Devotional, Devotion, Prophecy, Bible Study, Bible discussion, End of Days, End Times, Enter Ministry, Underground Church, Church, Fellowship, Tribulation, Salvation, Ordained, Love, Heaven, Miracles
Author: Michael Young, Sr.
I am a practicing Christian, a disciple of Jesus, a husband of over 50 years, a father and a grandfather, a business man, a veteran and a friend to all who will have me.
I have served or am serving, at various times, as an Evangelist, a Pulpit fill pastor, an Associate Pastor of Evangelism and as Senior Pastor of a church plant. My passion is for practicing and teaching the Bible, building small groups, reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel of Jesus, recovering the straying Sheep of God and the gathering together the Called of God, in neighborhoods, business settings and in churches by equipping other Christians.
I have authored a few small books and I have a background in professional business management, finance and investments.
I am glad to meet you, even if it is virtually. Write me at any time and let's become friends.
“God Almighty,’ Who was, and is, and is to come’.” (Revelation 4:8)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who live on the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was, and is not, and will come.” (Revelation 17:8)
LINEAR TIME and CHRONOLOGY
This is, at the very least, a difficult concept to understand. In its simplest form, that is in linear time, one could say that something or someone existed in the past, exists in the present and will exist in the future – either continuously, or inexplicably comes into being, disappears (passes from natural existence), reappears in the present time, passes away again, only to reappear at a future time.
Imagine standing on an imaginary static point just outside the timeline (the passing of linear time) watching as time passes. You would see the present become the past as it goes by, and the present become the future as it goes also passes by. So, in reality, you are seeing the past and the future, in the present – but one thing at a time and in a straight line.
Now imagine you are floating above time – that is, far above the timeline. Imagine that you can see ‘all time at once’ from your station. Looking down, you can see the past, the present and the future, all occurring at once – simultaneously, but the past being continuously transformed into the present and the present being continuously transformed into the future. This is the paradox of non-linear time.
When God says “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come,” the Almighty”, we are seeing the Omniscient God, continuously present OUTSIDE of time.
This concept is vitally important when trying to understand Biblical eschatology – more specifically the tribulation period (tribulation seals ONE through FIVE), the Great Tribulation (the final SEVEN years of Great Tribulation), Seals SIX and SEVEN, the SEVEN Tribulation Trumpets and the SEVEN Tribulation Bowls of Wrath.
Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE, in linear time, according to the testimonies and teachings of Jesus, the Apostles Paul, Peter, Timothy and John, began at or around the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus and have continued to occur, intensify and overlap. We are waiting for the breaking of the SIXTH tribulation SEAL (the beginning of the 7 years of Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord and the Wrath of The Lamb), in linear time. At this moment in time, 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 (Matthew 24:30-31).
Following the breaking of the SIXTH Tribulation Judgement Seal, in linear chronological order, we will see the 7th Seal opened, the sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel and the multitude before the throne of God. Then the 7 tribulation judgement trumpets are blown, and the 7 judgement bowls of wrath are poured out.
At the end of these things, Jesus (has defeated, is defeating and will continue to defeat) Satan, the Beast and their armies, and they all (have already been cast, are being cast and will continue to be cast) into the eternal lake of fire.
But for the believer, the disciple and follower of Jesus, “He, (Jesus), (has showed, is showing and will continue to show) me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; we will see His face, and His name will be on our foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and we will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate us; and we will (then) reign forever and ever.
And he (has said to me, is saying to me and will say to me), “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
From a heavenly perspective – from God’s View, all of this has already occurred, is occurring and shall occur until its completion. But make no mistake, it is already finished, and we are simply living it out in linear time.
SO WHAT?
We are called – no, commanded – to live as if all things are already determined, because they are already determined! We can be made able to live an expectant life, full of hope for our future – and in fact, our past is forgiven, our present is protected, and our future is secured.
We do this by following and obeying the Word of God. We may struggle, and we may suffer, but it is through obedience that we find our joy, our peace and the success that God has promised.
Finally, perhaps you have heard of the flawed theological concept of “already but not yet”.
It holds that believers are actively taking part in the kingdom of God, although the kingdom will not reach its full expression until sometime in the future. We are “already” in the kingdom, but we do “not yet” see it in its glory. The “already but not yet” theology is related to kingdom theology or inaugurated eschatology.
The “already but not yet” paradigm was developed by Princeton theologian Gerhardus Vos early in the 20th century. In the 1950s, George Eldon Ladd, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, argued that there are two meanings to the kingdom of God: 1) God’s authority and right to rule and 2) the realm in which God exercises His authority. The kingdom, then, is described in Scripture both as a realm presently entered and as one entered the future. Ladd concluded that the kingdom of God is both present and future.
The “already but not yet” theology is popular among the Charismatics, for whom it provides a theological framework for present-day miracles. “Already but not yet” is officially embraced by the Vineyard Church and underpins many of their teachings.
There is a sense in which God’s kingdom is already in force. Hebrews 2:8–9 says, “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death” (ESV). In this passage, we have a “now” (we see Jesus crowned with glory), and we have a “not yet” (not everything has been subjected to Christ). Jesus is the King, but His kingdom is not yet of this world (see John 18:36).
Also, in 1 John 3:2, we read, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be, has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Again, we have a “now” (we are the children of God), and we have a “not yet” (our future state). We are children of the King, but we must wait to see exactly what that entails.
Add to this the facts that Romans 8:30 says we are “glorified” and Ephesians 2:6 says we are seated with Christ “in the heavenly realms” as if these were completed acts. We don’t feel very glorified, most of the time, and our surroundings do not much resemble “heavenly realms.” That’s because the present spiritual reality does not yet match up with the future, physical reality. One day, the two will be in sync.
So, there is a biblical basis for the “already but not yet” system of interpretation. The problem comes when this paradigm is used to justify the prosperity gospel, name-it-claim-it teachings, and other heresies. The idea behind these teachings is that Christ’s kingdom is in full operation and that prayer can make it “break through” into our world. Evangelism is thought to “advance the kingdom.” And people are told they never need be sick or poor because the riches of the kingdom are available to them right now.
The Bible never speaks of “advancing the kingdom,” however. The kingdom will come (Luke 11:2). We must receive the kingdom (Mark 10:15). And the kingdom is currently “not of this world” (John 18:36). Jesus’ parables of the kingdom picture it as yeast in dough and a tree growing. In other words, the kingdom is slowly working toward an ultimate fulfillment. It is not sporadically “breaking through” to bring us comfort in this world. (the foregoing paragraphs in italics are from GotQuestion.Org).
NOW, BEWARE:Matthew 5:19, instructs us, “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.”
Revelation 22:18-19, also warns, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”
Our is to trust and obey – there is, simply, no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!
(Notice: there are 3 seperate audio clips on this page.)
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
“HAMAS”
“HAMAS”
The news of the day is the heinous attacks on innocents in Israel by the demonic terrorists, Hamas in Gaza. There is speculation swirling in the smoke and columns of fire from the rocket attacks that this could be the ‘beginning of the end’ as prophesied in scriptures (The Last Days).
The swift, decisive and appropriatley violent response by Israel would make it seem that this will at least be the end of Hamas as a terror group, and should send a strong message to Iran and other terrorist states. But if this unprovoked attack and murder of innocent men, women, children and babies spreads, it could begin to look like prophecies regarding Israel and the End of Days are coming to pass.
There are events, however, which must take place to confirm of disprove these kinds of speculations, but this could very well the precursor or harbinger, of things to come.
Comparing the correlating verses from Luke chapter 21 and Matthew chapter 24 we can get a clearer view of prophesied events of the Last Days, specifically targeting similar events in the Middle East and Israel.
Luke chapter 21 and Matthew chapter 24 give us a look at the events leading up to the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, which is the beginning of the SEVEN YEARS of the Great Tribulation – also known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week – The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as seen in Luke 21
Luke 21:5-9, (Amplified Bible Version – annotated), “As some were talking about the temple, that it was decorated with beautiful stones and consecrated offerings [of magnificent gifts of gold which were displayed on the walls and hung in the porticoes], He said, “As for all these things which you see, the time will come when there will not be one stone left on another that will not be torn down.”
They asked Him, (Jesus), “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to happen?” He said, “Be careful and see to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name (acting as if they are Me or pretending to act on my behalf as leaders of religious organizations calling themselves ‘The Church’), [appropriating for themselves the name (and the authority of) Messiah which belongs to Me alone], saying, ‘I am He,’ (thereby implying and acting in a way that says ‘I have the authority of Jesus as given by His Father’) and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and disturbances [civil unrest, revolts, uprisings], do not panic; for these things must take place first, but the end will not come immediately.”
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as compared to Matthew 24
Matthew 24:1-5, (Amplified Bible Version – annotated): “Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to the [magnificent and massive] buildings of the temple. And He said to them, “Do you see all these things? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, not one stone here will be left on another, which will not be torn down.”
While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, “Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?”
Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. For many will come in My name (acting as if they are Me or pretending to act on my behalf as leaders of religious organizations calling themselves ‘The Church’), [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ (thereby implying and acting in a way that says ‘I have the authority of Jesus as given by His Father’), and they will mislead many .”
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as seen in Luke 21
Things to Come
Luke 21:10-11,“Then Jesus told them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.
(Note: Jesus spoke these prophetic words in the future tense in or around A.D. 30. So, although there have always been wars, conflicts, earthquakes, famines, plagues and epidemics, they will greatly increase in their frequency and intensity and Ezekiel 38 describes the crescendo of these events.
Jesus pinpoints the season of these events as He links them with the words, “and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven” which is a direct link to the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, which is the beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb – marking the 70th Week of Daniel and the beginning of the final SEVEN YEARS of THE TRIBULATION: THE SIXTH and SEVENTH SEAL of The Great Tribulation, The SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS and The SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH.)
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as seen in Luke 21
Luke 21:12-19, “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake (which is the amplifying and intensifying of the breaking of the FIFTH TRIBULATION SEAL). This will be a time and an opportunity for you to testify [about Me]. So, make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be betrayed and handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be continually hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls.
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as compared to Matthew 24
Matthew 24:6-14, “You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].
“Then they will hand you over to [endure] tribulation, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.“
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as seen in Luke 21
Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her (Israel’s) complete destruction is near. At that time, those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city (Jerusalem) must get out, and those who are [out] in the country must not enter the city; for these are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For great trouble and anguish will be on the land, and wrath and retribution on this people [Israel]. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles (a race of people, the nations of the heathen world, Gentiles, joined by practicing pagan and heathen customs and common culture; unbelieving Gentiles (non-Jews)), are fulfilled (completed).
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as compared to Matthew 24
Matthew 24:15-28, “So when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge]. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time]. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel]. For at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]. And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. Wherever the corpse is, there the [e]vultures will flock together.”
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as seen in Luke 21
The Return of Christ
Luke 21:25-28, “There will be signs (attesting miracles)in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves, people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory. Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”
THE RETURN OF JESUS & THE END OF THE AGE
as compared to Matthew 24
Matthew 24:29-31, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT PROVIDE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor]. And He will send His angels with A LOUD TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR – THE COMING INVASION OF ISRAEL?
WHO ARE THE ‘PLAYERS’?
When we see this invasion of Israel by the joint forces of Russia, Iran and her proxies, forces from Turkey, the Republic of Georgia, Ethiopia, Libya and Northern Africa, and the Caucuses, we can know this time has come. This is when God will intervene
Luke 21:20 tells us, “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her (Israel’s) complete destruction is near.”
We can see who these hostile invading armies are, by readingEzekiel chapter 38:1,
“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Verse 2. “Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog(current day Russia),the chief ruler of Meshech (southern Russia and Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia) and Tubal (central Turkey), and prophesy against him,
Verse 3, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief ruler of Meshech and Tubal.
Verse 4. I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them magnificently clothed in full armor, a great horde with buckler (small shield) and [large] shield, all of them wielding swords;
Verse 5. Persia (Iran), Cush(Ethiopia),and Put(Libya, N. Africa)with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
Verse 6. Gomer(southern Russia) and all its troops; Beth-togarmah(the Caucuses region of Armenia and Georgia)from the remote parts of the north and all its troops–many peoples with you.
These are the 10 Nation Confederation to watch, (THE HEADS), of the BEAST Ezekiel 38, of Daniel 7,9 and Revelation 17. All are Islamic, the Center of which is MECCA:
Nation #1. Gog: A Reubenite, son of Shemaiah, the prophetic prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and Magog. Gog is identified as a descendant of the prophet Joel, and in Ezekiel 38–39, he is the chief prince of the tribes of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog, the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media (Russia.).
Nation #2. Magog: The 2nd son of Japheth, grandson of Noah, and progenitor of several tribes northward from Israel; the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media and habitation of the descendants of Magog, son of Japheth and grandson of Noah. (Russia.)
Nation #3. Rosh: “the Prince of Rosh” is Asiatic Russia receives confirmation from the Imperial Dictionary. “Evidence exists of an ancient people called Rosh, or Rhos, supposed to be the original stem from which the Russia or modern Russians have derived their race and name.” The scholar, Bishop Lowther says: “Rosh, taken as a proper name, in Ezekiel, signifies the inhabitants of Scythia, from whom modern Russians derived their name. We must conclude therefore, that Ezekiel’s “episode of Gog’s invasion” (A. B. Davidson) points irrefutably and undeniably to the Russians.
Nation #4. Meschach: Was a Chaldean. The Chaldeans inhabited the coastal area near the Persian Gulf. About 630 Nabopolassar became king of the Chaldeans and in 626 he forced the Assyrians out of Uruk and crowned himself king of Babylonia. Modern day Turkey.
Nation #5. Tubal: a region in east Asia Minor, perhaps nearly equal to Cappadocia
Nation #6. Persia:Iran
Nation #7. Cush(Ethiopia): located on either side or both sides of the Red Sea. As such, “Cush” is alternately identified in scripture with the Kingdom of Kush or ancient Ethiopia.
Nation #8. Put (Libya): Ancient Libya. In this sense, Libya was the whole known African continent to the west of the Nile Valley and extended south of Egypt. Herodotus described the inhabitants of Libya as two peoples: The Libyans in northern Africa and the Ethiopians in the south.
Nation #9. Gomer: (was the wife of the prophet Hosea (8th century BC), mentioned in the Hebrew Bible‘s Book of Hosea (1:3). Hosea 1:2 refers to her alternatively as a “promiscuous woman” (NIV), a “harlot” (NASB), and a “whore” (KJV) but Hosea is told to marry her according to Divine appointment. She is also described as the daughter of Diblaim.) The Hebrew name Gomer refers to the Cimmerians, who dwelt in what is now southern Russia, “beyond the Caucusus”, and attacked Assyria in the late 7th century BC.
Nation #10. Beth-Togarmah: Togarmah is a city mentioned in Assyrian and Hittite texts. It was north of Carchemish on an Assyrian trade route. It may be related to modern Gurun between the Halys and Euphrates Rivers. (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia.)
Because of the length and complexity of the scriptures regarding the invasion of Israel in the Last Days from the book of The Revelation, I will simply recap these events by linking to the appropriate verses, and a detailed commentary with videos by Zion’s Hope (David Rosenthal) at the end of this page..
Just know that the destruction of the Antichrist, the beast and their invading armies and demonic forces will be thoroughly defeated and cast into the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 16 through 20) after the 7th Tribulation Bowl is poured out.
It is also worthy to note that there is some ‘controversy’ or discussion about the “2nd Coming” or the SECOND ADVENT of Jesus Christ. Matthew 24:29-31 (and similarly in Luke 21) record these words, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days (it is important to note the words ‘immediately after the tribulation OF THOSE DAYS’), THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” This is clearly Jesus appearing, which will occur after the 5th Tribulation Seal and at the moment of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and is spoken of in the future tense. By all appearances we are well into the 5th Tribulation Seal and are very near the 6th Seal, so the ‘future tense’ of this verse can easily be considered to be from this day (10/11/2023) until His appearing – which could be immanent.
Then, in Revelation 19:11-16 we read, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Many commentators believe these verses describe the 2nd Advent of Christ. But clearly, taking Matthew 24:29-31 into account, this would be a THIRD advent, which would be incorrect. This is NOT a new advent or a new coming of Christ, but it is Jesus, who has already returned to gather His Elect (Matthew 24:31) and is seen sitting on horse, judging and waging war against the nations!
CONCLUSION – THE LONG VIEW
The events of the “Last Days” began as early as the birth and/or the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus, as reported by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy in or around 2 B.C. through A.D. 95, and found in:
These events will conclude at the end of the pouring out of the Tribulation Bowls at the end of the SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION period, the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.
We are seeing clear and distinct signs of the final days before His return and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. If you are His disciple, you do not need to be afraid. He is your protector. Your weapons and shield are the words of your testimony and the Blood of the Lamb.
When the time comes, He will give you words of wisdom to say, which no one can resist. Be brave and courageous.
If you have not already, now is the time, now is the day of your salvation. Turn to Jesus in humble submission and exchange your life for His, today – this moment. Find your peace, safety, sanctuary and salvation in Him!
If you have already given yourself and your life to God by His grace and through faith in Jesus, now is the time to complete your calling.
Do not wait for others to do the work of your calling – not the preacher, pastor, deacon, elder or friend. It is your calling and your joy to serve the Living God today.
YOU,“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Jesus, believe in Him, and obey His words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that He has commanded you; and lo, He is with you always [remaining with you perpetually–regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 24, Verse 10. (Seal #5), And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
Matthew 24, Verse 13. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Revelation 6, Verse9. (Seal #5) When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; Verse 10. and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who live on the earth?” Verse 11. And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told that they were to rest 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, was completed also.
2 Timothy 3:3, “But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear].
The things described in these verses seem to be recognizable and occurring, especially in our day-and-time. But these things have been occurring since the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. In fact, not only have the continued to occur but they have been increasing in frequency and in their intensity. (see “Is This The End?”).
The foregoing prophetic statements referring to the “last days” fit perfectly with the words of Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy as they describe the events and times of the “last days”, which were written around A.D. 30, and are found in :
The progression and timing of the breaking of the Tribulation Seals in Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 6,7 and 8 can be seen in this short outline (below, with links) which compare Jesus’ account of the Tribulation period both in the Book of Revelation and in theBook of Matthew:
Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God).
WARNING: Prior to the SIXTH TRIBULATION SEAL, scriptures tell us that God will send a ‘deluding influence so people will believe a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness”.
This malaise and apostasy has infected Christian Churches across the globe and nowhere is it more evident that in the western world and in America. You can visit just about any church and find an ‘entertainment-oriented’ production, dedicated to move the emotions of the visitor, practitioner and adherent to moments of emotional ecstasy. The ‘sermons’ can better be described as intellectually fulfilling – a religious sales pitch about how things should be. . The ‘congregation has become an audience attending a play’ in large part.
The sense of ‘Church is like family’ has become a social affair. Cliques have taken the place of the Body. The day of lamenting one’s sins, brokenness and repentance at the altar are gone. (See “I Will Build My Church”).
This transformation, this apostasy has been developing over the decades and centuries. It was subtle at first. Now it is in full bloom and is unrecognized by the perpetrators – church-goers and Christians.
A more complete description of the attitudes and behaviors of people in these ‘last days, which are precursors to the Great Apostasy (the great falling away from the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus) and the Great Martyrdom and persecution of Christians, (the fifth Tribulation Seal) are found in 2 Timothy chapter 3.
Verse 1, For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, verse 3, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, verse 4, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God,
Verse 5, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith].
Avoid such people and keep far away from them.
Verse 6. For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses,
The term “morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women” as it is used here, may seem to be specifically aimed at women and to the exclusion of men. That is incorrect. This description is anachronistic. It must be understood in the social context of that day. Women, in general were considered to be second class members of society when these verses were written. Women’s lives and value were defined almost solely in relation to men: their fathers and husbands. This description is being used contemptuously to define anyone, and specifically a man who would be considered to behave in such a way. (It could be said, in a contemporary and derogatory way, “he acts just like a silly old women” or “he is such a Nancy”.)
Always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Is this not what is occurring in our churches? People lament, “I am not being fed”. So, they are relieved of their own duty to ‘get off the milk of the word’ and feed themselves the meat of the word by doing the Word of God.
Too many churches and pastors placate ‘the sheep’, who by now should be pastors, teachers, deacons, elders, ambassadors for Christ, by substituting the ‘Work of the Gospel’ with always learning and listeningand never actually ‘going into the fields which are ripe for harvesting’.
Just as Jannes and Jambres, [men, in the court magicians in the court of the Pharaohs Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith. But they will not get very far, for their meaningless nonsense and ignorance will become obvious to everyone, as was that of Jannes and Jambres.
Finally, the importance of recognizing the intent of this letter by Timothy and the placement of the breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal is that the first FIVE TRIBULATION SEALS are, accoring to Jesus, ‘the birth pangs’ – forerunners of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, which begins with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.
You and I must be the ‘salt and the light’. We must be the initiators, the ambassadors, the martyrs for Christ. We must demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] by our love [unselfish concern for others], by our joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], by our kindness, by our goodness, by our faithfulness, by our gentleness, by our self-control.
Against these things there is no law. And those of us who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.
If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-26)
We have now been warned against false teachers, false teachings, false prophets and our ominous proximity to the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.
We have now been instructed how we are to engage this fallen world as the Day of The Lord draws near.
We have now been instructed about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and about living and walking by the Spirit with personal integrity, Godly character and moral courage, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The day and the hour of the SIXTH TRIBULATION SEAL is near. It will initiate the 7 years of Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. A time when the world will see a God’s judgements, tribulation and devastation as it has never seen and will never see again.
Prepare yourself and your household and know that at that time,“Immediately after the tribulation of these daysthe sun will be darkened, and the moon will not provide its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor]. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet and they will gather together His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”(Matthew 24:29-31).
Matthew 3:10, says, “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Verse 11. “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Verse 12. “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
The Olive Tree, specifically, comes to mind when talking about prophecy and about Israel. It is mentioned frequently in the Bible with regard to fruitfulness, health, and blessings. It is one of the seven species with which the land was blessed.
Jewish people associate it with the concept of “putting down roots” in the Holy Land. As such, olive trees appear in the emblems of both the State of Israel, as well as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The olive tree has also been used as a motif in many works of art and in Jewish culture throughout history.
Here are some specific examples of ways the symbolism of the olive tree is represented in the Jewish faith:
Peace: The olive tree has become a consistent symbol of peace over the years, thanks to the story of Noah’s Ark and the dove that brings back an olive branch as a way to inform Noah that the rain had subsided. Olive branches even became used as a means of showing peace to other leaders/nations.
Love and celebration: Olive branches were used to make wreaths for the heads of young people on their wedding days, and at festivals in biblical times. The pilgrims who brought their first fruits to Jerusalem decorated the horns of the bull that led the procession with olive branches.
Life and vitality: Throughout the Bible, there are consistent references to olive trees as symbols of life and vitality. For example, the people of Israel are referred to as “a green olive tree, beautiful with goodly fruit” in the book of Jeremiah. When King Solomon dies, the trees of the garden mourn, shedding their leaves.
“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees”. Verse 10 is saying judgment is now at hand. The prophesied Messiah is here. Your salvation is at hand. You cannot depend on your traditions, rituals, good works, heritage or lineage to be saved from the coming wrath. It is time to repent and bear fruit of Righteousness which is in Jesus the Christ, for your salvation, or you will perish.
Matthew 3:11, “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
John is pointing the way to Jesus. He baptizes with water for repentance which requires that you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, so you will be saved and escape the coming wrath; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
Interestingly, and important to this prophetic word, is that it is binding. Jesus has told us that whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
Baptism is a form of binding. Once complete, it is irreversible. We may fail to remember our oaths or to take them seriously, but God never forgets. God will remember the oath, and He will keep His Word. You and I are bound. The following words from the book of Matthew and the account of John the Baptist and of Jesus are a binding oath.
READER BEWARE:
Matthew 3:12, “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
THERE ARE FIVE POINTS GIVEN IN VERSE 12. THEY ENCAPSULATE THE ENTIRE TRIBULATION PERIOD, BEGINNING WITH THE BREAKING OF THE TRIBULATION SEALS, CONTINUING THROUGH THE TRUMPET AND BOWL JUDGMENTS, INCLUDING THE WHITE THRONE Judgment AND CULMINATING WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE 1ST HEAVEN AND THE FIRST EARTH WITH INTENSE HEAT. THEY ARE A BINDING OATH AND PROPHECY.
Jesus has told us that His coming will it be just like in the days of Noah. The days before the Great Flood people were eating and drinking, marrying, unconcerned about the warning of the coming wrath, that is until the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not understand the accuracy and the gravity of the warnings until the flood came and took them all away; so it will be with the return of Jesus.
So, what can you do with what you now know? Stay with me in this teaching and I will show you from scriptures how you not only can, but must, endure to the end of these days of trouble, and actually OVERCOME them. Stay with me on this, it’s important and could be lifesaving!
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15).
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as loving God, keeping His commandments, doing His Works and glorifying the Father.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15).
IN CONTEXT
“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. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, sothattheFathermaybeglorifiedintheSon. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:12-15).
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“If I love You, I will keep Your commandments.” (John 14:15).
This statement, by Jesus, may at first seem out of place here. Why would He go from telling us that if we believe in Him, we will do the works He does, and that because He is going to the Father He will do anything we ask – to suddenly telling us that if I love Him, I will keep His commandments?
It is because these statements are inextricably connected. Everything that Jesus tells us, the ‘promises’ He makes in the preceding verses are predicated on this: If you love Me, keep My commandments. This could be considered the litmus test of your love for Him.
If your love for Jesus is not absolute, true and complete, these promises are not for you. If you are not fully committed and submitted to Jesus as His disciple, these promises are not for you. If you are not willing to follow Him in all He says and does, these promises are not for you.
‘Naming it and claiming it’ just won’t work here. This is for the disciple, the friend and brother of Jesus. This issothattheFathermaybeglorifiedintheSon – The Father is not glorified in you or me. He is glorified in the Son!
If you want anything to be done, believe in Him, prove your love for Him and keep His commandments, and this He will do, so the Father will be glorified in the Son.
A beloved and hardworking farmer had only a few animals to help him on his farm. He had a few chickens for eggs, a cow for milk, and a few pigs for meat, and two mules. One was a hefty male-mule, the other was a medium-sized female mule. Additionally, the farmer had to sow seed and grow food for his subsistence.
He worked his two mules pretty much every day, hauling heavy loads, pulling a plow and to pull his buckboard wagon. But the farmer worked the larger male mule especially hard.
The farmer couldn’t afford another mule, and he never mated the two mules because he thought he could not do without both of them for the heavy chores during a pregnancy.
The mules aged. Then one day, the larger male mule sat down and quietly died. He had been overworked.
The female mule brayed in grief for several days. Then the farmer replaced the male with the female for the hard chores and heavy loads. Soon after, she died also.
The farmer now realized that he should have mated the mules and raised up the additional help he would need.
It wasn’t long after, having no help for the hard chores and heavy loads, the farmer also passed away.
The moral?
You should not be so foolish to work your help or yourself to death. Plan ahead and raise up new help while there is time.
Too many preachers and pastors think they can do it all themselves. They fail to raise up Godly men and women to share the heavy load and chores. Maybe it is a matter of trust or an issue of control. Either way, going it alone is foolish and unbiblical.
Perhaps the members of the church body expect too much of one man.
Or, perhaps the ‘farmer who sows the seed’ shouldn’t consider his only help to be a couple of mules?
Either way, it can be just like the story of the farmer and the mules, and it usually has a sad ending.
Why not, instead, take this advice?
Exodus 18:13-16, “Moses sat to judge [the disputes] the people [had with one another], and the people stood around Moses from dawn to dusk. When Moses’ father-in-law saw everything that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why are you sitting alone [as a judge] with all the people standing around you from dawn to dusk?” Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to ask [about the will] of God. When they have a dispute they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”
Jethro Counsels Moses
Exodus 18:17-26, “Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you [to bear]; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to [b]me; [c]I will advise you, and may God be with you [to confirm my advice]. You shall represent the people before God. You shall bring their disputes and causes to Him. You shall teach them the decrees and laws. You shall show them the way they are to live and the work they are to do. Furthermore, you shall select from all the people competent men who [reverently] fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; you shall place these over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. They shall judge the people at all times; have them bring every major dispute to you, but let them judge every minor dispute themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you will do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure [the responsibility], and all these people will also go [back] to their tents in peace.”
“So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything that he had said. Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens [from the highest to the lowest judicial levels]. And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but every minor dispute they judged and decided themselves”. (The Amplified Version)
Try doing it God’s Way – make disciples who make disciples. Let God do the ‘heavy lifting’ through His saints!
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14).
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as believing in Jesus, doing His Works, asking in Jesus’ Name.
“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14)
IN CONTEXT
“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. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14)
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“If I ask anything in Your name, Jesus, You will do it.” (John 14:14)
It can be tempting or at least easy to misunderstand what Jesus is saying here or to take His instructions out of context. Imagine – ask for anything at any time and, PRESTO! Talk about a great genie! But, of course, that is never the case with Jesus.
Jesus clearly says, “Truly, truly (the double emphasis – translated from ‘amen, amen’ – should alert the reader that a foundational truth is to follow) I say to you, (#1). The one who believes in Me, (#2). The works that I do, (#3). He will do also.
Even when carefully read, one could assume that if Jesus isn’t going to do what I ask, that I will be able to do it for myself. Once again, that would be a misunderstanding.
The ‘secret’, if it can be called that, to all of this is found in His words, “because I am going to the Father”.
John 16:5-7 informs us that, “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, grief has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
It is the Holy Spirit, when He indwells the believer, who regenerates you, baptizes you into the Body of Christ, gives you His power, comforts you, fills you with joy and peace, sanctifies you, gives you righteousness, convicts you of sin, gives you His Gifts so He can prompt you to do these works by His power through you.
So, yes, “If you ask anything in His name, He will do it.”
This is an atomic explosion and the resulting shockwave. This was created and built by human scientists. Its destructive power was unimaginable.
The explosion of Tsar Bomb, according to the classification of nuclear explosions, was an ultra-high-power low-air nuclear explosion.
The mushroom cloud of Tsar Bomb was seen from a distance of 100 miles. The crown of the cloud 40 miles high at the time of the picture.
The flare was visible at a distance of more than 620 miles, observed in Norway, Greenland and Alaska.
The explosion’s mushroom cloud rose to a height of 42 miles. The shape of the “hat” was two-tiered; the diameter of the upper tier was estimated at 59 miles, the lower tier at 43 miles. The cloud was observed 500 miles from the explosion site.
The blast wave circled the globe three times, with the first one taking 36 hours and 27 minutes.
A seismic wave in the earth’s crust, generated by the shock wave of the explosion, circled the globe three times.
This man-made creation has the power to destroy the world.
THE CRUCIFIXION
By Contrast, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and His moment of death, was and is a Spiritual explosion created by the Hand of God. It has the power to save the entire world and everyone in it.
Its life giving power is unimaginable.
The range of this ‘Spiritual explosion’ is unmeasurable.
It reaches from the earth to the limits of the heavens.
It is realized by faith alone.
Matthew 27:50-54, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit.
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom;
and the earth shook and the rocks were split.
Also, the tombs were opened, and
Many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and
(Many bodies were) coming out of the tombs after His resurrection,
They entered the holy city and appeared to many.
Now as for the centurion and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:50-54)
THE RESURRECTION
Matthew 28:1, “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. Verse 2. And behold,
a severe earthquake had occurred,
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.”
Mark 15:50,“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. Verse 51. And behold,
The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and
Many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; Verse 53, and
Many bodies were coming out of the tombs after His resurrection,
They entered the holy city and appeared to many”.
This was and is the power released by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
This is the power of the Gospel, thepowerofGod for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
This is thepowerof God [for His power is invincible].
This is the power by which we pray and receive our help.
This power is inexhaustible.
This power is immeasurable.
This power is inestimable.
This power is incalculable.
And has been reserved for you in these last days.
The next time you go humbly to God in prayer, think on the power of the resurrection. It has been done for you.
If you ever have doubts, fears or reservations, remember that the Law is spiritual, and that you are a creature of the flesh [worldly, self-reliant—carnal and unspiritual], sold into slavery to sin [and serving under its control].
There will be times that you will not understand your own actions [You will be and perhaps are baffled and bewildered by your own actions]. Often you do not practice what you want to do, but you do the very thing you hate [and are yielding to your human nature, your worldliness—your sinful capacity].
Now if you habitually do what you do not want to do, [that means] you agree with the Law, confessing that it is good (morally excellent). So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer you who do it [the disobedient thing which you despise], but the sin [nature] which lives in you.
You should know that nothing good lives in you, that is, in your flesh [your human nature, your worldliness—your sinful capacity].
The willingness [to do good] is present in you, but the doing of good is not. For the good that you want to do, you do not do, but you practice the very evil that you do not want. But if you are doing the very thing you do not want to do, you are no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not you that acts], but the sin [nature] which lives in you is controlling you.
It is the law [of your inner self], that is the evil is present in you, the one who wants to do good. For you joyfully delight in the law of God in your inner self [with your new nature], but you see a different law and rule of action in the members of your body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of your mind and subduing you and making you a prisoner of the law of sin which is within your members. Wretched and miserable person that you are! Who will [rescue you and] set you free from your body of death [your corrupt, mortal existence]? Thanks be to God [for your deliverance] through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
So then, on the one hand you, with your mind serve the law of God, but on the other, with your flesh [your human nature, your worldliness, your sinful capacity—serve] the law of sin. – (Taken from Romans 7:14-25, personalized for personal application).
Do not be ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death! We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]. For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection.
Know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. For the person who has died [with Christ] has been freed from [the power of] sin.
Since we have died with Christ, we believe and know that we will also live [together] with Him, because we know [the self-evident truth] that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. For the death that He died, He died to the power of sin [ending its power and paying the sinner’s debt] once and for all; and the life that He lives, He lives to [glorify] God [in unbroken fellowship with Him].
So, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to sin as having been broken], and now you are alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. – (taken from Romans 6:3-11, personalized for personal application.)
Finally. In order to make this a present reality in your life, think on these things. Meditate on them, daily.
Do not let these words and thoughts depart from your mind or your mouth. Read, recite [and meditate on] them day and night, and you must be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.
Has God not told you and is He not telling you now, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Revelation 1:1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place;
and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, verse 2, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Verse 3, Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Message to the Seven Churches
Revelation 1:4. “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—Verse 6.And He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Verse 7.BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So, it is to be. Amen.
(See Jesus’ corresponding teaching on Revelation 1:7 (above) found in Matthew 24:9-31: “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”)
(It is also interesting and important to note that Jesus’ words on these matters from Matthew chapter 24 are found to be in the present and future tense. I the book of the Revelation His words are found to be in the aorist tense, which refers to the past, present and future, simultaneously. In other words, In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus is teaching about present and future events. In Revelation, He is referring to an event which began in the past, is current, and the future is fulfilled although not complete in our present existence – but it is finished!)
Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
(Again, we see a reference to the aorist tense in Revelation 1:8, “who is and who was and who is to come”.Although we have not seen this completed in our reference of time, in God’s economy, it is completed. It is finished! This is how PROPHECY works.)
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE are specifically directed at the Church and Believers in Jesus Christ, with a SIX-FOLD purpose in bringing these events to pass, which is found in Daniel 9, verse 24 .
Then, Tribulation Seals SIX through the SEVENTH Tribulation Bowl judgement, (also known as the GREAT Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord) are judgements directed specifically at the non-believing world.
DANIEL 9 THROUGH REVELATION 22 – IT IS COMPLETE
Daniel 12:5,“Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6.And someone said to the man
dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”
(There is no clear distinction of the identity of these ‘two others’ who are ‘dressed in linen’. Some commentators suspect they are angels and if context is to be held on to, they could likely be the angel Gabriel and the angel Michael – the messengers of this prophecy.)
Daniel 12:7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for atime, times, and half a time.”
and as soon as theyfinish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.
(There is much debate on the meaning of the final words from Daniel 12:7 (above here), but a simple face-value reading of this same precursor event in the context of Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 11:31 would lead us to see the sequence of prophetic events past, present and future.)
Daniel 12:8.But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so, I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will bekept secret and sealed up …until the end time.
(Repeated from Daniel 12:4. Repetition indicates importance.)
1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God)
2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin)
3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness)
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable)
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions)
6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.)
Notice that the results of this six-fold purpose concerns the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness.
The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.
*Of special note is the third in the list of results: “to atone for wickedness.” Jesus accomplished the atonement for sin by His death on the cross (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17).
Secondly, it is important to know the four-foldPLANNED OUTCOME of the tribulation found in Daniel 12:10, (Which is the purpose of the Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE): “Many will be
purged,
cleansed, and
refined,
those who have insight will understand.
Daniel 12:11 “And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
Daniel 12:12. “Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days!”
(In summary: Sometime after the rapture of the church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. The rapture occurs just before the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, and the breaking of that Seal marks the beginning of the Seven-year Great Tribulation period.
At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews. (The midpoint of the Great Tribulation occurs at the blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet).
At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist (after the pouring out of the 7th Tribulation bowl).
During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt, and the earth is restored.
During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.
The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).)
(NOTE: GotQuestions.Org., offers a very good detailed explanation of these dates and times, although, in my studied opinion, adheres to a dispensational miscalculation of the beginning of the final 7 years of Great Tribulation).
Daniel 12:13. “But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
(Daniel is dismissed in peace, without having his question answered. Daniel is to continue on his pre-planned course, without occupying his thoughts with this secret thing, which Jesus has revealed.)
Let’s conclude with the ‘burning question’ (pun intended) “Is This The End?“, which will help pull the chronology of the Tribulation Period together with the prophesied events as they have occurred and the suspected season of future events. This will compare and discuss world events as mentioned in Biblical eschatological scriptures, such as “wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, the spread of deadly diseases, false christs, cosmic events and catastrophes” and the like.
“And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one whokeeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” – Revelation 22:6-7
Daniel 9:20, “While I was still speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my plea before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, verse 21, while I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came, to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.
Daniel 9:22, “And he instructed me and talked with me and said, “Daniel, I have come now to give you insight with understanding. Verse 23. At the beginning of your pleas the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, because you are highly esteemed; so pay attention to the message and gain understanding of the vision.”
(Seventy Weeks and the Messiah)
Verse 24. “Seventy weeks, (490 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar) have been decreed for your people and your holy city,
to finish the wrongdoing,
to make an end of sin,
to make atonement for guilt,
to bring in everlasting righteousness,
to seal up vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
Daniel 9:25. So, you are to know and understandthat from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince,
there will be seven weeks (49 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar).
And sixty-two weeks; (434 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar).
It will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.
Daniel 9:26.“Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, (the crucifixion of Jesus) and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. (the invading armies of Rome destroyed the 2nd Jewish Temple in 70 A.D.) And its end will come with a flood;
(There are three references to a ‘coming flood’ in eschatological scriptures: Daniel 9:24ff, which refers to an army or a ‘flood of people’; Matthew 24:37ff, which refers to ‘Noah’s flood’; Revelation 12:13ff, which is a metaphor referring to ‘
(a) The Woman’ (Israel),
(b) ‘The Dragon’ (Satan), and ‘
(c) The Child’ (The Messiah, Jesus)).
All three instances are examples of the principles of God’s judgement, the purpose of God’s judgement, the personalities in God’s judgement – when put together, reveals a complete picture of what is to come in the Last Days.
Even to the end, there will be war;
(There have always been wars, and there will be wars even to the end of days. They will increase in intensity and severity and will overlap with other Seal judgements.)
desolations are determined.
(Daniel’s prophecy reveals some of the actions of the Antichrist, the “ruler who will come.” Verse 27 says, “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’” However, “in the middle of the ‘seven,’ . . . he will set up an abomination that causes desolation” in the temple. Jesus warned of this event in Matthew 24:15. After the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel, a time of “great tribulation” begins (Matthew 24:21, NKJV).
Daniel 9:27, “And he (the Antichrist) will confirm a covenant with the many for one week, (Seven years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar. This is the final seven years of Daniel’s 70 weeks and the 7 years of The Great Tribulation.)
but in the middle of the week (3 1/2 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar. This is the Midpoint of the Great Tribulation, marked by the blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet), he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate, until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, gushes forth on the one who makes desolate.” (This is the desecration of the Temple altar, or the abomination of desolation).
Michael Brings News Of The Time of the End (539 B.C.)
Daniel 12:1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise.
Verse 1 contd. “And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time;
(Jesus repeats these words to His disciples in Matthew 24: 21: “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. Verse 22. And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.)
Daniel 12:2. “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
(John 5:25, tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, a time is coming and even now has arrived, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. Verse 26. For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; Verse 27, and He gave Him authority to execute judgement, because He is the Son of Man. Verse 28. Do not be amazed at this; for a time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, Verse 29, and will come out: those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the bad deeds to a resurrection of judgement.”
(A record of the fulfillment of Daniel 12:1-2 is found in Mark 15:50, where we read, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. Verse 51. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split. Verse 52. Also, the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; Verse 53, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.”)
Daniel 12:4, “But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”
(The mystery of the words recorded in Daniel chapter 12 remained ‘secret’ – unrevealed and unexplained – until Jesus, The Messiah, revealed them. See the link below here). Now we can know.
NEXT: Click here for –> THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS – THE END OF DAYS – THE TRIBULATION PROPHECIES
The Angel Gabriel, in 539 B.C. comes to Daniel in a vision (Daniel 9:20), and instructs Daniel in order to give him insight and understanding of future events which are to finish the wrong-doing (rebellion toward God), to make an end of sin, to make atonement for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, (through the coming of Jesus, the Messiah), to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
Gabriel then gives specifics about the timing and length of the End of Days events. Daniel is to know and understandthat from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks (49 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar), and sixty-two weeks, (434 years according to the Jewish-Hebrew calendar), Jerusalem will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.
Gabriel even reveals the events of the final 7 years of the coming Great Tribulation judgments, which are foreshadowed by the destruction of the 1st Jewish Temple.
The Archangel Michael, (539 B.C.) then comes to Daniel and gives what I will call a ‘spiritual perspective’ on these same coming events. Michael’s instruction, however, touches on events that specifically refer to the tribulation and the Great Tribulation period, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb. (The tribulation period began around the birth of Christ and tribulation seals have continued to be opened, have overlapped and are increasing in intensity – The Great Tribulation, ‘such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again’ is what is referred to by Michael, and begins with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.)
Jesus, around the year A.D. 29, spoke to His disciples and revealed these words given to Daniel which have been kept a ‘secret’ for around 569 years.
1) “to finish transgression,” (that is, to end man’s rebellion toward God)
2) “to put an end to sin,” (that is, to bring an end to sin)
3) “to atone for wickedness,” (that is, to make amends or reparation for wickedness)
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” (that is, the quality of being morally right or justifiable)
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and (that is, to confirm these prophetic visions)
6) “to anoint the most holy.” (that is, to anoint, or to confer divine or holy office upon; in this case the Holy One, Jesus.)
Notice that the results of this six-fold purpose concerns the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness.
The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.
*Of special note is the third in the list of results: “to atone for wickedness.” Jesus accomplished the atonement for sin by His death on the cross (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17).
Secondly, it is important to know the four-foldPLANNED OUTCOME of the tribulation and the Great Tribulation found in Daniel 12:10: “Many will be
purged,
cleansed, and
refined,
those who have insight will understand.
Tribulation Seals SIX through the SEVENTH Tribulation Bowl(also known as the GREAT Tribulation or the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord) are judgments directed specifically at the non-believing world.
The book of the Revelation begins with these words: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.” The Apostle John (the Revelator) gives us the words of Jesus around the year 95 A.D.
Then entire book of the Revelation gives us both an earthly and a heavenly perspective of these Last Days – both by actual detailed and real events and by way of metaphors, similes and idioms. But make no mistake – these are real events which have begun and are increasing in their intensity (even as I write these words). But the events which are occurring and have occurred to this date, will pale in comparison to what is yet to come.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MULTI-PART LETTER IS TO HELP US PREPARE FOR WHAT IS AT HAND, SO WE ARE SURE TO ENDURE TO THE END – AND BE SAVED (Matthew 24:13).
My prayer and hope is this is an opportunity to simplify, grasp and develop an understanding of the events prophesied as The End of Days (the tribulation and the Great Tribulation), because even a basic understanding of these matters makes it possible to adequately prepare for what has come and is coming to pass: The tribulation periods (i.e., the times of ‘birth pains’), the coming anti-Christ, the Great Tribulation, the Mark of the Beast, (digital currency), the rapture (of believers), the subsequent Seal, Trumpet and Bowl judgment of the earth’s inhabitants for good or for evil, the battle of Armageddon, the casting of Satan and his domain and all the wicked (i.e., non-believers) into the eternal lake of fire, the destruction and the re-creation of a new heavens and earth.)
There are several varying and ‘competing’ views of these matters in various religious denominations. If your view does not move you to obey and complete the commands of Jesus in relation to your salvation and to these matters, you may not have a full understanding of the End Times and the benefits or consequences for readiness or lack thereof. (And, simply saying you are ‘saved’ but without the works that follow salvation is like ‘faith without works’ – it is dead. James 2:14-26.)
I will begin with the first prophecy to Daniel about the coming End of Days. We will find, in these early scriptures, a basic chronological outline of these coming events, and God’s purpose in them.
We will then move to the events which have already begun, those which are yet to come, their effects, benefits and consequences on this world and for every inhabitant of earth.
Before we begin, let’s lay a foundation by looking at a definition of Biblical prophecy:
Prediction, was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a “miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture.” (See PROPHET .)
To prophesy is simply to speak prophecy. Prophecy is the noun, and prophesy is the verb. Prophecy at its most basic definition is “a message from God.” So, to prophesy is to proclaim a message from God. The one who does this is, therefore, a prophet. Although foretelling is often associated with prophecy, revealing the future is not a necessary element of prophecy; however, since only God knows the future, any authoritative word about the future must of necessity be a prophecy, that is, a message from God.
The foretelling of future events, by inspiration from God. It is very different from a sagacious and happy conjecture as to futurity, and from a vague and equivocal oracle, without any certain meaning. A true prophecy can come only from God; and is the highest proof of the divine origin of the message of which it is a part. A true prophecy may be known by these marks; being announced at a suitable time before the event it foretells;
PROPHECY can be foretold and completed in a single act or event.
PROPHECY can be foretold and may have several ‘foreshadowing’ events before it is completed.
PROPHECY can be foretold, and the fulfillment can be continuous in its unfolding for days, weeks, month, decades or a millennium.
THE CHURCH BUILDING: INHERITING THE EDIFICE COMPLEX
“It is an interesting paradox that as the Church moves underground, IT BECOMES MORE VISIBLE”
“The idea, that the Christians in the apostolic age, erected special houses of worship is out of the question.
The Savior of the world was born in a stable, ascended to heaven from a mountain. His apostles and their successors down to the third century, preached in the streets, the markets, on mountains, in ships, sepulchers, eaves,and deserts, and in the homes of their converts.
“Thousands of costly churches and chapels have since been built and are constantly being built in all parts of the world to the honor of the crucified Redeemer – who in the days of his humiliation had no place of his own to rest his head!” — PHILIP SCHAFF, NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICAN CHURCH HISTORIAN AND THEOLOGIAN
“MANY CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS have a love affair with brick and mortar. The edifice complex is so ingrained in our thinking that if a group of believers begins to meet together, their first thoughts are toward securing a building. For how can a group of Christians rightfully claim to be a church without a building? (So the thinking goes.)
The “church” building is so connected with the idea of church that we unconsciously equate the two. Just listen to the vocabulary of the average Christian today:
“Wow, honey, did you see that beautiful church we just passed?”
“My goodness! That is the largest church I have ever seen! I wonder what the electric costs to keep it going?”
“Our church is too small. I’m developing claustrophobia. We need to extend the balcony.”
“The church is chilly today; I am freezing my buns off in here!”
“We have gone to church every Sunday this past year except for the Sunday when Aunt Mildred dropped the microwave oven on her toe.”
Or how about the vocabulary of the average pastor:
“Isn’t it wonderful to be in the house of God today?”
“We must show reverence when we come into the sanctuary of the Lord.”
“Or how about the mother who tells her happy child (in subdued tones), “Wipe that smile off your face; you’re in church now! We behave ourselves in the house of God!”
“To put it bluntly, none of these thoughts have anything to do with New Testament Christianity. Rather, they reflect the thinking of other religions—primarily Judaism and paganism.
FROM HOUSE CHURCHES TO HOLY CATHEDRALS
“The early Christians believed that Jesus is the very presence of God. They believed that the body of Christ, the church, constitutes a temple. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He made some radically negative statements about the Jewish Temple.’
“The one that angered many Jews most was His announcement that if the Temple was destroyed, He would build a new one in three days! (See John 2:19-21.)
“Though Jesus was referring to the Temple that existed in the architectural sense, He was really speaking of His body. Jesus said that after this temple was destroyed, He would raise it up in three days.
“He was referring to the real temple—the church—which He raised up in Himself on the third day (Ephesians 2:6).
“Since Christ has risen, we Christians have become the temple of God.
“At His resurrection, Christ became a “life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). Therefore, He could take up residence in the believers, thus making them His Temple, His house. It is for this reason that the New Testament always reserves the word church (ekklesia) for the people of God. It never uses this word to refer to a building of any sort.” (Excerpts from Frank Viola & George Barna’s book, “Pagan Christianity”, Tyndale Publishing, 2002, 2008)
“When Christianity was born, it was the only religion on the planet that had no sacred objects, no sacred persons, and no sacred spaces.
“Although surrounded by Jewish synagogues and pagan temples, the early Christians were the only religious people on earth who did not erect sacred buildings for their worship. The Christian faith was born in homes, out in courtyards, and along roadsides. For the first three centuries, the Christians did not have any special buildings!
“As one scholar put it, “The Christianity that conquered the Roman Empire was essentially a home-centered movement.”
“Meeting in homes was a conscious choice of the early Christians.”
“Then, in the late second and third centuries a shift occurred”
Christians not only had adopted sacred spaces, they also had created sacred objects. (They would soon develop a sacred priesthood.) It might seem they had forgotten Moses and the golden calf.
“In all of this, the second and third century Christians began to assimilate the magical mind-set that characterized existent pagan thinking.
“These factors made the Christian terrain ready for the man who would be responsible for creating church buildings. In AD 327, Constantine began erecting the first church buildings throughout the Roman Empire, some at public expense.’ In so doing, he followed the path of the pagans in constructing temples to honor God.
“Interestingly, he named his church buildings after saints — just as the pagans named their temples after gods. Constantine built his first church buildings upon the cemeteries where the Christians held meals for the dead saints.
“Constantine brought peace for all Christians.'” Under his reign, the Christian faith had become legitimate. In fact, it had risen to a status greater than Judaism and paganism.
“For these reasons, the Christians saw Constantine’s rise to emperor as an act of God. Here was God’s instrument who had come to their rescue.
“Christianity and Roman culture were now melded together.”
“The Christian building demonstrates that the church, whether she wanted it or not, had entered into a close alliance with pagan culture.’ As Will Durant, author of The Story of Civilization (a sweeping, eleven-volume work on world history that earned him a Pulitzer Prize), put it, “Pagan isles remained in the spreading Christian sea.”
“As one historian put it, “Church buildings took the place of temples; church endowments replaced temple lands and funds.”
“Under Constantine, tax-exempt status was granted for all church property.
“Consequently, the story of the church building is the sad saga of Christianity borrowing from heathen culture and radically transforming the face of our faith.
“To put it bluntly, the church buildings of the Constantinian and post-Constantinian era essentially became holy shrines. The Christians embraced the concept of the physical temple. They imbibed the pagan idea that there exists a special place where God dwells in a special way. And that place is made “with hands.”‘
“As with other pagan customs that were absorbed into the Christian faith (such as the liturgy, the sermon, clerical vestments, and hierarchical leadership structure), third- and fourth-century Christians incorrectly attributed the origin of the church building to the Old Testament. But this was misguided thinking.”
“Most Americans are struggling to clarify their identity. They tend to see themselves as unique individuals, Americans, members of their family, occupational professionals, consumers, and then as followers of Christ — in that order of priority.
“In the minds and hearts of most Americans — even those whose beliefs classify them as “born-again Christians”— their identity as a follower of Christ pales in importance in comparison to the other roles they embrace.
“Oddly, most of the born again Christians consider themselves to be servants of God and to have been transformed by their faith in Christ.
“Clearly, there are some missing connections in this self-evaluation. Perhaps the confusion is due to the enormous number of inter-actions and responsibilities that people take on each day.
“Maybe it has to do with the disjointed, topical teaching that most of us receive from our churches. It may even be attributable to the lure of competing perspectives and images bombarding us from the ever-present media.
“The bottom line is really quite simple: You are a priest of God, a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a member of His glorious body. Through your declaration of allegiance to Jesus and your stated desire to live with Him forever, you have a responsibility to be a functioning priest, minister, and member of the Body .
“The organized church has moved down a winding path over the past two thousand years. The only way to get it back on track is for each of us to begin prayerfully exploring the original plan that God had for His people, and then to be willing to respond faithfully to that plan.
“In this way, the Revolution that has begun to take root in our day will spread far and wide. And God will get what He has always been after.” (Excerpts from Frank Viola & George Barna’s book, “Pagan Christianity”, Tyndale Publishing, 2002, 2008)
So, where can I go from here? Click the following link to another page, read it, and begin to pray for God’s Wisdom and discernment. An invitation
I humbly offer this after eleven years of prayer, study, seeking God, asking for His Wisdom to know and follow His Call. I sincerely and prayerfully urge you to do the same.
THE PURPOSE, THE LENGTH AND THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIBULATION can be found in the book of
Daniel 12:1“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”
Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.Verse 12. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
RECAP:
Verse 1. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people,
everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse
Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven,
and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,
“How long< will it be until the end of these wonders?”Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that
it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.
Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.Verse 12.
Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
(This Book of The Revelation was written in 96 AD, 26 years after the destruction of the 2nd Temple. The destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples occurred and are a foreshadowing of what is yet to come.)
I. Revelation 1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Jesus, shows His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
The things you read in the book of The Revelation have not yet been completed. Although the first “Seal of the Tribulation” were opened around A.D. 1, as witnessed by The Apostles Paul and Peter, and successive Seals two through four have been broken at various time since. The fifth Seal is now being broken, and we are awaiting the Great and Terrible day of the Lord, which will commence with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.)
He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant, John, v2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all that he saw.
Verse 3. Blessed is he who reads, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:1-3
II. Wars, famine, earthquakes, pestilence, death, martyrs, persecutions.
I hear so many people ask, “If God is a loving God, how can He allow so much suffering in the world? Why do such bad things happen to good people?” And, we have heard all the answers, some even denying that it is God Who allows such bad things to happen..
There seems to be three main categories of thought about why God allows bad things to happen.
1. Satan’s domain is this fallen world, at least, for now. Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. He is the “ruler of this world” in John 12:31. These titles and many more signify Satan’s capabilities. It is Satan who brings trouble and suffering, even on the innocent.
2. This fallen world brings both good and evil. God has told us in Matthew 5:44 that. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Such is the natural fallen world.
3. God allows Tribulation as a means of executing His Righteous Judgment on evil and as a means to prepare us by to live in His Eternal Kingdom.
1 Peter 1:4 “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.
Verse 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Verse 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Verse 20 He keeps all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.
Verse 21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
Verse 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
God says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” We will suffer, but, God delivers us out of our afflictions.
How is this so? Why must we suffer only to be delivered? Psalms 34 verse 22 says “The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”
This is not a simple act of deliverance from trouble. It is a Devine Deliverance, the Redemption of your soul.
It is a Divine Deliverance,
The Redemption of your Soul!
III. Daniel 12 tells us God’s purpose for suffering is so that “Many will be purged, purified and refined” Daniel 12:10 We are being prepared, as His Bride, to enter His Kingdom.
IV. Acts 14:22 tells us that “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
V. And, 1 Peter 1 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Verse 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,Verse 5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Verse 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, verse 7, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Verse 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
Verse 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
VI. Finally, the Apostle Paul reminds us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans8:18
I suspect, if we are at all alike, that we want to escape troubles, trials and tribulation, whenever possible. But, God’s Word says he will use these trials to “purge, purify and refine” us, for our preparation to live in His Eternal Kingdom. Daniel 12:10
Just know that Tribulation is already upon us and it intensifying. It has been foretold.
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:10, 14)
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with important matters such as obeying Jesus’ commandments, loving as Jesus loves, being filled with a satisfying joy, loving others, being a friend of Jesus.
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:10, 14, NASB)
IN CONTEXT
”If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.” (John 15:10-17)
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
”If Ikeep Your commandments, I will remain in Your love, just as You have kept The Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things You have spoken to me so that Your joy may be in me, and that my joy may be made full.
“This is Your commandment (to me), that we (as your followers) love one another, in the same way You have loved us. I can have no greater love than this: that I lay down my life for my friends. I am (reminded that) I am Your friend if I do what You command me.
There is little more that can be said about these words of Jesus except that they are both simple and a choice of our will. It can be difficult to love the unlovable unless you understand the type of love Jesus is speaking about.
Agapáō-love is “To live through Christ”, i.e. embracing God’s will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power. With the believer, agapáō (“to love”) means actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him (by His power and direction). True agapáō (“loving”) is always defined by God – a “discriminating affection which involves choice and selection“. In other words, Christ living His life through the believer.
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as what it means to ‘abide in Christ’, having His Words abide in you, asking and receiving through prayer.
“If youabide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7, NKJV)
IN CONTEXT
“I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
If I remain in Christ, and His words remain in me, I shall ask whatever I wish, and it will be done for me. My Father (in heaven) is glorified by this, when I bear much fruit and prove that I am Jesus’ Disciple.
It is not about the asking and receiving that satisfies our soul, nor does it glorify God. (Please repeat the previous sentence.) It is about bearing much spiritual fruit which is on full display for all to see, which is proof that you are a disciple of Jesus. This is what glorifies and pleases God.
Now imagine you are floating above time – that is, far above the timeline. Imagine that you can see ‘all time at once’ from your station. Looking down, you can see the past, the present and the future, all occurring at once – simultaneously, but the past being continuously transformed into the present and the present being continuously transformed into the future. This is the paradox of non-linear time.
Is this not what is occurring in our churches? People lament, “I am not being fed”. So, they are relieved of their own duty to ‘get off the milk of the word’ and feed themselves the meat of the word by doing the Word of God.
