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.
(Please note: I am using page links in lieu of footnotes and references to important details in this study. You can stop the audio to follow a link, then resume the audio when you are ready. Also, it is best to start this series on Part 1 in order to get the proper chronology and process as found in the Bible.)
ESCHATOLOGY – The Study of the End Times – Part VI.
Judged by the conditions around the world today, it seems that this fifth scroll seal has now been broken, and we are moving inexorably toward the great tribulation also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord with a breaking of the sixth tribulation seal.
A CAUTION AND A WARNING: When you see a great persecution of Christians, many falling away from faith in Jesus,hating and betraying one another; in conjunction with wars and rumors of wars, an increase in earthquakes, famines, disease, a dangerous and dramatic increase in lawlessness; a rise of many false prophets and many being led astray from the Gospel of Christ, you will know the fifth seal of the tribulation has been broken, and we are nearing the end.
Matthew 24,Verse 13. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
PART VII.
THE ANSWER TO “WHEN” – part (d):
Verse 14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL MARKER:
We can tell when the gospel has finally been proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations because then the end will come; as told in Matthew 13:40,“Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. Verse 41, The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, Verse 42, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.
And, in Matthew 13:49, “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, Verse 50, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Revelation 20:15, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
NOTE: CHRONOLOGICAL MARKERS are useful for identifying events in their chronological order, which can help us identify our placement on God’s End of Days ‘calendar’.
The purpose of this article is to inform and to expose how, over the last seventy-five plus years, global governmental and non-governmental organizations, under the planning and direction of various United Nations organizational branches have successfully collaborated in the establishment of an emergent One World Government.
(Knowledge is power. So, please choose to read these articles and all the related links – which will take considerable time – but failure to become informed and equipped to counter this emerged threat is at the expense of your beloved nation and at your own peril. Please, choose to take the time. Be informed, Be active. Get involved.)
The following will help you understand the key players in this One World Confederation, their objective, methodologies and the very real and deadly threat veiled in deception and lies.
The pictorial above these words shows the primary and main players in the emerged ‘Global Community’, or more nefariously known as the One World Government.
Two of the last three American presidents, (Obama and Biden) have finished ‘putting the last nails’ into the coffin‘ of the former United States of America. We have been subjugated and are successfully being merged into a global community, a global cabal of servant-nations, to the emerging One World Government.
(For brevity and convenience, this article is an abbreviated and botgh a secularized version of “A One World Government Emerges”, dated 4/21/2022, which gives both a Biblical prophetic explanation of these events AND a both a Biblical and a Secular historical timeline.
Many of the goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030, being promoted through the World Economic Forum, are good-sounding and seemingly well-intentioned.
In case you have ever wondered why or how the LEFTISTS in the world are so motivated and think and behave as they do, it is because they truly believe that by subjugating the world through promises of a One World Utopian Government the world can eliminate war, disease, poverty, dramatically reduce crime, create a clean and sustainable planet, create a fair and equal standard of living and equality for all people. Again, I say, this is what they truly believe and will use any means necessary to reach their objectives and goals – which they confidently say are on schedule to be completed by the year 2030.
The problem is deception. They are masking their ideology, their methodology and their end-game intentions which are purely Communist-Marxist.
I trust and hope you can grasp the magnitude of what has happened over the last 76+ years in America and around the world: This is the establishment of the framework and the infrastructure of the long anticipated One World Government.
This organization is a completely funded, multi-organizational, worldwide hierarchy of powerful economic, socio-political, governmental and quasi-religious groups coming together in collaboration under the direction of the United Nations, UNESCO and the World Economic Forum.
All these are programs and organizations have been developed using methodologies from Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” and were created with the same ideologies of Communism and its variants, such as Socialism, Marxism, Leninism, and Globalism, all organized under or through the United Nations.
Another way of viewing this is that the American democrat party has the same objectives, the same ideologies and uses the same methods as the Rules for Radicals. Likewise, Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals has the same objectives, the same ideologies and uses the same methods as Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”. And so is goes for the U.S. Sustainable Goals, the Communist Constitution and Program 2015, the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the World Economic Forum. They all have the same objectives, the same ideologies and employ the same methods.
The idea and longing for a ‘global community’ and a one world government is nothing new. It was been attempted at various times in our world’s history, going as far back as 2242 B.C. (the biblical account of The Tower of Babel).
Here is a very brief (and not comprehensive) time-outline of the developmental stages of the establishing of the emerging One World Government:
1946
First, please Read this introduction by the Commission for Global Governance.“The task before UNESCO,(The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization a specialized agency of the United Nations claiming to be aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture)” said its first Director-General Julian Huxley in 1946, “is the emergence of a single world culture by transferring full sovereignty from separate nations to a world organization. The “new world order” will be a socialist, authoritarian global government and court with “global rule of law” and a “one-world economy,”. The recommendations of the Commission on Global Governance, if implemented, will bring all the people of the world into a global neighborhood managed by a world-wide bureaucracy, under the direct authority of a minute handful of appointed individuals, and policed by thousands of individuals, paid by accredited NGOs, certified to support a belief system which contains ideas that are foreign to the American experience, and ignores other values and ideas that are precious to the American experience.
Robert Welch’s prophetic warnings from his speech in 1958, “An Insider’s Plan to Destroy America”, are now a reality in America’s politics, economy, schools and society:
Produced by the United Nations World Commission on Environmental and Development, authored by Gro Harlem Brundtland, VP of the World Socialist Party, the term Sustainable Development was first introduced to the world in the pages of a 1987 report (Our Common Future).
Founded in 1990 and formerly known as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, the international association was established when more than 200 local governments from 43 countries convened at its inaugural conference, the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York in September 1990.
As of 2020, more than 1,750 cities, towns, counties, and their associations in 126 countries are a part of the ICLEI network
As of 2021, ICLEI has more than 20 offices around the world.
1992
The term was first offered as official U.N. policy in 1992, in a document called UN Sustainable Development Agenda 21, issued at the U.N.’s Earth Summit, today referred to simply as Agenda 21.
Agenda 21 has now become involved in forty areas ranging from SOCIAL and ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS to poverty, consumption issues, health matters, deforestation, legal instruments and implementation and everything in between, including The World Health Organization, which is closely allied to and aligned with the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The World Health Organization has revamped their website to conceal this fact. Their previous web address was Who.int/wssd/en/, but when you click the link, you will find they have concealed any mention of the WSSD.
The United States is a signatory country to Agenda 21. But adherents quickly remind us that because Agenda 21 is “a legally non-binding statement of intent” and not a treaty, the United States Senate did not hold a formal debate or vote on it. It is therefore not considered to be law under Article Six of the United States Constitution, or say they say.
However, President GEORGE H.W. BUSH was one of the 178 heads of government who signed the final text of the agreement at the Earth Summit in 1992, and in the same year Representatives NANCY PELOSI, Eliot Engel and William Broomfieldspoke in support ofUnited States House of Representatives Concurrent Resolution 353, supporting implementation of Agenda 21 in the United States.
Then president, BILL CLINTON, signed a 1993 Executive Order, creating the President’s Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) is explicitly charged with recommending a national action plan for sustainable development to the President. So, bypassing Congress, Clinton, made it law.
1996
The President’s Council on Sustainable Development is composed of leaders from government and industry, as well as from environmental, labor and civil rights organizations.
The President’s Council on Sustainable Development submitted its report, “Sustainable America: A New Consensus”, to the President in early 1996. In the absence of a multi-sectoral consensus on how to achieve sustainable development in the United States, the President’s Council on Sustainable Development was conceived to formulate recommendations for the implementation of Agenda 21.
In the United States, over 528 American cities are members of “Local Governments for Sustainability” or “ICLEI”, is an international Marxist and Socialist leaning sustainability organization, that helps to implement the Agenda 21 and Local Agenda 21 concepts across the world. The United States has nearly half of the ICLEI’s global membership of 1,200 cities promoting sustainable development at a local level.
2015
The Newest name for this United Nations organization is ‘Agenda 2030’.
17 Goals for People, for Planet
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals.
‘Twenty-thirty’ designates the year their goals of Global domination will be completed.
The World Economic Forum and the United Nations signed a Strategic Partnership Framework, June 13, 2019, outlining areas of cooperation to deepen institutional engagement and jointly accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The framework was drafted based on a mapping of existing collaboration between the two institutions and will enable a more strategic and coordinated approach towards delivering impact.
“Quietly, while the coronavirus pandemic distracted the world, a group of liberal “key global governmental and business leaders” met in Switzerland and planned the next coup d’etat to take over the global economy. Many call it The Great Reset. It also means “dangerous times for those who support individual liberties and free markets.”
The World Economic Forum will hold a summit next year to further their initiative. According to them, “The Great Reset is a commitment to jointly and urgently build the foundations of our economic and social system for a more fair, sustainable and resilient future. It requires a new social contract centered on human dignity, social justice and where societal progress does not fall behind economic development.”
“What it is really trying to accomplish is using the coronavirus pandemic as a cover. They’re aiming for a renewed push for Socialism and climate change initiatives.”
2020
U.N. BACKED “GREAT RESET” TO USHER IN NEW WORLD ORDER
THE NEW AMERICAN, The New American – Europe; UN-Backed “Great Reset” to Usher in New World Order, July 15, 2020, Alex Newman, (Excerpt). Get ready for a lot less freedom and prosperity, and a lot more government — at least if the elites get their way. After peddling coronavirus lockdowns that crushed the economy and funding riots that terrorized the public under the guise of fighting “systemic racism,” Deep State globalists are stepping in to offer their proposed “solution” to the crises they themselves unleashed: A “Great Reset” to transform the world and everything in it, supposedly for the benefit of the masses, but really for the benefit of the ruling classes.
Although the A.R.P.A., the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 portends to be a budgetary disaster for the future of America and the demise of our way of life, have you ever wondered why most of the media outlets, most universities and colleges, most corporations, many state legislatures and governors, practically every government agency and even the American Medical Association support Joe Biden’s $2 trillion American Rescue Act Plan in one way or another?
2022
One of the tentacles of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 is the ICLEI was formerly known as the ‘International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives’. This international association was established when more than 200 local governments from 43 countries convened at its inaugural conference, the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York in September 1990.
I am providing additional comprehensive reading on the governmental and non-governmental world organizations collaborating in the establishment of this One World Government. (Knowledge is power. So, if you choose not to read these article, you do so at the expense of your nation and at your own peril.) Please, choose to take the time. Be informed, Be active. Get involved!
(The following FORTY ONE articles, are from both a Biblical and secular view, of the planning, development and establishment of the emergent One World Government. Documents, information, quotes and related links from reliable government and non-governmental organizations sites such as The U.S. Congressional Record, The U.N. and UNESCO, The World Economic Forum, Agena-2030 documents, and more.
These articles include instructions on what this all means to you and what you can do to survive and even thrive during these times.)
In case you might have doubted how far the Church has drifted from her holy moorings of the Gospel, please read the following by Pastor, Dr. A.W. Tozer, (1897 – 1963), an American Christian pastor, author, magazine editor, and spiritual mentor, who, for his accomplishments received honorary doctorates from Wheaton and Houghton colleges.
(This article first appeared in the Alliance Witness magazine in 1946)
ALL UNANNOUNCED AND MOSTLY UNDETECTED, there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles. It is like the old cross, but different: the likenesses are superficial; the differences, fundamental.
From this new cross has sprung a new philosophy of the Christian life, and
from that new philosophy has come a new evangelical technique, a new type of meeting and a new kind of preaching. This new evangelism employs the same language as the old, but its content is not the same and its emphasis not as before.
The old cross would have no truck with the world. For Adam’s proud flesh it
meant the end of the journey. It carried into effect the sentence imposed by
the law of Sinai. The new cross is not opposed to the human race; rather, it is
a friendly pal and, if understood aright, it is the source of oceans of good
clean fun and innocent enjoyment. It lets Adam live without interference. His
life motivation is unchanged; he still lives for his own pleasure, only now he
takes delight in singing choruses and watching religious movies instead of
singing bawdy songs and drinking hard liquor. The accent is still on enjoyment, though the fun is now on a higher plane morally if not intellectually.
The new cross encourages a new and entirely different evangelistic approach.
The evangelist does not demand abnegation of the old life before a new life
can be received. He preaches not contrasts but similarities. He seeks to key
into public interest in showing that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers the same thing the world does, only on a higher level.
Whatever the sin-mad world happens to be clamoring after at the moment is cleverly shown to be the very thing the gospel offers, only the religious product is better.
The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him. It gears him into a
cleaner and jollier way of living and saves his self-respect. To the
self-assertive, it says, “Come and assert yourself for Christ.” To the egotist, it says, “Come and do your boasting in the Lord.” To the thrill seeker, it says, “Come and enjoy the thrill of Christian fellowship.” The Christian message is
slanted in the direction of the current vogue in order to make it acceptable to the public.
The philosophy behind this kind of thing may be sincere, but its sincerity
does not save it from being false. It is false because it is blind. It misses
completely the whole meaning of the cross.
The old cross is a symbol of death. It stands for the abrupt, violent end of
a human being. The man in Roman times who took up his cross and started down the road had already said goodbye to his friends. He was not coming back. He was going out to have it ended. The cross made no compromise, modified nothing, spared nothing; it slew all of the man, completely and for good. It did not try to keep on good terms with its victim. It struck cruel and hard, and when it had finished its work, the man was no more.
The race of Adam is under a death sentence. There is no one to commute it and no escape. God cannot approve any of the fruits of sin, however innocent they may appear or beautiful to the eyes of men. God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again to newness of life.
That evangelism which draws friendly parallels between the ways of God and
the ways of men are false to the bible and cruel to the souls of its hearers. The
faith of Christ does not parallel the world, it intersects it. In coming to
Christ, we do not bring our old life up onto a higher plane; we leave it at the
cross. The corn of wheat must fall into the ground and die.
We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations
agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not
imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.
God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out
of death. It always stands on the far side of the cross. Whoever would
possess it must pass under the rod. He must repudiate himself and concur in God’s just sentence against him.
What does this mean to the individual, the condemned man who would find life in Christ Jesus? How can this theology be translated into life? Simply, he
must repent and believe. He must forsake his sins and then go on to forsake
himself. Let him cover nothing, defend nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God’s stern displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die.
Having done this, let him gaze with simple trust upon the risen Savior, and
from Him will come life and rebirth and cleansing and power. The cross that
ended, the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ.
To any who may object to this or count it merely a narrow and private view of
truth, let me say God has set His hallmark of approval upon this message from Paul’s day to the present. Whether stated in these exact words or not, this has been the content of all preaching that has brought life and power to the world through the centuries. The mystics, the reformers, the revivalists have put their emphasis here, and signs and wonders and mighty operations of the Holy Ghost gave witness to God’s approval.
Dare we, the heirs of such a legacy of power, tamper with the truth? Dare we
with our stubby pencils, erase the lines of the blueprint or alter the pattern
shown us in the Mount? May God forbid. Let us preach the old cross, and we will know the old power.
SOURCE – The Alliance Witness magazine.
End Note:
I, and some of my friends, have been personally attacked by many pastors and ‘church leaders’ over the years, for pointing out the spiritual and moral drift of the postmodern Church. The Bride of Christ is being sullied by the teaching and example of these same pastors, preachers and Bible teachers, who willingly and enthusiastically teach and encourage following a false gospel. But far worse, the Bride is being soiled by the Christians who endorse these false teachers by their own lackadaisical and errant attitudes and behaviors, which are defiantly on full public display.
The day of our Lord’s return is near – it could happen at any time. Please, let’s set our course to return to the ways of Jesus, so the watching world can see. No more compromising. No more self-serving. Let’s work out our salvation with holy fear and trembling before His Cross.
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 51
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see?”
“As they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind, (which is commonplace)? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing (entirely unsuited for the harsh desert)? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. – The Words of Jesus, Matthew 11:7-19
These words of Jesus are often misunderstood or passed over because of their mysterious sounding nature and complexity. These are metaphors and colloquialisms known by the Jew, and if you were a Jew in that day, you would understand the references used.
It would be easy to assume that these words spoken to the gathering crowd are draped in sarcasm, when actually Jesus is issuing a stern warning. He is rhetorically asking the crowd why would they travel so far in such a desolate place? Did they make this journey only to see the ordinary and mundane, such as a commonplace reed blowing in the wind? What would be the point of travelling into the wilderness when you could see that anywhere? Or perhaps did they expect to see a man wearing royal clothing wandering about the wilderness? Nonsense. They are fooling no one but themselves!
Before continuing, please remember that these are creative, causative, prophetic and instructional words of Jesus. These words apply to you and to me today in the same way they applied to the crowds following Jesus. Grasping what Jesus is saying, teaching, prophesying and instructing is our obstacle to overcome.
Even in our day, crowds of people travel near and far after hearing about a miracle-worker, a prophet or a gifted man of God. They go to great lengths to be amazed, entertained or to receive a prophet’s miracle. Too often, however, when we seek out a prophet of God, we only find that which is very ordinary. But what did you really expect?
But if you encounter a true prophet of God, it will not be a commonplace thing. There will be no inspiring oratory, no magnificent stage presence, no entertainment, no magic. Jesus continues by saying,
“But what then did you (really) go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more (eminent, more remarkable and far more) than a prophet (who foretells the future). This is the one of whom it is written (by the prophet Malachi),
“‘Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.” (Matthew 11:9-10)
Jesus emphatically states, whether they know it or not, they shall see one who is a prophet, and more than a just a prophet!
Likewise, if you encounter a true prophet of God, your curiosity will turn into fear. You will not encounter the ordinary, but the extraordinary things of God. Your sins will be exposed, you will be humbled, and you will know the fear of God. You will mourn, you will hunger and thirst, and you will find seek and find mercy.
Jesus warns this crowd and gives us perspective of the natural order versus the Devine, our standing as citizens of earth before Christ Jesus and on our position as Christians in His Kingdom. Jesus continues,
”I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater (in privilege) than he.” (Matthew 11:11)
Jesus, in His tribute to John the Baptist, is reminding us that the greatness of men is measured by the divine, not a human standard. ‘The prophet, who was more than a prophet’, the herald or the forerunner of the kingdom, was greater in his work, his holiness, his intuition of the truth, than the far-off patriarchs, Abraham, Moses, David or Solomon, and much greater than the conquerors and the destroyers. The Greek gives the comparative, not the superlative.
The death and the resurrection of Christ were indeed great points of the gospel, but to which John could only prophesy of, and not preach of, and declare us things in his time accomplished. So, Jesus explains and warns that the weakest Christian is greater in privileges than the greatest of the Old Testament saints.
We are not to seek to attain earthly glory or status – even when they are beneficial and worthy things, for the best of earthly accomplishments fade to nothingness when compared to the glory and privileges, even the lowest of Christians will attain in the Kingdom of God. Jesus continues in
Verse 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violent assault, and the violent take it by force (as a precious prize).13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,14and if you are willing to accept it, John (himself) is Elijah (the messenger) who was to come (before the Kingdom).15He who has ears to hear, let him hear (and heed my words).
You might be better served to read a good commentary for the preceding verses (twelve through fifteen). However, it is certainly passive here. Luke’s phrase compels us to understand the reason of the violence is for entrance into the kingdom. The kingdom is not being ill-treated, but it is as if it were being taken by storm (Meyer). The violent, are men using strong force, men whose minds are made up and who do not care what force and power they employ to attain their object. Take it by force, i.e., ‘grasp it for themselves’ like rough and violent bandits seizing their prey. Our Lord is describing the energy with which some souls are pressing in, and using such energy, so their salvation is obtained. There is no thought of hostile purpose in these words. Next Jesus says, in
Verse 16.“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
Verse 17.“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
Verse 18. “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ Verse 19. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’”
Jesus uses a metaphor to describe the behavior of both observant and non-observant Jews as miscreant children, saying they are immature, selfish and childish. They are “like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates”, pretending that what is occurring is only a child’s game for their entertainment. But the seriousness and the reality of it is that, “John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and (yet you ‘childish people’ say), ‘He’s possessed by a demon. ’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’
“Yet, wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Please don’t make the mistake of reading these words and believing they were spoken only to and for the Jews present at that time – or you miss the entire point of what Jesus is saying. These words were spoken to the Jews at that time and for you and me in our time. Also, please remember specifically, the words of Jesus are never random. His Words are always creative, causative, prophetic, and instructional, and are spoken to and for all people of all the ages.
We must grasp the reality, the immediacy and urgency of this fulfillment of prophecies as explained by Jesus in these last days – which are evidenced by the coming of John and of Jesus.
We must not think or behave like immature children through the rituals of “going to church and calling out to our ‘playmates’ seeking to entertain and to be entertained in the name of our religion, complaining when we don’t get what we want or expect.” In other words, we must stop ‘playing church’, and sense the gravity of the task before us as Christians.
“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” and of us will be found out by way of our own deeds! There is no exception.
Please, let’s show one another grace and pray for one another. That day is now upon us. We must be mature, trained, obedient and ready for His return. It is imminent.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are You To Do With Them?, “Then Jesus began to denounce the cities”, Part 52.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts; There is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1)
I am talking with a ‘friend’ and an acquaintance who claims to be a Physicist. In fact, he has a Ph.D. in Economics, an M.S. in systems engineering and a B.S. in Physics. He hails from Bolivia but has resided in and is a citizen of the United States since his youth. He is a staunch Socialist and a democrat, and although he claims to be a trained scientist, his life work has been in economics.
During one conversation, he asked me if I believed in an afterlife? I answered that I am a Christian and that I firmly believe in an afterlife, for good or for harm, depending on what one believes. I told him that If you believe in Jesus as the Christ, then for good, if not then an eternal darkness of torment in the fires of hell.
He smiled, slyly, and scoffed. He then added that he was a Catholic at one time, but now he doubted that teaching. Still, it seems he has concocted a belief system of his own. One based on the influences of Catholicism and on his physics training, I suppose, which hast led him to believe in an afterlife. “After all,” he said, “Look at the magnificence of the universe of even the impossible complexities of the human eye.”
I asked him if, if that were true, if he believed in God? He shook his head in the negative, but said he believed in science and that the universe, in some magnificent way, preserved the essence of the soul of each human being after death.
I asked him where he got this idea, and if it came from his understanding of science, that he would please explain that to me. He said he could not.
I asked him if he had ever read anything by Paul Davies, specifically his book “The Mind of God”. (Davies is a British theoretical physicist with a doctorate in theoretical physics, and an astrobiologist who contributed to scholarly and popular debate on issues such as the origin of life and extraterrestrial intelligence. Davies became interested in quantum field theory and curved space-time, and focused much of his research in that area. He published The Physics of Time Asymmetry, the first of numerous books directed to his professional colleagues and to the public, in 1974. Davies then joined physicists Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, who were researching the thermodynamic properties of black holes.)
My friend had heard of Davies but had not read that book.
I explained that the book was hard for me to read and fully understand, but after a couple of tries, I got the idea that Davies believes that God is actually a cosmic harmonic and a math equation of sorts. In fact, Davies startling conclusion is that the universe is “no minor byproduct of mindless, purposeless forces, and that the universe is a kind of gigantic computer. He says, “We are truly meant to be here.” By the means of science, we can truly see into the mind of God.
My friend, again, smiled wryly as if I had fallen into his line of thinking and ‘knowingly’ (and annoyingly) shakes his head in the affirmative while stroking his chin to project Stoic wisdom, I guess.
Then I asked him, “To what end?”
His eyes widened, and he asked me what I meant.
“So what?”, I asked. “If you have an afterlife, so what? Are you going to drift about the universe as formless, useless ‘stardust’ (as his hero Carl Sagan would say, we are all products of the stars)?”
I continued, “Can you imagine the horror of having consciousness, an awareness, but being trapped in an eternity with no purpose, no ability to think or reason or to interact with your surroundings? Just aimlessly drifting, forever”
I continued, “You scoff at the teachings of the Bible, the existence of God and of Jesus the Christ as being ‘unprovable’ religious fantasies, yet you make up a story about an afterlife that has no basis in fact, not even one scientific theory to support your self-made idea? Doesn’t that sound a bit, well, hypocritical for a scientist – and dangerous?”
“Dangerous?”, he queried?
“Yes, dangerous”, I replied. “You are, in essence, telling me that ‘your life choices and your core beliefs will determine your afterlife’. Imagine, further, if what you are saying is true. If so, and if the Bible is correct that your life choices and your core beliefs will determine your destiny, then your essence, that is your soul, will either go to be with God in a tangible spiritual paradise, (heaven), or you will be condemned to drift aimlessly in torment, darkness and hell. How do you reconcile that?”
My friend looked at me and had no answer. So, I prodded him, “Well, what do you do with that?” I asked. Still, just a blank and silent stare.
Finally, he defiantly repeated his earlier claim, “You can’t prove religion”.
“You are right that I cannot prove the mechanics of religion, or of Christianity in particular.” I said, “But, I can point you to the empirical evidence and the observable, tangible outcomes in changed lives through Jesus. There are millions upon millions of people’s lives that have been positively changed for the better – I am speaking, of course, about those who honestly gave their lives to God through faith in Jesus and truly followed Jesus and His teachings.
The Bible clearly teaches that if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; that is made safe, made spiritually healthy and made whole; rescued from perishing (into an outer darkness of torment, loneliness and pain) and delivered out of the dangers of the result of sin and faithlessness and brought into the safety, the light, the provisions and privileges of the presence of God.
And, if that isn’t proof enough, my friend, then you will have to stick with your ‘idea’ that God is a giant cosmic 3-D computer.”
My friend guided us away from our conversation with a closing (and a very un-scientist-like, close minded) remark, “I am a scientist and I believe in science. The universe will work things out to an end”.
I like and care about my friend, but the Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” Unfortunately, my friend is a nihilist. I pray for him. He is close to knowing, but he is blinded to the Truth by science and Satan. He has no hope, at this point, except for an eternal end with no destiny and no purpose.
My friend, and most in our world are turning away from the God of the Bible, in record numbers, just as the Bible said it would happen in these last days. (see the Great Apostasy). The Bible also warns that God’s judgment – The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord – will soon follow.
Perhaps this will help the rest of us to see why our world, which has come to depend almost solely on science, technology and government as our saviors, has lost its civility and morality and is spiraling out of control.
Friends, if you choose, you can see that this world age is hurtling toward its cataclysmic end – that is if you believe the Bible – and I do believe it. The Bible provides us with ample evidence through prophecies and the corresponding historical events (which have come to pass with exacting accuracy), to lead us to the undeniable and inevitable conclusion that The End of the Age is near.
Let the Light of Christ shine through your life and your lips proclaim His mercy and His Great Gift of Salvation. Jesus has told us that anyone who will trust in Him, can have His peace to protect them. Peace, and not as the world gives, but His peace and security. He has overcome this world.
(It is sweeping America and Influencing the church)
(Please note: It is not enough too just to know what you are about to read, but you need to know how it affects you, your family and our world – AND HOW TO RESPOND. I am providing information about ‘Woke-ism” and “Paganism”, how to protect yourself and your family and what you can do about it).
It may seem strange to use the word, “Pagan”, to describe someone or an entire group of people. It is such a misunderstood and archaic term. But it is exactly the right word to use here.
Pagans are diverse and varied people. The term Pagan comes from the Latin word paganus, which means “country dweller”; paganism can refer to polytheism, (the belief in many gods), or the worship of more than one god, such as in ancient Rome. A pagan is also considered to be one who, for the most part, has no religion and indulges in worldly delights and material possessions; someone who revels in sensual pleasures; a hedonistic or self-indulgent individual.
Another, more modern term is neo-paganism, which refers to some of the contemporary forms of paganism such as Wicca, and Druidry.
Modern “pagan” practices are actually similar to their ancient counterparts in that they rely heavily on hedonism—sensual gratification and self-indulgence, and the pursuit of happiness and pleasure to the exclusion of everything else. In ancient times, sexual ceremonies were a major part of pagan religions. The Old Testament references these perverted religions in such passages as Deuteronomy 23:17, Amos 2:7–8, and Isaiah 57:7–8.
Though they are numerous and varied in their practices and beliefs, pagans do hold to some similar beliefs. For example:
The physical world is a good place, one to be taken pleasure in by everyone.
• Everyone is considered to be part of this Mother Earth.
• Divinity reveals itself in every facet of the world.
• Every being, man and animal, is a derivative of the Divine. As such, all are gods and goddess.
• Most pagan religions do not have gurus or messiahs.
• Doctrine is superseded by one’s own responsibility.
• Solar and lunar cycles are significant in pagan worship.
From a Christian viewpoint, pagans are generally characterized as those who are caught up in any religious ceremony, act, or practice that is not distinctly Christian, whereas some argue that a pagan can be anyone with no religion at all.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Furthermore, since they, (pagans), did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done”(Romans 1:28).
In spite of common assumptions, most pagan ‘worshipers’ claim they don’t believe in Satan. However, there’s no question that Satan is their chief source of influence and control. Though they will deny it, they deify him in their worldly and sensual practices. Paul tells us plainly how Satan works in the lives of people without God, through his power, his signs, his deceit, and his lies.
Finally, Pagans can seem to be good guys, too, (but don’t let appearances fool you. And, a lot of those who appear to be ‘good guys and gals’ won’t escape God’s coming wrath).
However, let’s remember, as Christians, our quarrel is not with the flesh and blood person. Our quarrel is with “the rulers, the powers, the world forces of darkness, the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” that directs their thoughts and actions.
(It can be a tough distinction to make when you are face-to-face with a quarrelsome and antagonistic person, or when interacting with a ‘free spirit’ type who lives only for fun and pleasure and finds any discipline too restrictive. It helps to relax and remember, “IT IS GOD’S JOB TO SAVE THEM”. You and I are just the messenger.)
Generally, paganism, as it appears in politics, religion, education, science, medicine and in society has the following opinions or policies as opposed toBiblical teachings:
Paganism advocates for the legalization of same-sex marriage – God created males and females, alone, to be married.
Paganism advocates for the abolition of the death penalty – The Bible allows the death penalty for certain crimes.
Paganism advocates for open and unrestricted immigration – The Bible allows for ‘borders’ but calls on believers to care for the foreigner and alien.
Paganism advocates for increased taxation on the rich – The Bible encourages and teaches reliance on God and equal treatment, including taxation.
Paganism advocates for Globalization and a One World Authority (Government) – The Bible warns of a coming, deadly, One World Authority (led by the anti-Christ and another beast-of-a-man).
Paganism advocates for the reordering of society modeled after Marxism-Communism and Socialism – The Bible teaches a God-reliance government and rejects elitist authoritarianism (See the Tower of Babel).
Paganism advocates for an Elitist Central governance – The Bible teaches and strongly suggests a representative style of government.
Paganism advocates for a Marxist-Communist-Socialist government control of the economy – the Bible teaches personal responsibility and suggests a free market style of economy.
Paganism advocates for a strong and powerful welfare state – The Bible teaches that the Church and Christians are primarily responsible for the widow, the orphan and the needy.
Paganism advocates that there should be no free trade – The Bible encourages Free trade and entrepreneurialism.
Paganism advocates for ‘Religion’ separate and abolished from government – The Bible teaches a system of representative government that relies on Biblical principles and reliance on God.
Paganism advocates for free and unrestricted abortion – The Bible teaches protecting life, especially children and babies.
Paganism advocates for government control through a heavy and progressive tax system – The Bible sets standards of fair and equitable taxation.
Paganism advocates for the abolition of capitalism – The Bible teaches the rejection of Socialist style economies.
Paganism advocates that the government should shape all aspect of life – Individuals, families and the Church should influence and shapes all aspects of life.
Paganism advocates for restricted personal freedoms as dictated by government officials – The Bible teaches Jesus came to set us free for freedom’s sake.
Paganism advocates for the abolition of religion or restructuring of religion through ecumenicalism with government oversight – Rejection of all false religions (those outside Christianity).
Paganism advocates for minorities populations to be shown unbalanced favor to amend for perceived past inequities (reparations) – The Bible teaches true equality.
Paganism advocates that the private sector reports to government to restrict private equity growth – Government should have no part in private sector matters.
Paganism advocates for LBGQT and transgender rights superior to personal rights – The Bible teaches loving the sinner, but that those who practice LBGQT and transgenderism will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Paganism stands diametrically opposed to Christianity on almost each and every issue. Although the Bible teaches Christians should be at peace with all people whenever and wherever possible, it is easy to see why the Pagans among us have declared war on Christianity. (See “The Global March to Marxist-Communism, a.k.a., Paganism”).
Finally, here are two great articles and videos from The Fuel Project to help inform you and to guide you in a Biblical Christian response to the very real and present threat.
Together in the Bonds of Christ – Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Please see the articles and videos below:
“Know Your Enemy”
Exploring The New World Order From A Christian Perspective
The name Babylon occurs in the Bible almost three-hundred times. The majority of those references are in the Old Testament – and with good reason. It was the first great city of the world. However, Babylon is much more than this. The Bible clearly and intriguingly states that “Mystery Babylon” is also the source of all abominations of the Earth (Revelation 17:5) – a fountainhead of evil that began flowing through history thousands of years ago and which profoundly impacts the world today…in ways many don’t realize. Indeed, Revelation tells us that “Mystery Babylon” will survive until the end of time, when God finally judges it with terminal violence.
This series is a walk-through history that follows the threads, exposes the idolatry, the symbolism and thought-processes that originated in Babylon. We discover its influence in all false religion, astrology, freemasonry, world-famous landmarks, the theory of evolution, philosophy, the United Nations, the European Union and much more. We discover that ever since God scattered the Babylonians from the Tower of Babel back in Genesis 11, it has been Satan’s intention to reverse the process and bring the whole world back together again under a single world system, ruled by the Antichrist. Above all we learn how to recognize our enemy so that we will not be deceived and instead live with faith, hope, love and courage in the face of Babylon’s demonic schemes.
TRENCH – A Christian Guide to the Culture War
Covid. Globalism. Cancel Culture. Gender and Transgender Confusion. Cultural Marxism. Authoritarian Government. The Rise of China. Climate Change. Black Lives Matter. The Great Reset. Feminism. Migration Crises. Immorality. Safetyism.
In this book and series we unfold a Biblical theory by which to understand all these issues and more, explain why the political left and right are so divided, and help Christians navigate the times in which we live.
The preachers said, “Everybody close your eyes. Nobody looking around. If you want to be saved today, just raise up your hand and put it right back down. I see that hand. I see that hand too. Anyone else? (after a short pause). Okay, pray this prayer after me, ‘I am a sinner. I confess my sins and turn away from them. I will follow Jesus and obey Him from this day forward. Amen’. Congratulations, you are now part of the family of God. Pick up some free literature we have for you and meet me up here for a few minutes so we can talk.”
How could it be easier?
I heard a well-known and beloved pastor speak on being ‘saved by grace through faith in Christ’. He used the example of the thief on the cross, next to Jesus at His crucifixion. He mocked the idea that anyone need to know anything more than Jesus to be saved. But he neglected to emphasize the difficult conditions for the thief that brought him to his spiritual senses. He was at death’s door, hanging publicly on a crucifixion cross. It is true that he could have chosen to die and perish. But his circumstances were a world away from sitting in the comfortable church pew. He was clear in his mind that he was face-to-face with eternity as he made his choice. The fact that others saw him publicly make his choice meant nothing to him. His life and eternity were on the line.
It is absolutely true that one is ‘saved by God’s Grace through their faith in Jesus’, but the road to that truth, to that reality, is often paved with difficulties of trials and great tribulation. And the cost was, is and continues to be a supreme factor.
Jesus, the Son of God, God Himself, gave up His life so you could live free from the effects of sin, condemnation and shame.
The price of this salvation is that you surrender your life to Jesus, in return – no matter how shattered or how secure your life is, you must surrender all you know, all you have and all that you are to enter into this most sacred covenantal relationship with God – and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
You must follow and obey Him, reaching and teaching others to do the same.
It can be a little more difficult to see your own mortality and the urgency of preparing for an eternity when you are sitting in a safe, comfortable church than having been tortured and left hanging on a pole, to die. And it is made even more questionable when the pastor urges you to ‘keep it a secret’.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
The Bible says, “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” – that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach– because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous–being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.
“For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].” For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD [in prayer] WILL BE SAVED.”
Notice in each of the Biblical examples of salvation, all were public in nature; all were in difficult circumstances; each admitted their inability to save themselves; they repented of their current life and confessed and believed in Jesus.
The salvation of Zacchaeus
Jesus Christ entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man called Zacchaeus. He was a rich chief tax collector. And he wanted to see who Jesus was, but because of the crowd, he could not, for he was small in stature. So, Zacchaeus ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree (very public) to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So, he hurriedly came down and received him with joy. And when the Jews saw it, they all grumbled (gladly endured or ignored ridicule), “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to Jesus, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (repented of his former life and paid a price) And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)
The salvation of the criminal on the cross
Two others, who were criminals, were led away (faced with the reality of death and eternity) to be put to death with Jesus. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there the Roman soldiers crucified Him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. One of the criminals who were on the cross railed at Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him and said, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; (confessed his sins, publicly) but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he also added, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (called on Jesus).” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:32-43)
The salvation of the jailor
While in prison, about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, such that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself (The jailer came face-to-face with his fate), supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (The jailer made his choice of either death or of life)” And they answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of God to him and to all who were in his house. And he took Paul and Silas the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and gave them food. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. (Acts 16:25-34)
The salvation of Sergius Paulus
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Paul went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they preached God’s word in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet called Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who invited Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the magician opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said to him, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.(he paid a price; made a choice) Then the proconsul believed in Jesus, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the word of God. (Acts 13:4-12)
The salvation of Saul of Tarsus (Paul)
Saul was a Judaizer who was hell-bent on persecuting the disciples of Jesus Christ. His passion was to keep the Mosaic law and make sure no other way of worship contends with it.
“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the high priest, and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.
As he traveled he approached Damascus (Very Public), and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; (Saul paid a price) so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.
Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there], and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much suffering and evil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem; and here [in Damascus] he has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on Your name [confessing You as Savior].”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.” So, Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles]. (Saul repented of his old life) ” Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized; and he took some food and was strengthened.
Your experience may differ, you may escape the torture of a criminal’s crucifixion, the ignominy of climbing a tree in public to see Christ, or being struck blind by the Light of God, but the cost of such a great salvation is always the same:
Being saved is a public covenant with God.
Being saved requires coming to grips with sins and your mortality.
Being saved requires forsaking your old life and humble submission to God through faith in Jesus.
Being saved requires you confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, publicly.
Being saved requires that you follow Jesus in humble obedience.
(‘Slipping you hand up and right back down’ in secret, probably won’t get it done.)
Nothing in life or death which is cheap or easy carries any lasting value. And, there is nothing easy or cheap our God’s grace and offer of freedom through salvation which comes from your faith in Jesus’ Work on the cross, on your behalf.
God’s Salvation is the greatest Gift of all times. It is of inestimable value – and it is free to all who will accept it.
Let’s pray for one another as we go, and make disciples in Jesus Name, teaching them to do all He has taught us, and baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – AMEN!
Spiritual gifts, (charismata) are an endowment or extraordinary powers given by the Holy Spirit.
These supernatural graces, are given to individual Christians by the Holy Spirit with the purpose of building up the Body of Christ which is The Church and are needed to fulfill the mission of the Church. Spiritual Gifts enable Christians to serve the Lord and His Church.
Two important Truths have been lost over time, and this loss is rendering God’s Church as less effective in Her mission and, is in fact, soiling His Bride:
Truth #1. Many in the Church have become grossly “self-serving”.
It is through Spiritual Gifts that God empowers and enables us to serve Him and to serve His Church, which is His Body. We are, as Christians, to serve the Lord and His Church.
Jesus, Himself, said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
That is our calling also. We are not here to be served, but we are here to serve.
Truth #2. You and I are The Body of Christ, that is, we are “The Church”.
We have become accustomed, over the last two millennia (beginning with Constantine) with the idea that we ‘go to church’, but that is impossible in God’s Kingdom and in His economy because we are The Church (see ‘The False Church Emerges’).
Jesus created His Church, His Body, and made it so the whole Body fits together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
The Holy Spirit guides us, convict us, defends us and empowers us.
Jesus transformed the practice and attitude of ‘going to church’. He also teaches about not allowing external things to convict or to defend us. We are to depend on and call upon the Holy Spirit for those things. Jesus has told us that His laws are now written upon our hearts and in our consciences.
We must BE the Body of Christ, that is, The Church, and be striving to behave as such – or you must realize that you simply are not following Jesus.
No matter what we say we believe or tell others, if we are not at least trying to serve Him through our obedience, we are not His follower. Yes, you are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus and called to serve. But, we don’t GO to church – we ARE God’s church, alive, active and on the move!
With this in mind, one of the first things Jesus’ said to His disciples was, “Repent”, Then, we are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded you.
These foregoing things are the ‘main things’ taught by Jesus. How often does your pastor teach and demonstrate these things?
The final question is how often do you do what Jesus and the Bible teaches? I know you must be a good person, a nice person, a Christian person, but are you doing what Jesus and the Bible teaches or what your denomination, preacher and church teaches, and are they one-and-the-same?
“OUR PASTOR TEACHES and OUR DENOMINATION TEACHES”
Your pastor probably teaches the Bible. There is a way to tell for certain. First, answer these questions:
Question #1: And when Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him…then, in Matthew 21:28-30, Jesus asks, “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”
Question #2: Are you practicing, (that is doing), what Jesus and the Bible teach or are you practicing the culture, doctrines and practices of your pastor and your denomination?
Question #3: Next, tell me how you and your church members practice what is taught in the Bible? For example, tell me about the ‘normal year’ in your church.
You go to services on Sunday (and/or another day or evening)?
You have Sunday school classes?
You have special holiday services?
You have mission trips for the laity?
You have special speakers (evangelists, etc.) or special singing groups at your church?
You visit those who visited your church?
You give offerings and tithes?
(Now, please, find each of the foregoing items in the Bible being taught as ‘The Main Things’ Jesus commanded us to be doing. If you cannot…….).
Question #4: Finally, what is/are your spiritual gift(s)? And, how, when and how often do you use them? (This is THE critical question in this process).
Not all of us have the spiritual gift of evangelism or teacher or that of a pastor, but we all have spiritual gifts, and we GO and make disciples, teaching them under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit through our spiritual gifts. We are enabled by the Holy Spirit through His spiritual gifts to us to fulfill our role in the Great Commission.
(If you do not know or do not have a Spiritual Gift………..?)
We, the Church, are fitted together through these Gifts to serve and go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded you.
Here is a list of the Gifts which God gives His Body. See if you can find which gift or gifts are yours. Can you imagine how different things would be in The Church and the world around us if we engaged and used these Gifts, daily?
Prophecy Word of wisdom Apostle Apostle
Serving Word of knowledge Prophet Prophet
Teaching Faith Teacher Evangelist
Exhortation Gifts of healing Miracles Pastor
Giving Miracles Kinds of healing Teacher
Overseer Prophecy Helps
Mercy Distinguishing spirits Administration
Tongues Tongues
Interpretation of tongues
(Again, we were not given these gifts to serve ourselves, but to serve God, His Church and complete His Mission.)
Each person uses his or her Spiritual Gift(s) to lead others to Christ, and to teach them what He has taught to you.
Now, in answer to the question “who did their father’s will, “They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”
Let’s pray for one another that we not be found lacking on that day.
Half of Christians say casual sex – defined in the survey as sex between consenting adults who are not in a committed romantic relationship – is sometimes or always acceptable.
Six-in-ten Catholics (62%) take this view, as do 56% of Protestants in the historically Black tradition, 54% of mainline Protestants and 36% of evangelical Protestants.
Among those who are religiously unaffiliated, meanwhile, the vast majority (84%) say casual sex is sometimes or always acceptable,
including roughly nine-in-ten atheists (94%) and
agnostics (95%) who say this.
The religiously unaffiliated, also known as “nones,” are those who describe themselves, religiously, as atheist, agnostic or as “nothing in particular.”
Today, 176 million Americans claim to be Christians—69% of the population. Yet, only 6% of U.S. adults—which is 9% of those identifying as Christians—possess a biblical worldview, believing the Bible to be accurate and reliable, among other convictions.
That’s according to a new study by researcher George Barna and the Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Arizona.
Large majorities of self-identified Christians also report many beliefs “not in harmony with biblical teaching,” according to the survey. These include:
72% argue that people are basically good
66% say that ‘having faith’ matters more than which faith you pursue
64% say that all religious faiths are of equal value
58% believe that if a person is good enough, or does enough good things, they can earn their way into Heaven
57% believe in karma
By contrast, the survey cohort termed as Integrated Disciples—a small subset of those claiming to be Christians—are noted as being consistent in their beliefs and integrating those convictions into their behaviors.
99+% believe that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful and just Creator of the universe who still rules the universe today
99+% believe that the Bible is the accurate and reliable words of God
96% claim that every moral choice either honors of dishonors God
However, Barna’s survey finds that even some believers classified as part of this highly discipled cohort hold to some views that “challenge biblical principles.” Those “shocking” beliefs of Integrated Disciples include:
52% argue that people are basically good
39% contend that the Holy Spirit is not a real, living being but is merely a symbol of God’s power, presence, or purity
33% believe in karma
“There is a remarkable level of self-deception (even among) born-again Christians,” said Barna, commenting on his recent worldview research. “It represents a huge educational challenge for those responsible for biblical worldview development.”
Many postmodern churches are teaching a type of gospel that does not conform to the Bible and, in fact, reveals many of the traits and teachings of Paganism. Likewise, a majority of people claiming the name of Christian may not be Christians at all. Many postmodern Christians don’t fully believe the Bible and practice aspects of Paganism.
Pagan comes from the Latin word paganus, which means “country dweller”; paganism can refer to polytheism, (the belief in many gods), or the worship of more than one god, such as in ancient Rome. A pagan is also considered to be one who, for the most part, has no religion and indulges in worldly delights and material possessions; someone who revels in sensual pleasures; a hedonistic or self-indulgent individual. Another, more modern term is neo-paganism, which refers to some of the contemporary forms of paganism such as Wicca, Druidry, and Gwyddon.
Modern “pagan” practices are actually similar to their ancient counterparts in that they rely heavily on hedonism—sensual gratification and self-indulgence and the pursuit of happiness and pleasure to the exclusion of everything else. In ancient times, sexual ceremonies were a major part of pagan religions. The Old Testament references these perverted religions in such passages as Deuteronomy 23:17, Amos 2:7–8, and Isaiah 57:7–8.
Though they are numerous and varied in their practices and beliefs, pagans do hold to some similar beliefs. For example:
• The physical world is a good place, one to be taken pleasure in by everyone.
• Everyone is considered to be part of this Mother Earth.
• Divinity reveals itself in every facet of the world.
• Every being, man and animal, is a derivative of the Divine. As such, all are gods and goddess.
• Most pagan religions do not have gurus or messiahs.
• Doctrine is superseded by one’s own responsibility.
• Solar and lunar cycles are significant in pagan worship.
From a Christian viewpoint, pagans are generally characterized as those who are caught up in any religious ceremony, act, or practice that is not distinctly Christian. Correspondingly, Jews and Muslims also use the term pagans to describe those outside their religion. Others define the term paganism as any religion outside of Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity; whereas some argue that a pagan is anyone with no religion at all.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Furthermore, since they, (pagans), did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:28).
In spite of common assumptions, most pagan worshipers claim they don’t believe in Satan. However, there’s no question that Satan is their chief source of influence and control. Though they will deny it, they deify him in their worldly and sensual practices. Paul tells us plainly how Satan works in the lives of people without God, through his power, his signs, his deceit, and his lies:
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12).
That Satan is alive and well is powerfully evidenced in these pagan practices. This was not only clear in the times of the first-century church, but also in today’s postmodern world. To the faithful believers who know the Lord, pagan worship is what it appears to be—the power and deceit of the prince of this world, Satan (1 John 5:19), who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). As such, paganism should be avoided.
CHRISTIANITY
According to Wikipedia, Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world’s largest religion, with about 2.5 billion followers. Its adherents, known as Christians, make up a majority of the population in 157 countries and territories, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, whose coming as the messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (called the Old Testament in Christianity) and chronicled in the New Testament.
According to CARM (Christian Apologetics And Research Ministry), Christianity is a religion based upon the teachings and miracles of Jesus. Jesus is the Christ. The word “Christ” means anointed one. Christ is not Jesus’ last name. Jesus is the anointed one from God the Father who came to this world, fulfilled the Old Testament laws and prophecies, died on the cross, and rose from the dead physically. He performed many miracles that were recorded in the Gospels by the eyewitnesses. He is divine in nature as well as human. Thus, He has two natures and is worthy of worship and prayer.
According to GotQuestions.Org,, the term Christianity seems to imply a religious system in the same way that Islam and Buddhism are religious systems. Within religious systems are core beliefs, along with codes, rules, and standards that must be mastered in order to achieve a desired end. Christianity does not fit that definition and therefore the term can be slightly misleading.
Jesus did not come into the world to start another religion. There were already plenty of religions (see Acts 17:22–23), including Judaism, which had begun as a relationship with Almighty God (Leviticus 20:12) but had deteriorated into another religious system on par with idol worship (Matthew 15:8). Jesus came to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37), to seek and to save the lost—those separated from God by their sin (Luke 19:10)—and to “give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:32). With that said, those who follow Christ do share some core beliefs.
Biblically speaking, Christians are those who are forgiven of their sins and who have entered a personal relationship with Almighty God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:9–10). In order to become a Christian, a person must fully accept as part of his or her own personal worldview the following core beliefs:
The physical world is a good place, one to be taken pleasure in by everyone.
The physical world is fallen and, for now, is ruled by Satan. (1 John 5:19)
There is pleasure to be found in the world, but as Christians we are strangers to this world, scattered about, being distressed by various trials for the proving of our faith until Jesus returns. (1 Peter 1:1-9, Matthew 24:29-31)
Everyone is considered to be part of this Mother Earth.
Divinity reveals itself in every facet of the world.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun. (Psalms 19:1-4), but the Bible says we are to worship only God, and not to worship His creation (Romans 1:25).
Every being, man and animal, is a derivative of the Divine. As such, all are gods and goddess.
We are made in the image of God but with a flaw and afflicted by the curse of sin and condemned to eternal damnation. It is only by being born again by the Spirit of God by His grace and great mercy and through our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, are we to be saved from destruction.
Some false religions and cults teach that we are ‘made in his image’ and that we become like gods. This is a twisting, a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the Bible which says ‘we will become like Him’.
Most pagan religions do not have gurus or messiahs.
Again, scriptures say, “There is a way that seems right to a person, but ends in death.” Proverbs 14:12).
The Apostle Paul emphasizes “the whole counsel of God” as a way to affirm the completion of his duties toward the Ephesians and to remind them of the Truth, WHICH IS ALSO OURS TO AFFIRM TO THE WORLD AROUND US. Paul warns, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” (Acts 20:29–31).
The whole counsel of God includes some things that are difficult to hear—the fact that we are dead in sin and deserving of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:1–3) and the fact that we cannot save ourselves through works (Ephesians 2:8–9). The gospel is a call to repentance and faith. Believers will face persecution (John 16:33) and likely be considered foolish. But none of these things can dissuade us.
We should follow Paul’s example and also preach and live the whole counsel of God. All Scripture is inspired, and all of it is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16). We must preach it and live it in its entirety and allow the Holy Spirit to use His sword as He sees fit (Ephesians 6:17). Paul did not share half-truths or only parts of the gospel; rather, he shared all of what God has revealed. We must do the same. (see GotQuestions.Org)
The Bible warns us of this ‘Deluding Influence’,“the mystery of lawlessness which is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He, (The Holy Spirit), is removed.Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders,and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them 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.” (2 Thesslonians 2:7-12)
In these Last Days, as the Bible says, the spirit of antichrist is present. False christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, eventheelect. We must hold fast to the example of sound words which we have heard and in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Jesus says, “Iamthe way, and thetruth, and thelife, no one comes to theFather except through Me.” John 14:6
Let’s not forget to pray for one another as the Day of our Lord draws near.
CLUE #4 – POINTING TO THE END – THE GREAT FLOOD – REVELATION 12
Chapter 7
(The Flood, The Woman, The Dragon, The Child)
It is important to understand the events described in Revelation 12, 13, and 14 as a recap, and a panorama of God’s Plan of salvation for the world from a ‘Heavenly Perspective’ to find WHY.
The scenario in Revelation, chapter 12, begins with Israel, the Christ child and Satan’s failed attempt to destroy this child, the Son of God. It culminates with Jesus’ victorious war over the Evil one.
Revelation 12:1-17 seems out of place in the account of The End of Days, The Tribulation and God’s Judgments. But it is important to understand the events described in Revelation 12, 13, and 14 as a recap, and a panorama of God’s Plan of salvation for the world from a ‘Heavenly Perspective’.
The scenario in Revelation, chapter 12, begins with Israel, the Christ child and Satan’s failed attempt to destroy this, child, the Son of God. It culminates with Jesus’ victorious war over the Evil one.
Revelation 12:13, says, “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Verse 14. “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Verse 15. “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Verse 16. “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Verse 17. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation, chapter 12, starts with the words, “Now a great sign appeared”: This is the first of seven signs that John relates, and is described as a “great sign”, (“mega semeion”, from the Greek language).
Revelation chapters 12, 13, and 14 the main figures of the Great Tribulation are described, and this great sign introduces the first of the seven.
The woman, representing Israel.
The dragon, representing Satan.
The man-child, referring to Jesus.
The angel Michael, head of the angelic host.
The offspring of the woman, representing Gentiles who come to faith in the Tribulation.
The beast out of the sea, representing the antichrist.
The beast out of the earth, representing the false prophet who promotes the antichrist.
Knowing and understanding “The Flood” in Revelation 12 give you an overview of HOW and WHY God is working in these ways and will help you know the urgency of the day in which you live, why you need to get ready for His Return and that it is now time.
IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE FLOOD AS DESCRIBED BY JESUS IN REVELATION 12, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE JESUS RETURNS, USHERING IN THE “GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD”.
CREATION – THE FALL – SIN – DEATH – REDEMPTION – TRIBULATIONS – THE DAY OF WRATH – JUDGMENT – BOOK OF LIFE – LAKE OF FIRE – A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH.
One of the prevalent eschatological teaching (study on the matters of the end of the age) is the Pre-tribulation Rapture and Premillennialism. it was originated by John Nelson Darby in 1833. Darby is considered to be the father of modern Dispensationalism and Futurism. Pre-tribulationrapture theology was popularized extensively in the 1830s by John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren, and further popularized in the United States in the early 20th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible.
Other eschatological views include:
Preterism (1554–1613)
Historicism (mid 1500s)
Futurism (mid 1500s)
From these views spring major theological positions of
Because there are a myriad of Church denominational and doctrinal positions, it is understandable that so many differing eschatological views have emerged.
But, with the passage of time, historical events and particularly religious, social, economic, and political developments are revealing the frightening accuracies and the realities of Biblical prophecies which are coming to life and are bringing Biblical prophecies into focus. A reassessment is under way.
In the meantime, however, most theologians and Bible teachers doggedly adhere to their sixteenth century, long-held denominational-based and man-invented views of Biblical eschatology, despite the clarity of scriptures when viewed outside of denominational bias and when examining the emerging evidence to the contrary.
For example, there are those who call themselves Bible teachers or theologians who teach and claim that all Biblical eschatology is metaphorical, and idiomatic, analogical or parables used to explain natural events and their outcomes. This puts Jesus and His Teachings in the category of fantasies, fairytales and lies – although the Bible clearly warns otherwise.
Others teach there will be a 2nd advent of Christ, however, they would have you believe that the second coming will be ‘in secret’, and that Jesus’ visible and actual 2nd coming will not occur until the battles of Armageddon.
And if that isn’t enough, others teach that there will be BOTH a visible 2nd coming as described in Matthew chapter 24, and a visible 3rd advent (coming) of Christ when He will defeat Satan at the battle of Armageddon. And, things get even more convoluted when it comes to the various denominational doctrines of The Millennium.
Most of these same preachers, pastors and ‘bible teachers’ will tell you that the entire tribulation period is a yet-to-be experienced, future event, putting you at ease when Jesus clearly teaches the very opposite thing. Jesus warns that you must be on the alert, standing at the ready at all times, during “these last days”! (See Matthew 24:36-44)
There have always been debates on these matters, reaching back centuries, some erupting in to divisive arguments, growing into hatreds and even schisms within the Church. Sometime in the 1600s the phrase “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity” emerged (the authorship is disputed). Then, on June 29, 1959 The phrase in its current form is found in Pope John XXIII’s encyclical Ad Petri Cathedram, where he uses it favorably. It has been somewhat successful in the Church’s attempts to ‘agree to disagree’ and accepting that each church can hold their own eschatological positions without the infighting, There continues to be, however, widespread disagreement due to denominational differences.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
You might ask, “why does it matter when the tribulation starts or when Christians are to be raptured into heavens (if at all)?
It matters because Jesus says it in plain face-value language. And, He says that we are to be ready. Believing the plain language of the Bible and being ready for His Return is proof of True Christianity and only a True Believer in Christ will be guaranteed to join Christ at the sound of His Great Trumpet call and escape the coming ‘Great and Terrible Day of the Lord’.
It matters because being ready requires believing and doing what He has instructed us to do in preparation for His return.
It matters because He has warned that “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
It matters because many Christians are sitting idly waiting for an event that has already begun and they are not DOING what He told them to do and therefore are in grave danger.
It matters because some of our family, friends and neighbors are completely unaware or just don’t believe that Christ will return and God’s final judgments will sentence them to outer darkness.
It matters Because, as Christians, our faith, our convictions and our behavior Are speaking louder than our words.
And, it matters, especially ‘in these last days’ because, there is a convergence and a concurrence of events and propheciesoccurring as never been seen before and they are increasing in frequency and intensity.
Alarming events have, from time to time, caused people to wonder if the End of Days as spoken of in the Bible had arrived. But, never, have events coincided with prophetic fulfillment as we now see. Once a Tribulation event begins, it may continue for days, weeks, months, years or decades. Then, as a second or third event occurs, events may overlap and occur simultaneously.
Additionally, it is important to note that when a Tribulation Seal is broken, ana an event or a series of events occur which can last for long periods of time. Most of these tribulation related events will continue to occur until the “Consummation of the Age”. (See The Sixth Tribulation Seal)
Now, specifically regarding the approaching SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST, Revelation 1:7, tells us, “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.” English Standard Version.
(Revelation 1:7, REPEATED in the Amplified Bible Version: BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes, that is the nations of the earth will mourn over Him, realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath. So, it is to be. Amen.”
Jesus also teaches, in Matthew 24:20-31, “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 [a]elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
THE EVIDENCE
First in Revelation 1:7, John is warning that the return of Jesus is imminent and that on that occasion “every eye will see Him” which precludes a ‘secret appearing’. These words along with testimonies of other Apostles, confirm that the ‘tribulation period’ began as early as the birth of Christ and the early tribulation seals were broken (opened) immediately following Jesus’ birth.
Secondly, John’s words mirror and are confirmed by the words of Jesusfound in Matthew 24:29-31. These words of encouragement and warning lead 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 (the beginning of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation, as distinct from the ‘birth pains’ and the breaking of the first 5 tribulation seals.)
HEAR THE WORDS OF JOHN THE REVELATOR, (John of Patmos), “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” (see Revelation 1:9) John is clearly telling us that in or around the year A.D. 95 the tribulation was well under way.
These words of John found in Revelation 1:9 and his reference to the fact the tribulation is under way, he is participating in the early stages of the tribulation period and his words are echoed and confirmed by:
The Apostle Paul, in Hebrews 1:2, “In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”
This was written Around A.D. 60.
The Apostle Paul, in Hebrews 9:26, “For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
This was written Around A.D. 60.
The Apostle Peter, in Acts 2:14, “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. Verse 15. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; verse 16, but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
Verse 17. ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;”
This was written Around AD 60.
The Apostle Paul, in, 2 Timothy 3:1, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Verse 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, verse 3, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, verse 4, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, verse 5, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”
This was written Around AD 60.
The Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 1:20, “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”.
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Verse 8. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Verse 9. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
This was written Around AD 60.
The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 3:3, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, verse 4, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”
This was written Around AD 60.
The Apostle Matthew, in Matthew 24:3, tells us, “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
This was written Around AD 60.
The Apostle John, in 1 John 2:18, tells us, “Children, it is the last hour [the end of this age]; and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists (false teachers) have appeared, which confirms our belief that it is the last hour.”
This was written around AD 90.
The Apostle John, in Revelation 1:9, tells us, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
This was written around AD 95.
SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
I will approach this question using a 3-fold-ministrhy approach.
You are either a conscript in God’s army or an enemy of the Cross of Christ. As a Christian, you are involved in a cosmic battle, a spiritual war fighting for souls, minds and the lives of every person born during your time on planet earth. You may not have thought about it this way, and you may not like hearing it now, but that is exactly what is going on.
It is important to acknowledge, that though we walk in the flesh as mortal men and women, we are not carrying on spiritual warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience as a Christian is complete.
Put on the full armor of God for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier, so that you may be able to successfully stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood contending only with physical opponents, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly supernatural places. (See Ephesians 6:10-17)
CLUE #3 – POINTING TO THE END – THE GREAT FLOOD – MATTHEW 24
Chapter 6
“And they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so, will the coming of the Son of Man be. “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.” Matthew 24:39-40
Jesus, in Matthew Chapter 24, gives us an amazing overview of the coming Day of the Lord, the Great Tribulation, the Rapture of the Church and much more.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THIS WILL HAPPEN IN A MOMENT AND THERE WILL BE NO SECOND-CHANCES. THE TIME IS UPON US.
The word “flood” is used about 28 times in the Bible. It is used eleven times in the Book of Genesis and refers to God’s Judgment on the world for sin by way of the Great Flood.
The word “flood” is used either in general terms or symbolically, twice in Job, five times in Psalms, once in Proverbs, Isaiah and Nahum, once in Luke.
It is used in reference to God’s Judgments, once in Daniel, twice in Matthew, once in Luke once in 2 Peter and once in Revelation. All of these references are related to the End of Days in some way, except for 2 Peter.
The Bible mentions a flood in conjunction with God’s Judgment and the “End of Days” as mentioned, in Daniel 9, Matthew 24 and Revelation 12.
Let’s focus on the narrative of a flood in Matthew 24:37 which speaks specifically about the “Flood”, comparing what is past and what coming.
The flood in Matthew 24:37 is a direct reference to the Great Flood of Noah’s day, which “took them all away” who were not safe in the Ark.
Matthew uses the same wording and warnings as found in the Genesis Flood account:
Matthew 24:39, tells us, “And, they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so, will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Verse 40. “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.
Verse 41. “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.
Verse 42. “Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
Verse 43. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
Verse 44. “For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
Verse 45. “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?
Verse 46. “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”
In Noah’s day, although Noah warned them, they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away.
So, it will be with the coming of “The Son of Man, which is Jesus. But now we understand the warnings and will have no excuse. Still, if you do not heed the warnings, you will be taken away.
The warning is, “those who are not ready will be left”. They will be left. No excuses and no second chances, not even during the Tribulation.
“Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes:
Be on the alert; he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into
Be the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time.
This is to be our response. Get Ready and Stay Ready!
NEXT: THE TRUTH BE KNOWN – Clue #4 – Pointing To The End, Ch. 7
IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF THE FLOOD AS DESCRIBED BY JESUS IN MATTHEW 24, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE FINAL WEEK BEFORE JESUS RETURNS, USHERING IN THE “GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD”.
(Please Note: The corresponding verses in the books of Matthew and Revelation are color-coded for your reference and convenience).
Matthew 24:9, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. Verse 10, And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. Verse 11, And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Verse 12, And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”
As corresponding to:
Revelation 6:9, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain 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 dwell on the earth?” Verse 11. And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”
AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL MARKER:
The events Jesus describes in verses 9 through 12 had already begun in His day and His disciples suffered this ‘tribulation’ (internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is “no way of escape”) of persecution, alienation because of Jesus’ name, the rise of false prophets, lawlessness and death.
Jesus goes into greater detail in the sixth chapter of the book of Revelation, verses nine through 12, regarding this time of tribulation, death, hatred and the falling away of Christians from one another and from faith in God. This is a description of the breaking of the fifth seal of the tribulation scroll, which is the great apostasy, the great falling away from the faith and the great persecution of the Church.
Let’s remember, as the tribulation seals are broken (open), the effects of each seal will overlap with the preceding seals and the effects will compound and intensify, leading us to the 6th Tribulation Seal, also known as the beginning of The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb.
NOTE: CHRONOLOGICAL MARKERS are useful for identifying events in their chronological order, which can help us identify our placement on God’s End of Days ‘calendar’.
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 50
“Go and report what you hear and see”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: those who are blind receive sight and those who are lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And, blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me.” – The Words of Jesus, Matthew 11:1-6.
These words of Jesus, meant for John, are good advice to all of us who call ourselves Christians at any time in any age.
Sadly, however, most of us, Christians, have never seen those who are blind receive sight and those who lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and honestly, many of us have never been present when the poor have the gospel preached to them.
These words from Jesus came as a response to a question posed by a disciple of John the Baptist, “When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciple,and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” (Matthew 11:2).
This could be a microcosm or a ‘word picture’ of an age-old question which is posed daily by thousands of Christ seekers, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” And the answer given by Jesus is still the same, “Go and report what you hear and see: those who are blind receive sight and those who are lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And, blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me.”
Please listen and consider, dear brothers and sisters and ‘seekers’, what we have substituted in the daily search for Christ in our lives. We ‘go to church’ and listen to messages and sermons, attend speakers’ forums, go to classes, sit in chat groups, meet and greet one another. We even invite others to ‘come to church’ so they can enjoy the same activities. All of these are good things, but are we failing in the main things?
We are called and sent to testify to the One Living God and to do the works that He has prepared for us, ahead of time, that we should walk in them. (see Ephesians 2:10).
I hear many Christians make excuses, such as, “I am not called to do these things” or “this makes me uncomfortable. I just can’t do that”, or that “miracles have mostly ceased”. There are others who say they believe in miracles, but can only recount one or two times they have actually seen such works, if any. Most have never personally seen or experienced the miraculous works of God so they cannot testify to them.
Jesus, however, says miracles cease where there is unbelief. (see Matthew 13:58)
So, the same as when Jesus responded to the crowds that followed Him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (see John 6:26-28)
Disciples of Jesus, for all ages, have been called and sent by Jesus by His authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. And as you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts — no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly, I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This has always been the way.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: I realize that I am open to criticism at times for my direct approach on these matters – even ridiculed. People say that I am too harsh or too direct. But I have never heard or read where Jesus was reticent, apologetic or begged anyone to believe in Him or His works.
The time, for everyone, is short. Whether Jesus returns today or your time on earth ends today, time is short for all of us. Today is the day of our salvation.
The foregoing photo has great eye appeal when trying to describe a New Age One World church. But it is just a pictural metaphor. The REAL THING, however, is this:
Introducing themselves as a “Human Fraternity”, Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, issue and sign the Document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together”, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is jointly bestowed on His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb.
Their stated mission is “to inspire all people to live the values of human fraternity.” Their statement goes on to say that, “we believe the values of the Document on Human Fraternity are key to promoting peace on all levels: between individuals, organizations, nations, and even between humanity and the environment. As our increasingly fragmented world continues to suffer from extremism and intolerance, our innovative initiatives aim to put human fraternity values into action by inspiring leaders and empowering youth, women, and vulnerable communities, to pursue and realize a more peaceful future.”
Granted, on the surface, these are worthy sounding goals. Problems emerge when you realize the endemic differences between Christianity, Islam and the Judaism in matters of faith and God and how those matters are played out in daily life. Most will say those differences are irreconcilable.
Inspired by the meeting between His Holiness Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Tayeb, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, allocates a plot of land on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi to build an Abrahamic Family House – a concrete implementation and physical manifestation of the Document on Human Fraternity. These three religions will be represented in the construction this Abrahamic Family House, which is suggested be a ‘beacon of mutual understanding, harmonious coexistence, and peace among people of faith and goodwill’.
Three religions, Catholicism (1.2 billion), Islam, (1.9 billion), and Judaism, (15.2 million), are represented. What is glaringly absent is (non-Catholic) Christianity, (1.3 billion).
This cooperation or merger of religions is more than an a ‘document on human fraternity for world peace and living together’. This is a merging of three of the world’s most populous religions who, in one way or another, are historically in opposition to, or hostile to, the Superiority and Supremacy of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Lord and Savior of the World.
Catholicism clearly states supremacy and superiority lies within the Catholic Church. Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism are two different religions that practice and believe different things about how one is saved, the authority of the Bible, the priesthood of believers, the nature of man, the work of Christ on the cross, etc. The list of irreconcilable differences between what the Bible says and what the Roman Catholic Church says make any joint mission between the two impossible. Those who deny this are not being true to what they say they believe, no matter which side they are on. Any Catholic who is serious about his faith will reject what a serious evangelical Christian believes, and vice-versa.
Likewise, Judaism rejects Jesus as God and Savior or the world. Islam stands in opposition toward Christ and Christianity and advocates for the destruction and eradication of Israel.
It has begun. Governments and religions merge into a One World system. This is a “must watch” twenty-seven-minute video by David Rosenthal of Zion’s Hope Ministries, titled “The Mystery of Babylon” which highlights and explains the rebuilding of Islam’s Mecca as a leading shipping port, entertainment center and the premier Muslim religious site in the world with the intention of drawing millions of young people to Mecca.
Jesus tells us that He came into this world to testify to the truth, (John 18:37), and for that ‘crime’, He was spit on, mocked, criticized, hunted down, condemned, beaten and murdered.
Jesus was and is, to this very day, a threat. He is a threat to false religions including Gnosticism. He is a threat to a rebellious, stubborn, perverted and unbelieving world. He is a threat to paganism to hedonism, to all forms of Marxism including Globalism. Jesus is a threat to all forms of illnesses, diseases, sickness, poverty, loneliness and depression.
Greater yet, Jesus is the greatest Hope and Friend to the orphan, the widow, the oppressed, the lonely and the lost. He is The Merciful, Kind, Loving, Forgiving Savior offering His life to redeem a lost and perishing world.
Despite the fact that Jesus was a demonstrable threat to the rulers of this world, a stumbling block to the Jew and foolishness to the Gentile, His Church grew.
AD 1 The Church of Jesus Christ, The Body of Christ, had no buildings, little money and no wealth. The Church was a Movement.
Matthew 16:18, says, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. verse 19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” verse 20. Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.”
Jesus said to “make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.”
Although the penalty for becoming a Christian was often death. The Church grew exponentially, creating the greatest threat ever to the rulers of darkness and of this world. But then, in or around AD 49 something began to change.
AD 49. The Church expanded into Greece. The Church became a philosophy to many. Still, the Church grew and size and influence.
The seeds of distortion were sown. Satan and the world knew they could not overcome Jesus directly, so the enemies of Christ appealed directly to the hearts and minds of sinful men with money, influence and power.
AD 313. The Church expanded into Rome and it gained recognition. It grew in power and popularity. It obtained wealth, buildings, property and influence. It became an institution.
AD 380. The Church expanded into Europe. It was becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It grew in wealth, stature, power and influence. It had become a culture.
AD 1607. The Church reaches America.
AD 1681. The Church became corporate. It had become a business and incorporated. It became regulated by the government.
But that was not enough. There are those who doubted that Jesus’ ways and methods could fulfill His Great Commission, so they would stop and nothing to make the Gospel and Jesus more palatable, more entertaining, more sensual.
The Corporate Church continued to grow but it needed money. Money to support growth and expansion, which meant the Corporate Church needed more people.
AD 1777. The state of Virginia granted tax exemption to houses of worship.
The state sponsored 501(c)(3), ‘government leash’ was introduced and the Church willing submitted to this tether.
AD 1894. The corporate church was granted tax exemptions by the Federal Government.
AD 1954. The Federal Government regulated what a church could and could not say in order to retain tax exempt status.
The church continued to grow, and in order to attract more people the Corporate Church lowered its membership and doctrinal standards. More people became ‘members’ and gave more money to support more growth.
The Church corporation is complete with leaders, boards and membership and a business model.
Local churches compete against one another for members (customers). The church is selling itself in “three-line slogans”.
The Church members now have choices and have become religious consumers. Church people can shop around for the religious brand and standards that best suits them. (2 Timothy 3)
The Leadership (pastors and preachers) have become CEOs, disciples have become church leaders, growing their 501(c)(3) business models.
Record numbers of pastors began quitting because of stress, burnout or are being fired by their congregations (some stats say 1500 – 1700 leave “the ministry” each month).
Church debt in America soars; church foreclosures soar.
The Bible tells of the beginnings of the idea of a One World Government and warns this system is coming again – in the Last Days.
“They said, ‘Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.’
“The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.
“The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.” Genesis 11:4-6
DON’T BE DECEIVED
The agenda of this “migration” and Globalism or One World Government is not the stuff of just any book. It is stuff of THE BOOK, that is The Bible.
THE TOWER OF BABEL REEMERGES – ONE WORLD?
Genesis chapter 11 gives us the prophecy, the foreshadowing of the coming One World Government.
The Tower of Babel, built around 2242 B.C., was a post-Flood rebellion against God by Noah’s descendants. As told about in Genesis 11:1-9, it is meant to explain why the world’s peoples speak different languages. According to the account, a united humanity in the generations following the Great Flood, speaking a single language and migrating eastward, comes to the land of Shinar (שִׁנְעָר). There, they agree to build a city and a tower tall enough to reach heaven.
(NOTE: “tall enough to reach to heaven” can be a metaphor for “man reaching to heaven, making himself god, to accomplish his own desires. This is the ‘Utopian dream’ of the Socialist and Communist manifestos; the State being our god – from cradle to grave)
This effort of uniting in a global community has been underway for about 4,200 years, about 100 years after ‘The Flood’, but before Abraham was born.
This is ‘forecast’ or what is Prophesied in the Bible. Is it underway? Should we PREPARE? (More on this, later).
These are exciting times in which we live! But we must be prepared to ‘endure to the end’, most likely the end of the 5th Seal of Revelation, as Jesus said in Matthew 24. And by all accounts, it would seem we are at that stage!
AD 2010. The Lutheran church ordains homosexual clergy
AD 2012. The Presbyterian church ordains homosexual clergy
Millions of people(approximately 52 million) “attend church” in one of the 300,000+ churches in America, at least once a week each month. However, when people were asked the topic of the “sermon” they heard after 24 hours, only about 10 percent could tell you. When asked to cite the most important lesson they received, most just shrugged.
An estimated 1.2 million hours each week (1) are spent in sermon preparations; it takes about another 300,000 hours in delivery of these sermons (2) at a staggering potential cost of over $750 millions dollars nationally, each week (3). Yet, only 5% of those hearing these sermons, remember anything about them after 72 hours.
SCANDALS IN THE CHURCH
A quick Google search for scandals just in the ‘mega church’ shows 1,910,000 hits. Omit the words ‘mega church’ and you’ll get 39,200,000 hits. What is going on?
In order to save space here, I am giving you a link to an article “SHIPWRECKED – Enemies Within the Church”, detailing Satan’s invasion of and work within the postmodern church.
AD 2019. The church is losing and has lost influence. In addition to church scandals, false teachings, drift and malaise, fueled and aided by the ‘Covid-19 pandemic’ the church in 2019 is losing members and adherents. Much of the church is teaching and living a different Gospel than that of the Apostles. (George Barna research; Pew Research). When confronted with their sins, the church erupts in finger pointing, denials and blame-placing rather than demonstrating a humble self-evaluation and repentance.
AD 2020. Agenda 2030, is the completion of Agenda-21. A One-World Socialist movement, grounded in Marxism, merging all nation’s governments and consolidating all forms of technologies, food production, healthcare systems, banking and financial systems, currencies and more.
The breadth, depth and complexity of this once-covert operation is breathtaking. This is dealt with in great detail by clicking THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT EMERGES – 2022. The only matter standing in the way of the completion of Agenda 2030 and complete global control is Christianity and that final obstacle is being effectively neutralized and transformed into a New Age One World Church.
THE TAMING OF JESUS?
If you were to visit most of the postmodern churches around America or the western world, you might wonder if you wandered into a religious night club or a media event. Tattooed preachers with the latest haircuts, hip jeans full of holes, giving elaborate speeches, accompanied by flashing lights, and a crowd swaying in time with adrenaline producing music.
Church leaders, production managers and CEO’s may have been tamed and transformed into the likeness of this world, but don’t be deceived. Jesus is untamed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! He is returning soon, as the Lion of Judah, to collect His redeemed, to rapture His Church and to exact judgement on a wicked and rebellious world.
OUR RESPONSE?
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”James 4:7
Gird up for War!
WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?
TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH
John 18:37“Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose, I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
TO BRING A SWORD
Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35, For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; verse 36, and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”
TO FULFILL THE LAW
Matthew 5:17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”
TO CALL SINNERS
Mark 2:17 “And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
TO SAVE THE WORLD
John 12:47 “If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”
TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH
Luke 12:49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50, But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Verse 51, Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division; “
“WHAT HE REALLY MEANT?”
Jesus has told us, in John 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. Verse 13. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
I have heard so many preachers, bible teachers and detractors alike, try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited. These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12. They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.
Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said. He is our model for our counter cultural resistance to the growing global threat of Communist-Marxist-Globalism, And we need to get on with it.
Jesus had a divine appointment with a cruel Roman cross. Read what He said when Peter proposed to get in the way of His mission:
Matthew 16:21- 23, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
We do not literally have an appointment with a crucifixion, but, the Bible is clear in Galatians 5:24, that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” and again in Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul reminds us that, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” which must be true for all who follow Jesus because we are on mission with Jesus. Our ‘old self’ must die so our new selves can follow and serve Him.
Jesus always, taught the Will of His Father, then, demonstrated what He taught. He expects us to do the same. Ephesians, chapter six, gives us a clear teaching and picture of the type of preparation and resolve we are to assume.
Ephesians 6:10-17,tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Stand, i.e., continue safe and sound, stand unharmed: Acts 26:22.
Stand ready or prepared: Ephesians 6:14. One who does not hesitate, does not waver, of one who vanquishes his adversaries and holds the ground, also of one who in the midst of the fight holds his position against the foe, to persist, continue, persevere: (so as not to fall from thy faith).
Jesus’ example of steadfast, unmovable courage which is our example and our command to be and to do the same:
CONFRONTING THE STORM
Mark 4:35-41, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
This is our model, our method and our calling in these last days!
CONFRONTING DEMONS
Luke 8:26-33 “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.
“Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.”
This is our model, our method and our calling in these last days!
CONFRONTING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
John 19:8-12 ”Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So, Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason, he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”
This is our model, our method and our calling in these last days!
BEFORE THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT
Matthew 24:57-67, “Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.
“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on, two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless, I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him.”
This is our model, our method and our calling in these last days!
Jesus did not draw back. (He proceeded boldly to the Cross and secured our salvation!) We must not draw back. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on the earth and is with us until the end!
Remember, Jesus came to earth for these stated reasons – and these same reasons are our method and our calling:
TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. We are to testify to the truth!
TO BRING A SWORD. We are to bring the sword of the Word of God!
TO FULFILL THE LAW. We are to fulfill the same law!
TO CALL SINNERS. We are to call sinners!
TO SAVE THE WORLD through Jesus. In a very real sense, this, too, is our calling, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him
TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH. This, too, is our calling! The Word of God is a stumbling block to those who do not believe, dividing A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (Matthew 10:35-36)
Dear Brothers and Sisters, this is not hyperbole, a philosophy or metaphor. Now is the time to gird ourselves up with the full armor of God and follow our Lord, the King of Kings into battle.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places and must be fought with Spiritual Armament!
A CAUTION AND A WARNING: When you see a great persecution of Christians, many falling away from faith in Jesus, hating and betraying one another; in conjunction with wars and rumors of wars, an increase in earthquakes, famines, disease, a dangerous and dramatic increase in lawlessness; a rise of many false prophets and many being led astray from the Gospel of Christ, you will know the fifth seal of the tribulation has been broken, and we are nearing the end.
Matthew 24,Verse 13. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
CHRONOLOGICAL MARKERS are useful for identifying events in their chronological order, which can help us identify our placement on God’s End of Days ‘calendar’.
1958 
1990 
1992 
However, President GEORGE H.W. BUSH was one of the 178 heads of government who signed the final text of the agreement at the Earth Summit in 1992, and in the same year Representatives 
1993 
2015 
2019 
2020 
2021 
(The following 
The OLD CROSS and THE NEW 
I asked him if he had ever read anything by 
I explained that the book was hard for me to read and fully understand, but after a couple of tries, I got the idea that Davies believes that God is actually a cosmic harmonic and a math equation of sorts. In fact, Davies startling conclusion is that the universe is “no minor byproduct of mindless, purposeless forces, and that the universe is a kind of gigantic computer. He says, “We are truly meant to be here.” By the means of science, we can truly see into the mind of God.
My friend, and most in our world are turning away from the God of the Bible, in record numbers, just as the Bible said it would happen in these last days. (see 
THE ANSWER TO “WHEN” – part 3:
The events Jesus describes in verses 9 through 12 had already begun in His day and His disciples suffered this 
Jesus said to “make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.”
