The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 6 – The Seven Seals of The Scroll – Episode 8

April 30, 2024February 13, 2026 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Book of The Revelation – The Seven Seals of The Scroll – Chapter 6

EPISODE EIGHT.

(These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Where, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

I said in episode one, the Book of the Revelation cannot and should not be studied and interpreted as a standalone book. Even by cross-referencing other specific prophetic books and verses, it is not possible to get an accurate, complete understanding of the purpose of this Book unless it is seen within the context of the entire Bible.

We must consider the nature of God when considering His Word. God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. He knows all things – even before they exist. He is present in all places at all times. He is all powerful and can accomplish all things. God’s plan is in His mind before, during and after He spoke it into existence.

In the beginning, God created. He began with the imperfect and created His Masterpiece. First in the heavens and then on the earth. His work completed in just seven days; He would allow His Masterpiece to mature for millennia until it became His Perfection. A journey of discovery and Revelation of God’s Grand Plan and Design, from creation through the End of the Age, then into a New Heaven and a New Earth.

The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is “Perfection”. He is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in Perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.

And, “Because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense.

God’s plan is unfolding exactly as He purposed; from The Creation, through the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Man to the Great Flood, the Tower of Babel, the Exodus from Egypt, the possessing of The Promised Land, the Destruction of the First Temple and the Jewish Captivity in Babylon, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Destruction of the Second Temple, our steady march through time has been exactly as Bible prophecy has foretold. We have entered an era leading to the destruction and, eventually, a rebirth of the heavens and the earth.

Beginning with the book of Genesis and proceeding through all the books up to and including the book of Daniel. Then, continuing from Daniel, to Malachi, and Matthew, Mark, Luke and finally to The Book of the Revelation we trace and discover the grand purpose, design and plan of God woven throughout the scriptures, as His one cohesive, continuous and comprehensive Plan for His creation.

The Book of The Revelation, although placed as the final book of the Bible, is in reality the prologue, the body and the epilogue of all things.

These things are particularly true when studying and discussing the tribulation Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl Judgements.

NOTE: There are no ‘time-markers’ or indications of when each of these seven Seal events begin, except that they are in a chronological series. It has usually been assumed that each tribulation Seal is to be considered a future event. But a careful but simple review of history tells another story.

The Book of the Revelation – The Seven Scroll Seals – The text.

The First Seal – Political Intrigue.

Revelation 1:1, Then I saw as the Lamb (Christ) broke one of the seven, [footnote ‘a’], seals [of the scroll [initiating the judgments], and I heard one of the four living creatures call out as with a voice of thunder, “[footnote ‘b’], Come.” Verse 2. I looked, and behold, a, [footnote ‘c’], white horse [of victory] whose rider carried a, [footnote ‘d’], bow; and a crown [of victory] was given to him, and he rode forth conquering and to conquer.

(Commentary break: The important attributes of the First Seal are that it mentions a white horse, which would normally indicate peace, especially when contrasted with the following horses of red, (bloodshed), black, (famine), ashen, (death and pestilence). However, the rider is carrying a bow, an instrument of war, and a crown, a symbol of victory and he is riding forth conquering and to conquer, but without arrows. Probably suggesting a time of political intrigue or of a ‘cold-war’. Interestingly and importantly, there have been episodes of political intrigue, cold-wars and hundreds upon hundreds of ‘wars and rumors of war’, and conflicts since the time of Christ. Most notable for their scope and breadth are the

- - Religious Crusades (1095 – 1291, Muslims vs Latin Church, almost 2 million dead),
  - World War 1. (1914 – 1918, 17 million dead), and,
  - World War 2. (1939 – 1945, over 70 million dead).

So, how can we know ‘which wars and rumors of wars‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’? We can know by when they were spoken and the language of the Apostle who made these announcements.

And, finally notice, that although the first Seal is the beginning of God’s Seal Judgments, it is not as severe a Judgment as those to come, as it is the beginning of events leading up to Judgments. The second Seal is the preparation to apply the coming and more severe Judgments of God. Also notice the progressive intensification. End this commentary).

The Second Seal – War.

Verse 3. When He (the Lamb) broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, “Come.” Verse 4. And another, a, [footnote ‘e’], fiery red horse [of bloodshed], came out; and its rider was empowered to take peace from the earth, so that men would slaughter one another; and a great sword [of war and violent death] was given to him.

(Commentary break: Now notice, not only the intensification of the Seals effects, but that the Third Seal through the Sixth Seal have everything to do with the Judgments of God. End this commentary).

The Third Seal – Famine.

Verse 5. When He (the Lamb) broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse [of famine]; and the rider had in his hand a pair of scales (a balance). Verse 6. And I heard something like a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius (a day’s wages), and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not, [footnote ‘f’], damage the oil and the wine.”

The Fourth Seal – Death.

Verse 7. When He (the Lamb) broke open the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, “Come.” Verse 8. So I looked, and behold, an ashen (pale greenish gray) horse [like a corpse, representing death and pestilence]; and its rider’s name was Death; and Hades (the realm of the dead) was following with him. They were given authority and power over a fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword and with famine and with, [footnote ‘g’], plague (pestilence, disease) and by the wild beasts of the earth.

The Fifth Seal – Martyrs

Verse 9. When He (the Lamb) broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained [out of loyalty to Christ]. Verse 10. They cried in a loud voice, saying, “O Lord, holy and true, how long now before You will sit in judgment and avenge our blood on those [unregenerate ones] who dwell on the earth?” Verse 11. Then they were each given a white robe; and they were told to rest and wait quietly for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed.

(Commentary break: So, how are we to place these first Five Seals in our timeline and chronology?

When considering this question, we must, once again look at the words and testimonies of Jesus and the Apostles who referred to these periods and to those days as: ‘The Last Days’, ‘The Last Times’, ‘The End of All Things’, ‘The End of The Ages’, and “Jesus has appeared, once for all, at the End of The Ages’. To Wit:

Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”

1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.”

2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.”

1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

2 Timothy 3:1, (the Apostle Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”

1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”

Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.”

Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days.

From these verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals were broken and the effects had begun between the time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95. End this commentary)

The Sixth Seal – Terror

Verse 12. I looked when He (the Lamb) broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as, [footnote ‘h’], sackcloth [made] of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; verse 13, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree shedding its late [summer] figs when shaken by a strong wind. Verse 14. The sky was split, [separated from the land], and rolled up like a scroll, and every mountain and island were dislodged and moved out of their places. Verse 15. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the, [footnote ‘i’], military commanders and the wealthy and the strong and everyone, [whether] slave or free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; verse 16, and they called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the [righteous] wrath and indignation of the Lamb; verse 17, for the great day of their wrath and vengeance and retribution has come, and who is able to [face God and] stand [before the wrath of the Lamb]?”

(Commentary Break: It is clear from history, that the events describing the 6^th Tribulation Seal have not yet occurred. Furthermore, it could be said that the Seal Judgments actually come in 2 stages: The first five Seals could be referred to as the first stage of seals, known as the “birth pains” , which “are not yet the end” – as they have been described by Jesus in Matthew 24:6.

These are followed by what we could call the second stage of tribulation Seals, 6^th and 7^th,, also known as the Great Tribulation Seals and The Day of Wrath.

It is plain to see that the intensity of the 6^th Seal increases exponentially over the previous five Seals. This period is rightly named “The Great Tribulation” period. There is a continuing escalation of intensity as we approach the Trumpet Judgments, (The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord), and the Bowl Judgments, (The Wrath of the Lamb.)

Additionally, these three events occur during the 6^th Tribulation Seal: (#1). An interlude for the sealing of the 144,000. (#2). The sealing of the 144,000 from the 12 Tribes of Israel, (see Revelation chapter 7), and (#3). The gathering of the ‘multitudes from the tribulation – also known as the Rapture. (also read Matthew 24:20-31). (End this commentary).

NEXT: (coming soon). The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 7 – The Interlude, The 144,000, The Rapture – Episode 8.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 5 – The Scrolls – Episode 7.

The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 5 – The Scrolls – Episode 7

April 29, 2024February 13, 2026 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Book of The Revelation – The Scrolls – Chapter 5

EPISODE SEVEN

(These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

The significance of the announcement made in this chapter cannot be overstated. It begins with an image of Jesus sitting on His Throne with the scroll with seven seals in His right hand, and a strong angel asks ‘who is worthy to open the scroll?’ and no one in heaven, on or beneath the earth is found to be worthy. Then it is proclaimed that Jesus alone is deemed worthy to break the seals of the scroll. Then all those in attendance bow before Jesus and break into praise and worship Him, and His Works. This is the opening scene to the final act of God’s Journey of Perfection! This is also our model for praise, worship, adoration and thanks to the One Who is Worthy!

The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 5 – The Scroll with Seven Seals.

Revelation 5:1, I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, closed and sealed with seven seals. Verse 2. And I saw a strong angel announcing with a loud voice, “Who is worthy [having the authority and virtue] to open the scroll and to, [footnote ‘a’], break its seals?” Verse 3. And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] was able to open the scroll or look into it. Verse 4. And I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look into it. Verse 5. Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.”

Verse 6. And there [footnote ‘b’], between the throne (with the four living creatures) and among the elders I saw a Lamb (Christ) standing, [bearing scars and wounds] as though it had been slain, with seven horns (complete power) and with seven eyes (complete knowledge), which are, [footnote ‘c’], the seven Spirits of God who have been sent [on duty] into all the earth. Verse 7. And He came and, [footnote ‘d’], took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Verse 8. And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God’s people). Verse 9. And they sang a new song [of glorious redemption], saying,

“Worthy and deserving are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Verse 10. “You have made them to be a kingdom [of royal subjects] and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.”

Angels Exalt the Lamb

Verse 11. Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and [the voice] of the living creatures and the elders; and they numbered myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands (innumerable), verse 12, saying in a loud voice,

“Worthy and deserving is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Verse 13. And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” Verse 14. And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

(End of Chapter 6 and its text).

Next, in Revelation chapter 6, (episode 7), Jesus breaks the Seven Seals of the scroll, releasing the first of seven judgements of the Great Tribulation, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, and the coming Wrath of the Lamb, onto the earth, and into the lives of all His creation.

Please note: The books of The Revelation, as previously discussed, are not always in chronological order. So, I will do my best to refer to appropriate and relevant scriptural cross-references, at appropriate times, in an attempt to aid in a clearer understanding and of the order of these events.

For example, as previous explained in Episode 2, the tribulation seals, one through five, were opened as early as the birth of Jesus. These first 5 seals were referred to as the ‘Last Days’, ‘The Last Times’, ‘The End of All Things is at hand’, ‘The End of The Ages has come’, “Jesus has appeared, once for all, at the End of The Ages’, by the Apostles Paul, Peter, Timothy and John and referred to as such by Jesus, Himself.

In Revelation chapters 6 and 7 and 8, we will hear, read about and see the breaking of the Seals. However, scriptures show that Seals one through five were opened as early as the birth of Jesus through A.D 95. The Sixth Seal is yet to be broken (in our natural world).

I do not mean to make this any more confusing than it already seems, but, to the casual reader, it would appear that Seals Six and Seven are ‘lumped in’ with the first 5 Seals, and would be broken in a quick series – which is NOT the case. That is why it is important to know that in the book of Matthew chapter 24, references to these verses are spoken in the present and future tenses, BUT IN THESE VERSES IN REVELATION, Jesus (through John) is speaking in the ‘AORIST TENSE’. The Aorist tense combines the past, present and future into one time frame. It is a view from God’s perspective of time. Jesus is saying that these things ‘have already happened, they are now happening, and will continue to happen’, simultaneously, all while He is speaking, and until He brings them to their conclusion. It is a truly a view from above. ‘That which was, is, and is to come’.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 4 – What Comes Next – Episode 6.

NEXT: The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 6 – The End Has Begun – Episode 7.

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – What Comes Next – Chapter 4 – Episode 6

April 28, 2024February 13, 2026 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Book of The Revelation – What is to Come Next – Chapter 4

EPISODE SIX

(These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

Revelation chapter four marks the third and longest section of the book of the Revelation and is the point at which it considers the future prophecies to be revealed.

The phrase ‘after this’ (meta tauta in ancient Greek) as found in Revelation 1:19 is repeated twice in Revelation 4:1 and is a link telling us that these are the things that are now coming after.

Importantly, these things are also written in the aorist tense, (which God’s view of time from a heavenly perspective, looking down on earth), where the past, present and the future are all occurring simultaneously – a view from above!

This is important because it reveals the reason the Bible primarily uses the present and future tenses in the books of the New Testament – except for the Book of Revelation, which primarily uses the aorist tense, when dealing with future prophetic matters relating to the tribulation periods.

The Apostles Paul, Peter, John, Timothy and Jesus, Himself, refer to the tribulation seals one through five, which Jesus called the ‘birth pains’ stage of the tribulation, as early as A.D. 30 through A.D. 95,

The breaking of the 6^th Tribulation Seal, marks the beginning of the second stage of the tribulation and the beginning of Daniel’s 70^th Week – also known as the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the coming Wrath of the Lamb. This period includes Tribulation seal SIX, through the SEVENTH Bowl of Wrath.

God primarily uses the aorist tense in the Book of the Revelation to reveal those things that ‘have happened, are currently happening and will continue to happen’. (I.e., “That which was, and is, and is yet to come”.)

All of these points back (to around the time of the birth of Jesus) in order to explain the present and to point to the future and to “the things that come after”.

Now to the text of Revelation chapter 4:

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – The Text – Chapter 4

Scene in Heaven

Revelation 4:1, After this I looked, and behold, [footnote ‘a’], a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Verse 2. At once, I was in [special communication with] the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. Verse 3. And He who sat there appeared like [the crystalline sparkle of], [footnote ‘b’], a jasper stone and [the fiery redness of] a sardius stone, and encircling the throne there was a rainbow that looked like [the color of an] emerald. Verse 4. Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were, [footnote ’c’], twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

Verse 5. From the throne came flashes of lightning and [rumbling] sounds and peals of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are, [footnote ‘d’], the seven Spirits of God; verse 6. And in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living, [footnote ‘e’], creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them]. Verse 7. [footnote ‘f’]. The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf (ox), the third creature had the face of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. Verse. 8. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY [is the] LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME [the ever present, unchanging, eternal God].” Verse 9. Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, verse 10, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,

Verse 11. “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

Revelation, chapter four, is rich with symbolism and the glory of God in His throne. It also introduces us to the place judgment comes from: God’s throne in heaven.

Revelation chapter 4 through chapter 19 is mainly concerned with God’s judgment upon the world, the period known as the “Messianic Woes” or the “Great Tribulation.” God’s judgments are announced by a seven-sealed scroll, seven trumpets, seven signs, and seven bowls.

Please Note: It is obvious from Jesus’ own words that this is a description of the tribulation periods and that they begin with ‘birth pains’ – which are not “the End”, and will progress to the blowing of the Great Tribulation Trumpet Judgments, concluding with the pouring out of the Bowls of God’s Wrath.

Please review the following words of Jesus, taken from the book of Matthew, chapter twenty-four and linked to relevant verses from the Book of The Revelation, which chronologically categorizes the tribulation from the ‘birth pains’ stage, progressing to the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord tribulation stage, concluding with the Wrath of the Lamb Judgments:

See Matthew 24:4, And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. Verse 5. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. Verse 6. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

Continuing with Matthew 24, verse 7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, (also see Revelation chapter 6, verses one through 4), and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places, (also see Revelation chapter 6, verses 5 through 7).

Continuing with Matthew 24, verse 8. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

Continuing with Matthew 24, verse 9. “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name, (also see Revelation chapter 6, verses 9 through 11).

Continuing with Matthew 24, 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 again, (see Revelation 6, verses 12 through 17, Revelation 8, verses 1 through 13, Revelation 9, verses 1 through 21, Revelation 11 verses 15 through 19, and Revelation 16, verses 1 through 20).

These are hotly debated matters by bible teachers and theologians. There are various views on why, when and how these events will take place. The differing views are often at odds and are often contentious, creating divisions within the Body of Christ. Notwithstanding, let there be no doubt that you are dealing with serious and powerful forces at work.

A mistake in your understanding and how you prepare and respond to these events could be catastrophic. You do not want to have to experience or endure the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. Therefore, I would suggest you take each prophetic word seriously, and if you are to err, err on the side of extreme caution and in obedience to the Word of God. (Also please note that there will be some of those who are not raptured prior to the breaking of the SIXTH Tribulation Seal, who can be saved up until the SIXTH Tribulation Trumpet. But what you would suffer is hardly worth the chance of waiting. Accept God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, now.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 5 – The Scroll with Seven Seals – Episode 7.

PREVIOUS: The Book of The Revelation – Chapters 2 & 3 – What is to Come Next – Episode 5.

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THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – IMPORTANT DETAILS FIRST – Episode 3

April 27, 2024February 13, 2026 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – IMPORTANT DETAILS

FIRST THINGS FIRST

EPISODE THREE

Now that we have reviewed a summary of the Book of the Revelation, let’s take a step back and look at the most important details of this Book by taking a more complete view and the actual beginnings or the Genesis of the Book of Revelation.

(By the way, a good primer for this essay, or study, would be the brief series, “The Journey to Perfection”, which attempts to lay out God’s full Plan, from Genesis to The Revelation, complete with an explanation of His purpose and His methods.)

In the beginning, God created. He began with the imperfect and created His Masterpiece. First in the heavens and then on the earth. His work completed in just seven days; He would allow His Masterpiece to mature for millennia until it became His Perfection. A journey of discovery and Revelation of God’s Grand Plan and Design, from creation through the End of the Age, then into a New Heaven and a New Earth.

The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is “Perfection”. He is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in Perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.

To Wit: “Because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense.

Secondly, as God’s Plan and Purpose unfold over the millennia we can see the purpose of the coming Day of The Lord and the End of the Age as found in Daniel 9 verse 24 through 27. Here, The scriptures give an overview or a panorama of the timing of the events leading to the Last Days.

Daniel 9, verse 24 says, “Seventy weeks (explained in further detain in this link) 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.

Verse 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 and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.

Verse 26. “Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

Verse 27. “And he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week 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.”

The Timing, Place and Purpose of Daniel’s 70 Weeks.

It is important to place the approximate timing of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks whenever possible, and the 7oth Week in particular.

The “seventy weeks” prophecy is one of the most significant and detailed Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. It is found in Daniel chapter 9. The chapter begins with Daniel praying for Israel, acknowledging the nation’s sins against God and asking for God’s mercy. As Daniel prayed, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and gave him a vision of Israel’s future.

The Divisions of the 70 Weeks

(NOTE: This section on the division of The 70 Weeks is detailed, very helpful to the serious student of eschatology but is very complex. It is intended to unravel a mystery of the chronology and timing of the final SEVEN weeks of the Great Tribulation. But if numbers and historical detail tend to confuse you or are ‘not your thing’, just skip down to the paragraphs titled ‘The Final Week of the 70 Weeks’.)

In verse Daniel 9 verse 24, Gabriel says, “’Seventy Sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city.” Almost all commentators agree that the seventy “sevens” should be understood as seventy “weeks” of years; in other words, a period of 490 years. These verses provide a sort of “clock” that gives an idea of when the Messiah would come and some of the events that would accompany His appearance.

This prophecy goes on to divide the 490 years into three smaller units: one of 49 years, one of 434 years, and one 7 years. The final “week” of 7 years is further divided in half. Verse 25 says, “From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ (7 x 7 = 49 years) and sixty-two ‘sevens (62 x 7 = 434 years).’” (Forty-nine years + Four hundred thirty four years = 483 years.)

The Fulfillment of the 70 Weeks

Gabriel said the prophetic clock would start at the time that a decree was issued to rebuild Jerusalem and from the date of that decree to the time of the Messiah would be 483 years. We know from history that the command to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia 444 B.C. (see Nehemiah 2:1-8).

The first unit of 49 years (seven “sevens”) covers the time that it took to rebuild Jerusalem, “with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble” (see Daniel 9 verse 25). This rebuilding is chronicled in the book of Nehemiah.

Converting the 360-day year used by the ancient Jews, 483 years becomes 476 years on our solar calendar. Adjusting for the switch from B.C. to A.D., 476 years after 444 B.C. places us at A.D. 33, which coincides with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (see Matthew 21 verses 1 through 9). The prophecy in Daniel 9 specifies that, after the completion of the 483 years, “the Anointed One will be cut off” (Daniel 9, verse 26), which was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified.

Daniel 9 verse 26continues with a prediction that, after the Messiah is killed, “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

“The ruler who will come” as referenced in Daniel 9, verse 26is a type or a forerunner of the Antichrist. Many ancient Jews viewed the actions of Antiochus Epiphanes as the fulfillment of Daniel 9, verse 27, which says, “On the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate.” But Antiochus Epiphanes was merely a forerunner to the ‘man of lawlessness’ who is to come.

The Final Week of the 70 Weeks

SIXTY-NINE of the SEVENTY “SEVENS” of Daniels 70 weeks have been fulfilled. One more “SEVEN” is yet to be fulfilled. Many scholars believe that we are now living in a ‘gap’ of time between the 69th week and the 70th week.

The prophetic clock has been paused, as it were. The final “seven” of Daniel is what we usually call the tribulation period. However, as the Day of The Lord has drawn nearer, it is becoming clear that the that the tribulation period known as the Tribulation Seal Judgements is separated into two stages.

The first stage includes tribulation seals 1 through 5, (which, as previously discussed, have been ‘broken’ or began between the birth of Christ and A.D. 95). These Seals are also known as the “the birth pains” as described by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24, verses 4 through 9. Jesus clearly says of these Seals and of this first stage of the tribulation, that “This is not yet the end”.

But at the completion of Jesus’ description of these first five tribulation seals, He says, “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. (see Matthew 24, verse 14).

(It is helpful to note that Jesus’ description of the Seal Judgements are found, both in Matthew 24, verses 1 though 28, and again in Revelation 6, verses 1 through 11),

Jesus then continues His teaching by describing what comes at the end (of those days) in verses 15 through 28,

“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; then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house. And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days! Moreover, pray that when you flee, it will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 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. 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.

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him. For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

The second stage of the Tribulation inaugurates The Day of The Lord, and is also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the coming Wrath of the Lamb. This second stage commences with the breaking of the SIXTH Tribulation Seal and is followed by the breaking of the SEVENTH Tribulation Seal as described by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24, verses 29 through 31,

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days, (those days spoken of in the preceding verses), 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.”

(These events are repeated by Jesus, in a similar order, in Revelation chapter 6, verse 12 through Revelation chapter 7, verses 1 through 17.)

(Special note: If you will look closely in Matthew 24, verses 30 through 31, and Revelation 7, verses 13 through 17, you will see what appears to be, and I and many others have come to believe, is in fact, the rapture – hidden in plain sight!)

Daniel’s prophecy reveals some of the actions of the Antichrist, who 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 verse 15. After the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel, a time of “Great Tribulation” begins (Matthew 24 verse 21, NKJV).

Daniel tells us that the Antichrist will face the severest of judgments. He will rule only “until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” (Daniel 9:27). God will only allow evil to go so far, and the judgment the Antichrist will face has already been planned out.

Finally – What Came Before?

Genesis 6, verse 5 gives us the first example of how God purges, cleanses and refines His creation whenever a universal state of worldwide and perpetual wickedness exists.

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Verse 7. Then the LORD said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.”

After the great flood God promised He would never again use a flood to destroy the earth.

However, 2nd Peter, chapter 3, verse 10, tells us that the heavens and the earth will be destroyed once again, but next time it is to be purged, cleansed and refined in preparation for our Eternal home and Kingdom with Him.

“The day of the Lord will come as a robber comes. The heavens will pass away with a loud noise. The sun and moon and stars will burn up. The earth and all that is in it will be burned up.”

This will come at the End of the Age, following the Great Tribulation which is also known as The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.

NEXT: THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST – Chapter 1 – Episode 4

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PREVIOUS: THE COMPLETED VIEW OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Episode 2.

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THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapters 2 & 3- EPISODE 5

April 26, 2024February 13, 2026 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Book of The Revelation – Chapters 2 & 3 – Episode. 5

EPISODE FIVE

Is it important that we read and understand the seven letters written to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea?

The seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Though they were literal churches in Asia Minor at that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today.

The one thing we must remember, which is of utmost importance, is when studying any topic or subject in The Revelation is that it is a prophetic book: It tells and foretells the truth to you, and once you have absorbed the truth, it tells the truth through you – both in your spoken testimony and in the revelation of your true nature, character and behavior. Ultimately, nothing is left untold or unseen.

The first purpose of the letters was and is to communicate with the literal churches and meet their needs – both then and now.

The second purpose is to reveal seven different types of individuals and churches throughout history, and to instruct them in God’s truth. Each church, in many ways, is representative of churches calling themselves Christian, today.

A third purpose is the message God is giving us today, through the letters to the seven churches.

The seven churches are as follows. For greater detail you can click on the church names (links):

(1) Ephesus (Revelation 2 verse 1 through 7) – the church that had forsaken its first love (specifically, verse 4).

(2) Smyrna (Revelation 2 verse 8 through 11) – the church that would suffer persecution (specifically, verse 10).

(3) Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) – the church that needed to repent (specifically, verse 16).

(4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) – the church that had a false prophetess (specifically, verse 20).

(5) Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) – the church that had fallen asleep (specifically, verse 2).

(6) Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) – the church that had endured patiently (specifically, verse 10).

(7) Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) – the church with the lukewarm faith (specifically, verse 16).

(These descriptions are taken from a Got Questions webpage.)

The Book of The Revelation – The Text– Chapter 2

Message to Ephesus

Revelation 2:1, “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus [footnote ‘a’] write:

These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):

Verse 2. ‘I know, your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; verse 3. and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. Verse 4. But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. Verse 5. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior–seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place–unless you repent. Verse 6. Yet you have this [to your credit], that you hate the works and corrupt teachings of the, [footnote ‘c’], Nicolaitans [that mislead and delude the people], which I also hate. Verse 7. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who, [footnote ‘d’], overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’

Message to Smyrna

Verse 8. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘e’], Smyrna write:

These are the words of the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God] who died and came to life [again]:

Verse 9. ‘I know your suffering and your poverty (but you are rich), and how you are blasphemed and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [they are Jews only by blood, and do not believe and truly honor the God whom they claim to worship]. Verse 10. Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life. Verse 11. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death, ([footnote ‘f’], the lake of fire).’

Message to Pergamum

Verse 12. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘g’], Pergamum write:

These are the words of Him who has and wields the sharp two-edged sword [in judgment]:

Verse 13. ‘I know where you dwell, [a place] where Satan sits enthroned. Yet you are holding fast to My name, and you did not deny, [footnote ‘h’], My faith even in the days of, [footnote ‘i’], Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed (martyred) among you, where Satan dwells. Verse 14. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some [among you] who are holding to the [corrupt] teaching of Balaam, who taught, [footnote ‘j’], Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, [enticing them] to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols and to commit [acts of sexual], [footnote ‘k’], immorality. Verse 15. You also have some who in the same way are holding to the teaching of the, [footnote ‘l’], Nicolaitans. Verse 16. Therefore repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior–seek God’s will]; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war and fight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment]. Verse 17. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the, [footnote ‘m’]’ hidden manna, and I will give him a, [footnote ‘n’], white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Message to Thyatira

Verse 18. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘o’], Thyatira write:

These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes [that flash] like a flame of fire [in righteous judgment], and whose feet are like burnished [white-hot] bronze:

Verse 19. ‘I know your deeds, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your last deeds are more numerous and greater than the first. Verse 20. But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. Verse 21. I gave her time to repent [to change her inner self and her sinful way of thinking], but she has no desire to repent of her immorality and refuses to do so. Verse 22, [footnote ‘p’], Listen carefully, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her [I will bring] into great anguish, unless they repent of her deeds. Verse 23. And I will kill her children (followers) with, [footnote ‘q’], pestilence [thoroughly annihilating them], and all the churches will know [without any doubt] that I am He who searches the, [footnote ‘r’], minds and hearts [the innermost thoughts, purposes]; and I will give to each one of you [a reward or punishment] according to your deeds. Verse 24. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the, [footnote ‘s’], depths of Satan, as they call them–I place no other burden on you, verse 25, except to hold tightly to what you have until I come. Verse 26. And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] and he who keeps My deeds [doing things that please Me] until the [very] end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY and POWER OVER THE NATIONS; Verse 27. AND HE SHALL SHEPHERD and RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE EARTHEN POTS ARE BROKEN IN PIECES, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father; verse 28, and I will give him the, [footnote ‘t’], Morning Star. Verse 29. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

The Book of The Revelation- The Text – Chapter 3

Message to Sardis

Revelation 3:1, “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘a’], Sardis write:

These are the words of Him who has, [footnote ‘b’], the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead. Verse 2. Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements. Verse 3. So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Verse 4. But you [still] have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin]; and they will walk with Me [dressed] in white, because they are worthy (righteous). Verse 5. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine]. Verse 6. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Message to Philadelphia

Verse 7. “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘c’], Philadelphia write:

These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key [to the house] of David, He who osens and no one will [be able to] shut, and He who shuts and no one opens:

Verse 8. ‘I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name. Verse 9. Take note, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie. I will make them come and bow down at your feet and make them know [without any doubt] that I have loved you. Verse 10. Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth. Verse 11. I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith]. Verse 12. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a, [footnote ‘d’], pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name. Verse 13. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Message to Laodicea

Verse 14. “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in, [footnote ‘e’], Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the, [footnote ‘f’], Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:

Verse 15. ‘I know your deeds, that you are, [footnote ‘g’], neither cold, (or indifferent) nor hot, (passionate); I wish that you were, [footnote ‘h’], cold or hot. Verse 16. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. Verse 17. Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need], Verse 18. I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see. Verse 19. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self, your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior, and seek God’s will]. Verse 20. Behold, I stand at the door [of the church and of your heart] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. Verse 21. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne. Verse 22. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

The main takeaway from Chapters 2 & 3:

If you or your church is the type of church at Ephesus (Revelation 2 verse 1 through 7) – the church that had forsaken its first love:
1. Repent [change your inner self, your old way of thinking, and your sinful behavior, seek God’s will] and do the works you did when you first knew Me; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place, unless you repent.

To your credit, that you hate the works and corrupt teachings.
(2) If you or your church is the type of church at Smyrna (Revelation 2 verse 8 through 11) – the church that would suffer persecution: God knows your suffering and your poverty and how you are blasphemed and slandered by false believers. (You are to fear nothing that you are about to suffer).
Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested in your faith, and you will have tribulation for a specified time.
Be faithful to the point of death, and if you must die for your faith, and I will give you the crown of life.

If you or your church is the type of church at Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) – the church that needed to repent. ‘I know where you dwell, [a place] where Satan sits enthroned. Yet you are holding fast to My name, and you do not deny My faith, even where Satan dwells.
1. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some [among you] who are holding to the [corrupt] teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak, to compromise their convictions as ‘no big deal’, for popularity, money, sexual gratification, money, and enticing them] to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols.
2. You also have some who in the same way are holding to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
3. Therefore you must repent, change your inner self, your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior, and seek God’s will; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war and fight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment].
4. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.

(4) If you or your church is the type of church at Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) – the church that had a false prophetess.

I know your deeds, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your last deeds are more numerous and greater than the first.
But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, teaches and misleads Christians so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.
I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her [I will bring] into great anguish, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her followers, so all the churches will know [without any doubt] that I am He who searches the, minds and hearts [the innermost thoughts, purposes];
and I will give to each one of you [a reward or punishment] according to your deeds.
And he who overcomes through believing that Jesus is the Son of God and keeps doing things that please Me until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY and POWER OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL SHEPHERD and RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE EARTHEN POTS ARE BROKEN IN PIECES, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father;

(#5). To the type of churches at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) – the church that had fallen asleep. I know your deeds; you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality, you are dead.

Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains of your faithful commitment to Me, and change your sinful way of thinking, and turn away from sin.
If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief.
You have a few people in Sardis who have not contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin; and they will walk with Me, dressed in white, because they are righteous.

(#d). He who overcomes the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels saying that he is one of Mine.

(#6.) To the type of churches at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) – the church that had endured patiently. ‘I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name.

(a). Take note, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Believers but are not come and bow down at your feet and make them know without any doubt] that I have loved you.

(b). Verse 10. Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.

(c ). I will make him a, [footnote ‘d’], pillar in the temple of My God;

(7) To the type of churches at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) – the church with the lukewarm faith). ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold, (or indifferent) nor hot, (passionate); I wish that you were cold or hot.

(a). So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].

(b). You say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, without hope and in great need.

(c). Buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 5 – The Scroll with Seven Seals – Episode 7.

PREVIOUS: The Book of The Revelation – Chapters 2 & 3 – What is to Come Next – Episode 5.

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ – that even you and I can understand and use immediately – Episode 1

April 24, 2024February 13, 2026 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

EPISODE 1

(Presented In a Way So Even You and I Can Understand and Apply Its Truth. These Episodes are not meant to ask and answer just the question “What”, but they are meant to answer the question, “SO WHAT?”)

The interest, and yes, even the demand for teaching on the Book of The Revelation is on the rise. It has always been a wildly popular subject, especially among Christians.

The problem associated with teaching and learning about this Book is its complexity, and the odd and even weird hard-to-understand imagery, and that it cannot be studied and fully understood without references to scores of other scriptures throughout the Bible. The Book of The Revelation explains and foretells the history of all creation, from the beginning to its end. Its scarlet threads can be found woven throughout the prophet books of Daniel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Joel, Amos, Psalms, Zephaniah, and Ezekiel.

As a result, most of those who begin a study on the Book of The Revelation either quit before it is completed or they finish the study with more questions than when they began – and with very little idea of what to do with what they have read and heard.

This task not only seems monumental – it is monumental! It can be likened to the quote and answer, “How do you eat an elephant? One small bite at a time!”

The Book of the Revelation – The Run-up

A study of the Book of the Revelation cannot and should not be studied as a standalone book. Most studies of this Book normally begin with Revelation chapter 1 and verse 1, and will conclude with Revelation chapter 22 and verse 21. Naturally, there are references and cross-references to other books of the Bible which must be made.

However, such a study should be done within the longer narrative of the entire Bible, its historicity, through the lens of eschatology. Otherwise it can be interminably confusing and bewildering, and subject to wide speculation.

As a standalone study, the reader or student can get the main points about God’s Judgements, humankind suffering, salvation and the ultimate destruction of evil. You would read about astronomical and physical cataclysms, great military conflicts, political intrigue, wars and rumors of wars. You can read to experience God supernatural intervention into the affairs of humankind, complete with unintelligible symbolism and imagery.

If, however, it is studied as part of the total narrative of God’s Complete Plan for His creation, from Genesis to the Revelation, you get a more complete understanding of God’s Plan, Purpose, Methods and Reason for the End of Days, God’s Judgements by way of The Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and The Wrath of the Lamb.

All of which includes affects you, the reader, directly – as well as all the earth and its inhabitants, the heavens, and the entire cosmos.

The details and the purpose of the book of the Revelation will become clearer if taken in ‘small bites’ – even with the wild imagery, metaphors and the allegories used by an ancient people to describe futuristic technology and events.

So, at the risk of losing readers and students to these videos, I will start with an overview, (small bites), a 12-minute video on this exciting book. This is a 12-minute video, covering chapters one through eleven. A second video, found later in another episode, is also about 12 minutes long and covers chapters twelve through twenty-two. (After viewing these videos, please continue with the following Episodes).

‘Small Bite’ Video #1, An overview of The Book of The Revelation, chapter 1 through chapter 11.

NEXT: EPISODE 2 – THE ABBREVIATED LONG -VIEW OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

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THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST – Chapter 1 – Episode 4

April 24, 2024February 13, 2026 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Chapter 1
(And the OVERLOOKED Detail)

EPISODE FOUR

(Now we are going to the text of the Book of The Revelation, complete with chapter, verse, inserted comments and footnotes. These Episodes are not meant just to ask the question, “What”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

Revelation 1:1, This is the revelation, [footnote ‘a’], of Jesus Christ [and His unveiling of the divine mysteries], which God [the Father] gave to Him to show to His bond-servants (believers) the things which must soon take place [in their entirety]; and He sent and communicated it by His angel (divine messenger) to His bond-servant John, verse 2, who testified and gave evidence to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to everything that he saw [in his visions]. Verse 3, Blessed, [footnote ‘b’], (happy, prosperous, and admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [by heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near.

Message to the Seven Churches.

Verse 4. John, [footnote ‘c’], to the seven churches that are in [the province of] Asia, [footnote ‘d’]: Grace, [footnote ‘e’], [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits, [footnote ‘f’], that are before His throne, verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful, [footnote ‘g’], and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn, [footnote ‘h’], of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all], freed us, [footnote ‘i’], [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (by His sacrificial death)—verse 6, and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], as priests, [footnote ‘‘j], to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Verse 7. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him (also see the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:30-31 as He speaks directly to His disciples about this very thing; and remember that this is the time that every eye will see Him and this is the beginning of His second coming), even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes (and nations) of the earth will mourn over Him [realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath]. So it is to be. Amen. [footnote ‘k’].

Verse 8. “I am the Alpha, [footnote ‘l’], and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [and Who always has been] and Who was [and has been continually existing in and from the past] and Who is to come [and Who had, by God’s miraculous timing, already come], the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all].” (When Jesus spoke these words in the Book of Matthew, He spoke of these things in the present and future tense. But now He speaks of them in the aorist tense, which has no regard for the past, present or future, as they are, in His timing, occurring simultaneously. For more detail, us this link, “The Signs of Jesus Coming.”)

PATMOS & THE OVERLOOKED DETAIL

Verse 9. I, John, your brother and companion in the tribulation (which has already begun as birth pains and will continue until the consummation of this age, as spoken of in the Book of Daniel) [footnote ‘m’], and kingdom and patient endurance which are in Jesus (and are how anyone can find the strength and resources to endure the stresses of severe trials, and persecutions with a cheerful, steadfast and patient constancy), was on the island called Patmos, [exiled there] because of [my preaching of] the word of God [regarding eternal salvation] and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Verse 10. I was in the Spirit, [footnote ‘n’] [in special communication with the Holy Spirit and empowered to receive and record the revelation from Jesus Christ] on the Lord’s Day, [footnote ‘o’], and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, verse 11, saying, “Write on a scroll what you see [in this revelation], and send it to the seven churches, [footnote ‘p’], to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Verse 12. Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; verse 13, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw someone like the Son of Man, [footnote q], dressed in a robe reaching to His feet, and with a golden sash wrapped around His chest. Verse 14. His head and His hair were white like white wool, [glistening white] like snow; and His [all-seeing] eyes were [flashing] like a flame of fire [piercing into my being]. Verse 15. His feet were like burnished [white-hot] bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was [powerful] like the sound of many waters. Verse 16. In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword [of judgment]; and His face [reflecting His majesty and the Shekinah glory], [footnote ‘r’], was like the sun shining in [all] its power [at midday].

Verse 17. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God], verse 18, and the Ever-living One [living in and beyond all time and space]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead). Verse 19. So write the things which, [footnote ‘s’], you have seen [in the vision], and the things, [footnote ‘t’], which are [now happening], and the things which, [footnote ‘u’], will take place after these things. Verse 20. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels (divine messengers, [footnote ‘v’]), of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (End of Chapter One.)

The Key takeaways in this chapter are:

John is telling us, his fellow bond-servants and the seven churches, that the tribulation has begun, and that he is in the tribulation at this time.
John is writing this letter to his fellow bond-servants in Christ to encourage them and to show them how to find the strength and resources to endure the stresses of severe trials, and persecutions of the tribulation, now and later, with a cheerful, steadfast and patient constancy.
Jesus loves us and has, once for all time, freed and washed us from our sins by His own blood, by His sacrificial death.
He has formed us into a kingdom of His subjects, as priests, to His God and Father.
John is telling us that this is our testimony in the tribulation, and it will be the reason for other to show admiration of Christ Jesus as we endure these trials.
John is writing to and putting the seven churches on notice, describing Jesus in images of His majesty and power.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Letters to The 7 Churches – Chapters 2 &. 3 – Episode 5

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – IMPORTANT DETAILS FIRST – Episode 3.

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THE COMPLETED VIEW OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Episode 2

April 24, 2024February 13, 2026 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE COMPLETED VIEW OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION

EPISODE TWO.

This presentation is focused on the Book of Revelation but will begin by drawing content and information the Book of Genesis. It is meant to give the reader a simplified chronology and to abbreviate the highlight the events of the Last Days to provide an easier-to-understand study on what is coming to planet earth.

I will be using the NASB and the Amplified versions of the Bible for descriptive clarity and I will add commentary when useful. I will also be using italics and bold lettering for emphasis.

Furthermore, I will not go into the detail of symbolism, the historicity or cultural, political, social, economic backgrounds or traditions, however, I am supplying Text Links to serve those purposes. They are important, and I strongly encourage you to use them).

The literary genres of the book of Revelation are apocalyptic and prophetic, and it is an Epistle (a Letter). The Apostle John, who followed Jesus Christ as His disciple (and earned the title of “the disciple whom Jesus loved”), witnessed His crucifixion, authored the Book of the Revelation between A.D. 90 and A.D. 95.

The immediate background for John and his exile to the Greek island of Patmos, is that Roman authorities were beginning to enforce emperor worship, and Christians who held that Christ, not Caesar, was Lord, were facing increasing hostility. John was writing the Revelation while a prisoner on the Island of Patmos, approximately 85-95 A.D., the site of a Roman penal colony) for his activities as a Christian missionary (see Revelation chapter 1 verse 9). Now, John is writing to the believers at Smyrna warning against coming opposition.

Some within the church are advocating a policy of compromise, which has to be corrected before its subtle influence can undermine the determination of believers to stand fast in the perilous days that lie ahead. (see Revelation chapter 2 verses 14, 15 and 20)

John is writing to encourage the Christian faithful to resist the demands of emperor worship. He informs Believers that the final showdown between God and Satan will soon take place. Satan will increase his persecution of believers, and they must stand fast, even to death. John informs them that they are sealed against spiritual harm and will be vindicated when Christ returns.

John’s purpose is to give hope to all Christians and to encourage them to watch for the triumphant return of the Jesus Christ and to warn of the Final Judgments of nonbelievers in the Last Days.

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1, verse 3).

Then, in Revelation chapter 1 verse 9, John makes a statement that should be shaking the modern church to its foundations, but it has been and is being ignored, overlooked or has been misrepresented by most Bible teachers – for decades. Read as John says,

“I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation…”

NOTE: Most Bible teachers in our postmodern age who will address this verse and these specific words of John will insist or imply that John is, in a manner of speaking, confused. They will say that because John has witnessed the martyrdom of his fellow Apostles, the severe persecution of fellow Believers, because of his advanced age and his isolation on Patmos, John is disoriented or bewildered, causing him to misinterpret the events and signs he is witnessing and the age in which he is living as being the Last Days and the tribulation.

Please, let me be crystal clear: any such interpretation of John’s remarks as being an error in John’s perception, is more than a mistake by Bible teachers and theologians. It is more than just an error in their judgment. It is an egregious and arrogant judgment on the Holy Scriptures. Furthermore, it is the blight of denominationalism to say that John, the bond-servant chosen by God, is confused, mistaken or insane. That is tantamount to accusing the Bible of error. To which I say, nonsense and shame! Here is what the Bible says: God chose John, His bond-servant, “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, ²who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw.” (see Revelation 1 verses 1 and 2),

John’s remarks and testimony are true, accurate and without any error.

John is saying, and if fact is repeating what Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy have been saying as early as A.D. 30, that these “are the Last Days” and the “birth pains” of the “tribulation” as represented by the breaking (or opening) of the first 5 tribulation Seals which will be followed by the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb, which will commence with the breaking of the 6^th Tribulation Seal..

Please See and read:

Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying,“ He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”

1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.”

2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.”

1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

2 Timothy 3:1, (the Apostle Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”

1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.”

Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.”

Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama and the stages of the tribulation and the Last Days.

(NOTE: I realize that some of what is being presented is a departure from the more traditional dispensational view of a ‘pre-tribulation rapture’.

Traditionally, the tribulation, The Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb, are all considered as one seven-year event, (which is also known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week). When these matters are studied and prayerfully scrutinized, the Bible serious student will find that the SEAL JUDGMENTS of the tribulation period comes in TWO STAGES.

First is the ‘birth pains’ stage of the tribulation as described by Jesus in Matthew 24, verses 6 through 8.

Then comes ‘the Great Tribulation stage’, which begins with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and concludes with the pouring out of the final 7 Bowl Judgments.

There are substantial studies on this view which I will offer at the end of our final episode.)

John gives a summary of The Book of The Revelation in chapters one through three, wherein he describes the details of the Revelation of Jesus he received as an apocalyptic vision from an angel. In this vision John is instructed to write a letter to seven churches: “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things”. John, in this letter, gives a description of the seven churches, their qualities, strengths and their weaknesses. (This letter to the churches can be seen as a way to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of any current-day church, and even your own spiritual state).

Then, in Revelation chapters four through twenty, John describes the spiritual realm, wherein Jesus Christ is the referred to as “The Slain Lamb” of God, who is the only One worthy to open the book with the SEVEN seals.

The SEVENTH Seal then introduces SEVEN trumpets, which bring another series of judgments. The SIXTH Trumpet Judgment marks the mid-point of the Great Tribulation, brings the death of one-third of the earth’s population, and marks the point in the Great Tribulation when no more can be saved: “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, DID NOT REPENT” (see Revelation 9, verse 20).

Revelation 6, verse 16, Revelation 11, verse 18 and Revelation 14, verse 10, all mention the arrival of the Wrath of the Lamb occurring at or near the blowing of the 6^th Tribulation Trumpet.

Next are the final Seven Vials or Bowls of plagues to be poured onto the Earth. These fierce and final plagues demonstrate the Wrath of The Lamb and God’s holy judgment upon the wicked Earth.

John announces that the antichrist and the false prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire where they remain for one thousand years.

Finally, in Revelation chapters twenty-one through twenty-two, John describes the New Heaven and the New Earth and the holy city of the New Jerusalem where there will no longer be any crying or tears, pain, mourning, or death. (see chapter 21 verse 1).

Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter and will live eternally with Jesus Christ. (see Revelation chapter 22 verse 17).

Here is Small Bite’ Video #2. An overview of The Book of The Revelation, chapter 12 through chapter 22. (created by The Bible Project. After viewing these videos, please continue with the following Episodes).

NEXT: (coming soon). THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – FIRST THINGS FIRST – EPISODE 3.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

PREVIOUS: The Revelation of Jesus Christ – that even you and I can understand and use immediately – Episode 1

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A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Oh, you of little faith”, Part 37

April 18, 2024May 8, 2024 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Oh, you of little faith”, Part 37

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“Oh, you of little faith”

“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them,

“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”

Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

“The men wondered in amazement, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

The Words of Jesus, Matthew 8:23-27.

Jesus is God, incarnate. God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Why would He ask His disciples, “Why are you afraid?” Shouldn’t He know?

This is an ‘emphatic interrogative’ aimed at no one in particular and everyone in general. It is not necessarily meant to garner a response, as it is meant to make everyone aware of what is going on.

These words of Jesus are a proclamation similar to a colloquial expression such as, “What is wrong with you guys?!” A more complete and accurate translation might be, “Which certain ones of you, which someone or anyone, afraid?”

It is also important to know that the word Jesus uses, “afraid”, in the Greek is ‘deilos’ means, “fear-driven, dreadful, describing a person who loses the moral gumption and fortitude that is needed to follow the Lord.”

This word refers to an excessive fear or dread. Being fainthearted and cowardly – hence, to fall short in following Christ as Lord.

This type of fear comes from a lack of faith, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” This is not the typical fear that causes ‘fight or flight’. This kind of fear renders you helpless and vulnerable to circumstances and the wiles of the devil.

Although we, as English-speaking people, may not understand the nuance of what Jesus is saying, His disciples knew exactly what He is saying. It is not the first time, nor will it be the last time Jesus chides His disciples in this manner.

This was spoken to His disciples in the boat during a storm, and it is Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional. It was spoken and is written to you and to me, today!

The Bible instructs us to “fear not” or “do not be afraid” 63 times in the King James Version and 61 times in the New American Standard. Repetition is used to make a very strong and important point. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God”.

God knows all things. He knows what is coming upon you, and He even knows how you will respond and react. There is a Purpose in all things that come upon you. They may be bewildering, unpleasant, even deadly, but know this: “[With great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is Perfection. He is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in Perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.

Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense.

This is a Christian’s life experience, and without having been transformed and made new, you cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

When you encounter times of trouble, trials and tribulations, fear not. Jesus says, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith, that is personal trust and confidence in Me, and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen as God wills it.” (Matthew 21:21, amplified version).

Let’s be strong and courageous and pray for one another that we endure to the end, for then we are saved!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Your sins are forgiven”, Part 38

PREVIOUS: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Foxes have holes”, Part 36

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Isaiah 8:12-14

“You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’
In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy,
And you are not to fear what they fear nor be in dread of it.

“It is the Lord of hosts whom you are to regard as holy and awesome.
He shall be your fear,
He shall be your dread [not man].

“Then He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred, indestructible shelter for those who fear and trust Him];

ARE YOU BIBLE ILLITERATE? – You Can Fix That – And You Should

April 17, 2024 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

ARE YOU BIBLICALLY ILLITERATE

And just don’t realize it?

(Please don’t be offended – just read on)

Article after article by various credible Christian sources, decry the crisis of Biblical illiteracy – within Christianity.

News magazine “Christianity Today”, calls it “An epidemic of Bible illiteracy”; A Biola University magazine calls it a crisis and says we are starving ourselves to death; a Gospel Coalition article call it spiritual malnourishment.

Why is this considered a crisis? Take the remarks of world-renowned Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, for the best example. Dr. Peterson has said that the Bible is “way more than just true,” it’s the bedrock of Western civilization.

Peterson lamented that “the culture is dissolving” as he detailed his experience touring the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., and his reflections on society.

Peterson has spoken more about Western civilization, characterizing “fundamental texts” as “the texts upon which most other texts depend.” He cited the work of William Shakespeare as one of several “texts that influenced more other texts” before identifying the Bible as the ultimate source of all “linguistic production.”

“It isn’t that the Bible is true. It’s that the Bible is the precondition for the manifestation of truth, which makes it way more true than just true. It’s a whole different kind of truth. And I think this is not only literally the case. Factually, I think it can’t be any other way. It’s the only way we can solve the problem of perception.”

Throughout his appearance on the podcast, Peterson spoke about what he saw as the decline of Western civilization. (excerpt taken from a Christian Post article).

THE ODD PART

Approximately 52 million “attend church” in one of the 300,000 plus churches in America, at least once a week each month, and most of these people go to church, among other reasons,

To become closer to God. (81%)

So their children will have a moral foundation. (69%)

To become a better person. (68%)

For comfort in times of trouble or sorrow. (66%)

To be part of a faith community. (57%)

In other words, most people who go to church, do so for a reason. (Pew Research). So then, why are fewer people relying of the Bible and church for answers?

IT BEGINS WITH WHAT YOU HEAR, SEE, LEARN, AND RETAIN.

If you are normal, you have the potential of remembering 10% of what you hear, and that is only the potential. So, how can anyone learn and retain if they cannot remember what they have seen and heard at church?

Furthermore, when people are asked the lead story in the news or the topic of the “sermon” they heard, after 24 hours, only about 10 percent could tell you. When asked to cite the most urgent news item or the important lesson they received, most just shrugged. Pastor and Bible teacher, Rick Warren, says we forget 95% of what we hear after 72 hours.

Studies show that most people don’t remember sermons, lectures, addresses or speeches—they don’t even remember paragraphs. What people remember are simple statements, slogans, and phrases. I don’t remember any speech John F. Kennedy gave, but most of us of a certain age remember his statements,

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” and, “I am a Berliner!”

I don’t remember any sermon preached by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but I do remember his famous phrase,

“I have a dream!”

People tend to remember:

- - 10% of what they read.
  - 20% of what they only hear.
  - 30% of what they only see.
  - 50% of what they see and hear.
  - 70% of what they say and write down.
  - 90% of what they DO.

It seems, however, the News Media Moguls and experts have discovered how to make “their news” stay on the minds of those who watch through repetition. They repeat the same new story, several times each day and for days on end, They use the same graphics, audio and videos, over and over and over – until it sticks! And, it is working. Most people who get their information from the News Media, when asked about a certain social or political topic, tend to answer in ‘media sound bites’. They repeat the short sound bites almost verbatim. The old, ‘monkey see, monkey do’ syndrome.

A conservative estimate, for just the top seven news media outlets to produce a days worth of news is approximately $9,780,000 per week.

Actually, it is next-to-impossible to get an accurate estimate because the numbers are just too overwhelming.

Churches, on the other hand, have not adapted so well. The tendency in most Evangelical Churches is to preach a different topical sermon once a week. Some Churches will preach through a book of the Bible, one a week, chapter by chapter, rarely repeating themselves. Some use visual graphics, audio effects and outline sheets for the listeners to take notes, but, rarely repeat the message in any given year.

It’s a shame Churches aren’t catching on, because, unlike the News Media, Churches have a semi-captive audience, but, are not having the same impact as the News Media.

(#1), An estimated 1.2 million hours each week are spent in sermon preparations throughout American churches; it takes about another 300,000 hours in delivery of these sermons, (#2), at a staggering potential cost of over $750,000,000 (that is millions of dollars) nationally, each week. (#3), Yet, only 5% of those hearing these sermons, remember anything about them after 72 hours.

So, what are we getting for our $750,000,000 in offerings? And, if you are a preacher or a pastor, what are you giving in return for these astronomical costs? Are you preaching, sermonizing, teaching, discipling, lecturing, giving a religious address or discourse which people can remember, thereby improving peoples’ lives?

Review these methods used by churches, and determine which of these you are getting on Sunday mornings – and decide if it is worth the time and money:

Religious Lectures,
Religious Addresses,
Religious Discourses,
Gospel Preaching,
Bible Sermons,
Religious Teaching,
Christian Discipleship training.

People will more frequently remember simple repeated statements, slogans, and phrases. So, when we are told to “Go and preach or tell the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus”, most of us just can’t remember what to say, short of “God loves you and so do I”.

Jesus’ ministry is a good model:

Jesus personally and actively set the example for making, teaching and sending disciples. (I can find no example that Jesus wrote anything.)
Jesus personally spoke and taught and showed His disciples by His own example (50% retention rate).
Jesus taught His disciples to repeat His Words as He went with them to do His Works (90% retention rate).

So, Christian brother or sister, how about you? How effective is your ministry?

Are you primarily using reading materials (i.e., tracts) to disciple? (10% retention)
Are you primarily using words to disciple? (20% retention)
Are you referencing videos, audios and written materials for reminders?
When was the last time your pastor went out with you and told others these things that Jesus did? Such as:

Proclaiming that ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.” (As it says in Matthew 10:8-15),
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons”, or at least try?
Freely you received, freely give.(Or do you just freely receive?)
Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff;
(These methods produce an amazing and most desirable 90% retention rate.)

And, Preacher / Pastor / Teacher / Christian, how about you? How effective is your ministry?

Do you have a blog? (If so, it only produces just a 10% retention rate.)
Do you give a weekly sermon or lecture? (If so, it produces just a 20% retention rate.)
Do you use overheads projectors, videos or bulletin outlines? (This can produce as much as a 50% retention rate.)
Do you personally take others and go and make disciples? (This can yeild up to 90% retention rate)
“And as YOU go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
Do you even attempt to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons.
Do you freely give (or just freely recieve)?
Do you not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff?
(These methods produce an amazing and most desirable 90% retention rate.)

The current way of “doing church” seems to be changing monthly. This has been going on for the last 40 years and it is causing the church to falter in influence and to lose its “savor”, as the Bible puts it. The church, it seems, is becoming little more than a religious institution delivering “drive-in” or “drive-up fast food style” preaching, sermons, religious lectures, addresses, discourses and entertainment in competition with NFL Sunday, YouTube TV, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Now I have said it and you have read it. Will it make any difference to the 164,000,000, (that’s millions), Evangelical and Protestant Christians in over 350,000 churches in America? Will you just shrug your shoulders and trundle back to “doing your church thing” this Sunday? Or will you, do like Peter, Andrew, James, Zebedee and John, who dropped everything about the current ways they were living, and followed Jesus, step by step?

Is there a secret in plain sight here? Is there a lesson for us in the 21^st century here? Stop making it about you and your church. Stop making it so complicated or scattered and blurred. FOCUS ON JESUS ONLY.

THE ANSWER

So, what if we would simply follow the pattern and method established by Jesus? Nothing more, nothing less. In fact, why not try starting with something simple but profound: Stop making the telling of ‘Stories’ about the Bible our mainstay, and simply TEACH and EXPLAIN what Jesus TEACHES, THE WAY HE TEACHES.

For an example, start in Matthew chapter 4 through Matthew chapter 10 and show, demonstrate, explain and teach the “How To”:

Jesus Begins His Ministry (Matthew 4:12).

Calling and Making Disciples (Matthew 4:18).

Developing Ministry (Matthew 4:23).

The Sermon on the Mount Principles (Salvation, Sanctification – (Matthew 5:1 ff) .

Disciples and the World (Matthew 5:13).

Personal Relationships (Matthew 5:21).

Charitable Giving and Prayer (Matthew 6:1).

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9).

Fasting; The True Treasure; Wealth (Matthew 6:16).

The Cure for Anxiety (Matthew 6:25).

Judging Others (Matthew 7:1).

Prayer and the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:7).

The Narrow and Wide Gates (Matthew 7:13).

A Tree and Its Fruit (Matthew 7:15).

The Two Foundations.(Matthew 7:24)

Jesus Cleanses a Man with Leprosy (Matthew8:1).

The Centurion’s Faith (Matthew 8:5).

Peter’s Mother-in-law and Many Others Healed (Matthew 8:14).

Discipleship Tested (Matthew 8:18).

Jesus Calms the Storm (Matthew 8:23).

Jesus Sends Demons into Pigs (Matthew 8:28).

A Paralyzed Man Healed (Matthew9:1).

Fasting (Matthew 9:14).

Miracles of Healing (Matthew 9:18).

The Disciple’s Instructions for Service (Matthew 10:1).

A Hard Road Ahead (Matthew 10:16).

The Meaning of Discipleship (Matthew 10:24).

The Reward for Service (Matthew 10:16).

And please remember, you are not building ‘Your Church”, you are building HIS CHURCH. And, these are not ‘stories’ to be told or to muse about. They are Jesus’ instructions for His disciples. These are instructions for entering the Kingdom of God and working the Works of Jesus, and even greater works than these, because He is with us and with the Father, interceding for us daily – until the end!

Say it often. Say it with both, passion and compassion. Let’s build His Church.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

More on “What Jesus Taught” from GotQuestions.Org.

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Foxes have holes”, Part 36

April 11, 2024April 18, 2024 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Foxes have holes”, Part 36

Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional

“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” “Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

The Words of Jesus, Matthew 8:20-22.

This is one of the more misunderstood and mysterious of Jesus’ instructions. It seems out of place and a bit callous at first glance, and unless you gain its wisdom, you might well be left behind.

In its fuller context, begin reading in verse eighteen,

“Now when Jesus saw a crowd around Him, He gave orders to depart to the other side of the sea. Then a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”

That is an odd thing to say to someone who wants to follow you, isn’t it? What does Jesus mean?

A scribe in the Bible, was a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher. Scribes examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope, and did this to the detriment of religion.

Scribes were trained and enrolled in the Sanhedrin political and judicial council headed by the high priest (in his role as civil ruler); in the Talmud it is described as primarily a religious legislative body headed by sages, though with certain political and judicial functions. (notes from the Online Bible edition)

So, Jesus tells this Scribe, this judge and sage, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Foxes retreat to the safety of their lair. They live and remain in their holes, venturing out only to gather food and water, then they scurry back to the safety of the hole. Their focus is on their hole in the ground.

Same for the birds. They have the nest they build to lay eggs and raise their young. A safe place. They, too, venture out for food, but their focus is on the safety of a nest.

BUILDING HIS CHURCH

Jesus, however, is on mission. He knows that He is the permanent sacrifice for the reconciliation of all people to God. He is doing the work of His Father. Time is short.

He is telling this scribe and His disciples that He has neither the time nor the intention of settling into a “hole in the ground” or building “a nest” into which they can settle down and feel safe.

He has no time for building programs, no time for social programs, no time for endless debate over the ‘cummin and dill’ of the Torah or the endless list of man’s constructs designed to explain and contain the Holy Scriptures. No time for holes in the ground or nests.

Jesus is saying that He is the foundation of His Church, and He is on the move, building His Church. He is the foundation for Temple of the Holy Spirit in the hearts, minds and souls of people.

His Church is Spiritually alive, organic and naturally fluid and on the move; It cannot be contained by a program or an institution. It is powerful, transformative, life changing, world altering and cannot be taught in a school on religion.

If you come to know Jesus, you will know His Church, and it is not to be found in a building, a hole in the ground or a nest.

THE CHURCH WAS, AND IS, A MOVEMENT

In A.D. 1, The Church of Jesus Christ, The Body of Christ, had no buildings, little money and no wealth. The Church was a Movement.

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

Although the penalty for becoming a Christian was often death, the early Church grew exponentially.

Then, men became disobedient and proudly began to ‘cast their own vision’ for Jesus’ Church and

THE CHURCH BECAME A PHILOSOPHY

Then, by A.D. 49, The Church expanded into Greece. The Church became a philosophy to many. The Church grew and size and influence, and

THE CHURCH BECAME AN INSTITUTION

By A.D. 313, the Church expanded into Rome and it gained recognition. It grew in power and popularity. It obtained wealth, buildings, property and influence; It became an institution and

THE CHURCH BECAME A CULTURE

In A.D. 380, the Church expanded into Europe. It was becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It grew in wealth, stature, power and influence. It had become a culture, and

THE CHURCH BECAME A BUSINESS

A.D. 1607, the Church reaches America, and

By A.D. 1681, the Church became corporate. It had become a business and incorporated. It became regulated by the government.

The Corporate Church grew. It needed money to support growth and expansion, which meant the Corporate Church needed more people.

By A.D. 1777, with the best of intentions, the state of Virginia granted tax exemption to houses of worship, thereby slipping a governmental tax-noose around the neck of the church.

Then, by A.D. 1894, the corporate church was granted tax exemptions by the Federal Government and by

A.D. 1954, the Federal Government regulated what a church could and could not say in order to retain tax-exempt status.

The church worked to grow numerically, and in order to attract more people, the Corporate Church lowered its membership and doctrinal standards. More people became ‘members’ and gave more money to support more growth.

“The Church Incorporated” was complete with leaders, boards and membership and a business model.

Local churches began to compete against one another for members (customers). The church is selling itself in “three-line slogans”.

The Church members now have choices and have become religious consumers. Church people can shop around for the religious brand and standards that best suits them. (see 2 Timothy 3).

The Leadership (pastors and preachers) have become CEOs, disciples have become church leaders, growing their 501(c)(3) business models. The great apostasy is under way.

Church scandals fill media headlines. Record numbers of pastors quitting because of stress, burnout or are being fired by their congregations for misdeeds moral failures or low achievement. (some stats say 1500 – 1700 leave “the ministry” each month).

Church debt in America soars; church foreclosures soar.

A.D. 1968, The church ordains homosexuals as clergy.

A.D. 1972, The United church of Christ ordains homosexual clergy

A.D. 2010, The Lutheran church ordains homosexual clergy

A.D. 2012, The Presbyterian church ordains homosexual clergy

The Episcopal Church in the United States and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have also allowed ordination of openly gay and lesbian candidates for ministry for some years.

Internationally, churches that have ordained openly lesbian or gay clergy include the Church of Scotland, the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Church of Sweden, the Church of Norway, the Church of Denmark, the Church of Iceland, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Methodist Church in Britain, the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, the United Protestant Church in Belgium, the Swiss Reformed Church, the United Protestant Church of France, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Anglican Church in Canada, the Old Catholic Church, the Czechoslovak Hussite Church and the United Church of Christ in Japan.

AD 2020 The church is losing and has lost influence. The church in 2020 is losing members.

AD 2020 The church is teaching and living a different Gospel than that of the Apostles.

THE AGE OF APOSTASY IS WELL UNDER WAY

We, The Remnant Church, The Body of Christ, You and I, must return to Jesus. The time of His return is very near. We must found be doing what He has said, doing the Works of Jesus.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Oh You of Little Faith”, Part 37.

PREVIOUS: A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “I will come and heal him”, Part 35

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

Additional reading on this matter: The False Church Emerges

THE WRATH OF THE LAMB – What and When?

April 9, 2024September 26, 2024 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE WRATH OF THE LAMB – What is it? When is it?

There has been confusion surrounding several key scriptures, thanks mainly to denominational differences and poor methodology of interpretation and incorrect explanation or analysis of text. (I am not a theologian nor am I an expert. But with prayer and diligent study, the word of God is meant to be understood when kept in the context of the entire Bible. Therefore:

“Now as to the periods and ^{the end}times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. ^{verse 2.}For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. ^{verse 3.}While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ^{Verse 4.}But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; ^{verse 5.}For you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; ^{verse 6,}so then, let’s not sleep as ^{the rest of the}others do, but let’s be alert and ^{self-controlled and}sober. ^{Verse 7.}For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. ^{Verse 8.}But since we are of the day, let’s be ^{self-controlled and ]}sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. ^{Verse 9.}For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^{verse 10.}Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. ^{Verse 11.}Therefore, ^{comfort and}encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:1)

The Sixth Seal: The Wrath of the Lamb

Revelation 6:12, And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; ^{verse 13,}and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops 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 was removed from its place. ^{verse 15.}Then the kings of the earth and the eminent people, and the commanders and the wealthy and the strong, and every slave and free person hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; ^{verse 16,.}And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the sight 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?”

AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

The placement of these verses, twelve through seventeen, of chapter six of the Revelation, is telling. They come after tribulation seals one through five which, throughout the Bible, are consistently referred to as ‘the tribulation period’ or of ‘birth pains“, as opposed to what follows, which is the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb.

What do we know so far?

The Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.
While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^{Verse 4.}But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief.
God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This occurs after the 5^th tribulation seal – with the breaking of the 6^th Tribulation seal, comes ^{Revelation 6 verse 16 and,}the wrath of the Lamb; ^{Revelation 6 verse 17,}the great day of Their wrath has come.

Next we see, in Revelation 14:9, “Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, ^{verse 10,}he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

Revelation 15:1, “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.”

Finally, and, while we are at it… Three great ‘denominational misconceptions’.

Misconception #1. All the tribulation seals are broken after the rapture.

Correction to misconception #1. The tribulation seals ONE through FIVE have been broken as early as the birth of Christ through A.D. 95 and have been progressively overlapping and intensifying to this day. The Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb and the rapture, occur at or near the breaking of the 6^th Tribulation Seal. (Please refer to “Just Before The Rapture.”)

Misconception #2. The Antichrist will not be revealed until after the rapture.

Correction to misconception #2. The Antichrist is revealed after the Great Apostasy (the 5^th tribulation seal) and before the rapture of the Church. (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

Misconception #3. The mark of the beast will be given before the rapture.

Correction to misconception #3. The mark of the beast comes after the rapture. It will not be given until the 6^th Tribulation Trumpet. (see the placement of Revelation 14:9).

The scriptures encourage us to be like the Bereans, noble-minded, receiving the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

WANT WISDOM & INSIGHT IN THESE LAST DAYS?

April 8, 2024April 8, 2024 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

The Bible is instructional, creative, causative and prophetic. Every word and every detail in the Bible has significance. It is a treasure trove to be discovered and mined. Please read Luke 24, a narration of what occurred three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, as an example.

Once you have read Luke 24, focus on Luke 24, verses 30 and 31.

“And it came about, when He (Jesus) had reclined at the table with them, that He took the bread and blessed it, and He broke it and began giving it to them. And then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”

The crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was fantastic enough, then to make things even more unbelievable, after serving this meal, Jesus vanishes before their eyes!

Our pastor posited, “Why would the writer of these verses make this event more difficult to believe than it was already?” He answered his own question, saying, “Because that is what happened”.

True enough. But take a look at the significance and the great symbolism of what occurred:

Jesus took the bread and blessed it, and He broke it = His crucifixion. His body was broken for us.

And then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him = Salvation had come.

He vanished from their sight = For we walk by faith and not by sight.

Dear brothers and sisters in the faith, I hope that from these few verses we can see and know that the Bible is Precision. For our own sake and welfare, we should not trifle with God’s Word.

It is the very Breath of God, speaking truth and wisdom. It is His love-letter to all who will believe.

Know that God is kind and merciful; but if you deliberately deviate from the written instructions contained in the Word of God you risk negating His Word in your life, and if you teach others as such, Jesus has warned, “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished! Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Prove yourselves doers of the Word and not just hearers who deceive themselves. Be an active doer, and be blessed in all you do. (see James 1:22-25).

God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline

April 6, 2024July 25, 2025 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline

GOD’S PLAN & PURPOSE

I heard an evangelist once say and ask, “Jesus is coming back soon. Are you excited?”, to which the congregation exploded in cheers and applause. Then this evangelist became quiet and in a low and serious voice he said, “Too many Christians are doing little more than staring skyward waiting for the Lord to return, but He has told us we are to be busy with His works. So, it is time we stopped looking at the sky and get busy with the Father’s business!”

It is true, in my observations, that far too many Christians are doing little more than waiting around for certain events to occur, which have already begun. The Lord Jesus warned against this in no uncertain terms: “Why do you call me Lord, when you have not done the things I commanded you?”

Let’s clear the confusion and bring God’s bigger picture into sharp focus.

God’s PLAN began in the beginning of time. It came into sharper focus with the birth of Jesus. It has continued to unfold since that day, and we are included in His Plan, and It will conclude exactly as He has PURPOSED.

God’s PLAN is a Plan of Perfection. Throughout all of earth’s history, God has been at work perfecting His creation. There is no event in the history of this world that has not been under God’s control and within His Perfect Plan. He is preparing His Church, those who have surrender themselves to follow and obey Jesus, to spend eternity with Him and with one another in perfect harmony in a new and perfect heaven and earth.

The PURPOSE of God’s plan is found in Daniel 9:24, is to

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.).

We are included in God’s PURPOSE. His method is found in Daniel 12 is that

1) Many will be cleansed,

2) Many will be purified,

3) They will be made spotless and,

4) They will be refined.

Here are just a few of the major Biblical events through which God has been working to accomplish His Plan and His Purpose in and through our lives. (I have selected the major events only, in order to simplify this matter. Here, you can see God’s Hand moving in the affairs of humankind, leading to the End of the Age):

1st. The creation of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1–31) – Before time had begun.

God created all things with a plan, which includes me and you! (He never needs a re-do).

2nd. The first humans (Genesis 1:26–31; 2:8–25) – Before 4,000 B.C.

God created them, male and female, with a plan, in Their image with a ‘flaw’, i.e., from Strong’s Bible Hebrew language Concordance – ‘a phantom, an illusion, a vain image, of dubious character’, but with potential; which includes me and you!

3rd. The fall of man (Genesis 3:1–24) – Before 4,000 B.C.

Adam and Eve disobeyed. The ‘flaw in their character and image from creation’, which is ‘sin’, had its effect, which continues to this day, but it will have an end.

4th. The Abrahamic Covenant, Genesis 12:1 and Genesis 15 – Around 3400 B.C.

The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. God binding Himself to Abraham and his descendants.

5th. The great flood (Genesis 6:9–9:17) – Before 2,500 B.C.

God was sorry He made them. He was grieved. But it was His plan all along. (God is omniscient and omnipresent).

6th. The tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9) – Before 2,100 B.C.

The ‘flaw of sin’ reemerges as pride and rebellion toward God. Instead of destroying them, this time God scattered them.

7th. The call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–5) – 2,091 B.C.

God prepares the world for Jesus with Isaac through Abraham.

8th. The exodus (Exodus 12:31–42; 14:1–31) – 1,446 B.C.

God foreshadows the work of Jesus through the Exodus from captivity and as The Sacrifice for all time.

9th. The birth of Jesus (Matt 1:18–2:23; Luke 2:1–10) – 5 B.C.

The arrival of Perfection on earth. Jesus, God in the Flesh, is born and the New Covenant – for you and me – is established. Now the ‘called’ can see and be made into the very image of God. The tribulation begins, and The Eternal Plan enters its final stages.

10th. The building of the first Temple (1 Kings 6) – 966 B.C.

The significance of the coming Messiah, the Christ, Jesus.

11th. The temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13) -27 A.D.

Jesus is tested and shows those who will follow Him – which includes you and me – how to resist the devil and overcome trial, temptations and tribulation.

12th. The calling of the disciples (Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11) – 27 A.D.

God is building His invasion force of earth, and the preparation for eternity has begun – which includes you and me!

13th. The Sermon on the Mount/Plain (Matthew 5:1–7:29; Luke 6:29–40) -27 A.D.

Jesus gives the picture of salvation and teaches about the process of sanctification and how we – that is, you and me – are to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven through many tests, trials, temptations and much tribulation.

14th. Jesus’s crucifixion (Matthew 27:32–56; Mark 15:21–41; Luke 23:26–49; John 19:16–37) – 30 A.D.

The sacrifice is made. The eradication of sin and the imperfect because the perfect has come.

15th. Jesus’s resurrection (Matthew 28:1–20; Mark 16:1–20; Luke 24:1–53; John 20:1–31) – 30 A.D. – 30 .A.D.

Jesus conquers sin and death. He lives, and we – you and I – can now live! The way is cleared to follow Jesus.

16th. The giving of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) – 30 A.D.

The invasion of earth has begun. Jesus sends His army of saints – which includes you and me – to set the prisoners free. He sends us with His authority, and He is with us until the end!

17th. The day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–41) – 30 A.D.

The power of the Holy Spirit is released into the lives of the saints of God – and yes, that includes you and me, and, nothing will ever be the same.

18th. The Second Coming of Jesus. – (Matthew 24:29-31) – The Future.

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 – and if you are alive at that time, we are included. (The rapture will have occurred).

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 the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, will have begun. (Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will have escaped these days.)

19th. The arrival of Jesus on a white horse, as the “Word of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. (Revelation 19:11–19) – In The Future

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. An angel standing in the sun cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slaves, and small and great. Satan, the Beast and those who are not written in the Lambs Book of Life are relegated to the pit and the fires of hell.”

20th. The new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1–5) – In the Future

Those who have overcome, are with God eternally – which includes you and me – and, God’s Plan for Perfection has been completed.

Yes, we will experience difficulties, trials and tribulations in this life, but as The Apostle Peter 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, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold which perishes, and though you are tested by fire, it may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

No matter at what time you will have lived your earthly life, the outcome for all Christians is the same. Those still alive when Christ returns will be raptured from the earth, those Christians who had passed on from this life will be raised from the grave to join them in the heavens, and we all will spend our eternity with the Lord.

Take heart, for Jesus has overcome this world.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

For a more detailed narrative, please see the series: Journey to Perfection.

(Please remember that there are corresponding world events which reflect the prophetic events found in the Bible. For those interested, here is an important Comparative Biblical, Secular and a ‘Daniel’s 70 Weeks’ Historical chronology chart for your review.)

WAKE UP & GIRD UP – IT’S TIME TO ENGAGE THE BATTLE

April 5, 2024 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

I was simply sitting on our screened patio area, drinking a cup of coffee, taking in the scenery across our pond and thoughts (or visions?) began to flash across my mind. They were so vivid that they almost seemed visible (notice, I said ALMOST).

These images were reminiscent of scenes from “The Lord of the Rings” movies. The images were not of the ugly distorted creatures or monstrous figures like in the movies, but they were people with hatred and anger distorting their expressions. They were charging across a landscape, destroying everything in their path.

But, this was not a movie. I thought, perhaps these are just images from the news media of the recent riots which my mind is recalling. Maybe it was as simple as that.

But, I couldn’t shake the realism. And, it was easy to relate what I was “seeing” to what is happening in our world. I kept thinking, “How could the people of our nation go from law-abiding citizens to domestic terrorists in such a short time?

How could almost half the population, in the year 2020, endorse a political party espousing godless Socialism and Communist style rule? How could so many people endorse desecrating our religious institutions, our history and legacies, going about indiscriminately killing our police and first responders? They are destroying business, killing the owners, looting, stealing and rioting saying it is for justice? How could the Democrat Senators, Governors, mayors and public officials allow and even encourage this anarchy? Have they lost their minds? As I pondered on the thought “Have they lost their minds?”, I wondered, “Or, is something more sinister occurring?”

I asked myself, “What would cause so many people to begin to call what been considered as ‘good’, for centuries, now call it ‘evil’ and call evil as being good?

They murder babies for body parts, kill our police out of anger, disparage and attack those who don’t agree with their points of view. These people loot, steal, threaten, murder for no real reason or for any reason. Dishonesty is rampant is all areas of society. Immorality, perversion and pornography is so prevalent and pervasive that one cannot escape it.

I’ll spare the continuing long-winded review of this upside-down world-wide phenomenon, but the one thought that struck me: “Something is going on that is just not right. It is not of this world.”

That’s when the lights came on in my head. “It is not of this world”. Then these words and this realization came to my mind: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. it is time to gird up for war and prepare to confront the spirit of Antichrist!

Read 1 John 4:3:

“And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world.”

Read Ephesians 6:11-12:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

OUR STRUGGLE IS AGAINST THE RULERS AND POWERS AND WORLD FORCES OF DARKNESS, AGAINST SPIRITUAL FORCES OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.

What we read in Ephesians 6 is nothing new, but the troubles of this world seem to be intensifying, just like Jesus said it would. It has become just like in the days of Noah, before the flood.

Jesus spoke on these matters more succinctly than anyone, past or present. Hear what Jesus tells us is the ways to confront evil in our day:

WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?

TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH, and to teach us to do the same.

John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose, I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

TO BRING A SWORD, and to teach us to do the same.

Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35, For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; verse 36, and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”

TO FULFILL THE LAW, and to teach us to do the same.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”

TO CALL SINNERS, and to teach us to do the same.

Mark 2:17 “And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

TO SAVE THE WORLD, and to teach us to do the same.

John 12:47 “If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”

TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH, and to teach us to do the same.

Luke 12:49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50, But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Verse 51, Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division; “

“WHAT HE REALLY MEANT?”

Jesus has told us, in John 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. Verse 13. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

I have heard so many preachers, bible teachers and detractors alike, try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited. These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12. They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.

Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said. He is our model for our counter cultural resistance to the growing global threat of the Satanic evils of Communist-Marxist-Globalism, And we need to get on with it.

Jesus’ time on earth was spent fulfilling the purpose, and will of His Father (Matthew 5:19, Matthew 5:39). Jesus was on a singular mission (John 6 :38) and nothing would stand in the way of accomplishing that mission: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus had a divine appointment with a cruel Roman cross. Read what He said when Peter proposed to get in the way of His mission:

Matthew 16:21- 23, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You. ”But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

We do not literally have an appointment with a crucifixion, but, the Bible is clear in Galatians 5:24, that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” and again in Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul reminds us that, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” which must be true for all who follow Jesus because we are on mission with Jesus. Our ‘old self’ must die so our new selves can follow and serve Him.

Jesus always, taught the Will of His Father, then, demonstrated what He taught. He expects us to do the same. Ephesians, chapter six, gives us a clear teaching and picture of the type of preparation and the kind of resolve we are to assume.

Ephesians 6:10-17, tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Stand, i.e., continue safe and sound, stand unharmed: Acts 26:22.

Stand ready or prepared: Ephesians 6:14. One who does not hesitate, does not waver, of one who vanquishes his adversaries and holds the ground, also of one who in the midst of the fight holds his position against the foe, to persist, continue, persevere: (so as not to fall from thy faith).

Jesus’ example of steadfast, unmovable courage; this is our example and our command to do the same:

Jesus has taught us how to CONFRONT THE STORM.

Mark 4:35-41, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Jesus has taught us how to CONFRONT DEMONS.

Luke 8:26-33 “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.

“Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.”

Jesus has taught us how to CONFRONT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

John 19:8-12 ”Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So, Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason, he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

Jesus has taught us how to CONFRONT THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT.

Matthew 24:57-67, “Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on, two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless, I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him.”

Jesus did not draw back and He tells us that we must not draw back. He proceeded boldly to the Cross and secured our salvation! Jesus has all authority in heaven and on the earth and is with us until the end!

Remember, Jesus came to earth for these stated reasons – and these same reasons are our method and our calling:

TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. We are to testify to the truth!

TO BRING A SWORD. We are to bring the sword of the Word of God!

TO FULFILL THE LAW. We are to fulfill the same law!

TO CALL SINNERS. We are to call sinners!

TO SAVE THE WORLD through Jesus. In a very real sense, this, too, is our calling, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him

TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH. This, too, is our calling! The Word of God is a stumbling block to those who do not believe, dividing A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (Matthew 10:35-36)

Dear Brothers and Sisters, this is not hyperbole, a philosophy or metaphor. Now is the time to gird ourselves up with the full armor of God and follow our Lord, the King of Kings into battle.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places and must be fought with Spiritual Armament!

The things I have written to this point are of greatest importance and are our primary responsibility.

Finally, in a secondary role, in his most recent and provocative book, Letter to the American Church, Eric Metaxas asks, “Can it really be God’s will that His children be silent at a time like this?”

Decrying the cowardice that masquerades as godly meekness, Eric Metaxas summons the Church to battle.

“The author of a bestselling biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Metaxas reveals the haunting similarities between today’s American Church and the German Church of the 1930s. Echoing the German martyr’s prophetic call, he exhorts his fellow Christians to repent of their silence in the face of evil.

“An attenuated and unbiblical “faith” based on what Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace” has sapped the spiritual vitality of millions of Americans.

Paying lip service to an insipid “evangelism,” they shrink from combating the evils of our time. Metaxas refutes the pernicious lie that fighting evil politicizes Christianity. As Bonhoeffer and other heroes of the faith insisted, the Church has an irreplaceable role in the culture of a nation. It is our duty to fight the powers of darkness, especially on behalf of the weak and vulnerable.

“Silence is not an option. God calls us to defend the unborn, to confront the lies of cultural Marxism, and to battle the globalist tyranny that crushes human freedom. Confident that this is His fight, the Church must overcome fear and enter the fray, armed with the spiritual weapons of prayer, self-sacrifice, and love.” (see Eric Metaxas.com – Letter to the American Church)

Here is an interview by pastor Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia, as pastor Hamrick and Eric Metaxas discuss how the Church (Christians) can respond to the spreading evil of the spirit of the antichrist which is in the world now without becoming political.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please contact me if you have any questions by using the link below. (Please know that your personal information is strictly confidential and will not be released to anyone for any reason.)

← Back

Month: April 2024

The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 6 – The Seven Seals of The Scroll – Episode 8

The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 5 – The Scrolls – Episode 7

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – What Comes Next – Chapter 4 – Episode 6

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – IMPORTANT DETAILS FIRST – Episode 3

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapters 2 & 3- EPISODE 5

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – that even you and I can understand and use immediately – Episode 1

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST – Chapter 1 – Episode 4

THE COMPLETED VIEW OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Episode 2

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Oh, you of little faith”, Part 37

ARE YOU BIBLE ILLITERATE? – You Can Fix That – And You Should

A PROPHETIC WORD FROM JESUS – “Foxes have holes”, Part 36

THE WRATH OF THE LAMB – What and When?

WANT WISDOM & INSIGHT IN THESE LAST DAYS?

God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline

WAKE UP & GIRD UP – IT’S TIME TO ENGAGE THE BATTLE

Thank you for your response. ✨