophets about the final days will come to pass. It will accomplish the revealing of the "mystery of God." Then John is told to take the scroll from the mighty angel. As he does so, the angel commands John to eat the scroll.

I believe that what happens next is that John experiences on a grandiose scale what all people experience when they have an encounter with the Living Word of God. The scroll tasted sweet in his mouth, yet made his stomach turn sour. This quickly brings to mind this description of God's Word: "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) There is sweet blessing in the Word of God to all who hear, trust and obey; there is the curse of judgment on sin and evil which all who reject God's Word must face. Even for the believer, following the sweetness of salvation there is often the persecution and affliction which arises because of the word (Matthew 13:21). The believer often languishes in the face of injustice, crying out "How long, O Lord?" But when the time is right, the Lord will right every wrong, heal every hurt, and wipe away every tear. The double-edged sword will accomplish this, bringing everlasting joy to some and everlasting torment to others. (Why even entertain the thought of petty paybacks?)

The mystery will be how God has used centuries of Satan, and demon-inspired men, to have their way (that is to say, the wonder of evil prospering and good being trodden underfoot). God has partially checked this through governments, but governments become so corrupt that the idea of them accomplishing this to God's high standards is ludicrous. God's purpose in all this will ultimately be clear to all. John himself was experiencing the sweetness of God's Word (assurance of salvation and that God is in control) while experiencing the bitterness of being exiled to a labor camp because of that same Word. Yet in the end, John's commission (and ours as well) is clear - deliver the Word as it is given and revealed. "Then I was told, 'You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.'" (Revelation 10:11) This book applies to everyone.

I have experienced personally the privilege of standing on God's Word, and then being allowed to present it before people in high places of leadership in our nation. Whether leaders accept God's Word as authority on all matters, including politics and government, or whether they reject it, the Word is spoken as a witness (Matthew 24:14). That's one way in which we hasten the day of the Lord's return. So be encouraged my friend. God has called you to be a part of His End-Times plans.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 27

2010-05-14T13:00:00.001-07:00

"Woe! Woe! Woe! to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels." (Revelation 8:13) Woe unto me if I should have to face any of the 3 woes contained here in Revelation 8 or any of the 7 woes of Matthew 23. Trusting in my own righteousness, that is all I would merit. But, "Nothing of myself I bring, only to Thy cross I cling." "O Jesus Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee, for Thou in Thine atonement, didst give Thyself for me. I owe no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne, my live I give henceforth to live, O Christ for Thee alone." "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Because of Christ, the wrath of God is not our portion. So it is that "in Christ" and from that exalted perspective, we view these three woes which befall those who still inhabit the earth. In quick order, the fifth trumpet is blown and a star falls from heaven. We know that this is allegorical language, because the star is given a key to the shaft of the Abyss (Revelation 9:1). This is reminiscent of Jesus words, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:18). Thus the star here in Revelation 9:1 is probably Satan, although it could be some other angel sent to do God's bidding. Smoke from the Abyss darken the light of the sun and out of the smoke appear locusts, who can sting like scorpions, and who look like armor-plated horses, and who, unlike natural locusts (see Proverbs 30:27) have a king over them, named "Destroyer." His name is given in both Hebrew and Greek, indicating that both ungodly Jew and Gentile are subject to them. The locust sting and torment men, but do not kill them, for five months. From this, we know that no matter how rapidly the trumpet and bowl judgments are meted out, the Day of the Lord's wrath lasts at least five months. There is nothing to say that this tormenting judgment does not overlay all the rest of the trumpet and bowl judgments.

The sixth trumpet is now blown and a voice speaks to the angel with the 6th trumpet telling him to release the 4 angels who have been bound at the great river Euphrates for this very moment in time. (Revelation 9:15). They are released to kill 1/3 of the remaining humans on the planet, by means of a huge army, 200,000,000 strong. It is obvious that the army moves from the east, towards the holy City, and that the Euphrates River factors greatly into the troop movements. Look at a map of the Middle East and this becomes clear. What follows next is a man who lived 1900+ years ago trying to describe modern, even limited nuclear, warfare. The details of the battle are not nearly as important as is the following description of people at this time. I hope this does away with the romantic myth of some huge tribulation force developing on the earth after the Rapture of the church. Listen carefully.

"The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood - idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts" (Revelation 9:20-21). At this point, just before the seventh trumpet is blown (which contains the totality of the 7 bowl judgments) there is a significant interlude and backflash in the order of events, which will prove significant.....so stay tuned until next time.

Be encouraged. Although things will get much worse on planet Earth, especially in the west, they will not get so bad that in Christ they cannot be endured. Go to Voice of the Martyrs website (http://www.persecution,com/) and see how Christians endure in North Korea, China, Etruria, et al. They know the sufficiency of Christ. They know that to live is Christ and that to die is gain. They know experientially that, "No temptation [test, trial] has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted [tested, tried] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted [tested, tried] He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 26

2010-05-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

Just for practice, why don't we just give one another a "high-five!" Why? Because I might be wrong in my understanding of when the Rapture occurs, and if I am, I think the worst consequence will be that we all give one another a "high-five" while we're on our way up to meet the Lord in the air. If a generation of Christians is not going to be tested by the first 5 seals of Revelation 6, or the persecution of the Antichrist and the False Prophet of Revelation 13, then having prepared ourselves to face those possibilities will surely have prepared us to be ready for the imminent (any moment/with no preceding signs) return of Christ. On the other hand, if we buy into a "Your Best Life Now," or "Health and Wealth" gospel, we will be ill-prepared to face such tests and trials. If we have embraced a social gospel, which includes the idea of the church having replaced Israel completely in God's plan for the ages, we will miss the signs and again be ill-prepared to be purified as the Bride of Christ. If we embrace a dominion theology, we will be caught up in the Utopian myth that things will just keep getting better and better.

That having been said, I should point out that a few theologian still look at the Book of Revelation as being non-literal or allegorical. Another group, called Preterists, view the book as a record of conflicts of the early church with Judaism and paganism. As such, they view the Revelation as symbolic rather than prophetic. Still others view the Revelation as a symbolic presentation of church history, culminating with the second advent. This last interpretation refutes itself because of the multiplicity of identifications of the personnel of Revelation with a variety of historical characters. (Walvoord, John, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Moody Press, Chicago, 1966, pgs 16-20). The last approach to the Revelation is the futuristic approach, where everything in Revelation 4 onward is subject to future fulfillment, with the events in chapters 4-19 preceding the Second Coming of Christ. My view of Revelation is futuristic.

For two thousand years, Christians have been following the model of the Lord Jesus Christ in their prayers, saying, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Here in Revelation 8 we read, "Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints,went up before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake." (v. 3-5) God's Kingdom is about to come to earth in answer to the prayers of the saints, but first the earth must be cleansed.

John is about to give us a brutal, blow by blow description of what this cleansing entails. Peter, on the other hand, gives us just the big picture. "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief [Remember Paul said the same thing, stating that that day would not catch the alert believer by surprise (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5)]. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." (2 Peter 3;10) And so the destruction (cleansing) begins. The first trumpet is blown and hail and fire mixed with blood burn up 1/3 of all the earth's vegetation. Notice that there is no pause or further explanation, just a rapid transition to the second trumpet. At this judgment, a huge blazing mountain is thrown into the sea, turning it to blood, wherein 1/3 of all the ships and sea creatures are destroyed. Immediately the third trumpet is blown and a blazing star named Wormwood falls from the sky, affecting 1/3 of the earth's fresh water supply, making it bitter and deadly. As an aside, the Ukrainian word for Wormwood is Chernobyl. Also, have you noticed the constant reference to fire in these three judgments, matching up squarely with Peter's big picture?

Please hang in there a little longer; chapter 8 is almost over. Immediately the fourth trumpet is blown and 1/3 of the sun and moon are turned dark and 1/3 of the day and night were without light. I take this to mean that the Sun, Moon and stars did not "shine" for 1/3 of the time that they normally do. Revelation 8:13 continues the rapid progression, John stating, "As I watched, I heard an eagle flying flying in midair call out in a loud voice: 'Woe! Woe! Woe! to the inhabitants of the earth because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels." God in His mercy announces that things are about to get even worse. Unfortunately, we see no signs of man repenting during the outpouring of God's wrath. Brothers and sisters, take comfort and courage in the fact that no matter how difficult things get, we are not appointed to face the wrath of God, but rather to enjoy His salvation.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 25

2010-04-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

The birth pangs are over, and the baby has been born. The fig blossoms have become fruit. Sorrow and great tribulation have become joy and peace. That is if you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. At this point it is important that we distinguish between certain groups of people. We can begin with those who have trusted Christ (the saved) and those who have rejected Christ (the lost). Within each of those two groups are those who have already died at the time of the Rapture (followed by the Day of the Lord) and those who are still alive at that time. When the signs described by the following Scriptures appear, Jesus will return. Those who have died believing in Him will be resurrected and will be given new, incorruptible resurrection bodies. Immediately after that, those who are alive and are trusting in Him will have their old bodies changed in "the twinkling of an eye" into those same incorruptible resurrection bodies.

"For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Immediately after the distress of those days, 'the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' [Joel 2:10, 31] At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, [1 Thessalonians 4:16] and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." (Matthew 24:27-31) Notice how this compares with the revelation given to John. "I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black, like sack-cloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain was removed from its place.....For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (Revelation 6:12-14, 17)

So the day of the wrath of God and of the Lamb, a/k/a "The Day of the Lord" has come, ushered in by the Rapture. Some well respected scholars mistakenly label the entire 70th Week of Daniel as "The Day of the Lord." The Day of the Lord is confined to a relatively short portion of the latter part of the seven year period. Since no man knows the day or the hour of Christ's return, no man knows the day or the hour that "The Day of the Lord" begins or exactly how long it will last. For those who have to endure it (those who have rejected Christ and who are alive at the time of his return) every hour will be filled with agony and terror. We do know that this period will not commence until some time into the last 3-1/2 years of Daniel's 70th week. We know that the Rapture does not happen until after the Antichrist is revealed. There has to be a period of time when believers are tested by the Antichrist and his policies (see Revelation 13:7-10, 15). We also know that "The Day of the Lord" has to last a minimum of five months, because that is the length of the fifth trumpet judgment (Revelation 9:10).

Now the stage is set for us to view from the vantage point of heaven what is taking place on the earth during "The Day of the Lord." Revelation 8 begins with the opening of the seventh seal, followed by thirty minutes of silence, because what is about to happen on the earth is so momentous. The seventh seal contains all of the trumpet judgments, and the seventh trumpet judgment contains all of the bowl judgments. So this is it; with the opening of the seventh seal there is no turning back. The wrath of god is about to be unleashed on planet earth. The events will unfold in trip-hammer fashion. Those who have been removed from earth will truly be grateful for this promise: "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11).

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 24

2010-04-09T15:37:00.001-07:00

The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, continued

To understand better the details of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, it is important to see how Jesus' discourse on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24) parallels the vision which He gave to John, as recorded in Revelation 6. Because this has been touched on previously, I will present only a brief outline here. Matthew 24:5 compares to Revelation 6:1-2; Matthew 24:6-7a compares to Revelation 6:3-4; Matthew 24:7b compares to Revelation 6:5-6; Mathew 24:7c-8 compares to Revelation 6:7-8; Matthew 24:9 compares to Revelation 6:9-11; Matthew 24:29 compares to Revelation 6:12-13; Matthew 24:30-31 compares to Revelation 6:15-17. To compliment this, may I remind you that Jesus, quoting the prophet Daniel (Matthew 24:15-16), places the event called "the abomination which causes desolation" BEFORE the sign of the Lord's coming and the Rapture. Daniel places this event squarely in the middle of his 70th week (Daniel 9:27). Paul, states clearly: "Concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him........Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion (apostasy) occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed...." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). Then in verse 4 Paul describes how he is revealed - by committing "the abomination which causes desolation" which he describes.

As Revelation 6 closes, we are on the brink of the Coming of Christ and the Rapture (which includes the resurrection of the saints), and the unleashing of God's wrath on the planet. Before that happens, one other event must take place - the sealing of 144,000 Jews who will be left on earth during that time. You see, the closing verse in Revelation 6 is a rhetorical question. "....who can stand?" The answer is, "No one!" Without God's intervention, no one will be able to successfully stand against the wrath to come. For the Christians of all ages, He intervenes with the Rapture; for these faithful Jews, He intervenes with this seal of protection (Revelation 7:1-8)

Revelation gives no details about the Rapture. For that one must look to Matthew 24:26-44 and 1 Thessalonian 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 for those details. We know that the rapture has taken place in Revelation someplace between 6:17 and 7:8 because of what we see in 7:9 and following. Here we see a great multitude out of "every nation, tribe, people and nation.....wearing white robes.....crying out in a loud voice: salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (v. 9-10) The description is that of humans and may I remind you that only humans, created in the image of God are the recipients of salvation. Also those in white robes are identified as "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation..." (v. 14) If you will remember, the first 3-1/2 years of Daniel's 70th week are correctly identified as "the beginning of sorrows (or birth pangs). From the mid-point on is called "The Great Tribulation" which is cut short (amputated) for the elect's sake. The Great Tribulation is cut short by the Rapture. So, here we are, ready to look at the rest of Revelation from heaven's vantage point, except for a parenthetical insertion or two which goes back to a time when the saints are still on the earth.

This is where we will begin next time. Until then, be encouraged by this Word of the Lord: "Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:15-17). It will be worth it all my friends, so remain strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 23

2010-03-25T13:20:00.001-07:00

The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord

The last two posts in this series have had to do with the subject of false teachers. Perhaps we will devote an entire series to that subject at some other time; suffice it to say here that part of the false teaching will involve those who declare that there will be no literal fulfillment to the "Great and Terrible Day of the Lord." It will involve declaring that things will only get better and better until the Lord returns. However, for those who love the truth, it is important to understand what is coming, what believers (mainly in the west - for Voice of the Martyrs http://www.vom-usa.org/ has listed at least 35 nations in the world where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is restricted and where Christians are persecuted for their faith on a regular basis) may have to face, and what believers will be delivered from.

To date, most of the postings in this series have been dedicated to proving from Scriptures that the last days are very near, if not upon us; and that the church (Christians) will enter the last seven years in history known as Daniel's 70th Week. There they will face the false peace, the unravelling of society and culture, the revealing of Antichrist, and the persecution of Antichrist and his one world government, economy and religion. But true followers of Christ, those who remain true to Him in spite of great deception and opposition, will not have to face the "Great and Terrible Day of the Lord."

About that day, the Scriptures declare, beginning in the Old Testament: "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord" (Joel 2:30-31). Joel's language is very similar to the Lord's when He spoke of end-of-the-age events. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days [He has just described events that occur during the first 3-1/2 years-plus of this 7 year period. The Antichrist has been revealed midway, and his persecution of faithful Jews and Christians has begun] the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matthew 24:29-31). Both Joel and Jesus speak of heavenly disturbances. Jesus goes on to say that these will happen just before He returns. He then goes on to describe in some detail, what we know as the Rapture: the coming on the clouds and the trumpet call (similar to Paul's language in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Then in Matthew 24:36-44, He gives further details concerning the Rapture, specifically: 1) how it will come at an unknown hour, catching many by surprise; 2) how one will be taken and another left behind.

Those who are left behind - what are they left to face? Why it's "The great and Terrible Day of the Lord." In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus says very little about this. We are left with Joel and Jesus, both speaking of heavenly disturbances, followed by both the Rapture and the coming of "The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord." This is also referred to as "the great Day of His wrath" (Revelation 6:17) and "the Day of the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Next time we will pick up with the parallels in The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which He gave to John, and hopefully see how it all fits, and then see just what it is that the believer is NOT destined for. In the meantime, so that we can again end on a note of encouragement: "But you brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day [the Day of the Lord] should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness....For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him" (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, 9-10).

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 22

2010-03-18T14:12:00.001-07:00

AND THE WARNINGS ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS continues, because they will be with us until the very end. Underscoring this point are these comments concerning the worse threesome to ever walk the face of the earth. "Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, 'Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?' The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander His name and His dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast - all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world." (Revelation 13:5 - 8)

That speaks of Satan and the person known as the Antichrist. The third member of this unholy, false trinity is another beast, known as the false prophet. "Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs... " (Revelation 13:11-13) Do you notice here a reference to a false resurrection even? The delusions will be powerful. That is why it is so important, no matter how astounding the signs and wonders, no matter how powerful the rhetoric, to check the walk and the talk with the whole counsel of God. Paul's concern for the Corinthian church is still valid concerning the church today. "I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough." (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

There are two biblical principles that should show up sooner or later (usually sooner) when the Gospel of the Kingdom is being preached: repentance and suffering. The false teachers seldom if ever mention these things. True repentance involves a change of heart, a change of affection, a change of direction. It is evident by the fruit which is produced, according to the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist. "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (Luke 3:8). Jesus confirmed this principle. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:15-16). James puts the lid on the issue with this statement. "But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do" (James 2:18).

One of the signs of genuine faith in the Gospel of the Kingdom, is a willingness to suffer. The principle of suffering is so prevalent in the New testament, some have called it the doctrine of sufferology. In the New International Version, the word "suffer" appears 83 times in the New Testament, and the word persecution 14 times. In this post, I am going to mention only 2 or 3. "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41). "Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory" (Romans 8:17) And so that we might end on a note of encouragement: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 21

2010-03-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

ONE OF THE MOST REPEATED WARNINGS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT is the warning against false teachers/teaching. Last time we mentioned the Acts 20:20 initiative and we looked at Acts, Chapter 20 in some detail. I must correct an error though: the Acts 20:20 initiative is a part of Jerry Robinson Ministries International and the correct website is www.jrmi.org His most recent book is entitled Bankruptcy of Our Nation. That said, we return to Paul's warning against false teachers in Acts 20. This warning was given after Paul had been in ministry for probably 20 years and the Ephesian Church was about 5-6 years old. About 10 years later, Peter wrote his second epistle in which we find these scathing words concerning false teachers: "These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.........Of them the proverbs are true" 'A dog returns to its vomit,' and 'A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.'" (2 Peter 2:17-18, 22)

The warnings have been with us for 1950-1960 years, and they are probably as pertinent in 2010 as they have ever been. Remember Jesus' words concerning these last days. "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ' and will deceive many....At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and false prophets will appear and deceive many people....For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect - if that were possible. I am seeing these things take place right before my eyes. I hear (with my own ears because of the wonder of the Internet, mp3's, downloads, windows media player, etc.) powerful words being spoken about fresh streams of water flowing in and through the church, when at the same time clear mandates of Scripture and the church's own by-laws are being ignored. It brings to mind the words of James: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." (James 3:9-10)

I see that the Lord has put me on a roll here, and that the subject of false teachers and false doctrine should be addressed in more detail than has been done here. By His grace, it will be done, but it will require restraint of tongue which only the Holy Spirit can bring. I do not have the ability to tame my tongue in my own strength. James exhorts us to not slander one another by speaking about someone that which we should speak to someone. (James 4:11-12) I pray that I will be able to point out things which are true and things which are false. Sometimes a name will be named as a caution, or as something in particular which should be examined. Then perhaps someone with ears to hear will hear and judge the matter themselves. I make no claim at being another man's judge. However, I leave you now with this exhortation which should help to bring things into balance. "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 20

2010-03-03T13:35:00.001-08:00

THE ACTS 20:20 INITIATIVE IS one of the ministries of Jerry Robinson Ministries International (http://www.jrmi.org) and is something about which I will be speaking more about on this site. Paul spoke these word to the Ephesian elders on his way to Jerusalem, where he would ultimately be arrested. "You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house." (Acts 20:20) A few verses later, Paul says "For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God." (Acts 20:27) And then he says, "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from among your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)

The Acts 20:20 model includes both public and home gatherings of Christ-followers for the purpose of being taught the "whole will" or "entire counsel" of God. Paul's concern is that soon false teachers (described as "savage wolves") will come in from the outside and arise from the inside. He doesn't say what they will teach but when you read this entire 20th Chapter of Acts, the strong contextual implication is that the false teaching will: 1) disregard the importance of turning to God in repentance, 2) not emphasize faith in the Lord Jesus (not just fire insurance faith, but entering the kingdom where new rules for living, sacrifice and suffering are the order of the day), 3) avoid the whole counsel of God (often emphasizing one particular aspect, such as "Love."), 4) be devoid of warnings accompanied by tears.

Many of the "wolves" that have infiltrated the church today are purveyors of blatantly false doctrine. Two prime examples in the west are where the church has chosen to embrace that which the culture has embraced as legitimate in the areas of abortion and same sex marriage. Entire denominations have either gone on record supporting such blatant violations of the Word of God, or have actually pushed the agenda. Other denominations have chosen to be either "wishy-washy" or silent on the issues. While I am grieved by the huge number of people who have been so deceived, at least the issues are pretty clear; issues which I have addressed often over the years.

My additional observation concerns the false teachers who avoid the four things listed above. These are harder to spot. How do you know what someone has left out of their theology unless: 1) they openly tell you, or 2) you stay around for a considerable time and notice that it never comes up? I wish that I could give you an easy litmus test. You can begin by looking at a church's or ministry organization's statement of faith, purpose, constitution & by-laws, etc. This is only a start, because I have had the unpleasant experience of personally dealing with a faith community which blatantly has disregarded such documents in dealing with such issues as membership, annual meetings and finances. When such things occur, good preaching and teaching may still be the order of the day, hiding from the view of the average church-goer that there are some cracks in the foundation. Paul warned with tears, implying that the warnings were serious, were hard to stomach, and applied to Paul as well as everyone else - no exceptions. I can still remember the parental admonition, "Do as I say, not as I do." Such an admonition should not come from the pulpit.

In the next installment we will take the Acts 20:20 concept a little further, and connect Paul's warnings to those of Jesus' in the Olivet Discourse. But to close on an encouraging note, I leave you with these words of Paul, also in Acts 20. "Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 19

2010-02-25T12:32:00.001-08:00

THE END-TIMES CHURCH IN REVIVAL is coming, but I doubt seriously that it will be institutionalized. The real revival will occur in the face of increased persecution. Book deals, rock stars and video clips will not be involved, for the church will be driven underground, and the revival will take place among a remnant (a word that occurs 91 times in the Bible - KJV). God is used to dealing with remnants. Sometimes the remnant refers to that portion of Israel which remains faithful and will be saved (Romans 9:27). Sometimes the remnant refers to the true church as compared to the rest of the population, and the word remnant isn't even used. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Not that it hasn't been going on for centuries, but division between these two roads is becoming blurred, the more that ungodly agendas infiltrate the visible, institutional church. There is no attempt here to judge any particular church or denomination, but observations will be made as clearly as possible. On February 24, 2010 www.lifesitenews.com reported that the U.K. House of Commons passed a sex-ed bill forcing schools to promote sex outside of marriage, homosexuality and abortion. The sub-headline read, "Head of Catholic bishop's conference and the Catholic Education Service thanked for supporting bill." This enabled the provisions of the bill to apply to all schools, secular and faith-based. Parental opt-out provisions will apply only to students age 15 and younger. The article goes on to say that faith-based schools may introduce their theologically based position as "preferred" but all of the other options must be taught as "normal" and students must be given all information pertaining to these, including where and how to obtain an abortion.

The above is cited as only one of many clearly visible examples of the church compromising on biblical standards. Perhaps even more dangerous are instances where the church compromises in the area of false teaching. There is considerable warning in the New Testament against false prophets and false teachers. Two years ago, a questionable revival broke out in Lakeland, Florida under the ministry of Todd Bentley. Suffice it to say here that many strange phenomena accompanied this "revival" and, although I have looked, not one proof was forthcoming concerning the hundreds that were miraculously healed. In the midst of all the publicity, Bentley took up with a female member of his staff and divorced his wife. Rather than reconcile with his wife, within months he was remarried and recently has been proclaimed restored and fit for ministry by the leaders of Morningstar Church. This has produced an outcry from some evangelical leaders which has fallen on deaf ears at Morningstar.

Again, please let me reiterate that these observations are given as examples. No attempt has been made to wring out as many details as an investigative reporter might, but enough investigation has been made to convince this writer that these reports are essentially true. And these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. All the while God is raising up men and women of God who are not afraid to take the Gospel (which includes the standards) of Jesus Christ to the streets. Smaller groups of believers are meeting here and there to be encouraged in the Word and to then to bring it by proclamation and by deed to places like abortion mills, high schools, and mosques. What a stark contrast to wild parties being held on mega-campuses where the music includes lines like: "Let go of your heart; Let go of your head; Just feel it now."

One of the 6 hour seminars which Encouragement for End-Times Endurance brings to the body of Christ is entitled, "A Thessalonian Model for End-Times Living." I don't intend to compress that seminar into one paragraph here, but perhaps you can get a taste of it from these few verses. "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you because you believed our testimony to you. With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our god may count you worthy of His calling. and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and in Him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 18

2010-02-20T07:12:00.001-08:00

APOSTASY AND REVIVAL. Last time we looked at how both of these phenomena can occur at the same time. The fact that they can presents a clear and present danger, calling for discernment on the part of the saints. Let me give you an example from about 27 years ago. My wife was recently saved and I had just returned from several years of wandering in the wilderness. One Saturday afternoon, my wife suffered one of those horribly painful back injuries which are brought on by nothing more traumatic than lifting a newspaper. The only way she could move from the bed to the bathroom was to crawl. We both prayed, but the pain persisted through the night. The next morning, with my wife's approval, I went to church. It was a good church with good people, but denominational through and through. I went to some of the deacons after service (there were no elders) and asked if they would come to the house and anoint my wife with oil and pray in accordance with James 5:14-15. I was told that we didn't do things that way here; that Scripture was for the early church. We now have good doctors, and we should consult one.

Some young people who were part of a travelling drama ministry overheard the conversation and dared to interject their thoughts. They believed the Scriptures were true and applicable today, and that even though they weren't elders (I think the oldest was about 22) there were other Scriptures, such as Mark 16:18 we could stand on. So, they came to the house, laid hands on my wife and prayed - believing that God would honor His word and confirm it. Six hours later my wife and I were at our couples bowling league. I think she bowled a 224 that night. Praise God!

I use that story to illustrate the time of crisis that is about to visit us. I'm told that in the Chinese language the word for crisis consists of two connected symbols, one meaning danger and the other meaning opportunity. Danger lurks around every corner; danger that is common to all men, and danger that is specific for the Christian. If the government takes over the health-care industry (and there are rumors that it will be forced upon us within the week) it poses a certain danger for everyone in the USA. Oh some will see it as an opportunity to gain something they never had, but in the long run, health care will deteriorate, become more expensive, and will be mired in the muck of bureaucracy. For the Christian, the immediate crisis may be caused by the inclusion of tax-payer funded abortion coverage in the government plan. What should a Christ-follower do? There is a danger if one cannot reconcile such a plan with their faith. I know I couldn't, and Scripture says: "...everything that does not come from faith is sin." (Romans 14:23) Opinions will be divided in the church, both among individuals and denominations, just as it is now concerning the matters of abortion, gay rights, etc.

Where's the opportunity in all of this? It is simply to stand on God's Word as Plan A, with no Plan B in sight. Pressure to fold and compromise will come from every quarter. Your own church and your own church friends may not support your decision. Your child may be running a fever of 103 and answers to prayer may be delayed. Now is the time to begin seeing yourself facing the pressure of the enemy and not folding. Now is the time to begin being vocal and demonstrative in your faith, and as such begin aligning yourself with others of like precious faith. It will be hard when support will not be forthcoming from the deacons, but God will send the young Christian actor, or some other such "weak and foolish" vessel to bring about your deliverance. And the church will begin to look more and more like the church of Acts 2:42-47 and beyond.

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (Acts 4:29-30)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 17

2010-02-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

In the last installment, we ended by looking at some words in 2nd Peter. Today I want to begin by looking more closely to a Q & A which Peter developed. "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." (2 Peter 3:11-12) Some years ago, theologian Francis Schaeffer put together an outstanding video series base on the similar question, "How Should We then Live?" That is the topic we will cover in this, and perhaps one or two additional installments, as we bring this series to a close. And just in case I have failed to make a compelling case for the church entering the 70th week of Daniel, and having to face times of unprecedented testing, I will just come out and state it plainly: I BELIEVE THAT THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS, DANIEL, PETER, PAUL AND JOHN ALL HARMONIZE AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE CHURCH WILL ENTER THE 70TH WEEK OF DANIEL (AKA "THE TRIBULATION") AND FACE PERSECUTION AND TESTING UNLIKE ANYTHING BEFORE IN HUMAN HISTORY. IN THIS THE CHURCH WILL BE PURIFIED AS SHE AWAITS THE RAPTURE (THE BLESSED HOPE) WHICH WILL OCCUR WHEN CHRIST APPEARS A SECOND TIME, NOT TO DEAL WITH SIN BUT TO SAVE THOSE WHO WAIT IN EXPECTANT PERSEVERANCE, AND JUDGMENT UPON ALL THE REST. (TITUS 2:12-13; HEBREWS 9:28)

So now to the question: "How should we then live?" I think the short answer to that question is found right here: "They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42-47) If you continue reading in Acts, this activity was still going on in Acts 6, where the distribution of the goods held in common for those who had need was becoming a logistical problem. But what had happened in the interim?

The new church was growing by leaps and bounds (120 [Acts 1:15] to 3,120 [Acts 2:41] to 5,000 men [Acts 4:4]). Miracles in the public arena were drawing people's attention (Acts 3:1-4:21). Persecution was beginning (Acts 4:3) and then increased (Acts 5:17 - 40). The preaching was becoming bold and to the point (Acts 3:11-26; 4:8-12, 19-20; 5:29 - 32). It became absolutely clear that people who just wanted to play church were not welcome (Acts 4:32 - 5:13). When I read these passages from Acts in light of biblical truth concerning the Second Coming of Christ, I see a clear picture of the church that is being perfected, with every spot and wrinkle being removed (Ephesians 5:27), all taking place under the pressure that comes from the earth groaning, the organized church drifting towards apostasy, lawlessness increasing (1 Peter 1:6-9). It becomes clear how apostasy and revival can happen at the same time.

Please allow me to give you an example of this as we bring this installment to a close. Suppose that world-wide there are 1.5 billion people who call themselves "Christian." Then a revival of righteousness and holiness begins to occur at the same time which persecution against Christians is increasing and concurrently a huge portion of the 1.5 billion in the visible church begin to embrace all sorts of ungodly mixture so as to get along, enjoying both governmental favor and protection from persecution. (For an historical example, look at the church in Germany between 1930 and 1940). In such a scenario, some will be drawn to the true Gospel and be saved. Some of the carnal Christians in the church will become truly converted. The number of true Christians will increase. At the same time, many will fall from the faith, accepting a government-sanctioned form of eccumenicalism.

That's enough for today. To leave you with some words of encouragement: "...brothers (and sisters), since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:19-23)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 16

2010-02-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

After fifteen installments in this series, some may find the messages anything, ranging from informative to interesting to boring to nonsense. To the extent that I have been able to keep them true to the Word of God, I believe they have the potential to transform, especially when we get to the place where the Word intersects our daily lives. Last time I pointed out that the Rapture (when believers are changed in the twinkling of an eye, receiving glorified bodies and are snatched away to be with the Lord forever, with the short-term benefit of being removed from the earth and its unbelieving inhabitants who are about to experience the judgment and wrath of Almighty God) will take people out of the ordinary activities of life. The illustration was one of two men standing in a field, one taken and the other left.

Most of the books and movies about the subject in the last 3-4 decades have been based on a pre-tribulation Rapture theory, where the Rapture could take place any moment, even NOW! This theory can be a good incentive to live in holiness, watching, praying and waiting. However, it paints a picture of somehow being ready at every moment without knowing what that means. Beyond that, we have been given a picture of those "left behind" becoming "the tribulation saints" where the Rapture gets them off the fence and propels them to true faith in Christ. In this scenario the Rapture serves to encourage them to live a life described in Revelation 12:11, "They overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Many of the authors and theologians who espouse this theory also label the 144,000 sealed Jews in Revelation 7:1-8 as evangelists. Books and videos have been produced for believers to leave behind for their unsaved loved ones to help them to faith in Christ.

I believe I have shown in the previous fifteen installments why this theory does not line up with Scripture. It's a nice theory, which allows believers (especially westerners who have a tendency to equate health and prosperity with the Gospel and who eschew suffering for the Gospel) to enjoy all of their stuff until things get tough on planet Earth. If, somehow, we have been a little too carnal, we'll know that when we miss the Rapture and we'll no doubt get it right from that point forward. But the Bible strongly indicates that the church (true believers and not so true believers, the wheat and tares of Matthew 13:24-30) will enter Daniel's 70th week, often called the 7-year tribulation. The church will still be here when the Antichrist is revealed and begins his undaunted persecution against Jews and Christians. The church will have her faith tested like never before (at least in terms of scale) and life and death choices will have to be made. Living as described above in Revelation 12:11 will be a choice made by faith in God's Word. The Rapture will not have happened yet, but will remain the "blessed hope" of the believer.

However, because of the Great Tribulation now occurring on the earth, the love of many will grow cold. Many "believers" will opt for the ecumenical world-wide church which will have as part of its liturgy "tolerance and diversity" rather than "righteousness and holiness." We can see the stage being set for that even now. "The wrath of God is being revealed even now against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." The courts and the legislatures in the land are being used as instruments for people, "Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they do not only continue to do these very things, but also approve of those who practice them." (Romans 1:18, 32) Political correctness demands that nobody be offended, except those who stand on the unchanging truth of God's Word.

So we are standing at a place in history when Peter's inspired words are more relevant than ever. The Rapture, which will immediately followed by the Day of the Lord will happen, after there have been several signs (birth pangs and buds on the fig tree) but they will be of such severity that they will try the faith of many, and under such trials, many will abandon the faith. At that time, "the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." (2 Peter 3:10-12)

From this same passage of Scripture, there are words of encouragement, which I think we could all use at this point. "Therefore dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (2 Peter 3:17-18)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 15

2010-02-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

"A Thief in the Night." It's a phrase that many people are acquainted with, although they know not from whence it comes. We closed last time by pointing out the two places where that phrase appears in the New Testament (Matthew 24:43 and 1 Thessalonians 5:2) I promised to talk about that in some more detail, so here goes. First, I would ask you to notice that this phrase is consistent with Jesus' use of "birth pangs" and "fig trees." He points out that there will be several signs leading up to His Second Coming. The very last sign which He points to as preceding His Second Coming could be described as "cosmic disturbances." These disturbances include, among other things, unnatural darkness (or night).

I draw your attention to two parallel passages of Scripture. You may remember that early on in this series I pointed out how Jesus' teaching in Matthew 24 parallels John's vision as seen in Revelation 6. I hope you can now see a parallel between Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-14.

"Immediately after the distress of those days, 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' [from Isaiah 13:10; 34:4] At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." (Matthew 24:29-31)

"I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sack-cloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place." (Revelation 6:12-14)

And what happens after these cosmic disturbances? Revelation doesn't give us any hint of the Rapture, but when Revelation is compared with Matthew 24, it takes place sometime between Revelation 6:15 and Revelation 7:9. It happens before the Day of the Lord or the Day of God's Wrath, mentioned in Revelation 6:16-17. Before that actually commences with the blowing of the 7 trumpets, there is an interlude where 144,000 Jews are sealed for protection in the midst of what is about to happen. Back in Matthew, immediately following the cosmic disturbances there is a very vivid description of the Rapture.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." (Matthew 24:36-41)

Please note that Jesus makes it obvious that the one who was watching and prepared was engaged in the same task of making a living as the one who was left behind. This paints a pretty clear picture that the faith that will bring us safely home, while it may be nurtured and fed in meetings at the church house, is a faith that is lively and active in the home, the market place, the work place and the social place. Many religious activities are about "hearing" the Word, true religion is about "doing" the Word. (James 1:22-27, Luke 6:46-49)

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." (Luke 6:46-48) Build wisely!

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 14

2010-01-29T11:14:00.000-08:00

As we progress with the signs which will portend the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we find ourselves immersed in a world that is out of control. All systems of human government and culture seem to lack even common sense, much less righteousness or any other virtue. A power struggle of gigantic proportions is going on and the average individual will feel sucked into its vortex. The inconsistencies and disconnects apparent in the president's speech the other night will seem like child's play by comparison. The temptation to go along so that one might get along will never have seemed greater. The true followers of Christ will not be able to put much trust in organized religion, which will become more and more apostate by the day. Just what will it be like living in a day described by these words: "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened." (Matthew 24:22, NIV)

When put into context, what is cut short is not Daniel's 70th week, but that portion of it beginning at the mid-point, known as "The Great Tribulation." For the sake of the elect (the faithful followers of Christ) those days will be cut short, and the remainder of the latter half of Daniel's 70th week will be taken up by The Day of the Lord. Another label for this is the time of God's wrath. So what is it that cuts short (amputates, if you will) the Great Tribulation? My friends, it is the Rapture - the resurrection of all the faithful from centuries past, followed by the immediate changing of all the faithful on earth (called glorification) and then all being caught up into the air to meet the Lord in the clouds, and so to be with Him forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Now that's encouraging!

We are at a point now where it is necessary to explain a couple of things from 1 Thessalonians 5. There we read "for you know that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." (v. 2) and "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (v.9) The "thief in the night" phrase is used by the Lord when He says, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Matthew 24:42-44)

What Jesus and Paul are telling us here is that with everything happening (all of the signs and events mentioned thus far) only those who are watching and expecting the return of Christ will be ready for it. Others will be caught up in the world running amok and in the apostate church of the hodge-podge religion. They will even be saying "Peace, peace" when the sudden destruction comes. The Lord reminded me that when you have to keep talking about the thing (in this case "peace") that usually means that the genuine article is absent. The same thing is true with the anointing, miracles, the next great move of God, etc. When the genuine is present, you just have to experience it; no hype needed. It's not the Rapture that comes on the believer like a "thief in the night" but the Day of the Lord coming upon the unbelieving world immediately following.

We'll go into that in more detail next time. Meanwhile, let these words encourage you. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (1 John 3:1-3)

Sanctity of Life

2010-01-25T08:36:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was labeled Sanctity of Life Sunday, since it is the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the infamous Roe vs. Wade case, where unelected members of the US Supreme Court made abortion on demand legal on January 22, 1973. Since then there has arisen a rather large and viable pro-life (or anti-abortion as some would call it) business. Please don't label that remark as derogatory; it's just the truth. You can find dozens of websites where you can purchase Sanctity of Life supplies, ranging from church bulletin inserts, to prepared sermons and power point slide shows, to signs and banners. Then there are all of the organized events, complete with bus trips to the seats of power, where large crowds make a stand for life. These all have some value on on the grand scale of things. The negative side is that they are not enough. After 37 years, abortion on demand is still legal. While it seems to be on the decline, it is hard to calculate with the wide-spread dispensing of the morning after pill (RU 486).

I write this piece today, not from sanctimonious perch reserved only for those who have given their lives to the support of life. Whatever I have done in this battle pales in comparison to others I am privileged to know. I cannot help but weep over the relative apathy of the church with respect to this shedding of innocent blood in our country. Deuteronomy 19:13 says, "You must purge from Israel (substitute USA) the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you." Psalm 106:38 says, "They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood." Proverbs 6:17 says that the Lord hates "hands that shed innocent blood."

If there ever was a Scripture that described the abortion industry and the abortion lobby, it is this in Jeremiah 22:17, "But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, and on oppression and extortion." Since 1973 there have been precious few people who see abortion for what it really is. There is no question in my mind that the quagmire our country is in is connected to the judgment of Almighty God for this abomination. In the early days of the rescue movement, the large majority of the church stood by (myself included) and allowed the rescue workers to become marginalized with respect to mainstream Christianity. They were hauled off to jail and some were financially ruined, while the church stood by, either in silence, or participating in some benign Sanctity of Life observance which lasted for only a few hours.

So many in the church do not want to get their hands dirty, and this keeps the Gospel of Jesus Christ from reaching the people who need it most. Young men and women caught up in a crisis pregnancy constitute some of the "halt, lame and blind" that Jesus commanded us to go and invite to the banquet, so the Master's house would be full. And here in 2010, on Sanctity of Life Sunday, perhaps you went to church and didn't even hear a word about the massacre that occurs daily in this country. Please understand, I am not against helping the poor people of Haiti. I have tried to generate some effective giving towards this area of great need. At the same time, I cannot help but realize that in the Land of the free and the Home of the Brave, in two months we kill babies in the womb in numbers equal to the total dead in Haiti's earthquake.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but did you ever wonder what James meant when he wrote, "Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:8-10) That's a real gut-level check for me. There is so much more to being the body of Christ than "feel-good, positive-thinking." God must be sick with all of our pop-psychology, self-help, image-improving brand of Christianity. I heard a very unpopular, but very helpful and necessary word mentioned several times in a sermon yesterday; that word was "repent!"

"Repent!" was the first directive Jesus preached in Mark 1:14 and it is the last directive He gives to five of the churches in Revelation 2 and 3. If I think I have this Christian living figured out, I need to repent. I am amazed when I look at the fruit that has come from the ministry of a handful of faithful people in the Connecticut branch of Operation Save America. From 8-10 AM every Tuesday and Saturday they come to the Women's Health Center at 3787 Main Street, Bridgeport. Every Saturday from 8-10 AM they are at Planned Parenthood, 345 Whitney Ave., New Haven. There they hold graphic signs depicting what abortion really is. But they do so much more than that. Over the years they have gotten the attention of hundreds of women who were contemplating killing their baby. Since 1990, 1,987 babies have been saved and 375 moms and dads have committed their lives to Christ. (How many traditional churches can claim that?) Most of these have been given practical help in every conceivable manner, from jobs to food cards to baby wipes. If you would like to join that church on the streets, you have the addresses and meeting times. If you want to help this ministry financially, you can give to OSA-CT, 632 Merwin Ave., Milford, CT 06460-3820.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 13

2010-01-23T10:34:00.001-08:00

Last time we closed with the statement - there are only two days guaranteed to any of us: "this day" and "that day." This day is today. The Bible declares that "Now is the time of God's favor, today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 2:2). If you are alive, there remains yet an opportunity to accept God's favor, His unmerited favor which is called grace. It is by grace that we are saved, and it is by faith that we receive that grace. There is no better way to describe what that grace is that to use the Bible's own words. "God demonstrates His own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

It will not get any easier to be saved in the future and the future is not guaranteed to any of us. That's why there is an air of urgency for people to be saved today. Remember this: there is no sin so small that it does not need the grace of Christ's death on the cross, and there is no sin so large that it can't be covered by the grace of Christ's death on the cross.

We have now progressed in these writings to the mid-point and beyond of the 70th week of Daniel. In most of the popular literature, and in much of the theological works, this has been erroneously labeled as The Tribulation. Jesus stated that in the world, all of His followers would know tribulation (thlipsis in the Greek), but not to worry because He had overcome the world. (John 16:33). However, Jesus did warn that after the Antichrist is revealed, there would be a time of great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21). It would begin in Jerusalem. Remember, by now the temple will have been rebuilt and the Jewish system of animal sacrifice will have been reinstated. In Israel there will be many devout Jews, who will be observing the Sabbath, so Jesus says following the revelation of the Antichrist, "Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.......pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath.....for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now - and never will be equalled again." (Matthew 24:16-21)

Jesus then says "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect (Christians who have made their calling and election sure), those days will be shortened." (Matthew 24:22) And so that there is no mistake about His coming (parousia in the Greek), Jesus warns us to disregard reports that He is already here; There will be signs in the heavenlies preceding His return. We will deal with that in some detail next time. For now, I want to share with you a true story to illustrate how vulnerable some people are to deception.

About ten years ago, a couple who appeared to be in their 40's showed up for a Sunday worship service. They each carried a Bible, appeared like mature Christians, knew the language and remained after service and talked with several people. A week later they showed up again, and this time I got to talk with them. I found out that they were from the New Haven area and they asked if they could come speak with me sometime in the middle of the week. At the appointed time they arrived and we sat in my office. For 15-20 minutes the conversation revolved around what you could call "orthodox Christianity and ministry." Then, suddenly the conversation made a u-turn and within minutes this couple was doing their best to convince me that Jesus had already returned to Earth. It got worse. They were convinced that He was living in Litchfield, CT under the alias of Charlie Brown.

I spent two or three minutes trying to convince them of their error, and when they didn't budge I had to ask them to leave in the spirit of 2 John 7-11. I've never forgotten that episode, and it serves to remind me to pray for discernment and wisdom. Just because someone claims to have a message from God, we should always check to see if it matches with the written word of God.

These blogs continue to be written so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures you might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 12

2010-01-19T08:43:00.001-08:00

Last time we were looking at some of the things the follower of Christ will have to face during the 70th Week of Daniel (aka "The Tribulation") I've already made a case - a case that will be reiterated and strengthened over time - for the believer entering the 70th Week of Daniel. A believer's view of this is extremely important because it will affect his/her preparation. For example, if you believe that you will be raptured before the 70th week, you will probably have little more than a passing curiosity about the person known as the Antichrist.

Over the centuries, there have been several theological positions developed concerning this time in history, adding to the confusion. Alan Kurschner, of the Pre-wrath Institute (http://www.prewrathrapture.com/) gives a brief summary of these positions and how they affect ones view of the Antichrist.

Pretribulationalism: The Antichrist is a literal future man, but this view sees the Church being raptured before he is revealed and begins his persecution of Israel and Christians.

Preterism: The Antichrist was fulfilled in the first century, so there is no future Antichrist.

Historicism: The Antichrist is manifested in oppressive leaders throughout church history, so there is no future Antichrist.

Spiritualism: The Antichrist is not literal, instead, he is symbolic of an evil principle in the church age, so there is no future Antichrist.

Skepticism: God doesn't want us to know if the church will encounter the Antichrist, therefore, don't teach about it.
Prewrath: The church will enter the 70th Week of Daniel and will encounter the Antichrist and his persecution. This is the position of Encouragement for End-Times Endurance. It is the only view which is supported by a natural reading of Paul's words:

"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you brothers not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the Day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion (apostasy) occurs and the man of lawlessness (Antichrist) is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called god or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

Thus we see the church being warned that the Rapture (our being gathered to the Lord) followed by the Day of the Lord (time of God's wrath) both taking place after the Antichrist is revealed when he commits the act known as "the abomination of desolation" by setting up an image of himself in the rebuilt Jewish Temple. Daniel speaks of this (Daniel 9:27); Jesus speaks of this (Matthew 24:15); and John speaks of this (Revelation 13:11-15. Both Jesus and Paul speak of this event as clearly taking place prior to the Rapture.

In closing for today, please be reminded that Paul made his point in the 2 Thessalonian passage above. Jesus makes the point in that Matthew 24:15 precedes the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:16-26) which precedes the passage about cosmic disturbances (Matthew 24:27-29) which precedes the Rapture (Matthew 24:30-31). Jesus summarizes all the signs leading up to His coming, and then reiterates that His coming will still not be known as to the day and hour (Matthew 24:36-39); making clear that it is the rapture about which He speaks (Matthew 24:40-41).

Know that all of these warnings are given so that the Church, the Bride of Christ will be keeping watch (Matthew 25:13); constantly being about the Master's business in "this day" so that on "that day" we will hear Him say"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21). There are only two days guaranteed to any of us: "this day" and "that day."

Haitian Earthquake Relief

2010-01-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

Most of you have probably heard by now about the 7.0+ magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. If you have been following my blogs lately, you also know that earthquakes factor into the end-times scenario. Just a few days ago a 6.5 quake hit in the vicinity of Eureka, CA, but received little attention because the damage was minimal (by earthquake standards). I had intended to, and still will, expound on a biblical model for end-times living. Right now, all I can do is connect you to a couple of Christian organizations who are poised to do the most good in Haiti, once the damage has been assessed and communications/travel is restored.

I have worked closely with both of these organizations and have taken trips to Haiti before with them. Encouragement for End-Times Endurance is not yet 501.c.3 qualified, but both of these organizations are. I can guarantee you that they will deliver releif efficiently, with no waste and minimal overhead, to places where it can do immediate good. In all probability this will include missions and orphanages and schools established by them, but which suffered damage in the quake. These organizations have people on the ground in Haiti - some they have heard from and they are OK, in spite of damages. Others, as of now, have not been heard from.

I urge you, my brothers and sisters, to get involved, with both your pocketbooks and your prayers, as the Lord leads you. You can send tax-deductible contributions marhed "Haiti Earthquake Relief" to:

Monadnock Bible Conference

PO Box

Jaffrey, NH 03452

http://www.monadnockbible.org/

Partners With Haiti

25 Old Country Rd.

Barrington, RI 02806

http://www.partnerswithhaiti.org/

Thank you so much for helping a part of the body of Christ that is in great need. God bless you.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 11

2010-01-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

Today we continue looking into what it might look like for a believer entering the 70th week of Daniel. For many people it won't look too bad. For the better than two-thirds of the world's population that goes to bed hungry, they might even see some improvement. For those who live in "the west" (specifically in the USA, Canada and parts of western Europe) there will no doubt be some major adjustments. The post 2008 recession is just an indicator. I believe many of the luxuries, which we in the west take for granted, will be much harder to come by. This is not totally bad, as some will come to understand that less can be more, discovering those intangibles which are truly valuable.

That said, I believe the things which Jesus, Paul and Peter said would happen, will happen. We have covered those which Jesus spoke of in earlier blogs, so what about Paul and Peter? First of all, I must make it absolutely clear that Paul stated emphatically that the church would be here on planet earth during the first half of Daniel's seventieth week, a/k/a "the beginning of sorrows." (Matt. 24:8, Luke 13:8 KJV). He says quite plainly in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (not written for the Jews) and our being gathered to Him (the Rapture) had not come, as they had been falsely taught. Also, it would not come until two things happened first: 1) the rebellion (the Great Apostasy) occurs, and 2) the man of lawlessness (described more fully as none other than the Antichrist) is revealed. This occurs when he commits the act in the rebuilt Jewish temple described by Jesus as "the abomination that causes desolation" prophesied by Daniel. (Matthew 24:15)

Some time after that even the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the instantaneous change of all living believers followed closely by all being raised together to meet the Lord in the air will happen. This is commonly referred to as the Rapture (Greek "harpazo" for catching away was translated into Latin using the Latin word "rapturo" from which we get our English transliteration, "Rapture." Thus, the event is mentioned in Scripture more than once [1 Thess. 4:13-18, 2 Thess. 2:1, Matt. 24:40-41, 1 Cor. 15:51-54, et al] even though you will not find the word "Rapture" in most Bible translations.).

So what happens before the Rapture takes place. There are the increased intensity and severity of natural phenomena, such as earthquakes. There will be an increase in wickedness and war. There will be false peace in the midst of the war. There will be a continual movement towards one world government, economy and religion (with the one world religion ultimately being despised by this Satan-inspired movement. Global government and economics will gradually look more and more like Marxism of Fascism. Individual liberties will be revoked, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The Constitution of the United States is already being ignored by the power structure in Washington, D.C.

As individual religious freedom begins to disappear from our Society, organized religion will begin to look more and more like the permitted religions in totalitarian states today. (like the TSPM in China). The biblical/Christian distinctness of the church will publicly disappear, as the church more and more resembles the culture. We see this already with so many churches embracing abominable practices, or condoning abominable practices, or at least not wanting to confront abominable practices. This will get worse. Paul summarizes his end-times headlines in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 with this remark - "having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."

I'll close today by quoting the Life in the Spirit Study Bible commentary on 2 Timothy 2:5. "Paul refers to those who profess to be Christians and appear to be religious, but who do not manifest God's power that can save them from sin, selfishness and immorality. Such people tolerate immorality within their churches and teach that a person may practice the sins listed in vv. 2-4 and yet inherit salvation and God's kingdom." This is contrasted by the statement in 2 Timothy 2:13, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..."

Be encouraged by these words of Paul as he begins to sign off in this second letter to Timothy: "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 10

2010-01-06T08:44:00.001-08:00

What might it look like for a for a believer entering the 70th week of Daniel? As we begin this adventure, please allow me to say a few things. First, some of this is speculation on my part. Even though I consider it supported by Scripture, I am not dogmatic about every little detail. Second, don't get bogged down in the details - try to keep the larger picture in view, discerning the principles and patterns of god at work. Third, discussion and comments are welcome as long as it's done respectfully and tastefully.

You may recall that in Matthew 24 Jesus listed several things that made up the beginning of birth pangs: false Christs (religions), wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes. Since these things have been with us "forever" it is difficult to see them as signs of something to come (as birth pangs are signs of a pending birth). The fact that these things have been increasing in intensity and severity, coupled with the fact that we have only in the last 100-150 years developed means to accurately record such things on a global level, really highlights these words of Jesus in the eyes of those given discernment. Just how severe and how frequent they must become is still anybody's guess, but something is definitely happening.

Jesus then goes on to give some more specific signs, such as the preaching of "the gospel of the kingdom" to the whole world (to all people groups) before the end would come. Only God knows when this will be accomplished to His satisfaction. Meanwhile, it is our task to continue what we were commissioned to do in Matthew 28:19-20. As this continues, and people from every nation, tribe and tongue hear the gospel, they believe and concurrently the persecution begins or increases, fulfilling another one of the signs that the end is near.

The days leading to the Second Coming of Christ are compared to the days of Noah and of Lot. Just before judgment struck, most people were carrying on as usual, unaware of the signs of the time. So, leading up to, and even entering the 70th week of Daniel, life on planet earth will be considered "normal" for most. That will not mean that all of life will be pleasant; just that certain calamities will be taken in stride, adjustments will be made, and no doubt one of the popular mantras will be "better days are coming." In the first 6 days of 2010 I've seen it everywhere: "2010 will be better than 2009" or "2010 will be the best year yet." How will better and best be measured? I fear that a lot of this may be signs of evolutionary thinking encroaching all of culture. It's part of what Church Colson calls "the Escalator Myth."

I believe that leading into Daniel's 70th week there will be strong pushes for world peace, a predictable and stable world economy, and an increased tolerance for all manner of religions. The battles that have been raging in the USA between liberal and conservative, big government and small government, pro-life and pro-choice; the tea parties, defense of traditional marriage, will have wound down, overshadowed by an overwhelming desire of people to just get by. Many will buy into the idea of "to get along you have to go along." The homogeneity that existed at the time of Babel will be a goal. "Peace, peace" the people will cry and peace will be declared.

Those who resist ecumenicalism will be labeled as narrow-minded, bigoted and hateful. It will require more and more discernment, coupled with courage to cling to sound doctrine. Denominational churches will continue to abandon the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints, changing the grace of our God onto a license for immorality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign and Lord. (from Jude 3-4)

We will continue next time, by the grace of God. For now, to end on a note of encouragement - also from Jude, verses 24-25: To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 9

2010-01-03T08:34:00.001-08:00

A New Year is upon us, and for many that signals the start of something new. On the other hand, God's prophetic clock is still ticking and that which He for-ordained long ago will come to pass at the appointed time. To some, the phrase "appointed time" refers to a person's time of death. A quick look at the obituary section of today's local paper revealed the names of 13 people who had met their appointed times, at ages ranging from 18 to 101. I pray that they were ready, for it is written: "...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)

Every man or woman will face one of two judgments, and we can choose. We can choose to stand before the Great White Throne and face judgment for our sins, the consequences of which will be terrible and eternal (Revelation 20:11-15) or we can place our trust in Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God who bore our sins in His body on the cross, and who rose from the dead as our guarantee of eternal life. This is God's love for you (John 3:16) Reject in this life and suffer the Great White Throne consequences in the next. Accept it by faith (true active faith, not just mental assent) and you will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive judgment, not for sin, but for rewards depending on how, as a believer, you lived for Him. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) I pray that you make your choice today, while it is still today.

That said, there is coming also an appointed time when God will judge the earth. This time occurs at the end of a seven-year period known as the "70th Week of Daniel." Daniel prophesied it in Daniel 9:20-27; Jesus referred to this prophetically in Matthew 24:15 and Paul referred to it prophetically in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. We have already discussed briefly several of the signs leading up to this seven year period - signs described parabolically as birth pangs or a budding fig tree. We are to be aware of these signs and prepare accordingly. And the terrifying thought is that many in the church will be caught unprepared having been taught that Christ will snatch them away before any of that bad stuff happens. This teaching has caught on in the western church, probably because it matches up so well with prosperity, ease and comfort.

Next time we will start exploring what the life of a believer might look like entering the 70th Week of Daniel, moving through a time of false peace, the revelation of the Antichrist, and facing the Great Tribulation. Think of this a boot camp in preparation for the battlefield. But to leave you with a note of encouragement. "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 8

2009-12-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

In the USA, Christmas is over (I know that there are some traditions which observe different dates); at least the commercialization and the celebration part are over. But, for all true followers of Christ, the real meaning of Christmas is never over. That's because the First Coming of Christ is not complete without the Second Coming of Christ. And that is why this ministry continues to make short statements on facebook; write longer notes on facebook; write periodic blogs such as this; and work on a new publication tentatively titled Encouragement for End-Times Endurance - A Victory Guide.

The New Testament is full of warnings that to be a follower of Christ will incite hatred and persecution from the world (Matt. 5:10-12, 10:22; John 15:18-21, 16:33; Acts 5:41; 2 Tim. 3;12; Rev. 2:10). The inspired writers of Scripture took great care to explain to the early church concerning its suffering (Ro. 8:17; 2 Thess. 1:3-2:3; James 5:10; 1 Peter 2:20, 3:14, 4:16, 5:10). When it comes to that particular time of the end labeled by Jesus as the Great Tribulation, (Matt. 24:21) believers are specifically warned. We are warned that the persecution in those days will be inspired by none other than the Antichrist himself. We are warned that unless those days were cut short (amputated) no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened (Matt. 24:22). Those days are cut short by the rapture (described by Jesus as occurring immediately following disturbance in the heavenlies - Matt. 24:29-31; and in further detail in Matt. 24:36-44).

Living in those days (of the great Tribulation) will be especially stressful because of the great apostasy that will occur. Paul speaks of this also in 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Jesus has already spoken of it in Matt. 24:10-12. Imagine, many of the professing, church-going church being deceived so that they abandon the faith that has been so earnestly contended for (see Jude's description in v. 3-4, 11-13, 17-19). Some of these will be friends, leaders in our churches, pastors - who will depart from the truth of God's Word and follow after human wisdom. This will be a time of great stress, and the Word of God warns us in advance so that we will not be surprised. This will be one of the signs of times and seasons about which those who are willing to follow Christ will be aware.

That is heavy stuff, so I will leave you there so that you can ponder this prophecy for a few days. We will indeed need to be encouraged all the more during such times (Heb. 10:25). Remember, people are not our enemies (Eph. 6:10-17) so engage in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:18; Jude 20) knowing this: The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world, On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:4-5)

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 7

2009-12-19T09:33:00.001-08:00

Revelation 13 - what a great passage of Scripture to look at during Christmas week! There is probably nothing that can crush the warm fuzzies of Christmas like the prospect of having to face the Antichrist, who will be given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. Facing the false prophet will be no less daunting - he who will be given power to give breath to the image of the first beast so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. And what about being forced to choose between taking the mark so as to engage in any financial transaction or staying true to Christ? (Rev. 13:7, 16-17)

The little Babe of Bethlehem caused quite a stir 2000 years ago, and He continues to do so today. Imagine if you were a parent living in Bethlehem with a 14 month old son at the time Herod issued his paranoid decree. At the time of Jesus' birth the angelic host gave glory to God and declared peace on earth among those with whom He is pleased. This peace is offered to all, but there are few who receive it. Jesus would later say that He came not to send peace but a sword. (Matt. 10:34)

So Revelation 13 is part of an interlude (along with chapters 12 and 14) which interrupts the progression of the trumpet and bowl judgments. If you were reading a Zane Grey novel, this would be the part where it says, "Meanwhile, back at the ranch." Here in Revelation we can read, "Meanwhile, back at the great tribulation spoken of in Matthew 24:21." We are given some insight as to what constitutes the great tribulation, and what the martyrs of Revelation 6:9-11 had faced.

In verses 9-10 of Revelation 13 we read: "If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints." It's hard to see "Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth" in that! Or is it?

How far have we come from the true meaning of Christmas? We seem to be fighting a battle just to say "Merry Christmas" in the stores where we shop. Wars are being waged over the right to display nativity scenes in public. A good Christmas is measured in retail sales. The angelic announcement has been transposed into "Peace on earth, good will toward men." In keeping with that, the true message of Christmas has been buried under all sorts of peaceful acts of good will, with no mention of sin and salvation. The manger (if it is spoken of at all) is seldom connected to the cross.

Jesus came to earth as Emmanuel (God with us), as the Word made flesh. He had to be human so that He could pay the price for human sin, and He did. Scripture tells us that as a man, He was tempted (tested and tried) like every other human, yet He committed no sin. (Hebrews 2:14-15; 4:15). Therefore, when He had paid the price (death) He sprinkled His blood on the Mercy Seat of the holy place in heaven, thus securing "an eternal redemption" for us. (Hebrews 9:11-14)

My friends, enjoy CHRISTmas, but please do not forget it's true meaning. It goes way beyond the glitter, lights. and tinsel; it goes way beyond "Silent Night." Sin is a terrible thing, and it has invaded the heart of every one of us; it has cursed every fiber of our planet; and it has required the bloody, gory death of the Son of God to purchase our redemption. It will cause much more turmoil and heartache on earth, until the King of Kings returns to exact justice and to cleanse the earth. We must embrace Him as so much more than the Babe in a manger, and much more than savior of our souls; we must embrace Him as Lord of our lives - now and forever more. Those who do so are the ones with whom He is pleased.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 6

2009-12-15T12:33:00.001-08:00

As we begin part 6 of this discourse, I would ask that you notice the flow of Jesus' speech. Verse 9 of Matthew 24 begins with the word "then." Jesus says, "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted...." This last phrase is translated "tribulation" in many versions of Scripture which has led to much confusion. The Greek word is thlipsis, and appears many times in the New Testament. (e.g. John 16:33; Romans 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Hebrews 10:32-33; Acts 14:21-22) In these places, as well as others, thlipsis translated as tribulation is not speaking of some special period of time known as The Tribulation. Tribulation is presented in the New Testament as something which is the normal lot through which the Christian must travel.

Jesus does use the word thlipsis when in Matthew 24;21 He says, "For then there will be a great tribulation [mega thlipsis], such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world, nor ever will." What has happened between the general tribulation of Matthew 24:9 and Matthew 24:21? We won't be able to cover all of it during this part 6, but Matthew 24:10 - 14 which we looked at last week speak of betrayal, apostasy (turning from true faith), hatred, false prophets, deception, increase in wickedness, and cold love. This sounds a lot like Paul's last-day's list in 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Remember Jesus' admonition to stand firm until the end, and thus be saved. Almost anyone can start almost anything; not everyone can finish. That's what this ministry is all about - helping people finish; pointing out signs along the way so that we won't be found sleeping and unprepared. This is so important that Jesus said it clearly in Matthew 10:22 and Matthew 24:13; and then He illustrated it with several parables, four of which are in Matthew 24:36 - 25:46.

One very clear way in which we stand firm is to "preach the gospel of the kingdom in the whole world as a testimony to all nations." (Matthew 24:14) We know from Scripture that this gospel is to be preached in word and in deed. We are to do this in spite of persecution, even when it comes from "church people." Jesus says, "then the end will come." This is one reason I believe strongly that a proper view of end-times places the Great Commission and the Great Commandment under a huge microscope. The necessity of the church obeying Jesus is only magnified; everything the church (the Bride of Christ) should be comes to the forefront.

What will be going on while the church is doing all of this? Matthew 24:15 says, "So, when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation...." Those are familiar words, so let's stop right there and examine this statement. This will serve as a bit of an interlude, after which we will stop for now, continuing with the action in part 7.

Jesus says that this event was spoken of by the prophet Daniel. It's in chapter 9, verse 27.This prophecy was fulfilled by an antichrist (Antiochus Epiphanes IV in or about 168 BC) and will be fulfilled literally by the antichrist at sometime in the near future. Paul identifies this very same event, which along with the great apostasy of the church are two specific things which must happen before the return of Christ. "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him (sound like the rapture?) we ask you brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion (apostasy) occurs and the man of lawlessness (the antichrist) is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (the abomination that causes desolation).

Some of the rest of his activities are described in Revelation 13, and we will go there next time. In the meantime, please let me remind you that this antichrist is a created being. He certainly does oppose Christ, and he seeks to take the place of Christ, but he falls way short of being equal to Christ.

In closing, be greatly encouraged by the words of Isaiah (God speaking):

"See, it is I who created the blacksmith (a type of the devil who makes weapons to destroy) who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. (Remember, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but powerful through God to the pulling down of strongholds....) And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; (so that) no weapon forged against you will prevail..." (Isaiah 54:16-17) The creator is infinitely greater than the created. Trust Him.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 5

2009-12-09T13:35:00.001-08:00

We have reached the place in our journey through Matthew 24 where Jesus says in verse 8, "All these are the beginning of birth pangs." We are to note that birth is now imminent, but not yet. The pangs must first increase in both intensity and severity as we approach "the last of the last days." We must heed Jesus' exhortation in verse 6 to not be alarmed or frightened, and to not allow ourselves to be deceived. There are other things which must happen before the end will come.

If there is anything that a significant percentage of the western/American church does not want to hear it is what Jesus says in the next few verses. ""Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:9-13)

That last verse (it also appears in Matthew 10:22) has become the foundational verse for this ministry. So now in keeping with past blogs, we'll look at the parallel between these verses and some verses in Revelation 6. In Revelation 6:7-8, the fourth seal is removed , revealing the fourth horsemen of the Apocalypse, Death, followed closely by Hades. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by various means - all natural consequences of the things happening as the first three seals were removed.

Now as the fifth seal is removed, death of a more specific nature is revealed - described in language strongly paralleling the language of Matthew 24:9-11. Let's see: "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?' Then each one of them was given a white robe and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed."

This speaks of a specific kind of death, martyrdom, where one dies because of the testimony of Christ. Did you know that there were more people martyred for Christ in the 20th Century than in the 19 previous centuries combined? And it continues at an accelerated pace into the 21st Century. Birth Pangs? You bet! But someone may say, "This can't possibly happen in the United States of America!" No? Prayer is gone from schools, the radical homosexual agenda has taken its place.

This is a pretty heady subject, so let me close with a couple of personal true stories, and we'll pick it up again next time. Last year, just before Thanksgiving, I was invited to participate in an Ecumenical Night of Thanksgiving. There were 7 churches (sounds a bit like Revelation 2 & 3) involved, with each pastor being given a short role in the service. I was asked to pray an intercessory prayer, so I thought I would follow the National Day of Prayer model, with a sentence or two of petition for each of these 7: the government, military (serve & protect), the church, the family, the media, education and business. Somewhere in there I prayed with respect to family that God would restore our hearts to embrace the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, and the sanctity of marriage as between one man and one woman for life. There was NO put down of anyone in the prayer.

You should see some of the hate mail I received by members of some of the local churches, including one who identified himself as a deacon. I know that is not martyrdom, but it is certainly a step in that direction. That is followed by some of the obscene gestures and threats hurled at me and others who dare to stand on a sidewalk in front of an abortion mill and take a stand for life. I have dear friends who do this 2-3 times a week or more, in all kinds of weather, who have even been jailed because of their stand. There are a lot of good people in this land, but the enemy is more active than ever.

I cannot close without reminding you that Encouragement is part of our name, so be encouraged by the fact that our loving Lord and Savior, the One who is willing that none should perish, told us how it would be so that we would be prepared to stand. He also told us how it would end: His righteousness would be established throughout the earth. To be on His side may look like you're on the losing side, but not so. He wins, and "whoever stands firm until the end will be saved."

Until next time.....

Be encouraged by Christ

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees Part 4

2009-12-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

As Jesus continues in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), He says that in various places there will be famines and earthquakes; but all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. (24:7-8) You will be quick to notice that part of the title for this series of articles derives from verse 8.

http://www.earth.webecs.co.uk/ states that the number of earth quakes over the past 150 years measuring 7.0 or above on the Richter Scale have definitely increased in frequency - just like birth pangs. And don't forget, the huge 2004 tsunami was caused by an earthquake. The online encyclopedia Wikipedia states that over 70 million people died of famine in the 20th century. These numbers reflect a huge increase over famine death in any previous century, as far as records reveal.

I say this to make the point that natural facts will always reflect the biblical truth revealed in that particular area. With the trends of earthquakes and famines likely to keep increasing, who knows how far along the birthing process we are. But, as Jesus stated, these are only two of many signs. While most of these signs have been with us to a degree throughout the 2000 years of the last days (the church age) their increased intensity and severity will be a sign that Jesus' return is at hand. Just think - record keeping of such things is only about 150-200 years old, so the ability to observe the signs is fairly recent.

Continuing with our parallel comparison between Matthew 24 and Revelation 6, note what happens when the third seal is removed. "When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, 'Come.' I looked and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, 'A quart of wheat for a denarius (a day's wage) and three quarts of barley for a denarius and do not damage the oil and the wine.'" (v. 5-6) This passage is about famine, when a day's portion of basic food will cost a day's wage.

There is a definite chronological order to the Lord's teaching about His second coming in both Matthew (Mark & Luke also) and in Revelation. The reader should never dismiss these teachings as irrelevant of beyond comprehension. Signs are of no use unless they are understood. At the time of Jesus' first advent, there were plenty of signs accompanying His arrival/presence, but the religious people just didn't get it, even though they understood the signs in the sky regarding weather (Matt. 16:1-3) We should be aware of the signs of Jesus' soon return and be prepared.

In closing today, I give you this link www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=51d46156c0a04e571844 to a short video clip that helps bring some of this into perspective. Let tangle know what you think.

Until next time, be encouraged by Christ

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 3

2009-11-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

Last time we ended with a brief look at the arrival of false Christs on the world scene. The Apostle John wrote about such sometime between AD 90-95 when he said: "...and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come..." (1 John 2:18) Remembering Jesus' references to birth pangs and the budding of a fig tree in Matthew 24, we understand that as the time of Jesus' return grows short, these signs will increase in intensity and frequency, and that is exactly what is happening. We also noted how these signs parallel the removal of the seals from the great scroll in Revelation 6.

Now we investigate what we might call the second bud on the fig tree or the removal of seal #2. Jesus says in Matthew 24:6, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." The parallel consistency continues as we read "When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, 'Come!' Then another horse came out, a fiery red one, Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth, and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword."

We live in a day when conflict between nations, the potential for conflict or the rumor of conflict dominate the news. In the last century there were two world wars and several other major conflicts. In the recent decades there have been more localized wars in Bosnia, Somalia, Darfur, Rwanda, and Israel. Nuclear sabres have been rattled by India, Pakistan, North Korea and Iran. In all of these our attention is continually drawn to the Middle-east, with Jerusalem as the epicenter.

Without the assurance that God is in charge, and without the knowledge that His plan of the ages is unfolding on the world stage, such things are cause for alarm. During this holiday time, who wants to think about such things. Maybe they will all just go away and there will be peace n earth, good will among men. There will be peace on earth, but not until the Prince of Peace returns and establishes it. And before that happens, times of stress and hardship will come like never before on planet earth. But Jesus said, "See to it that you are not alarmed."

So while you and I were digesting our turkey and pumpkin pie, the rumors of war were intensifying. Hamas continues to fire rockets into southern Israel from Gaza and Israel retaliates with air strikes. Almost slipping in under the radar, on November 27, 2009, Israeli Air Force Chief Maj. General Ido Nehushtan told a Tel Aviv University audience: "The time for hard decisions is fast approaching," adding, "The scope of security threats to Israel is very complex and we must prepare for all exigencies."

These "hard decisions" are viewed by experts as having to choose between striking Iran's ballistic missile bases or the missiles pointing at Israel from Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, as well as dealing with hostile ships facing Israel from a fifth direction, the Mediterranean. A two week joint exercise between Israel and the US in the beginning of November revealed that Israel would be incapable of extending total security to its missile bases, airfields, strategic sites and its civilian population if facing a coordinated strike from all five directions.

There is much speculation about whether Israel would make a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, and whether the US would support her. Strangely enough, the Bible seems to suggest that a coordinated attack from the north of Israel and from Iran (Persia) will occur first. Ezekiel 38 - 39 describe a cataclysmic attack against Israel. God intervenes in this battle, destroying Israel's enemies with confusion, natural and supernatural disaster. As you read these chapters, much of the language sounds like an ancient attempt to describe a limited nuclear war.

As we close this installment, I should point out that the means with which God brings this war to a shortened conclusion, are some of the same signs we shall explore in the next edition. So the birth pangs will continue, and the fig tree will continue to bud. Ultimately there will be two types of responses to such events: 1) Those joyously awaiting the return of Christ will stand, looking up as their redemption draws near, 2) Others' hearts will fail them for fear of things to come. It's time to take inventory - to which group do you belong?

Academy Witness

2009-11-24T15:15:00.000-08:00

Jim Pouillon, a strong defender of the pre-born, was gunned down last September, as he stood (as he had for over 20 years) as a pro-life witness near the local high school in Owasso, MI. Today, November 24th was declared by Jim's friends as "Jim Pouillon Memorial High School Witness Day." Across the country, pro-life Christians (to call oneself a Christian and not be pro-life is a gross oxymoron) assembled peacefully in front of high schools as witnesses to many things, including: the sanctity of life from conception to natural death; the sanctity of marriage as between one man and one woman; the sanctity of sex, only within the bonds of marriage; and the saving grace of God as demonstrated in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Norwich Free Academy, a privately endowed high school with a college-like campus, which has served as the local/area high school since 1854, was not without a witness today. This morning between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM, the theology of the church became the biography of the street as a few committed souls braved the damp chill and the police restrictions, and handed out over 400 pieces of literature containing the truth of God's Word.

Because of abusive solicitation by many groups, including drug dealers, bar and strip club owners, etc. the school had struck a "license agreement" with the city of Norwich that the otherwise public sidewalk that surrounds two borders of the campus, and a small green directly in front of the main entrance would be treated as school property (and subject to its solicitation rules). Consequently, at 7:00 AM we had to push back another 100 feet and could no longer access students disembarking their buses.

There were two blessings in this. The head of security at NFA is a retired Norwich police officer and a deacon in the Catholic, known by me from my days in the insurance business. He bent over backwards to explain the rule to us and how it came to pass, and how it applied to everyone. He got the police Captain on the phone, who's wife used to work for me and whose sister has been in my church small group for years. He happens to be a strong believer, and went through the whole explanation, rather apologetically. Of course we cooperated quickly and fully. Now for the blessings.

In our new location we were able to interact only with students approaching the school on foot from the west. Quickly I found myself talking with a young lady (we now had time to talk instead of just handing out literature to kids on the fly). Because i was standing near our box of resources, I was able to give her a DVD entitled "Judgment Day: are Your Ready?" I told her that she was the only one to get one of these this morning, to which she responded, "I must be special." My immediate response was, "From God's perspective, you're very special." Immediately her countenance softened, her eyes glistened as she whispered, "Thank you." That moment alone made the morning worthwhile.

The second blessing was to return home and find an e-mail from the police Captain, in which he

thanked me for our group's cooperation, and closed with this statement: "It is a shame such rules need to be in place these days, however I do understand the need and felt you did as well. God's Word and the power of His love will be heard in spite of any regulation or distance."

Thank God for a wonderful opportunity to be Ambassadors for Jesus. God bless NFA, its administration, faculty and students; and God bless the men and women of the Norwich PD.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 2

2009-11-21T07:01:00.000-08:00

As I write this second installment, I find myself greatly challenged by the words at the close of Part 1: "Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless." (2 Peter 3:14) I am so glad that the way I am to be found by Him is not dependent solely on my efforts, but that the key is to be found in Him.

Thank God that's settled, and I hope that you can say the same thing because you are in Him (Christ). There have certainly been enough things unfolding on the world scene this past week to upset anyone's peace. I'm so glad that the peace Jesus offers is separate and distinct from the peace which the world offers (John 14:27). I am sitting here in the comfort of a nice home office; my wife is getting a headstart baking Christmas cookies; my 12 year old Lab is sleeping at my feet recovering nicely from surgery and the world seems quite peaceful.

However, I just spent the last hour checking in with some reliable sources who present the news with the insight that comes with a biblical world view. It should come as no surprise that most of that news is not peaceful. In Matthew 24, the first birth pang (also the first bud on the fig tree) which Jesus mentions is deception promulgated by false Christs and those who come in His name. (v. 4-5) Interestingly, when the first seal is opened on the scroll in Revelation 6:1-2 there is revealed the rider on the white horse, marking the arrival of The False Christ. Three clues as to who he is are in his appearance: 1) he rides a white horse - Jesus the true Christ rides a white horse in Rev. 19; 2) he has a bow with no arrows which represents conquest, but not by brute force at this point; and 3) he is given a crown, which represents authority.

Today, false Christs are everywhere. Just look at some of the things proposed by large religious bodies (which represent authority) this past week, plus one example of a person suffering, in the church, because she repented of sin.

1) The World Council of Churches has endorsed and has urged all of its members to the Climate Change Council meeting in Copenhagen, December 8-13. There is a treaty proposed by this council, which President Obama appears to be in favor of. If it is signed by the USA, this would go a long way towards the loss of our national sovereignty.

2) The National Council of Churches USA and World Church Service has noted that God has called them together to proclaim the gospel and restore justice to the world. The concern here is that this is just a further advancement of the social gospel and a slipping away from what Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20.

3) The Mormon Church surprisingly endorsed 2 ordinances passed by the Salt Lake City Council, making it illegal to discriminate against gays in housing and employment.

4) Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood director who became so troubled by the sin of abortion during the 40 Days for Life Campaign that she quit her job and has become a pro-life spokesperson has come under heavy fire from an unexpected source - her own St. Francis Episcopal Church.

Those are just four of many signs in just one week, all pertaining to the first birth pang and the first bud on the fig tree. Jesus, in his long-suffering grace is calling the church to repentance and to be restored to her first love.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15)

Until next time........be encouraged by Christ

BIRTH PANGS AND FIG TREES

2009-11-14T07:10:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first of a several part dissertation under this title. While my thoughts and conclusions are my own, I can take credit for none of them. First, credit goes to the Lord Jesus Christ who birthed in me a hunger for His Word, accompanied by an ability to know and understand it. (Both of these are works in progress). Secondly, credit goes to the Bible scholars whose published works have been tools in the hands of the Holy Spirit to bring nurture to these processes. Among these are Marv Rosenthal, author of The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church and Ryan Habbena, author of The Parable of the Fig Tree. Both of these gentlemen have graciously granted me permission to reference their works.

In Luke 24:27, We read that Jesus expounded to the two Emmaus Road travelers everything from the writings of Moses and the prophets concerning Himself. Jesus is the pre-eminent and central figure of all of Scripture. With that in mind, when it comes to a prophetic description of what the end-times or last days will look like, I believe that we should, first of all, hear and understand to words of Jesus. From there, we can go to other parts of Scripture and discover how they build foundational truths upon the chief cornerstone.

Matthew 24 and 25 are labeled by many scholars as the Olivet discourse, because this is where Jesus was sitting when he delivered this significant teaching. In red-letter editions of the Bible, Matthew 24:4b - 25:46 are all red-letter, meaning that these are the recorded words of Jesus Himself. This is truly the "Word of the Lord."

In this discourse, Jesus speaks three rather lengthy, and important parables, which take up the entirety of Matthew 25. (We will refer to them in detail in later postings.) In this first edition, I want to bring your attention to two parabolic statements Jesus makes in Matthew 24. In verse 8, after listing some signs of the end of the age, Jesus says, "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs." In verses 32-33, After Jesus has described that which will take place in the middle of Daniel's 70th week and following - leading right up to a description of His glorious second coming, Jesus says: "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and put forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door."

Jesus is speaking clearly of signs that shall be visible on the earth. He speaks of signs in nature and signs of persecution, betrayal, false prophets, false Christs, great deception and apostasy (falling away from genuine faith). The parables tell us that these signs will proceed in two ways. First, they will be like birth pangs. A woman's pregnancy could be compared to Jesus words, which when spoken are a surety of things to come. Eventually there comes a time of birth pangs, which increase in both frequency and intensity, followed by hard labor, and ultimately the promised delivery. Second, they will be like the fig tree, indicating a relentless progression from tender shoot, to leaves, and ultimately the promised fruit.

In the next installments we will examine some of those signs in detail, and we will discover how Jesus' Olivet Discourse, truly is the chief cornerstone of the apostles' foundational teaching concerning end-times (eschatology). We will discover that His teaching is definitely for the church, and how our understanding of this is necessary to prepare us to, as Peter said in 2 Peter 3:14 - "Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless."

Until then, be encouraged by Christ.

Les Young is available for teaching/speaking engagements ranging from sermons to day-long seminars. For details and contact information, check www.endtimesencouragement.com

2009-11-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

GO UPSTREAM
Once upon a time, there was a town where a teenager was found drowned in the nearby river. Of course this caused a lot of grief in the close-knit community. Counselors were dispatched, the school was closed. and virtually everyone turned out for the funeral. As people were leaving the cemetery, which was situated near the river, suddenly someone cried out, "There are two in the river; quick, get help!"

With so many people nearby, quickly a few EMS personnel jumped in and pulled the two out. They were also teens and with some timely CPR, both were revived. Unfortunately, they each suffered some loss of brain function. Within the next two weeks, twelve more teens were found floating in the river. Early on a 24/7 watch had been posted along the river so that 11 of the 12 were pulled out in time to prevent death. "What is going on?" was the question on everyone's mind.

At town meetings many proposals came forth, ranging from posting "No Swimming" signs to forming a commission to study the problem, to testing the water and the lunch menu at the high school, to applying for a federal grant for more sophisticated rescue equipment. Finally, one man posed the question that stopped everyone in their tracks. "Why don't we go upstream and and see what is pushing these kids in the water."

40 Days for Life just finished. Over 500 babies were spared gruesome torture and murder at the hands of the abortionists and their mothers were spared a lifetime of sorrow. One Planned Parenthood director in Texas quit her job and had a profound conversion to Christ after seeing an ultrasound. Praise God! At the same time a last minute effort is being waged by a Pro-Life confederation called "Stop the Abortion Mandate" calling for people to contact their congressmen this week. The radical Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, is doing all she can to stop even a vote on the Stupak-Hipps amendment to HB 3962. This amendment would prohibit federal funding for abortion in any health care reform. Because of a complicated scheme in the House, what is needed is a NO vote on the Rule.

I applaud all of these efforts, and i have participated in all of them. At the same time, I equate this activity to pulling kids out of the river. The church needs to go upstream and vigorously support the truth of God's Word. This has to be done by our actions as well as our words. Less passive entertainment; diligence to discern the spirit of the world operating in education, media, and even in some church activities. The gospel must be preached in word and deed, seriously, consistently, continuously. When we do that, the Holy Spirit is free to change hearts - upstream.

Revival and Patriotism

2009-10-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

If I were to tell you that true revival and patriotism don't mix, you might want to tar and feather me. All I ask is that you hear me out before reacting too radically. There is nothing that stirs my soul quite like the phrase "God and Country." I grieve over the things that have happened in our beloved United States of America over the past 45-50 years, especially as I observe the haste with which we seem to be slipping into an abyss of immorality and godlessness. I'm sure many of you feel the same way.

I have viewed a number of blogs, websites and articles that suggest the only way to bring America back to her righteous foundation is for revival to happen. This is a message to the church in America and many influential people from the religious/conservative side are urging her to awaken and enjoy her finest hour. I echo that message, but I depart from it in one critical area. I honestly believe that the USA may have gone beyond the point of no return. In that respect, I can identify with Jeremiah as he prophesied to and wept over his beloved Jerusalem. So much of the talk about revival seems connected to a restoration of America.

The subtlety here is that many Christians would like to see America return to righteous foundations so that along with their Christianity, they might enjoy the American culture of prosperity, entertainment and excess. Steve Gallagher, in his book Intoxicated With Babylon states, "One of our primary problems as American Christians is that we allow the mores of our society to influence our lives more than God." He goes on to say, "We have been systematically indoctrinated to pursue the 'American Dream' with all our might while failing to recognize that the spirit of kosmos is driving our pursuit.

Kosmos is the transliteration of a Greek word meaning, "order, arrangement, adornment" of the earth and the human race. This order has an age, or period of time (Greek = aion)in which Satan functions as god (2 Corinthians 4:4) We American Christians are cautioned to not become or remain too enamored with the kosmos during this aion. Right now, so many huge decisions are being made and formulated in the seats of power which make absolutely no sense, even beyond the fact that they defy God's moral Law. How can this be?

2 Thessalonians says that as we move ever closer to the age of the Antichrist that God would send those who do not love the truth so as to be saved a powerful delusionso that they will believe the lie. It's already started. And God will allow our faith to be tried and tested like gold in the refiner's fire that it might prove to be genuine. Do we love Christianity plus the toys, or do we love Christ enough to depart from any cultural pattern that interferes with the life of sacrificial love which Christ commands us to live?

I believe that the days ahead will reveal each one's answer to that question more than any rhetoric ever could. May we each commit to shutting down the world's avenues of infiltrating and indoctrinating our minds. May God make it crystal clear what each of us should do to separate from kosmos, that our lives might be hidden with Christ in God.

One World Government

2009-10-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_RkHOnBmjY

Regardless of your personal views on the environment and global warming, please view the above and then see how it might fit into an end-times scenario, the surface of which is scratched below.

The subject of a one-world government has been of interest to secularists and Bible students alike for centuries. It was the goal of the government's depicted in the book of Daniel by the huge statue and the four beasts. In more recent times it has been the goal of Napoleon and Hitler. Currently it seems to be the goal of an unseen force, at work behind the scenes in many venues around the world. Of course the Bible makes it clear that at some time in history an ambitious world ruler would appear on the scene and cause havoc for a short season.

I have been saying for years that a strong United States of America, with a strong economy and a strong military would be one of the greatest deterrents to any attempt at establishing a one-world government. If you are like me it breaks your heart to see that in 40 years this country has ripped prayer and public display of Christian faith from the public square; has engaged in acts of legalized genocide resulting in the deaths of more than 50 million of our most vulnerable and innocent citizens; and has launched a wholesale attack against the most sacred building block of any society - the family. That which is evil is now being called good and vice versa, and we've become a nation that no longer knows how to blush.

Our abandonment of God has now gone so far as to cause the abandonment of our Constitution (which was based on godly and biblical principles) to take place, now at breakneck speed. All of this has resulted in many warning shots being fired across our bow. Christian journalist, Bill Koenig (http://www.watch.org/) wrote a book a few years ago cataloguing the fact that judgment of some kind or another (environmental of economic) has been visited upon us every time we (the USA, by it's government) did something to promote the GLBT agenda; or did something to push Israel to give up her God-given land. He has continued to keep tabs since the book was published.

Our economy was turned upside down overnight last year. The stock market has made some recovery, but jobs are still being lost. The federal deficit for the year ending October 1, 2009 was 1.4 trillion! The government wants to take over 1/6 of our remaining economy via Health Care Reform. And now there is cap and trade and the Copenhagen treaty as seen in the video link above. Do you see a link between our nation's slide into a moral cesspool and her growing weakness?

I know we are called to pray for our nation (2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Timothy 2:1-3) and i would encourage everyone to do that. But please do not fail to pray for yourselves and for the church, that we might endure till the end, and thus be saved (Matthew 10:22, 24:13). "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

P.S. If anyone gets a chance, read Larry Burkett's book "The Thor Conspiracy" You will be amazed at how prophetic Larry was 15 years ago, as he envisioned a USA whose army and law enforcement agencies were all wrapped up in one - the EPA.

The Mark of the Beast

2009-10-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

October 16, 2009

In Revelation 13:16-17 it states that he (the second beast, also known as the false prophet) causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. In this writing I am not going to speculate just what the mark is or when when it is coming. Rather I want to warn you about something that could be a type of the mark of the beast.

What I am talking about is any one of the radical health care reform measures before the congress actually becoming the law of the land. As it stands now, not one of the bills contains language that would prevent taxpayer funding of abortion on demand. If such a provision is part of any bill that becomes law, where does that leave you and me and our Christian witness? Acts 1:8 was originally written in the Greek language, and when Jesus said that we should be witnesses for him, the Greek word was martus or martur, from which we get our English word "martyr." I don't know about you, but I cannot, I will not knowingly help pay for the murder of innocent, pre-born babies.

During the 40 Days for Life here at Planned Parenthood in Norwich, there have been at least two women who have changed their mind, deciding to NOT abort, but to carry their babies full term. It was my privilege today to deliver a crib, mattress and all the fixings to a center that will be holding baby showers for these two women soon, lavishing them with lots of the stuff they will need, but most importantly with the love of Christ. That was so easy; no martyrdom (as we understand the word) involved.

Later today at the bank, the teller (a vivacious young lady, married with a baby and a golden retriever) noticed the name of my ministry on the account and just started opening up about the state of the world and how she is really concerned (like the new movie portrays) that something drastic is going to happen in 2012. This allowed me to share with her that yes, some drastic things are coming on the earth. We don't know whether 2012 is significant, but the days are drawing near. Things will increase in frequency and intensity, like the pains of a woman in labor. I pointed out to her that a battle of cosmic proportions is looming, but there is encouragement: 1) we can know which side will win, 2) we can join the winning side. She was pointed to Christ and to my website, http://www.endtimesencouragement.com/ Please pray for Erin (name changed for privacy).

Back to the Mark of the Beast. All Christ-followers need to start preparing themselves now, to live in righteousness and holiness; hiding the Word of God in their hearts, that they might be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might when those days arrive. This is so important because a chapter later, in Revelation 14:9-10 it says that anyone who worships the beast and who receives his mark will also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, mixed with the full strength of His anger, and thus be forever tormented.

1 John 4:4 "Greater is He that is within us than He that is in the world" must become a daily reality to us, not just a slogan to get happy about during a pleasant time of praise. What God gives us is His gift to us; how we work it and use it is our gift back to Him. So be encouraged. Start training. Jeremiah 12:5 (NIV) 5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? The secret is to wait upon (serve) the Lord; then you shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

2009-08-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

“Jehovah Rophe”
August 17, 2009

Thank God He reveals Himself by His names, and in Exodus 15:26 He reveals Himself as “Jehovah-Rophe” or “I, the Lord, am your healer.” For quite some time now, health-care reform has been a hotly debated topic. During this August Congressional recess, town meetings are taking place around the nation, mostly in an attempt to promote reform.

There is certainly much in the present system that begs for reform. I happen to be on Medicare, and I have good supplemental policies through AARP. For two months, beginning February 27, 2009 I was afflicted with kidney stones. Most of that time the pain was well managed, and it was mostly a disrupted schedule (for numerous out-patient surgeries and follow-up visits, and X-rays) that had to be born. Eventually the stones were removed and normal life/health were restored.

A couple of weeks ago I received two big envelopes in the mail: one a summary of everything paid by Medicare, the other a summary of everything paid by AARP. The good news is that I will probably pay little or nothing out of pocket. That’s cause for rejoicing, no? Actually, it’s “yes” and “no.”

I am glad that the problem is gone and that I suffered no out-of-pocket expense. On the other hand, I am greatly saddened by the fact that something as relatively simple as a kidney stone cost over $32,000 to cure. That money had to come from somewhere. Even if the Federal Reserve just printed it, the result would be an ultimate devaluation of every dollar in circulation.

So here I am, healed and not driven into financial ruin, and still saying that the Health Care system in this country has many serious defects. Did you know that well in excess of $500 was paid out in my behalf so that I could get $7.00 worth of pain medication? That was because the prescription request had to be processed through the hospital emergency room. That’s a problem. I could point out several other similar atrocities revealed in my benefit summaries, but I won’t; rather I would like to point you to a solution.

In the end-times economy prophesied in the Bible, no true follower of Christ will be able to get standard health care, be able to pay for insurance or medications, or even be able to purchase food in the normal fashion. The Bible declares:

Revelation 13:16-17 (NIV) 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
I believe it would be unwise to think that that could never happen to us, here in the USA. I can see no biblical reason why we would be exempt. But it is not all bad news. This may well be the time for the church to get serious about her faith and her Savior, who is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

Matthew 8:16-17 (NIV) 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."
Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV) 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Mark 16:17-18 (NIV) 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Healing will not be permanent until we live forever in divine health in our new resurrection bodies. But before that time comes, I believe the true church will rise up and be the true church, just like in Acts 2. There will be no selfishness, no grandstanding and no sideshows – just the people of God sharing what they have, whether it is material possessions or spiritual gifts.

Reform is needed, but probably more in the church than anywhere else. As we pray for the return of the Lord, let us pray that we, the church, might be ready to be presented to Him without spot or blemish or any such thing. This church, the need not depend on the governments of men; we have everything we need that pertains to life and godliness.

Be encouraged in Christ, no matter which direction the political winds blow.

Les Younghttp://www.endtimesencouragement.com/

The Encouragement of Love

2009-07-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

The three E's of Encouragement for End Times Endurance show up in the logo in such a way as to highlight a cross - a constant reminder that the encouragement needed to help us endure the end times flows from the cross of Jesus Christ. The three E's are also a reminder of the purpose of this ministry:

Encourage - because we all need it, especially now.

Endure - because we are naturally weak and by our human nature seek the path of least resistance.

End Times - because there are so many scoffers who scoff at the 4 things pointed out in 2 Peter 3 - 1) creation, 2) the flood, 3) the second coming of Christ, 4) judgment.

A friend sent me an e-mail full of a lot of cute pictures of little kids and their pets. At the end of the photo gallery was a statement: "Within the heart of every stray lies a singular desire to be loved." I think Solomon had something like this in mind when he wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God has placed eternity in the heart of every man. We are all looking to reconnect with God in some way or another, because when we do, we shall be whole again. Without God, we are like strays, looking for a good home, complete with some TLC.

The Good News is that it is available, when we come with child-like faith to the cross of Christ.

The Cross? you may ask.

Indeed. We must first reckon with our sins the same way God did. It's ugly, brutal and bloody, but that's the only way. I'm sure most of us would prefer just to be able to put our hand in the hand of the man who stilled the waters, and keep walking our merry way, but that's not possible.

The way of the Master is "the other way." We have to turn around from the way we've been going, loving the world and all that is in the world and turn to Him. He loves us and He welcomes one and all who come by way of the cross.

Knowing that will help you to endure whatever comes your way.

STAY TUNED for more words of encouragement, or check us out on the web at http://www.endtimesencouragement.com/

2009-06-17T14:16:00.000-07:00

Les Young, Director http://www.endtimesencouragement.com/
(860) 376-5278 pastorles@comcast.net

June 17, 2009

“In the Twinkling of an Eye”

Most people connect that phrase from the Bible with the rapture, and rightly so. 1 Corinthians 15:52 (NKJV) 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Leading up to that moment in time, “things” will happen on planet earth with ever-increasing intensity and frequency. Needless to say, this will include some amazing events seemingly take place almost instantaneously, right before our eyes. It’s not that these things won’t be accompanied by signs, and it’s not that after they take place they won’t evoke a hind-sightful “Aha!” It will be like the expecting couple that went through nine months of physical and hormonal change, viewing their precious baby in those first few minutes following delivery and exclaiming. “I can’t believe it! He (she) is really here.”
On Sunday, June 14th I concluded my message (Part 1 of “The Order of Revelation”) in Revelation 11. The first two verses state: Revelation 11:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
I was sharing how this seems to paint a vivid picture of a reconstructed (albeit down-sized) temple in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount, as it is today. It also paints a picture of a divided or internationally controlled Jerusalem. Later in the day, I was wondering whether recent events in Israel actually portray a climate that is moving away from such an eventuality. Then, two days later I received this news from Jerusalem:
ISRAEL'S PM CALLS FOR DEMILITARIZED PALESTINIAN STATE: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel could accept a peace agreement with a "demilitarized Palestinian state" as its neighbor. In his first speech accepting the concept of a two-state solution for the Middle East conflict, Netanyahu set rigid conditions for moving forward. Among them: unequivocal Palestinian recognition of Israel as the Jewish national state with Jerusalem as its capital and full demilitarization for a Palestinian state. Netanyahu said: "Above all else, the Palestinians must decide between the path of peace and the path of Hamas. The Palestinian Authority will have to establish the rule of law in Gaza and overcome Hamas. Israel will not sit at the negotiating table with terrorists who seek their destruction." (CNN, June 16, 2009)

It appears that the USA, pressured by the Saudis, in turn pressured Israel to take steps towards a peace agreement or face the possibility of lessening support. So, hard-line, right-wing Israeli PM Netanyahu has taken a step. Admittedly, it has not been well received by the PA or Hamas, or the EU for that matter, but a step has been taken. And sometimes a step, or even a quantum leap, can happen “in the twinkling of an eye.”

Encouraged by the Promise of His Coming,

Les Young

Jerusalem, A Cup of Trembling

2009-06-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

www.endtimesencouragement.com

June 9, 2009

Jerusalem has been labeled as the "epicenter" in Joel Rosenberg's book by the same title. The prophet Zechariah calls the city a "cup of trembling" and a "burdensome stone" in Zechariah 12:2-3. The Apostle John declares that the court outside the (rebuilt) temple and the holy city (Jerusalem) will be given unto the Gentiles and it shall be trampled underfoot for 42 months. (Revelation 11:1-2)

In 2003, Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia proposed a new peace plan which "promised normal relations" with Israel. In 2003, the U.S. administration unveiled a new plan for peace in the Middle East, known simply as "The Road Map." Both the Saudi plan and the Road Map included the so-called "two-state solution" and a divided Jerusalem, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the new Palestinian state. Had either of these two plans followed their original timetable, the matter would be history by the space of four years. Instead the conflict and the rhetoric continue.

Just yesterday, JNN News (www.visionforisrael.com )reported:

SAUDIS: US MUST CUT AID IF ISRAEL DOES NOT AGREE TO PEACE TERMS: Saudi Arabian FM Prince Saud al-Faisal said last week, following Obama’s Cairo speech, the US should cut off all aid to Israel if the Jewish state does not accept the terms of the 2002 Saudi Peace Plan. He also made it clear the only concession the Arab world can make to Israel is diplomatic recognition, meaning all other terms of the Saudi peace initiative are non-negotiable. The Saudi Peace Plans calls for the 22-member Arab League to recognize Israel as a country, but not necessarily as a Jewish state, on condition that it surrender all of Judea, Samaria and Gaza, including numerous neighborhoods in Jerusalem and the Old City, where the proposed PA state would be headquartered.

The pressure is building. President Obama is more insistent than his predecessor that Israel stop construction in the West Bank and give up land for the formation of a Palestinian state. Now with the demands of oil-rich Saudi Arabia being raised again, who knows where this will lead. Bible prophecy students know that it will lead to a temporary peace and the rebuilding of the Jewish temple, but how convoluted the process may be to that point......well, just keep your eyes on the Word of God and the City of God......as we "look forward to the day of God and speed its coming" (2 Peter 3:12),

Pastor Les

The Ten Toes

2009-06-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

In the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream about a collosal image with a head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron and feet of both iron and clay. When Daniel interprets the dream, each part of the colossus represents a world kingdom; gold = Babylon, silver = Medo-Persia, bronze = Greece, iron = Rome. The feet of iron and clay depict a kingdom yet future from our perspective, made up of a mixture of iron (the old Roman Empire) and clay. Daniel comments that "they will not adhere to one another."

Here is a thought for you to ponder, especially in light of President Obama's visit to the Middle East and Europe. Could it be that the mixture of iron and clay represents a coalition between the revived Roman Empire (now Europe, and the EU) and Islam? The way things are going, it certainly seems possible. President Obama's combined trip is symbolic of that possibility; and the changing demographics of Europe point towards such a probability.

And what could it be that would cause these two dissimilar elements to be joined together? Could it be a common goal of forcing Israel into an exchange of land for peace deal? What interesting times we live in. As the prophetic scene unfolds, take courage in the fact that God is in charge and that all man who choose can access His grace to obtain strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

For more insight and encouragement, please visit my website at http://www.endtimesencouragement.com/

God bless,

Les Young