Month: February 2021

NOT OF THIS WORLD

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

A Paradox:  A statement that seems to contradict itself but may nonetheless be true; A person, thing, or situation that exhibits inexplicable or contradictory aspects; A statement that is self-contradictory or logically untenable, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.

God gave this world a second chance after He destroyed it with The Great Deluge (a.k.a., Noah’s flood).  God judged and destroyed everything on the earth because He was sorry He had made mankind as everyone had become wicked, doing evil all the time.

This “Greatest of all Resets” was intended to give one righteous man and his family the task of repopulating the earth.  However, since “the heart of man is wicked” it has only been a matter of time before man’s deeds, again, became evil.

God’s intention and work of judging wickedness and removing evil from the earth and from the heart of man has not changed, however.  Jesus and His Word tell us that we as Christians are in this world to influence this world for God and His purposes, we are not to be part of this world.

Jesus went on to explain that we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and that our light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus also warns that if it seems like the world hates you, just remember that it hated Jesus first.  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are not part of the world because Jesus chose you to come out of the world, and, that is why this world will hate you.

Finally, do you remember that Jesus told us, a slave is not greater than the master.  So,  since they persecuted Him, naturally they will persecute you.

If those of the world had listened to Jesus, then, they would listen to you, too.  But, they won’t listen to you because of Jesus; and, they reject the One who sent Him.”  (Paraphrase John 15:18-21)

AND, WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?

  1. Jesus says, in Matthew 10:16

(a)  “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves.

WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?

(b)  Matthew 10:17 tells us, “But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; Verse 18.  And you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. Verse 19.  But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour.  Verse 20.  For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.

  1. Matthew 10:1, Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and

WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?

(a)  gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

(b) Verse 7.  And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

(c)  Verse 8.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

(d)  Verse 9.  Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, Verse 10.  or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support.

(e)  Verse 11.  And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. Verse 12.  As you enter the house, give it your greeting. Verse 13.  If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?

(f)  Matthew 10:14 tells us, “And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Verse 15.  Truly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.”

 WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?

  1. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Verse 19.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Verse 20. teaching them to follow all that I commanded you;

WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?

…and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Since this is so, why are so many ‘Christians’ drawing near to the world, following and adopting their methods?  (You and I need to answer this question).

Follow this link  to “Got Questions” But Not of This World.

The day of His return is drawing near.  We can not be standing idly by, watching and waiting.  We have been called and sent to GO and to DO!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Click this link to go to “Not of This World, Part 2”

Scripture references:

John 17:11 ¶  “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.

12  “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

13  “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.

14  “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15  “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.

16  “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 ¶  “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

18  “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

19  “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

20 ¶  “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

21  that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

22  “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;

23  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

John 15:18 ¶  “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

19  “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

20  “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

21  “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

 

A CALLING or a CULT?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The title sounds ominous, doesn’t it?  It is a warning!

The message and ministry of the Western Postmodern church has become blurred.  Let’s look back, so we can look forward.

AD 1  –  The Church of Jesus Christ, the Body of Christ, had no buildings, little money and no wealth.  At that time, the Church was a Movement.

Jesus said to make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.

The penalty for becoming a Christian was often death. Still, the Church grew exponentially.

AD 49  –  The Church expanded into Greece. The Church became a philosophy to many. The Church grew and size and influence.

AD 313  –  The Church expanded into Rome and it gained recognition. It grew in power and popularity. It obtained wealth, buildings, property and influence. It became an institution.

AD 380  –  The Church expanded into Europe. It was becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It grew in wealth, stature, power and influence. It had become a culture.

AD 1607  –  The Church reaches America.

AD 1681  –  The Church became corporate. It had become a business and incorporated. It became regulated by the government.

Now, There are so many ‘church leaders’ who lust for attention and authority that they will embrace cult-like church environments to obtain their cravings.  Thereby, the spread of the Gospel is stunted by the very ones called to spread it.

Likewise, there are many pastors who crave success to the extent they demand obedience to their programs in order to obtain their quest.  They mistakenly believe that “If we build it, they will come”.  And many pastors demand allegiance to the man-made order in their church polity and programs for their own satisfaction and peace and quiet.  And the Gospel is held hostage by those few.

But, here is how Jesus describes the work of the Gospel:

Jesus refers to His ministry as “The Threshing Floor”.  Luke 3:17  “His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”  A messy and often violent place. 

Hardly like the, “seeker friendly” postmodern church.

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This was written to Jesus’ disciples then and now, for all the ages.  This is written to you and to me.

Jesus did not say “Go, to church therefore, and listen to a sermon, sing some songs, make some coffee, greet people at the doors, hand out bulletins, invite your friends to church, and leave the work of the Gospel to a sermon.”

Read these following verses and ask yourself what they are telling each Christian to do:

1 Peter 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE,

AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” 7This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers,

“A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,

THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,” 8 and,

“A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.

9 But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

This is written to and for all Christians for all the ages.  It does not say you are being appointed as an altar prayer team or to the church security team or hospitality team.  You are living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

You are not a member of a 501(c)(3) religious organization or a church subcommittee.  But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

 2 Timothy 4:1 I  solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.

This was written to Timothy as a minister of the Gospel as the template for all who would follow Jesus.  We are not called to speak strange messages (glossalia) to the congregation  or to become fund raisers or busy ourselves with entertaining the congregation to the abandonment of preaching the word.

 2 Timothy 4:5 But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

The Church bulletin says we need parking lot attendants, janitors, kid’s choir helpers, nursery attendants, greeters, kitchen workers, bus drivers, etc., and we do need them to run the organization.  And the Bible says, But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

 2 Peter 1:3  For His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust. 5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

https://whitestone2020.com/the-false-church-emerges/

https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/18/church-or-cult/

GOOD NEWS, INDEED

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

I have just read a post by a psychologist discussing ‘attachment based therapy’ which essentially has to do with the ‘epidemiological categories of attachment’ including the identification of the attachment styles such as being secure, anxious, ambivalent and disorganized/disoriented) with an analysis and understanding of how dysfunctional attachments are acted out in adult life.

In other words, trauma suffered in early life can and does cause stress, anxiety, disorganized and disoriented thinking and behavior, etc., later in life.  So, many of us suffer low self-esteem anxieties, self condemnation, shame, guilt and self loathing.

Well, doctor psychologist, the Bible is about 2,000 years ahead of you on this one!

GOOD NEWS, INDEED

There is now, no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do:  He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have, and in that Body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

PEACE & LIFE

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.  But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

As a Christian – a follower of Jesus – you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)  And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. (paraphrase of Romans 8:1-14)

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

How can this be possible?  How can you attain to a healthy and optimistic outlook in life, full of purpose and hope?

Listen, friends and loved ones, there is a way.  The simple answer is “through Jesus Christ”.  But, there is surrender that must take place.  Then there is the process of following Him and being changed, transformed into His likeness.  It takes time, and you must cooperate, even pursue Him and this greatest gift, with all diligence.  Then it will happen!

And, Strange as it may seem, there exists a Power that is able to transform your life so thoroughly, so radically, so completely, that when the process is completed your own friends would hardly recognize you, and, in fact, you would scarcely be able to recognize yourself.

You might even have to ask yourself, “Can I really be that man or that woman who went about under my name before?”


You are, in one sense the same person, but in another sense, you will have become someone utterly different.

This intensely real Power, can pick you up today – right now – from the midst of loneliness, failure, ruin, misery, despair or any difficulty, and begin to solve your problems, smooth out your difficulties, cut you free from entanglements and place you clear, safe and happy upon the highroad of freedom and opportunity.

It has the ability to lift you out of an invalid’s bed and make you sound and well. 

It can free you to go and shape your life as it should be.  “It can throw open the prison door and liberate the captive.

It has a healing balm for the bruised and broken heart.

This Power can teach you all things you need to know, if only you are receptive and teachable.

It can inspire you with new thoughts and ideas, so that your life’s work may be truly original, meaningful and lasting.

It can impart new and wonderful kinds of knowledge, as soon as you really want such knowledge – glorious knowledge – strange things not taught in schools or written in books.

It can find your true place in life, and put you into it, too.

It can find the right friends for you, kindred spirits who are interested in the same ideas and want the same things that you do.

 

This Power, as it is rightly called, is the Gospel of Jesus implanted in the heart and mind of a fully surrendered, completely devoted disciple of Jesus.

 

So, I say, TAKE THE LEAP!  You have everything to gain!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

https://whitestone2020.com/separated-from-god/
 
https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/09/taking-the-leap/

THE FINAL TRUMPET

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

When does the “Great & Terrible Day of The Lord” and the 7 years of the Great Tribulation begin?

Knowing when the season of the tribulation can help you know when the Great Tribulation begins, so you can be ready.   This can be a great mystery, but, it need not be.  Here is a video and the Tribulation Timeline, in summary:

A.1. The opening of Tribulation Seal ONE began between AD 60 and AD 100, and perhaps as early as AD1.  

This is confirmed by Jesus and several Apostles in

One of the first, most accurate, and most persistent advocates of the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church can be found at Zion’s Hope, with videos on this site. Finally, in this 21st century, there are a few prominent Bible teachers who are now arriving at this same conclusions (John Piper, and Corrie Ten Boom) Here is a continuing list of Famines: A list of global famines (link)

Seals ONE through FIVE have been broken, progressively, up until this day. We are now standing at the precipice of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.

A.2. With the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal we will see that THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 & Revelation 6:12-16)

A.3. Sometime after the rapture of the church, which occurs at the 6th Seal, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation.

 A.4. At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.

 A.5. At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.

 A.6. During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt, and the earth is restored.

 A.7. During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.

 A.8. The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).

(Below here is a more complete description of the Tribulation Timeline. Concern yourself with the first SIX SEALS.)

B.1. The ‘tribulation period of birth pangs‘ (Matthew 24:8 & Revelation 6) begins with the breaking of the 1st Tribulation Seal and continues through the 5th Tribulation Seal, during which time we will see the

  • Apostasy,
  • the great persecution of Christians,
  • the revealing of the man of perdition and
  • the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and her enemies.

The 1st Seal of the tribulation was being broken just after the death and resurrection of Christ and the succeeding seals (Seals 2 – 5) have been broken at various periods of time since AD 1 and that we have now entered the time of the breaking 5th Tribulation Seal. Jesus refers to this period, the breaking of the tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE as “the beginning of the birth pangs”, and He points out that “this is not yet the end”.

B.2. Then, with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal of, THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD, THE GREAT TRIBULATION, BEGINS. (Matthew 24:29, & Revelation 6:12)

As witnessed by, Matthew 24:29  “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 31 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

B.3. The “7 years of Great Tribulation” (aka Daniel’s 70th week) begins with the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, will reach the mid-point of the tribulation period, (after 3.5 years) with the sounding of the 6th Trumpet of the Great Tribulation.

B.4. Then, the Great Tribulation will end with the pouring out of the 7 Bowls of Wrath.

The Tribulation Judgments lead to the End of the Age. (This article concerns the first 6 Seals).

Here is a comparison between Jesus’ Words in Matthew and Revelation regarding the first 6 Tribulation Seals:

Revelation Ch. 6 – as corresponding to – Matthew Chapter 24

the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death

the 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away

*The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is the BEGINNING OF the 7 year “GREAT TRIBULATION” period.

The 6th Tribulation Seal  –  Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun

  • The Trumpet
  • The Rapture
  • Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God
  • Sealing of the 144,000

And He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

DO NOT LOVE THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

1 John 2:15  “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

The word for “love” here, is “Agape”.  This word says, do not “Agape” this world or the things in the world. (i.e., do not love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem.) “Agape-love” is the type of love God shows us.  It is reserved for loved ones, those who are most dear to us and affect our minds, will and emotions, those we can barely live without.

If we “Agape” the world then you can be sure, the love of God is not in you.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

First, let’s deal with the (1) ‘desires of the flesh’, the (2) the lust of the eyes and (3) the pride of life. Christians have always been, and will always be, lured by the same three temptations Eve and Jesus experienced. Satan doesn’t change his methods; he doesn’t have to because they continue to be successful. He tempts us with

(1)  The lust of the flesh—sexual gratification, gluttony, excessive alcohol consumption, and drugs, both legal and illegal, as well as the “deeds of the flesh” about which Paul warned the Galatians, “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Galatians 5:19-21).

(2)  The lust of the eyes — the endless accumulation of “stuff” with which we fill our homes and garages and the insatiable desire for more, better, and newer possessions, which ensnares us and hardens our hearts to the things of God.

(3)  The pride of life — the very sin that resulted in Satan’s expulsion from heaven. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God (Isaiah 14:12-15). The arrogant boasting which constitutes the pride of life motivates the other two lusts as it seeks to elevate itself above all others and fulfill all personal desires.

The pride of life is the root cause of is the root cause of strife in families, churches, and nations. It exalts the self in direct contradiction to Jesus’ statement that those who would follow Him must take up their cross (an instrument of death) and deny themselves.

The pride of life stands in our way if we truly seek to be servants of God. It is the arrogance that separates us from others and limits our effectiveness in the kingdom. The pride of life “comes not from the Father, but from the world.” And, as such, it is passing away with the world, but those who resist and overcome the temptation of the pride of life do the will of God, and “the man who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

To honestly and accurately answer this question, have to ask yourself what is most important in your own life?  In other words, what do you emphasize or demand for yourself?  Where do you spend the majority of your time, effort and money?  Do you get your ‘goosebumps’, that is, your greatest pleasures, from beautiful material things and from sensual pleasures?

Are you deeply concerned about what you own or how you look?  Do you spend excessive time climbing the ladder of success?  Are you concerned when people don’t pay attention to you or don’t meet your expectations?  Do you, even unwittingly, give to others with the expectation of getting something back?  As simple and normal as this sounds, the Bible says that these things are not from God, but are from the world.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?

The Bible says we are to give without expecting anything in return.  We, as God’s Children, do good things from the treasures of our heart.  It is God Who repays us. (Proverbs 24:12)

Furthermore, the Bible reminds us that God looks on the inside of a person – our attitude, our intentions, our desires – not on the outside. (Samuel 16:7)  This is our standard.

These verses tell us that the world is passing away and if our attention in on the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life, what we have and what we have done in this life will vanish, it will be burned up like worthless “wood, hay and stubble”.

However, the Bible also tells us that “whoever does the will of God abides forever”.

All of us are affected by the attraction of the world’s pleasures in some way.  Please, let’s pray for one another that we do not stumble and will be found as faithful servants.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Matthew 19:23  “And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 “Again I say to 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.””

Additional resources:

KNOWING AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD.

EXPERIENCING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

THE SIXTH TRIBULATION SEAL

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this audio podcast as you read along, and, you can stop the audio to follow links on this page, then resume the audio when you are ready)

THE SIXTH TRIBULATION SEAL

(See New Video Below).

Identifying the eschatological timeline of THE LAST DAYS and what may have already occurred, can help us identify the “season” we are now in and the urgency of our day.

OUTLINE OF THE TRIBULATION SEALS – Seal 1 through Tribulation Seal 7

The 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue,
The 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War,
The 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine,
The 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death,
The 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away.

(We have already entered the 5th tribulation Seal and are only waiting for the revealing of the Antichrist before the 6th Seal is broken – the beginning of The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, aka, The Great Tribulation period).

The 6th Tribulation Seal

Revelation 6:12  “When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, verse 13 .  and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. verse 14. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. verse 15. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, verse 16. calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, verse 17.  for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

The 6th Tribulation Seal  – During the 6th Seal the world will see Cosmic disturbances, a blood moon, the sun darkened

  • Sealing of the 144,000
  • The Rapture
  • Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God

The breaking of The 6th Tribulation Seal is the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel, which are the final 7 years of the great Tribulation. (The 7th Trumpet is the mid-point or 3.5 years)

We are on the verge of seeing one of the greatest outpourings of the Holy Spirit since the Day of Pentecost, as foretold by the Apostle Peter:

Acts 2:14  “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. Verse 15. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

Verse 16 . But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

Verse 17.  “And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;

Verse 18.  “even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

Verse 19.  “And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

Verse 20.  “the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

Verse 21. “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“

Get Ready.  Stay Ready.  It is beginning!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

MORE resources on this matter:

The Rapture Revealed.

The 5th tribulation seal.

Am I Really Seeing What I Think I am Seeing.

When Does the 7 Years Begin?

The Last Days.

THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

An Aesop’s children’s story tells of an ant and a grasshopper. The ant is working away throughout the summer collecting his food and building his shelter in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. The Grasshopper on the other hand enjoys his summer months by “sitting on a blade of grass fiddling and singing to the sun”.  The ant is prepared and has what he needs to survive a long and cold winter, but the grasshopper played his time away during the summer and is left out in the cold to die, starving and without shelter. (the entire fable: THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT).

This fable has a good moral about working hard and preparing for the future.  It reminds me of what a pastor said once, “Don’t wait until trouble finds you to begin to search for God because then it might be too late.  Keep your relationship with God current, so you know He is always near,”

The Bible warns Christians to be prepared for a coming day

Mattehw 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, 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. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet-call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

But, most Christians hold the belief that making a one-time confession of faith (with little-to-no follow through, I might add) is sufficient to save them from the coming wrath.  The fact is that the time is very close and most are not prepared for what is coming.

Please watch this short video excerpt before I close this post about how we can be ready for anything that may come upon us:

Host and historian Ronnie Cohen plus several prophecy experts including Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum go on an epic journey to uncover the secrets behind Middle Eastern Bible prophecy and the shocking statistical evidence that proves there is much more going on regarding past prophetic fulfillment than mere chance.

Shocking new research also reveals that prophetic events foretelling frightening social changes that will usher in a new period of global hardship, tribulation and widespread death may be more plausible than many believe. No matter your belief system, the findings presented within The final Prophecies are as eye-opening as they are frightening. The ultimate conclusion may change your view of prophecy forever and redefine how much time we truly have left on this world!

Historian Ronnie Cohen and others examine biblical prophecies and tie them into possible evidence that Earth’s days are numbered. Director: Brent Miller Jr.  (Go here for the full length movie:  https://youtu.be/6-qHgpz_qOs)

Are you still “fiddling around” with pursuing the pleasures of this world?

If so, what should we be doing to get ready?

https://whitestone2020.com/what-does-it-mean-to-get-ready/

https://whitestone2020.com/2020/08/27/get-ready-stay-ready/

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

ORACLES OF GOD – TO DO THEM

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The world has been writhing as in the pain of childbirth since the first century A.D. That pain is intensifying, and a global shaking has begun.

Soon, there will come a shaking in the heavens, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from heaven, and the very powers of the heavens will shake, 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. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet-call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)

This cosmic cataclysm is being preceded by the ‘a rebuilding building of the Tower of Babel’, a time when men said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”?

We saw then, “5 the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.”

This modern-day ‘Tower of Babel’ is a metaphor for the intentions of the ancients. Even so, the secular world is aware that something new is happening. Many postmodern Globalists are calling it The Great Global Reset.

I say, these are “The Last Days” as spoken of in the books of Joel 2, Acts 2, Hebrews 1 & 9, 2 Timothy, 1 Peter and 2 Peter., preceding “the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth” before the end of time.

OUR TIME IS NOW – Hear this Word of the Lord:

Joel 2:11 “The Lord utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome; who can endure it?Joel 2

Take this instruction of the Lord God; it is for you to do it:

Deuteronomy 29:  “The secret things belong to the Lord our God,

but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever,

that we may do all the words of this law.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Asah:  accomplish;  Part of Speech: Verb; Transliteration: Asah; Phonetic Spelling: (aw-saw’); Definition: do, make.  We are to DO what we know!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

We can begin to know what it means and gain understanding and wisdom from two prominent Scriptural prophecies and promises:

  1.  Joel 2:28– “And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
29Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

30“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

This is both a foreshadowing and a reference to the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (compare Deuteronomy 2:30 – 3, shown above, to Matthew 24:29 – 31 and Revelation 6:12-17 )

  1. Romans 11:17.“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?

We, as Christians, are now part of God’s Chosen People, having been “grafted in” by way of God’s grace and thorough our faith in Jesus.

GAIN INSIGHT: The Blessings & The Curse

    • Deuteronomy 29:30“And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you,
    • and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you,
    • 2 and return to the Lord your God, you and your children,
    • and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul,
    • 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you,
      • and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.
      • 5 And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it.
      • And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
    • 7 And, the Lord your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you.
    • 8 And, you shall again obey the voice of the Lord and keep all his commandments that I command you today.
    • 9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in
      • all the work of your hand,
      • in the fruit of your womb and
      • in the fruit of your cattle and
      • in the fruit of your ground.
    • For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

The Choice of Life and Death

Deuteronomy 30:11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[e] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[f] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

WHAT ARE YOU / AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

This is for us, today. You can do these things as God has said in Deuteronomy chapter 30, especially in the light of two prominent Scriptural prophecies and promises in Joel 2 and Romans 11:17

We must read these verses as Prophetic, and we must DO them. They may have been written about, and to the Hebrew Jews, the Israelites, but they are also written to you and me. Remembering that The Prophecies of God are enduring until the end of time when Jesus will complete / fulfill them all, until then, we are to walk in them!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

NOTES of interest:

  1. Are we living in the “Last Days”? Article by David Mathis, Executive Editor, desiringGod.org, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/are-we-living-in-the-last-days
  2. A ’Tower of Babel’ to be built opposite US Capital – February 10, 2021 – Amazon Corp. has just unveiled the plans for its new corporate headquarters that will stand in Arlington, Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Washington DC. The announcement inaccurately describes the design as a “double helix” but scholars of ancient history and the Bible will readily recognize the ancient model for the design: the Tower of Babel. Of course this is a just a corporate enterprise, but, considering all things Amazon… https://www.israel365news.com/186976/amazon-reveals-plan-to-build-tower-of-babel-opposite-us-capital/
  3. Zion’s Hope videos, The Fuel Project video, on the Last Days, https://whitestone2020.com/2021/02/10/the-rapture-revealed/

 

 

 

THE WAR ROOM

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:

We have been called to join Jesus on the front lines of the battlefield.  The time for worry, complaining, standing, watching and waiting is over.

We are seeing an unprecedented unleashing demonic activity from the depths of hell.  Our nation and world is being overcome by evil, perversity, disease, war, hatred and divisions, and we are called to stand in the gap!

God tells us, repeatedly, through the Bible, to “gird ourselves up” with the full armor of God, fear not, stand firm and engage the enemy.  He has promised us that everywhere our foot treads shall be ours and that no enemy will be able to stand before us all the days of our lives.  He has given us His Authority, and that He is with us until the end of the age.

Before you dismiss this, ask yourself, “What are you DOING that He told you to do, in these Last Days?”  This is URGENT!

I am pleading with you to meet in Him in your Prayer Room, daily.

Here is a Prayer Journal to help us get started.  (You can download and/or print “War Room Journal”from .PDF format)

Click to access war-room-prayer-journal-2.pdf

Please let me know you will.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE RAPTURE REVEALED

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this audio while you read along, then, you can stop the audio to follow a link, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

There is a lot of interest and conversation and controversy about an event called “The Rapture”, both inside and outside Christian Circles.  Scores of books, articles and movies have been written and produced on the subject, so many in fact, that one internet search returned over 1,500,000 hits on the subject.

The “Rapture”, as it is called, is an eschatological (study on matters of end times) theological position held by some Christians, of an end-time event when all Christian believers who are alive, along with resurrected believers, will rise “in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”[1] The idea of a rapture as it is currently defined is not found in historic Christianity, and the term “rapture” is not found in the Bible.

The doctrine of a rapture is a relatively recent idea of Evangelical Protestantism, introduce by John Nelson Darby, a British pastor, writer and educator in the mid 1800s .  Darby formulated the idea of the rapture from the book of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:13-17, specifically from verse 17, “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” 

The words “caught up” translate from the Greek verb “harpazō”.  The Latin Vulgate translates the Greek as “rapiemur” meaning “we are caught up” or “we are taken away” from the Latin verb rapio, where we get the English word, rapture.

This ministry’s position is a definitive “Pre-Wrath Rapture“.  The foregoing link will take you to an explanation and three videos produced by Zion’s Hope (also shown on this page) ministries and one video by The Fuel Project on this matter.

For the sake of brevity on this posting, I will leave you with this PDF presentation comparing the Words of Jesus in the Book of Matthew, chapter 24 and the book of the Revelation, taken from chapters six and seven. (click on the image or the text below here).

THE RAPTURE REVEALED 

More videos on the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church:

“RAPTURE AND WRATH:  READY OR NOT?”

“RAPTURE AND WRATH:  READY OR NOT?  PART 2 B – A SCROLL”

“RAPTURE AND WRATH:  READY OR NOT? PART 2 A – THE 7 SEALS”

“THE FUEL PROJECT GUIDE TO THE 6TH TRIBULATION SEAL”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

More material on the Tribulation and The Rapture by The Whitestone Fellowship:

Am I Really Seeing what I Think I am Seeing?

When do the 7 Years of Tribulation Begin?

The 5th Tribulation Seal.

The 6th Tribulation Seal.

AMERICAN UNDER SIEGE

DECEPTION WITHIN THE CHURCH

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Signs of Christ’s Return – See to it that no one misleads you!

Matthew 24:1 “Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way [a]when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

3 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people.”

Just about anyone would know that only a fraud would go about saying, “I am Jesus.  Follow me“.  But INSTITUTIONAL DECEPTION is harder to spot.  False teachers will use most of the words of the Bible to start a false church and to convince you they are Christian, much like Satan did in the Garden of Eden and during the testing of Jesus, only to mislead you.

These videos will help you begin to understand this sign of the 5th TRIBULATION SEAL

“Be Berean.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

 

 

DOORMAT or DOORMAN?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Matthew20:25 “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Many times the distinction between being someone’s ‘doormat’ and being ‘the doorman’ to assist others along their way, is very narrow. Even once the distinction is made, the desire to do it can be even more of a challenge.

However, Jesus warns us to “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Showing Grace, mercy and compassion, in our Secular-Humanist world, can sometimes be mistaken for weakness. But, God’s Grace is unmistakable.

Listen to a few minutes of this introduction to a sermon by Pastor Trent Casto, senior pastor of Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida, as he recounts a picture of GRACE from the story and play “Les Mis” and relates that to the Truth of Scriptures. You will be moved. (with permission)

So, is it “Doormat” or “Doorman”?  Either way, it takes great courage to follow Jesus and to be like Him, but, God repeatedly tells us to “Be strong and very courageous”, and then we will have good success!

Let’s join God and make this happen!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Philippians 2: 5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature a God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature b of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

CHOSEN

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 2 Comments

“The Chosen” is a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. The series’ creators are hoping to distinguish the new series from previous portrayals of Jesus by crafting a multi-season, episode-based story. (2/5/2020)

Now,  it is 1/7/2022 and a YouTube video of Dallas Jenkins has emerged, casting a shadow of doubt on the creator and producer’s theological stance:

 

Created by: Dallas Jenkins, Distributed by: VidAngel

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF AMERICA – 2021

The American presidential election of 2020 should not be considered a ‘turning point’ for America, it should be considered as ‘the last nail in her coffin’.  The groundwork for the transition of America from a democratic-republic and a world superpower into just another Prefect in a One World Government had been laid decades ago.  The aging and dwindling populace of freedom loving American Patriots has finally been overcome by the swelling tide of from foreigner, both naturalized citizens and illegal aliens, (foreign agents) within her own borders.

You could see this coming, if you were watching.  A super influx of illegal and anti-American foreigners, made possible by the Leftists and Globalists in our own democrat party, was tipping the balance of power.

Additionally, the surreptitious introduction of Socialist doctrine into the curriculum of our education systems has indoctrinated several generations of children to think antithetically to America’s founding principles.  These are only two of the methods of the myriad of complex strategies to subvert and transform our once great nation into the Socialist / Communist pariah she is becoming.

WHERE CAN WE FIND HOPE?

A great example would be to look to the Jewish people who were primarily subject to foreign rule (Egyptian, Syrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman, etc.), for thousands of years, with only brief periods of independence.

Specifically, in the first century, when the Romans ruled the Mediterranean area known as Palestine (modern-day Israel), where Jesus was born and lived his life. In the hierarchy of power, the Jewish self-government reported to the authority of the local Roman government (King Herod), which reported to Rome (Emperor Caesar).

Much like the modern/post-modern ecumenical movement in America and other parts of the world, the Roman government practiced syncretism, that is, they believed that all religious beliefs, philosophical teachings, and government systems are ultimately compatible, or a reflection of, a larger system – the Roman system. They practiced one of the first “one country, two systems” policies – pronouncing that all people had religious freedom, political freedom, and freedom of thought, yet maintaining strict control.

Just as the Jews understood the world to be divided into two types of people: Jewish and Gentile (non-Jew), Christianity divides the world into Believers and non-believers, and, just as the Jews worked hard to disassociate themselves from the Gentiles, so Christians tend to disassociate with non-believers.  But more than that, Conservatives and Liberals is the new identity, and they are sorely divided.

President Joe Biden, in his first month in office as begun the work of redefining America through executive order (dictatorial rule).  The Jewish people accepted their freedom in both their governing system, and in maintaining their own traditions, yet the Roman government required that everything be ultimately subject to Roman authority. For example, Jewish citizens were under the authority of the Jewish court system (the Sanhedrin), yet all rulings for the death penalty were sent to the Roman government.  So, it is coming to be, in America.  It is as if Biden was reading ancient Rome’s playbook.

The most disheartening, if not disgusting acts of sedition and cowardice in post 2020 America, is to be found in our religious and political systems.  In ancient Rome, the Jewish religious and governing system was divided between two parties:  the Pharisees, which we can compare to the “Conservatives” in our political and religious system – the ‘people’s party’, taught the law and traditions of Israel’s patriarchs (or, America’s founding principles), and were strictly conforming to Jewish law (in our case, Constitutional law); and the Sadducees (comparable to democrat and republican elitists) – the wealthy and conservative leaders who rejected the traditions in favor of political and religious cooperation with the Romans (in our case, Socialists and Globalists in America).

THEN CAME JESUS

The advent of Jesus, the Messiah, changed everything, “first in Jerusalem and then in all Judea, then Samaria, and then as far as the remotest part of the earth.”

That Hope, Jesus, is still alive and well, for us today.  But, this time, this 2nd Advent of Christ, He will not return as “the humble servant”, but this time

The heavens will open and behold, a white horse, and He who sits on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness.  He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 11:11-16.

We need to be aware and informed about the movement and the status of world religions and world politics only to the extent that it informs us of the lateness of the HOUR according to God’s eschatological clock.

Please watch these CHOSEN videos – and notice that the Work of God continued, despite Roman and Jewish opposition, impediments and interruptions.  This is our model.

Embrace THE HOPE, trust Him, follow Him – He knows the WAY!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  I am writing a study named “THE CHOSEN” from 1 Peter.  It is a work in progress  Are you chosen?

THE RADICALISM OF JESUS

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

I came across an article in the New York Times titled “The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus”, which, in part, describes exactly what we, as Christians, must embrace.  Here is an excerpt:

“Get used to different.”  “That line comes from a marvelous new TV series on Jesus’ life, “The Chosen,” in which Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie, invites Matthew to become one of his disciples. Simon Peter, already a disciple, registers his fierce objection. Matthew is a tax collector, who were viewed as tools of Roman authorities, often dishonest and abusive. They were therefore treated as traitors and outcasts by other Jews.

“I don’t get it,” Simon Peter says to Jesus about his decision to invite Matthew, to which Jesus responds, “You didn’t get it when I chose you, either.”

“But this is different,” Simon Peter answers. “I’m not a tax collector.” At which point Jesus lets Simon Peter know things aren’t going to be quite what his followers expected.

“First-century Christians weren’t prepared for what a truly radical and radically inclusive figure Jesus was, and neither are today’s Christians. We want to tame and domesticate who he was, but Jesus’ life and ministry don’t really allow for it. He shattered barrier after barrier.

“One example is Jesus’ encounter, in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John, with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus and the woman talked about Jesus being the Messiah, why he was even deigning to talk with her, and the unnamed woman’s past and present, which she initially sought to hide from Jesus. (It included her five previous husbands, according to the account in John, and the fact that “the one whom you now have is not your husband.”) Yet not a word of condemnation passed the lips of Jesus; the woman felt heard, understood, cared for. Jesus treated her, in the words of one commentator, “with a magnetic dignity and respect.”  (End excerpt)

TWO MAIN POINTS

There are two main points we must take from this and embrace them as we move forward, marching with time inexorably to the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and His judgment, which is coming upon every person and in all the earth.

POINT #1

The author starts the article well, then deviates from Jesus’ radicalism for the lives of the lost and turns the article into a weak “social justice commentary”.

Jesus did not come to earth to preach a gospel of “social justice” of man’s perceived standards of right and wrong, just or unjust.  Jesus came into the world to save the world.  Jesus preached His Gospel message of God’s mercy and justice. 

GOD’S JUSTICE

It did not matter to Jesus, whether a person is rich or poor, weak or strong, oppressed or privileged, intellectually brilliant or disadvantaged, educated or uneducated – you either believe on Him, the One whom God has sent, or you perish. This is God’s Justice.

We must have this MIND OF CHRIST, as we live-out Jesus’ example and teaching, and as we reach out to the lost.

Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, verse 2, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. verse 3, Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ verse 4, For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, verse 5, yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” verse 6, And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; verse 7, now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? verse 8, I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

This “justice” is God revenging; God’s vengeance and punishment: Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30 from Deuteronomy 32:35; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Luke 21:22; ποιεῖν τήν ἐκδίκησιν τίνος, to vindicate one from wrongs, accomplish the avenging of, Luke 18:7f;  τίνι, to avenge an injured person.

Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. verse 19, He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. verse 20, A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.  verse 21, And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.”

This justice, “Krino” κρίσις, εως, ἡ is a separating, sundering, separation; a trial, contest, selection, judgment; i. e. opinion or decision given concerning anything, especially concerning justice and injustice, right and wrong; in a forensic judgment sense, of the of God or of Jesus the Messiah: universally, the day appointed for the judgment, at the time of the judgment, when the judgment shall take place, to execute judgment against (i. e. to the destruction of) all. Specifically, sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment:

POINT #2

We must come back to the fearless, self-abandonment of Jesus’ first disciples in our pursuit of Jesus (as depicted in the video, “The Chosen”).

Jesus, when calling Matthew to follow Him, He is threatened by the Roman guard to “back off”.  But, Jesus stays focused, smiling, calling.

Matthew immediately responds by “closing up shop” and leaves his post to follow Jesus.  The Roman guard sternly warns Matthew, reminding him that he will lose his position of favor with the Roman government, his protections and his wealth, but Matthew brushes him aside, saying, “Get out of my way”.

Radical obedience in faith is the ONLY PATH for a true Christian, (“Matthew 4:20) “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

The heavens of heavens cannot contain Him,
let alone a man explain Him.
You can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off of your hand.
You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.

He always has been and He always will be.
He had no predecessor
and He’ll have no successor.
There was nobody before Him
and there’ll be nobody after Him.
You can’t impeach Him
and He’s not going to resign.
That’s our King! That’s our King!

Will you follow Him?  (adapted from SM Lockridge’s “That’s My King”)

Your Brother and friend,

Mike Young

Got questions.org – mercy and justice

HOW TO DEAL WITH MARXISTS IN THE CHURCH

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to the audio podcast and read along, then you can pause the audio to follow links on this page for additional details.  When you are ready, you can, then, resume the audio.. Please note that page links are used in lieu of footnotes and references.)

JESUS, THE APOSTLE PAUL, GNOSTICS AND FALSE TEACHERS

There are remarkable and undeniable similarities between the false teachers, Judaizers, Pharisees and the Gnostics of the Apostle Paul’s day and the religious humanists of Socialism, Communism, Marxism, the Ecumenical Globalists and the political Leftists of our day. In fact, one could say that the latter is just a postmodern continuation of the former.

So, we can study Jesus’ and the Apostle Paul’s approach to dealing with the false teachers and “Christ deniers” of their day to see how we should deal with false teachers, false religions and the Marxists of our day.

I have selected pointed and succinct scriptures to inform, teach and guide us. Please take notes, because I have a question for you at the end of this page.

I. Warning Against False Teachers (Paul the Apostle)

1 Timothy 1:3-20, says “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by serving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

“Now we know that rthe law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,  the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with uthe gospel of the glory of vthe blessed God wwith which I have been entrusted.

Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

“I thank him xwho has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, go whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, iimmortal, invisible, the only God, lbe honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I thave handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

Pray for All People

1 Timothy 2:1-15, continues, saying, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and ato come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given fat the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, klifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

likewise also, that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, rthen Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but sthe woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”

II.    SHEEP, WOLVES, A TREE AND ITS FRUIT (Jesus)

Matthew 7:5 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are avenous wolves.You will recognize them lby their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

I Never Knew You

Matthew 7:21, tells us, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Build Your House on the Rock

Matthew 7 :24-27, continues with, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

The Authority of Jesus

Verse 28.  “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”

III.   FIERCE WOLVES COMING FROM YOUR OWN PEOPLE (Paul the Apostle)

Acts 20:28-31, cautions us, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;  and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.”

IV.    PURGE THE IMMORAL GREEDY, EVIL (The Apostle Paul)

1 Corinthians 5:6-13, instructs us that,  “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.  But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?  God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

V.     Godlessness in the Last Days (The Apostle Paul)

2 Timothy 3:1-5, informs us, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.“

RECAP:

 1.  Warn others not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations.

 2.  In accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience.

 3.  Hand those over to Satan who have made shipwreck of their faith, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Name them publicly , such as Hymenaeus and Alexander.

 4.  Make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people,

 5.  Men should be the ones who pray in every place, lifting lholy hands without anger or quarreling;

 6.  Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

  7.  Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.

 8.  Do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

 9.  Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves

 10. Cut down every “tree” that does not bear good fruit and throw it into the fire. 

 11. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,

 12. Your boasting is not good.

 13. Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened, for Christ. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

 14. Do not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

 15. Do not to associate with anyone, do not even to eat with such a one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler. 

 16. Purge the evil person from among you. You are to judge those inside the church. God judges those outside the church.

 17. Avoid people who are lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

MANY IN THE CHURCH ARE ADRIFT – APOSTASY IN THE CHURCH

These points may counter what you have been hearing in your local church, but, as you can see, they are straight from Jesus, the Apostle Paul and the Bible. These are our instructions for today – our Marching Orders.

Please listen to the video from THE BIBLE PROJECT. It is like reading today’s headlines or from a church bulletin. 

MY QUESTION FOR YOU

Will you PLEASE CONTACT ME and join the resistance today!  I will give you full details if you will just contact me.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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