Month: September 2023

DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS – THE END OF DAYS – THE TRIBULATION PROPHECIES (Part 3)

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Mike Young

The REVELATION of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1:1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place;

and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, verse 2, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Verse 3, Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Message to the Seven Churches

Revelation 1:4. “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—Verse 6. And He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Verse 7. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So, it is to be. Amen.

(See Jesus’ corresponding teaching on Revelation 1:7 (above) found in Matthew 24:9-31: “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”)

(It is also interesting and important to note that Jesus’ words on these matters from Matthew chapter 24 are found to be in the present and future tense. I the book of the Revelation His words are found to be in the aorist tense, which refers to the past, present and future, simultaneously. In other words, In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus is teaching about present and future events. In Revelation, He is referring to an event which began in the past, is current, and the future is fulfilled although not complete in our present existence – but it is finished!)

 Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

(Again, we see a reference to the aorist tense in Revelation 1:8, “who is and who was and who is to come”. Although we have not seen this completed in our reference of time, in God’s economy, it is completed. It is finished! This is how PROPHECY works.)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE are specifically directed at the Church and Believers in Jesus Christ, with a SIX-FOLD purpose in bringing these events to pass, which is found in Daniel 9, verse 24 .

Then, Tribulation Seals SIX through the SEVENTH Tribulation Bowl judgement, (also known as the GREAT Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord) are judgements directed specifically at the non-believing world.

DANIEL 9 THROUGH REVELATION 22 – IT IS COMPLETE

Daniel 12:5, “Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man

dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”

(There is no clear distinction of the identity of these ‘two others’ who are ‘dressed in linen’. Some commentators suspect they are angels and if context is to be held on to, they could likely be the angel Gabriel and the angel Michael – the messengers of this prophecy.)

Daniel 12:7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, 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.”

(“A time, times, and half a time” (time=1 year; times=2 years; half a time=½ year; total of 3 ½ years) as referred to in Daniel 12:7 (above here) is a time of oppression against the Jews is also described in Revelation 13:5–7,is during the second half of the “great tribulation”. The Great Tribulation Period begins with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal (after the rapture) and continues through the 5th Tribulation Trumpet. The remaining three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation begins with the blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet, when the beast, or the Antichrist, will gain and increase in power, and ends with the pouring out of the 7th Tribulation Bow.)

and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.

(There is much debate on the meaning of the final words from Daniel 12:7 (above here), but a simple face-value reading of this same precursor event in the context of Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 11:31 would lead us to see the sequence of prophetic events past, present and future.)

Daniel 12:8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so, I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up …until the end time.

(Repeated from Daniel 12:4. Repetition indicates importance.)

Daniel 12:10 “Many will be

purged,

cleansed, and

refined,

 but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”

(It is important to know the PURPOSE of the tribulation. Daniel 12:10 reveals the purpose of this prophecy and contains a statement concerning God’s SIX-FOLD purpose in bringing these events to pass:

Daniel 9, verse 24 says the PURPOSE is:

1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God)

2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin)

3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness)

4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable)

5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions)

6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.)

Notice that the results of this six-fold purpose concerns the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness.

The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.

*Of special note is the third in the list of results: “to atone for wickedness.” Jesus accomplished the atonement for sin by His death on the cross (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17).

Secondly, it is important to know the four-fold PLANNED OUTCOME of the tribulation found in Daniel 12:10, (Which is the purpose of the Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE): “Many will be

purged,

cleansed, and

refined,

those who have insight will understand.

Daniel 12:11 “And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

Daniel 12:12. “Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days!”

(In summary:  Sometime after the rapture of the church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. The rapture occurs just before the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, and the breaking of that Seal marks the beginning of the Seven-year Great Tribulation period.

 At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews. (The midpoint of the Great Tribulation occurs at the blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet).

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 (after the pouring out of the 7th Tribulation bowl).

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).)

 (NOTE: GotQuestions.Org., offers a very good detailed explanation of these dates and times, although, in my studied opinion, adheres to a dispensational miscalculation of the beginning of the final 7 years of Great Tribulation).

Daniel 12:13. “But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

(Daniel is dismissed in peace, without having his question answered. Daniel is to continue on his pre-planned course, without occupying his thoughts with this secret thing, which Jesus has revealed.)

Let’s conclude with the ‘burning question’ (pun intended) “Is This The End?“, which will help pull the chronology of the Tribulation Period together with the prophesied events as they have occurred and the suspected season of future events. This will compare and discuss world events as mentioned in Biblical eschatological scriptures, such as “wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, the spread of deadly diseases, false christs, cosmic events and catastrophes” and the like.

Click here to proceed to “Is This The End?“.

Your Brother and Friend,

“And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” – Revelation 22:6-7

(Return to Part 2)

DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS – THE END OF DAYS – THE TRIBULATION PROPHECIES (Part 2)

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE FORETELLING OF THE END OF DAYS

(Gabriel Brings an Answer (539 B.C.))

Daniel 9:20, “While I was still speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my plea before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, verse 21, while I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came, to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.

Daniel 9:22, “And he instructed me and talked with me and said, “Daniel, I have come now to give you insight with understanding. Verse 23. At the beginning of your pleas the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, because you are highly esteemed; so pay attention to the message and gain understanding of the vision.”

(Seventy Weeks and the Messiah)

Verse 24. “Seventy weeks, (490 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar) have been decreed for your people and your holy city,

to finish the wrongdoing,

to make an end of sin,

to make atonement for guilt,

to bring in everlasting righteousness,

to seal up vision and prophecy,

and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

Daniel 9:25. So, you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince,

there will be seven weeks (49 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar).

And sixty-two weeks; (434 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar).

It will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.

Daniel 9:26. “Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, (the crucifixion of Jesus) and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. (the invading armies of Rome destroyed the 2nd Jewish Temple in 70 A.D.) And its end will come with a flood;

(There are three references to a ‘coming flood’ in eschatological scriptures: Daniel 9:24ff, which refers to an army or a ‘flood of people’; Matthew 24:37ff, which refers to ‘Noah’s flood’; Revelation 12:13ff, which is a metaphor referring to ‘

(a) The Woman’ (Israel),

(b) ‘The Dragon’ (Satan), and ‘

(c) The Child’ (The Messiah, Jesus)).

All three instances are examples of the principles of God’s judgement, the purpose of God’s judgement, the personalities in God’s judgement – when put together, reveals a complete picture of what is to come in the Last Days.

Even to the end, there will be war;

(There have always been wars, and there will be wars even to the end of days. They will increase in intensity and severity and will overlap with other Seal judgements.)

desolations are determined.

(Daniel’s prophecy reveals some of the actions of the Antichrist, the “ruler who will come.” Verse 27 says, “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’” However, “in the middle of the ‘seven,’ . . . he will set up an abomination that causes desolation” in the temple. Jesus warned of this event in Matthew 24:15. After the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel, a time of “great tribulation” begins (Matthew 24:21, NKJV).

Daniel 9:27, “And he (the Antichrist) will confirm a covenant with the many for one week, (Seven years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar. This is the final seven years of Daniel’s 70 weeks and the 7 years of The Great Tribulation.)

but in the middle of the week (3 1/2 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar. This is the Midpoint of the Great Tribulation, marked by the blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet), he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate, until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, gushes forth on the one who makes desolate.” (This is the desecration of the Temple altar, or the abomination of desolation).

Michael Brings News Of The Time of the End (539 B.C.)

Daniel 12:1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise.

Verse 1 contd.  “And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time;

(Jesus repeats these words to His disciples in Matthew 24: 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 again. Verse 22. And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.)

Verse 1 contd. “And at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.”

Daniel 12:2. “And 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. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

(John 5:25, tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, a time is coming and even now has arrived, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. Verse 26. For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; Verse 27, and He gave Him authority to execute judgement, because He is the Son of Man. Verse 28. Do not be amazed at this; for a time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, Verse 29, and will come out: those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the bad deeds to a resurrection of judgement.”

 (A record of the fulfillment of Daniel 12:1-2 is found in Mark 15: 50, where we read, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. Verse 51. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split. Verse 52. Also, the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; Verse 53, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.”)

Daniel 12:4, “But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

(The mystery of the words recorded in Daniel chapter 12 remained ‘secret’  – unrevealed and unexplained – until Jesus, The Messiah, revealed them. See the link below here). Now we can know.

NEXT:  Click here for –> THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Click here to return to Part 1)

 

DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS – THE END OF DAYS – THE TRIBULATION PROPHECIES (Part 1)

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 1 Comment

DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS – THE END OF DAYS – THE TRIBULATION PROPHECIES

The Angel Gabriel, in 539 B.C. comes to Daniel in a vision (Daniel 9:20), and instructs Daniel in order to give him insight and understanding of future events which are to finish the wrong-doing (rebellion toward God), to make an end of sin, to make atonement for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, (through the coming of Jesus, the Messiah), to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

Gabriel then gives specifics about the timing and length of the End of Days events. Daniel is to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks (49 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar), and sixty-two weeks, (434 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar), Jerusalem will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.

Gabriel even reveals the events of the final 7 years of the coming Great Tribulation judgments, which are foreshadowed by the destruction of the 1st Jewish Temple.

The Archangel Michael, (539 B.C.) then comes to Daniel and gives what I will call a ‘spiritual perspective’ on these same coming events. Michael’s instruction, however, touches on events that specifically refer to the tribulation and the Great Tribulation period, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb. (The tribulation period began around the birth of Christ and tribulation seals have continued to be opened, have overlapped and are increasing in intensity – The Great Tribulation, ‘such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again’ is what is referred to by Michael, and begins with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.)

Jesus, around the year A.D. 29, spoke to His disciples and revealed these words given to Daniel which have been kept a ‘secret’ for around 569 years.

NOTE:

Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE are specifically directed at the Church and Believers in Jesus Christ. God’s SIX-FOLD purpose in bringing these events to pass, found in Daniel 9, verse 24 says the PURPOSE is:

1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God)

2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin)

3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness)

4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable)

5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions)

6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.)

Notice that the results of this six-fold purpose concerns the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness.

The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.

*Of special note is the third in the list of results: “to atone for wickedness.” Jesus accomplished the atonement for sin by His death on the cross (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17).

Secondly, it is important to know the four-fold PLANNED OUTCOME of the tribulation and the Great Tribulation found in Daniel 12:10: “Many will be

purged,

cleansed, and

refined,

those who have insight will understand.

Tribulation Seals SIX through the SEVENTH Tribulation Bowl (also known as the GREAT Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord) are judgments directed specifically at the non-believing world.

The book of the Revelation begins with these words: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.” The Apostle John (the Revelator) gives us the words of Jesus around the year 95 A.D.

Then entire book of the Revelation gives us both an earthly and a heavenly perspective of these Last Days – both by actual detailed and real events and by way of metaphors, similes and idioms. But make no mistake – these are real events which have begun and are increasing in their intensity (even as I write these words). But the events which are occurring and have occurred to this date, will pale in comparison to what is yet to come.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS MULTI-PART LETTER IS TO HELP US PREPARE FOR WHAT IS AT HAND, SO WE ARE SURE TO ENDURE TO THE END – AND BE SAVED (Matthew 24:13).

My prayer and hope is this is an opportunity to simplify, grasp and develop an understanding of the events prophesied as The End of Days (the tribulation and the Great Tribulation), because even a basic understanding of these matters makes it possible to adequately prepare for what has come and is coming to pass: The tribulation periods (i.e., the times of ‘birth pains’), the coming anti-Christ, the Great Tribulation, the Mark of the Beast, (digital currency), the rapture (of believers), the subsequent Seal, Trumpet and Bowl judgment of the earth’s inhabitants for good or for evil, the battle of Armageddon, the casting of Satan and his domain and all the wicked (i.e., non-believers) into the eternal lake of fire, the destruction and the re-creation of a new heavens and earth.)

There are several varying and ‘competing’ views of these matters in various religious denominations. If your view does not move you to obey and complete the commands of Jesus in relation to your salvation and to these matters, you may not have a full understanding of the End Times and the benefits or consequences for readiness or lack thereof. (And, simply saying you are ‘saved’ but without the works that follow salvation is like ‘faith without works’ – it is dead. James 2:14-26.)

I will begin with the first prophecy to Daniel about the coming End of Days. We will find, in these early scriptures, a basic chronological outline of these coming events, and God’s purpose in them.

We will then move to the events which have already begun, those which are yet to come, their effects, benefits and consequences on this world and for every inhabitant of earth.

Before we begin, let’s lay a foundation by looking at a definition of Biblical prophecy:

Prophecy as defined by Easton’s Bible Dictionary  

Prediction, was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a “miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture.” (See PROPHET .)

 Prophesy as defined by CHRISTIANITY.COM –

Prophecy at its most fundamental meaning is “a message from God.” Learn why the Bible included prophecies and their significance today!

Prophecy as defined by GotQuestions.Org –

To prophesy is simply to speak prophecy. Prophecy is the noun, and prophesy is the verb. Prophecy at its most basic definition is “a message from God.” So, to prophesy is to proclaim a message from God. The one who does this is, therefore, a prophet. Although foretelling is often associated with prophecy, revealing the future is not a necessary element of prophecy; however, since only God knows the future, any authoritative word about the future must of necessity be a prophecy, that is, a message from God.

Prophecy as defined by the ATS Bible Dictionary –

The foretelling of future events, by inspiration from God. It is very different from a sagacious and happy conjecture as to futurity, and from a vague and equivocal oracle, without any certain meaning. A true prophecy can come only from God; and is the highest proof of the divine origin of the message of which it is a part. A true prophecy may be known by these marks; being announced at a suitable time before the event it foretells;

PROPHECY can be foretold and completed in a single act or event.

PROPHECY can be foretold and may have several ‘foreshadowing’ events before it is completed.

PROPHECY can be foretold, and the fulfillment can be continuous in its unfolding for days, weeks, month, decades or a millennium.

NEXT:  Click here for  –> THE FORETELLING OF THE END OF DAYS.

“Let’s Be Berean” together, in these matters.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

EKKLESIA

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Church EKKLESIA.jpg

THE CHURCH BUILDING: INHERITING THE EDIFICE COMPLEX

“It is an interesting paradox that as the Church moves underground, IT BECOMES MORE VISIBLE”

“The idea, that the Christians in the apostolic age, erected special houses of worship is out of the question.

The Savior of the world was born in a stable, ascended to heaven from a mountain. His apostles and their successors down to the third century, preached in the streets, the markets, on mountains, in ships, sepulchers, eaves,and deserts, and in the homes of their converts.

“Thousands of costly churches and chapels have since been built and are constantly being built in all parts of the world to the honor of the crucified Redeemer – who in the days of his humiliation had no place of his own to rest his head!” — PHILIP SCHAFF, NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICAN CHURCH HISTORIAN AND THEOLOGIAN

“MANY CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS have a love affair with brick and mortar. The edifice complex is so ingrained in our thinking that if a group of believers begins to meet together, their first thoughts are toward securing a building. For how can a group of Christians rightfully claim to be a church without a building? (So the thinking goes.)

The “church” building is so connected with the idea of church that we unconsciously equate the two. Just listen to the vocabulary of the average Christian today:

“Wow, honey, did you see that beautiful church we just passed?”

“My goodness! That is the largest church I have ever seen! I wonder what the electric costs to keep it going?”

“Our church is too small. I’m developing claustrophobia. We need to extend the balcony.”

“The church is chilly today; I am freezing my buns off in here!”

“We have gone to church every Sunday this past year except for the Sunday when Aunt Mildred dropped the microwave oven on her toe.”

Or how about the vocabulary of the average pastor:

“Isn’t it wonderful to be in the house of God today?”

“We must show reverence when we come into the sanctuary of the Lord.”

“Or how about the mother who tells her happy child (in subdued tones), “Wipe that smile off your face; you’re in church now! We behave ourselves in the house of God!”

“To put it bluntly, none of these thoughts have anything to do with New Testament Christianity. Rather, they reflect the thinking of other religions—primarily Judaism and paganism.

FROM HOUSE CHURCHES TO HOLY CATHEDRALS

“The early Christians believed that Jesus is the very presence of God. They believed that the body of Christ, the church, constitutes a temple. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He made some radically negative statements about the Jewish Temple.’

“The one that angered many Jews most was His announcement that if the Temple was destroyed, He would build a new one in three days! (See John 2:19-21.)

“Though Jesus was referring to the Temple that existed in the architectural sense, He was really speaking of His body. Jesus said that after this temple was destroyed, He would raise it up in three days.

“He was referring to the real temple—the church—which He raised up in Himself on the third day (Ephesians 2:6).

“Since Christ has risen, we Christians have become the temple of God.

“At His resurrection, Christ became a “life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). Therefore, He could take up residence in the believers, thus making them His Temple, His house. It is for this reason that the New Testament always reserves the word church (ekklesia) for the people of God. It never uses this word to refer to a building of any sort.” (Excerpts from Frank Viola & George Barna’s book, “Pagan Christianity”, Tyndale Publishing, 2002, 2008)

“When Christianity was born, it was the only religion on the planet that had no sacred objects, no sacred persons, and no sacred spaces.

“Although surrounded by Jewish synagogues and pagan temples, the early Christians were the only religious people on earth who did not erect sacred buildings for their worship. The Christian faith was born in homes, out in courtyards, and along roadsides. For the first three centuries, the Christians did not have any special buildings!

“As one scholar put it, “The Christianity that conquered the Roman Empire was essentially a home-centered movement.”

“Meeting in homes was a conscious choice of the early Christians.”

“Then, in the late second and third centuries a shift occurred”

Christians not only had adopted sacred spaces, they also had created sacred objects. (They would soon develop a sacred priesthood.) It might seem they had forgotten Moses and the golden calf.

“In all of this, the second and third century Christians began to assimilate the magical mind-set that characterized existent pagan thinking.

“These factors made the Christian terrain ready for the man who would be responsible for creating church buildings. In AD 327, Constantine began erecting the first church buildings throughout the Roman Empire, some at public expense.’ In so doing, he followed the path of the pagans in constructing temples to honor God.

“Interestingly, he named his church buildings after saints — just as the pagans named their temples after gods. Constantine built his first church buildings upon the cemeteries where the Christians held meals for the dead saints.

“Constantine brought peace for all Christians.'” Under his reign, the Christian faith had become legitimate. In fact, it had risen to a status greater than Judaism and paganism.

“For these reasons, the Christians saw Constantine’s rise to emperor as an act of God. Here was God’s instrument who had come to their rescue.

“Christianity and Roman culture were now melded together.”

“The Christian building demonstrates that the church, whether she wanted it or not, had entered into a close alliance with pagan culture.’ As Will Durant, author of The Story of Civilization (a sweeping, eleven-volume work on world history that earned him a Pulitzer Prize), put it, “Pagan isles remained in the spreading Christian sea.”

“This was a tragic shift from the primitive simplicity that the church of Jesus Christ first knew. The first-century Christians were opposed to the world’s systems and avoided any contact with paganism. This all changed during the fourth century, when the church emerged as a public institution in the world and began to “absorb and Christianize pagan religious ideas and practices.

“As one historian put it, “Church buildings took the place of temples; church endowments replaced temple lands and funds.”

“Under Constantine, tax-exempt status was granted for all church property.

“Consequently, the story of the church building is the sad saga of Christianity borrowing from heathen culture and radically transforming the face of our faith.

“To put it bluntly, the church buildings of the Constantinian and post-Constantinian era essentially became holy shrines. The Christians embraced the concept of the physical temple. They imbibed the pagan idea that there exists a special place where God dwells in a special way. And that place is made “with hands.”‘

“As with other pagan customs that were absorbed into the Christian faith (such as the liturgy, the sermon, clerical vestments, and hierarchical leadership structure), third- and fourth-century Christians incorrectly attributed the origin of the church building to the Old Testament. But this was misguided thinking.”

“Most Americans are struggling to clarify their identity. They tend to see themselves as unique individuals, Americans, members of their family, occupational professionals, consumers, and then as followers of Christ — in that order of priority.

“In the minds and hearts of most Americans — even those whose beliefs classify them as “born-again Christians”— their identity as a follower of Christ pales in importance in comparison to the other roles they embrace.

“Oddly, most of the born again Christians consider themselves to be servants of God and to have been transformed by their faith in Christ.

“Clearly, there are some missing connections in this self-evaluation. Perhaps the confusion is due to the enormous number of inter-actions and responsibilities that people take on each day.

“Maybe it has to do with the disjointed, topical teaching that most of us receive from our churches. It may even be attributable to the lure of competing perspectives and images bombarding us from the ever-present media.

“The bottom line is really quite simple: You are a priest of God, a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a member of His glorious body. Through your declaration of allegiance to Jesus and your stated desire to live with Him forever, you have a responsibility to be a functioning priest, minister, and member of the Body .

“The organized church has moved down a winding path over the past two thousand years. The only way to get it back on track is for each of us to begin prayerfully exploring the original plan that God had for His people, and then to be willing to respond faithfully to that plan.

“In this way, the Revolution that has begun to take root in our day will spread far and wide. And God will get what He has always been after.” (Excerpts from Frank Viola & George Barna’s book, “Pagan Christianity”, Tyndale Publishing, 2002, 2008)

So, where can I go from here? Click the following link to another page, read it, and begin to pray for God’s Wisdom and discernment. An invitation

I humbly offer this after eleven years of prayer, study, seeking God, asking for His Wisdom to know and follow His Call. I sincerely and prayerfully urge you to do the same.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

More links on this site about “The Church”

What is God Saying to His Church – You and me

The Church Militant?

Consumerism in the Church?

Is this the Church?

Socialism in the Church?

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLICAL TRIBULATION

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE PURPOSE, THE LENGTH AND THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIBULATION can be found in the book of

Daniel 12:1 “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. And 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. And those who have insight will shine like the glow 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, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, 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 smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but  those who have insight will understand. Verse 11. And 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. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

RECAP:

  1. Verse 1. 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,
  2. everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And 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. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven,
  4. and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,
  5. “How long< will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that
    1. it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.
  6. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but  those who have insight will understand.
  7. Verse 11. And 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.
    1. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

(This Book of The Revelation was written in 96 AD, 26 years after the destruction of the 2nd Temple. The destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples occurred and are a foreshadowing of what is yet to come.)

I. Revelation 1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Jesus, shows His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

The things you read in the book of The Revelation have not yet been completed. Although the first “Seal of the Tribulation” were opened around A.D. 1, as witnessed by The Apostles Paul and Peter, and successive Seals two through four have been broken at various time since. The fifth Seal is now being broken, and we are awaiting the Great and Terrible day of the Lord, which will commence with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.)

He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant, John, v2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all that he saw.

Verse 3. Blessed is he who reads, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:1-3

Tribulation Judgments lead to the End of the Age

(Concern yourself with the first 6 Seals):

Events found in Revelation Ch. 6 – Events found in Matthew Chapter 24

the 1st Tribulation Seal – International (Global) conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famines, earthquakes, pestilence

the 4th Tribulation Seal – Death

the 5th Tribulation Seal – Martyrdom, persecution, revealing of the Antichrist, the great apostasy

II. Wars, famine, earthquakes, pestilence, death, martyrs, persecutions.

I hear so many people ask, “If God is a loving God, how can He allow so much suffering in the world? Why do such bad things happen to good people?” And, we have heard all the answers, some even denying that it is God Who allows such bad things to happen..

There seems to be three main categories of thought about why God allows bad things to happen.

1. Satan’s domain is this fallen world, at least, for now. Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. He is the “ruler of this world” in John 12:31. These titles and many more signify Satan’s capabilities. It is Satan who brings trouble and suffering, even on the innocent.

2. This fallen world brings both good and evil. God has told us in Matthew 5:44 that. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Such is the natural fallen world.

3. God allows Tribulation as a means of executing His Righteous Judgment on evil and as a means to prepare us by to live in His Eternal Kingdom.

1 Peter 1:4 “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Verse 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Verse 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Verse 20 He keeps all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.

Verse 21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

Verse 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

God says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” We will suffer, but, God delivers us out of our afflictions.

How is this so? Why must we suffer only to be delivered? Psalms 34 verse 22 says “The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”

This is not a simple act of deliverance from trouble. It is a Devine Deliverance, the Redemption of your soul.

It is a Divine Deliverance,

The Redemption of your Soul!

III. Daniel 12 tells us God’s purpose for suffering is so that “Many will be purged, purified and refined” Daniel 12:10 We are being prepared, as His Bride, to enter His Kingdom.

IV. Acts 14:22 tells us that “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

V. And, 1 Peter 1 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Verse 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,Verse 5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Verse 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, verse 7, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Verse 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Verse 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

We must Endure to the End

Overcome Tribulation and Suffering

To enter His Eternal Presence.

VI. Finally, the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans8:18

I suspect, if we are at all alike, that we want to escape troubles, trials and tribulation, whenever possible. But, God’s Word says he will use these trials to “purge, purify and refine” us, for our preparation to live in His Eternal Kingdom. Daniel 12:10

Just know that Tribulation is already upon us and it intensifying. It has been foretold.

  • Get Ready,
  • Stay Ready,
  • Overcome and
  • Endure to the End
  • And You Shall Be Saved.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you keep My commandments” – John 15:10, 14

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CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:10, 14)

The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.

First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.

Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with important matters such as obeying Jesus’ commandments, loving as Jesus loves, being filled with a satisfying joy, loving others, being a friend of Jesus.

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:10, 14, NASB)

IN CONTEXT

”If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.” (John 15:10-17)

 REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:

”If I keep Your commandments, I will remain in Your love, just as You have kept The Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things You have spoken to me so that Your joy may be in me, and that my joy may be made full.

“This is Your commandment (to me), that we (as your followers) love one another, in the same way You have loved us. I can have no greater love than this: that I lay down my life for my friends. I am (reminded that) I am Your friend if I do what You command me.

There is little more that can be said about these words of Jesus except that they are both simple and a choice of our will. It can be difficult to love the unlovable unless you understand the type of love Jesus is speaking about.

Agapáō-love is “To live through Christ”, i.e. embracing God’s will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power. With the believer, agapáō (“to love”) means actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him (by His power and direction). True agapáō (“loving”) is always defined by God – a “discriminating affection which involves choice and selection“. In other words, Christ living His life through the believer.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you abide in Me” – John 15:7

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CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)

The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.

First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.

Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as what it means to ‘abide in Christ’, having His Words abide in you, asking and receiving through prayer.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7, NKJV)

IN CONTEXT

“I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:

If I remain in Christ, and His words remain in me, I shall ask whatever I wish, and it will be done for me. My Father (in heaven) is glorified by this, when I bear much fruit and prove that I am Jesus’ Disciple.

It is not about the asking and receiving that satisfies our soul, nor does it glorify God. (Please repeat the previous sentence.) It is about bearing much spiritual fruit which is on full display for all to see, which is proof that you are a disciple of Jesus. This is what glorifies and pleases God.

Please. Think it, do it, live it.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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NEWS BRIEF – WHAT THE UNIVERSE IS REALLY MADE OF – plus a few ‘new things’

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

NEWS BRIEF – WHAT THE UNIVERSE IS MADE OF – pluse a few ‘new things’.

“Matter and energy are the two basic components of the entire Universe. An enormous challenge for scientists is that most of the matter in the Universe is invisible. In fact, ninety percent of matter and energy in the Universe that is currently unobservable, and the source of most of the energy is not understood. How then can we study the Universe if we can’t see most of it?

“Astronomer Fritz Zwicky was the first to notice the discrepancy between the amount of visible matter in a cluster of galaxies and the motions of the galaxies themselves. He suggested that there may be invisible matter, or what he called “dark matter”, interacting gravitationally with the visible matter. Later, astronomers noticed similar incongruities when observing nearby spiral galaxies. Modern calculations say dark matter comprises about 27% of the Universe. We don’t yet know what it is, but we are searching for answers.” (excerpt from the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard and Smithsonian.)

A not-so-new discovery was made that might still rewrite the scientific textbook. This new discovery transcends all the current theories of matter, space and time. It is a creative force which is so mysterious that the name given it is ‘Ho Logos’ which translates from the Greek language as, “The Word”. I say this is a not-so-new discovery because it is spoken of in ancient Hebrew and Greek Aramaic texts. But in the last century it has been regarded as a mere religious metaphor and is now overlooked by the scientific community.

IMAGINE and BELIEVE

There is mounting evidence, however, that before the earth, the stars or any of the cosmos existed, that is to say, “from the beginning of time”, there was only Ho Logos or The Word. Oddly enough, there is extensive mention of this ‘creative force’ found in ancient writings dated around 1440 B.C.,  about 3,400 years ago. Perhaps had this phenomenon been given a strange or mystical name it would have garnered more scientific attention. However, since science and religion have been drifting apart they are now set at odds, and the ‘new discovery’ is left out of the new age of science.

Information found in the Bible further explains that The Word was with God, and in fact that The Word was God and in later texts, that The Word “became flesh and took on human form and dwelt among humankind”.

Since The Word cannot be seen or measured it has become unacceptable to the atheistic scientific community. Oddly enough, however, these same scientists are eager and willing pursue many other things which they cannot see, cannot measure and cannot prove exists (dark matter and the idea of parallel universes, as prime examples).

METAPHOR or MYSTERY

The Bible, which is a written record of The Word, instructs us that it is actually ‘God breathed and God inspired”. And that the “Breathed Word of God” contains all the mysteries of life, death and eternity, and is without any error, is infallible and is mysteriously literal beyond our comprehension.

The evidence that The Word exists is found in the creation of the heavens and the earth. There are countless first hand eye witnesses and crowds of thousands who pursued The Word in the form of a man, who is named Jesus. The most convincing is the fact of the changed lives of those who believe, pursue and embrace The Word.

The Bible informs us that “The Word of God” is living and active and full of power making it operative, energizing, and effective. And that it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit, the completeness of a person, and of both joints and marrow, that is, the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

The Bible tells us that God’s Thoughts and Ways are too high for us to understand.  So, imagine if you can, that God, knowing this, made His Thoughts, His Ways and His Word into Flesh – into the person of Jesus.  And it is by the incarnation of Jesus that God made His Thoughts, His Ways and His Word visible, intelligible and observable to all of humankind – that is, all who would believe on Him, who would watch and listen and learn. So, what we have is an invisible God, who cannot be measured by any scientific means but is evidenced by matter, time, space and the creation and existence of life.

The Bible is clear in pointing out that The Incarnate Word (Jesus) is the exact representation of God the Father, and that once you have seen Jesus (The Word) you have seen the Father (God)!

NOW YOU CAN KNOW

Therefore, when Jesus speaks, His Words also, are too deep for our natural mind to gain a complete understanding. So, Jesus not only speaks the Word but He demonstrates the Word of God by His works so we can see and understand. He is the Living Word of God,

It is at this point that you or any believer in Christ (or any seeker) must make the greatest of all  decisions: Will you choose to believe Him – and believe Him completely? Or will you choose the fantasies of your own imagination? Or perhaps believe and an ever changing science of theories.

If you choose to pursue the idea and existence of The Word (God), there will be things said by Jesus and recorded in the Bible that you and I may not immediately understand. And, there may be things you and I will read or hear that you will understand at a later time; and then, there will be some things you and I will never fully understand – at least not while we are on this earth.

Regardless, in order to know about this mysterious revealed Word, it is necessary that you believe that He Is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him or your efforts will be in vain. You must believe in order to see, hear and experience The Word. You must believe in order to know and understand.

DID HE REALLY?

Just as importantly, we must come to understand that The Word, through the person of Jesus, always said exactly what He meant and meant exactly what He said. There are no errors and there are no subtleties. There may be statements He makes which will seem strange or even impossible to the natural mind, but that only means that you do not yet understand. (As C.S. Lewis put it, you should simply put those things aside which you cannot presently understand for the time being and proceed with what God has revealed to you, those things you do understand. You can return to other matters later.)

IT IS BY FAITH THAT WE UNDERSTAND

This is where the great mystery of ‘faith’ comes to the fore. Hebrews 11:1-2, reveals that “Now faith is the (substantial) certainty of things (anticipated) hoped for, and the proof (positive) of things not (yet) seen. For by it the people of old gained approval. By faith we understand…”

Was it just a metaphor when Jesus explained to His disciples that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” In other words, not only is the unseen power real, it is available to you,

THE MYSTERY DEEPENS

Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was a popular and influential American astronomer and science writer. He was controversial in scientific, political, and religious circles for his views on extraterrestrial intelligence, nuclear weapons, and religion. He was well known for saying “we are all made of star stuff”, and for using language of the Bible to form metaphors suggesting there is no “higher power”, no God of creation – he vehemently denied the idea of Ho Logos. His ‘truth’ was based on theories of the observable universe promulgated from ideas from the ‘unseen’. Yet when it came to that which has come from the unseen realm and has been proven as visible and commanded and defied the very elements of nature, that is the person of Jesus Christ, Ho Logos, Sagan would smugly and arrogantly dismiss the reality of ‘The Word made flesh’.

The Bible records and explains in great detail (particularly if one is willing to study the Hebrew wording) in Genesis chapter 2, that God created man and woman from the dust of the ground.

In the vein that we are all made of ‘star stuff’, a powerful message to all who would believe is found in the New Testament book of John.

We have been created, not simply as a random or a coincidence of luck and timing, but as sentient beings, in the image of The Creator (Ho Logos) with the potential to be indwelt by, inhabited by Ho Logos – The Word.

Furthermore, we are not made to remain in this state of decaying ‘star stuff’, but just like Ho Logos and the cosmos which He created, we are made to exist for an eternity. The only thing left of be decided is ‘where and how we shall exist eternally’. The power of choice given to us by The Word:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-18)

 Finally, we are not left with just theories or conjecture.  Jesus – The Word, uses this message coded in a metaphor, in order to give us specific instruction and insight about the process of our physical and spiritual development.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away;

and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Remain in Me, and I in you. (Because) Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 

I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

We are not cosmic accidents nor are we the result of evolutionary incredibly good luck. We have been created on purpose and with a purpose. The only caveat is that you hold the key and the power of choice.

By your choice you will find your place in the presence of the Great Designer, the Grand Creator and The Word – Our God. Or, you will endure an eternity in an outer darkness, where there is ‘wailing and gnashing of teeth’, alone, with the rest of the ‘star stuff’.

Please choose wisely.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young