Month: September 2021

GLOBAL WARMING

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

IS IT TIME TO PANIC?

Recent headline: “2020 was earth’s hottest January on record”

Other headlines of the past year:

  • Red Alerts – Arctic Lands Grow Greener
  • Scientist Find Record Warm Water in Antarctica, Cause of Glacier Melt
  • Sea Level Rise could Reshape the United States, Trigger Migration
  • Climate researchers can now detect the fingerprint of global warming in daily weather observations at the global scale
  • Groundwater depletion in America’s West
  • Climate warming disrupts tree seed production
  • Climate warming speeding up earth’s ocean currents
  • etc, etc, etc

Have you ever seen the TV commercial where a man who looks like a guard in a bank, calls himself a ‘bank monitor’? He is watching a bank robbery, and a voice asks him if he isn’t going to do something. He responds by saying, “I’m just a bank monitor. I don’t stop bank robberies. I just report them. This bank is being robbed.”

Well, it’s the same for all the “climate reporters”, the climate alarmists and those opportunist politicians who would capitalize financially on this ‘phenomenon’ by raising our taxes, so they can ‘deal more effectively with global warming’. (They don’t do anything. They just talk about it.)

FEAR-MONGERING or FACT? (And more weather news from the ‘Biblical archives’.)

The weather channel has an article saying “A new study has found the Gulf Stream is circulating at its slowest rate in at least 1,600 years, contradicting reports to the contrary. Climate change is to blame for the slowdown, the study concluded. If the circulation stops completely, it would have catastrophic impacts on our weather.”

The article briefly states that “some scientists who weren’t involved in the study agreed with the findings, but others said a lack of data left them skeptical of the study. MIT professor Carl Wunsch said the study’s “assertions of weakening are conceivable, but unsupported by any data” in an interview with the AP.

“A separate study, also released in the journal “Nature“, claims the 150-year slowdown of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, (AMOC). is a result of natural changes, not man-made climate change. But both conclude the slowdown is occurring, and it could impact our weather in the coming years.”

A 2,000 YEAR OLD WEATHER FORECAST):

“Revelation 7:1, says, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.”

HERE IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE WINDS STOPPED BLOWING:

“It would rarely rain in inland locations (wind moves moist air over dry spots and falls as rain). All land not near a body of water would turn into a desert.

“There would be more extreme temperatures (the warm/cold air over the ground would not be replaced by the steady temperature air of the oceans and seas).

“The trade winds would no longer exist, and ocean stream currents would eventually stop. This would to serious climate changes. (The Gulf Stream keeps Europe warm).”

“After a few days the problem arrives. Without wind systems, warm, moist air won’t move around. Water might still evaporate, but it won’t travel, meaning anywhere away from a large body of water will dry up. Lakes might be alright as the evaporating water will fall back into them and the sea will be fine but anywhere else will get very dry, very quickly. Plants, animals and humans will slowly die from dehydration with most water inaccessible as salt water or ice. Even if we survive this, the problems don’t stop. The equator will no longer shed its heat as quickly, so it will become very warm, mountains may remain cool enough to be habitable but nowhere else will. At the same time, the poles, deprived of heat from the equator, will freeze solid.”

Science is recently saying what the Bible has been saying for centuries.

Frightfully, most Christians have bought into a ‘wait and see if it’s really true, narrative’ fed to us, some by our own religious institutions.

Listen to what the Apostle Peter tells us about this,

Act 2:14 “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them:

“Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Verse 15. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;

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

Verse 17. ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
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 BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,
I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT
And they shall prophesy.

Verse 19. ‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE
AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,
BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.

Verse 20. ‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS
AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,
BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME.

Verse 21. ‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’

Peter is telling us that the “Last Days” had started at Pentecost, in the year AD 30, as prophesied in Joel 2:28-32. Now here is the scenario as told by Jesus from the Revelation:

the 1st Tribulation Seal – International (Global) conquest and political intrigue, ongoing since AD 1

the 2nd Tribulation Seal – Global Wars and Rumors of War, ongoing since AD 1

the 3rd Tribulation Seal – Global Famine, ongoing since AD 1

the 4th Tribulation Seal– Global Death, pandemics, ongoing since AD 1

the 5th Tribulation Seal –Martyrs, persecution, revealing of the Anti-Christ, the great falling away (apostasy), now underway and growing worse

the 6th Tribulation Seal – Cosmic and Astronomical phenomenon, weather disturbances, cosmic cataclysms. This has not occurred yet, but is on the horizon. This happens after the rapture of the Church.

Global Warming?  Something is happening, folks. But, it is not what we are being told and not for the reasons we are being told by the news media. But, something is happening!

So, how can you know the truth, and what can you do about it? Well, since God is the One allowing it and since His Word (The Bible) has foretold this coming event, I would say “Go to God’s Word and find out for yourself”.  In the meantime, GET READY!

(Click here or on the image above for details about “WHAT IT MEANS TO GET READY“. Please read the entire article, but, Page 31 tells the Christian, specifically, what it means to get ready.)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Pre-Trib or Pre-Wrath-Trib?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The “Pre-tribulation rapture” OR The “Pre-Wrath-tribulation rapture”. 

What are they and is there a difference?

The distinctions seem so minor. So why all the fuss? Learn about these views and why it matters. Then follow the link at the end of this page.

I. The Pre-tribulation Rapture view says that the rapture will occur before the beginning of a seven-year tribulation period, before the breaking of the 1st tribulation seal. While the second coming of Jesus will occur at the end of the Tribulation period, that is, it will occur after the 7 Seal judgments, the 7 Trumpet judgments and the 7 Bowl judgments. Pre-tribulationists often describe the rapture as Jesus coming for the church and the second coming as Jesus coming with the church.

II. The Pre-wrath-tribulation Rapture is the clearest explanation, by Jesus, of the coming The Day of the Lord and the rapture. The Bible says, in plain language, that the rapture will occur after or during the 6th tribulation seal. This view holds that the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) or a Great Distress (Luke21:23) begins during the 6th seal, being Daniel’s 70th week, when the Antichrist is revealed in the temple. This is not a “mid-tribulation view” because it occurs after or during the 6th Seal, but, well before the three and one-half year mark of the Great Tribulation. Again, this period is defined, in the Bible, as the Great Tribulation or the time of Great Distress as opposed to “the tribulation”.

References from Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are used as evidence of the coming of Christ to “deliver the righteous” by means of the rapture, which will occur after specific events in Revelation, in particular after or during the breaking of the Sixth Seal when the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood.

By this point – the breaking of the 6th Seal – many Christians will have been slaughtered as martyrs by the Antichrist.

After the rapture, God’s wrath of trumpets and bowls will come. (a.k.a. “The Day of the Lord”). The Day of the Lord’s wrath against the ungodly will follow for the remainder of seven years (the 7th Seal, the 7 Trumpet judgments and the 7 Bowl judgments).

Here are 4 important differences:

(1) The Pre-tribulation view says the final 7 years of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks will commence with the breaking of the first Seal of the Tribulation and will conclude 7 years later with the pouring out of the 7th and final Bowl of God’s Wrath.

But, the Bible clearly teaches that the final 7 years of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks will commence with the breaking of the Sixth Seal of the Tribulation. The first Seal of the Tribulation was broken in or around AD 1 as confirmed by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:14-21 , and the successive Seals 2 through 5 have been opened at various times over the last 2,019 years, with the 5th Seal being the most recent. The Day of the Lord is near, very near.

(2) The Pre-tribulation view is leading many people to believe that Jesus will come and “gather His elect”, then re-return to rapture His Church in secret.

But, the Bible is clear, Jesus will come and gather His elect in plain view, in the heavens, and continue to defeat the armies of antichrist.

(3) Theologians and Bible teachers who hold the Pre-tribulation view argue that some will be saved during the tribulation period.  This may be so, but, NO ONE WILL BE SAVED AFTER THE SIXTH TRUMPET JUDGEMENT.  (Revelation 9:20-21, “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands so as not to worship demons and the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders, nor of their witchcraft, nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.” )

Revelation 9:20 says “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21 and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.”

Revelation 16:8-9, also says, “The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.”

And, Revelation16:10  says, “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, 11and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.”

This dispute arises from the problem with timing of the Pre-tribulation view. Although no one know the day or the hour, we are told we can know the seasons. It is true that there will be those who are saved during the seasons of the first 6 Seals of the tribulation – because the Rapture will not have occurred and will not occur until the after or during the breaking of the 6th Seal.

But then, after the Sixth Trumpet Judgment, during this outpouring of The Wrath of the Lamb, none will be saved. (see Revelation 9:20-21 and Revelation 16:9-11 )

Pre-tribulationists say there will be many people who come to Christ during the tribulation – even after the 7th Seal. They argue that the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (Revelation 7:4) are Jewish believers are seal by God and sent to earth to evangelize the lost. But the Bible does not say as much, so, be careful here.

The 144,000 are called the “Bond-Servants of God”. They may be witnesses, and they may be prophets, but that the 144,000 will lead the lost to salvation in Jesus are just conjectures – educated guesses – of religious men and women.

The Bible calls the 144,000 “Bond-Servants of God” and that these Bond Servants will follow Jesus wherever He goes. But, there is no direct Biblical evidence that anyone is saved after the breaking of the 7th seal.

Everyone needs to know that you unless you are saved BEFORE YOU DIE or you are saved BEFORE THE 7th Tribulation Trumpet, you will be lost to an eternal damnation of “outer darkness where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth”. Those will be tormented in a lake of fire, an eternal separation from God, from which there is no return.

Remembering that the ‘tribulation period’ starts with the breaking of the 1st seal and the Great Tribulation period  begins with the breaking of the 6th seal.

(4) The Pre-tribulation view has spawned a sense of complacency among non-believers and believers, alike.  Non-believers either don’t believe any of it or think they can just wait. Believers are slow to warn others of the coming Judgment for the same reason. And worse, Believers take a casual approach to their Salvation because they have been taught they have a ‘free ticket out of trouble’. All of this is wrong and dangerous.

Here is a history of the SEALS, to date: When Does the 7 Years Begin – page 3

The time is now. It has already begun. We must BE READY!

(Click here or on the image above for details about “WHAT IT MEANS TO GET READY“. Please read the entire article, but, Page 31 tells the Christian, specifically, what it means to get ready.)

Your Friend And Brother

“The Pre-wrath Tribulation Rapture Videos”

Mike Young

(You can go here to see and read Pastor Dr. David Jeremiah’s remarks. Jeremiah holds a Pre-tribulation view, “Blog on the 144,000 – The book of the Revelation )

NEW WORLD ORDER

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

A ONE-WORLD GOVERNMENT

The Bible tells us of a time when world events will collide in a world-wide cataclysm. We are seeing, what appears to be, the finals acts of that event in our day.

The Bible warns of wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, earthquakes, famines, drought, disease and death. We are warned of false Messiahs, a horrific persecution of Christians, world-wide and a great falling away from the faith. (Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters 6 & 7).

All the things listed, have already occurred and are occurring, and in fact, have been ongoing, intensifying and overlapping, since the death and resurrection of Jesus, this is, except for the Great Apostasy, a.k.a., the great falling away, but we now have signs that the Apostasy has begun.

We are told that “AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS”, that is, after  the first FIVE SCROLL SEALS are broken, as described above (also, see the Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters 6 and 7), the world will witness  great cosmic disturbances, as have never seen by mankind.

During these times, the Bible (Daniel and Revelation) foretells of coming a World Government, headed by a highly intelligent and charismatic individual who is able to lead a great and fierce army, conquering many. He will be able to deceive many and to do miraculous deeds, and will take control of a worldwide empire and the lives of every person on earth.

I have outlined the SEALS of the Tribulation, below for easy reference in order to point out what is now at hand. I am showing Jesus Word to His disciples, taken from the book of Matthew, chapter 24, and I have added the corollary verses from the Book of Revelation (I have not gone into the Trumpet and Bowl judgements): Click here or on the image of the scrolls for more.

Seals of the tribulation.jpg

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  I originally wrote this in 2018, so this is actually “old news”.  Both Bush presidents appear to have colluded with the Marxists in our government and around the world.  See Agenda-21: Cover for the U.N., One World Government and Marxism for details.

MORE great reading on these matters:

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

What Is This Strange new ‘gospel’?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly, are ferocious wolves” Matthew 7:15

What is this strange and titillating new ‘gospel’ I am hearing, and where is it leading?

“The biggest mistake we make is that we think sermons will produce spiritual maturity” – Rick Warren, Saddleback Church

“Are you suggesting to me that heaven is an actual place? That the place of God is an individual place that you go? – Doug Pagitt, pastor, author

“Yes, I am a gay affirming pastor. I don’t think there is a thing wrong with homosexuality…”

“Yes, I am definitely questioning the atonement…”
Jay Bakker, son of Jimmy and Tammy Faye Bakker

“The Cross isn’t the center, then, the Cross is almost a distraction and false advertising for God.” Brian McLaren, pastor, emergent church leader

“Then here comes Rob Bell. He’s made a Christian Gospel for you, and it’s perfectly palatable and much easier to swallow” (Rob Bell says THERE IS NO HELL – Interview on MSNBC)

Please listen and hear, dear friends. Many false teachers – yes, the very ones you think sound so good – are mixing error and lies with a dash of Truth.  It is called “Syncretism”, the

  • Reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous.
  • The merging of two or more originally different inflectional forms.
  • The attempted reconciliation or union of irreconcilable principles or parties, as in philosophy or religion;

The modern/post-modern religious humanist and ecumenical movements in America and other parts of the world,  are practicing syncretism, that is, they believe that all religious beliefs, philosophical teachings, and government systems are ultimately compatible, or a reflection of, a larger system. They practice a “one world, two systems” policies – pronouncing that all people had religious freedom, political freedom, and freedom of thought, yet maintaining strict control.

False doctrines and false teachings come and go.  False teachers come and go.  The problem is that they take thousands and millions with them where they go – and they are NOT going to “a place in God’s house that Jesus has prepared for them”.  No, it is a place of darkness and of wailing and of gnashing of teeth.

The Gospel is about Jesus, not about  you or me.  The Gospel is about God’s Grace and the finished work of Jesus on the cross, through the tomb and being raised to eternal life, so that we may live and serve Him!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please go to this hard hitting article:  ARE YOU CHOSEN?

GLOBALISM and the TOWER OF BABEL

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 3 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

Do they have anything in common?

Publications like Wikipedia or “The Economist” confuse the matter of Globalism and the aims of Globalism by asserting there are various kinds of ‘Globalism’. (disassembling the word into component parts and delving into fabricated systems).

Merriam-Webster is close by saying Globalism is “a national policy of treating the whole world as a proper sphere for political influence, similar to imperialism or internationalism”.

Socialists and communists say Globalism is the key to worldwide prosperity. But, the truth is that Globalists say it is a key to worldwide prosperity, but they know it is the key to controlling people under the dictatorial rule of godless communism.

“The task before UNESCO,” said its first Director-General Julian Huxley in 1946, is “the emergence of a single world culture” by transferring “full sovereignty from separate nations to a world organization.”

The “new world order” will be a socialist, authoritarian global government and court with “global rule of law” and a “one-world economy,” according to the Commission for Global Governance.

An article from the Jerusalem Post, titled, “UNESCO’s Globalist Agenda minus Israel” has reported that “the “New World Order” will be a socialist, authoritarian global government and court with “global rule of law” and a “one-world economy,” according to the Commission for Global Governance.

“The Obama Administration provided an example of leftist globalists in action. Bankrolled by billionaire George Soros, and using the radical social-manipulation “rules” of Obama mentor Saul Alinsky, the Left exploits groups like Black Lives Matter as “agents of change” to help usher in their new world order. They fund and direct radical groups to sow chaos and division by politicizing leftist targets such as police by labeling them as “racist.”

“The black community is in a grave situation and they are being exploited and manipulated by the liberal left,” said African-American Vanderbilt University law professor Carol Swain.

“In the same way, UN globalists manipulate the Palestinians. They play the “racism” card to incite chaos, division and attacks against Israeli police and soldiers—just like in Ferguson, MO. Their strategy: foment societal disruption to undermine democratic foundations—then step in and take over.

“The Globalist agenda also includes the establishment of a one-world religion, which means the
political globalists have a religious arm. The UN is riddled with New Agers, occultists and others who consider freedom of religion hostile to New Age global harmony.

“Former UN Assistant Secretary-General Robert Muller told the San Jose Mercury that religious fundamentalism’s “inflexible belief systems … play an incendiary role in global conflicts.” There’ll be no peace without “taming fundamentalism through a United Religion that professes faithfulness only to global spirituality,” he said.”

The Commission on Global Governance has publically stated that when their Agenda-21 plan is fully implemented, “it will bring all the people of the world into a global neighborhood managed by a world-wide bureaucracy, under the direct authority of a minute handful of appointed individuals, and policed by thousands of individuals, paid by accredited NGOs, certified to support a belief system which contains ideas that are foreign to the American experience, and ignores other values and ideas that are precious to the American experience.”

The World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in New York City, NY, USA, September 15-17, 2015, set a date of 2030 for complete implementation of their Agenda 21 and Global Dominance by this Marxist global movement.

So what are we to do? What can we do?

The Bible tells of the beginning’s this idea of One World Government and warns this system is coming again in the Last Days.

“They said, ‘Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.’

“The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.

“The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.” Gen 11:4-6

Revelation 13:16-18, says, “And he (the “beast” aka, the anti-Christ) 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 will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”

DON’T BE DECEIVED

The ‘rest of this story’ or the ‘story behind this story’ is Globalism. As usual, a plausible, but false narrative is presented to obscure the real agenda – a One World Government.

An article saying Europe is dying is a false flag – a distraction. Europe is neither dead nor dying. And, Europe is not being ‘reborn’ (an unfortunate choice of words in this article). Europe was being infiltrated until around 2014. Since 2015 it became a full scale INVASION. This, too, is a distraction to have people think Europe is being transformed by the 4 Stages of the Islamic Conquest.  While Europe and the world grapples with the Muslim invasion through illegal immigration, the Socialists work on their Agenda-21, freely and furiously, unimpeded, and in plain sight,

This same this is happening in America. Under Obama, the infiltration was accelerated. President Trump is trying to stop the INVASION from abroad, as well as undoing the damage done to our Nation and national interests by the previous three administrations. And democrats / Socialists hate him for his efforts and are doing all they can to stymie or destroy his efforts, including hamstringing or collapsing the US economy, destroying American social structures, disrupting our banking systems, controlling the Federal Reserve, socializing our medical systems.

The enemies of America, the Globalists, are embedded in our government, in our religious systems, in our churches, in our school, colleges and institutions of higher education. They are using methods to erase and eradicate the culture, history and legacy both in Europe and in America.

In the United States, over 528 American cities are members of “Local Governments for Sustainability” or “ICLEI”, is an international Marxist and Socialist leaning sustainability organization, that helps to implement the Agenda 21 and Local Agenda 21 concepts across the world. The United States has nearly half of the ICLEI’s global membership of 1,200 cities promoting sustainable development at a local level.

The agenda of this “migration” and Globalism or One World Government is not the stuff of any book. It is stuff of THE BOOK, that is THE BIBLE.

A foreshadowing of this event can be found in Genesis 11. The Tower of Babel (Hebrew: מִגְדַּל בָּבֶל‎, Migdal Bāḇēl) as told in Genesis 11:1-9 is meant to explain why the world’s peoples speak different languages.

According to the account, a united humanity in the generations following the Great Flood, speaking a single language and migrating eastward, comes to the land of Shinar (שִׁנְעָר). There they agree to build a city and a tower tall enough to reach heaven.

(NOTE: “tall enough to reach to heaven” can be a metaphor for “man reaching to heaven, making himself god, to accomplish his own desires. This is the Socialist and Communist manifestos of the State being your god – from cradle to grave)

WHAT TO DO?

This is ‘forecast’ or what is Prophesied in the Bible. It will occur. It is underway. You and I must PREPARE.

1. Surrender to Jesus as Lord and for Salvation, and He will give you wisdom, strength, courage and knowledge.

2. Repent and enter the Kingdom of God. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 This Kingdom is a very real place. It is described by metaphor, but it is no metaphor. It is a real place we must possess in these last days. Jesus centers His teaching to His disciples around this Truth, telling them they must enter the Kingdom of God and continue His Works until He returns. (more on this in an upcoming article)

2. Educate yourself. Become Bible literate. “Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom…” Revelation 13:16-18

3. “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

4. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

These are real and serious matters and you must know that…

Economics will not save you.

  • A good shelter (a home), a supply of food and water may help as God’s Judgments unfold and intensify in these Last Days, while we wait for His return to take us to our Eternal Home.
  • Medicines may help.  You should have what you need for a time.
  • Guns and politics will not save you.
  • Technology, such as phones, radio and internet can be helpful, but they will not save you.

These are exciting times in which we live! But, we must be prepared to ‘endure to the end’ (most likely the end of the 5th Seal of Revelation) as Jesus said in Matthew 24. And by all accounts, it would seem we are at that stage!

(Click here or on the image above for details about “WHAT IT MEANS TO GET READY“. Please read the entire article, but, Page 31 tells the Christian, specifically, what it means to get ready.)

Your Friend and Brother

Mike Young

Additional information:

Globalism and the Tower of Babel

(The New World Order )

Immediately After the Tribulation of Those Days, the Sun will be Darkened.

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THERE IS A COSMIC STORM COMING

You and I need to be ready for what is at hand, because we are expected to endure to the end of our appointed time, then God will intervene and take us home.

Where Do We Go From Here?

I have admired and listened to Dr. David Jeremiah for 35 years.  Over the last 14 years, however, I have not agreed with his view of Bible eschatology.  I listened to a recent message by Dr. Jeremiah, on his website, titled, “Where do we go from here?”  In that message he gave 3 points on HOW we are to respond to the troubles in these Last Days:

#1. Worship the Glorified Christ – the more you worship, the less you worry

#2. Embrace your Global Mission – We have a mission that is global.  Take the Gospel to the entire globe.

#3. Anticipate your glorious Hope – Never fear.  He is coming back to establish His eternal Kingdom.

(Oh.  And, yes.  #4. Buy his books.)

So, this is the answer of “Where we go from here”?

(1) We stare skyward, worship, embrace evangelism and anticipate Jesus’ return.  Let’s get honest, here.

(2) We sit. We do that pretty well.

(3) We worship.  We do that OK, probably once or twice a week for about 15 minutes each time.

(4)  We evangelize the world.  We are not doing too good at that one.  We actually ‘give, because we can’t or won’t GO’.  We tend to stay separate from the world and leave this one up to the ‘professionals’.

(5)  We are really good at anticipating Jesus’ return, because most Christians just ‘stare skyward’, but do very little more than that.

So, I guess what Dr. Jeremiah is saying is nothing new for the 20th and 21st centuries.  But, he is not alone in this type of teaching and assessment.  (Could this be reason the church and church attendance is in decline?

The pastor of a church we used to attend, is preaching on these same matters.  His advice is the same. (1) When are the end times?  “Near (1 Peter 4)” (However, If you read Acts 2:14-21 you will see it is NOW, not near)   What are we to do?  (1) Thrive  (2)  Love  (3)  Worship, etc.  All good things.

But, I am certain that they are either underestimating the urgency of our mission and the severity of what is at hand or they really don’t know what to do beyond what they have listed (and, for certain, those are good things).

However, we are on a Mission.  And, God has never, ever, been gentle to those who shirk or draw back from the Mission. Even Jesus says, “Why do you call me Lord, when you do not do the things I have told you?  I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work lawlessness.”

Somehow, these preachers think the ‘End Times’, (more correctly, Last Days), won’t intensify until the Church is raptured off the earth.  It is true that the Judgments of God will intensify as He moves from the Seal Judgment to the Trumpet Judgments and then into the Bowl Judgments.

BUT LET ME BE CLEAR – BECAUSE THE BIBLE IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR –  there will be an intensifying BEFORE the “rapture”.  And, you must be ready or you will pay a high price.

(Please note:  my commentary on the following Bible verses are in parentheses and color coded blue)

Matthew 24:4 says, “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.

(this includes misinformed pastors, preachers, bible teachers)

Verse 5.  “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray.

( (1) This can be someone literally saying ‘I am the Christ’, (2) but, it is more likely it will be someone who considers themselves as an emissary of Christ – such as ‘ordained pastors’ – who speak for Christ, but are blindly following denominational doctrine which are incorrect; or, (3) as we are clearly seeing, now, in our day, it is ‘institutional deception’, where entire denominations fall away from the clear teachings of Jesus and lead millions astray)

Verse 6.  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 

(There have been wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes since recorded history.  So, concerning the ‘End Times’, which wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes should we refer to?  These things must occur in conjunction with ALL THE SIGNS and WARNING from Jesus and the Bible

(And, don’t miss the little phrase, “but the end is not yet”, as verse eight will elaborate.)

Verse 8.  All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

((1) The phrase “the beginning of birth pangs” is a statement made by Jesus in or around the year AD 30 and is a translation of the Greek archē ōdin (ἀρχή ὠδίν). The meaning of the phrase, translated in the KJV as “the beginning of sorrows” is a direct reference to preliminary birth pangs that ultimately lead to the full scale contractions and travail, which leads to the actual birth.

Recognizing the Old Testament reference that Jesus was hearkening to is an essential, but often overlooked key to determining the timing of the prophecy. Jesus was pointing his disciples to two key passages from the prophet Isaiah.

The first passage is Isaiah 26, a portion of Scripture found in the middle of what is sometimes referred to as “Isaiah’s little apocalypse”. There, the Lord speaks through Isaiah, specifically contrasting the expectations of the Jewish people regarding deliverance, redemption and physical resurrection with the reality of the pain, suffering and travail that they had corporately experienced. In verses 16-18, the complaint of Israel is raised that despite having endured the great suffering of labor, the expected “birth” of deliverance, redemption and resurrection had not arrived (the preceeding 3 paragraphs were taken from the “Daniel Training Network”)

This makes clear that the Last Days and the opening of the tribulation Seals began in our around AD 30.  Other references which confirm this date are   Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 9:26, Acts 2:14-17, 2 Timothy 3:1, 1 Peter 1:20, 1 Peter 4:7, 2 Peter 3:3. as spoken by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy. (Also please see this teaching by Pastor and Teacher, John Piper on the timing of the End Times).

Verse 9. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.

(This is so clear and in such plain language, I regret having to point it out:  “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death”.  So, “YOU  WILL BE DELIVERED UP TO TRIBULATION”.  How much more intense can this be, than being put to death for Jesus name’s sake? The tribulation, Seals 1 through 4 have been described as having started, by Jesus, Himself, in the year AD 30.)

Verse 10. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

(First – This is the hallmark of the Great Apostasy, found in these verses and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. Furthermore, “And then” translates from the Greek word, “tote”, in this case means of the future, also in consecution, i.e., the act of following, or the condition of being in a series; that which is consecutive; succession; sequence.

 (Secondly – “fall away” is the Greek word ‘skandalizó’ and means to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).

This is further explained in the following verses and can also be found in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. For more detail see “Has the Great Apostasy begun?”)

Verse 11.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

(Verses 11 through 14 give us a major time line identifier through a concurrence of events: (1) many false prophets will arise and lead many astray; (2) lawlessness will be increased; (3) the love of many will grow cold.)

(“The one who endures to the end”, must be kept in context of the surrounding verses.  So, the one who endures to the end of these events – Which Events? – The tribulation seals ONE through FIVE)

(“And then the end will come”.  Once again, this is clear, plain, face-value language. After these first FIVE TRIBULATION SEALS, which began in or around AD 30, and have continued progressively to overlap and gain in intensity, THE END WILL COME.)

Matthew 24:29, says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light

(Perhaps it would be a good idea to read this verse again. It begins with “IMMEDIATELY AFTER the tribulation of those days”.  This is rich with information.

( The tribulation of THOSE DAYS are the days from AD 30 through the current date; tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE.)

(“Immediately after the tribulation of those days”, should explain itself.  But, just in case, let me say, “THOSE DAYS” refers to the days already discussed (tribulation Seals One through Five).  Now , Jesus is moving our attention to what follows the first 5 Seals of the tribulation:  THE SIXTH SEAL.)

(“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light” is also found in Revelation 6:12-16, and uses the exact language.  It is the SIXTH SEAL of the tribulation, which is yet a FUTURE EVENT.)

NOTE:  ANYONE WHO SUGGESTS OR SAYS THESE VERSES ARE SIMPLY METAPHORICAL WILL NOT PLAY OUT AS DESCRIBED, ARE FALSE PROPHETS, FALSE TEACHERS AND ARE AIDING THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST. (Other places in Revelation, you will find metaphors, allegories, imagery and similes to describe what was indescribable, such as, “The Lamb of God” to describe Jesus, “The Dragon” to describe Satan, or “The Four Beasts” to describe Satan, Babylon and Lucifer. The reader must learn to distinguish the difference.)

Many protestant pastors, preachers and Bible teachers adhere firmly to the John Nelson Darby version of the pre-tribulation rapture. These people with good intentions and most are good men and women, yet, they are sorely misinformed; or, perhaps, some are lazy in their study of scriptures or they could be ignorant about what scriptures say and mean. None-the-less, they are guilty of false teaching and of teaching a false prophecy.

What I have described is known as the Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. Here is a link and several videos and teachings explaining the Pre-Tribulation Pre Wrath Rapture of the Church.

 Listen, friends. Things are getting worse, even as I write this, and, things are going to get a lot worse as the time of the Rapture (The 6th Tribulation Seal) draws near.  You and I need to prepare, both Spiritually and physically, for these difficult times.

I have presented the Spiritual side of the coming day of the Great Tribulation and of the coming day of God’s Wrath in this article.

 Please go to these links, “New World Order”, also, “Agenda-21, Cover of the U.N., One World Government”, and find the physical and earthly manifestation of this cosmic battle and of the spirit of anti-Christ, which is already at work.

The Bible tells us to be ready, for we do not know the day nor the hour when the Lord will return, and if you did know, you would be on the alert, “and would not have allowed your house to be broken into”. For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

In conclusion, let me ask you, if you knew a hurricane or a major destructive storm was coming, what would you do to get ready?  (Please answer this.  Make a short list using these lines).  I would:

1.                                                                                                                              

2.                                                                                                                              

3.                                                                                                                              

4.                                                                                                                              

Well, A Major ‘Storm’ is Arriving as I write these words.  We must be ready!

 Your Brother and Friend

 Mike Young

What we should be doing while we expectantly await His Return to take us to our Eternal Home:

IMPORTANT FOOTNOTE:  Don’t be deceived.  There is only ONE Second Coming of Christ.  There will be only ONE Rapture.  There will be only ONE Armageddon.

Know your Bible.  Know the sequence.  Be Ready, found doing as He has said.  Endure to the end and be saved !!

The 2nd Advent of Christ (the second coming of Jesus) is one event which can be seen from TWO PERSPECTIVES:  One perspective as seen from the earth;  the other perspective, from John’s prophetic vision, is seen as it unfolds  – a Spiritual and Heavenly perspective!

Look at it this way:   When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. it was a category 5 storm;  As Irma progressed up the peninsula of Florida, it became a category 4 storm;  then as it entered Alabama it became a category 3 storm;  and finally as it entered Georgia, Irma became a tropical storm; and later as it entered Tennessee, it became a rain event.

To those in the various states which hurricane Irma entered, it would have appeared to them that Irma might have been 5 different storms, occurring consecutively; first a Category 5 storm, then, a Category 4 storm, then, a Category 3 hurricane, then, a Tropical storm, and, finally, a rain event.  But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE CONTINUOUS STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion.

SO IT IS WITH THE ‘LAST DAYS’ AND THE 2nd COMING OF JESUS as seen in the breaking of the ‘Seven Seals of the Book’ as recorded in Revelation chapters 5,6,7 and 8; although, the breaking of each Seal may seem like seven different events, if viewed “from above” it is ONE CONTINUOUS EVENT (eschatological STORM), progressively unfolding to its conclusion.

  • Breaking of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation,
  • The beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord,
  • The beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week also known as the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation,
  • Jesus’ SECOND ADVENT,
  • The Rapture of the Church,
  • The heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True,
  • 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

Why does it matter?

  • Jesus tells us that it matters because we must ‘endure to the end’ and know the sequence of events will help us to ‘not lose heart and faint’.
  • The apostle Paul tells us that it matters, because “God takes no pleasure in the one who shrinks back”, and knowing that our ‘salvation draw near’ will help us endure to the end.
  • Jesus tells us it matters and that we must stay alert be found doing what He has commanded when He returns, or we may be “assigned a place with the hypocrites”. Knowing the day is near will help us stay focused and ready for His return.

 

IS THE BIBLE SCIENCE?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

SCIENTISM: The science of god.

“Is there a God? Of course not. What is the meaning of the universe? It doesn’t have any. What is the purpose of life? Ditto. Is there free will? Not a chance.

“Scientism is the view that science is our best guide to the nature of reality. Its methods and its findings are our best account of the nature of reality.”  Alex Rosenberg, Philosopher

LET’S BE CLEAR. Science has become a religion for many:

However, God is not a scientist. However, God created science and scientists.

The Bible is not a science book. But it contains countless references to what scientists argue are incomplete scientifically.

The Bible is not a history book. But, it contains innumerable historical accounts. The Bible is not many things people attribute.

However, THE BIBLE IS THE INFALLIBLE, INERRANT, INDESTRUCTIBLE, INDISPUTABLE, INSPIRATIONAL, IMMUTABLE WORD, MIND AND VOICE OF THE ONLY, ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD.

The Bible is the account of God’s action in the world, and his purpose with all creation.

In addition to all the above, the Bible is:

Useful as a guide for living life to the full. It gives us a road map for the perilous journey of life. Or to put it another way, on our voyage through life’s ocean, the Bible is an anchor.

Useful as a storehouse of wonderful stories for children and grownups. Remember Noah and the ark? Joseph’s coat of many colors? Daniel in the lion’s den? Jonah and the fish? The parables of Jesus? These stories emphasize the triumphs and failures of ordinary people.

Useful as a refuge in trouble. People in pain, in suffering, in prison, and in mourning tell how turning to the Bible brought strength in their desperate hour.

Useful as a treasury of insight as to who we are. We are not meaningless robots, but we are magnificent creatures of a God who loves us and gives us a purpose and a destiny.

Useful as a sourcebook for everyday living. We find standards for our conduct, guidelines for knowing right from wrong, and principles to help us in a confused society where so often “anything goes.” (This paragraph taken, in part and edited, from biblica.com)

So, again, what IS THE BIBLE?

Hebrews 4:12, says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

John 1:1, says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13, says, “You accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

1 Peter 1:23, says, “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God”

Ephesians 6:17, says, “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

THE BIBLE IS

THE INFALLIBLE, INERRANT, INDESTRUCTIBLE, INDISPUTABLE, INSPIRATIONAL, IMMUTABLE WORD, MIND AND VOICE OF THE ONLY, ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD

The Bible also has a few words to say about the likes of Alex Rosenberg or anyone of Scientism:

Proverbs 18:2, “A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.”

Psalms 14:1. “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”

“The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”

Comparing the Bible or God to Science is foolish. It is a weak and feeble comparison.

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel?

“Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coast lands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?

“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? Says the Holy One. “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? …remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me… Isaiah 40:12-18, 25; 46:5, 9

Humbled, we bow,

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: Nothing Can Compare, by John Piper (used according to desiring God permissions)

THINK – Part 4 – The Sermon on the Mount

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(Please note, links are used in place of footnotes for references and citations.  Please review each link in order to get the full teaching on these matters.  Also, you can pause the Audio podcast to follow a link and resume the audio when ready.)

THINK – The Sermon – Part 4

Matthew chapter five contains a sermon by Jesus, which has been aptly named “The Sermon on The Mount”, simply because it took place on a small mount (hill) which overlooks the Sea of Galilee (the lake at Gennesaret.

This sermon has been named the “The Beatitudes”, again, simply because of the repeated use of the word ‘blessed’ in the sermon, which translate as ‘beatitude’, (beati sunt, “blessed are”), of sayings in the Latin Vulgate Bible. 

There are thousands upon thousands of commentaries, articles, published bible studies and more, about The Beatitudes. Most describe this as ‘the greatest moral teaching’ ever.  But, it is much more than that.

The Beatitudes can be found in Matthew chapter 5 and continuing through Matthew chapter 7.  It is presumed that Jesus preached this sermon over a period of several days.  I say it is much more than just ‘the greatest moral teaching ever’, which it is, but it is profoundly prophetic.  Jesus Words are prophetic because of what they do, to and through a disciple of Jesus.

– THE BEATITUDES –

A PICTURE OF SALVATION & THE PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION

God speaks of people as having a body, a mind, and a soul. (see Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5). We live and learn on all three of these levels. Our experience begins in our spirit (pneuma) sometimes called ‘the heart’ and work into our soul (psuché), our will and emotions; next, it works its way up into our mind, expressed in thoughts and ideas, and culminates in our body (soma) where our thoughts and ideas are acted upon.

These Words of Jesus work powerfully on all three levels.

Matthew 5:1,  “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. Verse 2. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

Verse 3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Poor in spirit” has been described and ‘spiritually bankrupt’, which is like calling the ocean ‘a wet spot’.  ‘Poor in Spirit’ (Greek: ptochos) literally means 1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms 2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor

2a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches

2b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end 2c) poor, needy 3) lacking in anything 3a) as respects their spirit 3a1) destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure)

 This definition comes from a root and alternate meaning “to be terrified”, “as a decaying corpse”.

The Jewish audience understood what Jesus was saying.  It should have caused them to wonder, how could they possibly be considered “Blessed” if they are “poor in spirit”.  But, that is exactly what Jesus said.  He goes on to explain what He meant.

 (When was the last time your preacher explained how you could “enter the Kingdom of Heaven”?  Was it when he told you to ‘pray this little prayer’: God, I have sinned…etc.?

Has he ever explained the true definition of being “poor is in spirit” and why you must be 1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms

2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor 2a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches 2b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end 2c) poor, needy

3) lacking in anything 3a) as respects their spirit 3a1) destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford. (people of this class will most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and are will to be proved, IN ORDER TO INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 

Has your pastor or preacher explained that this is the first step and the ONLY WAY to the Kingdom of Heaven?  If he has not, why not?  It is the first step and the only way into the Kingdom of Heaven!

(This series contains urgent and vitally important information.  Jesus warns us to not be deceived, for many will come saying “I am the Christ”.  This can come in the form of misinformed pastors, preachers and teachers through INSTITUTIONAL DECEPTION.  Beware!)

Please, pray, read, study, seek God on these matters.

Your Brother and Friend

Mike Young

Coming soon:  “THINK – PART 5 – BE BLESSED”

Previous article:  “THINK – PART 3 – WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”

PS:  When I went into the U.S. Army, basic training gave me the impression that I could handle being a soldier.  But, when you finish the training and begin your life as a soldier – real life in the military – everything changes.  It is nothing like basic training.  It is for real!

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food”  Hebrews 5:12

THE TRIBULATION Made EZ – A quick study we must know about

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(Please note, links are used in place of footnotes for references and citations.  Please review each link in order to get the full teaching on these matters.  Also, you can pause the Audio podcast to follow a link and resume the audio when ready.)

easy.jpg

THE TRIBULATION AND RAPTURE MADE EASY TO UNDERSTAND

“Yeah. Right!”, you say. But, it can be understood. And it is in our best interest to understand. But, we have to get our priorities and chronologies right, first.

For example:

Unless you have received Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior, you do not have the capacity to understand what follows. Once your surrender your life to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit will indwell you and will reveal all Truth to you and will guide you in that Truth. Receive Him, today – Now is the time.

(Please, click on each of these images before proceeding)

              

FIRST, in order to understand the Book of Revelation, we need to know WHY God will bring plagues and terror to the earth, also known as “the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord”, which is the End of Days.

SECONDLY, in order to understand the Book of Revelation, we need to know WHEN these things will come upon us.

THIRDLY, in order to understand the Book of Revelation, we need to know HOW God will bring about The End of Days, IN THIS ORDER.

FOURTHLY, in order to understand the Book of Revelation, we need to know WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?

The Condensed Version

WHY? The wickedness of people has become great on the earth

WHEN? When these things are evident throughout the earth

1. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

2. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. (See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. )

3. In various places there will be famines and earthquakes. (Matthew 24:8.  But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.)

4. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

5. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. (12 Because lawlessness is increased, [f]most people’s love will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.)

6. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

HOW? And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. But, there will be a shattering the power of the holy people and a purging, a cleansing and a refining of God’s people.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME? The Bible warns us that “The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Of that day, no one knows the day or the hour, but if you did know, would you be ready?

“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left … the Master will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut the unfaithful into pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(What does it mean to be ready? Go here What does it mean to get ready)

The Expanded, yet condensed version

WHY are these things to happen?

The First example of WHY, can be found from THE GREAT FLOOD: Genesis 6:5 tells us, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Verse 6.  “The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

Verse 7.  “The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”

So, it is because of the wickedness, the sin, of man on the earth, a global phenomenon.

WHEN are these things to happen?

The Bible tells us that we cannot know “the day or the hour” and that God alone knows the day and hour of the Great Tribulation and the End of Days. But, we can know the season.

Understanding the “When” of tribulation can be complex and confusing. So, let’s suffice it to say that the tribulation has begun when these things happen:

1. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

2. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. (See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. )

3. In various places there will be famines and earthquakes. (Matthew 24:8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.)

4. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

5. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. (12 Because lawlessness is increased, [f]most people’s love will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.)

6. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Review history, since AD 1, and you can see that all of the aforementioned events as described in the book of Revelation, have occurred.

The final week of “Daniel’s 70 weeks” which will last 7 years, will begin with the “breaking of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation” and will signal the beginning of the Great Tribulation and the Rapture has occurred.

7. Matthew 24:15 says,“Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

verse 21. “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. verse 22. “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Revelation 6:12 tells us, “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. verse 14. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. verse 15. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; verse 16. and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; verse 17. for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

HOW are these things to happen?

1. There will be a time of distress (* ‘How long?’ described below)

Daniel 12:1 tells us, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. verse 2. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. verse 3. “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. verse 4. “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

verse 5, Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river. verse 6. And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” verse 7. I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. verse 8. As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” verse 9. He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.

2. Many will be purged, purified and refined

Daniel 12:10, “Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”

Tribulation Judgments lead to the End of the Age (Concern yourself with the first 6 Seals):

  1. 1st Tribulation Seal – International (Global) conquest and political intrigue (has already occurred and continues to occur)
  2. 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War (has already occurred and continues to occur)
  3. 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famine (has already occurred and continues to occur)
  4. 4th Tribulation Seal – Death (has already occurred and continues to occur)
  5. 5th Tribulation Seal – Martyrs, persecution, falling away – the great apostasy (has begun – in process)
  6. 6th Tribulation Seal – Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun, terror, calamity (yet to occur)
    1. Sealing of the 144,000
    2. The Rapture
    3. Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God                      

(For greater detail When does the tribulation begin – page 3 )

7. 7th Tribulation Seal – The announcement of the 7 Trumpet Judgments

8. 1st Trumpet Judgment –Revelation 8:7 says, “The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

9. Verse 8. “The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, vesrse 9.  and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10. Verse 10.  “The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. verse 11. The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

11,  Verse 12. “The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way. 13Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

12.  Revelation 9:1, says, “Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. verse 2.  He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. verse 3. Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. verse 4. They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

13.  Revelation 9::13 “Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, verse 14. one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” verse 15. And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. verse 16. The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

14.  Verse 20. “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.”

15.  Revelation 11:15. “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” verse 16. And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, verse 17. saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. verse 18. “And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” verse 19. And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

16.  Revelation 16:2says, “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

17.  Verse 3. “The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.

18.  Verse 4. “Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood. verse 5. And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; verse 6. for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.” verse 7. And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

19.  Verse 8. “The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. verse 9. Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.

20.  Verse 10. “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, verse 11. and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.

21.  Verse 12. “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east. verse 13. And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; verse 14. for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. verse 15. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”) verse 16. And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.

22.  Verse 17. “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.” verse 18. And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. verse 19. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath. verse 20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. verse 21. And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe.”

“How Long?” – This is very complex and confusing for almost every reader. This is meant to be a footnote: There will be 1,290 days of desolation.

Daniel 12:11 , “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. verse 12. “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! 13“But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

(Both of these prophecies deal with specific time periods associated with the seven-year tribulation. the tribulation begins with the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, intended to be for one “seven,” that is, a set of seven years. But the “seven” is divided into halves: midway through the seven years, the Antichrist breaks the treaty and sets up in the temple a sacrilegious object (the “abomination that causes desolation”). The phrase “in the middle” indicates that the first half of the tribulation lasts for 3½ years (1,260 days, using a “prophetic year” of 360 days). Likewise, the second half of the tribulation lasts another 1,260 days (another 3½ years), for a total of seven years.

he 1,260 days of the second half of the tribulation begins as the Antichrist breaks the treaty, occupies the third Jewish temple, and sets up a profane and sacrilegious object of worship. This 1,260-day period ends when the Antichrist is defeated at the battle of Armageddon upon Jesus’ return to earth. At that time, the tribulation will be at an end.

In summary, here is the timeline as we see it:

• Sometime after the rapture of the church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation.
• At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).

HOW (continued)

2 Peter 3:7 says, “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

(verse 8. “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. verse 9. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.)

Verse 10.  “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Verse 11. “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, verse 12. looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! verse 13. But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

The New Heaven and Earth

Revelation 21:1, says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. verse verse 2. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. verse 3. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will [a]dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, verse 4. and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Verse 5.  “And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  verse 6. Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. verse 7. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. verse 8. But for the cowardly and [d]unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and [e]brimstone, which is the second death.”

Read this page link in its entirety and discover the goal or the end-game of the forces of the Anti-christ and the Beast: When will the Tribulation Begin – page 3

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Let’s Abide In His Shelter!

Recieve Him and Declare Him as Lord Today
Become a Child of God Today

 

THINK – Part 3 – Where are you going?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

ANYONE GOING DOWN?

The Gallup organization reported In April 2021, that for the first time since they started polling in 1937, fewer than 50% of Americans claim membership is churches, mosques or synagogues. Sociologists have tracked these burgeoning declines for several decades, with attrition that runs from 70% claiming membership in the 1990s, to 50% in 2019, to 47% in 2021 (with no plateau in sight).

In Gallup’s study, these fissures in religious participation seem evident among every American demographic age group, including “traditionalists,” born before 1945, down from 73% to 66%; “Baby Boomers,” dropping from 63% to 58%; Generation X, from 57% to 50%; and “Millennials” from 51% to 35%, as indicated in 2020 studies.

SO, WHAT’S UP?

The Covid-19 outbreak is being blamed for the recent decline in church attendance, but, that is an anomaly.  Here is some information from a George Barna study reporting on five standing reasons people give on why they drop out of church (the comments are my own):

1. The church is irrelevant, the leaders are hypocritical and leaders have experienced too much moral failure

Yes, I know. That’s three reasons in one. But the Barna study groups all three reasons together as one reason.

2. God is missing in the church

People go to church looking for God, but are having difficulty finding him.

This one hurts, but in an age where perception is reality, you can’t ignore this criticism.  The paucity of personal experience with God is disturbing.

3. Legitimate doubt is prohibited

Honestly, I simply agree with this criticism. It is very difficult to have an honest conversation in many churches today.

4.  They’re not finding community

Sometimes expectations are too high; sometimes expectations are unrealistic; sometimes people really don’t want what they say they want; sometimes a church has metastasized into cliques.  This is a tough one – but can be true on many levels. At any rate, this is not acceptable for the Body of Christ.

5.  They’re not connecting with God

It does not amaze me to hear that people come to church seeking God, and they get some good sermons ABOUT GOD or ABOUT THE BIBLE, then they are discouraged when all they get is a religious pep talk, a religious rock concert or a religious lecture ABOUT GOD or ABOUT THE BIBLE.  They aren’t as interested in knowing ABOUT God, as they what they want to KNOW IF GOD CAN DO, IN THEIR LIVES, WHAT PREACHERS SAID HE CAN DO.  They don’t come to church to get stories about the Bible, they want to KNOW IF THE BIBLE can direct their lives,

Or perhaps, this is what is referred to the “Great Apostasy” (a falling away from the faith) of the Last Days, as mentioned in scriptures?

In either case, you and I need to be very careful because Jesus has warned, “See to it that no one misleads you. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.”  This can be both individual and institutional deception.

HE SAID WHAT?

So, what was your experience in church this past month?  And, what did your pastor or preacher preach on this past Sunday, and how did he preach on it?  Now, be very honest; was it something ‘about the bible’ or ‘about Jesus’?  Or, was it something the Bible or Jesus said to you and for you to do and, you are doing it?

Just for the ‘fun of it’, let’s compare what you are hearing and seeing in Church versus what Jesus taught and did in ‘churches’ and along His way.

Let’s do a little ‘time travel’ and imagine we can go back in time to when Jesus begins His ministry.  Here’s the scene found in:

Matthew 4;12, “Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. Verse 14.  This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

Verse 15.  “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

Verse 16.  “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light,
And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,
Upon them a Light dawned.”

Verse 17. From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The First Disciples

Verse 18. Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Verse 19. And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Verse 20. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Verse 21. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Verse 22. Immediately, they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

Calling and making and sending disciples is what Jesus does.  In fact, that is exactly what He told us to be doing.  (see Matthew 28:16-20)  

Did your pastor or preacher say something even remotely like Jesus when He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” or when He said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded; and remember, He is with you always, even to the end of the age.”?  Or is this something to be left to the ‘professionals’?  You know, ’you invite your friends, family and neighbors, and he’ll take it from there’.

But, that is not what the Bible says.  It says, YOU GO, and YOU MAKE DISCIPLES, and YOU BAPTIZE THEM.  Is your pastor teaching, training and sending you to DO WHAT JESUS SAID?

Put people on mission and let them run with it.  Let the pastors pastor, the teachers teach, the evangelist evangelize, etc., and watch what happens.

Ministry in Galilee

Matthew 4:23  “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.”

Notice that Jesus does not just ‘talk a good game’, He leads by example.  In fact, Jesus’ pattern and method of ministry and of making disciples is to ‘Say the Words; Show the Wonders; Send the Worker”, and this is consistent throughout His ministry.

How about your pastor or preacher and ‘church leaders’?  What do they do?  Are they leading by example, then sending YOU to follow Jesus in like manner?  Remember, it’s all about YOU making disciples who, in turn, make disciples.

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

Matthew 4:24  “The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Verse 25.  Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.”

THE POINT?

The point is that Jesus did not sugar-coat the Gospel Message nor did He devise slick advertising gimmicks to get people to ‘come to church’.  There were no worship teams, no missions budgets, no building programs.  Jesus just told it straight, did what He said, and made disciples who did likewise.

The point is that, even under constant and severe persecution, the early church grew exponentially because the Gospel Message was preached and practiced!

The point is that, THIS IS OUR MODEL and God will provide the increase.

Now, stay tuned for “THINK – Part 4 – THE SERMON?”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Previous article:  “THINK – Part 2 – Repent and Live”

NOTE:  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about JESUS, first, foremost and only.  He has secured a salvation for you to save your soul from perishing in the most horrible way.  He has prepared a place for you as your eternal home, in His Kingdom.  The other things that happen to and through a believer and follower of Jesus, are the blessing and benefits that follow. – Michael Young, Pastor / Teacher, Whitestone Fellowship.

THINK – Part 2 – Repent and live

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THINK!  MINDS & THOUGHTS.

*Think, and the God of peace will be with you.

**Think, and you will have abundant life and peace and prosperity.

***Think, and God will reveal His Truths to you.

****Think, and God will give you understanding in everything.

*****Think, and you will be as you are.

In our last article, we discussed psychology and the soul.  This time, let’s take a brief look at what the Bible says about the mind and thoughts.

*Philippians 4:8, says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Verse 9. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

**Romans 8:5 tells us, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Verse 6.  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on and peace.”

***Philippians 3:15 , says, “Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”

****2 Timothy 2:7  tells us to, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”

*****Proverbs 23:7, says, “… For as a man thinks within himself, so he is.”

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT OR RELEVANT?

First, no person, with a sound mind, can think one thing and do another.  You cannot say “today I pray to have success”, or “today I will pray to have friends”, or “today I will serve God”, then act in a contrary manner and expect to receive what you desire nor to achieve what you claim.

Secondly, and most importantly, Matthew 4:17, says, “Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  This is the greatest pronouncement and call to readiness for all Christians:  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

This is one of the greatest pronouncements and calls to readiness for all Christians:  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repent, in the Biblical sense, literally means,

“To change one’s mind; – reversing how you think – to change one’s mind for the better” and it comes from two root words which mean, “Hereafter, have this understanding or perception”.

Repenting is the act of changing your mind which means your mindset, your values, and your worldview is changed.  Some would say you then live by new standards.  But it is much greater than just living by new standards.

Again I say, a person of sound mind cannot simultaneously think one thing and do another, repentance results in a complete change of mind and direction of one’s life.

Another way of saying this is, “As a man or woman thinks, so are they”.

This is not a metaphor.  It is not hyperbole.  It is the literal call from God through His Son, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

BOTH A COMMAND AND A PROPHETIC WORD

Interestingly, Jesus, the Son of God, in fact God Himself, said these very words which is recorded in Matthew 4:17.  Remembering, this is both a Command and a prophetic Word from God.

Jesus said this is what we are to do – Repent – in order to become His disciple and to follow Him, and, this is what will happen is we repent.

The disciples echoed and repeated these very words as they continued to do the Works of God, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand”.

Jesus says for each of us to Repent as an act of our will and that Repentance will allow the Holy Spirit to come into our bodies, our minds and regenerate our spirits.  We will become One with Him.

Our fleshly desires begin to fade, and our new desires emanate from the Holy Spirit of God.  It is not us producing Spiritual Fruit, it is from The Holy Spirit, and it should pour out of us, liberally.

We begin to desire the Things of God.  We are made new, and we can now walk with certainty, with purpose and power in our New Life.

MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Once we Repent, our new desires move us to a new way of living, new actions, which are the direct manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance means it is no longer you, or I who lives, but it is Christ, literally, living in us.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”

If you are living in the sin of doubt or fear,  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

If you are living under the oppression of poverty, sickness, lack or want, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Rise up.  Proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness, help all who are ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; heal them all.  Matthew 4:24

Go and tell others this exceedingly Good News, and let us all, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Let’s stop thinking as the world thinks and see things from a heavenly perspective (Colossians 3:2), let’s have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), and begin to really live!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Previous article:  “THINK – Part 1 -Psychology in the Bible? – The Soul”

Next article: “THINK – Part 3 – Where are you Going?”

THINK – Part 1 – PSYCHOLOGY IN THE BIBLE?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

 

Matthew 22:37 says, “And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’”

 Also found in Deuteronomy 6:5  says, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

 These words are both a command and a prophecy from God, to the Israelites, then, and to us, now, so we can “live in the land which God has promised”.

The ‘land’ promised to the Jewish people is described in Joshua 1:1-9 and is actual real estate.  It is a foreshadowing of the eternal “Land” of the Kingdom of God.  (see metaphors such as found in Matthew 13:44, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

Matthew 22:37 and Deuteronomy 6:5 tell us how we are to “love the Lord our God”.  These verses describe the entire person:  mind, body and soul.  We are to love God with our entire being and all of our essence in order to obtain His promises.

Let’s focus on the soul.

SOUL:  From the Greek, “psuché”, meaning, breath, the soul (the phonetic spelling is psoo-khay’).  It is defined as the vital breath or breath of life, (b) the human soul, (c) the soul as the seat of affections and will, (d) the self, (e) a human person, an individual, the mind, will and emotions..

‘Psuche’, (the soul), is the root of the English words “psyche,” “psychology”; the soul (psyche); a person’s distinct identity (unique person-hood), i.e. individual personality.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT OR RELEVANT?

It is to make the point that the Bible speaks volumes about human psychology and is the leading and foremost authority on the matter. Scientists and psychologist are just catching up with the Bible on these matters, but, they still have a way to go. Most psychologists view the Bible as largely mythical or anthropomorphic, and they read it through the biased and ofttimes arrogant lens of scientism.

The main point is, however, is that Matthew 22:37 and Deuteronomy 6:5 tell us HOW we are to “love the Lord our God”.  These verses describe the entire person:  mind, body and soul.  We are to love God with our entire being and all of our essence – in order to obtain His promises.

Deuteronomy 28:28,  “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.

Verse 2.  All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God:

Verse 3.  “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

Verse 4.  “Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock.

Verse 5.  “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

Verse 6.  “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

Verse 7. “The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.

Verse 8.  The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Verse 9.  The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways.

Verse 10.  So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will be afraid of you.

Verse 11.  The Lord will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the [l]offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you.

Verse 12.  The Lord will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

Verse 13.  The Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully,

Verse 14.  And do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

Finally, and to be sure, all the promises of God are already ours through the finished redemptive work of Jesus.  But, just like the Israelites wandering in the desert of forty years, though God provided them manna to eat and sandals to wear, the children of God still had to pick up the manna and put on the sandals which would never wear out.

The promises of God are here, but, we must appropriate them by believing and obeying God and taking the promises as our own.  Let’s live the Kingdom, now!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Next Article:  “THINK – The Mind and Thoughts”)

WAS JESUS EVER MOODY? – The Fig Tree

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Jesus turning over tables in the temple.

“Jesus in the Temple with the money changers.”

I had an Uncle (a much loved, Southern Baptist Pastor and Preacher) who frequently said, “Jesus loves you and so do I”.

I also had a good friend (An independent Baptist Pastor and Preacher) who loved to say, “Remember to be kind and gentle, like Jesus”.

I recently thought of these two men, who had an influence on my life, but, I wondered if these two defining statements are compatible.

What do you think?

Here are some Bible verses which are the words spoken by Jesus or about Jesus. I would like to know what you think, so let’s play a game. OK?

1. Assign ONE WORD to describe Jesus’ apparent mood from the highlighted words in each section of verses.

2. Describe the reason for Jesus’ remarks or actions.

3. Answer the question, “Was Jesus being ‘kind and gentle'” and “Was Jesus being loving?”

(I will do the first one as an example. You may have a different idea or opinion, so use your own ideas.)

I. Mark 11:12-26   “On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He (Jesus) became hungry. Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.

Verse 20.  “When evening came, they would go out of the city. As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.”

And Jesus answered, saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”

Jesus’ mood? ______________________

Jesus’ reason?: _____________________

Jesus found the tree as ‘useless’ and “cursed” it. Was He teaching His disciples, by this act, not to spend their time on things (people?) who were decidedly and purposefully ‘useless’ in the Kingdom.

Was Jesus mood was pragmatic?

He was dealing with this matter based on a practical spiritual application rather than theoretical considerations. He is teaching His disciples how to “do His Works, and greater works”. He was not driven by moods, but by the opportunity to Speak the Words of Truth and to teach the Truth which transcends this natural world, so His disciples could walk in the Spirit and in power.

He also told His disciples, in other scriptures, that if they ever lost their usefulness or ‘saltiness’ they would be good for nothing except to cast out and trod under the foot of men’. Matthew 5:8.

Paul also teaches that God takes no pleasure in those who shrink back, in the sense of being cowardly. Hebrews 10:39 Jesus actions were brave, bold and direct Truth.

Jesus’ acts were always bold. He was not worried about recrimination for destroying the unfruitful tree and teaching it to his disciples. Revelation 21:8 teaches us that “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (This is the bold truth.)

In conclusion, Jesus’ teaching is about faith, the demonstration of faith and the obstacles to faith and to overcoming this world.

It is a Spiritual law that “Unforgiveness” will negate your faith. So when the Bible tells us “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions” it is really saying that you have chosen to abrogate God’s forgiveness toward you and to negate the authority Jesus have given you.

It is our choice, not His.

To wit:

FAITH – Mark 11:23 “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.

DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH – Verse 24.  “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.

ABROGATION OF FAITH – Verse 25.  “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. Verse 26.  “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”

Was Jesus “moody”?

Was Jesus always “Kind and Gentle”?

Was He showing love for others?

How does this Truth apply to our ‘moods’? To our speech, conduct and Kingdom effectiveness?

The ministry of ‘changing the world for Jesus’ isn’t over yet. So, let’s Walk Out our Faith in power and in Truth.

Your Friend and Brother

Mike Young

WAS JESUS EVER MOODY? – The Temple

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

passover.jpg

JESUS, THE LAMB of GOD

Was Jesus “moody”?

John 2:13-17  “The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He (Jesus) made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;   and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.”  His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”

Jesus’ mood?:                                               

Jesus’ reason?:                                             

First, let’s recognize that “Passover” Jewish holiday, which commemorates the liberation of the Israelite (The Jews) by God from slavery in Ancient Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses.

It commemorates the Exodus as described in the Hebrew Bible, in which the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

The New Testament states that the resurrection of Jesus, established Jesus as the powerful Son of God and is cited as proof that God will righteously judge the world. For those who trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection, “death is swallowed up in victory.” Any person who chooses to follow Jesus receives “a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”.

Through faith in the working of God those who follow Jesus are spiritually resurrected with him so that they may walk in a new way of life and receive eternal salvation.

Easter is linked to Passover and the Exodus from Egypt recorded in the Old Testament through the Last Supper, sufferings, and crucifixion of Jesus that preceded the resurrection.

So, Jesus, the Passover Lamb of the New Covenant with God, comes to Jerusalem for the Passover and found those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables, in the Temple.

NOTE: Jesus took the time to stop and braid some cords into a scourge. This shows that Jesus was very deliberate with His intentions.

Was His purpose just to drive the money changers and those selling oxen, sheep and doves out of the Temple?

We read in scriptures

John 2:18-22  “The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?”  Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”  But He was speaking of the temple of His body.  So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.”

Jesus’ mood? Serious.

Was Jesus Angry?

NOTE: There is not one word, nor is there one tense of any word, nor is there any root of any word, in all of these New Testament verses that indicates a mood or disposition of human anger in Jesus.

The Bible shows Jesus is Resolute. Decisive. Aggressive and Zealous.

And, therein lies the clue: “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.” Zeal in the language used in the Bible means “excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit” and comes from a root Greek word, “zeo” which means “to boil with heat, be hot”. It can be used as a metaphor for “boiling anger for what is good”.

What we are witnessing is also called “Righteous Indignation”.

Read 2 Corinthians 7:11 “For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything, you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.”

An “indignation” that produces “zeal” and avenging of wrong, yet found to be innocent in the matter. Righteous Indignation.

Jesus expressed righteous anger over the sins of the people (Mark 3:1–5; Matthew 21:12–13; Luke 19:41–44). But His anger was directed at sinful behaviors and unmistakable injustice. (this sentence comes from Righteous Indignation and Anger – Got Questions .com?)

James also gives us good instruction when it comes to righteous indignation: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20).

Jesus reason and purpose is to teach Spiritual Truth about

  • FAITH,
  • The DEMONSTRATION of our FAITH
  • The dangers of the ABROGATION of our FAITH (that is, that which negates our faith)
  • Impediments of Access to God
  • Righteous Indignation / anger.
  • Jesus calls every believer to ministry.
  • The Holy Spirit equips every believer for ministry.
  • Jesus sends every believer to the mission fields
  • Jesus calls every believer to serve His Body.

No exceptions. Jesus instructs us to either pick up our cross and follow Him into the mission fields, or go back to where you came from.

  • Let’s FOLLOW Him.
  • Let’s DO as Jesus has done.
  • Let’s KNOW these things
  • FAITH in God
  • The DEMONSTRATION OF our FAITH
  • The ABROGATION (Impediments) TO our FAITH
  • THE COST OF UN-FORGIVENESS
  • THE COST OF DISOBEDIENCE
  • THE COST OF UNRIGHTEOUS ANGER

Now I ask you, was Jesus being “Kind and Gentle”?

Was He showing love for others?

How about You? Does your life and walk demonstrate these Truths? Do you apply them to your speech, conduct and Kingdom effectiveness?

Let’s all master these things as we follow Jesus.

Let’s all Walk in the Holy Spirit and nothing will be impossible to those of us who believe (Mark 9:23)

Please, pray for me. I know that by writing these things I will be held accountable. Let’s pray for one another as we Follow Jesus.

Your Friend and Brother

Mike Young

AVOID THE PIT

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AVOID

The Pit.png

ESCAPE THE PIT

WE SHOULD KNOW THIS. IT WILL SAVE OUR LIFE AND OUR SOUL.

(We can actually DO this for our benefit – and for God’s glory.)

Psalm 103:1, says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;  Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;  Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;”

So, what exactly is THE PIT, God rescues us from?

The Bible defines “THE PIT” as

  • corruption,
  • destruction,
  • a ditch and
  • a grave.
  • It is also referred to as a “pit of hell”.

This definition is from the Hebrew language and comes from a root word or meaning

  • “to sink down,
  • be bowed down,
  • be humbled;
  • depression of the mind.

(definitions taken from the Hebrew of Psalm 103:4)

What is the PIT we can fall into which becomes our corruption, our destruction, a ditch a grave and a “pit of hell”? What are these PITS which cause us to sink down, to be bowed down, humbled and depressed in our mind? Here are a few:

The PIT of fear.
The PIT of anger.
The PIT of poverty.
The PIT of hatred.
The PIT of anxiety.
The PIT of lack and want.
The PIT of revenge.
The PIT of selfishness.
The PIT of resentment.
The PIT of addiction.
The PIT of lust and perversion.
The PIT of self-pity.
The PIT of envy.
The PIT of pride.
The PIT of self.

These and many more can become (or have become) a snare to our soul and mind. They can dictate our every thought and act and lead us into daily captivity of depression, destruction. A living hell. An above ground grave.

ESCAPE THE PIT

Avoiding the PIT takes discipline and work on our part. You must consciously tell our soul to Bless the LORD. The Bible tells us to bless the LORD, with your soul, and with all that is within you, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, with all your soul, and forget none of His benefits”

If we follow this command – in other words, actually DO this – God redeems your life from the pit, and will crown you with loving kindness and compassion

Do it now. You will see.  SPEAK THESE THINGS, ALOUD, NOW and frequently.

“I Bless you LORD with my soul,

“I Bless you LORD with my mind, will and emotions.

“My soul says, I Bless you LORD for you have rescued me, and You give me Your peace.

“You give me Your Joy.

“Today, I am full of Your Peace and Your Joy.

“Today, I am redeemed.

“Today, You have given me a strong and sound mind. I bless you LORD for You are my redemption.”

I am FREE of fear.
I am FREE of anger.
I am FREE of poverty.
I am FREE of hatred.
I am FREE of anxiety.
I am FREE of lack and want.
I am FREE of revenge.
I am FREE of selfishness.
I am FREE of resentment.
I am FREE of addiction.
I am FREE of lust and perversion.
I am FREE of self pity.
I am FREE of envy.

I am crowned with the courage of God.
I am crowned with the peace of Jesus.
I am crowned with all of God’s provisions of plenty.
I am crowned with God’s Love.
I am crowned with the confidence with comes from knowing God.
I am crowned with all the riches of Christ Jesus.
I am crowned with God’s reconciliation.
I am crowned with freedom in from the flesh.
I am crowned with God’s contentment.
I am crowned with a pure heart and a clean mind.
I am crowned with God’s satisfaction in my soul.
I am crowned with the gift of giving.

Bless the LORD, Oh my soul, and all that is within me. Bless His Holy Name.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young